Copy Trading
Trade Copier
Copy a MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 account with read-only access. Orders execute on the trader's own computer.
Available for Windows 10 and Windows 11
Source access
Read-only
Investor password
Cross-platform
MT4 ⇄ MT5
Across brokers
Lot sizing
3 modes
Equity ratio, multiplier, fixed
Credentials
Local
Not transmitted to ArkaTrading
Overview
Definition and Purpose
A trade copier reads a signal account's positions and executes the same trades on another account automatically.
- Signal account
- MT5 · 8840127
- This account
- MT4 · 52184930
- Lot sizing
- By equity
- Copied positions
- 2
Manual Copying and a Trade Copier
| Manual copying | Trade copier | |
|---|---|---|
| Execution | By hand, order by order | Read every 0.5 s, executed automatically |
| Lot size | Calculated by hand | Converted by rule |
| Stops | Modified trade by trade | Synchronised with the source |
| Risk limits | Self-discipline | Automatic stop at the protection line |
Following a trader
Third-party
Follow another trader with the read-only password they provide.
Account sync
Own accounts
Mirror one account onto another, across brokers.
Reverse execution
Reversed
Open opposite to the source, with stops exchanged.
Execution
Position Mirroring
Opens, modifications, partial closes and closes are replicated on this account.
- Position Polling
- Signal positions are read every 0.5 seconds.
- Stops
- Stop loss and take profit follow the source and update with it.
- Partial Closes
- Reduced in the same proportion as the source.
- Execution Log
- Every action is logged with a timestamp.
Position Sizing
Lot Size Conversion
Copied lot sizes are derived from the source by one of three rules.
- By Equity
- Scaled by the ratio of this account's equity to the source's.
- Multiplier
- Source lot size multiplied by a fixed factor.
- Fixed
- A fixed lot size on every trade, independent of the source.
- Per-Trade Cap
- Limits any single copied trade. Trades converting below the minimum lot are not copied.
Copy MT4 and MT5 accounts with read-only access.
- MT4 to MT5 and MT5 to MT4
- Reverse and loss-based entry
- Equity protection line
Direction and Entry
Reverse Copying and Loss-Based Entry
Positions can open opposite to the source, or only once the source shows a set floating loss.
- Reverse Copying
- A source buy executes as a sell, with stop loss and take profit exchanged.
- Loss-Based Entry
- Copied once the source reaches the pip threshold, improving the entry. Off by default.
- Untriggered Positions
- Positions that never reach the threshold are not copied.
- Symbol Filter
- Copy listed symbols only, or exclude them.
Custody
Local Execution and Credential Custody
Signal reading and order execution both take place on the trader's computer.
- Read-Only Access
- The signal account is accessed with its read-only password, which carries no trading rights.
- Funds
- Funds remain in the trader's own account. The terminal holds no withdrawal or transfer rights.
- Operating Condition
- Copying runs while the terminal is open. On close, no new orders are sent and open positions are retained.
Risk Controls
Equity Protection Line
Copying halts when equity falls below the set level. Open positions are retained.
- Per-Trade Cap
- Copied trades above the cap are executed at the cap.
- Frequency Limit
- Copying halts if more than 20 positions open within 10 minutes.
- Stale Signals
- Positions first detected more than 10 minutes after opening are not copied.
Operating Rules and Specification
Start, stop, restart and connection conditions.
Start
Only positions opened after the start are copied. Existing source positions can be copied at market in one step.
Stop
No new positions are opened. Copied positions remain in the account and are no longer managed.
Restart
Copying resumes on restart. Positions the source closed in the interim are flagged and not closed automatically.
Manual Closes
A copied position closed manually is not reopened.
Loop Protection
Source positions opened by Arka copy trading are not copied, preventing two accounts from copying each other.
Accounts and Allowance
One signal account at a time. Hedging accounts are supported, MT5 netting accounts are not. Copied positions are excluded from the free plan's trade allowance.
Leveraged trading in foreign exchange and contracts for difference carries a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all invested capital. Nothing on this page is investment advice. Orders are placed on the account holder's own trading account, and the account holder remains responsible for them.
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are products of MetaQuotes. ArkaTrading is an independent terminal and is not affiliated with MetaQuotes.
Questions
What is a trade copier?
Software that replicates the trades of one account on another automatically. When the source opens, modifies or closes a position, the copying account takes the same action at a size set by the trader.
How does copy trading work in Arka Terminal?
The terminal reads the signal account's positions and executes matching orders on the connected MT4 or MT5 account. Both steps run on the trader's computer, so the terminal must remain open.
Which password does the signal account require?
The read-only password, also called the investor password. It permits reading positions and carries no trading rights.
Are account credentials transmitted to ArkaTrading?
No. The trading account and the signal account are logged in on the trader's computer, and credentials are stored there.
Is copying between MT4 and MT5 supported?
Yes. The signal account and the copying account may use different platforms and different brokers.
Does copying continue while the terminal is closed?
No. Copying runs only while the terminal is open. A Windows VPS provides continuous operation.
Do results match the signal source?
Small deviations are expected, from spreads, slippage, minimum lot rounding and the execution lag of copied orders.
The terminal built for a new generation of traders
Available for Windows 10 and Windows 11
