Demo vs. Micro Account

platz · Dec 9, 2020

Hey Guys, a friend of mine is keen to start trading and asked me whether he should open a demo or a micro account. I'd recommend a micro account because I think you can only experience the thrill of trading with real money. But I'm keen to hear your thoughts.

MarkBrown · Dec 9, 2020

of course noting beats real... in most everything in life.

tiddlywinks · Dec 9, 2020

Beyond learning the mechanics and/or features of a specific platform, demo has little to no value.

That said, if using pretend money or actual money is really the question, then I suggest trading micros inside a demo account... There are far more critical aspects that need to be addressed.

rb7 · Dec 9, 2020

Demo first, and then micro, and finally full blown (if every previous steps were successful).

cafeole · Dec 9, 2020

If you don't already have a strategy that works, then use demo until you do.

speedo · Dec 9, 2020

Trading live and trading sim are different experiences but if you can't make "money" sim then you sure as hell won't by going live. Prove up your methodology on sim, then go to the micros, increase size until you are ready to trade the emini's. I wish there had been micros when I started, it would have saved a lot of money...and grief.

Fonz · Dec 9, 2020

platz said:
Hey Guys, ...... because I think you can only experience the thrill of trading with real money. But I'm keen to hear your thoughts.

If you want to experience the thrill of trading, go big with real money! You will definitely feel it, for a very small period of time..
Do yourself a big favor: Just don't trade live at first.
Best of luck!

eaglefeather · Dec 9, 2020

I'm exploring this topic myself. Not sure if futures are for me. Is selling futures option premium viable?

Andrew_87 · Dec 10, 2020

I would say a little time on demo and then may be starting with micro account. To me, that seems a better take.

kslandman · Dec 15, 2020

Demo and live trading aren't even close; don't expect your methods and systems used in demo to extrapolate to live. If you're a small retail trader, you'll get eaten up by others; primarily big banks/investors with high tech software (e.g. sniffers) that track your positions. Demo's give an unrealistic view and can portray excellent results-not true in the real world. It's a rigged game. If the election can use manipulation software, certainly the trading world can and has been for quite some time.