You have read different materials, watched tutorial videos, and pursued a training course in forex trading. It is now time you get practical.
But don’t risk your life’s savings by opening a real money trading account yet. You need first to test your grasp of the training that you just had and gain an even more profound – more practical – understanding of this market.
And there can be no better way to put your forex trading skills to test than by starting in the risk-free trading environment – the demo account. And to help you get started, we have come up with a list of what we consider the ten most valuable demo accounts.
On this Page:
Best Forex Demo Account
Here’s a list of the best forex demo account and the top alternatives available right now.
- eToro
- Plus500
- FXCM
- IG
- AvaTrade
- FBS
- EasyMarkets
- ETX Capital
What is a Forex Demo Account?
A demo account refers to a free practice trading account. It is given by a forex broker to a prospective trader/investor and can be used for practice trading or testing out new strategies. It is also referred to as a paper money account because it is funded with fake/virtual money. The fake money allows them to understand the broker’s trading platform and try out different trade strategies without risking real cash.
The demo account has all the features of a real trading account. These include access to market data, analysis tools/indicators, and even access to the customer support team. The only significant difference between the live account and a demo account is that a demo account doesn’t have access to live market data but relies on simulated data.
Who Needs a Forex Demo Account?
i) Beginners looking for a risk-free trading environment to test their understanding of the forex market
ii) Traders seeking to understand a new broker’s features, services, and proprietary trading platform
iii) Traders looking to test and understand a new platform; such as MT4, cTrader, or other proprietary platforms
iv) Traders looking to experiment or perfect a new strategy
Pros and Cons of Trading on a Demo Account
Pros Cons eToro joins the long list of brokerage firms that don’t limit the amount of time you can spend practicing on their demo account as you prepare to start trading. The platform supports a free forex demo account everywhere outside the US, while for US customers you can get a free crypto trading account to hone your skill with. The only noticeable difference between the real and demo eToro trading accounts is the type of cash used to trade. With eToro, you only need to register with the broker once, as the online securities broker maintains a unified registration form for both real and practice accounts. This means that you don’t need separate login details to access the demo and real trader account. Plus any Etoro member can use the practice account. Beginners use it to learn about the broker platform (tools and features) and set up the strategies they will use to trade while experienced traders use the demo account alongside the real account to boost the effectiveness of their trading strategies. The practice account operates as a training ground where you learn everything about trading with eToro, from the tools used, their trade costs, and how to use the copy trading tool effectively. Master how these tools can be deployed to boost the profitability of your trades and then apply them in a live account. Two primary factors help Plus 500 stand out from the rest of the competition when it comes to forex demo accounts. First, it is a free unlimited demo account – implying that there is no time limit to the use of the account. And that you can easily have your virtual currencies redeemed as soon as you exhaust the previous allocation. Secondly, Plus 500 is a pure-CFD broker. You can open the demo account on their proprietary trading platform. Here, you get access to a wide range of tools and indicators for analysis and trading as well as a host of risk management tools that include the guaranteed stop order. Note: Trading CFDs on Plus500 is only suitable for experienced traders. FXCM makes it to our list of best demo forex accounts because of its dedication to forex training and education. This complements their already comprehensive demo trading account. And also makes the broker appealing to both novices and established traders. It also is available in multiple trading platforms that include the MT4, ZuluTrade, NinjaTrader, and Quant. You can connect either of these to your desktop or mobile app, and get $50,000 in virtual funds upon opening the free demo account. The demo account exposes you to over 39 currency pairs with leverages of 1:400.
IG Markets have two types of Demo accounts, the Core demo account hosted on their proprietary web-trading platform and the MT4 demo account hosted on the all-popular MetaTrader platform. The two have several features in common including access to $20,000 in virtual funds. They also host a wide range of premium trading and analysis tools, grant you access to the online broker’s customer support team, and real-time market data. They, however, have varied execution speeds, spreads, and access to trading/market analysis tools. The MT4 demo account is popular for its fast order execution speeds and minimal slippages while the web trader demo account posts tighter spreads. Plus when using the web trader platform, you get access to premium risk management tools like stop orders, currency alerts, autochartist tools, and ability to integrate the Reuters forex news updates.
