FAQ
General Product Information
Is this a cloud-based copier or a local copier?
Both. While Heron Copier was initially developed as a local copier, we have since developed a cloud-based version of it.
The cloud version is still in beta but it’s usable already.
For now, we offer 4 free cloud seats for every paid subscription without any additional cost.
Can I run the copier on my personal PC or should I run it on a VPS? (local version)
While it is possible to run Heron Copier on your personal PC, we strongly recommend using a VPS. A VPS can provide a more stable and reliable environment for running the copier, especially if it needs to be operational 24/7.
Running it on your personal PC might lead to interruptions due to power outages, internet instability, or system updates.
A VPS, on the other hand, will ensure continuous and smooth operation.
If I use the cloud version, do I still need to install Heron Copier on my PC or VPS?
No, you don’t need to install Heron Copier on your PC or VPS if you use the cloud version.
You can simply setup your accounts straight from the Heron Copier dashboard.
What makes Heron Copier different than the other alternatives?
You can use the free trial to judge it yourself. Aside from partial TP support and an unlimited max number of master and slave accounts, I’d say the performance is a lot faster.
The copier is built to be versatile, supporting 6 different platforms, and can be used on an unlimited number of accounts. You can even set up multiple master and slave accounts on different VPS and monitor and control all your accounts straight from the Heron Copier dashboard.
No other copiers offers this level of flexibility and control.
p.s. as mentioned, we also offer a cloud-based version of it.
What are the supported platforms?
Heron Copier supports all these below platforms:
- cTrader
- MetaTrader 4
- MetaTrader 5
- MatchTrader
- TradeLocker
- DXtrade
This means that you can copy your trades between all those above platforms. Unlike other copiers, Heron Copier supports any of those platforms to be used as master accounts too!
Does this copier really support 6 different platforms? Can I use my account on any of those platforms as master account?
Yes, unlike other copiers out there which only lets you to use MT4/MT5 as master account, Heron Copier allows you to use your cTrader/TradeLocker/MatchTrader/DXtrade as master accounts too.
As long as you use any of the 6 supported platforms, then you can use your accounts as either master or slave accounts.
It’s really flexible.
How many accounts (either master or slave) can I add?
For local version: many as your PC/VPS can handle. The license key is valid for an unlimited number of accounts.
For cloud version: 4 free seats for every paid subscription, and you can upgrade to a higher plan if you need more seats.
Getting Started & Setup
How do I install Heron Copier?
Please follow the steps in the Quick Start Guide to install Heron Copier.
For the local version, can I run the copier on my personal PC or should I run it on a VPS?
While it is possible to run Heron Copier on your personal PC, we strongly recommend using a VPS. A VPS can provide a more stable and reliable environment for running the copier, especially if it needs to be operational 24/7.
Running it on your personal PC might lead to interruptions due to power outages, internet instability, or system updates.
A VPS, on the other hand, will ensure continuous and smooth operation.
How do I register an account? I don’t see the “Register” button on the website.
You do not need to register an account. You can directly purchase a license key from our homepage.
Else, if you want to use the free version, you can simply download the copier and use it rightaway without inputting any license key.
How to use and configure the copier?
Once you have finished with the installation steps, you can use the Connector app to add your accounts. Just click on the “Add Account” button and choose the platform from the list.
How do I configure the Heron Copier Connector after installation?
Once you have the Connector app installed. Please open the app by going to your Start menu and search for the Heron Copier Connector app. There’s an installer feature that you can use on the Connector app so you can install the copier EAs easily. You can also view your connected accounts straight from the Connector app.
System Requirements
Does the copier run on Linux/Mac OS?
No, the copier only supports Windows OS starting from Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016.
What is the minimum Windows version?
Please use Windows Server 2016 or newer. The copier is not compatible with Windows Server 2012 or older.
What would be the recommended VPS specifications?
RAM: 4GB at minimum. CPU: VPS with dedicated cores (4 vCPUs or higher). Windows Server 2016 or higher.
Are there any additional software requirements for Heron Copier?
No, just make sure to install 2 VC++ runtimes (for both x64 and x86 versions) as stated in the prerequisites documentation.
Can I trade using my mobile phone?
