MetaTrader 5 is one of the top trading platforms used in South Africa, offering multi-asset trading, including forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. It offers 21 timeframes, 38 technical indicators, and trading robots via Expert Advisors. It's available on desktop or mobile, and integrates seamlessly with FSCA-regulated SeacrestMarkets, which offers tight spreads and a $50 minimum deposit for accessible yet professional trading in South Africa.
For many South Africans, choosing a trading platform is not as simple as in other regions. Options are more limited, and many South Africans aren’t sure where to turn. However, one of the best and most popular trading platforms in South Africa is MetaTrader 5, providing a comprehensive trading experience.
What is MetaTrader 5? It’s an all-in-one trading ecosystem that connects you to the global financial markets, allowing you to trade several asset classes, including the following:
- Forex
- Commodities
- Indices
- Crypto
It offers a comprehensive set of trading tools to help you make more informed trading decisions.
SeacrestMarkets uses the MetaTrader 5 platform, and together with Seacrest Markets being an FSCA-regulated broker, it’s the perfect platform for South African traders to begin—or grow their trading journey.
This guide will help you get up to speed with the MetaTrader 5 platform so you can start trading with confidence.
Why MetaTrader 5 Is the Go-To Trading Platform
The MetaTrader 5 platform isn’t popular for no reason. It’s become the top pick for millions of traders because it tackles the issues other platforms can’t.
Most basic trading apps just give you a few chart timeframes and limited tools. But MetaTrader 5 offers a much more comprehensive suite of tools, including:
- 21 Different Timeframes
- 38 Built-in Technical Indicators
- 44 Graphical Objects
- Unlimited Custom Indicators via the MQL5 Market
More than that, it lets you trade forex, commodities, indices, and crypto all from one place. That means no switching between apps for technical analysis and trade execution. MT5 is a powerful platform built for flexibility and speed.
SeacrestMarkets takes things further with tight spreads, low commission costs and flexible leverage. The minimum deposit ($50) is also accessible for South African traders, but the features are on par with global standards.
How to Access MetaTrader 5
Getting started with MT5 is easier than most think. You can either download the desktop or mobile apps or access it from your web browser. Simply use your Seacrest Markets credentials, and you are good to go.
Here are some more detailed guidelines.
MT5 for Desktop
For Windows users, download the mt5setup.exe file from SeacrestMarkets or MetaTrader’s site. Run the installer, and it should auto-detect your operating system settings. There is no need for a manual setup.
Mac users need macOS Catalina or newer. The MT5 installer includes everything, so you don’t need comprehensive technical knowledge. It also supports Apple Silicon (M1, M2 chips).
MT5 for Mobile
If you’re trading using Android or iOS, just search "MetaTrader 5" in the Play Store or App Store and download it. The app syncs with your desktop account (if you are using the same login), so your trades, settings, and layouts are all accessible on mobile/tablet.
Setting Up Your SeacrestMarkets Trading Account
Once MT5 is installed on your device of choice, you’ll need to log in. Enter your Seacrest Markets login, password, and the correct server.
If you have any further issues, you can reach out to Seacrest Markets, who offer Multilingual support.
Key MetaTrader 5 Features
Here are some of the key features you should expect within the MetaTrader 5 platform.
Advanced Charting Tools
With 21 chart timeframes and multiple chart types (candlestick, bar, line), MT5 makes technical analysis a lot easier. You can create chart templates, apply technical indicators, and analyze multiple markets using synced charts.
Custom layouts help experienced traders spot patterns fast. You can save your favorite colors, indicators, and setups, and then use them across your entire watchlist.
Drawing Tools for Precision Analysis
MT5 also includes a solid set of drawing tools that help you mark charts with trendlines, Fibonacci retracements, channels, and shapes. These tools are handy for spotting key support and resistance levels, price patterns, and breakout zones.
Knowing how to use these drawing features can give you an edge in technical analysis and make your trading strategy easier to execute.
Market Depth: Real-Time Liquidity
The market depth window shows buy and sell volume at each price level, giving you a live view of available liquidity. This helps you plan trades around key demand and supply zones.
You’ll see the same real-time data that big institutions use to spot where interest is building—and where the market might turn.
Built-In Economic Calendar
MT5 includes a built-in economic calendar, so you don’t need to check external websites for this info.
You’ll be able to see upcoming key events, release times, forecasts, and previous data. High-impact events are clearly marked, so you can trade cautiously around major news releases that may cause volatility
Multi-Asset Trading
This is an area where MT5 truly shines. Unlike MT4, which was primarily built for forex, MetaTrader 5 excels at multi-asset trading. You can trade forex, indices, commodities, and crypto all from one platform.