Registering for a Demo account with AvaTrade is easy as you can opt to fill in your account details or simply link it with your Google or Facebook Profile. After registration, the online forex and CFDs brokerage presents you with the option to host your free demo account on either the conventional MT4 and MT5 trading platforms or their proprietary AvaOptions web trading platform. The AvaTrade Standard demo account is funded with $100,000 virtual cash. Additionally, it is only valid for 3 weeks and so any unused virtual funds in your demo account will expire after 21 days. Unlike most other forex brokerages, however, AvaTrade will always extend this time period if you contact their customer support asking for an extension. Alternatively, you can simply create another demo account since the broker maintains no limit to the number of demo accounts associated with one email. When practice-trading with the AvaTrade demo account, you have access to near-real-time market data, 24/7 customer support, forex trading education, and training guides. You also get to interact with several premium trading and market analysis tools. International clients have access to trading leverages of up to 1:400 while EU residents trade within the 1:30 ESMA/FCA restrictions.
You only need your name and a valid email to create a demo trading account with FBS that’s hosted on the MT4 trading platform. The demo account expires in 90 days for FBS European clients and 45 days for international traders. The upside to this is that there are no limits to the number of demo accounts that you can link to one email. You, therefore, are free to create a new demo account as soon as one expires. FBS clients practice-trading on an FBS demo account have access to numerous forex trading pairs, premium trading and market analysis tools, technical indicators, and near-real-time market data. The only difference between FBS demo and live trading accounts is the fact that a demo account doesn’t take into account real spreads, trade commissions, and slippages. Easy Markets operate what we consider the most beginner-friendly forex demo accounts. They will furnish you with the most comprehensive educational and training resources. An exceptionally supportive customer support team further complements this. And they can be reached via live chat tool on the EasyMarkets website, phone, and social media – including WhatsApp. The broker’s demo account also tries to mirror the activities of the real market environment as perfectly as possible. Some of the most exciting features about the Easy Markets Demo account include 100% fixed spreads and 0% commission. The broker further promises 0% slippage and a highly effective risk management option with a guaranteed stop-loss feature. Plus, you are free to cancel losing trades on their proprietary Easy markets platform using the ‘deal cancellation’ feature. Here, you have access to $10,000 virtual currency.
Registering for a demo Forex trading account with ETX Capital is easy and straightforward as you only need a name, phone number, and a valid email address. The demo can be hosted on either the online brokerage’s proprietary TraderPro platform or the all-popular MT4 platform. Ans both are available in the WebTrader, Desktop, Mobile app versions. After account verification, the broker will fund your account with €10,000 in virtual funds that you can use to open different CFD trades, including 58+ currency pairs. You also get access to a host of premium trading tools, technical indicators, and customizable charts. There is no limit to the number of demo accounts you can open with one email address. You, therefore, are free to open another as soon you deplete the virtual funds. Thinkorswim – the proprietary trading platform for TD Ameritrade – is by far one of the most comprehensive platforms we have come across. Here, you have access to over 300 analytical tools. These are then complemented by an equally rich resource of training and forex trading educational materials. And you get unlimited access to these tools and resources in a demo account that you can interact with for 60 days. Most importantly, the data on the demo trading environment is as close to the real market data as it can get – with a mere 20 min delay. Plus you are treated to one of the most extensive virtual currency stocks in the industry of up to $100,000. The broker is NFA and CFTC regulated and thus welcoming to the United States forex traders. As the rest of the world and leading forex brokerages abandoned their proprietary trading tools and adopted the MT4 trader, CMC stuck with its Next Generation trading platform. The broker has over the years nurtured and strived to make it one of the most innovative proprietary trading platforms. Some of its key features include highly customizable layouts and trading tools, multiple charting options, full automation, and availability in desktop and mobile app trading versions. The broker doesn’t impose a limit on the volume of virtual currency or the amount of time you can spend on the practice account. It is also worth noting that they only added MT4 as an alternative trading platform for their clients in 2018. Go Markets uses MT4 trading platform to host its real and demo trading accounts. This makes it possible to avail the