Jump to content

Welcome to the new Traders Laboratory! Please bear with us as we finish the migration over the next few days. If you find any issues, want to leave feedback, get in touch with us, or offer suggestions please post to the Support forum here.

  • Welcome Guests

    Welcome. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest which does not give you access to all the great features at Traders Laboratory such as interacting with members, access to all forums, downloading attachments, and eligibility to win free giveaways. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free. Create a FREE Traders Laboratory account here.

vatofl88

Free Demo Account

Recommended Posts

I am interested in day trading and would like some advice on various free simulation/demo accounts that I could use to begin papertrading. Once I get comfortable in the demo account and I learn more about day trading, I would like to work with with a prop firm such as cy group and starting making real trades.

 

What I am looking for is an simulation/demo account that is going to be as close as it gets to real live trading and having a real account with prop firm/or general retail account. Meaning something that will give me access to stop/loss, p&l statements, etc.

 

I have seen a few places mentioned such as interactive brokers, infinity trading, ninja trader, etc. All I am looking for is something free that is very similar to the real thing. Thank you for the help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I am interested in day trading and would like some advice on various free simulation/demo accounts that I could use to begin papertrading. Once I get comfortable in the demo account and I learn more about day trading, I would like to work with with a prop firm such as cy group and starting making real trades.

 

What I am looking for is an simulation/demo account that is going to be as close as it gets to real live trading and having a real account with prop firm/or general retail account. Meaning something that will give me access to stop/loss, p&l statements, etc.

 

I have seen a few places mentioned such as interactive brokers, infinity trading, ninja trader, etc. All I am looking for is something free that is very similar to the real thing. Thank you for the help.

 

IB paper trading (not the demo!) is fine. (It's free once you create the account) . Can have multiple paper trading account.

 

Tom

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use the IB paper trading account, that works fine and it works the same as my real account. Ofcourse you need a relevant data subscribtion and a normal IB account to have access to the papertrading account.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What size account are you thinking of opeing?

 

If you open a decent size account (10,000+, maybe in some cases a little less) most brokers have a demo account with live feeds that are pretty realistic. NinjaTrader has an excellent simulator given a real time data feed. That will meet the requirements you stated above.

 

You mention trading with a prop shop like cy group; do you mean immediately once you get comfortable with the demo account? You might do a search on cy group to see how they are thought of; I don't personally know anything about them.

 

Scott

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use Go Markets real and Demo for all the indicators etc I develop and use.

You can read about them on my Indicator Website.

(Moderator: Promo URL removed)

They could be just what your looking for.

Cheers

Brooky

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What products are you intending to trade?

 

I primarily trade ES emini's, have a ToS account and intend to move it. Recently demo's the BestDirect platform w/ PFGBest, it was the closest to live trading I've experienced. By that I mean one does not get an instant fill when a limit or stop price trades, but it simulates actual fills, unlike paper money w/ ToS, or other simulators I've used.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The next challenge u will face is one of going back and looking at historical trades, any thing beside real data coming in is historical.. Depending on the time frame of ur charts and how close to the tic ur entries and exits are, u might spend ur whole career trying to figure out, why the backtrading looks so good but I lost my account real time.. The most pure historical data is tic data,, but finding enough of it in the platform u like and can afford, will be the next challenge which is really the first challenge.. Charts may change subtly everytime u reload the chart.. Also some of the providers skip tics or the volume data is inaccurate if ur trading system depends on these... The further u get away from minute bars the more ur charts may change on reloads..

 

Wish I would have known this 15yrs ago.... :2c:

Edited by gg80108

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Getting historical quotes are a challenge. I like to work with 1 minute bars, but historical quotes are generally 1 day bars. Attached is an Excel spreadsheet that downloads your stock symbol data from Yahoo to a csv formatted file. There's one csv file for each symbol. From there you can import the data into your trading platform.

 

If anyone finds free historical data with 1 minute bars, please reply and let me know how to get it.

Excel Historical Quote Downloader.zip

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

if u have a data feed ,use ninja trader,,,,,every thing is real in demo.historical data is free end of day in ninja with kinetick as well.u can test your strategies and indicators as long as u want.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The situation one runs into using data "bar data" aka: OHLC , End Of Day, Was the High price made before the Low price or versa? Can make a real difference in some systems especially minute bars that the range can be vast in one minute, when the entry and stop could be hit on the same bar..

