EA Allowance
Also known as: EA rules, bot rules, automated trading policy, copy trading rules
Direct Answer
EA allowance describes which expert advisors, automated bots, or copy-trading tools a prop firm permits on funded accounts. Most firms ban high-frequency, latency-arbitrage, tick-scalping, and shared commercial EAs while allowing custom indicators or risk-management bots. Always confirm specific software with support before deploying it, since unauthorized automation can void profits.
Firms make a clear distinction between assistive automation (semi-automated entries, trailing-stop bots, risk managers) and predatory automation (latency arbitrage, tick scalpers, grid Martingale).
Copy-trading the same EA across many funded accounts is the highest-risk pattern and usually breaches the multi-account agreement, even if the EA itself is allowed.
Which firms enforce this rule
| Firm | Strictness |
|---|---|
| FTMO | Standard |
| Topstep | Strict |
| Apex Trader Funding | Strict |
Example scenarios
Scenario
Trader runs a custom-built risk-manager EA that auto-closes at -1% daily.
Outcome
Allowed at most firms — it's defensive automation, not a strategy bot.
Scenario
Trader uses a public Telegram copy-trade signal across three funded accounts.
Outcome
Breach: copy-trading + multi-account correlation typically voids all related accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Are all EAs banned?
Can I use a copy-trading service?
Do I need to disclose my EA?
Are MT5 indicator bots allowed?
What happens if I use a banned EA?
Related rules
News Trading Ban
A news trading ban restricts opening or closing positions around high-impact economic releases such as nonfarm payrolls, CPI, or rate decisions. Firms enforce buffers of two to five minutes before and after the print to limit slippage exploitation. Violations typically void any profit on the trade and may breach the funded account.
Weekend Hold
A weekend hold rule controls whether traders can keep positions open through Friday close into Monday open. Many prop firms ban weekend exposure to limit gap risk, requiring all trades to be flat before market close. Holding through the weekend on a no-hold account typically counts as an immediate rule violation and account breach.