Balance only updates when trades are closed. Equity updates continuously. If you have open positions, equity is the number that actually reflects your real risk and exposure.
This is why I built a dedicated MetaTrader 5 performance monitor focused entirely on equity, not balance.
Most traders understand the difference in theory. Fewer pay attention to it in practice. I didn’t either at first.
When I started running multiple automated strategies on MT5, I mainly checked balance. It felt reassuring. But once I began tracking equity closely, I realized that I was often deeper in drawdown than I thought.
In a prop firm environment, some of those moments would have failed the account instantly.
Another issue became obvious over time: I wasn’t always at the computer (and I didn’t want to be).
My strategies kept trading, but I had no simple way to stay informed during the day. I wanted continuous visibility into what my account was doing, even when I was away.
That gap between balance and equity is the reason Equity Tracker MT5 exists.
I wanted something simple. A MetaTrader 5 performance monitor that quietly shows what is happening without interfering.
Equity Tracker running on MetaTrader 5
What is equity vs balance in MetaTrader 5?
Balance answers the question: What happened?
Equity answers the question: What is happening right now?
If you closed all open trades at this exact moment, equity is what you would have. Balance ignores floating profit and loss entirely.
This distinction is explained in the official
MetaTrader 5 documentation
and educational resources like
BabyPips.
Yet MT5 does not make equity particularly easy to follow during live trading.
That’s where a dedicated MT5 equity tracking tool becomes useful.
When you monitor equity in real time:
- You detect drawdowns earlier
- You understand how much risk is currently open
- You avoid decisions based on outdated balance information
- You stay aligned with prop firm equity rules
Why MetaTrader 5 alone is not enough
MetaTrader 5 shows equity (but only as a number).
There is no built-in equity curve on the chart. No historical context. No clear daily, weekly, or monthly equity performance.
If you want to understand how equity evolves over time, you typically need to export reports or use external tools.
Equity Tracker MT5 fills that gap directly inside the platform.
What Equity Tracker MT5 does (and does not do)
This is not a trading robot.
- It does not open trades
- It does not close trades
- It does not modify positions
Equity Tracker MT5 simply observes the account and presents equity-related information clearly.
Main features:
- Live equity curve displayed on the chart
- Real-time balance vs equity difference
- Current drawdown and maximum drawdown
- Day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month equity results
If you run multiple expert advisors, everything is aggregated at the account level. Manual trades are included automatically.
The goal is not analysis for analysis’ sake. The goal is awareness.
View Equity Tracker MT5 on the product page
Who this tool is designed for
Equity Tracker MT5 is particularly useful if you:
- Run automated strategies and are not always at the computer
- Want reliable MT5 equity tracking across the entire account
- Focus on drawdown control rather than short-term profits
- Trade under prop firm or risk-limited conditions
How to get started
Setup is intentionally minimal.
- Download the tool from the official product page
- Attach it to any chart in MetaTrader 5
- Let it run quietly in the background
No configuration is required. Equity tracking starts immediately.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between equity and balance?
Balance reflects closed trades only. Equity includes floating profit and loss.
Can Equity Tracker MT5 interfere with other EAs?
No. It does not send trade commands or modify positions.
Is Equity Tracker MT5 suitable for prop firm accounts?
Yes. It helps monitor real-time drawdown and equity-based rules.
Is this available for MT4?
This version is designed for MetaTrader 5 only.
Does Equity Tracker MT5 affect platform performance?
It is lightweight and designed to run quietly alongside other tools.
If you want to explore other tools, browse the full
collection of indicators and expert advisors.
Sometimes the most useful tool is the one that simply shows you what’s already there.
Equity Tracker MT5