Advantages and disadvantages of stock trading through a VPS virtual server

It's no secret that modern stock trading is simply unthinkable without a trading platform through which trades are opened and market analysis is conducted.

The trading platform can be installed on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone, as well as on a remote server.

While laptops and phones are all well and good, why install a trading platform on a remote server? How can this help with exchange trading, and what are the disadvantages of trading through a server?

Let's start with the fact that the remote server in our case is a continuously running Windows computer hosted by a hosting provider.

You install your trading platform on this computer and use it using remote access programs.

The advantages of VPS are:

Continuous operation – your trading platform runs day and night, allowing you to use Expert Advisors and trailing stop .

Ping speed – choosing a server located closer to your provider's servers can significantly reduce data transfer time, resulting in faster order opening and reduced requotes and slippage .

Mobility – you can access the stationary trading platform not only from home, but also from anywhere, as long as you have a computer and internet access.

Operational reliability – if you are not the only user of your computer at home, there is a risk of accidental interference in the trading process, which can result in losses.

In order to access the server, you need to launch a remote access program; doing this accidentally is more difficult than simply interfering with the operation of a trading platform running on a computer.

At the same time, the disadvantages of VPS include:

Cost – the price of a virtual server in MetaTrader 5 starts at 18 US dollars, not a large amount, but it must be paid regularly:

It should be noted that part of the funds are offset by savings in electricity costs that arise when a home computer is constantly running.

Remote administration introduces additional complexity into the process of launching a trading platform.

Additional work – you need to monitor not only the operation of your home computer, but also the stability of the remote server.

If you compare the advantages and disadvantages of using a VPS, you can definitely say that there are significantly more advantages.

The main thing to decide is whether you need a virtual server if you don't use expert advisors or trailing stops, and an increase in trade opening speed of a few hundred milliseconds won't significantly impact your trading.