eToro Demo Account

Written by Mike Druttman

Fact checked by Nick Zelver

Updated Mar, 2024

As an avid trader, I was intrigued by eToro's platform and its demo account feature so I decided to dive in, curious to see how it could bolster my trading skills. This account, I found, is a goldmine for both rookies and seasoned traders, offering a hands-on experience in a risk-free environment that perfectly mimics real-market conditions.

Key Insights from My eToro Demo Experience

Here are some simple yet important points from my experience with the eToro demo account:

• It's totally free and doesn't need any real money deposit.
• It looks and works just like the real trading platform, so you get a real sense of how things work before you trade with your own money.
• You get $100,000 in virtual money to practice trading different assets.
• It's a safe way to try out trading strategies and see their results without risking your actual money.
• It's really helpful for beginners to learn about eToro's tools and features.
• You can switch between your real and demo accounts anytime, which makes it easy to go from practice to real trading.
• While it is great for learning, trading with real money can be different. The way your trades perform in the demo might not be the same as in real trading.

Quick 101: What is the eToro Demo Account?

An eToro demo account is a simulated online trading account that will allow you to apply and practice your trading strategies and techniques without any risk of losing real money. This is a great tool particularly if you are a new user who wants to get a feel for the platform and test out your trading skills before trading with real money.

Opening an eToro Demo Account

So how do I open a demo account on eToro and what are the steps involved? This can be done via the regular registration process so you are basically signing up for an eToro account.

That means you need to open your web browser and go to www.etoro.com. Then you just need to click on "Join Now", complete the registration procees, and voilà, you're done. At this point, the demo account will also be activated.

$100,000 in Virtual Funds

Wondering if real money is involved in a demo trading account? The answer is a clear NO. This is a virtual portfolio, equipped with a separate virtual currency, and it arrives pre-loaded with a generous $100,000 in virtual credit.

💰 How does this work for you?

You can utilize these virtual funds to explore the platform or engage in practice trading, all without the risk of losing actual money or capital. Additionally, if you wish to simulate a more modest trading environment, you have the option to reduce the virtual balance to as low as $2,000.

Account Expiration: What You Need to Know

One of the key questions I had before starting was, 'Is there a time limit on eToro's demo account, or is it unlimited?' The good news is that it doesn't expire.

Given its indefinite availability, you have the flexibility to use it for an extended period. Nonetheless, it's advisable to treat the demo account primarily as a means for learning and honing your trading skills, rather than as a perpetual trading platform.

💸 It's also important to be aware: The $100,000 virtual fund in your demo account are finite. Consequently, should these funds deplete, you'll need to replenish them to maintain your practice trading activities.

Virtual Portfolio Limitations

One common inquiry among beginners is what are the limitations of an eToro demo account when it comes to experiencing actual market volatility.

Although this virtual portfolio offers a comprehensive preview of the live platform and gives you acces to real market prices, it is important to note that it has certain limitations. These include the absence of real-world financial consequences and constraints on specific features and updates.

eToro Demo and Live Account: What's the Difference?

You might be wondering what is the difference between the eToro demo and real account. Here are some key points:

• The main difference is that a demo account allows you to practice your trading skills without risking any real money. This is because a demo account is funded with virtual money, which you can use to make trades and test out different trading strategies without any financial risk.
• Another key difference is the level of access to the platform's features. The demo account allows you to access most of the same features as a real account, including the ability to trade a wide range of assets, copy other traders, and use the eToro trading platform. However, some advanced features may not be available on a demo, such as certain trading tools.

Using the Demo Account

You're probably wondering, how do I use the eToro demo account to get started without risking real money?

To begin, you first need to create an account with eToro, as access to the practice account is tied to your registration on the platform. Once you've registered and can access the platform or app, simply select the "Virtual Portfolio" option. This will take you directly to the demo environment.

At this stage, you'll have the opportunity to engage in practice trading using the provided virtual funds, allowing you to experiment and learn without any financial risk. This is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the trading world in a safe and controlled setting.

Here's the Deal: No Activation Needed!

Once you successfully register with eToro, you automatically receive access to a demo account. That means there's no need for you to request activation of this feature, as it becomes available automatically when your real account is opened.

