If you’re going to leave an Expert Advisor running, sooner or later the word VPS comes up. Here’s what it is, why a trading robot practically needs one and what to look for so you can choose one without overpaying.
What is a VPS?
A VPS (virtual private server) is, in short, a computer that lives in the cloud and is switched on 24 hours a day. You connect to it remotely from your own device, install what you need (in this case, MetaTrader 5 with your Expert Advisor) and it keeps running even if you turn off your computer or your internet connection drops.
It isn’t a trading-only service: it’s used to host websites, apps or anything else that needs to be available all the time. For a trader, that’s exactly the appeal: continuity that doesn’t depend on your home setup.
Why an Expert Advisor needs a VPS
An Expert Advisor only trades while MetaTrader 5 is open and connected. If you run it on your laptop and switch it off at night, the robot stops watching the market. And here’s the problem with gold: XAU/USD moves almost 24 hours a day, five days a week. An opportunity (or an important exit) can come along while you’re asleep.
These are the concrete risks of trading without a VPS:
- Power or internet outages: if your computer shuts down, an open position is left without the monitoring the robot was supposed to give it.
- Restarts and updates: your operating system decides to update itself at 3 a.m. and closes MetaTrader.
- Latency: a good VPS is usually physically close to the broker’s servers, which cuts the delay between the decision and the execution.
What to look for in a trading VPS
- Proximity to your broker (latency): look for a VPS whose data center is close to your broker’s. Many providers advertise their latency to the most common brokers.
- Uptime: it should guarantee 99.9% or higher. That’s what you’re paying for: a server that doesn’t go down.
- Enough resources: MetaTrader 5 with an EA isn’t demanding. 2 GB of RAM and a couple of CPU cores are usually enough for one or two instances; if you’re going to run several, move up a tier.
- Operating system: most traders use a Windows VPS so they can run MetaTrader comfortably.
A VPS built for trading usually costs a few euros a month at the entry level, which is enough for one MetaTrader with an EA. It won’t be your biggest investment, but it’s one of the most sensible ones if you’re going to trade automatically and continuously.
The MetaTrader 5 VPS: the simplest option
MetaTrader 5 has its own VPS, MQL5 Virtual Hosting. There’s nothing to install and no remote Windows desktop to log in to: you rent it from inside MetaTrader (right-click your account in the Navigator → “Register a Virtual Server”), and MetaTrader copies your charts, with their Expert Advisor, to it. That copy is called a migration. From then on the robot trades in the cloud and you can turn off your computer. That’s why it’s the most convenient route if you use a Mac.
- Price: about 15 USD a month plus VAT, a little less on 3-, 6- or 12-month plans. Check the current price in the rental window; some brokers sponsor it.
- Server: MetaTrader picks the one closest to your broker to cut latency.
- What gets copied: the charts that have a robot on them, the robot’s inputs and the WebRequest permission. Scripts don’t get copied, DLLs aren’t allowed, and it doesn’t work with accounts that log in with a one-time password.
- Changes: the VPS has no screen. You make any change in your own MetaTrader and synchronize again.
The AUREUM installation guide walks you through it step by step, with the checklist to go through before migrating.
VPS vs leaving your computer on
Technically, you can leave your own computer on 24/5 with MetaTrader open, and for getting started and running tests that’s perfectly fine. But in the medium term a VPS pays off: it uses less power, doesn’t depend on your electricity supply or your Wi-Fi, and lets you switch off your computer with peace of mind. For serious automated trading, it’s the standard.
Frequently asked questions
Do I absolutely need a VPS to use an Expert Advisor?
It isn’t required for testing: you can run the EA on your own computer. But if you want to trade continuously without depending on your computer being on, a VPS is highly recommended, especially for an asset like gold that moves almost 24 hours a day.
How much power does a VPS need for MetaTrader 5?
For a single MetaTrader 5 instance with one Expert Advisor, 2 GB of RAM and a couple of CPU cores are usually enough. If you plan to run several platforms or several robots at the same time, it’s worth moving up a tier.
Does a VPS improve results or guarantee profits?
No. A VPS only makes sure your platform is always on and connected with low latency. It doesn’t change the strategy or remove market risk; no infrastructure guarantees profits.
AUREUM is built to run continuously
Our gold algorithm comes with its installation guide and instructions for leaving it running reliably, including on a VPS.
Discover AUREUM →