Mirror Trading
Mirror trading is an increasingly popular investment strategy among forex and stock traders. The minimal time and effort required can be attractive to new traders, in particular, who may be seeking to replicate the returns of seasoned investors. In this article, we explain how mirror trading works, how to get started, and the potential risks involved.
Mirror Trading
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Pepperstone offers the replication of skilled traders' strategies via MetaTrader Signals, DupliTrade, and its new proprietary copy trading app, in collaboration with Pelican Trading. This service, available in select regions, grants access to numerous experienced traders and customized risk settings. However, it does not support cTrader Copy, which might discourage traders who prefer Spotware's platform.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, BaFin, DFSA, SCA, CMA, SCB Pepperstone Trading Platform, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Trade Nation Seychelles provides signals and copy trading, appealing to novices and those preferring a passive trading strategy. Capitalise on experienced traders' insights to engage in popular financial markets like forex, stocks, and commodities.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Forex, CFDs, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Futures, Bonds, Spread Betting, Cryptos (Bahamas Entity Only) FCA, ASIC, FSCA, SCB, FSA TN Trader, MT4, TradingView Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.1 Lots 1:30 -
eToro consistently provides an outstanding proprietary trading platform for clients, free of charge. The web-based system is both intuitive and engaging, complemented by a community chat that appeals to novice traders. The recent 'Live Trades' feature grants immediate access to real-time insights on securities purchased by top investors on the platform.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs FCA, CySEC, MiCA, MFSA, FSRA, ASIC, FSAS, MAS, GFSC eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 $10 1:30 -
Traders benefit from social and copy trading at Vantage through MetaTrader, DupliTrade, ZuluTrade, and Myfxbook. ZuluTrade stands out as a leading social trading network. It employs an advanced algorithm to rank top signal providers.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Spread betting FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC, CIMA ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
FXCM provides social and copy trading options for forex, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies via the widely-used ZuluTrade platform. Registration is swift, and you can monitor your trading outcomes instantly.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Forex, Stock CFDs, Commodities CFDs, Crypto CFDs FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, BaFin, CIRO Trading Station, MT4, TradingView, TradingCentral, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 Variable 1:400 -
Founded in 2007, Axi is a forex and CFD broker operating under multiple regulations. Over the years, it has enhanced the trading experience by broadening its stock offerings, upgrading the Axi Academy, and launching a proprietary copy trading app.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto FCA, ASIC, FMA, DFSA Axi Copy Trading, MT4, AutoChartist Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
The TradeCopier service enables aspiring investors to mirror the strategies of leading traders instantly. This tool offers novices an opportunity to learn from seasoned investors, while strategy providers have the potential to earn performance fees.
Instruments Regulator Platforms Forex, Indices, Shares, Futures, Commodities, Metals (all CFDs) FCA, CySEC, FSCA, BVI FSC MT4, MT5, AutoChartist, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $100 0.01 Lots 1:30 (FCA), 1:30 (CySEC), 1:500 (FSCA), 1:1000 (BM)
Pepperstone
Trade Nation
eToro
Vantage FX
FXCM
Axi
IronFXSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the Mirror Trading are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Trade Nation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| eToro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| FXCM | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Axi | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| IronFX | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the Mirror Trading support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Trade Nation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| eToro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FXCM | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Axi | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IronFX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the Mirror Trading at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Trade Nation | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| eToro | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Vantage FX | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| FXCM | iOS and Android | ✘ | ||
| Axi | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| IronFX | Android, iOS, WebTrader | ✘ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the Mirror Trading good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| Trade Nation | ✔ | $0 | 0.1 Lots | ||
| eToro | ✔ | $50 | $10 | ||
| Vantage FX | ✔ | $50 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FXCM | ✔ | $50 | Variable | ||
| Axi | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| IronFX | ✔ | $100 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the Mirror Trading offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Trade Nation | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| eToro | Automate your trades via CopyTrader - follow profitable traders. Open and close trades automatically when they do. | ✘ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Vantage FX | Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| FXCM | - | ✘ | 1:400 | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Axi | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, Myfxbook | ✔ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| IronFX | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 (FCA), 1:30 (CySEC), 1:500 (FSCA), 1:1000 (BM) | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Mirror Trading.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | |||||||||
| Trade Nation | |||||||||
| eToro | |||||||||
| Vantage FX | |||||||||
| FXCM | |||||||||
| Axi | |||||||||
| IronFX |
Our Take On Pepperstone
"Pepperstone excels in trading with tight spreads, swift execution, and advanced charting for seasoned traders. Beginners enjoy zero minimum deposit, comprehensive educational materials, and outstanding 24/5 support, including 18-hour weekend assistance."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- Support for top-tier charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These tools accommodate different short-term trading methods, including algorithmic trading.
