Trading Simulator: Where to Practise Trading for Free in 2026
A trading simulator lets you place practice trades with virtual money on live or historical prices. A common free option is a broker demo account, such as the Admirals demo on MetaTrader or in a web browser. Replay tools add practice on past charts, and each of them has limits on its free plan.
The Admirals demo is free and needs only a sign-up, without a deposit or identity checks. It closes after 30 days unless you also hold an active live account. This guide compares five free options and shows how to start in about five minutes. It also explains what simulated trading cannot reproduce.
The information in this article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Table of Contents
- Trading Simulator: The Short Answer
- What Is a Trading Simulator?
- Trading Simulator vs Demo Account: What Is the Difference?
- 5 Free Trading Simulators Compared
- 1. Admirals Demo Account
- 2. MetaTrader Supreme Edition Trading Simulator
- 3. TradingView Paper Trading and Bar Replay
- 4. FX Replay Free Plan
- 5. Forex Tester Free Version
- Which Trading Simulator Fits Which Goal?
- How to Start With a Trading Simulator in 5 Minutes
- Limitations of Trading Simulators
- Simulator Practice and Real CFD Risk
- Demo Account vs Live Account
- Pros and Cons of Trading Simulators
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Start Practising With a Free Demo Account
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Data as at 5 November 2026. Every free plan in this guide was checked on the provider's official page on that date. The guide was prepared by the Admirals education team, which writes tutorials on MetaTrader and other trading platforms.
Trading Simulator: The Short Answer
The five free tools below cover the main types of practice. Two run on live prices and three replay past prices. The table below sums up what each one offers on its free plan.
| Option | Type | Price | Prices used | Main free-plan limit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admirals demo account | Broker demo | Free | Live broker feed | Closes after 30 days without an active live account | Admirals |
| MetaTrader Supreme Edition Trading Simulator | Manual replay inside MetaTrader | Free with an Admirals demo or live account | Historical | Desktop MetaTrader add-on | Admirals |
| TradingView Paper Trading and Bar Replay | Paper trading plus chart replay | Basic plan $0 | Real-time for paper orders, historical for replay | Replay on daily and higher timeframes only | TradingView |
| FX Replay Beginner plan | Browser replay | Free | Historical | 2 sessions, up to 1 month of history each | FX Replay |
| Forex Tester free version | Desktop replay software | Free | Historical | 1 hour of uninterrupted testing, 18 symbols | Forex Tester |
Source: Admirals, TradingView, FX Replay, Forex Tester, checked 5 November 2026. Free-plan terms can change at any time.
- A demo account usually comes closest to live trading conditions because it uses the broker's own prices and platform.
- Replay tools let you practise many setups in one evening on past charts.
- The Admirals demo closes after 30 days unless you hold an active live account.
- Every simulator uses virtual funds, and results may differ from live trading.
What Is a Trading Simulator?
A trading simulator is any tool that lets you open and close practice positions with virtual money. You see a chart and place an order. Then you watch the result. Your real balance is never touched.
A forex simulator is the same idea applied to currency pairs. Simulators fall into two broad groups. The first group runs on live prices. The second group replays prices from the past.
Live-Price Simulators
A demo account is the most common live-price simulator. It is a broker account funded with virtual money and linked to the broker's live price feed. The MetaTrader 5 help guide states that demo accounts work "in a training mode without real money" and have the same functionality as live accounts.
Paper trading is the second live-price format. It simulates orders on live data without a link to any broker account. TradingView's Paper Trading is one widely available free example.
Replay Simulators
A replay simulator plays past bars one by one. You make a decision on each bar as if the market were live. TradingView describes its bar replay as a way to simulate past price movements with adjustable speed and a step-by-step mode (TradingView).
Manual backtesting software works the same way. You trade by hand against historical prices and skip ahead in time. Afterwards you review your statistics. FX Replay and Forex Tester belong to this group, as does the Trading Simulator in MetaTrader Supreme Edition.
| Simulator type | Prices | Platform link | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demo account | Live broker prices | Same platform as a live account | Learning the platform and order types |
| Paper trading | Live data feed | Separate from any broker | Testing ideas on a charting site |
| Bar replay | Historical bars | Charting platform | Practising chart reading |
| Manual backtesting software | Historical prices | Desktop or browser app | Testing a manual strategy on past data |
Source: MetaQuotes, TradingView, FX Replay.