Its one thing recognizing the various charting formations after the fact(bar data), (i'm 100%) but recognizing the patterns as they are occurring, priceless... :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know that NinjaTrader as well as MetaTrader are free; however, the data sources are free depending on the brokerage company you get them from. So where did you get your download of NinjaTrader and what broker do you use as a data source? Also does your free data source include stock data? Thanks for the info.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Opening demo account with a broker that has MT4 (Meta trader 4) platform is a good idea. It's free, some brokers require you re-open new demo after 3 months or so, some let you keep demo forever. Many brokers with MT4 are forex, but some also have futures and stocks. You can open demo and write the amount of money, and you trade these virtual money under the exact conditions you would trade real. No data delay.

 

The problem is that if you want to trade futures, better don't use "bucket shops". But as far as demo is concerned, then you have no risk.

 

Plus there is a way to import historical data to MT4 and keep the platform off-line, treat it as your charting software. You would need to update data by hand thereafter, but you know, many people still keep doing this using various charting software using EOD data.

 

I did that to backtest many markets, once I had data on my excel sheet (which you need to obtain from some source, and I really think there are many possibilities to get it free of charge) you import it into MT4. That depends if you need data for floor traded session or not.

 

Anyway, i feel MT4 is worth trying, free, many indicators, you can make your own, etc.

 

One thing I wouldn't trust is MT4 strategy tester.

I always test by hand, bar-by-bar.

 

Happy New Year.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i have a real time acount with IB(interactive brokers)charges for data are very low,,downloads for ninja is available in there support forum.almost every thing is there.or u can try bigmiketrading.com

goodluck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
There is a 20 minute delay with their paper trading, but you can try Think or Swim

 

I went through the process of tos, but they wanted me to fax forms and fund the account. I am just looking for something simple, where I can exchange some basic info, open account, and start paper trading.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

only in forex,,real time data is free for demo.if u want real time demo,u have to open an account with some stock/future broker,,,like IB,MIRUS,VELOCITY,AMP or GLOBAL FUTURES, or some like this.u can fund your account and stay in demo as long as u able to go for live trade.it depend what u like to trade

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used Alpari's demo platform and am now trading for real on their micro account. The demo is very authentic albeit with the smaller spreads associated with their professional account which needs $20,000 to start trading with unlike the micro which needs $200 to start trading. However, I think this is no issue unless you are trading less than a 15 minute chart. However, Alpari is for Forex and some cfd's. Unlike some other organisations, there is no time limit on practicing on their demo.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes this is a rubrics cube, which dominated more time and frustration which I care to admit, getting the platform/charting/order entry with the indicators, the broker is the least consideration, since they all have competitive fees now...If u venture outside of the standard indicators that every charting package has.. Think I would go for TradesStation,, cause u get what u pay for... I'm a Ninjatrader now due to the various gurus I followed over the years, but seem like most pro traders depend on TradeStation..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Topics