- Provides a specialised CopyTrading app for traders preferring a passive investment strategy.
- Recognised customer support is accessible through phone, email, or live chat, with response times under five minutes. Service agents are friendly and well-versed in products and trading tools.
Cons
- Execution might not appear as dependable in rapid markets as headline speeds imply. Our tests showed swift execution at targeted prices. However, community feedback highlights concerns over slippage, stop-loss fills, and order triggers sensitive to spreads amid volatility.
- Although the market range has improved, crypto options remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this field, like Eightcap, and investors cannot purchase actual coins.
- Overnight holding fees exceed those of some Market Maker brokers (typically Benchmark + 2.5%). Pepperstone suits traders and forex scalpers well but is less ideal for swing traders who keep positions open overnight.
Our Take On Trade Nation
"Trade Nation is ideal for novice traders seeking diverse markets on an easy-to-use platform. It offers no minimum deposit, complimentary funding options, and robust educational resources."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- A variety of trading platforms and apps, such as MT4, make the brand suitable for experienced traders.
- Global traders can use accounts in various currencies.
- TradingView can now link with Trade Nation accounts, offering enhanced multi-chart features and direct trade execution capabilities.
Cons
- Reduced legal safeguards with an offshore entity.
Our Take On eToro
"eToro's social trading platform excels with its outstanding user experience and lively community chat, aiding beginners in spotting opportunities. It offers competitive fees on numerous CFDs and real stocks, alongside exceptional rewards for seasoned strategists."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- In 2025, eToro enhanced its trading experience by incorporating insights from over 10 million Stocktwits users, enabling better assessment of market sentiment.
- The entry requirements for eToro Club have been reduced. For $4.99 monthly, members enjoy 18 benefits, including a debit card that converts purchases into stocks with a 4% share return.
- The trading app provides a top-tier social environment featuring an engaging feed and community chat, which we enjoy using.
Cons
- There are no assured stop-loss orders, which could be a valuable risk management tool for novice traders.
- The absence of extra charting platforms such as MT4 may deter experienced traders who rely on external software.
- The minimum withdrawal is set at $30, accompanied by a $5 fee. This may impact traders with limited funds, particularly those just starting out.
Our Take On Vantage FX
"Vantage is an ideal choice for CFD traders looking for a well-regulated broker with access to the dependable MetaTrader platforms. With a swift sign-up process and a minimum deposit of $50, starting trading is simple and fast."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- ECN accounts offer competitive terms, featuring spreads starting at 0.0 pips and a commission of $1.50 per trade side.
- Vantage upholds a high trust score through its solid reputation, backed by premier regulation from the FCA and ASIC.
- The trading software suite is outstanding, featuring the acclaimed MT4 and MT5 platforms.
Cons
- To access optimal trading conditions, a substantial deposit of $10,000 is required. This includes a commission of $1.50 per transaction per side.
- Based on tests, average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower compared to other options.
- Regrettably, cryptocurrencies are accessible solely to clients in Australia.
Our Take On FXCM
"FXCM remains a leading choice for traders using automated strategies, offering four robust platforms, strategy backtesting, and algorithmic trading via APIs. It is also ideal for active traders, providing discounted spreads and minimal to zero commissions on popular assets."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- The proprietary Trading Station platform is an excellent option for traders seeking a comprehensive tool for their short-term and automated strategies.
- The broker provides reduced spreads and additional benefits for seasoned traders through the Active Trader account.
- A variety of funding options, such as bank cards, Apple Pay, and PayPal, are available with immediate processing.
Cons
- While FXCM primarily caters to seasoned traders, the absence of managed accounts is unfortunate.
- The live chat support is often sluggish and inconsistent when compared to leading competitors.
- There are no retail account options available for traders, and Cent/Micro account alternatives are also absent.
Our Take On Axi
"Axi excels for forex trading on MetaTrader 4 with over 70 currency pairs, MT4 NextGen features, and tight spreads starting at 0.2 pips on the Pro account."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- Axi provides an excellent MT4 experience, enhanced by the NextGen plug-in for sophisticated order management and analytics, with low execution latency around 30ms.
