Open a forex demo account and practise trading risk-free

Q: How do I open a forex demo account?

All you need to do to open a CFD demo account is provide a valid email address, your full name, phone number and password. Once you have opened a demo account, you will need to click on the verification link sent to your registered email address to activate it.

Q: What is the difference between a demo account and a live trading account?

Our CFD demo account is a risk-free simulation of our platform. You can get a taste for the features, and you can use it to test strategies, even after you've opened a live account. You can add more virtual funds at any time via the 'Payments' menu. On the other hand, with a live accoun,t you are using real capital and exposing yourself to actual financial profits or losses.

Q: How long does a forex demo account last?

You can keep your demo account open for as long as you like. Please note that shares on a CFD trading demo account are available for 30 days only due to exchange restrictions.

Q: Can I renew my demo account?

As CMC Markets demo trading accounts do not have an expiry date, you can practise indefinitely. If you need to replenish your funds, you can do so through the ‘Funding’ menu in the CMC Markets platform.

Q: How can I switch from a demo account to a live account?

Login via the web portal here. Simply click on the "My Accounts" button within the CMC platform to start the online application process. Follow the easy steps to activate your live account.

Q: How does CMC Markets protect my money?

Client money is held in segregated accounts, in line with applicable regulatory requirements. Segregation means client money is kept separate from the firm's own money. Regulatory protection doesn't remove the risk of trading losses.

Q: Is CMC Markets regulated?

Yes, CMC Markets Canada Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO). CFDs are distributed in Canada by CMC Markets Canada Inc. acting as principal.

Q: Is it free to open an account?

There's no fee to open an account. Trading costs may apply when you trade, including spreads, commissions, holding costs, and other applicable charges.

Q: How does CMC Markets make money?

CMC Markets may make money from the spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell prices. Depending on the account type and product, commissions and holding costs may also apply.

Q: What can I trade with CMC Markets?

CMC Markets Canada offers access to CFDs across forex and other markets. Product availability may vary by account type, platform, and jurisdiction.

Explore the markets without putting your capital at risk. Open a free forex demo account with CMC Markets and trade 330+ CFD instruments using $10,000 in virtual funds - on the same award-winning platforms* used by our live traders.

Key benefits

Get $10,000 of virtual funds

Experienced customer service in EN, FR, ZH

Trade on forex from 0.0 pips with our FX active account

Trade on 330 forex pairs and leverage our award-winning CFD platform*

No obligation - switch to a live account when you’re ready

Est. 1989

2m+ global traders and investors¹

LSE listed*

2025 WINNER

No.1 Commissions & Fees

ForexBrokers.com Awards

2023 WINNER

Best Forex Broker

Good Money Guide Awards

2024 WINNER

Best Mobile Trading Platform

ADVFN International Financial Awards

What is forex trading?

Foreign exchange (forex) trading refers to the buying and selling of one currency against another, in what is the world’s most actively traded market.

The forex market operates 24/5, and many traders are drawn to it because of its volatility and the potential trading opportunities.

With a forex demo trading account, you can simulate real-world trading and market conditions with virtual funds, creating a risk-free environment to practise and familiarize yourself with trading strategies and tools.

Learn more about Forex trading

How to open a forex demo account

Apply

Just enter your email address and a password, then we’ll send you a verification message.

Explore

Get to know the platform: discover the product library, market calendar, and much more.

Learn

Practise trading on forex with $10,000 of virtual funds, and explore the platform’s huge range of tools.

Start trading

Why open a forex demo account with CMC Markets Canada?

Award-winning platforms

Trade on the CMC Markets platform, MT4 or TradingView - all accessible through your demo account. Each platform offers advanced charting, customisable layouts, and mobile access.

Real-time market data

Your forex demo mirrors live market conditions.

330+ CFD instruments

Go beyond forex. Practise trading indices, commodities, shares, rates and bonds, and ETFs - all from the one demo account.

Risk-free trading

Make mistakes, test ideas, and refine your approach with $10,000 in virtual funds.

Lightning-fast execution

Experience 100% automated execution with a median trade execution time of 0.009 seconds and a 99.9% fill rate - the same speed and reliability as our live platform.

Seamless upgrade to live

When you’re confident in your strategy, transitioning from a demo account to live is simple. Your forex demo account login credentials are managed from the same portal.

What are other traders saying about CMC Markets?

As a financial services pioneer, we combine technical excellence with 37 years of industry know-how. That‘s why 2 million+ global traders and investors put their confidence in us.²

User FriendUser Friendly Platform / Easy to Use / Nice charts ly Platform / Easy to Use /…User Friendly Platform / Easy to Use / Nice charts M D Khorasani,2 hours ago

great chartsgreat chartsYves Larochelle,yesterday

like numbersnumberslike numbersAlbert,2 days ago

So easy to useSo easy to use, no irritating complication like I’ve experienced on other platform, I certain that I’m sticking with them…Millie,3 days ago

I use CMC for spread bettingI use CMC for spread betting. It’s pretty easy to use. Like any leveraged trading platform, it’s easy to take a lot of risk! Easy to use,3 days ago

very easy platform quick to move around…very easy platform quick to move around user friendly easy to learn comfortable to use Yunus Luqmani,5 days ago

New hereNew here, and finding my way around and looking to the futureRobert Patterson,5 days ago

Prefect dataPrefect dataKhalil,7 days ago

Good simple to use appGood simple to use appDIPA LAKHMAN,October 22

I like it because it’s easy to trade or…I like it because it’s easy to trade or make deposit or withdraw and quick login and logout and no extra charges Afsin,October 22

Dive deeper

What is forex trading?

Explore the world of forex trading and understand how currency markets operate globally.

Learn more about Forex trading

How to trade forex

Learn how to start trading forex with this essential step-by-step guide, covering everything from how to choose a currency pair to opening your first trade.

Learn how to trade FX

Advantages and disadvantages of CFD trading

Margin in forex

Understand how margin works in forex in determining how much you can control in the market and how leverage can amplify profit and loss when trading with leverage.

Learn more about margin in forex

FAQs

New to forex trading?

How do I open a forex demo account?

What is the difference between a demo account and a live trading account?

How long does a forex demo account last?

Can I renew my demo account?

How can I switch from a demo account to a live account?

New to CMC Markets?

How does CMC Markets protect my money?

Is CMC Markets regulated?

Is it free to open an account?

How does CMC Markets make money?

What can I trade with CMC Markets?

Do you have any questions?

Our client services team is here whenever the markets are open.
Email us at clientmanagement@cmcmarkets.ca or call us on 1-866-884-2608.

¹Best Mobile Trading Platform, ADVFN International Financial Awards 2024; No.1 Web Platform, ForexBrokers.com Awards 2023; No.1 Most Currency Pairs, ForexBrokers.com Awards 2023; Best Charting (Germany), Investment Trends Leverage Trading Report 2023; Best Customer Service (Germany), Investment Trends Leverage Trading Report 2023; Best In-House Analysts, Professional Trader Awards 2023; No.1 Platform Technology (UK), ForexBrokers.com Awards 2022; Best CFD Provider (UK), Online Money Awards 2022; Industry Pioneer with "Outstanding" Customer Rating (Germany), Focus Money Test Edition 36/2022, "Very good" Trading Platform (Germany), Deutsches Kundeninstitut (DKI) Survey 2022.

²0.009 seconds CFD median trade execution time on CMC Markets' web and mobile platforms, 1 April 2024-31 March 2025.

Open a forex demo account and practise trading risk-free

What is forex trading?

How to open a forex demo account

Why open a forex demo account with CMC Markets Canada?

What are other traders saying about CMC Markets?