Algo Trading for Beginners: Learn MetaTrader & Start Trading with Robots | Algo Trading Space

Free beginner course: set up MetaTrader, install Expert Advisors, backtest strategies and start trading with robots. No coding needed.

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Algo Trading for Beginners: Learn MetaTrader & Start Trading with Robots | Algo Trading Space

What Is This Beginner Algo Trading Course and What Will You Learn?

This free structured course is designed for traders who want to start trading with Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader without writing a single line of code. Taught by Petko Aleksandrov, a professional algorithmic trader with over a decade of experience and hundreds of live trading accounts, the course walks you through every step from opening your first demo account to placing your first trading robot. You will learn how to choose a regulated broker with low spreads and commissions, how to install and navigate MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and how to understand charts, timeframes, and candlestick basics. The course then moves into Expert Advisors: what they are, how the strategies behind them work, and how to select a robot based on transparent live trading results rather than unverified vendor claims. Backtesting is covered in detail: you will use the MetaTrader Strategy Tester, interpret drawdown and equity curves, and compare backtest results against live demo performance. Risk management fundamentals are also covered, including lot sizing for small accounts, grid and martingale awareness, and setting maximum drawdown limits. By the end you will have a clear, practical foundation to trade with robots on demo and small live accounts, and the confidence to move on to portfolio trading in the follow-up course.

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What You Get in This Free Beginner Course

Everything a new algo trader needs to go from zero experience to confidently running Expert Advisors on MetaTrader, structured into clear practical video lessons.

Learn to download, install, and configure MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 from scratch. The course covers opening a demo account with a regulated broker, navigating the Market Watch, understanding bid/ask spreads, switching timeframes from M15 to H1 to D1, and organizing your charts for automated trading. You will also learn how to install multiple MetaTrader instances for separate demo and live accounts.
Instead of relying on unverified vendor claims, you will learn how to evaluate Expert Advisors using transparent live trading results on Algo Trading Space. The course shows how to compare EAs by initial balance, monthly gain, floating exposure, and FX Blue track records, giving you a data-driven approach to selecting your first trading robot.
Master the MetaTrader Strategy Tester to evaluate any Expert Advisor before risking real money. You will learn to set custom date ranges, select tick modeling modes, load .set files, and interpret key metrics like equity drawdown percentage, relative drawdown, and the difference between balance and equity curves. The course also shows how to compare backtest results against live demo performance.
Understand how to configure lot sizes, maximum lot limits, and drawdown protection for accounts starting from as little as $200. The course explains the difference between fixed lot trading and percentage-based money management, how grid and martingale recovery systems work, and why setting a maximum loss percentage is essential. You will learn why Algo Trading Space uses a 50% drawdown limit on personal accounts.
Follow the exact process used by Algo Trading Space to move from demo testing to live trading. The course recommends a minimum 3-month demo testing period, explains how to verify that backtest results match demo performance, and covers the progression from small $200 live accounts to larger accounts and funded challenges. You will also learn how prop firm drawdown rules affect EA settings.
The complete course includes 13 structured video lessons covering broker selection, MetaTrader setup, EA theory, installation walkthroughs, backtesting, demo trading, live account management, and mobile monitoring via the MetaTrader app. All lessons are free with lifetime access, and the course is the foundation for the advanced portfolio trading course that follows.

Who Is This Course Designed For?

Whether you are brand new to trading or looking to transition from manual to automated strategies, this course adapts to your starting point and gives you a clear path forward.

Complete Beginners with Zero Trading Experience

You have never traded forex before and have no experience with MetaTrader or Expert Advisors. This course was made for you. Every step is shown on screen: from opening a broker account to dragging your first EA onto a chart. No programming or coding knowledge is required. You will start with a free demo account and a free Expert Advisor so you can practice without risking any real money. The course uses plain language and avoids unnecessary jargon.

Manual Traders Looking to Automate

You already trade forex manually but you are tired of spending hours in front of screens and making emotional decisions. This course shows you how to hand off execution to Expert Advisors that follow a consistent strategy 24 hours a day. You will learn how EAs use indicators and rules to enter and exit trades automatically, freeing you from the screen while maintaining a systematic approach to the markets.

Aspiring Prop Firm Traders

You want to take on funded account challenges using automated trading. This course covers the foundation you need: how drawdown limits work, why lot sizing matters for staying within 10% maximum drawdown rules, and how to backtest an EA specifically for prop firm conditions. You will also learn why some prop firms restrict third-party EAs and what that means for your strategy selection.

Traders Exploring Algo Trading Space Products

You have seen the live trading results on Algo Trading Space and want to understand how the platform works before purchasing EA Studio, the Top 10 Robots App, or the Prop Firm Robots App. This course gives you the practical MetaTrader skills you need to use any product on the platform effectively. Think of it as the essential first step before moving to portfolio trading and strategy generation.

