Metatrader 4 and Metatrader 5 have a number of crucial differences. First, they are built around different programming languages. The name of the programs drops a hint at the programming languages used in the creation of the trading platforms. So, these are respectively MQL4 and MQL5.
Metatrader 5 is a 64-bit program released in the year 2010, while Metatrader 4 was created for 32-bit computers in the year 2002. As Metatrader 5 is 64 bit program, it uses computer resources like cpu, ram, etc more efficiently than Metatrader 4 which means it can load and run any kind of resource hungry indicators a lot more easily than Metatrader 4.
MT4 was specifically built for forex traders, whereas MT5 was designed to provide traders with access to CFDs, stocks and futures.
Metatrader 5 has more order types compared to Metatrader 4.
When it comes to technical analysis, Metatrader 5 offers more. In contrast to Metatrader 4 that offers 30 technical indicators and 31 graphical objects and 9 timeframes, Metatrader 5 comes with 38 default technical indicators, 44 graphical objects, not to mention 21 different timeframes. Both platforms support customized technical indicators.
Metatrader 5 does not offer offline charts compared to Metatrader 4 which is why it is harder to program an add on Simulator for Metatrader 5 platform. This is the reason why only Metatrader 4 has Soft4fx and Sphere Tester Forex add on Simulators and Metatrader 5 platform does not.