Algorithmic Forex Trading: Account and Demo Checks
A platform’s automation feature and an account’s execution rules are separate checks.
General informationSources and dates included
What to compare
For an expert adviser, record the platform version, hosting location, permitted order frequency, minimum stop distances and whether the strategy is allowed under the account agreement. A backtest does not reproduce live spreads, rejected orders, gaps or financing.
Limits of the published information
Use a demo to test order logic, restart behaviour and an emergency stop. Then evaluate the real account’s execution policy and total fees. Do not infer permission to scalp, arbitrage latency or copy trades from the presence of MT5.
A strategy can place the right order once and duplicate it after a restart. In a demo, disconnect after submitting an order, reconnect and reconcile the order list before retrying. Record what the platform reports and whether the program detects an existing order.
Include hosting and data charges in the cost worksheet. If hypothetical hosting is USD 20 per month and only ten round trips are modelled, it adds USD 2 per round trip before brokerage costs. A permitted platform feature does not establish that every strategy is allowed under the account agreement.
