Best Trading Demo Accounts UK (2025)
Adam Woodhead
Co-Founder
Adam is a passionate investor who created The Investors Centre (TIC) to combine his professional skills with his love for investment. His goal is to offer a platform filled with valuable resources, practical advice, and effective strategies for anyone looking to make their mark in the investment world.
“Investment is about more than just numbers; it’s about strategy, research, and the willingness to adapt. At TIC, we’re here to provide the tools and knowledge you need to succeed on your investment journey.”
Thomas Drury
Co-Founder
Thomas is an experienced financial trader in leverage instruments, crypto and general investing. He has over a decade experience in finance and holds Chartered Status in the financial industry, Thomas’s speciality is trading CFDs, Forex and Day Trading. His crypto portfolio is heavily weighted towards BTC and Eth, but enjoys trading low cap crypto’s with higher volatility. Thomas’s favourite trading strategy is break out Trading.
“Our commitment at The Investors Centre is unwavering. We strive to provide clear, actionable advice that empowers you to achieve financial success. Our vision is a future where anyone can invest confidently and wisely.”
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best trading demo accounts available to UK traders to give you a clear idea of which demo account suits your style, whether you’re brand new to trading or brushing up on a new strategy.
eToro
Low Fee Score: 4.8/5
61% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
IG
Low Fee Score: 4.7/5
71% of Retail CFD Accounts Lose Money
Trading 212
Low Fee Score: 4.5/5
When investing, your capital is at risk
Pepperstone
Low Fee Score: 4.3/5
81.7% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Quick Answer: What are the top-tranked Demo Accounts?
Try FCA-regulated demo accounts like eToro, IG, Trading 212, XTB, and Pepperstone to practise trading risk-free. These platforms let you trade with virtual funds in real market conditions, making them ideal for beginners and experienced traders looking to test strategies before switching to live accounts.
What Is a Demo Trading Account?
A demo account is a virtual trading environment where you can place trades using virtual funds — but in real market conditions.
Think of it like a flight simulator for traders: you get to experience turbulence, try manoeuvres, and learn the instruments, all without the risk of crashing.
For brand-new traders, demo accounts are a stress-free way to learn the ropes. You can explore how platforms work, experiment with placing orders, and figure out your preferred asset classes — all without touching your real cash.
When I’m trying out a new platform or testing a fresh strategy, it’s the safest place to iron out the kinks before going live. If you’re serious about trading — or even just curious — demo accounts are a great place to start.
What are the Top Demo Trading Accounts in the UK?
Below are my top picks if you’re a UK trader looking to practise in a risk-free environment:
- eToro – Best for Beginners
- IG – Great for Pros Testing Real Markets
- Trading 212 – A Great entry into Investing
- Pepperstone – Top Pick for Forex Demo Trading
- XTB – Powerful Platform for Active CFD Traders
- Plus 500 – Simple Demo for CFD Traders
- CMC Markets – Ideal for Advanced Charting
| Rank | Broker | Demo Length | Virtual Funds | Markets Covered | Best For | Switch to Live? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | eToro | Unlimited | $100,000 | Stocks, CFDs, Crypto | Beginners & social traders | ✅ |
| 2 | IG | 14 Days | £10,000 | Forex, Indices, CFDs | Active, pro traders | ✅ |
| 3 | Trading 212 | Unlimited | £50,000 | Stocks & ETFs | Long-term investors | ✅ |
| 4 | Pepperstone | 30 Days | $50,000 | Forex, Commodities | Forex/day traders | ✅ |
| 5 | XTB | Unlimited | $100,000 | CFDs, Forex, Crypto | Serious active traders | ✅ |
| 6 | Plus500 | Unlimited | Auto-replenished | CFDs on forex, crypto, indices | Simple CFD trading practice | ✅ |
| 7 | CMC Markets | Unlimited | £10,000+ (simulated) | CFDs, shares, forex, 12,000+ assets | Advanced strategy testing | ✅ |
eToro – Best for Beginners and Social Traders
eToro’s demo account is ideal for newcomers. The platform is clean, easy to navigate, and lets you switch between demo and live trading with one click. Its standout feature is social trading — you can explore and copy top traders’ portfolios without risking real money.
Pros & Cons
- Unlimited access with a generous virtual balance
- Beginner-friendly layout
- Social trading for passive learning
- Limited advanced charting tools
- Less suited to technical or high-frequency traders
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What Key Features Are Available?
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What Do Our Experts Say?
- Unlimited demo access
- $100,000 in virtual funds
- Social and copy trading tools
- Simple switch between demo and live portfolios
eToro offers one of the most beginner-friendly demo experiences available. While it lacks the depth needed for technical analysis, it excels in ease of use and community-based learning.
CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFD’s with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
IG – Great for Pros Testing Real Markets
IG’s demo account is a solid choice for experienced traders who want a realistic, professional-grade environment. The platform offers advanced charting, live pricing, and access to global markets — but the 14-day limit and steep learning curve make it less suitable for beginners.
Pros & Cons
- Realistic market conditions
- Professional tools and charting
- Backed by a trusted, FCA-regulated broker
- Demo expires after 14 days
- Not beginner-friendly
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What Key Features Are Available?
