Instead of decompiling a paid EX4, search GitHub, MQL5 Code Base, or ForexFactory for open-source MQ4 files that do something similar. You can freely read, learn, and modify these.
Before you risk malware and legal trouble, consider this: Contact the original developer.
Many developers are reasonable. Explain your situation: How To Convert Ex4 To Mq4 Free
Some developers will say no. Others will charge a fee (e.g., 50% of the original price). A generous few will send it for free. This is the only 100% safe, legal, and free method that yields perfect code.
With the rise of ChatGPT and other LLMs, some traders attempt to copy-paste the binary gibberish of an EX4 file into an AI to "translate" it. Instead of decompiling a paid EX4, search GitHub
The Verdict: This does not work. EX4 files are binary data, not readable code. Current AI models cannot reverse-engineer compiled machine language effectively.
Before attempting any conversion, you must understand what these files actually are: Some developers will say no
Analogy: Think of MQ4 as a recipe written in English and EX4 as a baked cake. You can eat the cake (execute the EA), but you cannot read the recipe from the cake. "Converting" EX4 back to MQ4 is like trying to reverse-engineer a cake into a written recipe.
| Method | Produces Real MQ4? | Legal? | Safe? | Recommended? | |--------|--------------------|--------|-------|---------------| | Free online converter | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ Malware risk | Never | | Cracked decompiler | ⚠️ Garbage code | ❌ No | ❌ Virus risk | Never | | Ask developer | ✅ Yes (original) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Yes | | Open-source alternative | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Yes | | Rebuild manually | ✅ Yes (your code) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Yes (advanced) |
If you need the logic inside an EX4 file, the most reliable "free" method is actually an investment of your own time.
Since you cannot technically decompile modern files, the standard community practice is Re-coding.