8 Best Copy Trading Platforms - Copy Trade Software for 2024

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Best copy trading platform in 2024 - eToro

eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.

Top copy trading platform in 2024:

  • eToro - Biggest copy trading community in the world (over 3,000 verified investors with copiers)

  • OANDA - Best for trading with advanced technical analysis tools (TradingView charts support)

  • IG Markets - Favorable Forex trading conditions (0 fees, avg. EUR/USD spread - 0.8)

  • Trading.com - Farouble Forex trading conditions (leverage up to 1:50, 70+ currency pairs)

  • FOREX.com - Diverse range of tradable assets (80+ currency pairs)

  • Interactive Brokers - Best broker for international investors (assets from 33 countries, 150+ markets)

Various traders use the popular copy trading feature when trading in the financial markets. Copy-trading offers an opportunity for new traders to benefit from the proficiency of expert traders by copying their trades. This improves their chance of profiting from reliable strategies rather than losing their investments. Here are the top 8 copy trading software providers in the market today.

Note!

Please be aware that copy trading involves inherent risks, and there is no guarantee of profits. It's important to remember that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Top Brokers With Copy Trading Compared

Broker MQL 5 Copy Trading Proprietary platform Demo Regulation

eToro

CySEC, FCA, ASIC

Open an account

eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.

OANDA

FSC (BVI), ASIC, IIROC, FCA, CFTC, NFA

Open an account

Your capital is at risk.

IG Markets

FCA, BaFin, ASIC, MAS, CySec, FINMA, BMA, CFTC, NFA

Study review

Trading.com

FCA, CFTC, NFA

Study review

FOREX.com

CIMA, FCA, FSA (Japan), NFA, IIROC, ASIC, CFTC

Study review

Interactive Brokers

SEC, FINRA, SIPC, FCA, NSE, BSE, SEBI, SEHK, HKFE, IIROC, ASIC, CFTC, NFA

Study review

Fidelity

US Securities Commission (SEC), SIPS

Study review

Thinkorswim by TD Ameritrade

FINRA, SIPC, CFTC, NFA

Study review

eToro suits equally for novice and experienced traders

Minimum copy trading investment
Copy trading fee
$200
Free

eToro caters to both novice and experienced investors through its social trading features. Beginners can leverage the expertise of successful traders by copying their trades directly through the user-friendly CopyTrader feature. This eliminates the need for in-depth market knowledge and offers a chance to learn from the pros.

Advantages

  • Well-regulated platform
  • User-friendly interface and copy trading features
  • Innovative trading tools
  • Free of charge

Disadvantages

  • Not allowed in many countries

For investors seeking a more hands-off approach, eToro also offers Smart Portfolios - pre-built investment baskets managed by eToro's investment team. These provide diversified exposure to various assets based on specific market strategies. So, whether you're new to trading or looking for a guided approach, eToro offers a social trading environment to suit your needs. To connect to the CopyTrader platform, you need $200 or more.

Detailed eToro Copy Trading Review

OANDA is a broker with the best trading signals

Founded in 1996, OANDA offers a broad array of financial services globally. Registered in the United States, it operates under regulations from four jurisdictions, with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as its primary regulator. Notable accolades include recognitions for "Best Forex Trading Technologies" and "Best Trading Platform". OANDA facilitates trading in FX, indices, bullion, commodities, and crypto, with no minimum deposit requirement.

Minimum deposit
Copy trading fees
from $1
performance fee varying from 0 to 50%

OANDA offers a wide range of trading instruments. Copy trading is available via three trading platforms (MetaTrader 4, WebTerminal MT4, MT5).

To copy trade with MetaTrader platforms, you typically need to use a feature called "Signal Copying" or "Copy Trading," which allows you to automatically replicate the trades of experienced traders in your account. You can find this feature within the platform's interface or through third-party services that integrate with MetaTrader.

Advantages

  • minimum deposit from $1.
  • a large selection of the most popular trading instruments.
  • several reliable and reputable financial regulators.

Disadvantages

  • there is no proprietary platform for copy-trading

Oanda is known for its wide range of trading signals. Oanda signals are provided in four different ways, namely:

  • Copy trading.

