MetaTrader 4 Platform Access
Access MetaTrader 4 through Exness in South Africa. Trade forex and CFDs with tight spreads, fast execution, and ZAR deposits.
MetaTrader 4 Platform Overview for South African Traders
Our company offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) to clients in South Africa under FSCA regulation. The platform provides rapid execution speeds averaging 0.3 seconds and competitive spreads starting at 0.3 pips on major forex pairs. Deposits in South African Rand (ZAR) can be made via local EFTs using major South African banks, facilitating seamless account funding.
MT4 supports over 120 forex instruments and more than 30 CFDs including indices and commodities, enabling trading across both asset classes. Our Johannesburg-based servers ensure consistent connectivity for traders in Cape Town and Durban as well. Automated strategies can be implemented through Expert Advisors coded in MQL4, with full support for custom indicators.
Advanced charting, one-click order execution, and live data feeds are native features. South African traders benefit from the same quality of execution as international clients, with 98% of trades filled at the requested prices during standard market hours.
| Feature | Specification | South Africa Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 USD Equivalent | ZAR 180 via local banks |
| Execution Speed | 0.3 seconds average | Global standard |
| Spreads | From 0.3 pips | EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDZAR |
| Leverage | Up to 1:2000 | Regulated limits apply |
Account Setup Process for MetaTrader 4
Opening an MT4 trading account with Exness in South Africa involves completing KYC and FICA verification within 24 hours. Documents required include South African ID or passport and proof of address from municipal bills or bank statements dated within three months.
After registration, clients create a secure password and set up two-factor authentication via mobile verification. The economic profile form collects employment and income data to comply with FSCA regulations and to determine leverage eligibility.
Registration Requirements
Begin on our website by selecting South Africa as your residence. Enter your email, create a password with minimum security criteria, and complete mobile verification. Provide employment details and trading experience to classify your account correctly under FSCA rules.
Document Verification Process
Upload clear images of your South African ID or passport with all details visible. Driver’s licenses are acceptable if complete. Proof of residence must be from recognized sources like utility bills or bank statements; mobile phone bills are not accepted to prevent delays.
Account Configuration Options
Choose between Standard, Pro, or Raw Spread MT4 accounts. Standard accounts feature no commissions and spreads starting at 0.3 pips. Pro accounts offer tighter spreads plus a $3.50 commission per lot. Base currencies include USD, EUR, and ZAR; selecting ZAR avoids conversion fees on local deposits.
MetaTrader 4 Download and Installation
Download the official Exness MT4 client from our platforms page to ensure authenticity. We provide installers for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, optimized for their respective systems.
Windows installation requires 50MB free space and supports Windows 7 or later. Mac users need macOS 10.10+ with 64-bit processors. Mobile apps support Android 4.0+ and iOS 9.0+, with at least 1GB RAM recommended for smooth performance.
Download duration depends on your internet speed in South Africa but typically ranges between two and five minutes. Off-peak hours are advisable for faster downloads due to reduced network congestion in urban centers.
Desktop Installation Steps
Run the downloaded installer and follow on-screen prompts. Accept license agreements and select installation folders. Upon completion, launch MT4 to proceed with login.
Mobile Installation Steps
Access Google Play or Apple App Store and search for “Exness MT4”. Download and install the app. Sign in using your MT4 account credentials, and synchronize with your desktop platform automatically.
System Compatibility and Limitations
MT4 does not support Linux natively; users may employ emulators with limited performance. Mobile apps require active internet connections and function best over 4G or Wi-Fi networks. Features like automated trading are limited on mobile devices compared to desktop versions.
Platform Login and Server Connection
Accessing your MT4 account starts with launching the platform and selecting “Login to Trade Account” under the File menu. Use your account number found in your Personal Area rather than your email address.
Enter your trading password, distinct from your Personal Area password, and select the appropriate server. South African clients usually connect to servers labeled “Exness-Real” with numeric suffixes indicating load balancing.
