# Copy Trading Overview

> Follow skilled traders (pilots), connect your broker through a secure partner, mirror options activity into your account, and understand approvals, timing, and safety - all from the Trade Echo dashboard.

Source: https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/overview (updated 2026-08-25)

Copy trading is for **subscribed members** who want to **follow other traders (pilots)** and **mirror their trades** into a **broker account you link inside Trade Echo**. You connect your broker once through a **secure connection partner**, pick who to copy, set your preferences, and track results from one place.

You do **not** need to stay on the Copy Trading page all day. Once you are set up, the platform can process copy activity **while you use other parts of Trade Echo or step away** (you may still get alerts if a trade needs your approval).

> **Tip: Who this is for**
>
> If you are **following** pilots, you are a **subscriber**. If others **follow you**, you are a **pilot (trader)**. The app shows different tabs and labels depending on your role. You can switch or confirm your role when the app asks.

> **Caution: Can't see Copy Trading?**
>
> Copy trading is rolled out **gradually**. If you do not see **Copy Trading** in the menu, or the page is blank after you open it, your plan or region may not include it yet, or we may still be turning it on for your account. **Contact support** and we can check your access.

## How it works (simple)

When a pilot you follow places an **options** trade that the platform turns into a copy signal, Trade Echo applies **your** rules (eligibility, sizing, risk settings, and whether you use auto-copy or manual approval). If the trade passes those checks, the system can send an order to **your** linked broker through the secure connection.

You stay in control of your own account. The pilot never accesses your login or your funds directly.

## What you need before you start

- An **active Trade Echo subscription** with copy trading enabled for your account.
- Access to the **web dashboard** for setup and day-to-day monitoring (see [Open Copy Trading](#open-copy-trading) below).
- A **supported broker** you are willing to link **inside Copy Trading** using the in-app broker flow. That link is **not** the same as **Broker Sync** for your trade journal. If you use both features, you complete **two separate connections**. See [Broker link for copy trading vs trade journal](#broker-link-for-copy-trading-vs-trade-journal).

## Getting started checklist

1. **Confirm your role** - Subscriber (you copy others) or pilot (others copy you), when the app prompts you.
2. **Connect your broker** - Open the **Broker Accounts** tab in Copy Trading and finish the broker link until status shows connected. Linking **Robinhood** works differently and is done in the mobile app - see **[Connect Robinhood](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/robinhood)**.
3. **Choose pilots** - As a subscriber, use **Traders**, **Leaderboard**, or similar flows to enable copy for pilots you want to follow.
4. **Review Settings** - Set sizing, risk, notifications, and auto-copy vs manual approval so new activity matches how you want to trade.
5. **Monitor** - Use **Overview** for summaries and **Positions** for open positions and execution history.

For a **tab-by-tab** walkthrough, see **[Using the Copy Trading screen](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/dashboard)**. **Pilots** should also read **[Pilot Setup](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/pilot-setup)** so followers copy the account you actually trade.

**VIP alerts vs copy account:** Discord VIP alerts can show a pilot's posted trades, but copy trading follows **fills on the pilot's active linked broker account**. If those differ, followers may see alerts without matching copies - see the **[FAQ](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/faq)**.

## Open Copy Trading

1. Sign in to Trade Echo on the web.
2. Open **Copy Trading** from the main navigation (same place you find Option Flow, Dealer Edge, and other tools).

## Subscriber vs pilot - what you see

| If you are a... | You will see... |
|-----------------|-----------------|
| **Subscriber** (you copy others) | **Copy Performance Score**, how many traders you copy, plus tabs like **Traders**, **Leaderboard**, **Performance**, and **Settings** (plus **Overview**, **Broker Accounts**, **Positions**). |
| **Pilot** (others copy you) | **Trading Performance Score**, **Active Followers**, and the same **Overview**, **Broker Accounts**, and **Positions** tabs, without the subscriber-only discovery tabs. |

The app only shows tabs that apply to **you**.

## Auto-copy vs manual approval

- **Auto-copy** - When enabled, eligible copy orders can be processed **without** you staying on the Copy Trading page. You should still monitor **Overview** and **Positions** and keep notifications configured if the product offers them.
- **Manual approval** - When a trade requires your decision, the app may prompt you to **allow** or **deny** within a time window. If you miss the window, behavior follows the rules described in the **[FAQ](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/faq)**.

## What gets copied (product scope)

Copy trading in Trade Echo is built around **options** activity from pilots you follow. Scope and supported instruments can evolve; always confirm what the **Copy Trading** screen and in-app messaging show for your account.

## Execution, slippage, and timing

Copy trading does **not** guarantee the same fill price, quantity, or timing as the pilot. Markets move, liquidity differs by account and broker, and orders may be adjusted by your settings or risk checks. **Past performance of a pilot does not guarantee future results.**

## Safety and responsibility

Copy trading is a **tool**, not personalized investment advice. You decide who to follow and which settings to use. You can adjust or pause copying according to what the product allows. For access or eligibility questions, **contact support**.

## Privacy and broker access

Trade Echo uses a **secure broker-connection partner** so you can link brokers **without Trade Echo storing your broker password**. You sign in at your broker during setup. For more detail on connections, errors, and what we see, read the **[Copy Trading FAQ](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/faq)**.

## Broker link for copy trading vs trade journal

Trade Echo can connect to your broker for **two different reasons**:

- **Trade journal / Broker Sync** - Import or sync trades for your own records.
- **Copy Trading** - Send **copied** orders to your broker when you follow a pilot.

Those are **separate connections**. If you already use Broker Sync, you still need to **connect your broker inside Copy Trading** if you want to copy trades. That keeps journaling and copy trading independent and easier to manage.

## Live updates

Numbers and lists **update live** while you are in the app. If something looks stuck, use **Refresh** on the **Overview** tab or switch away and back to the tab you care about.

## Related docs

- **[Using the Copy Trading screen](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/dashboard)** - What each tab does, step by step.
- **[Pilot Setup](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/pilot-setup)** - Go live as a pilot with the right active broker account.
- **[Copy Trading FAQ](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/faq)** - Safety, pausing, skip reasons, VIP alerts vs copy, and common questions.