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
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    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
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    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)
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    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
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    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)
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    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)
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    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)

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Day Trading Demo are and what features they offer to protect traders.

Safety Comparison
Broker Trust Rating FCA Regulated Negative Balance Protection Guaranteed Stop Loss Segregated Accounts
XTB 4.6
FXCC 3.3
CMC Markets 4.8
Vantage FX 4.6
IC Markets 4.6
Pepperstone 4.6
FXPro 4.4

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the Day Trading Demo support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).

Payments Comparison
Broker GBP Account Debit Card Credit Card Neteller Skrill Apple Pay
XTB
FXCC
CMC Markets
Vantage FX
IC Markets
Pepperstone
FXPro

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the Day Trading Demo at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.

Mobile Trading Comparison
Broker Mobile Apps iOS Rating Android Rating Smart Watch App
XTB iOS & Android 4.7 4.1
FXCC iOS & Android 4.8 4.4
CMC Markets iOS & Android 4.1 3.7
Vantage FX iOS & Android 3.6 3.9
IC Markets iOS & Android 3.1 4.2
Pepperstone iOS & Android 4.4 4.1
FXPro iOS & Android 4.7 4.3

Beginners Comparison

Are the Day Trading Demo good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?

Beginners Comparison
Broker Demo Account Minimum Deposit Minimum Trade Support Rating Education Rating
XTB $0 0.01 Lots 4.3 3.8
FXCC $0 0.01 Lots 4.3 2.5
CMC Markets $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 4.3
Vantage FX $50 0.01 Lots 4.4 4
IC Markets $200 0.01 Lots 4.5 3.5
Pepperstone $0 0.01 Lots 4.6 4
FXPro $100 0.01 Lots 4 4

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the Day Trading Demo offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?

Advanced Trading Comparison
Broker Automated Trading Pro Account Leverage VPS AI Low Latency Extended Hours
XTB Open API 1:30
FXCC Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:500
CMC Markets Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
Vantage FX Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30
IC Markets Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
Pepperstone Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
FXPro Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Day Trading Demo.

Detailed Rating Comparison
Broker Trust Platforms Mobile Assets Fees Accounts Support Research Education
XTB 4.6 4 4.4 4 4.3 4 4.3 4.1 3.8
FXCC 3.3 3.3 4.6 3 4 3.5 4.3 2 2.5
CMC Markets 4.8 4.3 3.9 4.6 4.3 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.3
Vantage FX 4.6 4.3 3.8 4.5 4.4 4.5 4.4 4 4
IC Markets 4.6 4 3.7 3.5 4.6 4 4.5 4 3.5
Pepperstone 4.6 4.4 4.3 3.8 4.5 4 4.6 4.3 4
FXPro 4.4 4.3 4.5 4 4 3.8 4 4 4

Our Take On XTB

"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."

Pros

  • XTB has raised its interest rate on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs for UK clients, offering access to 3,000 stocks and 700 ETFs for diverse investment opportunities.
  • XTB offers a diverse range of over 7,000 instruments, including CFDs on shares, indices, ETFs, commodities, forex, and cryptocurrencies. The platform also provides real shares, real ETFs, share dealing, and the latest addition, Investment Plans, serving both traders seeking short-term gains and investors focused on long-term growth.
  • The xStation platform stands out with its user-friendly design and intuitive tools, such as adaptable news feeds, sentiment heatmaps, and a trader calculator. These features streamline the learning process for new traders.

Cons

  • XTB has stopped supporting MT4, restricting traders to its own platform, xStation. This decision may discourage experienced traders accustomed to using the MetaTrader suite.
  • The research tools at XTB are commendable but have the potential to excel further. Enhancing them with access to top-tier third-party services like Autochartist, Trading Central, and TipRanks would significantly elevate their offering.
  • XTB lacks a raw spread account, a feature increasingly offered by competitors such as Pepperstone. This omission might not satisfy traders seeking the most competitive spreads.

Our Take On FXCC

"FXCC remains a top choice for forex traders, offering over 70 currency pairs, very tight spreads from 0.0 pips in tests, and high leverage up to 1:500 with the ECN XL account."

Pros

  • There are no limitations on short-term trading techniques such as trading and scalping.
  • FXCC has introduced MT5, which in our evaluations, mirrored the trading conditions of MT4 by offering swift execution, improved charting, and market depth tools.
  • There are no deposit fees other than standard cryptocurrency mining charges, which benefits active traders.

Cons

  • The range of research tools, such as Trading Central and Autochartist, is quite limited. Leading platforms in this category, like IG, offer more advanced features.
  • While the MetaTrader suite excels in technical analysis, its outdated design detracts from the overall trading experience, particularly when contrasted with contemporary platforms such as TradingView.
  • The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.

Our Take On CMC Markets

"Equipped with advanced charts and a broad array of tradable CFDs, including an unmatched selection of currencies and bespoke indices, CMC Markets offers an excellent online platform for traders at any level."

