Sub-account differences

Each OANDA account type (‘v20’ and ‘v20 MT4’) operates differently. At OANDA, we want all of our clients to understand these important operational differences clearly. This page summarizes the notable differences between our different sub-account types and the user interfaces chosen to access them.

The MT4 User Interfaces (UIs) operate as a front-end system intended for user convenience, enabling order placement and chart viewing.

OANDA endeavors to mirror the v20 account in the linked account in MT4 to the best extent possible. But, it is critical to note that the definitive system of record and the ultimate source for Order Monitoring and Execution, Marked to Market Open Positions, Margin Utilization, and Margin Close-Out processes is the v20 account (accessible via the proprietary OANDA UIs)- not the MT4 account that is linked to the v20 account.

What are the notable differences between the various sub-accounts?

Each OANDA account type (‘v20’, and ‘v20 MT4’) operates somewhat differently. We want all clients to understand the important operational differences clearly. The table below summarizes the notable differences between sub-account types and the user interfaces chosen to access them.

Which products, trading platforms, or UIs are supported?

Which products are available?

  • v20: Forex
  • v20 MT4*: Forex

* The MT4 User Interfaces (UIs) operate primarily as a front-end system intended for user convenience to facilitate order placement and chart viewing. OANDA endeavors to mirror the v20 account in the linked account in MT4 to the best extent possible, but it is critical to note that the definitive system of record and the ultimate source for Order Monitoring and Execution, Marked to Market Open Positions, Margin Utilization, and Margin Close Out processes is the v20 account (accessible via the proprietary OANDA UIs); it is not the MT4 account that is linked to the v20 account.

What are the main terminology differences?

The sum of cash balance and unrealized profit or loss.

v20: Net Asset Value (NAV).

v20 MT4:
OANDA UIs: – Net Asset Value. 

MT4 native UIs: – Equity.

What are the Margin related differences?

Differences in the: a) calculation of Margin Required, b) trigger point of a Margin Close-Out event, and c) action resulting from forced liquidation when a client has insufficient funds available to support open Positions are very interrelated and critical functional aspects for clients to understand fully. See our FAQs for more detail on Margin related calculations and differences between the Account types.

How is the margin used calculated?

What is the formula for the calculation of Margin Used?

  • v20: Margin_Used = Margin_Rate * Trade_Quantity * Instrument_To_Home_Curre ncy_Conversion_Rate
  • v20 MT4: 

    OANDA UIs: – As per v20. 

    MT4 native UIs: – OANDA makes reasonable best-effort attempts to periodically synchronize the values displayed for Margin Required, Equity, Free Margin, Margin Level %, and Balance to be approximately equivalent to the system of record values in OANDA UIs directly accessing the v20 account.

Why do the displayed Margin percentage values appear so different?

Are the Unrealized Profit/Loss and NAV/Equity calculations used for margin determination purposes the same as the UPL and NAV/Equity elsewhere in the platform?

(Note: please also refer to the FAQ below re “What mark-tomarket price is used to calculate the estimated Unrealized Profit/Loss (UPL) as displayed?”)

  • v20: No; only mid-prices are used in the margin calculations, with the rationale being that the margin requirements do not change if only the bid/ask spread changes.
  • v20 MT4: 

    OANDA UIs: – As per v20.

    MT4 native UIs: – OANDA makes reasonable best-effort attempts to periodically synchronize the values displayed for Margin Required, Equity, Free Margin, Margin Level %, and Balance to be approximately equivalent to the system of record values in OANDA UIs directly accessing the v20 account.

What happens to positions and pending orders when a Margin Close-Out event is triggered?

Are all open positions in the Account closed?

  • v20: Yes, a Margin Close-Out (MCO) event triggers FULL liquidation. Except for positions where the market in the underlying Instrument is closed or halted.
  • v20 MT4: As per v20.

How is the unrealized profit/loss value calculated?

What mark-to-market price is used to calculate the estimated Unrealized Profit/Loss (UPL) as displayed?

