Investopedia Stock Simulator vs HowTheMarketWorks: paper trading compared
Investopedia Stock Simulator is a standalone; HowTheMarketWorks is a classroom. Here is how their paper trading compares using only facts from provider pages and cited reviews (see each listing's sources).
Price: Investopedia Stock Simulator — Free; HowTheMarketWorks — Free (ad-supported); classroom plans $10/student (grades 6-12), $25/student (university). Market data: Investopedia Stock Simulator — Delayed; game owner sets delay (default 20 min); HowTheMarketWorks — Real quotes; some real-time, some delayed 15-20 min; US orders fill at real-time bid/ask.
Account: Investopedia Stock Simulator — Free signup, no financial info; HowTheMarketWorks — Free account; teachers create private contests. Virtual balance: Investopedia Stock Simulator — $100,000 default; custom games $1,000-$1,000,000; HowTheMarketWorks — Practice cash changeable via support; custom contests any amount/currency. Reset: Investopedia Stock Simulator — Only if the game's rules allow; HowTheMarketWorks — Yes (practice portfolio; contests if allowed).
Markets: Investopedia Stock Simulator — US (NYSE, Nasdaq); HowTheMarketWorks — US. Platforms: Investopedia Stock Simulator — web (mobile-responsive, no app); HowTheMarketWorks — web.
Key differences in our data: only HowTheMarketWorks uses real-time/live data; Investopedia Stock Simulator adds options (buy only, no writing); HowTheMarketWorks adds bonds, mutual funds.
Pick the one that matches the market you plan to trade and the country you live in — the availability rows below show which countries each provider confirms.
| Investopedia Stock Simulator | HowTheMarketWorks | |
|---|---|---|
| Website | Visit site | Visit site |
| Type | standalone | classroom |
| Markets | US (NYSE, Nasdaq) | US |
| Assets | stocks, ETFs, options (buy only, no writing) | stocks, ETFs, bonds, mutual funds |
| Data | Delayed; game owner sets delay (default 20 min) | Real quotes; some real-time, some delayed 15-20 min; US orders fill at real-time bid/ask |
| Price | Free | Free (ad-supported); classroom plans $10/student (grades 6-12), $25/student (university) |
| Account | Free signup, no financial info | Free account; teachers create private contests |
| Starting balance | $100,000 default; custom games $1,000-$1,000,000 | Practice cash changeable via support; custom contests any amount/currency |
| Reset | Only if the game's rules allow | Yes (practice portfolio; contests if allowed) |
| Replay | unknown | unknown |
| Platforms | web (mobile-responsive, no app) | web |
| Limits | No option writing; equity-focused | No derivatives (per Rapunzl) |
| Country availability | Unverified No country restriction found on provider pages | Unverified No restriction stated; supports international stocks and currencies |
| Available in US | Unverified | Unverified |
| Available in UK | Unverified | Unverified |
| Available in IN | Unverified | Unverified |
| Available in AU | Unverified | Unverified |
| Available in CA | Unverified | Unverified |
FAQ
Is Investopedia Stock Simulator or HowTheMarketWorks free for paper trading?
Investopedia Stock Simulator: Free. HowTheMarketWorks: Free (ad-supported); classroom plans $10/student (grades 6-12), $25/student (university).
Which has real-time data, Investopedia Stock Simulator or HowTheMarketWorks?
Investopedia Stock Simulator: Delayed; game owner sets delay (default 20 min). HowTheMarketWorks: Real quotes; some real-time, some delayed 15-20 min; US orders fill at real-time bid/ask.
Do Investopedia Stock Simulator and HowTheMarketWorks require an account?
Investopedia Stock Simulator: Free signup, no financial info. HowTheMarketWorks: Free account; teachers create private contests.
Where are Investopedia Stock Simulator and HowTheMarketWorks available?
Investopedia Stock Simulator: Unverified No country restriction found on provider pages . HowTheMarketWorks: Unverified No restriction stated; supports international stocks and currencies .
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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.