Desktop Login Procedure
Open MT4, click File > Login to Trade Account. Input your login ID and password. Choose the correct server from the dropdown. Press OK to connect. Confirm the status bar shows “Connected” with green bars.
Server Selection Guidelines
Live accounts connect to “Real” servers; demo accounts use “Demo” servers. If connection issues arise, try alternate servers within the list. Connection quality is indicated in the bottom-right corner of the MT4 window.
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
Red bars or “No Connection” status typically indicate firewall, antivirus, or network restrictions. Disable firewalls temporarily or whitelist MT4. Switch between wired and wireless networks if persistent issues occur.
Trading Interface Navigation
MT4 comprises four main panels: Market Watch, Navigator, Chart Area, and Terminal. We preconfigure Market Watch with popular forex pairs including USDZAR and major CFDs suited for South African trading hours.
Navigator provides quick access to accounts, Expert Advisors, and indicators. The Chart Area displays price action with customizable timeframes and chart types. Terminal shows account information, trade history, and alerts.
Market Watch Panel
View real-time bid/ask prices for instruments. Right-click to add or remove symbols. South African users benefit from pricing on USDZAR, EURUSD, GBPUSD, and key commodity CFDs.
Navigator Panel
Access your accounts, scripts, and automated trading tools. We provide built-in indicators like RSI, MACD, and Moving Averages pre-tuned for our liquidity environment.
Chart Customization Options
Open new charts by double-click or drag instruments from Market Watch. Choose between candlestick, bar, or line charts. Apply and configure technical indicators, adjusting parameters and colors. Save templates to reuse preferred setups instantly.
| Chart Feature | Description | South Africa Specifics |
|---|---|---|
| Timeframes | From 1-minute to Monthly | Historical data available up to 10 years |
| Chart Types | Candlesticks, Bars, Line | Customizable colors and styles |
| Indicators | 30+ built-in technical tools | Optimized for local market hours |
| Templates | Save/load chart setups | Reduces setup time for traders |
Order Execution and Trade Management
MT4 allows swift placement of market and pending orders. Use the “New Order” button or F9 key to open the order window showing live bid/ask prices. Lot sizes can be entered precisely, with minimums as low as 0.001 lots for major pairs.
Market orders execute instantly at current prices. Pending orders trigger automatically when price reaches specified levels, enabling strategic entry and exit without constant monitoring.
Market Order Placement
Right-click on a chart or press F9. Input volume, stop loss, and take profit levels. Choose Buy or Sell depending on market direction. Confirm order and monitor execution details in the Terminal window.
Pending Order Types
Four types: Buy Limit, Sell Limit, Buy Stop, Sell Stop. Set trigger prices and expiration dates. Pending orders remain active on our servers until triggered, canceled, or expired.
Trade Management
Modify orders and close positions via the Terminal panel. Adjust stop loss and take profit on active trades by right-clicking orders. Monitor open trades, equity, margin, and balance in real time.
| Order Type | Execution Condition | Use Case | Maximum Pending |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy Limit | Price falls to set level | Enter long at lower price | 200 |
| Sell Limit | Price rises to set level | Enter short at higher price | 200 |
| Buy Stop | Price rises above level | Breakout entry | 200 |
| Sell Stop | Price falls below level | Stop loss or breakout | 200 |
Risk Management Tools
MT4 integrates risk controls including Stop Loss and Take Profit settings during order placement or modification. These tools automatically close trades at predefined price points to manage risk and secure profits.
We advise South African traders to limit risk per trade to 2% of their account balance. The platform provides real-time calculations of potential losses and gains as you adjust stop and limit levels.
Stop Loss and Take Profit Settings
Set stops in pips or exact prices. These orders execute instantly under normal market conditions. Take Profit locks in gains when price targets are reached, supporting disciplined trading.
Position Monitoring
The Terminal window displays open trades with live profit or loss figures in your account currency. Margin usage and free margin are clearly shown, with alerts triggered when margin levels approach critical thresholds.