As long as the copiers are setup on your VPS and they are still running, then yes, you can trade from your phone. Any trades you made on your phone will be copied by the copier. You don’t even have to login to your VPS from your mobile phone, you can simply use the normal mobile apps for each platforms on your mobile phone.
Licensing & Billing
Do you provide free demo?
The EA will run even without any license key. Keep in mind that the free version only opens the position for “EURUSD” and “BTCUSD” and not for the other pairs.
The free version is only intended for trial and I strongly advise not to use it on live/prop accounts!
Where can I find license key for free version?
No license key is needed to run the copier in free version mode. You can simply run the copier and leave the “License Key” field blank. Do note that the free version only copies trades made on EURUSD and BTCUSD pairs.
Where do i find my license key?
Please check your email that you used to subscribe to our service. The license key should be sent during the first date of your subscription.
Does free version gives me an access to the dashboard?
No, the free version doesn’t come with an access to the dashboard. To access the dashboard, you will need a valid license key.
Do I have to change my license key every month?
No, you don’t have to. As long as your subscription is active, your license key validity will always be renewed in our backend.
How can I manage or cancel my subscriptions?
You can manage/cancel your subscription in the billing section
Can I request a refund?
Eventhough that we don’t actually offer refund as per our Refund Policy, please email us at contact@heroncopier.com. We can still review your case and we’d gladly give you a refund depending on your case.
If I upgrade my subscription, will I get a new license key?
No, the license key will remain the same. We will simply extend the expiration date of the current license key.
If I upgrade my subscription, will I have to pay full price?
No, you will not have to pay the full price. The prorated amount will be charged based on the remaining days of the current subscription.
Is it allowed to share my license key with others?
No, it’s not allowed.
While you can use the copier on an unlimited number of accounts, the license key is only valid for a single user.
We do track the usage of the license key and if we find that it’s being used by multiple users, we will have to revoke the license key. Please check our terms of service for more information.
Configuration & Advanced Setup
How do I set up multiple master accounts with different slave accounts?
By default, the master EA is set to port 51124, if you wish to have more than 1 master account, please assign different ports for each of the master accounts.
Make sure each slave account belonging to each master account uses its specific port.
Please refer to the Use Cases page for more information on how to set up multiple master and slave accounts.
Is it possible to setup the copier to allow copying of master and slave accounts that are located in different VPS?
Yes, it’s possible.
Just make sure to use the IP address of the master account on both master and slave accounts. Make sure the firewall is configured to allow the port to be accessed as well.
As long as the TCP port is not blocked, the master and slave account will be able to communicate to each other.
For more information, please check the Cross-VPS Setup page.
How do I map different symbol names between the master and slave accounts? (e.g. DJ30 in master account and US30 in slave account)?
In your slave EA, use aliases with the following format: DJ30=US30;SpotCrude=WTI;BTCUSDT=BTCUSD;
You can setup as many aliases as you want as long as they are separated by semicolon.
Is it possible to have a custom lot multiplier for specific symbols? I don’t want to use a universal lot multiplier
Yes, it’s possible. You can use aliases field. Please check the “Symbol Aliases” field in this slave configuration page
Trading & Platform Usage
Can I use the copier on a prop firm account?
Yes, you can. We even have a feature to protect your account when certain balance/equity has been reached! Ideally, you can set the minimum threshold to just above the max daily DD, and set the max threshold to target profit. Heron Copier is developed to be prop firm friendly. Be sure to check the prop firm rules though, some of them might have a restriction on using trade copier.
Will prop firms know that I use your EA?
While the copier does not send any information at all, the trades that are made using EA/bots can be flagged on the server-side. Please always ask your prop firms or brokers if they would allow EA/bots usage first before using Heron Copier.
Do you have a feature to mask copied trades as manually placed?
Yes, the copier has a feature to mask copied trades as manually placed trades. This is useful for prop firms that require manual trading only. Please use the Non-API Mode to enable this feature. Do note that this feature is only available for MatchTrader and DXtrade slave accounts.
Do you have list of prop firms that block the API access to the copier?
