How to Set Up MT4 on a VPS Server
For automated Forex trading to work properly, MetaTrader 4 and your expert advisors must run 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. If you turn off your computer, your robots stop trading — and you may miss critical trade entries or exits. A VPS (Virtual Private Server) solves this problem: it is a remote Windows server that runs continuously, keeping your MT4 running at all times.
Step-by-Step VPS Setup
Choose and Order a VPS
Select a VPS provider that offers Windows Server hosting with good uptime guarantees (99.9%+). Popular options include Forex-specific VPS providers. Choose a server geographically close to Alfa-Forex's servers for minimal latency.
Connect to the VPS via Remote Desktop
Once your VPS is provisioned, you will receive an IP address, username, and password. On your Windows computer, open Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe), enter the VPS IP address, and log in with the provided credentials.
Download and Install MetaTrader 4
Inside the Remote Desktop session, open a browser on the VPS and download the Alfa-Forex MT4 installer. Run the installer and complete the installation. Log in with your Alfa-Forex trading account credentials.
Copy Your Expert Advisors to the VPS
Transfer your EA files from your local computer to the VPS. You can do this by copying files through the Remote Desktop clipboard, or by using a file transfer tool. Place the .ex4 files in MT4's MQL4/Experts folder on the VPS.
Attach EAs to Charts and Verify
Restart MT4 on the VPS, attach your expert advisors to the appropriate charts, and verify that automated trading is enabled. Close the Remote Desktop session — your MT4 will continue running on the VPS even after you disconnect.
Benefits of Using a VPS for Forex Trading
- Your robots trade 24/5 without interruption
- No risk of missing trades due to computer restarts or power cuts
- Low latency connection to your broker's servers
- Your home internet connection does not affect trading
- Multiple MT4 instances can run on a single VPS