How to Start Copy Trading: A Step-by-Step Beginner Guide

Key Overviews

• To start copy trading, you need a platform, a minimum deposit of $50, and about 10 minutes to set up your account.
• PU Prime lets you copy trades across forex, indices, commodities, metals, shares, ETFs, and bonds with no subscription or management fees.
• Always check a trader’s track record (6+ months), max drawdown (under 20–30%), and profit factor (above 1.5) before copying them.
• Spread your money across 3–5 traders and never put more than 10–20% on any single one.
• You stay in full control the entire time — pause, stop, or close trades whenever you want.

Copy trading lets you mirror the trades of experienced traders.

When they buy, you buy. When they sell, you sell.

Everything happens in real-time, and you don’t have to sit in front of charts all day.

It’s one of the simplest ways to get started in the financial markets, even if you’ve never placed a trade before.

But here’s the thing — simple doesn’t mean risk-free.

You still need to pick the right traders, set smart limits, and check on your account regularly.

This guide walks you through every step, from downloading the app to making your first copy.

For a full overview of what copy trading is and how it compares to other methods, check out our Copy Trading Guide.

What Do You Need to Start Copy Trading?

You need five things: a copy-trading platform, some starting capital, internet access, a valid ID, and a basic understanding that you can lose money. 

That’s really it. You don’t need a finance degree or years of experience.

Here’s your checklist:

What You Need	Details
A Copy trading platform	PU Prime (regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSA), the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius (FSC), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa (FSCA), and the Capital Market Authority of the UAE (CMA)
Starting capital	$50 minimum deposit. $25 minimum trading capital per trader.
Internet connection	Stable connection on phone or computer
Government-issued ID	For identity verification (KYC) — passport or national ID
Risk awareness	All trading involves potential losses. Never invest money you can’t afford to lose.

Notice what’s NOT on that list: trading experience, technical analysis skills, or a big pile of cash. 

You’re letting someone else’s experience work for you — while you learn along the way. Not sure which platform is right for you?

We break down what to look for in our guide on how to choose the best copy trading platform.

Step-by-Step: How to Start Copy Trading on PU Prime

The entire process takes about 10 minutes from download to your first copy.

Here’s exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Download the PU Prime App

Head to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and search for PU Prime.

Download the app — it’s free.

You can also use the web platform at puprime.com, but the app is faster for copy trading since you can browse traders and manage copies right from your phone.

Step 2: Register and Verify Your Identity

Tap “Register” and fill in your details. You’ll need to upload a government-issued ID (like a passport or national ID card) for KYC verification.

This is a legal requirement for all regulated brokers — it protects you.

The whole process usually takes about 5 minutes, and approval is often same-day.

Step 3: Select “Copy Trading” as Your Account Type

When you set up your trading account, make sure you pick the Copy Trading account type.

This is different from a standard trading account.

It gives you access to the signal provider marketplace, risk controls, and copy management tools you’ll need.

Step 4: Fund Your Account ($50 Minimum Deposit)

Deposit at least $50 USD.

PU Prime supports multiple payment methods, including bank transfers, credit cards, and e-wallets.

Here’s an honest tip: while $50 is the minimum, starting with $200–$500 gives you more room to spread your money across several traders — which is where the real safety comes from.

The minimum amount you need to follow a single trader is $25.

Step 5: Browse Signal Providers

Go to the Copy Trading section and browse the list of signal providers. 

These are traders who share their trades for you to copy. 

You’ll see their performance stats — ROI, win rate, number of copiers, and more.

Use the filters to sort by trading style, time period, or market.

Tip: Don’t just pick the trader with the highest returns. High returns often come with high risk. Sort by “drawdown” instead — that shows you the worst loss a trader has had. A trader with 40% returns and 15% max drawdown is usually safer than one with 100% returns and 60% drawdown.

Step 6: Check Their Track Record (At Least 6 Months)

Before you copy anyone, look at the numbers that actually matter. 

Anyone can get lucky for a few weeks. What you want is consistent performance over at least 6–12 months. 

The five key metrics to check: ROI (overall returns), maximum drawdown (biggest loss from peak), win rate (how often they win), profit factor (profits divided by losses — above 1.5 is solid), and how long they’ve been trading.

We go much deeper on this in our guide to identifying the best traders to copy.

Step 7: Set Your Risk Controls and Start Copying

Before you hit “Copy,” set your safety limits first. Here’s what to configure:

•      How much to allocate — don’t put more than 10–20% of your total balance on any single trader.

•      Equity stop-loss — this is a safety net that automatically stops copying if your losses reach a certain amount.

•      Position limits — cap the maximum size of any single trade.

You’ll also choose a copy mode (more on that below). Once your settings are in place, tap “Start Copying.”

Every trade the signal provider makes will be automatically mirrored in your account, sized to match your balance.

Tip: Start with just one or two traders. Watch how it works for a couple of weeks. Once you’re comfortable, add more. Rushing in with all your money on day one is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make

Understanding PU Prime’s 3 Copy Modes

PU Prime offers three copy modes that control how trade sizes are calculated in your account.

Picking the right one matters — it affects how much risk you take on each trade.

Copy Mode	How it Works	Best For
Equivalent Used Margin	Trade size is based on the margin level – your trades match the trader’s risk proportion, and not their exact lot size.	Most beginners. Adjust automatically to your account size.
Fixed Lots	Every copied trade uses the same pre-set lot size, regardless of what the signal provider trades.	Traders who want exact control over position size.
Fixed Multiples	Trade size = a multiple of the signal provider’s original order size. Set 2x, and you’ll copy their volume twice.	Experienced copiers who want to scale up or down.

