MetaTrader offers a variety of account types designed to cater to different trading needs and preferences. Below are the primary account types available:
| Account Type | Minimum Deposit | Spread | Commission | Max Leverage | Target User Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $10 | From 1.0 pip | None | 1:500 | Beginners |
| ECN | $50 | From 0.3 pip | $2.5/lot | 1:1000 | Advanced traders |
| Cent | No minimum | Variable | None | 1:500 | New traders |
| Islamic | Varies | Same as standard | None | 1:500 | Muslim traders |
| Demo | Virtual funds | Same as live | None | Same as live | Beginners |
When comparing features across different account types, the following aspects are crucial:
Minimum Deposit:
Standard: $10
ECN: $50
Cent: No minimum
Islamic: Varies
Demo: Virtual funds
Maximum Leverage:
Standard: 1:500
ECN: 1:1000
Cent: 1:500
Islamic: 1:500
Demo: Same as live accounts
Spreads (Typical/Minimum):
Standard: From 1.0 pip
ECN: From 0.3 pip
Cent: Variable
Islamic: Same as standard
Commission Fees:
Standard: None
ECN: $2.5 per lot
Cent: None
Islamic: None
Lot Size:
Standard: 1 lot = 100,000 units
ECN: 1 lot = 100,000 units
Cent: 1 lot = 1,000 units
Islamic: Same as standard
Available Trading Platforms:
Standard: MT4, MT5
ECN: MT4, MT5
Cent: MT4
Islamic: MT4, MT5
Demo: MT4, MT5
Execution Type:
Standard: Market Execution
ECN: ECN Execution
Cent: Market Execution
Islamic: Market Execution
Demo: Market Execution
Islamic Account Availability: Yes for Islamic accounts.
Swap-Free Options: Available for Islamic accounts.
Demo Account Features: Unlimited access to virtual funds; same trading conditions as live accounts.
Standard Account:
Low minimum deposit
No commission fees
Suitable for various trading strategies
ECN Account:
Tight spreads
Direct market access
Ideal for scalping and high-frequency trading
Cent Account:
Risk-free trading environment
Suitable for beginners
Allows practice with real market conditions
Islamic Account:
Complies with Sharia law
No swap fees
Suitable for Muslim traders
Demo Account:
Risk-free practice
Unlimited access to features
Ideal for testing strategies
Standard Account:
Higher spreads compared to ECN
Limited advanced features
ECN Account:
Requires a higher minimum deposit
Commission fees may increase trading costs
Cent Account:
Limited trading instruments
Not suitable for serious trading
Islamic Account:
May have limited availability
Not all brokers offer this type
Demo Account:
No real profit potential
Limited duration for practice
To open a metatrade account, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
Demo Account Features and Benefits:
Access to the full range of trading instruments.
No financial risk as it uses virtual funds.
Ability to practice trading strategies in real market conditions.
How to Open a Demo Account:
Follow the same registration process as for live accounts but select "Demo Account" during the account type selection.
Demo Account Limitations:
Limited duration (may expire after a certain period).
No real profits can be made.
Virtual Balance Amount:
Typically set at $100,000 in virtual funds.
Demo vs Live Account Differences:
Demo accounts use virtual funds, while live accounts involve real money.
Trading conditions may be identical, but emotional factors differ.
Duration/Expiry of Demo Accounts:
Demo accounts may last for 30 days or longer, depending on the broker's policy.
Explore broker markets account types: forex/trading accounts with demo access.