With demo accounts to trading routines: Which free platforms will lead in 2025?

Learn to trade safely – without financial risk? This works with a professional demo account. Whether you’re interested in forex, CFDs, cryptocurrencies, or stocks – virtual starting capital of €50,000 or more allows you to go through realistic market scenarios. We introduce five established platforms and show how to use technical tools like RSI or how to utilize stop-loss orders – completely fee-free and pressure-free.

Why every trader should start with a virtual account

The stock market or crypto market require knowledge and skills – best trained without real money. A demo account functions like a flight simulator for pilots: you experience reality without risking consequences.

Specifically, this means:

• Opening and closing positions – with real market data
• Understanding trading fees and their impact
• Practicing leverage mechanisms
• Learning to analyze candlestick charts
• Applying order types like stop-loss or limit orders
• Correctly interpreting indicators like RSI or MACD

The greatest learning effect, however, comes from emotional risk management. In the demo account, you train how to handle psychological pressure – fear of losses, euphoria from gains – without affecting your wallet.

Finding the right demo account for your trading style

Not every trader is the same. Before signing up, ask yourself: What type are you?

The mobile trader: You are on the go and want to act quickly. Look for platforms whose apps are intuitive, enable fast order placement, and support all functions on mobile. Real-time charts and order types must work smoothly.

The desktop specialist: You prefer multiple monitors, deep analysis, and extensive tools. MetaTrader or similar platforms with high configurability are your first choice.

The strategy tester: You experiment with different approaches, want to analyze historical data, and run scenarios. For you, comprehensive analysis functions and testing options are crucial.

The suitable platform depends on your priorities – it should support your working style, not hinder it.

The five leading demo platforms compared

Mitrade: €50,000 virtual capital for global markets

Mitrade has quickly made a name – over 3 million active users worldwide use the platform. The demo account starts with €50,000 play money, which is more generous than many competitors.

The range is impressive: forex pairs, commodities (Gold, oil, silver), global indices (S&P 500, NASDAQ), stocks, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ripple. The self-developed trading platform combines simplicity with comprehensive market data and chart analysis.

Especially valuable: You learn the more complex aspects like CFD trading and risk management with stop-loss and trailing stop intuitively. Registration is straightforward – no lengthy forms, quick access to the demo.

Regulation: CySEC (Cyprus), license number 438/23, additionally through ASIC, CIMA, and FSC.

Strengths: Generous starting capital, broad asset classes, proprietary platform with good analysis tools, no commissions, fast order execution

Weaknesses: No MetaTrader 4/5 support, no social or copy trading

XTB: €10,000 demo with established xStation 5 platform

XTB is one of the big names in forex and CFD trading. The in-house platform xStation 5 works both in browser and mobile. Compared to other providers, the starting capital of €10,000 is smaller, but the infrastructure is well-established.

XTB offers access to forex, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. The fee structure is relatively complex – making longer training in the demo account advisable. Nonetheless, XTB regularly ranks among the top 5 brokers in the EU.

Regulation: KNF (Poland), BaFin (Germany), FCA (UK).

Strengths: Regulated by reputable authorities, xStation 5 with extensive tools, diverse asset classes, established platform

Weaknesses: Smaller demo starting capital, inactivity fees after 365 days, fees under €200 for withdrawals, no MetaTrader 4

Capital.com: Modern platform with advanced analysis tools

Capital.com is one of the most modern trading platforms and emphasizes user-friendliness. Access is via browser or app – all functions are available everywhere.

The demo version offers access to a slightly simplified but fully functional version. The interface appears clear without hiding information. What makes Capital.com special: integration of MetaTrader 4 and TradingView, as well as over 75 technical indicators for deep analysis. Real-time market data enable informed decisions.

Getting started requires some patience – the variety of tools can initially seem overwhelming. The free demo is equipped with enough indicators to understand the essential concepts.

Regulation: CySEC (Cyprus), FCA (UK).

Strengths: Modern interface, MT4 integration, TradingView connection, many technical indicators, competitive spreads

Weaknesses: Minimum deposit €250 via bank transfer, no MetaTrader 5, limited demo version, no multi-chart in proprietary platform

Skilling: Beginner-friendly with €10,000 and flexible platforms

Since 2019, Skilling has established itself as a reliable broker. Users appreciate intuitive operation, fast order processing, and responsive support. Regulation by CySEC and membership in the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) provide security.

The demo account starts with €10,000. Skilling operates a proprietary platform with solid features and also offers MetaTrader 4. Deposits and withdrawals are mostly fee-free – except for additional withdrawals from the second in the same month (€12.50). The minimum deposit is €100.

Important: For beginners, the complexity may initially seem intimidating. Some prior knowledge helps with faster learning.

Regulation: CySEC.

