Why EAs Need a VPS
An EA only trades while its host terminal is running and connected. A Virtual Private Server keeps MT4/MT5 online 24/5 without depending on your personal computer or home internet connection staying on continuously, which matters most for time-sensitive strategies like scalping and news trading.
Latency & Broker Proximity Explained
Latency — the round-trip time between your VPS and your broker's trade server — directly affects order execution quality. Choosing a VPS location physically close to your broker's server (commonly Equinix data centers in London, New York, or Tokyo) can reduce latency from 50-100ms down to single digits.
VPS Specs Needed for MT4/MT5
A VPS for EA trading has more modest requirements than most people assume:
- CPU: 1-2 vCPU cores is sufficient for running several EAs on MT4/MT5 simultaneously.
- RAM: 2-4GB RAM comfortably handles multiple terminal instances and charts.
- Uptime SLA: Look for a provider guaranteeing 99.9%+ uptime, given EAs need continuous connectivity.
- Server Location: Match the VPS region to your broker's server location to minimize round-trip latency.
Setting Up MT5 on a VPS
Most VPS providers offer a pre-configured Windows environment where you simply install MT5, log into your trading account, and attach your EA — the same process as on a local desktop, just running remotely and continuously.