How to Run Multiple MetaTrader 4/5 Instances on One Computer

Running multiple MetaTrader terminals is the simplest way to keep multiple trading accounts separate and stable. Whether you're managing prop firm challenges, running Expert Advisors (EAs) across accounts, or copy-trading from Telegram signals, each account needs its own dedicated terminal instance.

This guide covers everything you need to know: MT4 and MT5, on Windows and macOS, with practical tips for keeping things stable when you're running 3, 5, or even 10+ instances.

Why would you need multiple MetaTrader instances?

Before diving into the how, here are the most common reasons traders need multiple terminals:

Prop firm challenges -- running multiple funded accounts or challenges simultaneously
Signal copying -- each signal source or Telegram channel connected to a separate account
Strategy separation -- keeping a scalping strategy completely isolated from a swing trading strategy
Broker diversification -- trading the same strategy across different brokers for redundancy
EA isolation -- preventing one Expert Advisor from interfering with another

The core problem is simple: a single MetaTrader terminal can only be logged into one trading account at a time. If you need two accounts running simultaneously, you need two separate terminal installations.

Key concepts before you start

Terminal instance vs trading account

A MetaTrader terminal instance is the application you open -- a specific installation you launch from a specific folder.
A trading account is the login (account number + password + server) you use inside that terminal.

One terminal = one account at a time. No exceptions.

Why separate installations matter

You cannot simply open the same MetaTrader .exe twice. The operating system will either bring the existing window to front or throw an error. Each concurrent terminal needs its own installation in its own folder with its own executable.

MT4 vs MT5: does it matter?

The process is nearly identical for both platforms. The key differences:

MT5 has a built-in MultiTerminal feature (covered below) that MT4 lacks
MT4 portable mode is more straightforward
Both support the same multi-folder installation approach

Not sure which platform to use? See our MetaTrader 4 vs MetaTrader 5 comparison for a detailed breakdown.

Windows: running multiple MT4 instances

Method A (recommended): install into separate folders

This is the most reliable approach and works with every broker.

Step 1: Download the installer

Download the MT4 installer from your broker's website. If you're setting up terminals for multiple brokers, download each broker's installer separately.

Step 2: Run the installer and change the install path

During installation, click Settings (or the equivalent) and change the destination folder. Use a clear naming convention:

C:\MetaTrader\MT4 - FTMO Challenge 1\
C:\MetaTrader\MT4 - FTMO Challenge 2\
C:\MetaTrader\MT4 - MyForexFunds\
C:\MetaTrader\MT4 - Personal Account\

Step 3: Repeat for each account

Run the installer again for each account you need. Each time, choose a different folder. The installers are independent -- they don't conflict.

Step 4: Create desktop shortcuts

After installation, right-click each terminal.exe and create a shortcut on your desktop. Rename the shortcuts to match your accounts so you can tell them apart at a glance:

"MT4 - FTMO Challenge 1"
"MT4 - FTMO Challenge 2"
etc.

Step 5: Log into each terminal

Open each terminal and log into the correct trading account. MT4 remembers your login, so you only need to do this once per terminal.

Method B (alternative): portable mode

MT4 supports a "portable" mode that forces the terminal to store all its data (profiles, EAs, indicators, logs) inside its own installation folder rather than in the shared AppData directory.

To enable portable mode:

Install MT4 into a unique folder (same as Method A)
Create a shortcut to terminal.exe
Right-click the shortcut → Properties

In the Target field, add /portable at the end:

"C:\MetaTrader\MT4 - Account 1\terminal.exe" /portable

Launch using this shortcut

Portable mode is useful when you want complete data isolation between instances -- each terminal keeps its own EA files, chart templates, and configuration entirely self-contained.

When to use Method A vs Method B

Scenario	Recommended
Simple multi-account setup	Method A
Different EAs per account	Method B (portable)
Prop firm challenges	Either works
Shared EAs across accounts	Method A
Maximum isolation	Method B (portable)

Windows: running multiple MT5 instances

Can you run multiple instances of MT5?

Yes. Despite some forum posts claiming otherwise, you absolutely can run multiple MT5 instances simultaneously. The process is identical to MT4 -- install each instance into a separate folder.

Separate folder installation (recommended)

C:\MetaTrader\MT5 - Account 1\
C:\MetaTrader\MT5 - Account 2\
C:\MetaTrader\MT5 - Account 3\

Follow the same steps as MT4 above. The MT5 installer lets you choose the installation directory during setup.

