GLOSSARY · AUTOMATION
What is VPS?
A VPS is a rented always-on Windows machine in a data centre, used to run MetaTrader and its Expert Advisors continuously without depending on your own computer.
Also called: Virtual private server · Forex VPS
What it means
Because an EA only runs while the terminal is open and connected, running one on a personal laptop means trading stops whenever the lid closes, the connection drops or Windows decides to restart. A VPS removes that dependency — it is on permanently and connected to a data-centre network.
Why it matters
Latency is a secondary benefit that is often oversold. A server geographically near the broker reduces round-trip time by tens of milliseconds, which is meaningful for high-frequency systems and close to irrelevant for a strategy trading M1 to M15 bars. Uptime is the real reason.
What this changes in practice
Requirements are modest for one terminal — 2GB of RAM and a single core is usually enough, though several terminals need more. Many brokers offer a free VPS above a deposit or volume threshold, and our Mobile + PC plan includes one because the alternative is asking customers to leave a computer on permanently. See do I need a VPS.
Related terms
- Expert AdvisorAn Expert Advisor is a program that runs inside MetaTrader and can analyse the market and place,…
- MetaTrader 5MetaTrader 5 is the trading platform most retail forex and CFD brokers offer, and the environmen…
- LatencyLatency is the delay between a trading decision and its execution at the broker, comprising netw…
Educational information only, not financial advice. Trading leveraged products carries substantial risk of loss. Last updated 2026-08-11.