Signal-copier pricing is all over the place, and the sticker price often hides the real cost (looking at you, VPS fees). Here's how it actually breaks down in 2026.
The two pricing models
1. EA (run on your own MetaTrader)
You install an Expert Advisor on your MT4/MT5. Cheapest software cost, but you need somewhere to run it.
- Software: roughly $15–$40/mo, or a one-time lifetime fee.
- Hidden cost: a VPS (~$10–$40/mo) if you don't want to leave a PC on 24/7.
2. Cloud (we run it for you)
No PC, no VPS — execution happens on managed infrastructure.
- Software: roughly $23–$99/mo, plus any separately billed execution provider. There is no VPS to maintain.
TradeJournal Pro pricing (for reference)
| Plan | Price | Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Free journal | $0 forever | 0 (journal only) |
| Starter (EA) | from $12/mo billed annually | 1 |
| Starter (Desktop) | from $20/mo billed annually | 1 |
| Starter (Cloud) | from $23/mo billed annually | 1 |
| Pro | higher tier | 3 |
| Lifetime (EA or Desktop) | one-time | 3 |
The journal and analytics are free forever; you only pay for the copier.
The real cost comparison
- EA + VPS: $12 annual equivalent + ~$20 VPS = ~$32/mo all-in, plus you maintain the server.
- Cloud: from $23/mo annual equivalent, plus your selected provider's current fee, with no VPS maintenance.
So cloud isn't as expensive as it looks once you add the VPS and your time.
How to avoid overpaying
- Don't pay for a copier and a VPS if a cloud plan is cheaper all-in for you.
- Start on a free trial — never pay before you've tested parsing and execution.
- Skip "lifetime VIP signals" upsells; pay for the tool, choose channels yourself.
Bottom line
Budget for the all-in cost (software + VPS if applicable), not the headline price. For hands-off traders, cloud usually wins; for tinkerers with a VPS, the EA line is cheapest.
See full pricing · start free.
Not financial advice. Trading carries risk.