- Based on our tests, Axi's new trading app is highly intuitive. It offers practical filtering options to align strategies with individual risk preferences.
- Experienced traders are invited to join the Axi Select funded trader programme via the broker's international branch. This scheme offers up to $1 million in capital with the benefit of a 90% profit share.
Cons
- Axi lags by solely providing MT4, while competitors have upgraded to MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and bespoke platforms, delivering a smoother user experience with enhanced tools.
- Although Axi delivers excellent performance, its support is not available 24/7. This unavailability can be inconvenient for traders operating in different time zones or requiring help beyond regular trading hours.
- Even with the expansion of stock CFDs in the US, UK, and EU markets, its range still falls short compared to companies like BlackBull, which provide thousands of equities for varied trading opportunities.
Our Take On IronFX
"IronFX is ideal for seasoned forex traders seeking fixed or floating spreads. Offering over 80 currency options, it surpasses many competitors and provides excellent forex market research tools."Tobias Robinson
Reviewer
Pros
- IronFX is a well-established firm, regulated by respected authorities such as the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA.
- Traders gain access to the renowned Trading Central research tool, featuring automated AI analytics and round-the-clock support.
- The IronFX Academy provides outstanding educational resources for traders of all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Cons
- The offshore BVI entity offers reduced regulatory safeguards and oversight.
- In comparison to top brokers, IronFX provides a limited range of share CFDs.
- Commissions in zero-spread accounts begin at £13.50 per lot, almost twice the industry standard.
What Is Mirror Trading?
Mirror trading is a strategy that allows investors to automatically copy the trades of experienced financial market participants into their own accounts. The technique has been used since the early 2000s and is most popular in forex and stock markets. Mirror trading is available to retail investors through various means which we cover below.
Mirror trading differs slightly from copy trading in that it is usually fully automated, making it an easy system for beginners. With copy trading, investors still mimic top strategies but can often also manually amend and execute positions. The automated nature of mirror trading frees investors from making emotionally-charged investment decisions.
How Mirror Trading Works
Investors use brokers’ mirror trading platforms which work differently depending on the provider you sign up with. Mirror trading platforms often use software similar to MetaTrader 4 (MT4), for example.
Platforms that offer mirror trading list successful participating traders, known as ‘Masters’. Users can choose a Master who matches their own investment preferences such as technique (day trading) and asset type (forex, options, stocks, cryptos).
Importantly, users can select Masters based on their own risk parameters. From then on, whatever the Master trader does on their own account is automatically replicated in the client’s account. No intervention is required by the user as all activity is managed by the trading platform.
Another type of mirror trading involves a server or bot, known as an Expert Advisor (EA). The EA will execute trades for you using algorithms that react when certain patterns or trends appear in market data. Most platforms that offer mirror trading allow users to install an EA on their accounts.
Mirror Trading Regulations
Mirror trading is a legal practice and is regulated by various international authorities including the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).
The UK regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), supports the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) view as to how mirror trading fits within the MiFID directive. According to the FCA, mirror trading fits within MiFID’s definition of portfolio management. Therefore, brokers may offer the service so long as they abide by relevant licensing rules.
Pros Of Mirror Trading
- Suitable for beginners
- Legal and regulated in the UK
- Limited time and effort required
- Automated so limited emotional decision making
Cons Of Mirror Trading
- Losses are mirrored too
- Difficult to assess overall risk
- Less control over your own portfolio
How To Start Mirror Trading
Choose A Broker
To start mirror trading, you need to register with a broker that offers the service. We always recommend choosing a brokerage with strong customer support, positive user reviews, fast withdrawals and multiple Masters to choose from.
It’s also worth selecting a trusted provider that protects your personal information including contact details and address, as well as offering secure 2FA login.
Download A Platform
Brokers that offer mirror trading through a third-party platform like MetaTrader 4 will need you to download or install the software from their website. Some providers also offer a digital login for web trader solutions. An increasing number of mirror trading providers, such as eToro, also offer mobile investing.
Pick A Strategy
There are a couple of ways to be successful at mirror trading: copying Master traders or relying on algorithmic software that assesses market trends. There are positives and negatives to both. Arguably traders have already analysed their own risk appetite and found a technique that compliments their profit objectives. However, algorithms remove emotion from trading and can spot trends quicker than a human.
Define Risk
We cannot assess the level of risk that you are willing to take so we always recommend taking the time to think about this before trading with real funds. One piece of advice is to choose a trader whose aims are aligned with your own.
