VPS Setup Guide: Run Your EA 24/5

An Expert Advisor only works while MetaTrader 5 is open and online. A VPS (virtual private server) is a Windows computer in a data centre that stays on 24 hours a day, so your EA keeps running even when your own computer is off.

Do you need one?

• Yes, probably, if your EA trades day and night, or your home computer sleeps, travels, or loses power or internet.
• Probably not if you only trade by hand, or your EA only trades a short window you can watch.

Your three options

1. A Windows VPS from a hosting company. You connect with Remote Desktop and see everything, including the Pips & Gold dashboard. Our pick is FXVM, with ChocoPing as a cheaper option (see below).
2. MetaQuotes’ built-in virtual hosting (MQL5 VPS), rented from inside MT5. Simple, but you can’t see the chart or the dashboard there, only logs.
3. A broker’s free VPS, if you meet their deposit or trading conditions. Read the conditions carefully.

What to look for

• Windows Server, about 2 GB of memory for one or two MT5 terminals (4 GB for several), SSD disk.
• A location close to your broker’s trading server. Low “ping” in MT5’s bottom-right corner (under about 20 ms is good for most EAs).
• 99.9%+ uptime, real support, monthly billing with no long lock-in.

Set-up in 8 steps

1. Order the VPS and wait for the email with the IP address, username and password.
2. Connect: on Windows, open Remote Desktop Connection; on a Mac or iPad, use Microsoft’s Windows App.
3. Log in and change the password to a long, unique one.
4. Download and install MT5 from your broker’s website, on the VPS.
5. Log in to your trading account in MT5 and tick Save password.
6. Copy your EA into File → Open Data Folder → MQL5 → Experts, then refresh the Navigator.
7. Allow algorithmic trading, open the right chart, attach the EA with your settings, and check the icon at the top right is blue.
8. Remove the EA from your home computer, so only one copy is trading.

Keeping it running

• When you’re done, just close the Remote Desktop window. Don’t choose Shut down or Sign out on the VPS.
• Put an MT5 shortcut in the Startup folder (Windows+R, type shell:startup) so it reopens after a restart.
• Schedule Windows updates for the weekend, and check in on the EA every day.

Our recommended VPS

Our pick: FXVM

• Price: the Basic VPS plan is listed at $35 a month ($29.75 a month with the discount shown on their site when we checked). It’s sized for 3–4 trading terminals, with 2 CPU cores, 2.5 GB of memory and 80 GB of SSD storage.
• Windows included: Windows Server comes with every plan, and MT5 is ready to install.
• Near your broker: servers in Equinix LD4 (London) and NY4 (New York), where many brokers’ MT5 servers are, plus Asia (Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong) and more.
• Easy to leave: month-to-month with no contract, cancel any time, and a 7-day money-back guarantee.
• Track record: more than 12 years in business.

Visit FXVM →

Cheaper option: ChocoPing

• Price: Choco-3gb costs $22.99 a month for 3 GB of memory, 3 CPU cores and 35 GB of SSD storage. That’s enough for 2–3 MT5 terminals.
• Locations: London, New York and Amsterdam only, with no Asian servers.
• Windows Server is included. Skip the 1 GB plan: it’s too small for MT5 and comes with older Windows 2012.

Visit ChocoPing →

Tip: choose the location closest to your broker’s MT5 server. Your broker’s support team can tell you where it is. After you log in, check the ping in MT5’s bottom-right corner.

Prices checked Oct 26, 2026, in US dollars, before any tax. Prices change, so check the provider’s site before you buy.

Affiliate notice: If we add a VPS link here and we’re paid when you sign up, we’ll say so right here. It never costs you extra. Details.