Trading Simulator vs Demo Account: What Is the Difference?
Every demo account is a trading simulator. Not every simulator is a demo account. The difference lies in where the prices come from and which platform you use.
A demo runs on the broker's live feed inside the same software as a live account. A replay tool runs on stored history, so you can jump to any past date. The table shows how the two compare in practice.
| Feature | Demo account | Replay simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price source | Live broker feed | Stored historical data |
| Pace | Real time | Adjustable, bar by bar |
| Platform | Same as live trading | Often a separate app |
| Trading costs | Depend on the broker's demo settings | Often simplified or fixed |
| Best for | Learning order entry and platform tools | Practising many setups quickly |
| Time limit at Admirals | 30 days without an active live account | Depends on the tool |
Source: Admirals, Admirals Help Centre, Forex Tester.
Paper Trading vs Demo Account
Paper trading and a demo account both use live data. A broker demo shows the broker's own prices and instruments. Paper trading on a charting site uses that site's data feed and order simulation.
TradingView notes that paper trading orders execute on real-time data, even during Bar Replay (TradingView). Many stock and futures feeds on TradingView are delayed unless you buy the data separately (TradingView).
Trading Simulator vs Backtesting
Manual backtesting means you place each trade yourself on past data. MetaTrader's built-in Strategy Tester is designed for automated strategies, which sit outside the scope of this guide (MetaQuotes).
5 Free Trading Simulators Compared
The five options below are free to start. Each has a different trade-off between realism and speed. The feature matrix sums up the main differences.
| Feature | Admirals demo | MTSE Trading Simulator | TradingView Basic | FX Replay Beginner | Forex Tester free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live prices | Yes | Not available (historical) | Yes, for paper trading | Not available | Not available |
| Historical replay | Charts only | Yes | Daily and higher timeframes | Yes, up to 1 month per session | Yes, about 1 month of data |
| Browser access | WebTrader, Admirals Platform | Desktop MetaTrader only | Yes | Yes | Desktop only |
| Mobile apps | MetaTrader apps, Admirals app | Not available | TradingView apps | Not stated | Not available |
| Time limit | 30 days without a live account | Same as the account | None stated | Limited sessions | 1 hour per test session |
| Cost to start | Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Source: Admirals, Admirals MTSE, TradingView, FX Replay, Forex Tester. Checked 5 November 2026.
1. Admirals Demo Account
The Admirals demo account is a free forex demo account on live prices. Opening it requires an email sign-up only. Identity verification is needed for a live account, not for the demo.
The demo page describes trading in Forex and CFDs. On the Admirals Platform the instrument list includes stocks and ETFs. It also includes Forex and CFDs on commodities and indices. Available instruments can depend on the account type and your country of residence.
Platforms You Can Use
| Platform | Where it runs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Desktop and mobile | Classic forex platform |
| MetaTrader 5 | Desktop and mobile | More timeframes and order types |
| MetaTrader WebTrader | Web browser | Works without a download |
| Admirals Platform | Web browser | TradingView-based charts |
| Admirals Mobile App | iOS and Android | Trading on a phone |
Source: Admirals, Admirals. Checked 5 November 2026.
If you are choosing between the two desktop platforms, the Admirals guide to MetaTrader 4 vs MetaTrader 5 compares them in detail.
Demo Account Rules: The 30-Day Limit
An Admirals demo account expires after 30 days unless you have an active live account. With a live account, the demo stays open without an expiry date. You still need to log in at least once every 30 days.
| Rule | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Demo without a live account | Closes after 30 days | Admirals Help Centre |
| Demo with an active live account | Stays open while you keep logging in | Admirals Help Centre |
| Login frequency | At least once every 30 days | Admirals |
| Active demo accounts at once | Up to 5 | Admirals UK Help Centre |
| Deposit or verification | Not required for a demo | Admirals |
Source: Admirals, Admirals Help Centre, checked 5 November 2026.
Admirals usually sends an email reminder when a demo account is close to expiry (Admirals). If you need a new demo while 5 are active, the Help Centre says you can close one and open another.
