Trading Platforms

Where to trade gold.

Compare the platforms retail traders use for spot gold (XAU/USD) and gold futures (GC/MGC).

ℹ️

Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you sign up through them, 2nines5 may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence which platforms are listed or how they are described.

Path A

Spot Gold — XAU/USD

Forex broker platforms for trading spot gold.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

Most Popular

The most widely used retail trading platform in the world. Access XAU/USD through hundreds of brokers globally. Supports Expert Advisors and custom indicators.

XAU/USD Expert Advisors Mobile App
Via broker · Free Visit Platform →

MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

The next-generation MT platform with improved order types, built-in economic calendar, and enhanced backtesting. Better multi-asset coverage than MT4.

XAU/USD Gold CFDs Economic Calendar
Via broker · Free Visit Platform →

cTrader

MT Alternative

The main alternative to MetaTrader. Cleaner interface, better depth-of-market, and increasingly popular with more serious retail traders. Offered by brokers like Pepperstone and IC Markets.

XAU/USD Depth of Market cBots
Via broker · Free · ctrader.com Visit Platform →

TradingView

Best Charting

The industry benchmark for chart analysis. Trade XAU/USD directly through integrated broker connections, or use it purely for charting alongside your broker's platform. Pine Script for custom strategies.

XAU/USD Pine Script Broker Integration
Free & paid · tradingview.com Visit Platform →
Path B

Gold Futures — GC & MGC

Exchange-connected platforms for trading CME COMEX gold.

Quantower

Modern Interface

A modern, multi-broker platform with strong futures support for GC and MGC. Clean interface, advanced DOM, and solid order flow tools. Free to use with supported brokers — a growing alternative to NinjaTrader.

GC Futures MGC Futures Order Flow
Free & paid · quantower.com Visit Platform →

NinjaTrader

Futures-Focused

Professional-grade platform built for futures. Excellent for GC and MGC. Advanced order flow tools, DOM trading, and direct CME COMEX connectivity.

GC Futures MGC Futures Order Flow
Free sim · Paid live · ninjatrader.com Visit Platform →

Tradovate

Cloud-Based

Cloud-based futures platform with no install required. Commission-free model and a default choice for many newer retail futures traders, especially in the prop firm space.

GC Futures MGC Futures Web-based
Subscription · tradovate.com Visit Platform →

Sierra Chart

Pro Grade

Highly customisable platform favoured by professional futures traders. Full GC/MGC coverage, raw exchange data feeds, advanced DOM. Steeper learning curve.

GC Futures MGC Futures Raw Data Feeds
Subscription · sierrachart.com Visit Platform →