  • Email alerts.

  • Signals through a blog on the website.

Clients benefit from tight spreads starting from 0 pips for currency pairs, diverse trading instruments, and multiple reputable regulators. OANDA stands out for its extensive offerings and regulatory compliance.

IG Markets Provides copy trading on the MT4 platform

Minimum copy trading investment
Copy trading fee
$100
Varying from $30 per month

IG Markets, a Forex brokerage firm, operates as a distinct entity within the IG Group corporation. Listed on the London Stock Exchange and featured in the FTSE 250 index, IG Markets originated as a UK-based company established in 1974. Over the years, it has expanded its presence with representative offices in various European countries. In 2014, the company introduced a retail line of brokerage services. The international arm of the brokerage is headquartered in Bermuda, licensed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority under the number 54814. Primarily, IG Markets specializes in offering services for trading financial derivatives such as Contracts for Difference (CFDs).

Advantages

  • accessible even for beginners
  • diverse selection of experienced traders to copy
  • numerous risk management tools
  • severe regulation

Disadvantages

  • no proprietary copy trading platform

Copy trading via MT4 platforms has been adeptly and seamlessly executed. Featured within a dedicated ranking on the MetaTrader community website, traders available for replication are easily accessible.

Clients utilizing the IG Trading Platform's mobile applications through their broker account have the option to configure notifications, ensuring timely entry into trades at optimal moments. These notifications cover a range of aspects including asset price fluctuations, economic events, and technical indicators.

IG Markets detailed review

Useful Forex Facts & Insights

Top 3 Brokers With the Tightest Spreads
flag

The spread size is crucial for active trading styles and bot trading. STP/ECN brokers typically offer the lowest spreads for EUR/USD, with an average spread of around 0.1 pips. Additionally, these brokers usually charge a small commission per standard lot, ranging from $1.5 to $3.5. Traders Union prepared a list of the top 3 brokers in your country with the lowest spread for the EUR/USD and GBP/USD currency pairs.

Broker Avg. EUR/USD Spread Avg. GBP/USD Spread

Thinkorswim by TD Ameritrade

0,12

0,18

OANDA

0,15

0,2

Interactive Brokers

0,2

0,3

The spread data is based on information from brokers and the research by Traders Union team.

What Is A Copy Trading?

Copy trading is a form of social trading that is becoming increasingly popular. This method is primarily designed for novice traders and investors, allowing them to automatically or manually copy the trades of more experienced traders in Forex and other financial markets.

Copy trading platforms offer users the ability to subscribe to traders and start copying their trades, using either a portion or all of their capital. Each time the copied trader opens a position or sets Stop Loss and Take Profit orders, these actions are automatically executed on the copier's account. Some platforms also allow for the creation of a portfolio from different signal providers.

On most platforms, copiers can unsubscribe from a trader at any time and start trading independently or subscribe to a different manager.

👍 Pros of copy trading:

Easier entry to the financial market for novice traders.

Opportunity to earn as much as expert traders without being distracted from other work.

Low entry threshold, with some platforms requiring only $200 USD for copy trading.

👎 Cons of copy trading:

Past success of copied traders does not guarantee future success.

Risks are similar to those in classic trading.

Some successful traders charge high management fees, up to 30-50%.

Copy trading offers a convenient way for novice traders to enter the financial markets and potentially earn profits by following the trades of more experienced traders. However, it is important to be aware of the risks involved and to carefully choose the traders to copy.

How To Start Copy Trades?

Selecting a Broker for Copy Trading

When choosing a broker for copy trading, prioritize two key aspects:

  • Regulation and Trading Conditions: Look for brokers with tier-1 regulation, ensuring a secure trading environment. Additionally, compare their trading conditions, focusing on those that favor copy trading activities.

  • Copy Trading Fees: While some platforms like eToro offer free copy trading, most charge fees. These fees, typically ranging from 10% to 50%, are deducted from the profits generated by the trades you copy.