Logging Into the eToro Demo Account

I find accessing this broker's demo account to be very straightforward, as it uses the same login credentials as the real account. You can access it via the following:

• For web access, simply visit www.etoro.com/login.
• If you prefer using the mobile app, launch it on your device, and it will directly lead you to the sign-in screen.

Demo Currency Options

This virtual account is set to use US Dollars by default. However, they offer the flexibility to choose from other supported currencies. Since I am more accustomed to Pound Sterling, I opted to use this currency while operating in the demo mode on the platform.

💱 Important Consideration for Currency Selection:

Please be aware that if you select a currency other than US Dollars for your eToro demo account, the $100,000 virtual fund will be converted into your chosen currency. The value of this virtual fund is subject to fluctuation, as it adjusts in real-time according to the prevailing exchange rates. For instance, when I chose Pound Sterling, the $100,000 demo fund was converted to approximately £81,382.90, based on the exchange rate at the time of writing this article.

Adding More Virtual Funds to the Demo

What if your virtual equity drops to $0? In such a case, you'll need to reach out to thecustomer support team to request a top-up of your virtual funds. This can be done by submitting a ticket through eToro's Customer Service Center page, specifying the amount you wish to add to your virtual portfolio. You can request up to an additional $100,000 in virtual money for your demo account. While top-ups are generally permitted, they are subject to approval.

Want to Reduce Your Virtual Funds?

If you prefer to work with a smaller amount, you can also request to decrease the funds in your virtual account. This is done by sending a ticket to the customer support team, indicating the specific amount of virtual funds you wish to retain. Remember, the minimum amount you can reduce your demo funds to is $2,000.

Resetting the Demo Account

As for resetting your demo account, including trading history and stats, it's important to note that this is not an option. The broker does not allow for the virtual portfolio to be restarted as it is directly linked to your real portfolio.

Here's a tip: If you're looking for a fresh start with no trading history and stats, and the initial $100,000 virtual equity, the only alternative is to open a new eToro account with a different username and email address. This will create a new virtual portfolio.

Access to a Basic Platform Demo on eToro?

If you're curious about whether eToro offers a basic demo or sample interface for non-registered users, the answer to that is there's none. After exploring eToro's website and app, I was able to conclude that the standard demo account, also known as the "virtual portfolio," is the sole demo feature available. And in order to utilize this, registration with eToro is necessary, and you must be logged into the platform to access the feature.

Using the Demo Account for Copy Trading

Copying a trade while using the demo account follows similar steps to the live account, with just a few minor differences. Here's how you can copy trade in practice mode:

1. Log in to your account on the eToro web platform or mobile app.
2. After the platform loads, find the dropdown menu below your username and switch it to "Virtual Portfolio". A pop-up will appear, notifying you about the switch to the Virtual Portfolio.
3. Click on "Go to Virtual Portfolio" to enter demo mode, then select "Discover".
4. Choose the "CopyTrader" feature. The platform will display a list of investors along with summaries of their portfolios.
5. Explore the list and select your preferred eToro trader by clicking on their profile.
6. To copy a user’s trade, click the "Copy" button on their profile and set your desired trade amount.
7. Finalize your settings and click "Copy" again to initiate the trade and then monitor the trading outcomes.

Demo Account Access for UK Traders and Other Countries

In my quest to discover if there's a specialized method for UK-based eToro traders to access the demo account, I learned that the process is uniform for all eToro clients, regardless of their country. UK traders, like their counterparts from other nations, can easily log in to their virtual portfolio using the web platform or mobile apps.

Now what about traders from other countries? The same principle applies. eToro traders from various countries, including Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and others supported by eToro, all follow the same procedure to access their demo accounts. There are no country-specific instructions, ensuring a consistent experience for all users worldwide.

Wrapping Up: Your Guide to the eToro Demo Account

As we reach the end of this guide, I hope the information provided has been both insightful and practical for your journey with eToro's demo account. Whether your aim is to sharpen your trading skills or to simply get a feel of the platform in virtual mode, this guide is designed to assist you in making the most of this valuable feature. So be sure to utilize this account to its fullest potential, and may it serve as a stepping stone towards your trading proficiency.

eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.

Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Trading history presented is less than 5 complete years and may not suffice as basis for investment decision.

Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply. Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.