Which brokers support automated trading with EAs on MT5?
Verdict
- Pepperstone is our pick for running expert advisors on MT5 from Hong Kong: it allows EAs on MetaTrader, offers MT5 on both account types, and provides a free VPS to eligible and Pro clients.
- Capital.com also states that EAs are allowed and runs MT5; XS runs MT5 but publishes no EA policy that we found.
- FP Markets, which accepts Hong Kong residents, publishes that EAs, scalping and hedging are all allowed.
- Pepperstone does not publish its scalping or hedging policy in our data, so check it if your EA depends on either.
Most MT5 brokers technically let an expert advisor run, so the useful question is which ones say so in writing, on what costs, and with what support for keeping the robot online. Pepperstone covers all three, and it is the broker we would put an EA on from Hong Kong.
Pepperstone for MT5 expert advisors
Pepperstone's algorithmic-trading page says EAs are allowed on MetaTrader, and MT5 comes with both the Standard and Razor accounts on its international site. For an EA that trades often, Razor is the account to choose: a published 0.1-pip average on EUR/USD plus $3.50 commission per side, or HKD 28.17 per side on an HKD account. Pepperstone says orders execute from 50 milliseconds with no dealer intervention. Two limits to know: it holds no SFC licence (Hong Kong accounts sit with Pepperstone Markets Limited in the Bahamas), and its free VPS is for eligible and Pro clients rather than everyone.
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What each broker publishes about automated trading
| Pepperstone | Capital.com | XS | FP Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT5 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EAs allowed | Yes | Yes | Not published | Yes |
| Hedging | Not published | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scalping | Not published | Not published | Not published | Yes |
| Minimum deposit | $10 | $20 | $0 (Elite $500) | $100 |
Keeping an EA running around the clock
An EA only trades while MT5 is open and connected. A laptop that sleeps, or a home connection that drops during the Asian session, can leave positions without their exit logic. Options, in order of reliability:
- A VPS close to the broker's servers. Pepperstone offers one free to eligible and Pro clients; ask what activity qualifies before you rely on it.
- A paid VPS from a third-party host, if you do not qualify.
- Server-side stops on every position, so a disconnection cannot leave a trade unprotected.
- If you prefer C#, cTrader Automate at Pepperstone runs cBots, an alternative to MQL5.
Before you switch the EA on with real money
- Backtest in MT5's strategy tester on the broker's own price history, since spreads and symbols differ between brokers.
- Run it forward on a small live position to measure real costs, including commission.
- Check the symbol specifications for minimum lot size, stop levels and swap.
- Set a maximum position size inside the EA; Pepperstone's retail leverage on FX goes up to 1:200 on its international entity.
- Confirm in writing any trading style your EA relies on, such as hedging or very short holding times.
Sources
Can I run EAs on a Pepperstone Standard account?
Pepperstone allows EAs on MetaTrader, and its international Standard account includes MT5. Razor is usually the better fit for frequent trading because of its lower average spread.
Does XS allow expert advisors?
XS runs MT4 and MT5, but its published account pages we checked do not state an EA policy. Ask its support before you deploy one.
Who qualifies for Pepperstone's free VPS?
Pepperstone says the VPS is for eligible and Pro clients. It does not publish the exact threshold in the pages we checked, so ask before you open the account.
Are EAs a guaranteed way to make money?
No. An EA automates a strategy, including a losing one, and leverage magnifies its losses as quickly as its gains.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. This page is not investment advice; broker terms change, so check them on the broker's own site before you open an account.