Trading platform APIs: cTrader, MetaTrader, TradeLocker
A platform API is written once and works at every broker that offers the platform. 8 on the register, in name order. Nothing here is a ranking.
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.
cTrader Open API
Spotware's open API for cTrader accounts, JSON or Protobuf over TCP or WebSocket.
- API types
- Protobuf over TCP/WebSocket, JSON over TCP/WebSocket, Python package, C# package
- Documented here
- Brokers recorded as offering it
- FxPro Unverified
- Pepperstone Unverified
- Record checked
- Checked
DXtrade APIs
Devexperts' platform with REST and WebSocket push APIs; trader access depends on the broker.
- API types
- REST, WebSocket (Push API)
- Brokers recorded as offering it
- None recorded. That is a gap in the records, not a finding that none does.
- Record checked
- Checked
Match-Trader Platform API
Match-Trade's trader-facing REST and WebSocket API for Match-Trader accounts.
- API types
- REST, WebSocket (STOMP)
- Brokers recorded as offering it
- None recorded. That is a gap in the records, not a finding that none does.
- Record checked
- Checked
MetaApi
Cloud REST and WebSocket API over MT4 and MT5 accounts at any MetaTrader broker.
- API types
- REST, WebSocket (socket.io), Node SDK, Python SDK, Java SDK
- Documented here
- Brokers recorded as offering it
- None recorded. That is a gap in the records, not a finding that none does.
- Record checked
- Checked
MetaCopier
Cloud copy trading and risk management bridge across MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradeLocker, DXtrade, Match-Trader and others.
- API types
- REST (OpenAPI), Socket API (STOMP over WebSocket), Webhooks, Generated SDKs
- Documented here
- Brokers recorded as offering it
- None recorded. That is a gap in the records, not a finding that none does.
- Record checked
- Checked
MetaTrader 4 (MQL4)
MetaQuotes' FX terminal; automation is MQL4 code running inside the terminal.
- API types
- MQL4, WebRequest (HTTP from MQL4)
- Brokers recorded as offering it
- Axi
- Capital.com
- CMC Markets
- FOREX.com / StoneX Trading (City Index)
- FXCM
- FxPro Unverified
- IG
- OANDA
- Pepperstone
- Swissquote
- ThinkMarkets
- Tickmill
- Record checked
- Checked
MetaTrader 5 (Python package and MQL5)
MetaQuotes' multi-asset trading terminal. MQL5 programs run inside it, and the MetaTrader5 Python package talks to it locally.
- API types
- Python package (MetaTrader5), MQL5, WebRequest and sockets from MQL5
- Documented here
- Brokers recorded as offering it
- The source for each
- Record checked
- Checked
TradeLocker API
REST trading API for TradeLocker accounts, with an official Python client.
- API types
- REST, Streams API (Socket.IO WebSocket), Python package
- Brokers recorded as offering it
- None recorded. That is a gap in the records, not a finding that none does.
- Record checked
- Checked
Looking for a broker's own API instead? See every broker on the register, grouped by whether it has one. To put two records side by side, see comparisons.