Why Pro Traders Are Ditching MT5 for cTrader

MetaTrader 5 has dominated forex trading for years. But there’s a new player that’s quietly stealing market share among serious traders who know what to look for.

cTrader.

If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone. But once you see what it can do, going back to MT5 feels like downgrading from a Tesla to a regular car.

Deriv now offers cTrader, and it’s changing the game for traders who demand more from their platform. Let’s break down why this matters and whether you should make the switch.

What is cTrader (And Why Should You Care)

cTrader is a next-generation trading platform built from scratch for modern trading. While MT5 is essentially an upgraded version of MT4 from the early 2000s, cTrader was designed for today’s markets.

What sets it apart:

• Intuitive interface: Clean, modern design that actually makes sense
• True ECN execution: Direct market access, no dealing desk interference
• Advanced charting: 26 timeframes, superior drawing tools
• One-click trading: Faster execution than MT5
• Level II pricing: See real order book depth
• cBots: Algorithmic trading with C# (more powerful than MQL5)
• Copy trading: Built-in social trading features
• Superior backtesting: More accurate than MT5’s tester

The bottom line: cTrader is what MT5 should have been.

cTrader vs MT5: The Real Comparison

Let’s cut through the marketing and look at what actually matters:

User Interface

MT5: Cluttered, dated, requires customization to look decent cTrader: Sleek, intuitive, modern right out of the box Winner: cTrader (not even close)

Order Execution

MT5: Good, but occasional requotes and slippage cTrader: True ECN routing, direct to liquidity providers Winner: cTrader (faster, more transparent)

Charting Capabilities

MT5: 21 timeframes, 80+ indicators cTrader: 26 timeframes, cleaner charting, better tools Winner: Tie (both excellent, different strengths)

Automated Trading

MT5: MQL5 language, massive EA marketplace cTrader: C# language (more powerful), smaller but growing marketplace Winner: MT5 (for now, due to ecosystem)

Mobile Experience

MT5: Functional but clunky cTrader: Smoother, more responsive, better design Winner: cTrader

Cost and Spreads

MT5: Depends on broker cTrader: Typically raw spreads + commission (more transparent) Winner: cTrader (transparency matters)

Overall verdict: For manual trading and execution, cTrader wins. For EA marketplace and resources, MT5 still leads.

Why Deriv cTrader is Different

Not all cTrader brokers are created equal. Here’s what makes Deriv stand out:

Raw Spread Pricing

• Spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs
• Transparent commission structure ($3.50 per lot round-turn)
• No markup on spreads (what you see is what you get)

Deep Liquidity

• Tier-1 liquidity providers (banks and institutions)
• Aggregated pricing from multiple sources
• Minimal slippage even during high-impact news
• Fast execution averaging under 40ms

Multiple Account Options

• Standard cTrader: Raw spreads + commission
• Flexible leverage: Up to 1:500 (jurisdiction dependent)
• No minimum deposit (though $500+ recommended)
• Multiple base currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.)

Platform Access

• Desktop: Windows and Mac
• Web terminal: Trade from any browser
• Mobile apps: iOS and Android (best mobile platform available)
• No VPS needed: Cloud-based cBots run on cTrader servers

Security and Regulation

• Segregated funds: Your money separated from broker capital
• Negative balance protection: Can’t lose more than deposited
• Multiple regulatory licenses: Global oversight
• SSL encryption: Bank-level security

Getting Started with Deriv cTrader

Open your Deriv cTrader account here and follow this setup:

Step 1: Account Creation

1. Click the link above and register
2. Choose “cTrader” as your platform
3. Select account type (Standard recommended)
4. Pick your leverage (1:100 to 1:500)
5. Choose base currency (match your funding method)

Pro tip: Create a demo account first to explore the platform risk-free.