If you’re not sure, start with Equivalent Used Margin.

It scales your trades to match your account balance proportionally — so you’re taking the same percentage risk as the trader, just with your own dollar amount.

How Much Money Do You Need for Copy Trading?

The minimum deposit on PU Prime is $50 USD. The minimum trading capital to follow one signal provider is $25.

But $200–$500 gives you room to spread across multiple traders — and that’s where the real safety comes from.

Here’s why the amount matters. 

Copy trading uses proportional allocation. 

If the trader you’re copying risks 2% of their $10,000 account on a trade, and you have $500, your trade will be proportionally smaller. 

Same percentage risk, just with a smaller dollar amount.

With only $25–$50, you can only follow one trader. With $200–$500, you can spread across 3–5 traders.

This matters because even great traders have losing stretches.

When one is down, another might be up. It smooths out the bumps.

PU Prime charges no subscription or management fees.

You pay spreads on trades (like you would with any broker), and profit sharing with the signal provider — up to 50%, settled every Saturday using the High Water Mark method.

That means you only pay when you’re actually making money.

What to Look for in Your First Signal Provider

The trader you copy matters more than anything else you’ll decide. 

Choose wrong, and you’ll lose money fast. 

Choose well, and you’ve got a solid shot at growing your account over time.

Here are the five key metrics to check before copying anyone:

The 5 key metrics every copier should check before following a trader

1. Track Record Length (6+ Months Minimum)

Short track records don’t tell you anything useful. A trader might look amazing over 3 weeks, then blow up in month 2. 

You need at least 6 months — ideally 12 — of documented performance across different market conditions.

2. Maximum Drawdown (Under 20–30%)

Drawdown is the biggest drop from a peak. 

Think of it this way: if a trader’s account went from $10,000 to $7,000 before recovering, that’s a 30% drawdown. 

The lower this number, the more disciplined the trader is about managing risk.

3. Profit Factor (Above 1.5)

Profit factor is total profits divided by total losses. 

A profit factor of 2.0 means the trader earns $2 for every $1 they lose. 

Anything above 1.5 shows they’re making significantly more than they lose.

4. Consistent Monthly Returns

Look at the monthly breakdown, not just the total number. 

A trader with 5–8% steady monthly gains is usually safer than one who made 50% in one month and lost 30% the next. 

Consistency beats big swings.

5. Trading Style That Matches Your Comfort

Some traders open and close trades within minutes (scalpers). 

Others hold positions for days or weeks (swing traders). Neither is better — but you should know what you’re signing up for. 

If you’ll panic when you see an open loss sitting there for three days, a swing trader probably isn’t for you.

Want to go deeper? Read our full guide on how to identify the best traders to copy

What Mistakes Do Beginners Make in Copy Trading

The biggest beginner mistake is going all-in on one trader without setting any safety limits. 

Here are the five most common errors — and how to avoid each one.

Mistake 1: Putting all your money on one trader. Even great traders have bad months. 

If you put everything on one person and they hit a losing streak, your whole account suffers. Spread across 3–5 traders instead.

Mistake 2: Chasing the highest returns. A trader showing 200% returns might be taking insane risks. 

Check their drawdown first. High returns with high drawdown are a ticking time bomb.

Mistake 3: Not setting a stop-loss. Always set an equity stop-loss. 

This is your safety net — it automatically stops copying if losses hit a level you choose. 

Without it, you’re flying blind.

Mistake 4: Copying traders with less than 3 months of history. Three months isn’t enough to know if someone is genuinely skilled or just got lucky. 

Wait at least 6 months of data.

Mistake 5: Setting it and forgetting it completely. Copy trading doesn’t need daily attention, but you should check your account at least once a week. Markets change. 

Traders change. A quick weekly review keeps you in the loop.

And for strategies to protect your capital, read about copy trading risk management.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can beginners benefit from copy trading?

Yes, beginners can benefit from copy trading by following experienced traders.

Your results depend on which traders you copy, how the market moves, your risk settings, and costs like spreads and profit sharing.

Start small, diversify across 3–5 traders, and set realistic expectations.

Is copy trading legal?

Yes, legal in most countries. PU Prime is regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSA), the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius (FSC), the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa (FSCA), and the Capital Market Authority of the UAE (CMA).

It includes built-in safety features, such as equity stop-losses and position limits.

But all trading carries market risk — the value of your trades can go down as well as up. Never invest money you can’t afford to lose.

How do I stop copying a trader?

You can stop copying a trader at any time through the PU Prime app or platform.

Simply go to your active copies and tap “Stop.” 

Open positions from that trader will stay in your account until you close them manually, or you can use the close-on-stop option to exit everything at once.

Do I need to watch my copy trades every day?

No. Copy trading runs automatically once you’ve set it up. 

However, you should review your portfolio at least once a week. 

Check if the traders you’re copying are still performing well, and adjust your allocation or stop-loss settings if needed. Think of it like checking your bank account — quick but important.

What is the minimum deposit for copy trading on PU Prime?

The minimum deposit is $50 USD. This gives you enough to start copying one signal provider. 

For better diversification across 3–5 traders, we recommend $200–$500 per trader. 

There are no subscription fees or management fees on PU Prime — you only pay spreads on trades and profit sharing with signal providers.