You have your VPS credentials, you have connected via RDP, and you are looking at a fresh Windows Server desktop. Now what? This guide walks through installing the four most popular forex trading platforms step by step, with specific details that generic tutorials leave out.
Before You Start
You need two things ready:
-
Your VPS login — the IP address, username, and password from your FXVPS welcome email. Connect using Remote Desktop Connection (built into Windows) or the Microsoft Remote Desktop app on Mac.
-
Your broker account credentials — the login number, password, and server name from your broker. This is different from your broker’s website login. Check your broker’s welcome email for the trading account credentials specifically.
Once connected to your VPS via RDP, you are working on a remote Windows Server desktop. Everything you do here happens on the VPS, not on your local machine.
Installing MetaTrader 4
MT4 remains the most widely used forex platform, running on an estimated 80% of retail broker accounts. Here is the exact installation process.
Step 1: Download from Your Broker
Open Microsoft Edge on your VPS (it is pre-installed on Windows Server). Navigate to your broker’s website and find their MT4 download page. This is important: download MT4 from your broker, not from metatrader4.com. Each broker distributes a custom build of MT4 that is pre-configured with their server list. Using the generic version means you will need to manually find and enter your broker’s server address.
✅ Best Practice: Always download the broker-branded MT4/MT5 installer from your broker’s website — not the generic MetaTrader download. Broker-specific builds come preconfigured with the correct server list and connection settings.
Step 2: Run the Installer
Double-click the downloaded file. If Windows SmartScreen shows a warning, click “More info” then “Run anyway” — this is normal for MT4 installers. Accept the license agreement and click Next. The default installation path is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\[Broker Name] - MetaTrader 4\. Leave this as the default for a single installation.
Step 3: Log In
When MT4 launches for the first time, it opens a login dialog. Enter:
- Login: Your trading account number (usually 5-8 digits)
- Password: Your trading password (not the investor/read-only password)
- Server: Select your broker’s live server from the dropdown list
If your broker’s server does not appear in the list, click “Scan” to refresh, or type the server address manually (your broker’s support can provide this).
Step 4: Verify Connection
Look at the bottom-right corner of the MT4 window. A green bar with numbers (like “128/0 kb”) means you are connected. A red bar or “No connection” text means something is wrong — double-check your credentials and server selection. Also verify the account number shown in the Navigator panel matches your live account, not a demo.
Step 5: Configure for VPS Use
Two settings are essential for running MT4 on a VPS:
- Go to Tools > Options > Expert Advisors and check “Allow automated trading” if you plan to run EAs
- Go to Tools > Options > Server and check “Enable news” only if you actually use the news feed (disabling it saves a small amount of bandwidth and memory)
✅ Best Practice: Enable both the AutoTrading button (green play icon in toolbar) and “Allow automated trading” in Tools > Options > Expert Advisors. Both must be active for EAs to execute trades after a restart.
Installing MetaTrader 5
The process is nearly identical to MT4, with a few differences worth noting.
Download and Install
Download MT5 from your broker’s MT5 page (again, not the generic metaquotes site). The installation is the same click-through process. MT5 installs to C:\Program Files\[Broker Name] - MetaTrader 5\ by default (note: Program Files, not Program Files x86, since MT5 is 64-bit).
Key Differences from MT4
- Higher memory usage: MT5 typically uses 500-700MB of RAM compared to MT4’s 300-500MB. On a Core plan with 2GB RAM, this leaves less headroom for multiple terminals.
- Built-in Market: MT5 has an integrated marketplace for purchasing EAs and indicators directly within the platform.
- MQL5 vs MQL4: MT5 runs MQL5 code, which is not backward-compatible with MT4’s MQL4. Your MT4 EAs will not work in MT5 without being rewritten or recompiled.
- Multi-asset: MT5 supports stocks, futures, and options alongside forex, depending on your broker’s offerings.
Login Process
Same as MT4: enter your account number, password, and select the correct server. MT5 sometimes shows both “MetaQuotes-Demo” and your broker’s servers — make sure you select your broker’s live server.
Installing cTrader
cTrader is popular with ECN brokers like Pepperstone, IC Markets, and FxPro. The installation has a few quirks compared to MetaTrader.
Download
Go to your broker’s cTrader download page. The installer is typically around 100MB. cTrader requires .NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher, which is usually pre-installed on Windows Server 2019 and later. If the installer reports a missing .NET component, download it from Microsoft’s website first.
