IG Demo Account

IG offers two free demo trading accounts for beginners to start training forex trading in a 100% risk-free environment. The Demo account expires after 30 days but can be set to non-expiry upon request.

Overall Rating

• 4.8/5

Min Deposit

USD 0

Regulators

FCA, CFTC, NFA, BaFin, FINMA, ASIC, FMA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, DFSA, JFSA, METI, MAFF

Trading Platform

MT4

Crypto

Yes

Total Pairs

80

Islamic Account

Yes

Trading Fees

Low

Account Activation

24 Hours

Read Review

OPEN AN ACCOUNT

on IG's website

IG Demo Account – Key Quick Point Overview

1. ☑️ Overview
2. ☑️ Demo Account
3. ☑️ How to Open an IG Demo Account
4. ☑️ Conclusion
5. ☑️ Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

IG offers two types of demo accounts to help you practice trading: the domestic demo account for South African markets and the international demo account for global markets. Both accounts provide a risk-free way to trade with virtual funds, enabling you to simulate real market conditions and hone your trading skills before transitioning to live trading.

‘71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.’.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference in the execution speed between demo and live accounts?

In most cases, the execution speed on demo accounts is similar to that of live accounts, though live accounts may experience delays due to market conditions or slippage.

Can I use demo accounts to practice using automated trading systems or expert advisors (EAs)?

Yes, you can use automated trading strategies or expert advisors (EAs) on the IG platform with a demo account to test their performance in real-time market conditions.

Do demo accounts offer customer support?

Yes, you can contact IG’s customer support team for assistance while using your demo account. They can help with platform questions, account setup, or other technical issues.

Can I access reports or performance data in the demo account?

Yes, IG provides performance reports and trade history for your demo account, allowing you to track your virtual trading activity and analyze your strategies.

Our Verdict

Trading on a demo account is free from slippage, interest charges, and other costs typically associated with live trading, allowing you to focus purely on strategy development.

Overall Rating

• 4.8/5

Min Deposit

USD 0

Regulators

FCA, CFTC, NFA, BaFin, FINMA, ASIC, FMA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, DFSA, JFSA, METI, MAFF

Trading Platform

MT4

Crypto

Yes

Total Pairs

80

Islamic Account

Yes

Trading Fees

Low

Account Activation

24 Hours

Read Review

OPEN AN ACCOUNT

on IG's website

Demo Account

IG provides two distinct demo accounts with a single login, catering to both local and international traders.

Domestic Demo Account:

With R1,000,000 in virtual funds, this account is specifically designed for those who want to trade South African assets, such as local stocks, ETFs, and the South Africa 40 index.

Since it uses local currency (ZAR), exchange rate fluctuations are minimized, making it a straightforward choice for traders focusing on South African markets.

International Demo Account:

This account gives you £10,000 in virtual funds to explore IG’s vast offering of over 17,000 international markets.

You can trade major, minor, and exotic Forex pairs, commodities, international indices, shares, and even cryptocurrencies. It’s a perfect option for traders looking to diversify their portfolios or those interested in global market exposure.

Both demo accounts allow you to practice trading contracts for difference (CFDs) in a simulated environment, where you can speculate on both rising and falling markets. The real-time price data, news feed, and live updates within the platform help you test out different strategies without any financial risk. IG’s demo accounts are compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android devices, and provide access to IG Academy for further education.

The core advantage of these demo accounts is the ability to trade risk-free, build your confidence, and test strategies before moving on to live trading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try out different trading platforms with the demo account?

Yes, IG offers several platforms, including its web platform and mobile apps, which you can use to trade on the demo account.

What happens if I run out of virtual funds in the demo account?

If you exhaust your virtual funds, you can reset your demo account and receive more virtual funds to continue trading.

Can I trade during market hours using the demo account?

Yes, you can trade on the demo account during market hours. The markets are open based on the instruments you are trading, such as stocks, Forex, and commodities.

Are there any restrictions on the types of trades I can place on a demo account?

No, you can place a wide range of trades on a demo account, including limit orders, stop-loss orders, and market orders. However, certain advanced features or instruments may not be available for demo trading.

Our Verdict

With access to IG Academy, live news updates, and real-time price data, these demo accounts are perfect for traders looking to expand their knowledge while practicing with no risk.

Overall Rating

• 4.8/5

Min Deposit

USD 0

Regulators

FCA, CFTC, NFA, BaFin, FINMA, ASIC, FMA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, DFSA, JFSA, METI, MAFF

Trading Platform

MT4

Crypto

Yes

Total Pairs

80

Islamic Account

Yes

Trading Fees

Low

Account Activation

24 Hours

Read Review

OPEN AN ACCOUNT

on IG's website

How to Open an IG Demo Account

Opening an IG demo account is quick and easy. Here’s how:

• Visit IG’s website and sign up for a free demo account.
• Select either the domestic or international demo account depending on your trading focus (South African or international markets).
• Once registered, you’ll receive virtual funds (R1,000,000 for the domestic account or £10,000 for the international account) to start trading.

Begin practicing with the demo account to familiarize yourself with IG’s platform, test strategies, and learn how to navigate the markets risk-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I practice with real-time market data on the demo account?

Yes, IG provides real-time price data on both domestic and international demo accounts, allowing you to trade with live market conditions.

Do I need prior trading experience to use a demo account?

No, demo accounts are designed for traders of all levels, from beginners to advanced. You can use them to learn the basics or to test more advanced strategies.

Can I access educational content while using the demo account?

Yes, IG offers free educational resources via IG Academy, which you can access while using the demo account to improve your trading knowledge.

Will I be able to trade with the same leverage on the demo account as I would on a live account?

Yes, the leverage provided in the demo account generally mirrors that of a live account. However, specific leverage limits may vary depending on the asset class and regulations.

Our Verdict

The international demo account provides virtual funds to trade a wide variety of international assets, from Forex pairs to commodities and cryptocurrencies, making it perfect for those seeking global market experience.

Conclusion

IG’s demo accounts provide an excellent risk-free opportunity for traders to practice, learn, and refine their strategies before entering live markets. Whether you’re focused on the South African market or looking for global exposure, IG’s domestic and international demo accounts offer a versatile and user-friendly platform to help you build your trading confidence.

You might also like:

• IG Review
• Minimum Deposit
• Fees, Spreads, and, Commissions
• Account types
• Islamic Account

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a domestic and international demo account?

The domestic demo account focuses on South African markets and currency, while the international demo account provides access to global markets using GBP virtual funds.

Do I need to deposit money to open a demo account?

No, demo accounts use virtual funds, so no actual deposit is required.

Can I trade cryptocurrencies on the demo account?

Yes, the international demo account allows you to trade cryptocurrencies, among other global assets.

Can I upgrade my demo account to a live account?

No, demo accounts cannot be upgraded to live accounts. You need to create a new live account and deposit funds.

Is there a time limit for using the demo account?

No, you can use the demo account as long as you wish to practice trading, though IG may impose inactivity restrictions after extended periods of no use.

Are the features of the demo account the same as a live account?

Most features are similar, but there are key differences such as no slippage, no interest or dividend adjustments, and no price movements outside of trading hours.

Can I use the demo account on mobile?

Yes, IG’s demo account is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, as well as Windows.

Will I be charged for using the demo account?

No, there are no charges for using the demo account.

What markets can I access with the international demo account?

You can trade over 17,000 markets, including Forex pairs, commodities, shares, global indices, and cryptocurrencies.

How realistic is the demo account for live trading?

The demo account offers real-time price data and live updates, closely simulating real market conditions, though it does not account for slippage or other live market factors like margin calls.