Pros

  • We've upgraded the 'Assets & Markets' rating due to frequent product enhancements in early 2025. These include extended trading hours for US stocks and the introduction of new share CFDs.
  • CMC Markets is well-regulated by respected financial authorities, ensuring a secure and reliable trading environment. It upholds a strong reputation, providing traders with confidence.
  • The brokerage excels with an extensive array of valuable resources, such as pattern recognition scanners, webinars, tutorials, news feeds, and research from reputable sources like Morningstar.

Cons

  • Trading stock CFDs comes with a relatively high commission, particularly when compared to low-cost brokers such as IC Markets.
  • Although there have been improvements, the online platform still needs further refinement to match the user-friendly trading experience offered by competitors such as IG.
  • CMC provides a robust range of assets; however, it does not support trading actual stocks, and UK clients are unable to trade cryptocurrencies.

Our Take On Vantage FX

"Vantage is an ideal choice for CFD traders looking for a well-regulated broker with access to the dependable MetaTrader platforms. With a swift sign-up process and a minimum deposit of $50, starting trading is simple and fast."

Pros

  • The broker recently expanded its range of CFDs, offering more trading opportunities.
  • ECN accounts offer competitive terms, featuring spreads starting at 0.0 pips and a commission of $1.50 per trade side.
  • With a minimal deposit requirement of just $50 and no funding fees, this broker stands out as an excellent option for novice traders.

Cons

  • It's unfortunate that some clients must register with the offshore firm, which provides reduced regulatory safeguards.
  • Based on tests, average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower compared to other options.
  • Regrettably, cryptocurrencies are accessible solely to clients in Australia.

Our Take On IC Markets

"IC Markets provides excellent pricing, swift execution, and easy deposits. With cutting-edge charting tools like TradingView and the Raw Trader Plus account, it continues to be a preferred option for intermediate and advanced traders."

Pros

  • As a well-regulated and reputable broker, IC Markets focuses on client safety and transparency to provide a dependable global trading experience.
  • IC Markets provides reliable 24/5 support, especially for account and funding queries, drawing from direct experience.
  • Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.

Cons

  • Certain withdrawal methods incur fees, including a $20 charge for wire transfers. These costs can reduce profits, particularly with frequent withdrawals.
  • The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
  • Interest is not paid on idle cash, a feature gaining popularity with alternatives such as Interactive Brokers.

Our Take On Pepperstone

"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • Support for top-tier charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These tools accommodate different short-term trading methods, including algorithmic trading.
  • Over the years, Pepperstone has consistently garnered recognition from DayTrading.com’s annual awards. Recently, it was honoured as the 'Best Overall Broker' in 2025 and was the 'Best Forex Broker' runner-up the same year.
  • Pepperstone offers rapid execution speeds of approximately 30ms, enabling swift order processing and execution, making it ideal for traders.

Cons

  • Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
  • Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
  • Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.

Our Take On FXPro

"FxPro is an excellent choice for traders, offering swift execution speeds under 12ms, reduced fees since 2022, and outstanding charting platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and FxPro Edge."

Pros

  • FxPro's Wallet is a notable feature enabling traders to securely manage their funds. It ensures additional protection and ease by separating unused funds from active trading accounts.
  • FxPro provides four dependable charting platforms, including the user-friendly FxPro Edge. It features more than 50 indicators, 7 types of charts, and 15 different timeframes.
  • FxPro uses a 'No Dealing Desk' (NDD) model for swift and transparent order execution, usually within 12 milliseconds, making it well-suited for short-term trading strategies.

Cons

  • There are no passive investment options such as copy trading or interest on cash. While traders might not find these essential, competitors like eToro, which accommodate both active and passive investors, offer more extensive services.
  • FxPro, with its $10M funded demo account and expanding Knowledge Hub, mainly caters to experienced traders. Beginners might find its account and fee structure challenging to understand.
  • FxPro offers customer support five days a week around the clock, accessible via various platforms, and the service quality is reliable based on tests. However, the absence of weekend support can be a drawback for traders requiring help beyond standard market times.

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.

CMC Markets demo trading software

CMC Markets Demo Platform

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

How To Register For A Demo Day Trading Account - FXCC

FXCC Demo Registration

The best brokers with day trading demo accounts make it easy to register for a practice profile:

  1. Go to the broker’s website or investing app
  2. Click on the ‘Sign Up’ or similar button
  3. Enter your name, email, contact number, password and any other information requested
  4. Choose the platform you want to use, for example, MT4 or MT5
  5. Select the type of day trading demo account (if applicable), for example, CFD, forex, stock
  6. Complete any verification steps, such as email confirmation or one-time mobile passcode
  7. Download the desktop software or mobile app. Alternatively, open the web terminal
  8. 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.