Swap and Overnight Charges
Swap fees apply to positions held past 00:00 GMT+2 server time. Wednesday swaps include triple charges to cover weekends. These fees appear in the Terminal for transparent cost management.
| Risk Tool | Description | South Africa Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stop Loss | Automatic exit at loss limit | Recommended max 2% risk per trade |
| Take Profit | Automatic exit at profit target | Secures gains efficiently |
| Margin Monitoring | Shows balance and margin levels | Margin call at 60%, stop-out at 20% |
| Swap Charges | Overnight fee adjustments | Triple swap Wednesday for weekends |
Advanced Trading Features and Mobile Access
MT4 supports Expert Advisors (EAs) for automated strategies. Install EAs by placing files in the “Experts” folder and enabling AutoTrading. Our VPS hosting ensures uninterrupted execution with low latency.
Custom indicators extend analytical capabilities. Add them via the “Indicators” folder and refresh Navigator. Multiple indicators can be layered on charts for comprehensive analysis.
The MT4 mobile app for Android and iOS offers full trading functionality synchronized with desktop accounts. It supports order placement, charting, indicator use, and push notifications for trade alerts.
Expert Advisor Installation and Use
Copy EA scripts into the Experts folder, restart MT4, and attach them to charts. Configure parameters in the Properties window. AutoTrading must be toggled on to activate EAs.
Custom Indicator Integration
Place custom indicator files into the Indicators folder, then refresh Navigator. Apply multiple indicators simultaneously. Create indicator templates for quick switching between analysis setups.
Mobile Trading Features
Download MT4 from app stores. Login with account credentials to sync data. The app enables market and pending orders, technical analysis, and real-time account monitoring tailored for South African traders.
| Mobile Feature | Android Requirements | iOS Requirements | Data Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Trading | Android 4.0+ | iOS 9.0+ | 5MB/hour |
| Charts | 1GB RAM minimum | 1GB RAM minimum | 2MB/hour |
| Push Notifications | Android 5.0+ | iOS 10.0+ | Minimal |
| Account Management | All versions | All versions | 1MB/session |
Platform Maintenance and Customer Support
Exness provides continuous technical assistance for all MT4 users in South Africa. Support is available 24/7 via live chat, email, and phone, with most issues resolved within 15 minutes during business hours.
MT4 updates download automatically, including security patches and new features. Major updates are announced in advance through email and the Personal Area notifications.
We recommend regular backups of MT4 data folders containing templates, profiles, and Expert Advisors to external storage. Scheduled maintenance occurs on weekends to minimize trading interruptions.
Support Channels
Contact our team via live chat on the website, email support, or toll-free South African phone lines. Support staff are trained specifically for MT4 platform issues.
Automatic Updates
MT4 prompts download and installation of updates automatically. Users receive detailed changelogs. Manual update checks can be performed via the Help menu.
Backup and Restore Procedures
Copy the entire MT4 data folder located in the installation directory to backup settings and configurations. Restore by copying back after reinstallation or to a new device.
❓ FAQ
How do I fund my MetaTrader 4 account in South Africa?
You can deposit ZAR via local EFT transfers using major South African banks directly through your Exness Personal Area. Deposits process quickly during banking hours.
Can I use Expert Advisors on the MetaTrader 4 mobile app?
The mobile app supports manual trading and indicators but does not run Expert Advisors. Automated strategies require the desktop MT4 platform with VPS hosting.
What leverage is available for South African MT4 traders?
Leverage is available up to 1:2000 but is subject to FSCA regulations and your account classification, ensuring compliance with local financial laws.
How do I set Stop Loss and Take Profit orders?
Set Stop Loss and Take Profit during order placement in the order window or modify active trades in the Terminal panel by right-clicking the position and selecting “Modify or Delete Order”.
What should I do if my MT4 platform cannot connect to the server?
Check your internet connection, disable firewalls blocking MT4, and try selecting alternative servers from the login dropdown. Contact support if issues persist.
