If you run Expert Advisors on MetaTrader 5, you need a computer that never sleeps, never installs a Windows update and sits close to the broker. That is exactly what a forex VPS provides. The key question: a specialised provider with a Windows licence and proximity to the broker – or a cheap standard VPS with a licence you buy yourself?
Prices: entry-level plans according to the providers' websites, as of 30 October 2026. Prices in foreign currencies are not converted; dollar and pound prices mostly excl. VAT, Hetzner and Contabo net, IONOS incl. VAT. Term-dependent prices are listed in the highlights.
Why do you need an MT5 VPS at all?
MetaTrader 5 has to run continuously for an Expert Advisor to execute signals. On your own computer, this fails because of Windows updates, power cuts, Wi-Fi dropouts and standby. A VPS is a Windows server in a data centre that runs 24/7 and that you operate via Remote Desktop.
The second reason is latency: if the server is in the same data centre as the broker – usually Equinix LD4 (London), NY4 (New York) or FR2 (Frankfurt) – execution time drops from 50–100 ms to under 5 ms. With scalping strategies, this determines slippage and requotes.
Specialist forex VPS or a normal VPS?
Specialised forex VPS (ForexVPS.net, AccuWeb, QuantVPS, Beeks) cost more, but in return include the Windows licence, pre-installed MetaTrader and a location right next to the broker. The support team knows MT5, not just servers.
General VPS providers (Hetzner, Contabo, Vultr) are considerably cheaper, but you also need a Windows Server licence – an extra €5 to €20 a month depending on the provider. Factor that in before you look at the €6 plan. You have to check the latency to the broker yourself.
Rule of thumb: scalping or news trading → specialist provider close to the broker. Swing trading or slow EAs → a cheap standard VPS is enough.
The free broker VPS
Many brokers – including IC Markets, Pepperstone, RoboForex and Admirals – provide a free VPS if you maintain a minimum balance (often $1,000 to $5,000) or reach a certain trading volume per month.
This is the cheapest way in, but it has catches: resources are tight (usually 1 vCPU, 1–2 GB RAM), often only one MT5 instance runs, and you are tied to the broker. If you run several accounts or brokers in parallel, there is no way around renting your own.
MetaQuotes also offers the MetaTrader VPS directly from within the terminal ($15 on a monthly plan, up to 33% cheaper with longer terms). It only copies charts and EAs, so it is not a full Windows server – but for a single EA it is the simplest solution.
What to look for in an MT5 VPS
- Latency to the broker – ask your broker which data centre it uses and choose the same location. Under 5 ms is the goal, under 1 ms with co-location.
- Windows licence – included or extra? This shifts the price comparison considerably.
- RAM per MT5 instance – depending on charts and indicators, MetaTrader 5 uses 300 to 800 MB. Allow at least 1 GB per instance and at least 2 GB in total.
- Single-core performance – MT5 uses several cores for backtesting, but mainly one in live operation. A high clock speed beats many cores.
- Uptime guarantee – 99.9% is standard, 99.99% with specialist providers. Every minute of downtime can cost you an open position.
- Automatic restart – the VPS should start MT5 again on its own after a reboot.
- Billing – specialist providers bill in dollars or pounds; the exchange rate and your credit card's foreign transaction fee come on top.