Tick Counter Indicator for MT4
The Tick Counter Indicator helps you see which broker or VPS provider gives you more ticks. Higher tick volume means better execution quality — you can only execute a trade on an incoming tick, so fewer ticks may cause you to miss trading opportunities altogether.
Click to enlarge
The Tick Counter Indicator helps you see which broker or VPS provider gives you more ticks. Higher tick volume is important because you can only execute a trade on an incoming tick — fewer ticks may prevent execution at desired prices or cause you to miss trading opportunities altogether.
Why Ticks Matter
This tool measures tick volume across different brokers and VPS providers. This matters especially for EAs running on a per-tick basis (usually scalpers) rather than bar-based trading.
You should expect fewer ticks if you are trading with a market maker, compared with an ECN broker. Market makers bet against traders, while ECN brokers send trades to real markets with multiple liquidity providers.
How to Use the Tick Counter
Copy the indicator file LiveVolume.mq4 into each broker's MT4 indicators directory. Open all broker terminals and drag the indicator onto a DAILY chart at the same time.
Avoid changing timeframes or restarting terminals as the count will reset. Wait 24 hours for data accumulation, then press Ctrl+D to view the data window and compare live volume numbers across brokers.
Why You Might Get Fewer Ticks
Processing delays: Indicators and EAs take time to process code (a few milliseconds), which can cause tick loss during iteration.
Latency issues: Physical distance from the broker's trade server to your MT4 terminal causes information packet loss.
VPS operating system: Windows Server 2012 or later provides much faster network input/output than older systems. Don't be penny wise but pound foolish — better execution quality through increased ticks justifies the VPS investment.
Download Tick Counter Indicator
Click the button below to download the indicator files. Completely free, no signup required.
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How to Install (5 Steps)
Download the Indicator
Click the download button to get the LiveVolume.mq4 file
Copy to Each Broker
Copy LiveVolume.mq4 into each broker's MQL4 > Indicators folder
Open All Terminals
Launch all broker MT4 terminals you want to compare
Apply to Daily Chart
Drag and drop the indicator onto a DAILY chart in each terminal at the same time
Compare After 24 Hours
Press Ctrl+D to view the data window and compare tick counts across brokers
Screenshots
Comparing tick volume across multiple brokers
Click to enlarge
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tick Counter Indicator?
The Tick Counter Indicator (LiveVolume) is an MT4 tool that measures real-time tick volume, allowing you to compare execution quality across different brokers and VPS providers. Higher tick counts mean better trade execution opportunities.
Why do tick counts matter for trading?
You can only execute a trade on an incoming tick. If your broker or VPS delivers fewer ticks, you may miss trading opportunities or fail to execute at your desired price. This is especially critical for EAs running on a per-tick basis, such as scalping strategies.
Why do some brokers have fewer ticks?
Three main reasons: (1) Indicators and EAs take a few milliseconds to process code, causing tick loss during iteration. (2) Physical distance from the broker's trade server to your terminal causes latency and packet loss. (3) Older VPS operating systems have slower network I/O — Windows Server 2012+ is recommended.
Should I expect different tick counts from ECN vs market maker brokers?
Yes. ECN brokers typically deliver more ticks because they route orders to real markets with multiple liquidity providers. Market makers may provide fewer ticks as they internally match orders.
Is this indicator available for MT5?
No, this indicator is currently only available for the MT4 platform.
Does VPS choice affect tick volume?
Yes, significantly. A VPS closer to your broker's trade server with modern Windows Server OS (2012 or later) will deliver more ticks due to lower latency and faster network I/O. Don't be penny wise but pound foolish — better execution quality justifies the VPS investment.
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