Why Thousands of Traders Start Here

A practical no-fluff foundation for automated trading, designed for real beginners with real accounts.

No Coding or Programming Required

Every step is point-and-click: install MetaTrader, drag the EA onto the chart, and load your settings file.

Free Course with Lifetime Access

All 13 video lessons are available at no cost and you can revisit them anytime as you progress.

Real Broker and Real EA Demonstrations

Every walkthrough uses a real broker account and a real Expert Advisor, not simulated screenshots.

Taught by a Trader with 10+ Years Experience

Petko Aleksandrov manages hundreds of live trading accounts and shares practical, field-tested methods.

From Zero to Your First Trading Robot in 6 Steps

Follow the same step-by-step process used by Algo Trading Space to set up, test, and run Expert Advisors on MetaTrader.

Choose a Regulated Broker and Open a Demo Account

The first step is selecting a regulated forex broker with low spreads, low commissions, and reliable execution. The course walks you through what to look for: regulatory bodies like the FCA, CySEC, CFTC, and NFA. You will open a free demo account and start with virtual funds so there is zero financial risk while you learn. The course uses IC Markets as an example but any regulated broker that supports MetaTrader will work.

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Install MetaTrader and Learn the Platform Basics

Once your demo account is ready you will download and install MetaTrader 5 (or MetaTrader 4). The course covers the essential interface elements: Market Watch for monitoring bid/ask prices and spreads, the Navigator panel for managing Expert Advisors, chart types and timeframes from M15 to H1, and the Toolbox for tracking open trades, balance, equity, and free margin. You will also learn how to keep your workspace clean for automated trading.

Select Your First Expert Advisor and Install It

The course shows you how to evaluate Expert Advisors using transparent live trading results on Algo Trading Space, filtering by initial balance, monthly gain, and track records. You will download an EA file (.ex4 or .ex5), copy it into the correct MetaTrader data folder, configure the inputs and .set files, enable DLL imports if required, register your account license with the vendor, and drag the EA onto the correct chart and timeframe. The entire process takes about 5 minutes.

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Backtest the EA Before Risking Any Capital

Before going live you will run backtests in the MetaTrader Strategy Tester. The course covers selecting the right symbol and timeframe, choosing tick modeling modes, setting a custom date range (typically 1-2 years), loading your .set files, and reading the results including equity drawdown, relative drawdown, balance curves, and trade distribution by day and hour. You will also run multiple backtests with different lot settings to find the right risk level for your account size.

Trade on Demo for at Least 3 Months

With the EA attached and backtested you let it trade on your demo account. The course recommends a minimum 3-month observation period to see how the EA performs across different market conditions. During this phase you compare live demo results against your backtest to confirm accuracy and monitor equity drawdowns. Algo Trading Space uses a 2% monthly gain target as the baseline for moving an EA to a live account.

Transition to a Small Live Account and Monitor from Mobile

When your demo results are consistent you move to a small live account: the course demonstrates this with $200 starting balances. You will set proper lot sizes (0.01 minimum), configure maximum drawdown limits, and understand the risk tolerance difference between personal accounts and prop firm challenges. The course also shows how to install the MetaTrader mobile app to monitor positions and trade history on the go without interfering with the EA's automated execution.

Algo Trading for Beginners by the Numbers

This course is backed by over a decade of real trading experience and hundreds of publicly verified live accounts. Petko Aleksandrov has helped tens of thousands of traders take their first steps in algorithmic trading through Algo Trading Space courses and YouTube content.

13

Structured video lessons covering every step from broker selection to live trading

10+ Years

Of algorithmic trading experience behind course instructor Petko Aleksandrov

Hundreds

Of live trading accounts actively managed and publicly displayed on Algo Trading Space

Tens of Thousands

Of traders who have started their algo trading journey through Algo Trading Space content

$200

Minimum starting balance demonstrated in the course, showing algo trading is accessible to small accounts

100% Free

The entire beginner course is available at no cost with full lifetime access to all 13 lessons

Why Traders Choose This Course to Start Algo Trading

A free, honest, and practical introduction to automated trading taught by someone who actively trades with robots every day.