(Note: please also refer to the FAQ above re “Are the Unrealized Profit/Loss and NAV/Equity calculations used for margin determination purposes the same as the UPL and NAV/Equity elsewhere in the platform?”)

  • v20: The sized price used to calculate the UPL differs when looking at trades or at positions. The UPL for trades is calculated based on the sided price for the notional amount of each trade. The UPL for the aggregated open position is calculated based on the sided price for the total aggregated notional amount of that position. Each of those calculations thereby include an embedded assumption that either each trade or the total position would be closed/liquidated separately in their respective entirety as one exit trade. So, there can be circumstances, when the position size exceeds the volume in the first band of the Depth of Market pricing ladder, in which the UPL for a position is different from the sum of the UPL for each trade that makes up that position. Actual realized profit/loss in Home currency terms may also differ from the estimated unrealized profit/loss on open trades/positions due to changes in Quote to Home currency conversion rates (including any markup), which are finally determined at the point of trade/position closure.
  • v20 MT4: 

    OANDA UIs: – As per v20. 

    MT4 native UIs: – The sided price used to calculate UPL for both trades and positions is always the sided Top of Book price, which is associated only with the volume available in the first band of the Depth of Market pricing ladder. Therefore, the embedded assumption is that trades and positions would be closed/liquidated in one or more trades, each with a size less than or equal to that Top of Book volume. Actual realized profit/loss in Home currency terms may also differ from the estimated unrealized profit/loss on open trades/positions due to changes in Quotet to Home currency conversion rates (including any markup), which are finally determined at the point of trade/position closure.

What are the differences with respect to Financing Costs?

What is the method and timing of applying Financing Costs to reflect the client's cost of funding an open position?

  • v20: Financing Costs are credited/debited to the account daily, i.e. the charges result in realized profit or loss. This cash posting to the subaccount most usually happens on a daily basis as of the End of the Day (EOD Time).
  • v20 MT4: As per v20.

Are there differences in how orders are placed?

Can Pending Orders be placed at any time of the day?

  • v20: Yes.
  • v20 MT4: 

    OANDA UIs: Yes.

    MT4 native UIs: No. 

    – Orders can only be placed within the specified Trading Hours for a given Product/Instrument as visible in the OANDA UIs.

How can I see market depth, i.e. the prices that are relevant for larger size orders?

Full market depth is visible in all UIs. Details on seeing this in the various UIs can be found here.

Which timezone is used to show information on the platforms?

Which timezone is used for price lists and charts?

  • v20: Each client can select the timezone from the Tools menu (desktop/web) or settings (mobile).
  • v20 MT4: 

    OANDA UIs: – As per v20.

    MT4 native UIs: – All clients see time as configured on the centralized MT4 servers, which is such that midnight is aligned with the end of the global trading day (i.e. 5 pm ET). This means the relevant Daylight Savings Time clock changes are those that apply in New York.

How is the transaction history different?

Is the history preserved for the lifetime of the account?

  • v20: Yes.
  • v20 MT4: 

    OANDA UIs: – Yes.

    MT4 native UIs: – No. Transaction history for closed positions is only retained for 90 days.

Is Two Factor Authentication (2FA) available?

Is 2FA available for login?

  • v20: Yes, 2FA can be configured to log in via OANDA UIs.
  • v20 MT4: 

    OANDA UIs: – Yes.

    MT4 native UIs: – No.

Recognizing that all prices displayed on all charts in all platforms for all accounts are indicative (not tradeable), how are the charts different?

Which prices appear on the charts?

  • v20: 

    OANDA UIs: – Mid, Bid, and Ask prices are all selectable. 

    TradingView UI: – Only the Mid prices are available.
  • v20 MT4: 

    OANDA UIs: – Mid, Bid, and Ask prices are all selectable.

    MT4 native UIs: – Only the Bid prices are available. 

    TradingView UI: – Only the Mid prices are available.