Step 2: Platform Download

For Desktop:

• Download cTrader from Deriv’s platform page
• Install (takes 2-3 minutes)
• Log in with your credentials
• Platform auto-updates automatically

For Mobile:

• Download “cTrader” app from App Store or Google Play
• Search for “Deriv” in broker list
• Log in and start trading

For Web:

• Access directly through your browser
• No installation needed
• Full functionality (almost)

Step 3: Workspace Customization

First-time setup for optimal trading:

1. Layout: Drag charts to create multi-monitor workspace
2. Quick trade panel: Enable for one-click execution
3. Depth of market: Turn on to see order book
4. Chart templates: Create and save for different strategies
5. Watchlists: Add your favorite pairs
6. Hotkeys: Configure for faster trading

Step 4: Fund Your Account

Deposit methods:

• Credit/debit cards (instant)
• E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money)
• Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT)
• Bank transfer (1-3 days)

Minimum deposit: Technically $0, but realistically $500+ for proper position sizing.

cTrader’s Killer Features (That MT5 Doesn’t Have)

These are the features that make traders switch:

1. Detachable Charts

What it is: Click a button, charts pop out into separate windows Why it matters: Easy multi-monitor setups, arrange exactly how you want MT5 equivalent: Doesn’t exist (charts stuck in main window)

2. Chart Trader (One-Click Everything)

What it is: Place, modify, and close trades directly from the chart Why it matters: No order windows, instant execution with one click How to use:

• Click on chart where you want to enter
• Drag stop loss and take profit lines
• Click buy or sell
• Done in 2 seconds

MT5 equivalent: One-click trading exists but far less intuitive

3. Market Depth (Level II)

What it is: See the actual order book with buy/sell volume at each price Why it matters:

• Spot institutional orders (big volume = strong levels)
• See liquidity before entering
• Execute trades directly from depth window
• Understand real market structure

How to use:

• Open “Depth of Market” panel
• Large volume = support/resistance
• Price will likely bounce from these levels

4. Quick Trade Panel

What it is: Small panel with all essential controls Why it matters: Trade without cluttering your charts Features:

• One-click market orders
• Instant position sizing
• Pre-set stop loss/take profit
• Close all positions with one click

5. Algorithmic Stops (Trailing, Hidden, Guaranteed)

Trailing stops: Auto-adjust as price moves in your favor Hidden stops: Not visible to brokers or market (prevents stop hunting) Guaranteed stops: No slippage, exact stop price (small premium)

Why it matters: Better risk management, protection from manipulation

6. Economic Calendar Integration

What it is: Real-time news feed built into platform Features:

• High/medium/low impact color coding
• Historical data comparison
• Countdown to next major release
• Click to see affected pairs

Why it matters: Never miss important news, plan trades around events

7. Copy Trading (Built-In)

What it is: Copy successful traders automatically How it works:

• Browse strategy providers
• See verified performance stats
• Allocate capital to copy them
• Trades execute automatically in your account

Advantage over MT5: Native feature, no third-party services needed

8. Advanced Analytics

What cTrader tracks:

• Win rate by time of day
• Best/worst trading hours
• Average win/loss size
• Profit/loss by currency pair
• Risk-reward ratios
• Detailed performance graphs

Why it matters: Data-driven improvement, identify patterns

Trading Strategies for cTrader

The platform enables strategies that are harder on MT5:

Strategy 1: Order Flow Scalping

Uses Level II depth to identify institutional levels:

Setup:

1. Open Depth of Market panel
2. Look for large volume clusters (50+ lots)
3. Wait for price to approach these levels
4. Enter in direction away from large orders (bounce play)
5. Use Chart Trader for instant execution
6. Take profit 10-15 pips, stop loss 5 pips beyond cluster

Markets: EUR/USD, GBP/USD during London/NY session Win rate: 60-70% with proper execution Why it works: Trading with institutional money, not against it

Strategy 2: One-Click Breakout Trading

Capitalizes on explosive moves with instant execution:

Setup:

1. Identify consolidation pattern (triangle, range)
2. Mark breakout levels on chart
3. Set up Quick Trade Panel with pre-configured position size
4. When breakout happens, one-click buy/sell
5. Use trailing stop to lock in profits
6. Target 2x the consolidation range

Markets: All major pairs, especially during news Win rate: 50-55% but excellent risk-reward (1:3+) Why it works: Speed matters on breakouts, cTrader executes faster

Strategy 3: Multi-Timeframe Precision Entry

Uses detachable charts for perfect timing:

Setup:

1. Detach 4 charts: Daily, 4H, 1H, 15M
2. Daily: Identify trend and key levels
3. 4H: Find trade setup forming
4. 1H: Wait for confirmation
5. 15M: Execute precise entry
6. Use Chart Trader to set exact SL/TP on chart

