Although MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) remain two of the world’s most popular forex trading platforms, there is still no native version for macOS.
The good news is that it’s now much easier to run MetaTrader on a Mac than it used to be, particularly if you have an Apple Silicon Mac.
We’ve tested the latest methods on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs and below are the easiest and most reliable ways to use MT4 and MT5.
After testing all of the available methods, we found that CrossOver is now the easiest and fastest way to run MetaTrader 5 on a Mac, while virtual machines such as Parallels Desktop remain the best choice if you need maximum compatibility with MT4 or advanced trading tools.
Before You Install MetaTrader…
Before going through the methods below, we strongly recommend trying TradingView first.
In our testing, TradingView is simply a better trading platform for most Mac users as you can read in our comparison of TradingView vs MetaTrader.
Unlike MetaTrader, it runs natively in any browser, works perfectly on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs, has superb charting tools, and can connect directly to many leading forex brokers so you can analyse and place trades from one interface.
We also rate it as the best forex trading software for Mac thanks to its modern interface, fast performance and extensive technical analysis tools.
If you’re starting from scratch, it’s well worth testing using TradingView for FREE now to see for yourself or read our full TradingView for Mac review.
Does MetaTrader Run Natively on Mac?
Unfortunately, no. Neither MT4 nor MT5 has an official macOS application.
Some brokers still offer so-called “Mac versions” of MetaTrader but these are usually the standard Windows version wrapped with compatibility software such as Wine.
These versions often suffer from:
- update problems
- missing features
- plugin incompatibilities
- crashes
- poor Apple Silicon support
For serious trading, we recommend using one of the methods below instead.
1. Crossover (Best Overall)
CrossOver has quickly become our favorite way to run MetaTrader 5 on macOS.
Unlike a virtual machine, CrossOver doesn’t require you to install Windows. Instead, it uses a Windows compatibility layer that allows many Windows applications to run directly inside macOS.
The result is a much simpler installation process while using significantly less storage space and memory than running Windows in a virtual machine.
In our testing, CrossOver installed MetaTrader 5 flawlessly on an Apple Silicon Mac and had it running in just a few minutes.
Once installed, MT5 felt fast and responsive, with none of the sluggishness that sometimes comes with running Windows in a virtual machine.
If you’d like to see exactly how it works, here’s the complete installation process.
You can also read our full Crossover review for more on how it runs Windows app and games on a Mac.
Pros
- Fastest way to install MT5
- No Windows installation required
- Excellent performance on Apple Silicon Macs
- Uses much less RAM and storage than a virtual machine
- Easy installation process
Cons
- Primarily recommended for MT5
- MT4 compatibility can vary depending on your broker and setup
2. Virtual Machine (Best For MT4)
If you rely on MetaTrader 4, custom indicators, Expert Advisors or broker-specific plugins, installing Windows in a virtual machine is still the most compatible solution.
A virtual machine allows you to run the official Windows version of MetaTrader exactly as Microsoft Windows users do.
This means every feature is available, including:
- MetaTrader Market
- Expert Advisors (EAs)
- Custom indicators
- Scripts
- Plugins
- Broker-specific tools
The two virtual machines we recommend are:
Parallels Desktop
Parallels offers the best overall experience on Mac.
It automatically installs Windows 11 ARM on Apple Silicon Macs, integrates seamlessly with macOS and generally delivers the best performance.
VMware Fusion
VMware Fusion is available free for personal use and also supports Windows on Apple Silicon Macs.
Although it isn’t quite as polished as Parallels, it’s still an excellent free option.
Once Windows is installed, simply download MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 from your broker or MetaQuotes and install it exactly as you would on a Windows PC.
Pros
- Runs the official Windows version
- Full MT4 and MT5 compatibility
- Supports Expert Advisors and custom indicators
- Ideal for professional traders
Cons
- Requires installing Windows
- Uses considerably more storage and memory
- Slightly slower than CrossOver
3. MetaTrader WebTrader (Best Online Solution)
If you don’t need the desktop application, MetaTrader WebTrader is by far the simplest solution. You can use either the MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 cloud versions on any Mac.
The browser version works in Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
It includes many of the features found in the desktop application, including:
- Real-time quotes
- Multiple chart types
- Technical indicators
- Pending orders
- Stop-loss and take-profit orders
- Demo and live accounts
Many brokers also offer their own branded version of WebTrader that connects directly to your trading account.
The main drawback is that WebTrader doesn’t support the same level of customisation as the desktop version.
Pros
- Nothing to install
- Works on any Mac
- Compatible with all modern browsers
- Great for occasional traders
Cons
- Fewer advanced features
- Requires an internet connection
4. VPS Server (Best For Automated Trading)
If you run automated trading strategies or Expert Advisors around the clock, a VPS (Virtual Private Server) such as VPSForexTrader is worth considering.
Instead of running MetaTrader on your Mac, the platform runs continuously on a remote Windows server that’s always online.
This offers several advantages:
- 24/7 uptime
- Lower latency
- Faster trade execution
- Protection against power or internet outages
- Ability to run multiple MT4 or MT5 instances simultaneously
You simply connect to the VPS using Microsoft Remote Desktop or another remote desktop application.
There are several platforms such as that offer Virtual Private Servers which allow professional traders to trade faster using dedicated 24/7 servers.
Although there’s a monthly subscription fee, many active traders find the improved reliability worthwhile.
Pros
- Runs MetaTrader 24/7
- Excellent for Expert Advisors
- Low latency
- Works from any Mac
Cons
- Ongoing monthly cost
- Requires remote desktop software
5. Boot Camp (Intel Macs Only)
If you own an older Intel Mac, Boot Camp allows you to install Windows on a separate partition of your hard drive.
After restarting into Windows, you can install the standard Windows version of MetaTrader.
Because Windows runs directly on your Mac’s hardware, performance is excellent.
However, Boot Camp is no longer available on Apple Silicon Macs and requires you to reboot your Mac every time you want to switch between Windows and macOS.
For most users today, CrossOver or Parallels Desktop are much more convenient solutions.
Pros
- Free with Intel Macs
- Excellent performance
- Runs the full Windows version
Cons
- Intel Macs only
- Must restart to switch operating systems
- No longer supported on modern Macs
Which Method Should You Choose?
If you’re not sure which option is right for you, here’s our recommendation.
| If you want to… | We recommend… |
|---|---|
| Run MT5 as easily as possible | CrossOver |
| Run MT4 with full compatibility | Parallels Desktop |
| Trade without installing anything | MetaTrader WebTrader |
| Run automated trading 24/7 | Forex VPS |
| Use an older Intel Mac | Boot Camp |
FAQ
Can you install MetaTrader on an M1, M2, M3, M4 or M5 Mac?
Yes. Both MT4 and MT5 can be used on Apple Silicon Macs, although MT5 currently offers the smoothest experience. We found CrossOver to be the easiest installation method because it doesn’t require Windows.
Does MT4 work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes, but MT4 generally requires more work to install and isn’t as well supported as MT5. If you rely on MT4, Parallels Desktop running Windows offers the most reliable experience.
Is MetaTrader 5 better than MetaTrader 4 on Mac?
For most Mac users, yes. MT5 is easier to install, receives active development from MetaQuotes and works particularly well with CrossOver.
Is there a native macOS version of MetaTrader?
No. MetaQuotes does not currently offer native Mac versions of either MT4 or MT5.
What’s the easiest way to install MT5 on a Mac?
Based on our testing, CrossOver is currently the quickest and simplest solution. It installs MT5 in minutes without requiring Windows, while delivering excellent performance on Apple Silicon Macs.