Strengths and Weaknesses
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Live broker prices on the platform you would use for live trading | Expires after 30 days without an active live account |
| Several platforms, including browser and mobile | Historical replay is limited to scrolling past charts |
| Up to 5 demo accounts at once | Virtual funds do not create the pressure of real money |
| Free, without a deposit | Results may differ from live trading |
Source: Admirals, Admirals UK Help Centre.
2. MetaTrader Supreme Edition Trading Simulator
MetaTrader Supreme Edition is an add-on for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. It is free for Admirals live and demo accounts. Among its tools is a Trading Simulator for testing a manual strategy on historical prices (Admirals).
The Trading Simulator turns a desktop MetaTrader terminal into a replay tool. You move through past bars and place trades by hand. This makes it useful for practising entries and exits on old charts of the instruments in your account.
Things to Know Before You Start
- The add-on runs in the desktop version of MetaTrader.
- Admirals does not state Mac support for the add-on on its product page.
- On a Mac, Admirals points users to WebTrader or the Admirals Platform.
- The simulator uses the historical data in your terminal.
The Mac guidance comes from the Admirals Help Centre article on MetaTrader for Mac. For a broader list of replay tools, see the Admirals guide to free backtesting software.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free with an Admirals demo or live account | Desktop MetaTrader only |
| Works inside the platform you may use live | Mac support is not stated |
| Replays the instruments of your own account | Historical data cannot show today's execution conditions |
Source: Admirals, Admirals Help Centre.
3. TradingView Paper Trading and Bar Replay
TradingView paper trading is free and available worldwide. It covers most asset classes listed on TradingView (TradingView). You need a free TradingView account to use it.
TradingView does not state the starting virtual balance on the official pages checked. You can change the currency of the paper account (TradingView).
What the Free Basic Plan Includes
| Feature | Basic plan ($0) |
|---|---|
| Indicators per chart | 2 |
| Charts per tab | 1 |
| Active price alerts | 3 |
| Bar Replay | Daily and higher timeframes only |
| Paper trading | Included |
Source: TradingView pricing, checked 5 November 2026.
The daily-only limit matters for a day trading simulator. Intraday replay requires a paid plan. The amount of history available for replay also varies by symbol and timeframe (TradingView).
Paid Plan Prices
| Plan | Price per month, billed annually | Charts per tab |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $12.95 | 2 |
| Plus | $29.95 | 4 |
| Premium | $59.95 | 8 |
| Ultimate | $199.95 | 16 |
Source: TradingView pricing, shown as special prices on 5 November 2026. Prices vary by region and promotion.
Monthly billing costs more than annual billing. The figures above are the prices shown on the day of checking and may change.
4. FX Replay Free Plan
FX Replay is a browser tool for replaying historical markets. Its free Beginner plan needs a sign-up. The limits are strict, so the plan suits short tests (FX Replay Support).
| Plan | Price | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Free | 2 sessions, 6 assets per session, 50 trades per session, 1 indicator |
| Intermediate | $17.99 per month or $180 per year | Larger limits |
| Pro | $35 per month or $350 per year | Full feature set |
Source: FX Replay Support, checked 5 November 2026.
FX Replay Free Plan Limits
- Each session covers up to 1 month of historical time.
- Trade history on the free plan is kept for one week.
- Stocks are not part of the free plan.
- Seconds data and CME futures data are also excluded.
5. Forex Tester Free Version
Forex Tester is desktop software for manual replay. Its free version is a quick way to try the method before paying. The vendor's own comparison page lists seven differences from the paid version (Forex Tester).
| Feature | Free version | Paid version |
|---|---|---|
| Testing time | 1 hour uninterrupted | Unlimited |
| Historical data | About 1 month for most symbols | Longer history |
| Symbols | 18 (7 majors, 9 crosses, 2 metals) | More symbols |
| Saving projects | Not available | Available |
| Tick data | Not available | Available |
| Floating spread | Not available | Available |
Source: Forex Tester, checked 5 November 2026. The page describes the desktop product.
The same page also shows promotional prices on the paid licence. Promotional prices are temporary, so this guide does not quote them.
Which Trading Simulator Fits Which Goal?
