Copy Trading vs Option Trading: What’s the Difference?

 

Copy Trading vs Option Trading: What’s the Difference?

Investors in financial markets will often come across two widely used ways of trading, which are copy trading and option trading. Both trading formats can be profitable, but they are very different in methodology, risk, and the skills needed. Understanding the differences will help you decide which format best fits your trading objectives. 

What is Copy Trading? 

Copy trading is a type of automated trading where your account will mirror the trades of a seasoned trader. Every buy, sell, and exit order that a professional trader places will be automatically copied into your account in real-time. Copy trading is the best trading option for someone brand new to the market or for busy investors that may not have time to analyse the markets. Advanced trading platforms like Combiz Services Copy Trading Software allow traders to easily link a trading account and select a trader with a strong performance history, and the trading platform will copy their trade book into the investor's account without any work the investor has to do. 

  • Control: You determine and control your own risk parameters (e.g., stop loss and trade size). 
  • Accessibility: Awesome for passive investors or beginners. 
  • Risk: Depending on the trader (i.e., you can still lose money regardless of the trader's performance). 

What is Option Trading?

Option trading consists of buying or selling contracts (options) that confer the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) an asset at a certain price before a specific date. This is more active and you will need to have a solid understanding of market behaviour and how to create a strategy. Option traders will use more sophisticated analysis to determine when to enter a position and when to get out of a position.

  • Control: Complete control over buying, selling, and strategy to execute.
  • User Friendly: Best suited for more advanced traders that understand how volatility can affect the market.
  • Risk: The only risk is limited to the cost of the premium. Options can become worthless if the market does not move in your favour.

Copy Trading vs. Option Trading: The Big Differences

Aspect

Copy Trading           

Option Trading

Approach Automated and user friendly Automated and user friendly
ControlLimited – depends on the trader you copyFull, you can do all the resolution
Learning  Curve Good for beginners Requires considerable understanding
Risk LevelDepends on the copied traderOnly at the premium you pay
Time requiredMinimalRequires constant monitoring of the market

Which is Better for You? 

If you are new to the market or looking for a source of passive income, copy trading via a platform, such as the Combiz Services Pvt Ltd Copy Trading Software, is the best option for you. A copy trading platform enables you to tap into and benefit from the experience of professional traders with minimal work on your part. 

However, if you enjoy a more involved method of trading and would prefer to analyse trends in the market, option trading can provide your own flexibility and correlation over your trades. 

Conclusion 

Both copy trading and option trading come with their benefits. Your choice will be based on your goals with trading, level of experience, and risk tolerance. If you are a novice trader or looking for a solution to automate the trading process, Combiz Copy Trading Software is a very good way to kick off smart, efficient investments.

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