Need an Expert Advisor built for MetaTrader 5, or an existing MT4 EA properly migrated — not just recompiled? At barmenteros FX, we have been building production MQL5 code since MetaTrader 5 became commercially viable. Over 200 projects delivered across both MetaTrader platforms for traders and firms worldwide.
What You Get
- Fully compiled `.ex5` file ready for immediate MetaTrader 5 deployment
- Complete MQL5 source code — you own it outright, no licensing restrictions
- Strategy Tester validation report (backtest + forward test where applicable)
- Written documentation covering inputs, parameters, and configuration
- Post-delivery support window for bugs and adjustments
How It Works
- Submit Your Spec: Describe your trading idea or send an existing strategy document. For MT5 projects, we ask upfront whether your broker uses hedging or netting mode — this determines the entire execution architecture before we write a single line of order management code.
- Fixed-Price Quote in 48h: We review your requirements and respond with a detailed fixed-price quote. No hourly rates, no scope surprises.
- Development & Testing: We build, test in the MT5 Strategy Tester, and iterate. You receive progress updates and can request adjustments before final delivery.
- Delivery & Support: You receive the compiled `.ex5`, full MQL5 source code, and documentation. Post-delivery support covers bug fixes and minor adjustments.
What MT5 Development Actually Involves
MQL5 is a C++-based language that powers MetaTrader 5. Unlike MQL4 — which treats every trade as an independent order — MQL5 uses a position-based model. Trades on the same symbol aggregate into a single position unless your broker account runs in hedging mode.
This distinction matters more than most traders expect. An MT4 EA managing a basket of 8 EURUSD entries cannot be rebuilt for MT5 by copying the logic. The position model changes how open trades are identified, modified, and closed. Brokers using netting mode — standard in institutional environments — require fundamentally different order management code than hedging-mode brokers.
The most common MT5 projects at barmenteros FX:
- Expert Advisors (EAs): Automated trading robots for MT5 — from single-instrument forex strategies to multi-asset EAs trading forex, indices, and futures simultaneously
- Custom Indicators: MQL5 indicators with access to the full standard library, including object-oriented calculations and multi-symbol buffers
- Scripts: One-time execution tools — batch order management, trade history exports, position audits
- MT4 to MT5 Migration: Full rewrites of existing MT4 EAs for the MT5 position model. Read what MT4 to MT5 migration actually involves.
When MT5 Is the Right Choice
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Broker offers MT4 only | Stay on MT4 — no MT5 development needed |
| Broker offers both MT4 and MT5 | MT5 for new projects; MT4 if existing EAs work in production |
| Trading multi-asset (stocks, futures, indices) | MT5 — MT4 does not support these natively |
| Need multi-threaded Strategy Tester optimization | MT5 — MT4 Strategy Tester is single-threaded |
| Broker is phasing out MT4 | Plan the migration properly — rushed rewrites miss critical edge cases |
| Existing MT4 EAs working in production | No urgency to migrate — MT4 remains functional |
Migration is not recompilation. The `OrderSend` and `OrderModify` calls from MT4 do not exist in MQL5 — they are replaced by `CTrade` class methods and position-centric logic. A proper migration rewrites the execution layer from scratch. If you are still on MetaTrader 4, see our MT4 programmers page.
Who This Is For
Good fit:
- Traders whose broker has moved to MT5 or is discontinuing MT4 support
- Traders running multi-asset strategies (forex + indices + futures) that require MT5’s native capabilities
- Traders migrating from MT4 who need a proper MQL5 rebuild, not a patch
- Firms needing production-grade MT5 automation with crash-resilient state management
Not the best fit:
- Traders with no clear strategy expecting us to “make something profitable” — we implement your logic, not ours
- Budgets under $150 — the minimum viable scope for a production-quality MT5 indicator is $150; for an EA it is $200
- MT4-only brokers — if your broker does not offer MT5, there is no reason to develop for it
What Makes This Different
The most common MT5 migration failure is netting-mode confusion: an EA coded assuming hedging mode (where each position is independent) breaks silently when deployed to a netting broker (where opposing orders cancel each other out). We ask the netting/hedging question before writing a line of code — because it determines the entire execution architecture. Most developers never ask at all.
The second common failure is state persistence. MQL5, like MQL4, stores variables in RAM. When MetaTrader restarts — platform updates, VPS reboots, terminal crashes — state is lost unless explicitly written to files or global variables. An EA tracking a multi-leg strategy loses all context on restart unless this is designed in from the beginning. Every EA we deliver includes state persistence by default.
At barmenteros FX, we have been building MQL5 systems since MT5 became commercially viable. We also handle code rescue projects — fixing AI-generated or poorly built MT5 code that compiles clean but fails in live markets.
Pricing
Custom MT5 EAs start at $200 for simple single-strategy automations. Standard projects with multi-asset support, netting/hedging mode handling, or crash-resilient state persistence typically range from $400–$2,500 depending on scope.
MT4 to MT5 migrations start at $300. Custom MT5 indicators start at $150.
Every quote is fixed-price and includes source code, compiled files, documentation, and post-delivery support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire an MT5 programmer?
At barmenteros FX, custom MT5 EA development starts at $200 for simple single-strategy automations. Standard projects — multi-asset support, netting/hedging mode handling, or crash-resilient state persistence — range from $400–$2,500. MT4 to MT5 migrations start at $300. Custom indicators start at $150. All quotes are fixed-price with no hourly billing. We send a detailed quote within 48 hours of receiving your specification.
How long does MT5 Expert Advisor development take?
Simple MT5 EAs typically take 1–2 weeks from specification to delivery. Standard projects with multi-instrument logic, position management, or session filters take 2–4 weeks. Complex multi-asset or multi-strategy systems take 4–8 weeks. Timeline is driven primarily by specification clarity — a detailed spec with entry rules, exit logic, and risk parameters accelerates delivery significantly.
Can you convert my existing MT4 EA to MT5?
Yes. MT4 to MT5 migration starts at $300. The syntax update is the easy part — the real work is adapting to MT5’s position model. MT5 defaults to netting mode, which collapses multiple trades on the same symbol into a single net position. If your EA uses hedging positions for drawdown management or re-entry logic, that behavior needs to be rewritten, not ported. We review the architecture before quoting so the price reflects the actual scope.
What is the difference between an MQL4 and MQL5 programmer?
The terms refer to expertise in different platform versions. MQL4 runs on MetaTrader 4 with a per-order trade model; MQL5 runs on MetaTrader 5 with a position-based model. Beyond order management, the languages differ in syntax (MQL5 is C++-oriented with full OOP support), testing capabilities (MT5 has multi-threaded optimization), and standard library coverage. At barmenteros FX, we work in both — and we understand the architectural differences that determine production reliability, not just the syntax differences.
What happens to my EA if my broker switches from MT4 to MT5?
Your existing MT4 EA (`.ex4` file) will not run on MT5. You have three options: rebuild from the MQL4 source code (the most reliable approach), rewrite from scratch using your strategy specification (recommended for complex systems), or continue trading on MT4 with a different broker. If your broker is switching platforms, start the migration process early — rushed rewrites routinely miss netting/hedging configuration requirements that break execution from day one.
Related Services
- MT4 Programmers — parallel service for MetaTrader 4 Expert Advisor development
- Expert Advisor Programming — dedicated EA development service with full process breakdown
- MT4 to MT5 Migration — what a proper migration actually involves
- All MetaTrader Programming Services — full service catalog
- LicenseShield — MT4/MT5 License Protection — protect and distribute your MT5 tools commercially