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EAs, bots and copy trading at futures prop firms

What each futures firm says about automated trading, trade copiers and high-frequency strategies, in its own terms, with the platforms you can run them on. Firms are in score order.

Rules checked on or before 25 October 2026.

Expert advisors and bots

5 of 15 allow

4 with limits, 5 not allowed, 1 not stated

Copy trading

1 of 15 allow

13 with limits, 1 not allowed

High-frequency trading

0 of 15 allow

0 with limits, 15 not allowed

Firm by firm

  1. FTMO Futures8.3 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed
    Automated and algorithmic trading is permitted. High-frequency strategies, latency arbitrage and tools that exploit the simulated environment are forbidden, and widely shared third-party EAs risk a refused Sim-Funded Account.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Copying between a trader's own accounts is allowed if each account meets every rule. Copying any third party's decisions, including signal services and trade copiers fed by others, is forbidden.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency strategies, latency arbitrage and exploiting price display errors or slow data feeds are forbidden.

    Platforms: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView

  2. Topstep7.0 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed
    Automated strategies may be used at the trader's own risk; software, AI or high-speed systems that gain an unfair advantage or exploit simulated fills are prohibited.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    The TopstepX trade copier can mirror trades across a trader's own Combine and Express Funded accounts (up to $750K in buying power), but not Live accounts; coordinated trading with other people is prohibited.
    HFTNot allowed
    Ultra-high-speed systems, mass data entry and strategies that exploit price display errors or data feed delays are prohibited.

    Platforms: In-house platform, ProjectX, Quantower

  3. TradeDay7.0 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed with limits
    A trader's own automated system can run on NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Jigsaw or Quantower, but bots bought from third parties, API access and very high-frequency scalping systems are not allowed.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Copiers may link 2 to 10 Evaluation and Funded Sim accounts, or up to 5 Funded Live accounts, and may copy from the trader's own outside accounts; copying between Funded Live and other account types is not allowed.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency scalping systems, ultra-high-speed or mass data entry and trading outside the best bid or offer are prohibited.

    Platforms: Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Jigsaw Daytradr, Rithmic, R|Trader Pro, Quantower, ATAS, MotiveWave, Bookmap, Sierra Chart, WealthCharts, MultiCharts

  4. FundedNext Futures6.6 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed
    EAs, bots and AI tools may be used in both phases. High-frequency trading, latency abuse and order flooding are prohibited.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Copying is allowed between a trader's own FundedNext accounts and own accounts at other firms in the same name. Signal services, group trading and copying another person's trades are prohibited.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency trading and latency arbitrage are prohibited and can lead to account termination.

    Platforms: Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView

  5. Bulenox6.5 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed with limits
    Bots and algorithms are allowed only as the trader's own tools for personal use; shared, rented or commercial automation is banned, and the Terms require third-party algorithms to be approved by Bulenox first.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    The FAQ permits trade copiers, but connecting one to Rithmic through third-party API or composite software costs $100 a month and shared or commercial tools are not allowed.
    HFTNot allowed
    Rapid-fire algorithmic trading and reckless trades placed in fast markets to benefit from poor execution count as abuse, and Bulenox may refuse to pay the profit.

    Platforms: Rithmic, R|Trader Pro, NinjaTrader, Quantower, Sierra Chart, MultiCharts, ATAS, Bookmap, MotiveWave

  6. Earn2Trade6.4 out of 10
    EAs and botsNot stated
    No explicit rule on automated strategies was found; software, AI or ultra-fast entry that manipulates the environment or gives an unfair advantage is prohibited.
    Copy tradingNot allowed
    Trade copiers and batch execution across accounts are prohibited on evaluation, LiveSim and live accounts.
    HFTNot allowed
    Software, AI or ultra-fast order entry that manipulates the environment, and strategies that exploit price display errors or update delays, are prohibited.

    Platforms: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Rithmic, R|Trader Pro, Quantower, DeepCharts, ATAS, Bookmap, MotiveWave, MultiCharts, Jigsaw Daytradr, Sierra Chart

  7. My Funded Futures6.3 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed
    Automated strategies are allowed if they do not exploit simulated fills; high-frequency trading is prohibited.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Trade copiers such as Tradesyncer may be used across a trader's own accounts, but copying another trader or sharing devices with another trader is prohibited.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency trading is not allowed on any plan.

    Platforms: Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, Volumetrica, DeepCharts, ATAS

  8. Lucid Trading6.1 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed
    Automated systems are permitted within the trading rules, with the trader responsible for any malfunction; high-frequency trading is prohibited.
    Copy tradingAllowed
    Trade copiers are permitted, but hedging between accounts, including between different users' accounts, is prohibited.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency trading is prohibited; repeated offences lead to removal of profits and account closure.

    Platforms: NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, Rithmic, Quantower, Tradesea, MotiveWave, Sierra Chart, Jigsaw Daytradr, Bookmap, ATAS, R|Trader Pro, MultiCharts

  9. E8 Futures6.0 out of 10
    EAs and botsNot allowed
    Semi- or fully automated trading, including bots, AI tools and high-frequency trading (over 300 trades a day), is prohibited on futures accounts.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Copying is allowed only between accounts that belong to the same person; team trading and signal services are not permitted.
    HFTNot allowed
    Automated trading, including high-frequency trading (over 300 trades a day), and exploiting slow data feeds or price display errors are prohibited.

