barmenteros FX builds custom Expert Advisors for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. From strategy specification to production-ready MQL4/MQL5 code, we deliver EAs that handle broker edge cases, state persistence, and real-market conditions — not just backtests that look good on paper.
Not sure what an Expert Advisor can do for your strategy? Read our complete guide to Expert Advisors — what they are, what functions they cover, and the three ways to get one.
What You Get
- Production-ready compiled files — .ex4 or .ex5 tested against your target broker environment
- Full source code — .mq4/.mq5 files you own completely, with no licensing restrictions
- Backtest validation — Strategy Tester reports verifying core logic before delivery
- Input documentation — parameter descriptions, recommended settings, and known limitations
- Deployment support — assistance during initial live setup on your VPS or terminal
How It Works
- Specification — You describe your trading rules, risk parameters, instruments, and timeframe. Not sure how to document your strategy? Our [guide to writing EA specifications that save money](/specification-saves-money-ea-project/) walks you through it.
- Review & Quote — We evaluate complexity and provide a fixed-price estimate within 48 hours. No hourly billing.
- Development — We build, test, and iterate. You receive progress updates and backtest results at each milestone.
- Delivery & Verification — Compiled files, source code, and backtest reports delivered. We support your initial deployment and answer questions during the first live sessions.
Who This Is For
Good fit:
- Traders with a defined strategy who need reliable automated execution on MetaTrader
- Developers stuck with AI-generated or freelancer code that fails on anything except EURUSD
- Firms migrating MT4 systems to MT5 and needing production-grade architecture, not just recompilation
Not the best fit:
- No clear trading strategy yet — we build execution tools, not trading strategies
- Budget under $200 — quality EA development requires thorough testing and broker-specific handling
- Expecting profit guarantees — no honest developer can promise that
What Makes This Different
Since 2011, barmenteros FX has built and maintained Expert Advisors across dozens of broker environments. That experience surfaces in production details most developers never encounter: how an EA handles broker disconnections mid-trade, why state persistence matters when a VPS reboots during a recovery cycle, or how floating-point precision differences between MT4 and MT5 affect multi-symbol calculations.
Roughly 40% of our projects are rescue work — clients bring us EAs built by other developers that technically “work” but fail their first live stress test. These rescues have taught us where the real failure points are: not in entry logic, but in error handling, execution timing, and whether to fix or rebuild. We apply those lessons to every new build.
We test against production constraints: broker-specific stop levels, variable spreads during news events, and the behavioral differences between hedging and netting accounts. Every EA we deliver is hardened for these conditions before shipping.
Pricing
Simple single-strategy EAs start at $200. Standard projects with multiple instruments, advanced risk management, or crash-resilient state persistence typically range from $400–$2,500 depending on scope.
We quote a fixed price after reviewing your specification. No hourly billing, no scope surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does custom Expert Advisor programming cost?
Simple single-strategy EAs start at $200. Standard projects with multiple instruments or advanced risk management typically range from $400–$2,500. The final price depends on strategy complexity, number of instruments, and whether the EA needs crash-resilient state persistence. At barmenteros FX, we provide a fixed-price quote within 48 hours of reviewing your specification — no hourly rates or hidden fees.
How long does EA development take?
Typical timelines range from 1–2 weeks for straightforward single-strategy EAs to 4–8 weeks for complex multi-instrument systems. The largest variable is specification clarity — detailed trading rules with explicit entry/exit conditions let us start immediately. Vague specifications require clarification rounds that add time.
Can I develop an Expert Advisor myself?
MetaTrader includes MetaEditor, a free IDE for [MQL4](/mql4/) and MQL5 development. The MQL5.com documentation and community forums provide solid learning material. Self-development works well for simple indicators and scripts. For strategies you’ll trade with real capital, the challenge is production reliability — an EA that passes backtests may fail live due to execution delays, broker stop levels, or over-optimization that makes it worse, not better. Professional development eliminates the gap between “compiles” and “survives live markets.”
What information do I need to provide?
A strategy specification covering: entry and exit rules, risk management parameters (lot sizing, stop loss, take profit), instruments to trade, and preferred timeframe. The more detail you provide, the faster and more accurately we build. If you’re unsure how to document your strategy, our specification guide explains exactly what to include.
Do I own the source code?
Yes. You receive both compiled .ex4/.ex5 files and full MQL4/MQL5 source code. You own it completely — modify it, hire another developer to extend it, or use it as the basis for future projects. We do not retain rights or insert licensing restrictions into client code.
