FxBrokerReviews.org – Automated forex trading uses cutting-edge software and tools to take a hands-off approach to investment. Essentially, a computer programme examines price trends, chooses whether to purchase or sell and carries out foreign exchange trading on the investor’s behalf. Then, the human intervention involves selecting and modifying trading algorithms in accordance with performance.
Importantly, manual trading is gradually becoming obsolete in the fast-paced, liquid world of forex auto trade copiers. In truth, automated trading robots have been used by institutional FX traders for a long time. Retail traders may now use the technology through computer bots, as well as iOS, Android, Windows, and other operating systems.
This guide describes automated forex trading and provides a list of the top firms and bots for 2022.
What is automated forex trading?
To find price patterns and place trades, the best autopilot forex trading systems monitor the markets. Software adheres to a set of guidelines and standards that have been coded by the developer and/or customised by the specific FX trader.
Suppose an investor has coding skills and develops a robot for automated FX trading. This indicates that, for instance, if the European Central Bank (ECB) eases its monetary policies, they may tell it to short the EUR. The amount of profit to be made before ending an investment can also be decided by the investor.
The development of automated forex trading systems, including Expert Advisors (EAs) that adhere to a set of rules based on technical analysis, is supported by trading platforms like MetaQuotes’ MT4 and MT5, as well as TradeStation. MQL5 is the MT5 programming language, while EasyLanguage is TradeStation’s straightforward coding language, which is particularly well-liked by novices. Programming languages like Python and R are appropriate for automated FX trading systems.
What are the types of forex trading automation?
You may divide forex trading platforms into two categories:
- Fully automated trading platforms obtain their signals and place trades (openings and exits). They may also be known as “forex auto trading robots.” Through adjustments to lot size, taking profits, stopping losses, and several other risk-management criteria, they enable human intervention.
- Forex signal providers are included in partial systems. To produce trading recommendations, they adhere to a set of criteria and valuable information based on technical analysis. The investor must manually execute positions, nevertheless.
Popular services that automated forex trading offers
1. Copy trading
Copy trading is one of the finest methods for automating the forex market. This is a quick and simple method for learning from experts how to speculate on currencies. Finding an experienced investor and copying their positions is all that is required.
On the majority of platforms, you just set the system to “follow” or “copy” after choosing an investor, and your account will automatically reflect the positions of the master trader.
The most well-known and well-liked forex copy trading platforms are as follows:
- eToro Copytrader
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- TradeStation
- Ninjatrader 8
- NAGA
2. Forex Signals
The best firms provide forex trading signals for PC, iOS, and APK users. While some require a subscription fee, others provide this service for free. While some brokers use expert teams to generate indications, others just use automated analysis.
A decent signal service must include the human element. People will muddle several economic causes with basic and technical data.
3. Robots
Automatic signal generation and response is done by bots. They essentially take action based only on market data. Thus, they entirely eliminate the component of forex investment that is dependent on emotion.
However, different forex trading robots might be profitable. Since robots are not perfect, traders will need to monitor and modify programming. Even the most successful programmes occasionally require adjustment.
4. MT4 & MT5
MetaQuotes developed MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which provide some of the most well-liked expert advisors for automated forex trading (EAs).
The industry benchmark for automated forex trading is the use of expert advisors. These applications are written in a language akin to C++. EAs automatically monitor forex markets and locate trading opportunities depending on criteria supplied by the user.
Benefits comprise:
- Using EAs can save time.
- EAs make trading less affected by emotions.
- On Reddit and YouTube, you may find reviews and instructional materials.
- You can import and install third-party EAs using MT4 to avoid having to create your own.
- Before allowing EAs to handle actual money, users may back-test them. Note that slippage is not taken into account by back-testing.
Of course, there are some disadvantages as well:
- An EA will only function when your computer is functioning unless you hire a VPS.
- Not all Expert Advisors are “experts,” either.
- They are rudimentary pieces of code created by novice traders.
Free Automated Forex Trading Software
Freebies and discounts that seem too good to be true are often to be avoided. But with automated trading platforms for currency exchange, the issue is a little more complicated.
Sometimes con artists may give you software for nothing in exchange for your signing up with their particular broker. They can then take the commission earned from your registration in this manner. Such frauds are rather simple to recognise. The results are probably going to be fake if they seem too fantastic to be true.
There is no assurance that costly solutions will perform better than free auto trading software, of course. Paid solutions, however, often produce superior outcomes. Before making a purchase, it is crucial to read consumer reviews and ratings. The top brokers and markets offer information on previous profit and loss, risk indicators, and specifics on the techniques employed.