Other Copy Trading Factors to Consider

Choosing the Right Trader to Copy

Selecting a trader to copy from requires careful consideration. Prioritize those with a long and consistent track record of successful trading, avoiding significant drawdowns (periods of substantial losses). Stability is key; don't be lured by traders showcasing exceptionally high, but likely short-term, profits.

Beyond Copy Trading Fees: Additional Costs

Remember, profitability isn't the sole factor. Consider the broker's spread (difference between buy and sell prices) and any commissions that might eat into your returns, even if the trader you're copying shows consistent profits.

Managing Risk in Copy Trading

Most copy trading platforms offer risk management tools. These tools allow you to automatically stop copying a trader's positions if they reach a predefined loss level. Additionally, consider diversifying your risk by copying multiple successful traders simultaneously. This helps spread your risk and reduces dependence on any single trader's performance.

Stay Vigilant: Monitor Performance

Don't set your copy trading strategy and forget it. Regularly monitor the performance of the traders you're copying. This allows you to identify any changes in their strategy or performance that might necessitate adjustments to your copy trading activity.

Is Copy Trading Legal?

Copy trading is the practice of using automated software to replicate or copy investment decisions made by experienced traders or investors. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and success in yielding results. When it comes to legality, copy trading is legal in the US, UK, and most other countries.

The regulations governing this activity may differ slightly between nations but typically focus on ensuring that investors understand the risks involved with this type of trading. Ultimately, however, there are no current bans or restrictions around using copy trading applications. As long as all regulations are followed, investors can easily enjoy its advantages.

Can I Make Money With Copy Trading?

Yes, it's certainly possible to make money through copy trading on the foreign exchange market. However, to see success, you'll need to do some research and take certain steps for yourself. To start, choose experienced traders with successful trading habits that suit your own risk preferences and financial objectives.

A good trader should demonstrate stable results without significant intra-month drawdowns for at least 1 year. A longer track record is even better. The maximum drawdown should ideally not exceed 7-10% of the capital or 10-15% of the trade amount. If a trader's profitability fluctuates widely, it's a bad sign - it means they are not managing risk properly, and there is a high risk of losing the entire capital.

Diversification is an important risk management strategy that can help reduce the impact of poor performance by any signal provider. By copying multiple signal providers, an investor can spread the risk and improve the chances of generating a positive return.

Is Copy Trading a Good Idea for Beginners?

Copy trading is an excellent way for novice traders to start out in the market without having to put in a substantial investment of both time and money. It allows beginner traders to observe and copy more experienced traders and learn from their strategies, tactics, and expertise. Here are several reasons why copy trading can be great for beginners.

Access to expertise: One of the main advantages of copy trading is that beginners can access the expertise of experienced traders. By copying the trades of successful traders, beginners can learn from their strategies and gain valuable insights into the markets.


Low entry barrier: Copy trading allows beginners to start investing with a low entry barrier. In contrast to traditional investing, copy trading often requires minimal capital and has low fees, making it accessible to a broader range of people.


Reduced learning curve: Copy trading also allows beginners to bypass the steep learning curve associated with traditional trading. By following successful traders, beginners can avoid making common mistakes and quickly gain experience.


Diversification: Copy trading also allows beginners to diversify their investments by copying multiple traders with different strategies. This helps spread the risk and reduce exposure to any single asset or market.


Automation: Copy trading platforms often offer automation features that can help beginners easily manage their investments. For example, some platforms automatically allocate investments among multiple traders and adjust position sizes based on risk management rules.

How Much Money Do I Need for Copy Trading?

The amount of money you need for copy trading can vary depending on the platform you use and the strategy you choose to follow. Some platforms have minimum deposit requirements, which can range from a few dollars to several thousand dollars.

In general, it's a good idea to have at least $100-$400 to use for copy trading, as this will allow for some degree of diversification and reduce the risk of putting all your eggs in one basket. However, you can start with as little as $10 on some platforms.

It's important to keep in mind that copy trading involves risks, just like any other type of investment. While it can be a good way to potentially earn returns without having to research and analyze the markets yourself, it's important to carefully consider the risks and to only invest money that you can afford to lose.

Summary

Traders interested in short term trading or traders with less time to be updated with the market trends benefit more from copy trading. By assessing and filtering traders with a successful track record, the copy trading portfolio management software offers both new traders and professional traders an opportunity to benefit.

