5 Demo Accounts and Stock Simulator You Should Try (Free and Unlimited)

Do you want to learn how to trade without risking your money? Demo accounts and stock simulators are your best allies. But here’s the important part: not all are the same. Some limit you to 30 days, others give you insufficient virtual money, and some simply do not reflect the reality of the real market.

In this analysis, we will break down the differences between a stock simulator and a demo account, why every trader should use them (even professionals), what psychological traps you should avoid, and finally, what are the 5 best options on the market in 2024.

Demo vs Simulator: Are They the Same?

No, and here lies a crucial detail that many overlook.

A stock simulator is typically offered by educational platforms. Its purpose is primarily educational. Classic examples include La Bolsa Virtual, Wall Street Survivor, or Investopedia Stock Simulator. They are controlled environments designed for you to understand how the market works without the pressure of the “real”. Execution speed may not be instant, and the variety of assets is usually limited.

A broker demo account, on the other hand, is directly linked to your trading platform. It is the same environment, the same tools, the same timing you would use with real money. If a broker offers CFDs, social trading, advanced risk tools, all of that will be available in their demo. The only difference is: the money is fictitious.

Which one to choose? It depends on your goal. If you just started, a stock simulator teaches you the basics. If you already have some knowledge and want to see how it’s really like to operate on a specific platform, the broker’s demo account is irreplaceable.

Why Should Every Trader Practice with Demo?

Here are the concrete reasons:

Risk-free training. There are no real losses. You can make mistakes, see what happened, and learn without blood.

Strategy testing. Do you have a new investment idea? Want to try a new asset like cryptocurrencies? The demo is your laboratory.

Familiarization with the platform. Each broker has its interface, tools, and logic. The best (like MiTrade) allow switching between real and demo accounts at any time. That means: practice, gain confidence, and when you feel ready, activate real capital.

Continuous training. Professional fund managers use simulators before important operations. If they do it, why not you?

Available Assets: What Can You Trade?

Basic stock simulators:

• Domestic and international stocks
• Indices (like the S&P 500)
• Forex (currency pairs)

More comprehensive broker demo accounts (:

• All of the above plus:
• Cryptocurrencies
• CFDs on multiple underlying assets
• ETFs
• Commodities
• On highly professional platforms: fixed income and structured products

If you’re looking for a stock simulator that allows you to experiment with a wide variety of instruments, a broker with free demo will always win.

Psychological Dangers: The Demo Trap

Here’s what no one tells you.

Unreal euphoria. You have $50,000 virtual. It’s not your money. It appeared out of nowhere. So, what do you do? Invest wildly, without restraint, ignoring risks. Result: massively “fictitious” gains that you will never replicate with your own capital.

The effect of available capital. Demos give you tens of thousands of dollars. But in real life, you might only invest $1,000. With 50 times less money, your psychology changes. Trades that seemed safe in demo now cause panic.

Execution speed. Some simulators have delays. This can make you believe in strategies that wouldn’t work in real-time.

Solution: Be disciplined. Treat the demo as if it were real money. Follow your risk rules. If in demo you would risk 2% per trade, also risk 2% in demo. Take notes. Document every move.

Top 5: Best Stock Simulators and Demo Accounts

) 1. MiTrade – The World-Class Unlimited Demo

Why it stands out: They offer a completely unlimited ###no expiration( demo account with $50,000 virtual. All based on CFDs, meaning: you can short, leverage, and experiment with complex strategies.

Platform: Available on web, iOS, and Android. Intuitive interface, integrated educational tools.

Key point: You can switch between demo and real account without closing or transferring anything. Practice 10 trades in demo, then activate real capital for trade 11. That’s exactly what you need.

Assets: Thousands of instruments in CFD, from stocks to cryptocurrencies.

) 2. Virtual Stock Exchange ###MarketWatch( – The Classic Stock Simulator

Why it stands out: It’s one of the oldest and most respected stock simulators. MarketWatch is a financial information portal where professional traders share strategies. Registering for free gives you access to their simulator.

