cTrader: How It Differs From MetaTrader and Who It Suits
Level II depth, flexible order types, cBots in C#, cTrader Copy — and why the platform turns up mostly at ECN brokers.
cTrader launched in 2010 as an answer to the MetaTrader monopoly and was built for the ECN model from the start: visible depth of market and no built-in mechanism for a broker to interfere with execution.
What sets it apart
Level II by default. You see the volume resting at each price level. MT4 has nothing comparable; MT5 has it but not every broker enables it.
Flexible orders. Partial fills, market range (the same idea as maximum deviation but clearer), and guaranteed stops at some brokers.
cTrader Automate. Robots are written in C#. For a developer that is easier than MQL because the whole .NET ecosystem is available.
cTrader Copy. Copy trading is built into the platform rather than bolted on as a separate service.
Interface. Charts detach into separate windows, multi-monitor setups work properly, and settings sync across devices through the cloud.
What is missing
Chiefly the ecosystem. MetaTrader has tens of thousands of ready-made indicators and EAs; cTrader has an order of magnitude fewer. If your strategy depends on a specific third-party indicator, it probably does not exist for cTrader.
Second, availability. Not every broker offers it, and switching brokers can leave you with nowhere to move your setup.
Who it suits
Discretionary traders on ECN accounts who want to see the book, and developers who prefer C# to MQL. Traders who rely on off-the-shelf EAs from the internet almost certainly should not switch.
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Frequently asked questions
What is better in cTrader than MetaTrader?
Transparent Level II depth of market, more flexible order types, built-in copy trading and a modern interface with detachable charts. The strategy tester is also easier to work with.
What language are cTrader robots written in?
C#, inside cTrader Automate. It is a general-purpose language rather than a specialised one like MQL, so the barrier for a developer is lower.
Which brokers offer cTrader?
Mostly ECN-oriented ones. None of the three brokers we track offers cTrader — Vantage and VT Markets run MT4, MT5 and TradingView, BullWaves runs MT5 only.
- Min. deposit
- $50
- Spread
- from 1.0 pip (Standard STP)
- Commission
- $3 per lot per side (Raw ECN)
CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money