-
What Do Our Experts Say?
- 14-day demo access
- £10,000 in virtual funds
- Advanced charting and analysis tools
- Real-time market data
- FCA-regulated platform
IG provides one of the most accurate simulations of live trading, making it ideal for strategy testing. However, the short demo period and complexity may overwhelm most beginners.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Trading 212 – A Great Entry Into Investing
Trading 212 offers one of the simplest demo experiences for new investors. With a clean interface and unlimited access, it’s ideal for anyone focused on stocks and ETFs rather than active trading.
Pros & Cons
- Unlimited demo access
- Clean, intuitive layout
- Great for stock and ETF investing
- No CFDs or complex assets in demo
- Limited appeal for active or technical traders
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What Key Features Are Available?
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What Do Our Experts Say?
- Unlimited demo usage
- £50,000 in virtual funds
- Access to stocks and ETFs
- User-friendly mobile and desktop platforms
Trading 212 is a great fit for passive investors looking to practise in a stress-free environment. While it lacks CFD tools or advanced features, its simplicity makes it a strong starting point for beginners.
Trading and investing involve risk. The value of your investments can go up or down, and you may lose all or part of your capital. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved.
Pepperstone – Top Pick for Forex Demo Trading
Pepperstone’s demo account is my top choice for testing forex strategies. With fast execution, tight spreads, and access to MetaTrader 4 and cTrader, it offers a highly realistic trading experience. The 30-day limit is a drawback, but it’s perfect for short-term, high-frequency testing.
Pros & Cons
- Great execution speed and spreads
- Access to industry-standard trading platforms
- Realistic forex and commodity simulation
- Demo access expires after 30 days
- Limited product range beyond forex
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What Key Features Are Available?
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What Do Our Experts Say?
- 30-day demo access
- $50,000 in virtual funds
- MetaTrader 4 and cTrader platforms
- Access to forex, indices, and commodities
- Tight spreads and fast execution
Pepperstone’s demo is best suited for traders serious about forex. The platform delivers speed, reliability, and real-world trading conditions — though the short time frame may limit those testing longer-term strategies.
81.7% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
XTB – Powerful Platform for Active CFD Traders
XTB’s demo account is one of the most impressive I’ve used for active trading. It closely replicates the live environment, with fast performance, excellent charting tools, and access to a wide range of markets like forex, indices, and crypto. It’s best suited for traders looking to sharpen short- to mid-term strategies.
Pros & Cons
- Realistic trading environment
- Excellent for CFD and forex testing
- Strong in-platform educational resources
- Less appealing to passive or stock-only investors
- No access to traditional share investing tools
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What Key Features Are Available?
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What Do Our Experts Say?
- Unlimited demo access
- £100,000 in virtual funds
- Advanced charting and technical analysis tools
- Access to CFDs, forex, crypto, and indices
- Integrated trading education via XTB Academy
XTB is ideal for serious traders wanting to practise with professional-grade tools. The built-in education is a nice touch, although it’s less suited to traditional investors who focus solely on long-term stock investing.
73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Plus500 – Simple Demo for CFD Traders
Plus500 offers a no-frills demo account that is ideal for learning the basics of CFD trading. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, and the demo mode runs indefinitely with automatic top-ups. It’s best for traders who want a clutter-free, focused environment to practise core strategies.
Pros & Cons
- Unlimited demo with automatic fund reset
- Easy-to-use, beginner-friendly platform
- Wide range of CFD markets
- Limited tools for technical traders
- No MetaTrader or advanced platform support
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What Key Features Are Available?
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What Do Our Experts Say?
- Unlimited demo access
- Virtual funds auto-replenish
- Access to CFDs on forex, shares, indices, crypto, and commodities
- Simple, browser-based trading platform
- FCA-regulated in the UK
Plus500 is a solid entry point into CFD trading. It’s not built for advanced charting or heavy analysis, but for practising basic order execution and portfolio management, it gets the job done well.
80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
CMC Markets – Ideal for Advanced Charting
CMC Markets’ demo account is one of the most comprehensive I’ve come across. It gives you access to over 12,000 markets and includes all the advanced features of the live platform. If you’re an experienced trader looking to test detailed strategies with high-quality tools, this is a top-tier choice.
Pros & Cons
- Professional-grade platform
- Huge range of instruments
- Excellent charting and technical features
- Complex interface may overwhelm newcomers
- More time required to learn the platform
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What Key Features Are Available?
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What Do Our Experts Say?
- Access to 12,000+ instruments (CFDs, forex, indices, shares)
- Advanced charting and analysis tools
- Customisable layout and indicators
- Realistic pricing and market data
- FCA-regulated and UK-based
CMC’s demo is best for traders who want depth. It may be too complex for beginners, but if you’re testing a refined strategy or want access to niche markets, it delivers unmatched flexibility and realism.
70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
How We Chose the Top Demo Accounts for UK Traders?
On every platform we reviewed here, we placed trades, explored the charting tools, navigated the apps, and even asked support questions to test their service. We tested each of the demo accounts recommended in this guide using the same core criteria, all from a UK trader’s perspective.
