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Best paper trading apps for US stocks (2026)

We track 26 paper trading simulators that either cover US markets or are confirmed available to residents of the United States. Only 12 of them have a provider statement confirming availability there: TradingView Paper Trading, Webull paperTrade, Interactive Brokers Paper Trading, TradeStation Simulator, Alpaca Paper Trading API, eToro Virtual Portfolio and 6 more. Everything else is marked “Unverified” — we found no statement either way, so check the provider’s sign-up page before you invest time.

Of these, 19 are listed as free (TradingView Paper Trading, Webull paperTrade, Interactive Brokers Paper Trading, TradeStation Simulator, Alpaca Paper Trading API, eToro Virtual Portfolio and 13 more), 16 use real-time or live data at least partly (TradingView Paper Trading, Webull paperTrade, Interactive Brokers Paper Trading, TradeStation Simulator, Alpaca Paper Trading API, eToro Virtual Portfolio and 10 more), and 3 can be used without a brokerage account (Alpaca Paper Trading API, moomoo Paper Trading, Tradeskill).

The most completely documented options here are TradingView Paper Trading (price: Free (any TradingView plan); data: US stocks Cboe feed by default; CME futures 10-min delayed unless real-time bought; crypto real-time; starting balance: $100,000 default (per StockBrokers.com via SnappChart)); Webull paperTrade (price: Free; data: real-time incl. Level 2; starting balance: Unlimited virtual funds); Interactive Brokers Paper Trading (price: Free; data: Free trial: delayed 10-15 min (OTC spot FX & metals non-delayed); paper account mirrors live data subscriptions; starting balance: US$1,000,000 (paper account)).

How to choose: decide first whether you need the same market you will trade for real (e.g. NSE F&O vs US stocks), whether delayed quotes are acceptable for your style (they are fine for long-term practice, poor for day trading), and whether the app forces you to open a brokerage account. Each linked listing shows its sources so you can confirm the details.

SimulatorAvailability in USAssetsDataPriceLink
TradingView Paper TradingAvailable (verified)stocks, forex, crypto, futures, indicesUS stocks Cboe feed by default; CME futures 10-min delayed unless real-time bought; crypto real-timeFree (any TradingView plan)Visit TradingView Affiliate
Webull paperTradeAvailable (verified)stocks, ETFs, options, crypto, event contractsreal-time incl. Level 2FreeVisit site
Interactive Brokers Paper TradingAvailable (verified)stocks, ETFs, options, futures, forex, crypto, bonds, metalsFree trial: delayed 10-15 min (OTC spot FX & metals non-delayed); paper account mirrors live data subscriptionsFreeVisit site
TradeStation SimulatorAvailable (verified)stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, options, futuresFree real-time data for non-professionals (funded account required)Free with accountVisit site
Alpaca Paper Trading APIAvailable (verified)stocksReal-time IEX data (Paper Only accounts get IEX only)FreeVisit site
eToro Virtual PortfolioAvailable (verified)stocks, ETFs, crypto, CFDsreal-time (per TradeAlgo)FreeVisit site
Schwab thinkorswim paperMoneyAvailable (verified)stocks, options, futures, forexReal-time simulated market data (paperMoney)FreeVisit site
moomoo Paper TradingAvailable (verified)stocks, ETFs, options, futures, cryptoreal-time quotesFreeVisit site
The Stock Market Game (SIFMA Foundation)Available (verified)stocks, bonds, mutual fundsReal-time or end-of-day games, depending on the game (SMG rules)Set by state coordinators (e.g. $10-$30 per team in Virginia)Visit site
E*TRADE (Power E*TRADE) Paper TradingAvailable (verified)stocks, ETFs, optionsunknownFree for clientsVisit site
IG Demo AccountAvailable (verified)CFDs, forex, indices, sharesunknownFreeVisit site
TradingView The Leap (competitions)Available (verified)stocks, futures, forex, cryptounknownFree entryVisit site
NinjaTrader SimulatorUnverifiedfuturesLive streaming for 14-day trial, then delayed unless data subscription or funded accountFree platform and simulator (paid platform licences optional)Visit site
Investopedia Stock SimulatorUnverifiedstocks, ETFs, options (buy only, no writing)Delayed; game owner sets delay (default 20 min)FreeVisit site
HowTheMarketWorksUnverifiedstocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual fundsReal quotes; some real-time, some delayed 15-20 min; US orders fill at real-time bid/askFree (ad-supported); classroom plans $10/student (grades 6-12), $25/student (university)Visit site
TradeskillUnverifiedstocks, ETFs, cryptoLive prices (per site)Free forever (per site)Visit site
CME Group Trading SimulatorUnverifiedfutures, options on futuresReal market data delayed 10 min in practice; real-time in Trading ChallengesFree ($0)Visit site
5Trade Paper TradingUnverifiedfutures, options, commodities, forex, crypto, stocksLive real-time data (official)FreeVisit site
JagSimUnverifiedstocks, cryptounknownFreeVisit site
Trade Ideas (simulated trading)UnverifiedstocksReal-time (real-time paper trading in-app)Standard $127/mo or $1,068/yr; Premium $254/mo or $2,136/yrVisit site
ETNA Paper Trading SimulatorUnverifiedstocks, optionsreal-time (per Capterra)Conflicting on ETNA pages: 'free for individuals' vs $19 delayed-quote planVisit site
Zacks Trade Paper TradingUnverifiedstocks, options, futuresunknownunknownVisit site
Wall Street SurvivorUnverifiedstocksunknownFree stock game; paid coursesVisit site
TradersPost (paper broker)Unverifiedstocks, options, futures, cryptounknown7-day free trial; Starter $41.65/mo billed yearly; extra paper accounts $5/moVisit site
Iron CondorUnverifiedstocks, ETFs, options, cryptounknownunknownVisit site
StradrUnverifiedstocksunknownunknownVisit site