live market trading data easily to demo traders. It makes it on this list of best demo accounts because of its adoption of the most advanced trading technologies. And this is best reflected in its ultra-fast trade execution speeds. This stretches further to feature price improvement technology that is available in both the demo and real trading accounts. Here, you can practice trading over 50 currency pairs with adjustable leverages of up to 500:1. The demo account will have $10,000 in virtual cash that you can play with for a maximum of 30 days. You can open a free account with ThinkMarkets on the MT4, MT5 and ThinkTrader platforms. On either platform, you can trade over 35 of the most popular currency pairs with leverages of up to 500:1. Nevertheless, what we like most about ThinkMarkets demo accounts is the fact that they present you with some of the most advanced trading and analytical tools. These include Autochartist, Trading Central, Forex VPS, and the economic calendar. Additionally, demo account traders can backtest the effectiveness of both existing and new trading strategies. You need a demo account to gain a deeper understanding of your preferred broker, their trading platform, their operations, key trading tools, and indicators. One of the most important things that you get to learn from interacting with a demo account is the number of trading pairs available. It will also help you get to know the number of trading and analysis tools fronted by the brokers and how to use them. Even more importantly, you will learn how to test the efficiency of the different trading strategies or even come up with some of your own. And on this list, we have included different demo accounts that speak to your different trading needs. Whether you are looking for a broker with more currency pairs or one with sophisticated trading tools, we have you covered. Follow the link if you were looking for UK Forex Broker Demo Accounts.
A forex demo account is a non-real trading account provided by a forex broker to a prospective trader. It is aimed at helping the trader gain a deeper understanding of the real trading market. And this happens in a risk-free environment where they don't have to risk their actual cash.
It starts with opening a free demo account with your preferred broker who gives you free trading cash. They also present you with a platform – either the universal MT4 or proprietary trading area – where you enter into trades as if you were trading live. You will also get to win trades and lose others depending on the correctness of your analysis and the prevailing market conditions.
Different brokers have different rules when it comes to opening a forex demo account. Some will need you to open a real account alongside the demo. While others demand that the demo be opened and run a separate entity. The bottom line, however, is that a demo account should be free.
This depends on your preferred broker’s policy. Looking at our list of best demo brokers, however, you realize most – like Go Markets – give you 30-day trial free trial period while others – like PLUS 500 - allow for the unlimited use of the account and its virtual currencies.
There are several distinct differences between a demo and a real forex account. The two most significant however involve the type of currency and the trading data. A demo account uses virtual ‘fake’ currency to enter into trades that use recorded trade data. This implies that trading in a demo environment carries no risk. A real trading account, on the other hand, draws its name from the fact that it uses both real cash and live forex market data to enter and into trades.
Yes, it is the unwritten rule of the thumb that every reputable brokerage firm gives its clients an opportunity to trade in a risk-free environment. Otherwise, how would you test the broker’s efficiency or learn about their trading features. There is however no standard time or volume of trades that the broker should give their demo traders. It is at the broker's discretion to determine whether to provide 30-day, 60-day or unlimited demo accounts.
Criteria used to Rank the Best Demo Accounts
10 Best Forex Demo Accounts in 2020
1. eToro – Best for social and copy trading
3. PLUS 500 – Unlimited demo account trading time
4. FXCM – Best for in-depth education and market research and multiple trading platforms
5. IG Markets – Best for multiplatform demo accounts
8. AvaTrade – Best for large virtual funds deposits ($100,000)
9. FBS – Best for the number of supported trading tools and technical indicators
10. EasyMarkets – Best for beginners
11. ETX Capital – Trade with one of most versatile trading platform
Additional Forex Brokers with Demo Accounts
1. ThinkorSwim – Best for the widest range of analytical and trading tools
2. CMC Markets – Best for the most versatile trading platform
3. Go Markets – Best for ultra-fast trade executions
4. ThinkMarkets – Best for advanced technical analysis tools and indicators
The Verdict
FAQs
What is a forex demo account?
How does a demo forex account work?
How can I open a forex demo account?
For how long can I trade on a forex demo account?
What is the difference between a demo and a real money forex account?
Do all forex brokerage firms offer demo account services?
Forex Broker Reviews – A-Z Directory