MT5 portable mode

Same as MT4, add /portable to the shortcut target:

"C:\MetaTrader\MT5 - Account 1\terminal64.exe" /portable

Note: MT5 uses terminal64.exe (not terminal.exe) on 64-bit systems.

MetaTrader 5 MultiTerminal: when to use it

MT5 includes a MultiTerminal feature that lets you manage multiple accounts from a single interface. Sounds perfect, right? Not always.

What MultiTerminal is good for:

Placing the same manual trade across multiple accounts simultaneously
Quick overview of positions across accounts
Basic multi-account order management

What MultiTerminal cannot do:

Run separate EAs on each account
Attach different charts and indicators per account
Provide the same level of isolation as separate installations

Bottom line: If you're running Expert Advisors or using automation tools like Propr, you still need separate installations. MultiTerminal is designed for manual traders managing multiple accounts, not for automated setups.

macOS: running multiple MetaTrader instances

MetaTrader doesn't have a native macOS version. You'll need to run it through Wine, CrossOver, or PlayOnMac. The good news: the multi-instance approach works the same way.

Option 1: CrossOver (easiest for macOS)

CrossOver is a commercial Wine wrapper that makes running Windows apps on macOS straightforward.

Setting up multiple instances with CrossOver:

Create a new bottle for each terminal. A "bottle" is an isolated Windows environment. Go to CrossOver → New Bottle → name it clearly (e.g., "MT4 - Account 1").
Install MetaTrader in each bottle. Download the broker's installer, then install it inside the bottle. CrossOver handles the Windows compatibility layer.
Repeat for each account. Each bottle is completely isolated -- different EAs, different logins, different data folders. No conflicts.
Launch each bottle separately. Each one opens its own MetaTrader window.

Why one bottle per terminal? Using separate bottles gives you the strongest isolation. If one terminal crashes or corrupts its data, the others are completely unaffected.

Option 2: Wine / PlayOnMac (free)

If you don't want to pay for CrossOver, the free Wine or PlayOnMac route works too:

Create separate Wine prefixes for each terminal:

export WINEPREFIX=~/.wine-mt4-account1
wine /path/to/mt4setup.exe

Repeat with a different prefix for each account:

export WINEPREFIX=~/.wine-mt4-account2
wine /path/to/mt4setup.exe

Create launch scripts for convenience:

#!/bin/bash
export WINEPREFIX=~/.wine-mt4-account1
wine ~/.wine-mt4-account1/drive_c/Program\ Files/MetaTrader\ 4/terminal.exe

Option 3: Use a VPS instead

Many macOS traders skip the Wine hassle entirely and run their terminals on a Windows VPS (Virtual Private Server). This is actually the recommended approach if you're running more than 2-3 instances, since:

Native Windows performance for MetaTrader
Runs 24/7 without keeping your Mac on
Better for EAs and automated trading
No Wine compatibility quirks

See our complete VPS setup guide for MetaTrader for step-by-step instructions.

System requirements: how many instances can you run?

Each MetaTrader instance consumes system resources. Here's what to budget:

Per-instance resource usage

Resource	MT4 (per instance)	MT5 (per instance)
RAM	200–400 MB	300–600 MB
CPU	Minimal (spikes during EA calculation)	Moderate
Disk space	200–500 MB	500 MB–1 GB

Practical limits by system

System	Comfortable limit
8 GB RAM laptop	3–5 MT4 instances or 2–4 MT5 instances
16 GB RAM desktop	8–12 MT4 instances or 6–8 MT5 instances
32 GB RAM desktop/VPS	15–25 MT4 instances or 10–15 MT5 instances

Tips for running many instances

Close unnecessary charts. Each chart with indicators uses memory. Keep only the charts your EA needs.
Disable news feeds. Go to Tools → Options → Server → uncheck "Enable news."
Reduce history bars. In Tools → Options → Charts, lower "Max bars in chart" to 5,000–10,000 (default is often 65,000+).
Disable sounds. Tools → Options → Events → uncheck "Enable."
Use an SSD. MetaTrader reads/writes log files and EA data constantly. An SSD makes a noticeable difference with many instances.
Consider a VPS for anything beyond 5 instances -- it runs 24/7 and doesn't slow down your personal machine. VPS setup guide →

Setting up EAs across multiple instances

If you're using Expert Advisors (like the Propr bridge EA), each instance needs its own EA setup.