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FAQ

What is the best paper trading app for US stocks?

It depends on your market and data needs. The most completely documented options in our dataset are TradingView Paper Trading, Webull paperTrade, Interactive Brokers Paper Trading. Compare data delay, price and account rules in the table above.

Which paper trading apps for US stocks are free?

Listed as free: TradingView Paper Trading, Webull paperTrade, Interactive Brokers Paper Trading, TradeStation Simulator, Alpaca Paper Trading API, eToro Virtual Portfolio, Schwab thinkorswim paperMoney, moomoo Paper Trading, E*TRADE (Power E*TRADE) Paper Trading, IG Demo Account and 9 more. Some 'free' simulators require a funded or approved brokerage account; see each listing.

Which have real-time data?

Real-time or live data (at least partly): TradingView Paper Trading, Webull paperTrade, Interactive Brokers Paper Trading, TradeStation Simulator, Alpaca Paper Trading API, eToro Virtual Portfolio, Schwab thinkorswim paperMoney, moomoo Paper Trading, The Stock Market Game (SIFMA Foundation), NinjaTrader Simulator and 6 more. Check each listing for delays on specific markets.

Can I paper trade without opening a brokerage account?

Yes, these need no brokerage account: Alpaca Paper Trading API, moomoo Paper Trading, Tradeskill.

Which paper trading apps are confirmed available in the United States?

Provider-confirmed: TradingView Paper Trading, Webull paperTrade, Interactive Brokers Paper Trading, TradeStation Simulator, Alpaca Paper Trading API, eToro Virtual Portfolio, Schwab thinkorswim paperMoney, moomoo Paper Trading, The Stock Market Game (SIFMA Foundation), E*TRADE (Power E*TRADE) Paper Trading, IG Demo Account, TradingView The Leap (competitions).

Comparisons on this list

Schwab thinkorswim paperMoney vs Webull paperTradeTradingView Paper Trading vs Schwab thinkorswim paperMoneymoomoo Paper Trading vs Webull paperTradeInteractive Brokers Paper Trading vs Schwab thinkorswim paperMoneyInvestopedia Stock Simulator vs HowTheMarketWorksNinjaTrader Simulator vs TradeStation SimulatorTradingView Paper Trading vs NinjaTrader SimulatorTradingView Paper Trading vs Webull paperTradeInteractive Brokers Paper Trading vs TradeStation SimulatoreToro Virtual Portfolio vs IG Demo AccountAlpaca Paper Trading API vs Interactive Brokers Paper TradingInvestopedia Stock Simulator vs Wall Street SurvivorCME Group Trading Simulator vs NinjaTrader Simulator

Related lists

India (NSE/BSE)UK tradersAustraliaCanadaglobal marketsoptionsfuturesforexcryptoCFDsclassrooms & teachersbeginnersfree paper tradingpractising without a brokerage accountreal-time datafree real-time datamarket replayalgo/API testingmobile

Information only, not financial advice. Simulated results do not predict real results. Features and availability change and vary by country; check the provider's site. Sponsored or affiliate links, if any, are labelled.