Wondering how to get started with automated forex trading software?
All throughout the world, from Australia and Singapore to India, Canada, and South Africa, automated currency trading systems are accessible. Beginners should start by utilising a paper trading account or tiny test sums.
The majority of forex brokers and businesses that facilitate this kind of investment provide back-testing on practice accounts. This is the process of testing the theoretical profitability of your finest automated forex trading strategy using historical price data. Since these strategies are accessible on practise accounts, a trader may practise without risking any real money.
And while it should go without saying, automating the manual tactics that have previously proven profitable should be the main focus for forex investors.
Advantages of Automated Systems
The benefits of using a computer to execute transactions and monitor the markets for trading opportunities are numerous and include:
1. Minimizing Emotions
Automated trading platforms keep emotions to a minimum while trading. Traders often have an easier time sticking to the strategy by controlling their emotions. Trade orders are automatically executed when the deal requirements are satisfied, so traders cannot pause or second-guess the trade. Automated trading can restrain traders who are inclined to overtrade, buying and selling at every apparent opportunity, in addition to assisting those who are hesitant to “pull the trigger.”
2. Backtesting
Backtesting uses previous market data and trading rules to assess an idea’s feasibility. There should be no space for interpretation in any rules when creating an automated trading system. The computer is unable to hazard a guess; it requires explicit instructions. Before putting their money at risk in live trading, traders may use these specific sets of rules and test them on historical data. With careful backtesting, traders may assess and fine-tune a trading concept and estimate the system’s expectation, or the typical amount per unit of risk that a trader can anticipate to gain (or lose).
3. Preserving Discipline
Even in tumultuous markets, discipline is maintained since trading rules are defined and transaction execution is carried out automatically. Emotional considerations like the dread of suffering a loss or the desire to squeeze out just a little bit more profit from a deal cause discipline to be lost frequently. Automated trading makes it easier to keep discipline since the trading strategy will be adhered to precisely. Furthermore, “pilot error” is reduced. For instance, if a mistake is made and a 100-share purchase order is placed as a 1,000-share sell order.
Making a trading strategy and following it through is one of the major trading hurdles. Trading plans may be lucrative, but traders who break the rules change whatever expectations the system would have had. There is no trading strategy that consistently outperforms the market. Losses are inevitable in any game, after all. Losses, however, may be psychologically traumatic, so a trader who has had two or three consecutive losing trades may opt to forego the next one. The trader has already ruined whatever hope that the system had if this next deal had been a success. Trading the strategy consistently is made possible by automated trading platforms.
4. Improving Order Entry Speed
Automated systems are able to generate orders as soon as trading requirements are satisfied since computers react to shifting market circumstances instantly. A few seconds earlier entry or exit can have a significant impact on the result of a deal. All additional orders, including stop losses and profit targets for protection, are automatically produced as soon as a position is registered. Markets may move rapidly, and it can be disheartening to see a trade hit its profit objective or blast beyond a stop-loss level before the orders can be placed. This is avoided by using an automated trading system.
5. Diversifying Trading
The user of automated trading systems is able to trade numerous accounts or different trading methods simultaneously. Through the creation of a hedge against losing positions, this has the ability to distribute risk over a number of instruments. A computer can efficiently complete tasks that would take milliseconds for a person to complete. The computer can generate orders, track trades, and search for trading opportunities across a variety of marketplaces.
Pros
- Reduce your emotional trading.
- Enables backtesting.
- Keeps the trader’s discipline intact.
- Numerous accounts are allowed.
Cons
- Mechanical malfunctions are possible.
- Need functionality monitoring.
- Unable to execute well.
Worried about the Drawbacks of Automated Systems
Although automated trading systems provide numerous benefits, there are certain drawbacks and truths that investors should be aware of:
1. Mechanical Failures
The concept of automated trading appears straightforward: install the software, set up the rules, and watch it trade. Automated trading is a sophisticated trading strategy, but it is not perfect. A trade order might not be stored on a server but instead on a computer, depending on the trading platform. That implies that an order could not be communicated to the market if an internet connection is lost. The order entry platform component that converts the strategy’s “theoretical trades” into actual trades may differ from the strategy’s output in some other way. When employing automated trading systems, most traders should anticipate a learning curve, and it is typically a good idea to start with lower transaction amounts while the process is being polished.
2. Monitoring
Automated trading systems need supervision, even if it would be fantastic to turn on the computer and go about your day. This is due to the possibility of technological malfunctions such as connectivity problems, power outages, computer breakdowns, and system oddities. Anomalies might occur in an automated trading system, leading to erroneous orders, missed orders, or double orders. These incidents may be rapidly found and dealt with if the system is monitored.