SeacrestMarkets offers competitive spreads and pricing across all major asset classes, making it easy to build a flexible, well-rounded trading approach.
Trade Execution and Order Types
What good are flexible analysis tools if you can’t place trades effectively? Thankfully, MT5 lets you easily execute trades, too.
Market and Pending Orders
Execute trades instantly with market orders, or set up pending orders like Buy Limit, Sell Limit, Buy Stop, and Sell Stop.
MT5 also supports Buy Stop Limit orders—ideal for breakout strategies where precision is key.
To manage risk, you can add stop-loss, take-profit, and trailing stop instructions, giving you full control over your entries and exits.
One Click Trading
You can activate one-click trading for fast execution directly from the chart. This functionality is perfect for quick scalping or reacting to sudden news events as they occur.
Custom Indicators and Technical Tools
MT5 comes with dozens of built-in technical indicators, but the real edge comes from the thousands of custom indicators in the MetaTrader Market.
Here, you can find everything from multi-timeframe trend tools to advanced oscillators tailored for specific market conditions. You can even use custom tools to build your own if you know how to code.
Automated Trading with Expert Advisors (EAs)
With the rise of algorithmic tools, automated trading and Expert Advisors (EAs) are now a core part of many traders' strategies—and yes, you can run them seamlessly on MT5.
What Are Expert Advisors?
Expert Advisors (EAs) are your gateway to hands-free trading. They follow pre-set rules to analyze markets, place trades, and manage positions automatically, 24/7, without emotion or hesitation.
SeacrestMarkets fully supports EAs on MT5, so you can run your favorite trading bots, customize your own with MQL5, or tap into the marketplace for ready-made solutions.
Strategy Testing
You can also use the built-in Strategy Tester to backtest your EA on historical data. Analyze stats like drawdown, win rate, and profit factor before going live. For more serious testing, the MQL5 Cloud Network adds extra computing power.
VPS Integration for Reliable Automated Trading
For traders running expert advisors around the clock, using a Virtual Private Server (VPS) can make a big difference. VPS hosting keeps your MT5 platform running 24/7 with minimal downtime and fast execution speeds, even if your computer is off or your internet connection drops.
Many brokers, including those supporting MT5, offer VPS services, or you can use third-party providers. This setup helps keep your automated trading strategies running smoothly without interruption.
MT5 Mobile Trading Features
The MetaTrader 5 mobile app is more than just a companion. It lets you analyze charts, place trades, set alerts, and even run EAs—all from your phone.
You can set price alerts, manage trades, and access technical analysis tools on the go. Also, push notifications keep you informed in real time so you can stay on top of opportunities or any open trades.
Optimizing MT5 Performance
If you’re already using MT5 and are looking to optimize your setup, you can look into the following:
If you’re not using any open charts, consider closing them. Also, reduce heavy indicators, and restart the platform if needed. If your workstation is older, consider upgrading your hard drive to an SSD and adding more RAM, especially if your MT5 setup is very ‘chart-heavy’.
Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts to Speed Up Your Workflow
Using keyboard shortcuts in MT5 can save you time and make trading more efficient. Here are a few to get you started:
- F9: Open the New Order window quickly.
- Ctrl + N: Show or hide the Navigator panel.
- Ctrl + M: Open the Market Watch window.
- Ctrl + T: Toggle the Terminal window for account info and alerts.
Learning and using these shortcuts can boost your trading speed, especially when managing multiple positions.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- No connection? Check your internet or switch to a wired connection
- Backtesting crash? Reduce the test range or number of variables
- Chart issues? Restart the platform or reset templates
Copy Trading and Social Trading
MetaTrader 5 supports copy trading through the MQL5 Signals service. This allows you to automatically copy trades from experienced traders directly into your account.
This feature is ideal for beginners who want to learn by observing, or for experienced traders looking to diversify without actively managing multiple strategies.
The Future of MetaTrader 5 in South Africa
MT5 is becoming the standard for serious traders in South Africa. As infrastructure improves and FSCA-regulated brokers like SeacrestMarkets grow, local traders now have real access to global markets.
With multi-asset trading, powerful technical analysis tools, and options for automated trading, the platform is built for serious traders and newbies alike.
Whether you're trading forex, commodities, crypto, or indices, MetaTrader 5 gives you everything you need to build and refine a strong trading strategy — all while staying backed by local regulation and support.
Ready to trade smarter? Download MetaTrader 5, connect with SeacrestMarkets, and take full advantage of what the world’s most advanced trading platform has to offer.
