Guide · 6 min read
What is copy trading? How it works in India
Copy trading is a setup where every order placed in one trading account – the master – is automatically placed in one or more other accounts – the children. In India it is mostly used to run your own and family demat accounts together, to copy an algo running in one account to others, and to trade across brokers from one place. Software like AlgoDelta connects to each broker's trading API and sends the child orders in parallel, scaled by a multiplier or a fixed lot.
How copy trading works
- Connect accounts. You connect a master account and child accounts to the copy trading platform through each broker's API.
- Trade in the master. You place an order as usual – in the broker app, website, terminal or an algo.
- Detect and copy. The platform detects the new master order and sends matching orders to every child account.
- Mirror the lifecycle. Modifications, cancels, exits and square-offs are copied as well, so the accounts stay in sync.
The master and the children do not have to be at the same broker. A Kotak Neo master can copy to Zerodha, Dhan and Angel One children at the same time. This is called cross-broker copy trading.
Master · Kotak Securities
BUYNIFTY 25000 CE
Placed from the broker app. AlgoDelta detects it and copies it.
6 child accounts · 4 brokers
GR
+23 more brokers · unlimited accounts per brokerMultiplier vs fixed lot
| Mode | Rule | Master buys 2 lots → child gets |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplier 1× | Same as master | 2 lots |
| Multiplier 3× | 3 times master | 6 lots |
| Multiplier 0.5× | Half of master | 1 lot |
| Fixed 1 lot | Always the set quantity | 1 lot |
Multipliers keep each account's exposure in proportion to its capital; fixed lots cap a small account's risk regardless of what the master does.
Who uses copy trading in India
- Traders with several accounts – at different brokers, or for different strategies.
- Families – one person trades and family accounts follow, each in its own size.
- Algo traders – an algo trades one account; copy trading fans it out to others.
- Registered professionals and algo companies – often through a white label platform with client onboarding.
Rules: SEBI, static IP and daily login
Copy trading in India runs through brokers' official trading APIs. Three practical rules affect every setup:
- Authorisation. Connect only accounts you own or are authorised to operate. Managing other people's money or giving them advice needs the relevant SEBI registration.
- Static IP. Many brokers now accept API orders only from a whitelisted static IP. Some brokers have connections that avoid this – see the broker table.
- Daily login. Some brokers expire API tokens every day, so the connection is re-authorised before market open; others do not.
Rules change; check your broker and the latest SEBI circulars. Our blog tracks updates such as the SEBI static IP rule.
What it costs
On AlgoDelta copy trading costs ₹400 + GST per connected account per month, with the Order Manager and TradingView bridge included. A static IP, where a broker needs one, is ₹300–₹400 + GST per account per month. Brokerage and any broker API fee are separate. See pricing.
Risks to plan for
- Fills can differ between accounts because of timing, liquidity and slippage.
- A child order can be rejected for low margin, price bands or missing permissions.
- Broker API outages or expired tokens can stop copying until fixed.
- A wrong multiplier multiplies mistakes. Test with small quantities.
Read the risk disclosure before trading live.
Frequently asked questions
What is copy trading and how does AlgoDelta do it?
Copy trading means every order placed in one master account is automatically repeated in other connected child accounts. In AlgoDelta you place the order anywhere you normally trade – your broker's website, mobile app or another algo platform – and AlgoDelta detects it on the master account and sends the configured orders to every child account in the group.
Can I copy trades from one broker to a different broker?
Yes. Any supported broker can be the master and any supported broker can be a child, for example a Kotak Neo master with Zerodha, Dhan and Angel One children. Cross-broker copying is one of the most used AlgoDelta setups.
Will every child account get the same price as the master?
Not guaranteed. Orders reach every broker at nearly the same time, but fill prices can differ because of broker response time, liquidity, margin and slippage. Limit orders keep the price under your control.
How many child accounts can I copy to?
There is no fixed limit on child accounts. You pay per connected demat account, so you can grow from 2 accounts to hundreds and run several groups in parallel.
Is algo trading legal in India?
Yes, algorithmic trading is allowed in India and is regulated by SEBI, the exchanges and brokers' API rules, which change from time to time. Retail API trading now generally runs through broker-approved APIs with static IP whitelisting. Check your broker and the latest SEBI circulars.
Try copy trading free
Connect two accounts and copy your first trade on the free trial.
AlgoDelta is a pure technology platform. It is not a stockbroker, investment adviser, research analyst or portfolio manager, does not hold client funds or securities, and does not provide tips, recommendations, profit-making systems or assured returns. Trading in securities and derivatives involves risk of loss. You are responsible for your own trading decisions. Risk disclosure.