Here’s the updated list of prop firms that are known to block their API access:
- FTMO (they only block the access for their DXtrade accounts)
- MFFX (DXtrade and MatchTrader aren’t working)
- Maven
- Alpha Capital Group
- FundingPips (all platforms except TradeLocker)
The copier (and other copiers out there too) would not work with the above prop firms.
Do I need to attach the EA to each symbols?
No, you only need to attach the EA to one chart per platform.
Heron Copier is designed to replicate trades you make in all pairs, not just the one to which the EA is attached. For example, your trades on USDJPY will be copied even if you’ve only attached the EA to the EURUSD chart.
Please note that attaching the EA to multiple charts can result in trades being duplicated. This is because each instance of the EA will independently copy all trades, leading to multiple copies of the same trade.
To avoid this, ensure that the EA is only attached to a single chart.
Does the copier copy pending orders, for example, limit and stop orders?
All pending orders (including limit and stop orders) are not copied immediately, instead, they will be copied on the slave account as soon as the pending orders are triggered on the master account.
This is intentional to avoid the typical “orphaned” position problem that occurs when the pending order is triggered on the slave account(s) but not on the master account.
So this does not mean that the copier does not copy pending orders, it’s just that they will be copied only when they are triggered on the master account.
Can this copier work if I’m running other EA’s?
Yes, just make sure to attach each EA in a different chart. There should not be more than 1 EA attached to a same chart.
Is there reverse mode or reverse trading option in all copier EAs/apps?
Yes, the “Reverse Trade” option is available for all platforms.
Volume Sizing & Risk Management
What is the difference between Equity-to-Equity and Risk Multiplier volume sizing options?
There is almost no difference except that in “Equity-to-Equity” volume sizing option, it uses 1-to-1 risk multiplier. While in “Risk Multiplier” volume sizing option, you can actually define the risk multiplier.
For example: In “Equity-to-Equity” volume sizing option, if the master account has USD 10,000 equity and the slave account has USD 5,000 equity, and the master opens a 1 lot trade, the slave account will open a 0.5 lot trade (since USD 5,000 is half of USD 10,000). In “Risk Multiplier” volume sizing option using let’s say a value of “2”, the same setup would copy 1 lot trade in slave account instead since it means that the slave account would use 2x risk than your master account.
The “Risk Multiplier” volmue sizing option is useful when you want to set different risk per trade in the slave account.
Is there a “Minimum Lot Size” or “Maximum Lot Size” settings?
No, there is no such option. You are responsible to manage the minimum or maximum lot size of the original positions and copied positions in both the master and the slave copier.
My master account has .pro suffix but my slave account has .x suffix, how do I solve this?
There are 2 possible solutions:
- You can either remove the suffixes entirely from your master account using “Remove Symbol Suffix” option on your master EA by filling it with a value of “.pro”, then use “Add Symbol Suffix” option on your slave EA with a value of “.x”
- Use “Symbol Aliases” field instead.
Both solutions work, but depending on the symbol namings used by your broker, one solution may be preferrable than the other one.
Partial close not working on slave account.
Partial close is not supported for MT4, MatchTrader, and DXtrade slave account. It is a known limitation. It does work for TradeLocker, MT5, and cTrader though.
Dashboard & Monitoring
What kind of features do you offer in the dashboard?
You can check running positions, trade history, pause the copier, and even flatten all positions. All the features mentioned above means that you can manage your trades straight from the dashboard without having to login to your VPS.
My account is not showing up in the dashboard or in connector app
Please make sure that your master account is running and the slave account is connected to the master account. Do not forget to fill the “License Key” field in the master EA/app with proper license key.
As long as the master account is running using a proper license key and the slave account is connected to the master account, then the accounts should appear in the dashboard or in the Connector app.
How can I set unique identifier?
“Identifier” is a field in the copier settings. For MT4/MT5/cTrader, you can change the “Identifier” field by opening the terminal and change the EA settings. For Tradelocker/DXtrade/MatchTrader, you can change “Identifier” field by opening the copier app. Make sure that each of your master and slave accounts have unique name/identifier. Else, they won’t appear in the dashboard.
The copier app says that Heron Copier is connected, but the slave account says “fetching data” on the dashboard.
Simply refresh the dashboard. If you are on the browser, you can refresh the page. Else, if you are on the Connector app, please click “View” -> “Reload” menu.