With several brokers that provide the copy trading feature for their users, it is important to analyze and study each of the platforms to ensure they are well regulated and suited for your needs.

As a beginner trader, it is best to trade with certified reliable brokers through extensive monitoring. TradersUnion has done the groundwork of monitoring and curating the best brokers for the last ten years, and with over 300,000 participants, you too can get started on your trading journey. Get started with TradersUnion today.

FAQs

Which copy trading platforms are the best?

There are several copy trading platforms available, and the best one for you depends on your preferences and needs. Some popular copy trading platforms include eToro, RoboForex, and PrimeXTB. These platforms offer various features, such as social trading, low fees, and a wide range of assets to copy. It's essential to do your research and choose a platform that meets your requirements.

Is it profitable to copy trade?

Copy trading can be profitable, but there's no guarantee you'll make money. The profitability of copy trading depends on several factors, such as the traders you choose to copy, the market conditions, and your risk management strategy. It's essential to remember that copy trading involves risks, and you should only invest what you can afford to lose.

Is copy trading good for beginners?

Copy trading can be a good option for beginners who want to invest in the financial markets but lack the knowledge or experience. Copy trading allows beginners to copy the trades of experienced traders, potentially leading to profits. However, it's essential to do your research and choose a reputable copy trading platform and traders to copy. Beginners should also have a basic understanding of the financial markets and risk management strategies.

Is it illegal to copy trades?

Copy trading is legal in most countries, but it's essential to check the regulations in your jurisdiction. Some countries may have specific laws and regulations governing copy trading activities, and it's essential to comply with them. It's also important to choose a reputable copy trading platform and traders to copy, as some fraudulent platforms or traders may engage in illegal activities.

What is the best copy trading platform?

We found RoboForex to be the best and most reliable copy trading platform through our extensive research and data polled from traders.

How do you know the best traders to copy?

Before deciding on who to copy, it's advisable to look beyond the absolute returns and more into other metrics, like the number of traders placed, average profit and loss, and average trade duration.

Glossary for novice traders

  • 1 Broker

    A broker is a legal entity or individual that performs as an intermediary when making trades in the financial markets. Private investors cannot trade without a broker, since only brokers can execute trades on the exchanges.

  • 2 Trading

    Trading involves the act of buying and selling financial assets like stocks, currencies, or commodities with the intention of profiting from market price fluctuations. Traders employ various strategies, analysis techniques, and risk management practices to make informed decisions and optimize their chances of success in the financial markets.

  • 3 Copy trading

    Copy trading is an investing tactic where traders replicate the trading strategies of more experienced traders, automatically mirroring their trades in their own accounts to potentially achieve similar results.

  • 4 Investor

    An investor is an individual, who invests money in an asset with the expectation that its value would appreciate in the future. The asset can be anything, including a bond, debenture, mutual fund, equity, gold, silver, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and real-estate property.

  • 5 CFTC

    The CFTC protects the public from fraud, manipulation, and abusive practices related to the sale of commodity and financial futures and options, and to fosters open, competitive, and financially sound futures and option markets.

Team that worked on the article

Andrey Mastykin
Author, Financial Expert at Traders Union

Andrey Mastykin is an experienced author, editor, and content strategist who has been with Traders Union since 2020. As an editor, he is meticulous about fact-checking and ensuring the accuracy of all information published on the Traders Union platform. Andrey focuses on educating readers about the potential rewards and risks involved in trading financial markets.

He firmly believes that passive investing is a more suitable strategy for most individuals. Andrey's conservative approach and focus on risk management resonate with many readers, making him a trusted source of financial information.

Dr. BJ Johnson
Dr. BJ Johnson
Developmental English Editor

Dr. BJ Johnson is a PhD in English Language and an editor with over 15 years of experience. He earned his degree in English Language in the U.S and the UK. In 2020, Dr. Johnson joined the Traders Union team. Since then, he has created over 100 exclusive articles and edited over 300 articles of other authors.

Mirjan Hipolito
Cryptocurrency and stock expert

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).