Strengths: CySEC-regulated, 1,000 tradable instruments, multiple platforms (MT4, cTrader), fee-free first withdrawal

Weaknesses: Young company with short history, fees from second withdrawal per month, limited learning resources, no MetaTrader 5

Plus500: €40,000 demo with over ten years of market presence

Plus500 is an Israel-based CFD broker with impressive development since its IPO over a decade ago. The demo account offers €40,000 virtual capital – enough to test various strategies.

In demo mode, you have access to live quotes, market news, multiple chart types, and a good selection of indicators. Deposits and withdrawals are fee-free (first five withdrawals per month), minimum deposit €100.

Plus500’s interface is subjectively rated differently – some find it clear, others too simple. The wide variety of markets compensates for any design criticism. Customer reviews praise quick account opening and customer service but criticize the lack of external platforms and limited advanced tools.

Regulation: FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus).

Strengths: Regulated by FCA and CySEC, generous demo capital, balanced analysis tools, straightforward onboarding, quick account opening

Weaknesses: No MetaTrader 4/5 support, inactivity fees after three months, limited educational content, support only via email

Step-by-step: Open a demo account in two minutes

Registration is surprisingly quick:

1. Visit the broker’s registration page
2. Enter your country of origin
3. Confirm your email address
4. Done – access opens immediately

Most of the time: complete in two minutes. No verification, no bank statements – the demo runs anonymously.

How to navigate the demo platform: A practical guide

Using a modern platform (like Mitrade), four typical functional areas appear:

Left sidebar (Blue): Here you find your favorites list with tradable markets. Gold, EUR/USD, NAS100, AUD/USD, and more are listed – with current changes in percent. Mini-charts give quick overview. Click “Add” to track more instruments.

Center chart area (Purple): The central area shows price movements – mostly as candlestick charts, but can also be configured as line charts. All indicators go here. This is your analysis lab.

Right: Set parameters (Red): Here you adjust leverage (e.g., 2x), position size (lots), and automatic take profits or stop losses. Experimenting is important – understand the interactions between leverage and risk.

Top right: Market data overview (Yellow): Current price, high/low of the day, percentage change – all at a glance, without digging into charts.

Practically applying technical indicators like RSI

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is one of the most helpful indicators for beginners and professionals alike. Here’s how to use it in the demo:

Step 1: Click on “Indicators” in the top toolbar of the chart.

Step 2: A list of technical tools opens. Enter “RSI” and select the result.

Step 3: RSI appears automatically below the main chart as a separate graphic on a scale from 0 to 100.

What does RSI mean? The indicator measures the speed of price changes and shows whether a market is overbought (value over 70) or oversold (value below 30).

• Overbought (> 70): The market might correct soon – beware of entries, potential sell signals
• Oversold (< 30): A rebound could be imminent – potential buying opportunity
• Neutral (30–70): No extreme movements detected

In the demo account, you can combine RSI with other indicators – such as Bollinger Bands or MACD – to develop more robust trading signals.

Tip: In the indicators menu, you find dozens of other tools. For starters, focus on RSI, as it is easy to interpret but provides strong signals. Later, you can expand.

Common beginner mistakes in the demo account – and how to avoid them

Taking too large positions: Many beginners use maximum lots. In the demo, you don’t learn to handle real risk. Start small.

Not setting a stop-loss: This is the most common mistake. Practice thinking automatically: “Here’s my exit point.”

Using too many indicators: 5–7 indicators at once confuse more than they help. Choose two or three carefully.

No goals beforehand: Set concrete profit targets and loss limits before each trade. This is mental training.

Trading too often: Many beginners fall into overactivity. In the demo, learn patience and wait for good setups.

Not taking notes: Document why you make each trade. The demo is not gambling – it’s a learning journal.

Checklist: Which demo account suits me?

Using the demo account as a training platform: Long-term strategy

A demo account is not a slot machine simulator. It’s a professional learning environment. Treat it as such:

Weeks 1–2: Learn the operation. Open and close positions, understand order types, observe how fees work.

Weeks 3–4: Technical analysis. Use RSI, experiment with moving averages, recognize chart patterns (Triangles, flags, head-and-shoulders).

Weeks 5–8: Strategy development. Set concrete rules: “I buy only when RSI is below 30 AND the price touches a support line.” Test consistently.

Week 9+: Psychological training. Trade over several weeks in the demo and observe your behavior. Where do you become emotional? Where do you doubt?

After 8–12 weeks of intensive training, you will have a solid foundation. Only then should you switch to real money – and in very small positions.

Conclusion: The demo account as a must, not an option

Markets are complex. Bitcoin, gold, DAX – each reacts to different factors. A demo account allows you to “feel” patterns without paying with real money. You learn how the market reacts to news, how technical indicators fit together, and above all: how you react emotionally.

These are not just theoretical concepts – this is real market practice with easy access and error tolerance.

The five platforms – Mitrade, XTB, Capital.com, Skilling, and Plus500 – each offer different strengths. Choose according to your profile and goals. The most important: Start. A demo account is free and can be opened in two minutes. Your trading career doesn’t start with real money – it starts here.