What does “fetching data” status mean? Does it mean that the copier is not working?
This is intentional to save the server’s network egress cost. This doesn’t interfere with copying operations though. It just simply means that the dashboard data is only updated when you are actually seeing or actively using the dashboard. Else, we’d have to pay a lot of network egress fees from people who leave the dashboard running in the background in their VPS for months when they’re not even using the dashboard.
The dashboard keeps showing “Listening for connections” status.
This means that no connection is established yet. Please make sure that the master and slave copiers are running and the license key is valid.
My dashboard is showing accounts from another VPS
Yes, that’s normal. The dashboard and the Connector app will display all your connected accounts regardless where they are located.
How do I remove accounts from the dashboard?
Simply stop the copier EAs/apps for those accounts, then reload the dashboard or Connector app by clicking the refresh page or “View” -> “Reload” menu.
Configuration & Settings
Where am I supposed to change the copier settings? Is it via Connector app?
No, the copier settings can not be configured via the Dashboard or Connector app. You should open the copier EA/app for each platform to change the individual copier’s settings.
Where do I find Heron Copier settings?
For MT4/MT5/cTrader, you can find the settings in the EA/cBot. For TradeLocker/MatchTrader/DXtrade, you can open the copier app and all the settings should be visible there as well.
How can I find the master account’s server address?
Please check your master account that you have configured. The exact same server address should be used in the slave account settings as well. It should look like this: tcp://127.0.0.1:51124.
Please refer to the use cases documentation
Everytime I restart my computer, do I need to reenter all the details of the EA settings for TradeLocker/MatchTrader/DXtrade copiers? (credentials, server address, etc)
No, you don’t have to. You can easily save the profile by clicking “File” -> “Save Profile” menu. The next time you need to run the copier again, you can load the profile under “File” -> “Load Profile” menu.
How do I start MatchTrader/DXtrade/TradeLocker copier automatically?
Such feature does not exist. While you can load the saved profile, the copier has to be started manually.
Does the copier support modification of magic number? Or maybe to hide it as well?
No, it’s not supported. The magic number is used to track the original position ID by the slave account. Masking or hiding it would mean that the copied position will be orphaned and thus can’t be managed/closed.
Can I customize the comment field?
No, the comment field in the position data can’t be customized.
Is it normal that the build number between master and slave is different?
Yes, it is normal. The build number is the date and time when the copier was built. The master and slave copiers can be built at different times. This allows us to track the last working version of the copier for each platform and to ship bug fixes faster. Imagine if we have to update every single version of the copier for each platform, it would be a nightmare for us to maintain the copier. So, if there was no issue, we will not update the build number. Please refer to the this page for the latest version of each platform.
Why does the TradeLocker, MatchTrader, and DXtrade copier has less features than the other copiers for MT4/MT5/cTrader?
Due to the API limitations, some copier options such as “Equity-to-Equity” volume sizing option, “Risk Multiplier” volume sizing option, and additional TP/SL in pips are missing. Unfortunately, the API is something that is not in our control.
Security & Privacy
Why would you require the WebRequest permission to https://heroncopier.com/ ? I don’t feel secure.
It’s only used to check the license validity. I don’t need to know how you trade at all. The EA does not collect any personal data.
Support
I have some other questions, how can I ask for support?
Send your questions to contact@heroncopier.com, or just write them in the contact form. Please make sure to at least include the error logs on Experts/Automate tab and Journal tab as well.
I need to have a live chat with an agent/human
Please send an email to contact@heroncopier.com, we will respond to your queries as soon as possible.
Is there a user manual or documentation available for Heron Copier?
Yes, please have a look at our documentation
Updates & Maintenance
How do I download the update?
You can download the update from the installation page
Where are the changelogs?
You can view the changelogs from the changelog page
How do I update the copier?
You can update the copier by downloading the latest version from the installation page
How can I download an update?
Please download it from the installation page Then run the .exe installer file.
Should I upgrade to the latest version of the copier?
Generally, yes, you should. However, like any softwares out there, please review the changelog first before upgrading. If your setup is not affected by the changes, then you it’s up to you to decide when to upgrade. I would recommend to only upgrade when you don’t have any open positions.