Day Trading Demo
Day trading demo accounts act as a practice simulator for live trading. Full demo accounts are available without a deposit, meaning day traders can explore platform features and test intraday strategies without handing over any money. The top demo day trading software also comes with extra perks, from free trading competitions to app compatibility and no time limit.
This review ranks the best demo accounts for online day trading in 2025. Our expert team also explain how demo brokerage accounts work, including any limitations and tips on getting the most out of day trading simulator software.
Best Day Trading Demo Accounts UK
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Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
FXCC, a well-established brokerage since 2010, offers cost-effective online trading. Registered in Nevis and regulated by CySEC, it is distinguished by its ECN conditions and absence of a minimum deposit requirement. The account opening process is efficient, taking under five minutes.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CySEC MT4, MT5 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a reputable broker publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange. It holds authorisation from top-tier regulators such as the FCA, ASIC, and CIRO. The brokerage, which has received multiple awards, boasts a global membership exceeding one million traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA Web, MT4, TradingView Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Established in 2009, Vantage provides trading on more than 1,000 short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. Forex CFDs are available from 0.0 pips on the RAW account via TradingView, MT4, or MT5. Regulated by ASIC, Vantage ensures that client funds are kept in separate accounts. Traders looking to copy strategies will benefit from a wide array of social trading tools.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Spread betting FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
IC Markets is an internationally acclaimed forex and CFD broker, admired for its competitive pricing, diverse trading instruments, and superior technology. Established in 2007 and based in Australia, the firm is under the regulation of ASIC, CySEC, and FSA. It has successfully drawn over 180,000 clients from more than 200 nations.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $200 0.01 Lots 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global) -
Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Founded in 2006, FxPro has built a reputation as a reliable non-dealing desk (NDD) broker, providing trading access across more than 2,100 markets to over 2 million clients globally. It has received over 100 industry awards, reflecting its favourable conditions for active traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Spread Betting FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SCB, FSA FxPro Edge, MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, DupliTrade, Quantower Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $100 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro) -
Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) -
IC Trading belongs to the reputable IC Markets group. Designed for dedicated traders, it offers highly competitive spreads, dependable order execution, and sophisticated trading tools. However, it operates from Mauritius, an offshore financial centre, allowing high leverage but within a less regulated environment.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Cryptos, Futures FSC MT4, MT5, cTrader, AutoChartist, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $200 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
Eightcap, an acclaimed broker regulated by the FCA, offers exceptionally low trading costs. Recognised as the top-rated brand by TradingView's vast user base of 100 million, traders can directly access the platform. UK traders can open a live account with a minimum deposit of just £100.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB MT4, MT5, TradingView Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage £100 0.01 Lots 1:30
What Is A Day Trading Demo Account?
Day trading demo accounts are offered by online brokers and allow users to practise investing risk-free with virtual funds. They simulate live market conditions, normally giving traders access to a brokerage’s full suite of assets, such as stocks, forex, commodities, and cryptos.
Traders can download the broker’s desktop investing software or iOS and Android mobile app, login and start exploring the various day trading tools available. Demo accounts for online day trading are also useful for testing different strategies and trade setups.
Leading demo day trading software, such as XTB, come with a virtual bankroll of around £100,000. After this has expired, traders can usually request more funds.
The best demo accounts for online day trading are available for an unlimited time. With that said, some brokerages only provide access to paper trading profiles for a fixed period, usually around 30 days.
Importantly, profits and losses made in a day trading demo account are not real. However, users can upgrade to a live day trading account when they feel ready and start investing real money.
Demo Trading Vs Live Trading
Day trading demo accounts often provide access to the same platforms, trading apps and financial instruments. For this reason, they closely mirror the live day trading experience.
With that said, there are a couple of key differences:
- Slippage – Trading spreads, commissions and swaps are usually the same on both demo day trading accounts and live investing software. However, live trades are executed in the market via liquidity providers while demo day trades are not – they take place on the server side. As a result, simulator accounts do not experience the slippage that can take place on live profiles (the difference between the price you request and the actual price the trade is executed at).
- Psychology – Demo day trading accounts do not factor in the trading psychology that comes with investing actual money. You won’t feel the same level of risk and pressure when trading with fake money. As a result, profits generated in demo day trading accounts often do not translate when investors upgrade to real-money profiles.
Pros Of Day Trading Practise Simulators
- Trial a new day trading broker, platform or app
- Practise online day trading in a risk-free environment
- Develop intraday trading strategies without risking funds
- Some brokerages run demo trading competitions with cash prizes
- Explore new financial markets and portfolio diversification opportunities
Cons Of Day Trading Practise Simulators
- Any profits generated cannot be withdrawn
- Day trading demo accounts do not account for slippage
- Brokers sometimes limit demo account access to a finite period and bankroll
- Software for online day trading cannot emulate the pressure of investing with real money
- Some demo accounts offer more competitive spreads and fees than those available in live accounts
How To Compare Day Trading Demo Accounts
Time Limit
Some brokers, such as eToro, offer an unlimited day trading demo account where you can invest in forex, stocks, commodities and other markets with no need to reset the account.
However, other brokers impose an expiry time on the demo account, typically around four weeks. For example, the IG UK demo accounts expire after 30 days. Alternatively, if you sign up with CityIndex, your day trading demo account will expire after 120 days.
Tip: you can often extend the time limit or reset the demo profile by contacting the broker.