Transparent Live Results Instead of Marketing Claims
Unlike most EA vendors who show only cherry-picked backtests, Algo Trading Space publishes all live trading accounts publicly including losses and drawdowns. The course teaches you to evaluate EAs using verified track records from FX Blue so you can make informed decisions based on real data rather than sales pages.
Practical Skills You Can Use Immediately
Every lesson includes screen-recorded walkthroughs on real broker accounts and real MetaTrader platforms. By the end of the course you will have installed MetaTrader, placed an Expert Advisor, run a backtest, and started a demo account, not just watched someone talk about it. The skills transfer directly to any EA or broker you choose.
Honest Coverage of Risk and Limitations
The course does not hide the risks of automated trading. It explains grid and martingale strategies openly, shows what happens when an account blows up in backtesting, and emphasizes that every trader must decide their own risk tolerance. You will learn about drawdown limits, lot sizing constraints, and why no robot performs well in all market conditions.
Foundation for Advanced Algo Trading Space Products
This course prepares you for the full Algo Trading Space ecosystem including EA Studio for generating your own strategies, the Top 10 Robots App for pre-selected EAs, and the Prop Firm Robots App for funded account challenges. Without these MetaTrader fundamentals the advanced tools become harder to use effectively.
Structured Progression from Demo to Live to Funded
The course follows a clear progression: backtest first, then demo for at least 3 months, then small live account, then larger accounts or prop firm challenges. This mirrors the exact workflow used internally at Algo Trading Space. You will understand each transition point, what metrics to watch, and when it is appropriate to increase your account size.

Watch the Full Course on YouTube

All 13 video lessons are also available as a free YouTube playlist. You can watch the complete Algo Trading for Beginners course directly on the Algo Trading Space channel, follow along at your own pace, and revisit any lecture whenever you need a refresher on MetaTrader setup, EA installation, or backtesting.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Beginner Algo Trading Course

Everything you need to know about starting your algorithmic trading journey, from MetaTrader setup to Expert Advisor selection and backtesting.

What will I learn in this algo trading beginner course?

The course covers the complete workflow for starting with Expert Advisors on MetaTrader. You will learn how to choose a regulated broker, open a demo account, install MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, navigate the platform interface, select an Expert Advisor based on live trading results, install and configure the EA on your chart, run backtests in the Strategy Tester, trade on a demo account, transition to a small live account, and monitor your positions from the MetaTrader mobile app. The course includes 13 structured video lessons and requires no coding or programming knowledge.

Is this course really free?

Yes, the entire Algo Trading for Beginners course is available at no cost. All 13 video lessons have lifetime access through the Algo Trading Space academy and are also available on YouTube as a free playlist. There are no hidden fees, no trial periods, and no upsells required to complete the course. The course was designed as a free foundation for traders who may later explore paid products like EA Studio, the Top 10 Robots App, or the Prop Firm Robots App, but purchasing those is entirely optional.

Do I need any coding or programming skills?

No. The course is specifically designed for non-technical traders. Every Expert Advisor used in the course comes as a pre-compiled .ex4 or .ex5 file that you simply copy into the MetaTrader data folder and drag onto a chart. You do not need to open the MetaEditor, write MQL code, or understand programming logic. The strategy behind each EA is explained conceptually using indicators, entry rules, and exit conditions, so you understand what the robot does without reading source code.

What is the minimum deposit to start trading with Expert Advisors?

The course demonstrates trading on accounts starting from $200, which is among the smallest practical account sizes for running Expert Advisors. At this level you would trade with the minimum lot size of 0.01 and limit maximum open lots to 0.02 for grid-based strategies. Larger accounts of $500-$1000 give more flexibility with lot sizing and drawdown tolerance. The course recommends starting on a free demo account with virtual funds first so you can practice the full workflow without risking any real money.

Which brokers are recommended for algo trading?

The course uses IC Markets as the demonstration broker and also mentions BlackBull Markets, both regulated brokers commonly used by algo traders. However the course emphasizes that broker selection is a personal decision and the most important factor is regulation. Look for brokers regulated by bodies such as the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), CFTC/NFA (US), FINMA (Switzerland), or ASIC (Australia). Key conditions to compare include spreads, commissions, swap rates, and execution speed. Any regulated broker supporting MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 will work.

What is the difference between grid, martingale, and standard EA strategies?

Standard strategies use fixed lot sizes and enter trades based on indicator rules: when conditions are met the EA opens one position with a set stop-loss and exit target. Grid strategies add additional positions at regular intervals if the price moves against the initial trade, averaging down the entry price. Martingale strategies increase the lot size with each additional position, recovering losses faster but with significantly higher risk. The course explains these differences in detail and shows backtest examples where different lot limits dramatically change the drawdown profile.

Do I need a VPS to run Expert Advisors?

For the initial learning phase with demo accounts a regular computer or laptop works fine. However if you plan to run Expert Advisors on a live account continuously you will need either a dedicated computer that stays on 24 hours a day, or a VPS (Virtual Private Server). A VPS ensures your MetaTrader platform stays connected to the broker server without interruption: if your home computer shuts down or loses internet the EA will stop trading. VPS services typically cost $15-$40 per month. VPS setup is covered in more detail in the follow-up portfolio trading course.

How do I know if an Expert Advisor is worth trading?