Here are the Key Features We Evaluated:
- Ease of use
- Realistic market conditions: Demo trading should mirror the real thing as closely as possible — including spreads, slippage, and execution speed.
- Range of tradable instruments: Whether you’re into stocks, forex, crypto, or CFDs, it’s important the demo offers what you plan to trade live.
- Duration and virtual funds: Some platforms limit how long you can practise or cap your demo balance.
- Easy transition to live trading
- Regulation and trust: Every platform we looked at is regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)
Which Account Matches Your Trading Style?
Not every demo account is built for every trader — and that’s fine. The key is finding one that aligns with how you plan to trade in the real world. Whether you’re just starting out, focused on ETFs, or gearing up for fast-paced forex moves, there’s a platform that fits.
Here’s a quick breakdown based on the type of trader you are:
| Trader Type | Best Demo Account | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Total Beginner | eToro | Copy trading, unlimited demo, very beginner-friendly |
| ETF/Stock Investor | Trading 212 | Clean interface focused on long-term investing |
| Forex Day Trader | Pepperstone | MT4/cTrader platforms with fast execution |
| Advanced CFD Trader | XTB | Pro-level tools and wide market access |
| Pro-Level All-Rounder | IG | Realistic platform with global markets |
| Simple CFD Trader | Plus500 | Easy-to-use demo with broad CFD coverage |
| Strategy Tester/Technical Trader | CMC Markets | Deep charting tools and access to 12,000+ instruments |
How Do Demo Accounts Prepare You for Live Trading?
Demo accounts are a fantastic training ground, but they’re not a perfect mirror of real trading. They’ll help you build skills and test strategies, but it’s important to understand where they fall short — and how to bridge that gap when you go live.
Are Demo Accounts Realistic?
From a technical point of view, most demo accounts do a great job of simulating the market. You receive live price feeds, can place real-time orders, and see how your strategy might play out. But there’s one big difference: you’re not risking real money.
In live markets, you’ll deal with things like slippage, spreads that widen during volatile periods, and occasional execution delays. Demo accounts can’t replicate that perfectly.
Can They Build Real Trading Discipline?
Here’s the thing: it’s easy to be calm and methodical with fake money. You don’t care if a trade goes wrong, and that removes the emotional pressure that often leads to mistakes in live trading.
That said, I recommend setting rules for yourself even in a demo account. Stick to a position size, log your trades, and treat it as if your capital were real. This mental discipline will prepare you for success.
Tips for Switching from Demo to Live Trading
When you do feel ready to go live, take it slow. Here’s what worked for me:
- Start small — even just £100 or £200 is enough
- Use the same strategy you developed in demo. Don’t suddenly change course because real money is now involved.
- Keep a trading journal. Write down what you did, why you did it, and how it turned out — you’ll learn a lot from your own habits.
- Enrol in a free Trading Course – The best platforms will offer helpful, educational content alongside a seamless trading experience.
Final Thoughts – Which Demo Account Should You Try First?
If you’re just starting out, go with a platform that fits your goals. Want to learn the basics and copy successful traders? Try eToro. Prefer long-term investing? Trading 212 might suit you better. Into forex or advanced strategies? Pepperstone, XTB, or IG are strong picks.
And there’s no harm in trying more than one. They are free and will give you a better feel for which platform you’ll want to stick with when it’s time to trade live.
Featured Broker
- Copy Trading
- User Friendly Platform
- Regulated & Trusted
- 30 Million+ Users
61% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFD’s with this provider.
FAQs
Are demo trading accounts really free to use?
Yes, demo accounts are completely free to use. Reputable UK brokers like eToro, IG, and Trading 212 offer them with no obligation to deposit real money.
How long can I use a trading demo account?
It depends on the broker. Some, like eToro and Trading 212, offer unlimited access, while others, like IG and Pepperstone, limit usage to 14–30 days.
Do demo accounts use real market data?
Most quality demo accounts simulate live market conditions using real-time pricing. However, execution, spreads, and slippage may differ slightly from live trading.
Can I practise forex trading with a demo account?
Absolutely. Brokers like Pepperstone, IG, and XTB offer forex-focused demo accounts with access to real-time currency markets and professional platforms like MT4 or cTrader.
Is an FCA-regulated broker necessary for demo trading?
While demo trading doesn’t involve real money, using an FCA-regulated broker ensures the platform is trustworthy — and makes the transition to live trading safer.
Can I open multiple demo accounts with different brokers?
Yes, and it’s actually a good idea. Trying out several platforms helps you compare features, trading tools, and ease of use before choosing one to go live with.
Do I need to verify my identity to open a demo account?
Most brokers don’t require ID verification for demo access. You can usually sign up with just your name and email address.
References
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – How to check a trading platform
- IG Group – IG Demo Account
- eToro – Virtual Portfolio Explained
- Pepperstone UK – Forex Demo Account
- XTB UK – Open a Free Demo Account
- Trading 212 – Practice Investing Risk-Free
- The Times (UK) – How to Start Trading Shares in the UK
