Glossary
What is copy trading?
Copy trading is a way to automatically mirror the positions of another trader on your own account. When they open, modify, or close a trade, the same action happens on yours — scaled to your balance — without you watching the charts all day.
Copy trading, defined
Copy trading links your trading account to a master account — the trader or desk you want to follow. Every order that master account places is replicated on yours in real time, proportionally to the capital you have allocated. You keep ownership of your funds and can disconnect whenever you like.
It exists because most people who want exposure to markets do not have the time, screen hours, or experience to trade well themselves. Copy trading lets them follow a disciplined process instead of guessing.
How it works
- You open an account with a supported broker — we use JustMarkets.
- You connect it to the strategy or master account you want to copy.
- You set how much capital to allocate and your risk multiplier.
- From then on, every trade the master opens or closes is mirrored on your account automatically, scaled to your settings.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Hands-off — no need to watch charts all day.
- Learn by watching a real strategy execute live.
- You keep control and can stop copying anytime.
Cons
- You inherit the strategy's drawdowns and losing runs.
- Past performance never guarantees future results.
- Poor risk allocation can overexpose a small account.
Frequently asked questions
- Is copy trading the same as a managed account?
- No. In copy trading you keep full control of your own account and funds — you can stop copying or close positions at any time. A managed account hands discretionary control to a third party. Copy trading mirrors trades automatically while you stay the account owner.
- Do I need a big balance to copy trade?
- Not necessarily. Most copy-trading platforms scale each copied trade to your account size, so a smaller balance simply takes proportionally smaller positions. What matters more is using sensible risk allocation so a drawdown on the master account does not overexpose you.
- Does copy trading guarantee profit?
- No. You inherit the strategy's results, including its losing periods and drawdowns. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. Treat copy trading as a way to mirror a disciplined process, not as a risk-free income stream.
Copy the desk, free.
Mirror our trades automatically on a JustMarkets account, or follow the signals manually if you prefer to stay hands-on. Both are free to follow.