MT5 vs MT4 test

General discussion about the Tickstory Lite software package.
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Beepsi
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 12:48 pm

MT5 vs MT4 test

Post by Beepsi »

Hello,

just found this thread here where a MT5 backtest gets compared against Tickstory:

http://www.forexfactory.com/showthread. ... ost7743145

Wonder which platform we can trust .. ?

tickstory
Posts: 4883
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:27 am

Re: MT5 vs MT4 test

Post by tickstory »

Hi Beepsi,

I think the post leaves too many variables in question to perform a comparison. When you are using two different historical data sets as this test appears to be doing, you are going to get very marked differences - especially if making trading decisions on a tick-by-tick basis. From looking at the EA code, it appears that the first time one EA takes a trade that the other doesn't, it will inevitably lead to a chain of out-of-sync trades which will cause the two equity graphs to diverge. If the purpose of the comparison is to see how the two EAs perform on two different platforms with two different sets of data, then it should at least ensure the trades are synchronised with some sort of common trigger - by MA, dates or the like.

If you are trying to assess which system to "trust", the only way to achieve a level of confidence in your results is by trying to model your trading environment as accurately as possible. Many EAs that are tested on Dukascopy data do not necessarily produce the same results live due the fact that the broker's live feed does not "match". Data quality & network lag are major factors that will cause your results to vary with the same EA.

Here are some factors to consider when trying to get as accurate back-tests as possible:

- Does your broker's data feed match with your test data? If they are markedly different, expect markedly different results for HFT/tick-based strategies.
- What is your ping to the broker's server? Remember that back-testing assumes a ping of 0ms where this is not reasonable in reality. If you have a HFT trading strategy, you should code assume some delay when placing your trades in the back-tester.
- Is your strategy reliant on spread? If so, test with varying spread values to make sure the back-test results aren't adversely impacted by small changes to the spread.

I'm sure there are other items that perhaps other users could comment on as well.

Hope this helps.

agora
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:55 pm

MT5 Tickdata Backtest?

Post by agora »

Hi,

is there any known possibility/programm to run tickdata backtests for MT5?

greetings

tickstory
Posts: 4883
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:27 am

Re: MT5 vs MT4 test

Post by tickstory »

Hi Agora,

Tickstory does not support MT5 - as far as we are aware MT5 does not natively support the use of tick data.

Hope this helps.

tickstory
Posts: 4883
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:27 am

Re: MT5 vs MT4 test

Post by tickstory »

Hi all,

Due to recent developments in MT5 which allow use of third-party data sources, we plan to keep users updated about our MT5 support on this thread:

https://tickstory.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1018

Please feel free to add suggestions and feedback so we can determine what types of integration features are most wanted.

Thanks.

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