Open a spread betting demo account

Our demo account is a risk-free simulation of our platform. You can familiarise yourself with the features and tools at your disposal, and test strategies, even after you've opened a live account. Add more virtual funds at any time via the 'Payments' menu. Learn about our web-based trading platform

You can keep your demo account open for as long as you like. Please note that shares on a CFD trading demo account are only available for a limited period, due to exchange restrictions. Most shares, including US shares, are available for 30 days once activated.

For UK and Italy shares, demo subscriptions are available for the calendar month only, so to gain the maximum time available to practise trading on shares from those two countries, activate your subscription at the beginning of the month. Learn more about shares trading with us.

To apply for a live trading account, follow these steps:

Desktop: Log in to your demo account, select the ‘Open a Live Account’ button at the top of the screen and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you already have a live trading account, you can apply for another one from the My Accounts tab, by selecting the 'Apply for another account' link, below your existing live account.

iPhone or iPad: Open the app and log in, then select the 'More' button (with the three dots), tap the ‘Open a Live Account’ button, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Android: Open the app and log in, then tap the three lines at the top of the screen, tap ‘Open a Live Account’, and follow the on-screen instructions.

There's no cost to open a live trading account with us. You can also view prices and use tools such as charts, Reuters news, or Morningstar quantitative research equity reports, free of charge. You'll need to deposit funds in your account to place a trade.

Yes, CMC Markets UK plc (registration number 173730) is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. Retail client money is held in segregated client bank accounts and money held on behalf of clients is distributed across a range of major banks, which are regularly assessed against our risk criteria.

Under the FCA's Client Money rules, we're required to segregate client money (unless you agree with us otherwise) from CMC's own funds. The funds held in segregated bank accounts do not belong to CMC, and will be held in a way that enables it to be identified as client money. Learn more about client money regulations

Our income primarily comes from our spreads, while other fees, such as overnight holding costs, also make a contribution to our overall revenue.