Open a demo trading account
Buy and sell thousands of markets risk free with our paper trading simulator.
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Risk-free paper trading with no commitment
Try our award-winning mobile and web platforms for free and trade in a risk-free environment.
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Full access to 13,500+ markets
Real-time pricing on thousands of markets including forex, shares, commodities and indices.
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Unlimited features
Trial advanced features and tools including TradingView charts, Trading Central analysis and more.
What is paper trading?
Paper trading is another term for using a demo account or trading simulator. It comes from the days when traders would write down theoretical positions on pieces of paper, then see how they’d have performed on live markets.
Today, demo accounts automate this whole process, enabling you to practise trading on real-time prices without the hassle.
Demo account FAQ
What's the difference between a demo account and a live account?
The key difference between a demo account and a live account is that a demo comes with zero risk – it’s a trading simulator that enables you to buy and sell real markets with virtual funds. With a live account, on the other hand, you’re risking your own capital.
Many traders use a demo to see how the markets work – or test drive our platform – before they upgrade to a live account that earns real profits and losses.
There are some other differences between demo and live accounts. For example, you won’t be able to access features such as Performance Analytics or SMART Signals with a demo.
How long should I use a demo account to trade?
We’d recommend using a demo account until you feel comfortable trading with real capital. Ideally, you’ll have a comprehensive plan and strategy in place too, so you know exactly what to do once you’ve added some funds.
City Index demo accounts expire in twelve weeks, but you can open another one if you wish to continue practising for longer.
Can I open multiple demos?
Yes, you can open as many City Index demo accounts as you like – although you’ll need a different email address for each one. You can also apply for another demo account once your current one has expired, if you want to trade risk free for a longer period.
Does my demo account include MetaTrader 4 (MT4) trading?
We offer separate demo accounts for MT4 trading, so you can try out our leading MT4 package too. Open your MT4 demo here.
Can I trade forex on my demo account?
Yes, your demo trading account comes with access to our full range of 80+ currency pairs, available as spot markets or via spread betting. You don’t need a separate forex demo account so you can buy and sell EUR/USD and GBP/USD alongside the UK 100, Barclays and gold.
Can I keep my demo account after switching to a live account?
Yes, you can have a demo and a live account open at the same time. This is popular among traders, who use their demo account to trial new strategies and technical tools without putting any capital at risk.
Will I be able to access Performance Analytics with my demo account?
You won’t be able to access our exclusive Performance Analytics tool with your demo account. It is only available on our live accounts as it needs a bulk of live trades to analyse.
If you have more questions visit the Demo Account FAQ section or start a Chat with our support