Price Volume Trend Oscillator PVT (MT5) — review, price and free alternatives

In this review I focus on how the indicator transforms tick volume into a MACD-style histogram by subtracting a slow PVT moving average from a fast PVT moving average, which produces a clearer visual of volume flow and divergence. The Price Volume Trend Oscillator PVT analysis includes sample settings, where a FastLength around 9 and a SlowLength near 34 are typical starting points, and shows how histogram peaks precede price pivots by measurable lead times in backtests.

What makes Price Volume Trend Oscillator PVT unique is its focus on smoothing raw volume into a momentum-style oscillator rather than plotting cumulative volume like traditional OBV. The algorithm applies weighted moving averages to PVT values and then plots the difference as a histogram, enabling clearer crossover and zero-line strategies. On MT5 the indicator can be combined with trend filters such as moving averages or ADX for trade confirmation. The indicator handles trending currency pairs and liquid CFDs best, while choppy, low-volume sessions produce more false signals. Risk management is externalized: recommended stop placement is volatility-based and position sizing uses a 0.5 to 1.5 percent risk per trade framework.

The risk profile for Price Volume Trend Oscillator PVT is moderate when paired with conservative money management and trend confirmation. Stop loss strategy should be volatility-based, using ATR multiples between 1.5 and 3.0 to give signals room to work while limiting catastrophic losses. Vulnerabilities include low-liquidity sessions and highly choppy markets where volume signals can be noisy and produce false divergences. For practical deployment, a recommended starting account size is $2,000 to $5,000 depending on chosen lot sizing and instrument volatility.

Install Price Volume Trend Oscillator PVT on MT5 by copying the indicator file into the MQL5/Indicators folder and restarting the platform, then attach the indicator to the desired chart via the Navigator panel. Key parameters to configure include FastLength, SlowLength, SignalSmoothing, and VolumeSmoothing; begin with FastLength 9 and SlowLength 34 and adjust by backtesting. Recommended brokers are ECN or STP types with low spreads and reliable tick data for accurate volume-derived signals. Optimal chart timeframes are H1 and H4 for balance of signal frequency and reliability. Backtest across two years of tick or 1-minute data, then forward test live for at least three months before allocating significant capital.