A demo account lets you use the platform and the markets with virtual money. Opening one takes a few minutes: register, choose the account settings, and log in to MetaTrader 5 or Web Trader with the server name and login that are issued. Everything works as it does on a live account except one thing: nothing you do affects real money, which changes how you behave more than most people expect.
Key takeaways
- Registration needs only basic details; no deposit is required.
- Choose a virtual balance close to what you would really deposit, not the largest offered.
- Choose the same leverage you would use live.
- You log in with a server name, a login number and a password, exactly as on a live account.
- Demo prices come from the same feed, but fills, slippage and emotions differ.
| Cost | Free |
|---|---|
| What you need | Name, email, and the details the registration form asks for |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 and Web Trader |
| Virtual balance | Chosen at sign-up; can usually be reset |
| Expiry | Inactive demo accounts may be archived; a new one can be opened at any time |
| Next step | Log in with the server, login and password |
Opening the account
- Register. Complete the sign-up form on the Marketsall site and confirm your email address.
- Choose the account settings. Platform, account currency, leverage and virtual balance. Pick values that match what you would use with real money.
- Receive the login details. The server name, login number and password arrive on screen or by email.
- Install or open the platform. See how to install MetaTrader 5, or open Web Trader in a browser.
- Log in. Select the demo server, enter the login and password, and check that the connection indicator shows a data rate.
- Place a first test trade. A small position, with a stop-loss and take-profit attached: see stop-loss and take-profit on MT5.
Choosing the settings sensibly
| Setting | Common mistake | Better choice |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual balance | Taking the largest amount offered | The amount you would actually deposit, so position sizes are realistic |
| Leverage | Choosing the maximum | The leverage you would use live; see is 1:200 leverage too high for a small account |
| Account currency | Whichever is first in the list | The currency you think in, so profit and loss feel real |
| Platform | Installing everything at once | One platform to start; add others later |
How to get value from a demo account
The platform mechanics are the first goal: placing and modifying orders, reading the Trade tab, finding swap rates and calculating margin before you click. After that, use it to test one routine, not to collect wins. Keep a record from day one, as in how to keep a trading journal, and set a fixed risk per trade using position sizing so the habit is already formed when money is involved.
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Placing, modifying and closing orders; reading the specification |
| 3–5 | One symbol, one timeframe, a written reason for every trade |
| 6–10 | Fixed risk per trade and a stop on every position |
| 11–14 | Review the history: average win, average loss, mistakes repeated |
What a demo cannot teach
Demo servers fill orders in conditions that are kinder than the real market: less slippage, fewer requotes, and no hesitation at the moment of clicking. The difference that matters most is psychological. Losing virtual money teaches nothing about the urge to move a stop or to double a position after a loss, which is why demo trading feels different from live trading and why many traders start live with a small balance rather than a large demo. The emotional side is covered in what revenge trading is.
| Feature | Demo | Live |
|---|---|---|
| Prices | Same feed | Same feed |
| Execution | Usually smoother | Slippage, gaps, spread widening |
| Swap and commission | Applied, often simplified | Applied in full |
| Emotion | Minimal | Central |
| Consequence of a mistake | None | Real |
Common mistakes to avoid
Trading a balance you would never deposit. The habits do not transfer.
Using maximum leverage on demo. It teaches position sizes you could not survive live.
Taking demo results as proof. Smooth fills and no emotion flatter the record.
Staying on demo indefinitely. Beyond a few weeks it teaches little that is new.
Risk warning. Trading CFDs carries a high level of risk since leverage can work both to your advantage and disadvantage. As a result, the products offered on this website may not be suitable for all investors because of the risk of losing all of your invested capital. You should never invest money that you cannot afford to lose, and never trade with borrowed money.
Frequently asked questions
Is a demo account free?
Yes. A demo account uses virtual money and requires no deposit. It is intended for learning the platform and testing a routine.
How much virtual balance should I choose?
An amount close to what you would actually deposit. A very large virtual balance encourages position sizes you could not take with real money, so the practice does not transfer.
Does a demo account expire?
Many brokers close demo accounts after a period of inactivity. Check the terms that apply to your account; if it is closed, a new one can normally be opened.
Is demo trading the same as live trading?
The prices are the same, but execution on demo is usually smoother and there is no financial consequence to a mistake. The psychological difference is the biggest gap between the two.
Related reading
Learn the four windows first
Get your bearings in Market Watch, charts, Navigator and Toolbox with how to use MetaTrader 5, then put in writing the daily trading routine you want your first demo fortnight to examine.
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