Markets: Any trending pair Win rate: 65-75% when all timeframes align Why it works: Multi-timeframe reduces false signals

Strategy 4: News Trading with Economic Calendar

Profit from volatility spikes:

Setup:

1. Check economic calendar for high-impact news (NFP, FOMC, CPI)
2. 5 minutes before release, prepare Quick Trade Panel
3. Place pending orders 20 pips above and below current price
4. Use guaranteed stops to prevent slippage disaster
5. One side triggers on news spike
6. Target 50-100 pip move, stop loss at 30 pips

Markets: USD pairs during US news, EUR pairs during ECB Win rate: 45-50% but massive winners offset losers Why it works: Volatility creates opportunity, cTrader’s speed captures it

Strategy 5: Copy Trading Portfolio

Build passive income from proven traders:

Setup:

1. Browse cTrader copy trading providers
2. Filter by: 6+ months history, max 30% drawdown, 1.5+ profit factor
3. Allocate capital across 3-5 providers (diversification)
4. Start with small allocation (10-20% of account)
5. Monitor monthly, replace underperformers
6. Scale allocation to consistent winners

Expected return: 10-30% monthly (varies by providers) Win rate: N/A (passive, depends on providers) Why it works: Leverage others’ expertise, automated execution

Risk Management on cTrader

The platform’s features enable superior risk control:

Position Sizing Tool

How to use:

1. Click “Quick Trade” panel
2. Select “Risk” mode
3. Enter percentage to risk (1% recommended)
4. Set stop loss distance in pips
5. cTrader calculates exact lot size automatically

Example: $10,000 account, 1% risk, 50-pip stop

• Risk = $100
• cTrader shows: 0.20 lots
• You confirm and execute

Advantage: No manual calculations, zero errors

Guaranteed Stops

What they are: Stop losses that CANNOT slip When to use: High-impact news, gap risk overnight Cost: Small premium (usually 1-2 pips) How to enable: Check “Guaranteed Stop” when placing order

Worth it? Yes, during:

• NFP, FOMC, central bank decisions
• Brexit-style political events
• Holding positions over weekends
• Volatile instruments (exotic pairs, crypto)

Trailing Stops (Advanced)

Standard trailing: Follows price at fixed distance Dynamic trailing: Adjusts based on ATR or percentage

Best practice:

• Initial stop loss: 1.5x ATR below entry
• Once 1:1 RR hit: Activate trailing stop at breakeven
• Trail at 50% of ATR (locks in profits, gives room to breathe)

Hedging Capabilities

cTrader allows full hedging (long and short same pair simultaneously):

When to hedge:

• Protect existing position during uncertain news
• Lock in partial profits while leaving position open
• Play both sides of ranging market

Example:

• Long 1 lot EUR/USD at 1.1000
• News coming, uncertain direction
• Open 0.5 lot short at 1.1000
• Reduces exposure by 50% without closing main position

Automated Trading with cBots

cTrader’s algorithmic trading uses C#, more powerful than MQL5:

Why C# Beats MQL5

C#: Modern programming language, massive developer community MQL5: Proprietary, smaller community, more limited

What this means:

• Access to .NET libraries (machine learning, advanced math)
• Easier to find developers (cheaper)
• More sophisticated strategies possible
• Better debugging tools

Pre-Built cBots

cTrader marketplace offers proven bots:

Popular cBot strategies:

• Grid trading systems
• Trend-following algorithms
• Mean reversion bots
• Breakout systems
• Arbitrage bots (multi-pair)

How to install:

1. Browse cTrader marketplace
2. Purchase or download free cBot
3. Install with one click
4. Configure parameters
5. Backtest thoroughly
6. Run on demo, then live

Building Your Own cBot

Learning path:

1. Basic C# knowledge (free courses online)
2. Study cTrader API documentation
3. Start with simple strategy (moving average crossover)
4. Test extensively with Strategy Backtester
5. Optimize parameters
6. Deploy to live account

Alternative: Hire a C# developer on Upwork or Freelancer ($200-$1,000 depending on complexity)

Strategy Backtester

cTrader’s backtesting is more accurate than MT5:

Features:

• Tick-by-tick data (most precise)
• Multiple timeframe testing
• Custom date ranges
• Optimization algorithms
• Visual backtest (see every trade on chart)
• Monte Carlo analysis

How to use:

1. Open “Strategy Backtester”
2. Select your cBot
3. Choose symbol and timeframe
4. Set date range (minimum 1 year, ideally 3-5)
5. Run backtest
6. Analyze: profit factor, drawdown, win rate, Sharpe ratio

Quality benchmarks:

• Profit factor > 1.5
• Max drawdown < 30%
• Win rate > 45% (for trend-following)
• Tested across multiple market conditions

Mobile Trading Mastery

cTrader mobile is the best mobile trading app, period.

Key Mobile Features

Full charting: All indicators, drawing tools, timeframes One-tap execution: Trade directly from charts Quick Trade: Pre-configured position sizing Depth of Market: See order book on mobile Notifications: Price alerts, trade execution, news Face/Touch ID: Secure login Trade management: Modify SL/TP with drag-and-drop

Mobile Trading Best Practices

Do:

• Use for monitoring existing positions
• Set price alerts for entry levels
• Manage trades (adjust SL/TP)
• Close positions if needed
• Check economic calendar

Don’t:

• Enter complex trades (use desktop)
• Trade with small stop losses (fat-finger risk)
• Rely on mobile charting for analysis
• Forget you have positions open

Optimal setup:

• Enable push notifications for price levels
• Save chart templates for quick loading
• Use larger stop losses to account for mobile imprecision
• Keep a pre-set position size in Quick Trade

Advanced cTrader Tips

These insider tricks separate amateurs from pros:

1. Keyboard Shortcuts

Essential hotkeys:

• F9: New market order
• F12: Close all positions (emergency)
• Ctrl+M: Depth of Market
• Ctrl+E: Economic calendar
• Custom: Buy/sell with one key (configure in settings)

Why it matters: Saves 2-3 seconds per action (compounds over thousands of trades)

2. Chart Synchronization

What it is: Link multiple charts to show same symbol How to use:

• Right-click chart
• Select “Link” and choose group
• All charts in group show same pair when you switch

Why it matters: Analyze one pair across multiple timeframes instantly

3. Templates for Different Strategies

Create and save chart templates:

• Scalping template: Clean, minimal indicators
• Swing trading template: Higher timeframe, trend indicators
• News trading template: Economic calendar visible, volume indicators

How to save: Chart settings → Save template → Load anytime

4. Custom Workspace Layouts

What it is: Save entire window arrangements How to use:

• Arrange charts, depth of market, calendar exactly how you want
• Save workspace
• Load different workspaces for different strategies

Example:

• “Morning routine”: Economic calendar + watchlist + news feed
• “Active trading”: 4 charts + quick trade + depth of market
• “Position management”: Open positions + P/L graph + account stats

5. Depth of Market Strategies

Reading the order book:

• Large buy orders at price level = strong support
• Large sell orders = strong resistance
• Sudden order appearance/disappearance = institutional activity
• Execute trades directly from depth window for instant fills

Advanced: Watch order book during news releases to see institutional reactions in real-time

Common Mistakes (And Fixes)

1. Over-Leveraging

The trap: Using max 1:500 leverage because it’s available The reality: One bad trade wipes out account The fix: Use 1:100 or lower, regardless of what’s offered

2. Ignoring Spread Costs

The trap: Focusing only on profits, not costs The reality: Spreads and commissions eat into profits The fix: Calculate cost per trade, ensure risk-reward accounts for it

Example: EUR/USD, 0.5 pip spread + $3.50 commission

• 1 lot trade = ~$8 total cost round-turn
• Your edge must overcome this to be profitable

3. Not Using Stop Losses

The trap: “I’ll watch it and close manually if needed” The reality: Emotions take over, small loss becomes disaster The fix: ALWAYS set stop loss immediately, no exceptions

4. Trading During Low Liquidity

The trap: Trading Asian session on EUR/USD The reality: Wider spreads, false breakouts, choppy price action The fix: Trade when your pairs are most active

• EUR pairs: London session (8 AM – 5 PM GMT)
• USD pairs: New York session (1 PM – 10 PM GMT)
• Overlap (1 PM – 5 PM GMT): Best liquidity