Platform & App
Day trading demo accounts are ideal for practising with a new platform you have not used before. This is relevant whether you are using proprietary platforms such as with CMC Markets or popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
Day traders can test technical indicators, drawing tools, instant and pending order types, plus risk management parameters. Users can also customise graphs, charts and widgets so they are familiar with the interface and navigation when they start day trading with real money.
AvaTrade Demo Account
Virtual Funds
Typically, you can expect paper trading accounts with several thousands of simulated currency. For example, CMC Markets demo accounts have £10,000, Pepperstone accounts have £50,000, and eToro accounts have £80,000.
Often, brokers will permit clients to either reset their funds or create another demo day trading account when funding drops below a certain threshold. For instance, Plus500 automatically resets demo accounts once the virtual funds drop to less than £200. For this reason, the amount of virtual funds provided is not the most important factor when evaluating day trading demo accounts.
Assets & Instruments
If you already have an idea of what you want to day trade and how, for example, forex CFDs, then check the broker offers these instruments before signing up for a demo day trading profile. CFDs, spread betting and binary options are all popular among day traders in the UK.
If you do not yet know what you want to trade, opt for a well-rounded brokerage that offers demo day trading on a range of markets, from stocks and shares to metals, energies, and forex. XTB is a good pick here with more than 2000 assets available.
Restrictions
It is worth checking that the day trading strategies you want to use are permitted. For example, some firms do not allow scalping and arbitrage.
Equally, if you are planning to day trade with leverage, check the rules and availability around trading on margin. For example, most FCA-regulated brokers can only offer leverage up to 1:30 to retail traders in the UK.
Sign Up Requirements
To register for a day trading demo account, brokers require clients to complete a few steps. Usually, this involves providing a name, email address and password, however, some online brokers ask for more detailed information which can delay the sign-up process. For instance, Pepperstone requires clients to sign up for a live account before they can access the demo day trading mode.
Note, the brokers with the best demo day trading accounts do not ask for payment details until you register for a live account.
How To Sign Up For A Demo Account
FXCC Demo Registration
The best brokers with day trading demo accounts make it easy to register for a practice profile:
- Go to the broker’s website or investing app
- Click on the ‘Sign Up’ or similar button
- Enter your name, email, contact number, password and any other information requested
- Choose the platform you want to use, for example, MT4 or MT5
- Select the type of day trading demo account (if applicable), for example, CFD, forex, stock
- Complete any verification steps, such as email confirmation or one-time mobile passcode
- Download the desktop software or mobile app. Alternatively, open the web terminal
- Sign in with your demo credentials and start day trading
Note, the top demo day trading accounts allow you to get set up and started in less than five minutes.
How To Upgrade To A Live Account
To switch to a real-money day trading account, you may need to provide additional information such as documents showing proof of identification and address. You will also need to make a deposit, taking note of any minimum transfer requirements.
The process of switching to a live day trading account may also vary between brokers. At eToro, for example, you only need to click the ‘Switch to Real’ button on the homepage, deposit funds and start trading. At CMC Markets, you need to submit an online form to customer support to request a live account. At Pepperstone, day traders must complete an appropriateness test to determine if they can trade derivatives.
Bottom Line On Day Trading Demo Software
Day trading with a demo account is one of the best ways to build up experience while testing a prospective broker’s instruments, platforms and tools. The top-rated day trading simulator profiles offer mobile app compatibility, trading contests and no time limit.
To get started, use our ranking of the best demo day trading accounts in the UK.
FAQ
Where Can I Practice Day Trading?
You can practise day trading using an online demo account, also known as simulator software. Often free, a demo account comes with virtual funds so you can test out day trading strategies without making a deposit. Importantly, profits generated in the demo account cannot be withdrawn. There may also be a time limit and cap on the virtual bankroll, often around 30 days and £10,000, respectively.
Should I Open A Day Trading Demo Account?
Day trading simulators can be an effective way to trial a potential broker before investing real funds. Paper trading profiles can also be used to test the features of a new platform or app, such as technical indicators, risk management tools, and order types. For day traders new to a volatile market, such as crypto, demo accounts for day trading can also be a helpful way to try a new strategy before risking real money.
Which Is The Best Demo Day Trading Account?
The best demo day trading account will depend on your requirements. With that said, look for simulator accounts with a long expiry (30 days+), a large bankroll (£10,000+), and full access to the broker’s suite of instruments and trading tools, such as MT4 and MT5. Alternatively, choose from our list of the top day trading accounts for UK investors.
Do Day Trading Demo Accounts Expire?
Some brokers, such as FXPrimus, impose an expiration or time limit on demo day trading accounts, often around the one-month mark. Other platforms, including Forex.com and City Index, offer a longer demo period of three months and four months, respectively.
Note, the best demo brokerage accounts can also be reset when the expiry period is over.
What Can I Trade Using A Day Trading Demo Account?
A range of markets is usually available on day trading demo accounts, including forex, commodities such as gold, stocks, indices and ETFs. The selection of trading vehicles will also depend on the brokerage but often includes CFDs. Some UK firms also offer demo spread betting and binary options trading.
How Do I Open A Day Trading Demo Account?
To open a day trading demo account you will need to go to your chosen broker’s website and navigate to the demo account sign-up page. You will typically need to input some basic contact information, including your name, email address and chosen password. Then, download the desktop software or mobile app from the broker – you should see download links on the brand’s website for the Android and iOS applications.
Note, if you already have a live day trading account, no additional registration is required. Instead, just log into your account and request a paper trading profile.