The right tool depends on what you want to practise. A demo account trains platform skills. A replay tool trains chart reading. Some traders use one of each.
| Goal | Option that fits | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Learn the platform you plan to trade on | Admirals demo account | Same software and live prices |
| Practise many chart setups in one evening | MTSE Trading Simulator or FX Replay | Replay skips quiet periods |
| Practise on daily charts at zero cost | TradingView Bar Replay | Free on daily and higher timeframes |
| Use only a browser or a Mac | WebTrader, Admirals Platform, TradingView or FX Replay | Works without a desktop install |
| Practise with stocks and ETFs | Admirals Platform | Instrument list includes stocks and ETFs, subject to account type and country |
Source: Admirals, TradingView, Admirals Help Centre.
Trading Simulator for Beginners
A trading simulator for beginners is usually a demo account. It teaches order entry and position sizing on the same screen used for live trading. Replay tools come later, once the basic order types feel familiar.
Trading Simulator for Mac
MetaTrader was built for Windows. Admirals notes possible install issues on a Mac and points users to WebTrader or the Admirals Platform (Admirals Help Centre). Both run in a browser.
How to Start With a Trading Simulator in 5 Minutes
Admirals says getting started on a demo takes only a few moments. The steps below follow its demo page and its MetaTrader 5 account guide.
- Open the demo account page and click "Open free demo account".
- Register with your contact details and choose a password.
- Choose a platform for the demo, such as MetaTrader 5 or WebTrader.
- Find the login details in your email and in the Dashboard.
- Open WebTrader in a browser, or log in through the MetaTrader 5 desktop app.
- Place a small practice trade and close it to see how orders work.
Logging In to MetaTrader 5 Desktop
In the MetaTrader 5 desktop app, open the File menu and choose "Login to Trade Account" (Admirals). Enter the demo login and password from your email. Then select the demo server shown in the Dashboard.
| Step | Where | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up | Demo account page | A few minutes |
| Get login details | Email and Dashboard | Right after sign-up |
| Open the platform | Browser or desktop app | Depends on your device |
| First practice trade | Platform order window | A short moment |
Source: Admirals, Admirals MT5 guide.
Build a Realistic Practice Plan
A demo tends to be more useful when its settings resemble the conditions you would face with real money. Traders often size practice positions as they would with the money they plan to use live. A huge virtual balance can hide the effect of losses.
The Admirals Trading Calculator estimates margin and pip value before a trade. It also shows swap and commission for a chosen position size.
| Practice habit | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Use a position size you could afford live | Keeps results relevant |
| Check margin and pip value before each trade | Shows the exposure the same trade would carry live |
| Write down the reason for each trade | Builds a trade journal |
| Review results every week | Shows patterns in mistakes |
| Log in at least once every 30 days | Keeps the demo account active |
Source: Admirals, Admirals UK Help Centre.
A trading simulator can teach the mechanics of trading. It cannot show how you will feel when real money is at risk, so results may differ from live trading.
Limitations of Trading Simulators
Every simulator simplifies the real market in some way. Knowing the gaps helps you read your practice results with care.
Emotions
Virtual money carries zero personal cost. Many traders find that their behaviour changes once real funds are at stake. Fear and impatience are hard to simulate.
Execution and Costs
Replay tools may not show slippage or variable spreads. They may also skip execution delays. The free Forex Tester version lacks a floating spread (Forex Tester). MetaTrader 5 even offers a "Random Delay" mode in its tester to imitate delays, which shows these effects exist (MetaQuotes).
Data Limits
Free plans often limit the history you can replay. The table sums up the main data limits.
| Tool | Data limit on the free plan |
|---|---|
| TradingView Basic | Bar Replay on daily and higher timeframes |
| TradingView data feeds | Many stock and futures feeds delayed without paid data |
| FX Replay Beginner | Up to 1 month of historical time per session |
| Forex Tester free | About 1 month of data, 1 hour sessions |
Source: TradingView, TradingView, FX Replay, Forex Tester.
Time Limits
The Admirals demo closes after 30 days without an active live account. Forex Tester's free version stops after one hour of uninterrupted testing. FX Replay caps the free plan at two sessions.
Past Results in a Replay
A strong result on replayed data can look convincing. Past performance in a backtest or replay is not a reliable indicator of future results. Markets change, and a pattern from one year may fail in the next.
