MT4 to MT5 migration is the full re-implementation of your MetaTrader 4 trading system on MetaTrader 5 — not a recompile. Our team rebuilds your Expert Advisor or indicator to reproduce its original behavior on MT5’s different order, position, and event architecture, then runs both versions side by side until they agree.
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If you already have a working MT4 system and need it on MT5 — a broker dropping MT4, or your own move forward — this service carries your logic across intact, instead of leaving you with code that compiles but trades wrong.
What You Get
- A working MT5 build (`.ex5`) of your EA or indicator that reproduces your MT4 logic
- Full MQL5 source, structured to be maintained later — not auto-translated code nobody can read
- Position handling rebuilt for MT5’s model (netting vs hedging), with your account type confirmed before we write a line
- A parallel-test report comparing MT4 and MT5 behavior on the same symbol and period before you cut over
- 30 days of post-migration support for any issue traced back to the conversion
Why Recompiling Is Not Migrating
MetaEditor will compile much of your MQL4 inside an `.mq5` file. That is the trap: the code builds, the backtest often looks fine, and the EA still trades wrong live — because MT5 handles what sits underneath your strategy differently.
| What changes | MT4 | MT5 |
|---|---|---|
| Trade accounting | Independent order tickets | Net or hedged positions |
| Order execution | `OrderSend()` | `OrderSendTransaction()` / `CTrade`, with async results |
| Indicator access | `iCustom()` returns a value | Indicator handles + `CopyBuffer()` |
| History & data | Direct array access | Series must be copied, timeframe constants differ |
A find-and-replace converter handles syntax, not order management, position netting, or event handling — which is exactly where migrated EAs break. We cover this in depth in why recompiling is the easy part of MT4 to MT5 migration and the four migration failures that still pass the backtest.
How It Works
- Review & quote: Send your MT4 source (or `.ex4`) plus a short description of what the system does. We return a fixed-price quote within 48 hours.
- Account model confirmation: We confirm whether your MT5 account is netting or hedging — this decides how positions must be managed and is the single most common cause of silent migration bugs.
- Re-implementation: We rebuild the system in MQL5, adapting order execution, position tracking, and indicator access to MT5’s architecture while preserving your strategy logic.
- Parallel testing: We run the MT4 original and the MT5 build side by side on the same symbol and period, then reconcile any difference in entries, exits, and sizing.
- Delivery & support: You receive the `.ex5`, the full MQL5 source, and the comparison report, with 30 days of support on conversion-related issues.
Who This Is For
Good fit:
- Your broker is dropping MT4 support and you need your existing EA running on MT5 before the deadline
- You tried an online MQL4-to-MQL5 converter and the result doesn’t behave the same as the original
- You have a working MT4 EA or indicator whose behavior you want preserved exactly on MT5
Not the best fit:
- You don’t have an existing MT4 system and want to build new — start with MT5 programming or custom EA development instead
- You need the system on NinjaTrader, cTrader, or TradingView instead of MT5 — see our NinjaTrader or cTrader development pages (we convert to TradingView/Pine Script and other platforms too)
- You’re looking for profit promises — we reproduce your strategy’s behavior, not its results
What Makes This Different
We’ve built and converted MetaTrader systems since 2011, and migration work is a large part of what we do — including portfolios moved across MT4, MT5, and more than a dozen other platforms. We treat conversion as re-implementation, because that is what it is.
A specific pattern we see often: a client’s scalping EA passes its MT5 backtest, then doubles its position live. The strategy assumed each order stood alone, the MT5 account was set to netting, and the second “order” simply added to one position instead of opening a new one. A recompile never catches that. Confirming the account model first, and parallel-testing before cutover, does — so you see the comparison before real money is on it, not after.
Pricing & Next Steps
Single-EA migrations start at $300. Standard projects — multiple instruments, custom indicators, or risk logic that leans on MT4’s order model — typically range $600–$2,500 by scope. Pricing is fixed and quoted up front, no hourly billing. Most migrations deliver in 2–4 weeks. Send your source for a fixed-price quote within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can’t I just recompile my MT4 EA for MT5?
No. MetaEditor will compile much of your MQL4 code inside an `.mq5` file, but compiling is not converting. MT5 uses a different model for orders and positions (netting or hedging instead of independent tickets), a different execution call (`OrderSendTransaction()` / `CTrade` instead of `OrderSend()`), and indicator handles with `CopyBuffer()` instead of direct `iCustom()` values. A recompiled EA often passes its backtest and then manages positions incorrectly in live trading. Migration means rebuilding those parts to match your original behavior on MT5’s architecture.
How long does an MT4 to MT5 migration take?
Most MT4 to MT5 migrations take 2–4 weeks. A single-strategy EA with no custom indicators sits at the short end; a multi-instrument system with custom indicators, complex risk logic, or heavy dependence on MT4’s order model takes longer because more components must be re-implemented and parallel-tested. We give you a specific timeline with your fixed-price quote, before any work starts.
Will my migrated EA behave exactly like the MT4 version?
That is the goal, and it’s why we parallel-test. We run the MT4 original and the MT5 build on the same symbol and period, then reconcile any difference in entries, exits, and position sizing before delivery. Some differences are expected and correct — MT5’s netting model, for example, manages positions differently by design — and we explain those rather than hide them. What you get is behavior that matches your strategy’s intent, verified against the original, not assumed.
How much does MT4 to MT5 migration cost?
Single-EA migrations start at $300. Standard projects with multiple instruments, custom indicators, or order-model-dependent risk logic typically range $600–$2,500, depending on scope. At barmenteros FX, pricing is fixed and quoted up front — no hourly billing and no scope surprises. Send us your source and a short description, and you’ll have a fixed-price quote within 48 hours.
What do you need from me to start?
The MT4 source (`.mq4`) is ideal; if you only have the compiled `.ex4`, tell us and we’ll discuss options. Include a short description of what the system does, the instruments and timeframes it runs on, and whether your MT5 account is netting or hedging. That’s enough for us to quote accurately and confirm the account model before re-implementation begins.