    Platforms: Tradovate, TradingView

  10. Take Profit Trader6.0 out of 10
    EAs and botsNot allowed
    Bots, algorithms and other automated execution are prohibited on all accounts; every trade must be placed manually.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Approved trade copiers (such as Tradesyncer or platform-native copiers) may be used only across accounts the trader owns and controls; copying between different people is prohibited.
    HFTNot allowed
    Bots, algorithms and other automated execution are prohibited on all accounts, which rules out high-frequency strategies.

    Platforms: TradingView, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, R|Trader Pro, Quantower, ATAS, Bookmap, MultiCharts, MotiveWave, Jigsaw Daytradr

  11. Tradeify6.0 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed with limits
    Bots and algorithms are allowed if the trader is their sole owner and does not use them at other firms; high-frequency bots are prohibited and Tradeify may ask for proof, including a live video.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Group trading is allowed only between accounts the trader owns and manages; copying other traders or copy trading with others is not permitted.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency trading bots are prohibited, as is exploiting price display delays or platform errors.

    Platforms: Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Rithmic, Tradesea, Quantower, Sierra Chart, R|Trader Pro, WealthCharts

  12. Alpha Futures5.9 out of 10
    EAs and botsNot allowed
    AI, bots and fully automated trading are prohibited on all accounts; signal indicators are allowed if the trader places and manages each trade manually.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Trades can be copied across a trader's own accounts by that one person; group trading with other people is prohibited.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency trading is prohibited, and the firm does not accept strategies taking more than 100 trades a day.

    Platforms: In-house platform, TradingView, WealthCharts, Quantower, DeepCharts

  13. Apex Trader Funding5.9 out of 10
    EAs and botsNot allowed
    Automated or algorithmic trading is not permitted; rewards are meant for traders placing their own trades.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Trades can be copied across a trader's own accounts (for example with Tradovate group trading or the WealthCharts copier), but sharing or copying trades with other traders is forbidden.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency trading and other ways of exploiting the simulated environment, such as chasing erroneous fills, are prohibited.

    Platforms: Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts, NinjaTrader, TradingView

  14. Elite Trader Funding5.6 out of 10
    EAs and botsAllowed with limits
    AI, bots, EAs and algorithmic systems need ETF's written authorization; the only automated tools currently authorized are the approved trade copiers.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Only approved copiers (Tradesyncer, Tradecopia, Affordable Indicators, the compliance edition of Replikanto) and copiers built into a platform may be used; trading for other people is prohibited.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency and other speed-based strategies with many trades in a short time are prohibited, as is arbitrage of any kind.

    Platforms: Tradovate, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Rithmic, R|Trader Pro, Quantower, Sierra Chart, ATAS, Bookmap, MotiveWave

  15. Phidias Propfirm5.4 out of 10
    EAs and botsNot allowed
    Robots and fully automated algorithms are not permitted; semi-automated tools are allowed if the trader actively monitors and adjusts every trade.
    Copy tradingAllowed with limits
    Third-party copiers may be used across a trader's own accounts within the account limits; identical strategies that exceed the allowed capital can be suspended.
    HFTNot allowed
    High-frequency and fully automated trading are prohibited.

    Platforms: Rithmic, R|Trader Pro, Quantower, ATAS, Sierra Chart, Bookmap, MotiveWave, Jigsaw Daytradr, Tradovate, TradingView, NinjaTrader, DeepCharts

Before you run an EA or a copier

  • Own the strategy. Several firms allow EAs only when the trader wrote or controls the code. A bought EA that thousands of others run produces identical trades across accounts, which firms read as group trading.
  • Expect the same rules in the funded stage. Some firms allow automation in the evaluation and add conditions later, or the other way round. The firm's terms for each stage are what count.
  • Copy only your own accounts. Lucid Trading allow copy trading outright. Elsewhere copying is limited to accounts you own, and the total across them must stay under the firm's funding cap.
  • Avoid speed-based edges. High-frequency trading, latency arbitrage and tick scalping are banned at 15 of 15 firms here, and limited at 0 more.
  • Check the platform first. An EA written for one platform will not run on another, so match it to a platform the firm offers before you pay.

Shortlists

Frequently asked questions

Which futures prop firms allow expert advisors?

FTMO Futures, Topstep, FundedNext Futures, My Funded Futures and Lucid Trading allow EAs and bots without a blanket condition, though each still bans some styles (usually high-frequency trading, arbitrage and running the same system for many traders). 4 more allow them with limits.

Can I copy trades between my own prop firm accounts?

At most futures firms, yes, within the firm's total funding cap: 14 of 15 allow copying in some form. What almost every firm bans is copying someone else's trades, signal services and sharing a strategy with other traders, which it treats as account sharing.

Why do prop firms ban high-frequency trading?

Evaluations and most funded accounts run on simulated fills. Strategies that profit from tiny price moves, latency or feed delays can win on a simulator in ways a real market would not allow, so firms ban them and may void the profits. Check each firm’s wording: some name tick scalping, arbitrage or holding trades under a minimum time.

Does allowing EAs change a firm’s score?

Yes, a little. Rule flexibility is 12% of the score, and EAs and copy trading are two of the five permissions it counts (with news trading, overnight and weekend holding). The score shown here is the same one on each firm’s review.

Still have a question?

Ask about a firm, a rule or a number that looks wrong. A link to the firm's own page helps us re-check it quickly.

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