Broker API HubMenu

cTrader vs MetaTrader 4 API

The same fields from the cTrader Open API record and the MetaTrader 4 (MQL4) record, side by side. No winner is picked: which one suits you depends on what you are building.

Independent and unofficialNewest check

Risk warning: CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You can lose money on these products, and each provider publishes its own loss figure under FCA rules. You should consider whether you understand how they work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Automated and API trading can amplify losses through bugs, connectivity failures and runaway orders.

What the two records show

Differences you can see in the records themselves. These are counts of what this site holds, not a verdict on either API.

cTrader Open API and MetaTrader 4 (MQL4), field by field

FieldcTrader Open APIMetaTrader 4 (MQL4)
KindPlatform API, offered by many brokersPlatform API, offered by many brokers
API familyProtobuf over TCP/WebSocket, JSON over TCP/WebSocket, Python package, C# packageMQL4, WebRequest (HTTP from MQL4)
How you get accessRegister an app at openapi.ctrader.com; Spotware reviews new apps, so describe your use case in detail.Creating a new applicationchecked Install the MT4 terminal from a broker and write Expert Advisors or scripts in MQL4.Install terminal (MT4 help)checked
Who can use itSupported by all trading accounts of any cTrader affiliated brokers by default, which means both demo and live accounts.cTrader Open APIchecked Real accounts can only be opened by brokerage companies that offer MT4.Opening of accounts (MT4 help)checked
DemoYes: separate demo endpoint; demo and live environments are fully separated.Proxies and endpointschecked Yes: demo accounts can be opened from within the terminal.Opening of accounts (MT4 help)checked
AuthenticationOAuth 2.0 authorisation code flow: the auth code lives 1 minute, the access token 30 days. Scopes are accounts, which is read only, and trading, which is full.Account authenticationchecked No API keys: code runs inside a terminal already logged in to a trading account.MQL4 Referencechecked
StreamingYes: spot quotes, depth of market and execution events on the same connection, at 50 requests a second per connection (5 for historical data) with a heartbeat every 10 seconds. Host live1.p.ctrader.com port 5035, SSL mandatory for TCP and WebSocket. Spotware recommends at most two connections, one demo and one live, each carrying an unlimited number of accounts of that type.Messageschecked In-terminal events only (new tick, timer, depth changes); no external streaming API.MQL4 Referencechecked
History depthTrend bars and ticks by from/to timestamp with optional count; deals by range with maxRows. Cash flow history max 1 week per request.Spotware OpenApiMessages.protochecked Bars limited to the terminal's max bars in chart. Closed orders limited to what the Account History tab has loaded.MQL4 docs: CopyRateschecked
Limits
  • Requests a second, not historical data: 50. Per connection, requests that are not for historical datahelp.ctrader.comchecked
  • Requests a second, historical data: 5. Per connection, historical data requests onlyhelp.ctrader.comchecked
None recorded
Endpoints documented hereNone yetNone yet
Error codes decoded here53161
Official documentationhelp.ctrader.comdocs.mql4.com

Go deeper on each side

cTrader Open API

MetaTrader 4 (MQL4)

All comparisons. New to this? Getting started with API trading.