In the rapidly evolving world of online trading, tools are more than just utilities 一 they define how traders think, act, and grow. In 2025, with markets more global, volatile, and competitive than ever, having the right trading platform isn’t optional 一 it’s foundational.

And for most of the industry, that foundation is still built on MetaTrader.

MetaTrader’s Grip on the Market

MetaTrader, developed by MetaQuotes, continues to hold the lion’s share of the global CFD and forex trading infrastructure. Even as new platforms emerge and trading behaviors shift, the MetaTrader ecosystem 一 anchored by its MT4 and MT5 platforms 一 remains dominant.

Estimates as of the middle of 2024 show:

• MetaTrader accounts for virtually the entire CFD trading platform market, with MT4 and MT5 together handling nearly 90% of broker-side volume.
• MT4 still holds about half of total activity.
• MT5 is catching up fast, supporting more than one-third of all trades.

Other players, including cTrader, represent a small but meaningful slice, likely under one-tenth of the total volume. Still, cTrader has earned a loyal following, especially among brokers offering ECN access and among traders seeking more transparent execution and a modern UI.

Why MetaTrader Still Leads

There are several technical and operational reasons MetaTrader continues to lead. But the most powerful explanation is simple: MetaTrader was one of the first platforms to scale globally.

That early entry created a massive network of brokers, developers, educators, and traders built around its technology. Over time, this ecosystem became the standard for how retail trading infrastructure is delivered. Even as competitors introduce new features or modern designs, MetaTrader’s embedded presence across the industry gives it a significant advantage that is difficult to replicate.

What About the Rest?

Beyond MetaTrader and cTrader, a number of platforms serve specialized needs. TradingView is a favorite for charting and community insights, NinjaTrader serves futures traders, and various broker-native platforms cater to newer traders. But in terms of market share, third-party integrations, and ecosystem scale, they remain second-tier in the CFD and forex space.

The Missing Piece: Tools for the Mind

While execution and strategy remain crucial, traders are increasingly recognizing that psychology often makes or breaks performance.

This is a space that has long been underserved. Despite the enormous growth in online trading, most platforms have focused on speed and features 一 leaving psychological resilience and decision-making support out of the picture.

Tradefulness is addressing this gap as the first comprehensive, AI-powered solution dedicated to trading psychology. Built on behavioral science, it helps traders:

• Identify and respond to cognitive biases
• Monitor emotional and mental states while trading
• Receive real-time performance nudges tailored to their behavior
• Build healthier, more consistent trading habits over time

Recognizing the importance of psychological support, Earn Online Broker has recently integrated Tradefulness directly into its platform. From now on, Earn users can access these tools seamlessly from their dashboards, without any additional setup. This integration marks a significant step forward in embedding mindset-oriented tools into the core trading experience.

Platforms Shape Performance

In 2025, the tools you use aren’t just about execution 一 they define your competitive edge. MetaTrader continues to lead because it built the global trading infrastructure early and grew an ecosystem that still anchors the market today.
But as the industry matures, platform innovation is shifting from just speed and access to holistic trader support. That includes psychology, self-awareness, and behavioral feedback.

Tradefulness is pioneering that shift, and partnerships like the recent Earn integration show that the market is finally ready to support the trader 一 not just the trade.

If your platform helps you trade but doesn’t help you think, you may be missing the most critical part of long-term success.