Simulator Practice and Real CFD Risk
Practising on a simulator does not change the risk of trading CFDs with real money. Leverage magnifies losses as well as gains.
Demo Account vs Live Account
A demo account and a live account can share the same platform. The main difference is what is at stake. The table lists other differences traders often notice.
| Aspect | Demo account | Live account |
|---|---|---|
| Funds | Virtual | Real money |
| Verification | Not required | Required |
| Expiry at Admirals | 30 days without an active live account | Account stays open under the client terms |
| Emotional pressure | Low | High |
| Execution | Simulated on live prices | Real orders in the market |
Source: Admirals, Admirals Help Centre.
When Do Traders Move From Demo to Live?
The right length of demo practice differs from trader to trader. Some traders move after weeks of consistent practice. Others stay on a demo for months. Common checkpoints include a written plan and a trade journal. Traders also often check whether they can follow their risk rules after a run of losses.
Profitable demo results do not mean live results will match. Slippage and spreads can change the outcome. So can emotions. Live trading carries a high risk of losing money, and some traders decide it does not suit them.
Pros and Cons of Trading Simulators
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Practice with virtual funds | Real emotions are missing |
| A chance to learn the platform before trading live | Replay tools may skip slippage and variable spreads |
| Many setups in a short time with replay | Free plans limit data and sessions |
| Free options from several providers | Demo accounts can expire |
Source: Admirals, TradingView, Forex Tester.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a trading simulator?
A trading simulator lets you place trades with virtual money on live or historical prices, without touching your real balance.
Is a demo account free?
Yes. The Admirals demo account is free and needs only a sign-up, without a deposit or identity verification.
Do demo accounts expire?
An Admirals demo closes after 30 days unless you hold an active live account and log in regularly.
How many demo accounts can I have?
Admirals allows up to 5 demo accounts to be active at the same time, free of charge.
Is TradingView Bar Replay free?
Yes, on daily and higher timeframes. Intraday Bar Replay requires a paid TradingView plan, starting with the Essential plan.
What are the FX Replay free plan limits?
The Beginner plan allows 2 sessions with 6 assets each. Each session allows 50 trades and 1 indicator.
Are trading simulators accurate?
They are useful for practice. Replay tools may miss slippage and variable spreads, so results may differ from live trading.
Can you learn to trade with a simulator?
A simulator helps you learn platform skills and test a plan. It cannot reproduce the emotions of trading real money.
Start Practising With a Free Demo Account
A free trading simulator lets you learn how trading platforms work without using real money. The Admirals demo account runs on live prices and opens within minutes. It uses virtual funds, and results may differ from live trading.
Open a free Admirals demo account to practise on MetaTrader or in your browser.
Some of the content on this page was created with the help of automated tools. All final text has been reviewed by Admirals and is under its editorial responsibility.
The given data provides additional information regarding all analysis, estimates, prognosis, forecasts, market reviews, weekly outlooks or other similar assessments or information (hereinafter “Analysis”) published on the websites of Admirals investment firms operating under the Admirals trademark (hereinafter “Admirals”) Before making any investment decisions please pay close attention to the following:
- This is a marketing communication. The content is published for informative purposes only and is in no way to be construed as investment advice or recommendation. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and that it is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.
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- With view to protecting the interests of our clients and the objectivity of the Analysis, Admirals has established relevant internal procedures for prevention and management of conflicts of interest.
- The Analysis is prepared by an analyst (hereinafter “Author”). The Author Admirals is an employee /a contractor for Admirals. This content is a marketing communication and does not constitute independent financial research.
- Whilst every reasonable effort is taken to ensure that all sources of the content are reliable and that all information is presented, as much as possible, in an understandable, timely, precise and complete manner, Admirals does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained within the Analysis.
- Any kind of past or modelled performance of financial instruments indicated within the content should not be construed as an express or implied promise, guarantee or implication by Admirals for any future performance. The value of the financial instrument may both increase and decrease and the preservation of the asset value is not guaranteed.
- Leveraged products (including contracts for difference) are speculative in nature and may result in losses or profit. Before you start trading, please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.
Sources
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- How to purchase additional market data, TradingView, accessed 5 November 2026.
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