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Open a demo trading account
Try our award-winning platform for free and develop your spread betting and CFD trading skills.
What is a demo trading account?
A demo account is a simulated market environment offered by a trading provider that aims to recreate the experience of ‘real’ trading as closely as possible. This is so that you can get a feel for how different products and financial markets work. The main difference is you won’t be at risk of losing any money, so you can explore and experiment with confidence.
When you open a demo account with us, you’ll get immediate access to a version of our online platform, along with a pre-set balance of £10,000 in virtual funds to practise with.
Discover the differences between a live account and a demo account, or find out more about our live trading account
Why use a trading simulator?
You can use a trading simulator, such as a demo account, to enable you to get to grips with a platform, build your strategy and grow in confidence, without having to risk any real money.
Trading simulators aren’t just for newcomers. As an experienced trader, you can use demo accounts to try out new strategies, tools or ideas, safe in the knowledge that your experiments won’t result in any real-world losses.
You’ll often see demo accounts described as ‘paper trading’, which is the term to describe simulated securities trading. With an IG demo trading account, you’ll gain access to over 15,000+ markets, including:
As well as a range of other markets including bonds, rates and options.
FAQs
What can you do on a demo trading account?
A demo account will enable you to see the financial markets available with IG, and get used to how they behave. You’ll be able to set alerts on markets you want to keep an eye on, so you can react instantly to any price volatility. The demo account will also help you get used to the IG platform, ensuring that you can read and analyse price charts, fill in the deal ticket and monitor open positions.
If you’re interested in using more advanced software, you can also get an MT4 demo account with us. This enables you to build your understanding of the MetaTrader4 online trading platform in a risk-free environment.
Can I practise trading stocks and forex for free?
Yes, you can practise stock trading and forex trading for free with an IG demo account. No need to create a separate forex demo account or stock demo account – you can trade both markets via a single login.
Can I practise CFD trading and spread betting?
With an IG demo account, you can practise CFD trading and spread betting risk-free. These two products both use leverage, which enables you to gain full market exposure for just a small initial deposit. While this can magnify your returns, it can also magnify your risk – so it’s important to get to grips with how they work before you start to trade on live markets.
What is the difference between a demo trading account, trading simulator and paper trading account?
There is no difference between a demo trading account, trading simulator or paper trading account. All of these terms are just synonyms for the same type of simulated trading platform.
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* Awarded ‘Best Multi Platform Provider’ and ‘Best Finance App’ at the ADVFN International Financial Awards 2024
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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Professional clients trading spread bets and CFDs can lose more than they deposit.
Options and futures are complex instruments which come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. They’re not suitable for most investors. Before you invest, you should consider whether you understand how options and futures work, the risks of trading these instruments and whether you can afford to lose more than your original investment.
Trading stocks and shares ‘on margin’ within a US options and futures account – meaning that you only finance part of the cost of acquiring a position in a security – carries additional risks over buying securities on a fully funded basis and may result in losses exceeding your original investment. Trading on margin will also result in additional costs to you as the investor and any securities purchased using margin may be held as collateral by the lender, restricting both your rights as shareholder, and your ability to use the securities until the margin trade is closed. You should familiarise yourself with these risks before trading on margin.
The value of shares, ETFs and other ETPs bought through a share dealing account, a US options and futures account, a stocks and shares ISA or a SIPP can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Some ETPs carry additional risks depending on how they’re structured, investors should ensure they familiarise themselves with the differences before investing.
Share dealing and IG Smart Portfolio accounts provided by IG Trading and Investments Ltd, CFD accounts and US options and futures accounts are provided by IG Markets Ltd, spread betting provided by IG Index Ltd.
IG is a trading name of IG Trading and Investments Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales under number 11628764), IG Markets Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales under number 04008957) and IG Index Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales under number 01190902). Registered address at Cannon Bridge House, 25 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2YA. IG Markets Ltd (Register number 195355), IG Trading and Investments Ltd (Register Number 944492) and IG Index Ltd (Register number 114059) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The information on this site isn’t directed at residents of the United States, Belgium or any particular country outside the UK and isn’t intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.