The course teaches a data-driven evaluation process. First check if the EA vendor provides transparent live trading results: Algo Trading Space publishes all account results publicly through FX Blue track records. Look at the monthly gain percentage, equity drawdown history, number of days the account has been running, and whether the floating exposure stays reasonable. Then run your own backtest over 1-2 years using the MetaTrader Strategy Tester with the exact settings and broker you plan to use. Compare backtest results against demo performance to confirm reliability.

Can I use this course to prepare for prop firm challenges?

Yes, the course covers the fundamentals you need but with important caveats. Prop firms typically enforce a maximum 10% total drawdown and 3-5% daily drawdown, which is much stricter than personal account trading. The course shows how to reduce lot sizes in backtesting to keep equity drawdown below these thresholds. However many prop firms restrict third-party Expert Advisors, especially if they detect multiple traders using the same EA: the course mentions this risk directly. For serious prop firm trading the Prop Firm Robots App from Algo Trading Space offers EAs configured for funded account rules.

How long does it take to complete the course?

The 13 video lessons can be watched in a few hours. The practical steps (opening a broker account, installing MetaTrader, placing your first EA, running backtests) can be completed in a single afternoon. The demo trading phase that follows should last at least 3 months before considering a live account. So while the course content itself is quick to absorb, applying it properly and gaining confidence with demo trading takes several months of hands-off observation. The course recommends taking your time and revisiting sections as needed.

What happens after I finish this beginner course?

This course is designed as the first step in a progression. The follow-up course covers portfolio trading: combining multiple Expert Advisors across different pairs and strategies for better diversification and more stable long-term results. You will learn money management techniques, how to connect your accounts to FX Blue and Myfxbook for professional performance tracking, how to rotate and replace underperforming EAs, and how to scale your account size over time. For traders who want to generate their own strategies EA Studio offers a web-based strategy generator with a separate free course.

What is backtesting and why is it important?

Backtesting is the process of running an Expert Advisor against historical price data to see how it would have performed in the past. In MetaTrader the Strategy Tester allows you to test any EA on any symbol and timeframe over custom date ranges, typically 1-2 years. The results show the balance curve, equity drawdown, maximum relative drawdown, number of trades, and distribution by day and hour. Backtesting is critical because it reveals the worst-case drawdowns you should expect, helps you calibrate lot sizes for your account balance, and gives you a benchmark to compare against live demo performance.

Can I run multiple Expert Advisors on one MetaTrader platform?

You can attach one Expert Advisor per chart window in MetaTrader. To run multiple EAs open separate charts for each symbol and timeframe combination and attach a different EA to each chart. However the course recommends installing separate MetaTrader instances if you want to keep demo and live accounts completely separate: switching between accounts on the same platform can disable trading on one while enabling it on the other. For portfolio trading with many EAs the follow-up course covers this in detail including how to manage multiple installations on a VPS.

Is algorithmic trading suitable for people with a full-time job?

Algorithmic trading is particularly well-suited for people who work full-time. One of the main advantages covered in the course is that Expert Advisors trade automatically based on programmed rules and do not require you to sit in front of a screen waiting for setups. The EA monitors the market, enters and exits trades, and manages positions 24 hours a day. You can check your account briefly from the MetaTrader mobile app during breaks. This is precisely why many traders switch from manual to automated trading: it removes the need to watch charts constantly and eliminates emotional decisions.

Who Should Take This Course and Who Should Not

Best suited for: Complete beginners who have never used MetaTrader or traded forex before. If you are starting from scratch and want a guided step-by-step path into algorithmic trading without needing to write code, this course gives you everything you need to go from zero to running your first Expert Advisor on a demo account. Manual traders who are frustrated with emotional decision-making and missed entries. If you already understand forex basics but want to automate your execution, this course shows you how to transition from screen-watching to hands-off robot trading using verified EAs and proper backtesting. Small-account traders starting with $200-$500 who want to understand how to configure lot sizes and risk settings for limited capital. The course specifically demonstrates EA settings for $200 accounts including maximum lot limits and drawdown tolerance. Future prop firm participants who want to understand backtesting, drawdown management, and EA configuration before attempting funded account challenges with strict 10% drawdown limits. Not recommended for: Experienced algorithmic traders who already know how to install EAs, run backtests, and manage MetaTrader. This course covers foundational content and will feel too basic if you are already trading with robots. Traders looking for a specific EA recommendation or a best robot shortcut. The course teaches the process and framework for selecting and testing EAs and does not tell you which specific robot to trade. Anyone expecting immediate returns without a testing period. The course emphasizes a minimum 3-month demo testing phase before moving to live accounts. If you are not willing to invest that time this approach is not the right fit. Traders who want to code their own strategies from scratch. This course focuses on using pre-made Expert Advisors. If you want to write MQL code, EA Studio or Forex Strategy Builder Professional are better starting points.