Install and Login
Run the installer and accept the defaults. When cTrader launches, it asks for your cTrader ID, not your broker account number directly. If you do not have a cTrader ID, you need to create one at the cTrader website or through your broker. Once logged in with your cTrader ID, your linked broker accounts appear in the platform.
cTrader-Specific Settings
- cTrader auto-updates itself by default. On a VPS, you may want to disable this to prevent unexpected restarts during trading hours. Go to Settings > General > Auto-update and set it to notify only.
- cTrader uses more RAM than MT4 but roughly the same as MT5 — budget about 500-600MB per instance.
Installing NinjaTrader 8
NinjaTrader 8 is more resource-intensive than MetaTrader or cTrader and is primarily used for futures trading, though it supports forex through certain brokers and data feeds.
💡 Tip: NinjaTrader 8 is significantly more resource-hungry than MT4/MT5. Allocate at least 4GB RAM for a single instance and choose the Pro plan or higher for live trading with multiple instruments.
Download and Install
Download from ninjatrader.com. The installer is larger (around 250MB) and the installation takes a few minutes. NinjaTrader requires a license key — enter it during installation or on first launch. A free simulation license is available for evaluation.
Resource Requirements
NinjaTrader 8 is built on .NET/WPF and is noticeably heavier on system resources:
- RAM: 1-2GB depending on the number of charts and indicators loaded
- CPU: Benefits significantly from multiple cores, especially with Market Analyzer running
- Recommended minimum: Pro plan ($39/mo) with 2 vCPUs and 4GB RAM
Running NinjaTrader alongside MetaTrader terminals on a Core plan will likely result in sluggish performance and potential crashes.
Data Feed Configuration
Unlike MetaTrader, which gets data from your broker’s server automatically, NinjaTrader may need a separate data feed connection configured (like Rithmic, CQG, or Kinetick). Your broker or data provider will supply the connection details.
💡 Tip: Rithmic and CQG data feeds have their own server locations. Verify which data provider your futures broker uses, then choose a VPS in the datacenter closest to that provider’s infrastructure.
Installing Multiple Terminals of the Same Platform
Many traders run multiple MT4 terminals on a single VPS, each connected to a different broker account. This is common for traders running strategies across multiple brokers, managing prop firm challenges, or operating copy trading setups.
How to Install Multiple MT4 Instances
The key is changing the installation directory for each instance:
- Run the broker’s MT4 installer
- When it asks for the installation path, change it to something like
C:\MT4_ICMarkets - Complete the installation
- Run the installer again for the next broker, using
C:\MT4_Pepperstone - Repeat for each broker
Each installation is completely independent with its own configuration, data folder, and login. You can run all of them simultaneously.
Creating Desktop Shortcuts
After installing multiple terminals, rename the desktop shortcuts to identify each one clearly: “MT4 - IC Markets”, “MT4 - Pepperstone”, “MT4 - FTMO Challenge”, etc. Add all of them to the shell:startup folder if they need to auto-start on reboot.
How Many Can You Run?
This depends on your VPS resources. As a rough guide:
| Plan | MT4 Terminals | MT5 Terminals |
|---|---|---|
| Lite (2GB RAM) | 1-2 | 1 |
| Standard (4GB RAM) | 3-4 | 2-3 |
| Pro (6GB RAM) | 5-6 | 3-4 |
| Elite (8GB RAM) | 7-10 | 5-6 |
For a detailed breakdown, see How many MT4 terminals can I run on my VPS?
Post-Installation Checklist
After installing any trading platform, run through this checklist before starting live trading:
- Correct server: Verify you are connected to the live server, not demo
- Account number: Confirm the account shown in the platform matches your intended live account
- Test order: Place a micro-lot trade (0.01) and close it immediately to confirm execution works
- Auto-start: Add the platform to the Windows startup folder (
shell:startup) - EAs/indicators: Install any Expert Advisors or custom indicators you need (copy files to the MQL4/Experts or MQL5/Experts directory)
- Time zone: Verify the platform’s time matches your broker’s server time (shown in the Market Watch window)
- Disconnect vs close: When leaving the VPS, use Start > Disconnect — do not click the X on the RDP window, as this can leave an orphaned session consuming extra resources
Choosing the Right FXVPS Location
FXVPS operates datacenters in London (LD4), New York (NY4), Tokyo (TY3), and Hong Kong (HK1). Choose the location closest to your broker’s trading servers for the lowest possible latency. Most major forex brokers have servers in London or New York. With 195+ supported brokers, chances are your broker is already on the FXVPS network.
Not sure which location is best for your broker? Check the broker latency page or contact FXVPS support. Plans start at $29/month with free setup and 24/7 support to help you get your platforms installed and running.