In this study, we construct the one parameter optimal derivative-free iterative family to find the multiple roots of an algebraic nonlinear function. Many researchers developed the higher order iterative techniques by the use of the new function evaluation or the first-order or second-order derivative of functions to evaluate the multiple roots of a nonlinear equation. However, the evaluation of the derivative at each iteration is a cumbersome task. With this motivation, we design the second-order family without the utilization of the derivative of a function and without the evaluation of the new function. The proposed family is optimal as it satisfies the convergence order of Kung and Traub’s conjecture. Here, we use one parameter a for the construction of the scheme, and for $a=1$, the modified Traub method is its a special case. The order of convergence is analyzed by Taylor’s series expansion. Further, the efficiency of the suggested family is explored with some numerical tests. The obtained results are found to be more efficient than earlier schemes. Moreover, the basin of attraction of the proposed and earlier schemes is also analyzed.