Platform: Web access, integration with MarketWatch analysis tools.

Key point: It’s purely educational. It doesn’t have the sophistication of a broker, nor does it pretend to. If you’re starting and want to understand stocks and indices without distractions, it’s clean and straightforward.

Assets: Stocks, indices, some ETFs.

) 3. IG – The Stock Broker ###With a Serious Demo Account(

Why it stands out: IG is one of the oldest brokers in the world and is publicly traded. Its reputation is solid. They offer a demo account with access to thousands of CFDs on various assets.

Platform: MetaTrader integrated, professional interface, advanced analysis tools.

Key point: If you want a demo that is 100% reflective of real trading with money, IG provides it. Plus, they have extensive educational resources that you can combine with practice.

Assets: CFDs on stocks, indices, forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities.

) 4. HowTheMarketWorks.com – The Stock Simulator for Learning

Why it stands out: Launched years ago, it trains about 500,000 students annually. It’s the most education-oriented. Teachers and students use it to learn investing from scratch.

Platform: Web-based, designed to be easy to use even without prior experience.

Key point: They give you $100,000 virtual. It’s a teaching tool. Some premium features require subscription, but the basics are free. Ideal if you want to learn the fundamentals of stock simulation in an academic environment.

Assets: Mainly stocks.

5. eToro – The Stock Simulator with Social Trading

Why it stands out: eToro is the world leader in social trading. Its demo account is simple, accessible, and gives you access to its unique ecosystem where you can see what other investors are doing.

Platform: Clean interface, not overwhelming with charts, beginner-friendly. Available on web and mobile.

Key point: If your thing is learning by watching successful traders and copying their moves, eToro is your tool. The demo gives you access to all those panels.

Assets: Stocks, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, indices.

How to Use a Demo Correctly ###Step-by-Step(

Let’s take MiTrade as an example because its flow is straightforward.

Step 1: Access the broker’s website

Look for the “Open demo account” button )usually on the homepage(. MiTrade has it prominently.

Step 2: Create your user or browse as a guest

If you prefer quick entry without registration, choose “Browse as guest”. Later, you can upgrade to a registered user whenever you want. Both access the demo.

Step 3: Confirm you are in demo mode

Check the top right corner of your trading panel. It should say “Demo” or “Demo Account”. You will also see your fictitious balance )for example, $50,000(.

Step 4: Start trading

Choose an asset )stock, index, crypto, whatever you prefer(. Make your first trade. Experiment. The demo account is active on web and mobile app, so practice from where you prefer.

Final Tips Before You Start

1. Experiment without fear. The demo exists for that. Try strategies you would never attempt with real money. The capital is fictitious, so use that to your advantage to learn.

2. Be disciplined. Don’t treat the demo like a casino. Apply the same risk rules you would in real life. If your rule is “maximum 2% loss per trade,” stick to it in demo.

3. Combine demo with education. A demo account alone doesn’t teach you. Study, read about markets, learn concepts, then test them in the demo. That’s the cycle that works.

4. Professionals also use demo. Don’t think it’s only for beginners. Large fund managers test their trades in simulators before risking real money. If they do it, it’s clear that the demo is a serious tool.

5. Use the demo-real switch when you’re ready. Brokers like MiTrade allow switching between demo and real accounts at any moment. You don’t need to close anything. Practice until you feel confident, then activate real capital in the same place.

Conclusion

A stock simulator or a free demo account is probably the best investment of time you can make before trading with real money. They are accessible, comprehensive )especially those from brokers(, and offer advantages that go far beyond “playing trader.”

The key is to choose wisely. Look for: ease of use, fast execution, variety of assets, and if possible, unlimited access )no expiration at 30 days(. MiTrade, IG, eToro, MarketWatch, and HowTheMarketWorks meet these criteria.

Your next step: choose one of these options, open your free demo account today, and start practicing. No pressure. No risk. Just learning.