Research
You should aim to understand the success of the method you’re choosing to invest in. We’d recommend running an Expert Advisor on a demo account before investing real funds. There should be enough backtesting data to help you make an assessment, meaning there is proof that the algorithm could be profitable. Master traders’ results are also posted on platforms so viewing their trading success and history should be straightforward.
Mirror Trading Fraud
It is important to note that the following mirror trading fraud cases are a different type from those discussed in the rest of this article. With that said, having an understanding of the dangers posed may help you take a careful approach to risk management.
Mirror Trading International
Mirror Trading International Limited (MTI club), registered in South Africa, used its online trading platform to trade Bitcoin. However, cryptocurrency-related investments were not officially regulated in South Africa and many investors lost money.
Mirror Trading International always denied it was a scam and heavily promoted itself on Twitter and Facebook via influencers in the crypto community. There are claims that the company used false testimonials and reviews by paid members to attract innocent investors.
A significant attraction of Mirror Trading International was its growth calculator which showed investors enormous projected returns. In addition, videos posted on its YouTube channel explain MTI’s referral program which offers its investors referral, binary, or leadership bonuses.
In mid-2020, a panel in the US issued a cease-and-desist order against MTI for operating a pyramid scheme. Mirror Trading International collapsed and its website (www.mirrortradinginternational.co.za) went down meaning investors couldn’t make withdrawals.
Blockchain analysis firm, Chainalysis, released a crime report that named Mirror Trading International as the biggest cryptocurrency scam of 2020 after raking in $589 million which its CEO disappeared with. According to News 24, Mirror Trading International Ltd was placed into provisional liquidation in January 2021 after it stopped paying out funds to its thousands of members.
Mirror Trading & Money Laundering
Anti-money laundering (AML) regulators have paid close attention to mirror trading activities in recent years. In January 2017, mirror trading made the news concerning Deutsche Bank (DB) and Russian money laundering of around $10 billion.
Russian rubles were used to buy blue-chip stocks. The same value of identical Russian stocks was sold in London for US dollars and other currencies with the same bank—DB. The Russian buyer of the shares and the seller—offshore entities in Cyprus and the BVI—had the same beneficial owner. This ultimately created a money laundering pipeline that continued undetected for years.
Deutsche Bank’s compliance department was ultimately responsible for ignoring the red flags and identifying the beneficial owners of the companies executing the mirror trades. The bank was fined a total of $630m by the UK’s FCA and US regulators after it was alleged that the former Director of the bank’s Russian trading desk had accepted bribes in exchange for overlooking the questionable trading activities between 2011 and 2014.
Final Word On Mirror Trading
The term ‘mirror trading’ has been tarnished in recent years by the fraudulent activities of companies and individuals. In reality, when executed correctly, it can be a successful strategy. However, while handing over control of your portfolio is an attractive prospect, success is not inevitable and you should always do your own risk assessment. Ultimately, mirror trading is a good starting point for inexperienced traders looking to learn the ropes.
FAQ
Does Mirror Trading Work?
Mirror trading is a strategy that can be successful when applied correctly. However, when choosing a method and broker, make sure that the Master trader you copy is aligned to your preferences, especially risk tolerance, and has a proven successful track record. If using an algorithm or EA, do your research and check that it’s been properly backtested before linking it to your account.
How Do I Start Mirror Trading?
Firstly, choose a broker that offers mirror trading on its platform, such as eToro or Pepperstone. You can then copy the strategies of successful traders based on asset, strategy, and risk appetite. Whatever the trader does on their account will be automatically replicated in yours.
Is Mirror Trading Legal?
Yes, mirror trading is legal and is regulated by most international financial authorities including the UK’s FCA. It’s also important to open an account with a UK-regulated broker to reduce the risk of online scams.
Is Mirror Trading Safe?
As with traditional investing, there is always going to be a risk when mirror trading. Knowing your own risk appetite is important before you start authorising automatic trades. Fortunately, you can usually check a Master trader’s track record or use an Expert Advisor that has been backtested before making a decision.
Is Mirror Trading A Pyramid Scheme?
Mirror trading allows investors to automatically execute and replicate a selected trader’s strategy or an automated bot’s algorithm. This is not to be confused with the fraudulent South African investment company, Mirror Trading International Limited. Its Bitcoin trading website was named the biggest cryptocurrency scam of 2020 after accumulating $589 million which its CEO vanished with. MTI was a pyramid scheme in that it paid its user base to recruit new investors.