Why You Need a VPS for Trading

If you run Expert Advisors or indicators that need to stay active 24/7, your home computer is not reliable enough. Internet outages, Windows updates, power failures - any of these can shut down your terminal and cost you money.

A VPS (Virtual Private Server) gives you a dedicated Windows environment running in a professional data center. Your MetaTrader terminals stay online around the clock, even when your home PC is off.

Two Approaches: Managed vs. Full VPS

MetaQuotes Built-in VPS

MetaTrader offers a built-in VPS service directly from your terminal. The advantage: zero setup. You migrate your terminal with one click and it runs on MetaQuotes infrastructure.

Pros:

  • No setup required, works in minutes
  • Integrated directly into MetaTrader
  • Low latency to broker servers

Cons:

  • No remote desktop access (you cannot manage the server)
  • Limited to one terminal per VPS
  • No control over updates or restarts
  • Black box - you cannot install additional software

Dedicated Windows VPS (Recommended for serious traders)

A proper Windows VPS gives you full control. You connect via Remote Desktop (RDP), install multiple MetaTrader terminals, manage updates on your schedule, and run additional tools alongside your trading setup.

Pros:

  • Full remote desktop access from anywhere (PC, Mac, phone)
  • Run multiple terminals simultaneously
  • Control when updates happen
  • Install any additional software you need
  • Works as a mobile trading desktop

Cons:

  • Requires initial setup (install MetaTrader, configure terminals)
  • Monthly cost slightly higher than MetaQuotes VPS

Recommended VPS Providers

We have tested several VPS providers over the years. Here are our recommendations:

NexoSystems

High-speed infrastructure with excellent value for money. Responsive support team that understands trading workloads. We use NexoSystems for our own infrastructure.

Get started with NexoSystems

ProHosting24

Solid German infrastructure with competitive pricing. Good performance for MetaTrader workloads. Support response times are adequate but not as fast as NexoSystems.

Get started with ProHosting24

Servinga

Multi-datacenter setup for traders who need professional-grade redundancy. Good option if you run multiple terminals across different locations.

Get started with Servinga

Setting Up Your VPS

Once you have your VPS, the setup is straightforward:

  1. Connect via Remote Desktop (Windows: built-in RDP, Mac: Microsoft Remote Desktop app)
  2. Download and install MetaTrader from your broker
  3. Log in to your trading account
  4. Attach your EAs and indicators
  5. Make sure "AutoTrading" is enabled
  6. Minimize the RDP session - your terminal keeps running

Important tips:

  • Disable automatic Windows updates or schedule them for weekends
  • Set MetaTrader to start automatically when the server reboots
  • Use a separate terminal for each trading strategy
  • If you use SI Connect, run it on a dedicated chart in its own terminal

Monitoring Your Terminals

Even on a VPS, terminals can occasionally crash or disconnect. Consider setting up a monitoring solution that alerts you when a terminal goes offline. Services like Cronitor offer free heartbeat monitoring that sends you an email when your terminal stops responding.