NovaTradeNovaTrade
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MetaTrader 4 integrationFree plan

Still on MT4? Your journal keeps up on its own

Plenty of brokers and prop firms still run MetaTrader 4. Attach our free Expert Advisor once and every trade, stop edit and balance move reaches NovaTrade automatically.

Start freeHow it works
  • Read-only: it can't place trades
  • Any MT4 broker or prop firm
  • Included in the Free plan
one-time setup per account
~5 min
between checks for new activity
5 s
of history on the first sync
30 days
trades to type by hand
0

01The problem

MT4's history tab was never meant to be a journal

TradesSynced 2 s ago
  • EURUSDLondon breakout+$128.40
  • XAUUSDRetest−$64.10
  • GBPJPYTrend pullback+$212.75
  • NAS100NY open+$96.00
P&L+$373.05
Win rate75%
Profit factor6.82
  • Opens, closes, SL/TP edits and partial closes, all recorded
  • Notes, setups and screenshots next to each trade
  • MT4 and MT5 accounts side by side in one journal

02Setup

Connect MetaTrader 4 in about five minutes

Same steps as MT5, with the MT4 version of the Expert Advisor.

  1. 1

    Create your account and copy the API key

    Sign up free, add your MT4 account in Accounts and copy its API key.

    novatradejournal.com · Accounts

    FTMO 100k

    MetaTrader 4

    Waiting for first sync

    API key

    nt_••••••••••••••••a7c2Copied

    One key per account, so your accounts never mix.

  2. 2

    Install NovaTradeSync4

    In MT4: File → Open Data Folder → MQL4 → Experts, paste the .mq4 file and compile it in MetaEditor.

    MetaTrader 4 · Data folder
    • MQL4
    • Experts
    • Examples
    • NovaTradeSync.mq4
    • Indicators
    • Scripts
    MetaEditor › Compile
    0 errors, 0 warnings
  3. 3

    Allow the connection

    Tools → Options → Expert Advisors: tick “Allow WebRequest for listed URL” and add novatradejournal.com.

    Options
    ServerChartsTradeExpert Advisors
    + https://www.novatradejournal.com
  4. 4

    Drag it onto any chart

    Paste your API key in the inputs and allow live trading for the EA. That's it.

    MetaTrader 4 · EURUSD, H1
    NovaTradeSync

    Toolbox › Experts

    › NovaTradeSync: connected

    › history sent: 30 days

    › trade #48213 closed → sent

On start it sends your last 30 days (you can raise it). After that it checks every 5 seconds and records opens, closes, stop edits and partial closes.

03Inside the journal

Anatomy of a synced MT4 trade

MetaTrader 4 fills in the numbers. You add the context that turns them into lessons.

From MetaTrader

  • Symbol, side and volume
  • Entry, exit, stop loss and take profit
  • Commission, swap and net P&L
  • Partial closes and stop edits

EURUSD Buy 0.50

Oct 3 · 09:14 → 11:02 · 1h 48m

Net P&L+$128.40

Entry1.08420
Exit1.08677
Stop loss1.08250
Take profit1.08700
Commission−$3.50
Swap−$0.40
London breakoutMindset: calm★★★★★

Waited for the retest of the Asian high. Clean entry, closed before the 11:00 news.

You add

  • Setup and mistake tags
  • Mindset and a 1–5 rating
  • Notes and screenshots

Also included

  • Deposits and withdrawals

    Balance operations come in too, so your equity curve and returns stay correct.

  • Candles for backtesting

    Optionally send M15 and H1 candles of your symbols to replay them in NovaTrade (Essential plan).

  • Stats on the spot

    Win rate, profit factor, expectancy, drawdown and a P&L calendar, updated with each trade.

  • Private and read-only

    The Expert Advisor only sends your history. It never opens, modifies or closes a trade.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers about setup, plans and safety.

Is the MT4 sync free?

Yes. The Free plan includes one synced account. Essential syncs up to 3 and PRO has no limit.

What's different from the MT5 version?

MT4 has no trade events, so NovaTradeSync4 checks your account every 5 seconds instead. It records the same things: trades, stop edits, partial closes, deposits and withdrawals.

Can NovaTrade place or close trades on my account?

No. NovaTradeSync4 only reads your history and sends it to your journal. It contains no trading logic.

Does MetaTrader 4 need to stay open?

It syncs while MT4 is open. When you open it again, it sends what happened in the meantime from your recent history. On a VPS it syncs around the clock.

Does it work with prop firm accounts?

With any MT4 account where you can run an Expert Advisor. NovaTradeSync4 never trades, but check your firm's rules on Expert Advisors first.

Keep exploring

Give your MT4 trades a real journal

Create your free account, copy your API key and attach NovaTradeSync4. No card needed.

Start free