5. Neglecting Demo Practice

The trap: Jumping to live trading immediately The reality: Platform learning curve costs real money The fix: Spend 2-4 weeks on demo mastering:

• Chart Trader execution
• Quick Trade panel
• Order types and features
• Hotkeys and shortcuts

Copy Trading on cTrader

Built-in social trading sets cTrader apart:

How to Choose Strategy Providers

Filter criteria:

1. Track record: Minimum 6 months verified performance
2. Drawdown: Maximum 30%, ideally under 20%
3. Profit factor: Above 1.5
4. Win rate: 50%+ (depending on strategy type)
5. Trading frequency: Active but not over-trading (20-50 trades/month ideal)
6. Risk-reward: Consistent RR ratios, not gambling

Allocation Strategy

Don’t put all eggs in one basket:

Portfolio approach:

• Provider 1: Conservative (low drawdown, steady gains) – 40% allocation
• Provider 2: Moderate (balanced risk-reward) – 30% allocation
• Provider 3: Aggressive (higher risk, higher return) – 20% allocation
• Cash reserve: 10% for opportunities or buffer

Monitoring and Management

Weekly review:

• Check each provider’s performance
• Compare to their historical average
• Ensure drawdown within acceptable range

Monthly action:

• Replace providers with 2+ months underperformance
• Increase allocation to consistent performers
• Rebalance portfolio if needed

Quarterly evaluation:

• Overall portfolio performance vs benchmark
• Withdraw profits (50% of gains)
• Adjust allocation percentages

Platform Comparison: When to Choose What

Choose cTrader if you:

• Prioritize modern UI and ease of use
• Focus on manual trading and execution
• Want true ECN pricing transparency
• Trade actively and need speed
• Value built-in copy trading
• Prefer mobile trading

Choose MT5 if you:

• Need massive EA marketplace
• Use complex custom indicators from MQL5 community
• Require specific EA that only runs on MT5
• Already invested in MT5 ecosystem
• Need certain niche features MT5 has

Choose DBot if you:

• Want automation without coding
• Are complete beginner to algorithmic trading
• Prefer visual programming
• Trade binary options primarily

The truth: Serious traders often use multiple platforms. Nothing wrong with having both cTrader and MT5 accounts.

Why Deriv cTrader Makes Sense

You’ve seen what cTrader can do. Here’s why doing it with Deriv matters:

Execution quality: True ECN, no dealing desk interference Pricing transparency: Raw spreads + clear commission Regulation: Multiple licenses, segregated funds, negative balance protection No hidden fees: What you see is what you pay Fast withdrawals: Actually get your money when you want it Reliable platform: 99.9% uptime, rare issues Support: Responsive when problems arise

For serious traders, these aren’t bonuses—they’re requirements.

Getting Started (Your Action Plan)

You’re 10 minutes from trading on the best platform available:

Step 1: Open your Deriv cTrader account

Step 2: Create demo account first (unlimited virtual funds)

Step 3: Download desktop platform or use web terminal

Step 4: Spend 1-2 weeks mastering the interface

• Practice Chart Trader execution
• Explore Depth of Market
• Test Quick Trade panel
• Learn hotkeys

Step 5: Develop or adapt your strategy to cTrader’s features

Step 6: Start with small live stakes ($500-$1,000 account, conservative position sizing)

Step 7: Scale gradually as you prove consistent profitability

The Bottom Line

MT5 dominated for years because there wasn’t a better alternative. Now there is.

cTrader isn’t just different—it’s better for manual trading, execution, and user experience. The learning curve is worth it.

If you’re serious about trading, you owe it to yourself to at least try cTrader. The difference becomes obvious within the first hour.

Click here to access Deriv cTrader and see what you’ve been missing.

The question isn’t whether cTrader is good. It’s why you’re still using anything else.

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Risk Warning: CFD and forex trading involves significant risk of loss. Leverage amplifies both profits and losses. cTrader’s advanced features don’t eliminate risk—they provide better tools to manage it. Only trade with capital you can afford to lose. Always use stop losses and proper risk management.

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Questions about cTrader or need help with setup? Drop a comment and I’ll help you out.