Options Copy Trading: How It Works and What to Look For
July 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer
Options copy trading works like stock copy trading, but for options contracts: when a trader you follow opens or closes an options position, a matching order routes into your own brokerage account, sized to your settings. Options can move quickly and carry added risk, including the risk of losing the full premium, so the things that matter most are keeping your money in your own account, sizing conservatively, and having risk limits and a kill switch. Not every broker supports options, so check that yours does. It automates execution; it does not remove risk.
Part of the complete guide to copy trading.
Options copy trading applies the same idea as copying stocks, but to options contracts. Because options behave differently and carry added risk, it is worth understanding how it works and what to look for before you start.
How options copy trading works
When a trader you follow opens or closes an options position, a matching order is routed into your own brokerage account, sized to your settings, usually within about a second. Your money stays in your own account, and you control how large each copied position can be. On RelayTrades, options are supported on brokers that offer options trading, and every copied order is checked against your risk limits before it is placed.
What to look for
- Custody: your money stays in your own brokerage account, never a pooled or managed one.
- Options-capable broker: not every broker supports options copying, so confirm yours does.
- Conservative sizing: options can move fast, so a sizing multiplier and a maximum per trade matter even more.
- Risk controls: exposure and daily-loss limits, slippage protection, and a one-tap kill switch.
- A verified leader whose options style and risk you actually understand.
Options can move quickly and you can lose the full premium, so size options copying conservatively and keep firm risk limits. Copy trading automates execution; it does not remove market risk.
What to keep in mind
Options carry their own risks and can expire worthless, so the losses can be sharp. Make sure any options strategy you copy fits your account and risk tolerance, and that your account is approved for the options level involved. RelayTrades is automation software, not a broker-dealer or adviser. This is general information, not investment advice, and past performance is not indicative of future results.
Frequently asked questions
Related reading
How to Copy Trade Options
You can copy options strategies on brokers that support options, with the right account permissions. Here’s how it works and why options copying needs extra care.
Read moreIs Webull Good for Copy Trading?
Webull works well for copy trading: connect it through SnapTrade and copy stocks, ETFs, and options into your own Webull account, with risk limits you control.
Read moreCopy Trading Risks and How to Manage Them
The main copy trading risks are market risk, over-sizing, slippage, over-concentration, and over-trusting a track record. Here is how to manage each one.
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.