Paper Trading is a risk-free trading simulator that allows you to practice buying and selling securities without using real money. It’s an excellent way to apply technical and fundamental analysis, build confidence, and deepen your understanding of financial markets.
In this guide, we’ll explore the features of TradingView’s Paper Trading tool and how you can leverage it to refine your strategies before transitioning to live trading.
What Is Paper Trading?
Paper Trading, also known as simulated trading, enables you to trade with virtual money in near-real market conditions. Everything functions similarly to live trading—except there’s no financial risk.
Key benefits include:
- Practicing strategies without fear of losses.
- Testing indicators, chart patterns, and technical setups.
- Gaining familiarity with order types (market, limit, stop).
- Tracking performance through virtual account balances.
👉 Start your risk-free trading journey today
Why Use Paper Trading?
Before risking real capital, Paper Trading helps you:
- Validate trading strategies in different market conditions.
- Experiment with technical & fundamental analysis tools.
- Understand leverage, margins, and position management.
- Develop discipline in executing trades.
Pro Tip: Use it to backtest strategies before applying them in live markets.
How to Activate a Paper Trading Account
- Log in to your TradingView account.
- Open the Trading Panel at the bottom of any chart.
- Select Paper Trading from the available brokers.
- Click "Connect"—your demo account will be ready instantly.
Your account starts with $100,000 in virtual funds and preset leverage for different assets:
- Stocks: 1:1
- Futures: 20:1
- Forex: 50:1
- Cryptocurrencies: 10:1
Navigating the Trading Panel
The Trading Panel is your hub for executing and managing trades. It includes:
- Account Management – Adjust settings, reset balances, or switch demo accounts.
- Order Panel – Place market, limit, or stop orders.
- Market Depth – View liquidity levels for better trade execution.
Key Features of Paper Trading
1. Account Management
- Reset Your Account: Clear orders, history, and positions anytime.
- Adjust Leverage: Modify preset ratios for different asset classes.
- Customize Commissions: Set fees per contract or as a percentage.
2. Order Types
- Market Orders – Instant execution at current prices.
- Limit Orders – Buy/sell at a specified price or better.
- Stop Orders – Trigger trades when price hits a predefined level.
3. Tracking Performance
Monitor:
- Open positions
- Order history
- Realized/unrealized P&L
- Margin usage
How to Place a Trade
Method 1: Order Panel
- Select an asset (e.g., BTC/USD).
- Choose an order type (Market/Limit/Stop).
- Enter quantity and price (if applicable).
- Execute the trade.
Method 2: Chart Trading
Trade directly from charts using one-click orders for faster execution.
👉 Master advanced trading techniques
FAQs
Q: Is Paper Trading free?
A: Yes! TradingView’s Paper Trading is 100% free with no hidden fees.
Q: Can I change my demo account currency?
A: Yes—reset your account and select from 20+ currencies (USD, EUR, BTC, etc.).
Q: Does Paper Trading simulate slippage?
A: Orders execute at realistic market prices, but extreme volatility may affect fills.
Q: Can I practice options trading?
A: Currently, Paper Trading supports stocks, forex, crypto, and futures—not options.
Take the Next Step: Join "The Leap"
Ready to test your skills? Compete in The Leap, TradingView’s virtual trading championship:
- Compete globally with no real money at stake.
- Win cash prizes.
- Trade unique asset combinations each season.
Final Thoughts
Paper Trading bridges the gap between theory and live trading. Use it to:
✔ Refine strategies risk-free.
✔ Learn order execution and position management.
✔ Build confidence before trading with real capital.
For further learning, explore TradingView’s guides on:
Happy trading! 🚀
— The TradingView Team