Installing an EA on each terminal

Open the terminal instance
Go to File → Open Data Folder
Navigate to MQL4/Experts/ (MT4) or MQL5/Experts/ (MT5)
Copy your EA file (.ex4 / .ex5 or .mq4 / .mq5) into this folder
Restart the terminal or right-click in the Navigator → Refresh
Drag the EA onto the chart you want it to run on

Important: Each terminal instance has its own data folder. You need to copy the EA file into each instance separately, unless you're using portable mode (where the data folder is inside the installation folder).

Enabling automated trading

For each terminal instance:

Click the AutoTrading button in the toolbar (or press Ctrl+E in MT4)
Verify the EA shows a smiley face on the chart (not a frowning face or X)
Check EA settings: right-click the EA on the chart → Properties → verify "Allow live trading" is checked

Propr-specific setup

If you're using Propr to copy Telegram signals to MetaTrader automatically:

Each Propr account needs its own MetaTrader terminal instance
Install the Propr bridge EA in each terminal
Enabled in Propr means the account is active for automation
Connected means the EA is reachable right now (MetaTrader is open and the EA is responding)

If an account shows "enabled but not connected," open the corresponding MetaTrader terminal and verify the EA is attached and AutoTrading is on.

Troubleshooting common issues

"I can't open a second MetaTrader"

You're probably trying to open the same installation twice. Each instance needs its own installation folder with its own terminal.exe. See the installation sections above.

Connection check takes a long time

Connection checks ping the EA and wait for a response (typically up to 10–30 seconds). If MetaTrader is closed or the EA isn't attached, the check will time out. Make sure:

The terminal is open
The EA is attached to a chart
AutoTrading is enabled (green icon, not red)

EA not showing in Navigator

Make sure the EA file is in the correct data folder for that specific terminal instance
Try right-clicking in the Navigator panel → Refresh
If it's an .mq4/.mq5 source file, it may need compiling first -- open it in the MetaEditor and press F7

Wrong account connected

If you accidentally log into a different account inside a terminal, you'll connect the wrong account to whatever system is reading from that terminal. Prevention:

Name your installation folders clearly
Name your desktop shortcuts clearly
Use one terminal per account -- never switch logins

High memory usage with many instances

If you're hitting RAM limits:

Reduce "Max bars in chart" in each terminal (Tools → Options → Charts)
Close charts you don't need
Disable the news feed
Upgrade RAM or move to a VPS

Terminals crash on macOS Wine/CrossOver

Make sure each terminal is in a separate bottle (CrossOver) or Wine prefix
Some broker builds of MT4/MT5 have better Wine compatibility than others -- try your broker's specific build first
If one build doesn't work, try the generic MetaQuotes installer and then add your broker's server manually

FAQ

Can I run MT4 and MT5 at the same time?

Yes. MT4 and MT5 are completely separate applications. You can run any combination of MT4 and MT5 instances simultaneously, as long as each is installed in its own folder.

How many MetaTrader instances can I run on one computer?

It depends on your system resources. A typical 16 GB RAM computer can handle 8–12 MT4 instances or 6–8 MT5 instances comfortably. See the system requirements section above for details.

Can I use the same broker for multiple instances?

Yes. Install the same broker's MT4/MT5 into different folders, then log into different accounts in each one. The installations are completely independent.

Is MetaTrader 5 MultiTerminal a replacement for multiple installations?

Not for automated trading. MultiTerminal is designed for placing manual trades across accounts simultaneously. If you need to run EAs, you still need separate installations. Learn more about MT4 vs MT5 →

Should I use a VPS for multiple MetaTrader instances?

If you're running more than 3–5 instances, or if you need them running 24/7, a VPS is strongly recommended. It keeps your personal computer free and ensures your terminals never go offline because of a reboot, sleep mode, or power outage. VPS setup guide →

Can I automate trade copying across multiple instances?

Yes -- this is one of the most common reasons to run multiple terminals. Tools like Propr can automatically copy signals from Telegram channels directly into your MetaTrader accounts, each running in its own terminal instance.

Next steps

Set up your terminals using the guide above
Connect Propr to your terminals: use the in-app setup wizard and manage accounts on the Accounts page
Learn more: MetaTrader 4 vs 5 comparison | VPS setup guide | Copy Telegram signals to MetaTrader