Copy Trading vs. Social Trading: What’s the Difference?
June 21, 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer
Social trading is the broad category, the practice of observing, discussing, and following what other traders do. Copy trading is a specific feature within that world: instead of just watching a trader, you automatically replicate their trades in your own account, sized to your settings. Put simply, all copy trading is a form of social trading, but social trading also includes things like browsing ideas and following traders without auto-copying. RelayTrades focuses on the copy-trading side, automating execution while you keep your own account and risk controls.
Part of the complete guide to copy trading.
Copy trading and social trading are closely related and often used loosely, which causes confusion. The clearest way to think about it: social trading is the broad category, and copy trading is one specific, more automated feature inside it.
What social trading means
Social trading is the general practice of using other traders’ activity to inform your own. That can include browsing what popular traders are doing, reading their commentary, discussing ideas in a community, and following traders to see their moves. It is about transparency and observation, you might act on what you see, or you might not.
What copy trading means
Copy trading is the automated step. Rather than just watching a trader, you subscribe to them and their trades are replicated in your own account automatically, scaled to the sizing and risk limits you set. It removes the manual effort of placing each trade yourself while keeping your capital in your own brokerage account.
Side by side
- Scope, Social trading: broad (observe, discuss, follow). Copy trading: a specific automated feature within it.
- Action, Social trading: you decide whether to act on what you see. Copy trading: trades are replicated automatically (or with manual approval).
- Effort, Social trading: you still place your own trades. Copy trading: execution is automated to your settings.
- Control, Both: you keep your own account; with copy trading you also set sizing and risk limits.
In short: all copy trading is social trading, but not all social trading is copy trading. RelayTrades is on the copy-trading end, automating the trades you choose to follow while you keep custody and control.
Frequently asked questions
Related reading
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Read moreCopy Trading vs. Mirror Trading: What’s the Difference?
Copy trading replicates a specific trader’s individual trades proportionally; mirror trading replicates a predefined strategy or system. The terms overlap and are often used interchangeably.
Read moreWhat Is Copy Trading and How Does It Work?
Copy trading lets you automatically mirror another trader’s trades in your own brokerage account. Here’s how it works, step by step.
Read moreOr read the complete guide to copy trading and browse the glossary.
Copy trade on your own broker, with safeguards you control.
Connect your account, follow the strategies you choose, and keep position-size limits, slippage protection, and a kill switch in your hands at all times.
Get startedRelayTrades provides software and automation support, not investment advice or capital management. All trading involves risk; past performance is not indicative of future results.