3. Over-Optimization
Although not specifically related to automated trading systems, backtesting strategies are used by traders to produce systems that appear fantastic on paper but perform poorly in a real market. Excessive curve-fitting that renders a trading strategy unreliable in actual trading is referred to as over-optimization. For instance, a strategy can be adjusted to perform very well on the historical data used to evaluate it. Some traders make the mistaken assumption that a trading strategy must have nearly 100% profitable trades or never suffer a drawdown in order to be successful. As a result, specifications may be changed to produce a “near perfect” strategy that, when used on a real market, entirely fails.
5 Top Forex automated trading platforms
Technology is at the centre of the ongoing evolution of the financial markets. FinTech encourages innovation, and many financial companies resemble digital companies more than financial services companies. Long-term success is increased by trading with one of the top automatic Forex brokers, and we have found some good options.
1. FXTM
As a top broker for frontier and emerging markets, FXTM has made a name for itself. A proprietary copy trading service, updated MT4/MT5 trading platforms, high-quality research, and education are all provided to traders. One of the top settings for commission-based forex pricing is provided by Forextime.
Pros | Cons |
Excellent environment for commission-based forex pricing and transparency. | A meagre selection of commodities and cryptocurrencies |
Upgraded MT4 and MT5 trading platforms, as well as a custom mobile trading app. | |
Good market analysis and informational materials for new traders. | |
Low minimum deposits, huge leverage, and proprietary copy trading platform. |
2. FP Markets
In order to provide its customers with an advantage, FP Markets provides traders with a competitive commission-based Forex pricing structure, 61 currency pairings, and updates the basic MT4 trading platform with twelve plug-ins.
Pros | Cons |
Optional trading tools and trading platform selection. | Iress has a limited geographic range of availability. |
Excellent asset selection and very competitive cost structure. | |
Low minimum deposit amount and 1:500 leverage are also available. | |
Reliable and well-regulated. |
3. Eightcap
Australian financial services provider Eightcap provides trading solutions to clients worldwide. The company’s primary offerings are commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, and currencies (Forex). The company conducts business as Eightcap Pty. and Eightcap Global Limited. The business has its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia, and was established in 2009. English, Chinese, Bulgarian, Thai, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese is the 10 languages in which it provides customer service. The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), and the Securities Commission of The Bahamas all regulate Eightcap (SCB). In order to perform this analysis, we set up a real account and checked the majority of the company’s claims. In the eyes of the world, Eightcap is a reliable and trustworthy broker.
Pros | Cons |
Low minimum deposit requirements and 1:500 maximum leverage. | Limited influence in some situations |
Inexpensive pricing structure. | |
Excellent technological setup and an experienced management group. | |
Regular research and excellent educational materials. |
4. AvaTrade
AvaTrade, which is based in Ireland, developed become one of the most reputable and well-known brokers. The expansion and spin-out of its educational branch, SharpTrader, were both fueled by the division’s success. With a great selection of trading platforms and a large selection of assets, AvaTrade is committed to increasing its market share. I looked into AvaTrade to see if the next-generation trading tools it advertises provide users a competitive edge.
Pros | Cons |
Supply of excellent instructional content from SharpTrader. | Trading expenses are competitive but not exceptional. |
Excellent selection of trading systems that can accommodate different trading demands. | |
Prospects for cross-asset diversification and a wide range of assets. | |
Broker that is trustworthy and well-regulated, under the control of a central bank. |
5. NAGA
The 2015-founded NAGA Group AG owns the trademark NAGA (‘NAGA’). German FinTech firm Naga Group AG is openly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In order to compete with established financial institutions, such as banks and brokers, the organisation uses cutting-edge technologies and creative ideas. The NAGA Group’s brokerage services are presently used by more than 1 million active and passive investors.
Pros | Cons |
A wide variety of trading tools. | On ordinary accounts, high spreads. |
The possibility of leveraging the social trading platform to generate passive revenue. |
Final Thoughts
When it comes to technological solutions for automated forex trading, there are various bots, signals, and tools available. For new investors, we advise reading internet software evaluations and back-testing trading plans on cost-free practice accounts.
Automated trading systems, while enticing for a number of reasons, shouldn’t be used in place of cautiously conducted trading. Because technological malfunctions can occur, these systems do need to be monitored. Traders looking to reduce the risks of mechanical breakdowns may find a solution in server-based solutions. Remember that before using automated trading systems, you need have some trading expertise and understanding.