  • Posts

    • A custom Better Daily Range indicator for MT5 is now available on the Metaquotes website and directly in the MT5 platform. https://www.mql5.com/en/market/product/103800 The Better Daily Range indicator shows the previous trading day's price range on the current day's chart. Many traders mark out the previous day's high, low, and the current day's open before trading. This is not an average true range indicator (ATR). This is not an average daily range indicator (ADR). This is a daily range indicator (DR). This indicator shows horizontal maximum and minimum range lines. If your broker-dealer's MT5 platform shows Sunday bars, Sunday bars are not included as previous days. In other words, Monday uses Friday's price data (skips Sunday). This indicator also shows two 25% (of range) breakout lines: one that is 25% higher than the maximum range line, and one that is 25% lower than minimum range line. A middle range line is also shown. Immediately after the daily close of your broker-dealer, all five range lines update to the new daily values.   Many traders only trade during times of high volume/liquidity. The Better Daily Range indicator also shows five adjustable time separator lines: A local market open time line (a vertical line), A local market middle time A line (a vertical line), A local market middle time B (a vertical line), A local market middle time C (a vertical line), A local market close time (a vertical line), and A local market open price (a horizontal line). The location of the local market open price depends on your input local market open time. In other words, you input your desired market open time according to your local machine/device time and the indicator automatically shows all five session lines. When your incoming price bars reach your input local market open time line, the indicator automatically shows the price to appear at your input local market open time. If your broker-dealer's MT5 platform shows Sunday bars, the time separator lines do not show on a Sunday. Immediately after midnight local machine/device time, the five session time lines (vertical lines) are projected forward into the current day (into the future hours) and the local open price line is erased. The local open price line reappears when the price bars on the chart reach your input local open time (your local machine/device time).   The indicator has the following inputs (settings):   Chart symbol of source chart [defaults to: EURUSD] - Allows you to show data from another chart symbol other than the current chart symbol. Handy for showing standard timeframe data on an MT5 Custom Chart. Local trading session start hour [defaults to: 09] - Set your desired start hour for trading according to the time displayed on your local machine/device operating system (all times below are your local machine/device operating system times). The default setting, 09, means 9:00am. Local trading session start minute [defaults to: 30] - Set your desired start minute. The default setting, 30, means 30 minutes. Both the default hour and the default minute together mean 9:30am. Local trading session hour A [defaults to: 11] - Set your desired middle hour A for stopping trading when volume tends to decrease during the first half of lunch time. The default setting, 11, means 11:00am. Local trading session minute A [defaults to: 00] - Set your desired middle minute A. Both the default hour and the default minute together mean 11:00am. Local trading session hour B [defaults to: 12] - Set your desired middle hour B for the second half of lunch time. The default setting, 12, means 12:00pm (noon). Local trading session minute B [defaults to: 30] - Set your desired middle minute B. Both the default hour and the default minute together mean 12:30pm. Local trading session hour C [defaults to: 14] - Set your desired middle hour C for resuming trading when volume tends to increase. The default, 14, means 2:00pm. Local trading session minute C [defaults to: 00] - Set your desired middle minute C. Both the default hour and the default minute together mean 2:00pm. Local trading session end hour [defaults to: 16] - Set your desired end hour for stopping trading. The default setting, 16, means 4:00pm. Local trading session end minute [defaults to: 00] - Set your desired end minute for stopping trading. Both the default hour and the default minute together mean 4:00pm. High plus 25% line color [defaults to: Red]. High plus 25% line style [defaults to: Soid]. High plus 25% line width [defaults to 4]. High line color [defaults to: IndianRed]. High line style [defaults to: Solid]. High line width [defaults to: 4]. Middle line color [defaults to: Magenta]. Middle line style [defaults to: Dashed]. Middle line width [defaults to: 1]. Low line color [defaults to: MediumSeaGreen]. Low line style [defaults to: Solid]. Low lien width [defaults to: 4]. Low minus 25% line color [defaults to: Lime]. Low minus 25% line style [defaults to: Solid]. Low minus 25% line width [defaults to: 4]. Local market open line color [defaults to: DodgerBlue]. Local market open line style [defaults to: Dashed]. Local market open line width [defaults to: 1]. Local market middle lines color [defaults to: DarkOrchid]. Local market middles lines style [defaults to: Dashed]. Local market middles lines width [defaults to: 1]. Local market close line color [default: Red]. Local market close line style [Dashed]. Local market close line width [1]. Local market open price color [White]. Local market open price style [Dot dashed with double dots]. Local market open price width [1].
    • A custom Logarithmic Moving Average indicator for MT5 is now available for MT5 on the Metaquotes website and directly in the MT5 platform. https://www.mql5.com/en/market/product/99439 The Logarithmic Moving Average indicator is a moving average that inverts the formula of an exponential moving average. Many traders are known to use logarithmic charts to analyze the lengths of price swings. The indicator in this post can be used to analyze the logarithmic value of price on a standard time scaled chart. The trader can set the following input parameters: MAPeriod [defaults to: 9] - Set to a higher number for more smoothing of price, or a lower number for faster reversal of the logarithmic moving average line study. MAShift [defaults to: 3] - Set to a higher number to reduce the amount of price crossovers, or a lower for more frequent price crossovers. Indicator line (indicator buffer) can be called with iCustom in Expert Advisors created by Expert Advisor builder software or custom coded Expert Advisors: No empty values; and No repainting.
    • A custom Semi-Log Scale Oscillator indicator is now available for MT5 on Metaquotes website and directly in the MT5 platform. https://www.mql5.com/en/market/product/114705 This indicator is an anchored semi-logarithmic scale oscillator. A logarithmic scale is widely used by professional data scientists to more accurately map information collected throughout a timeframe, in the same way that MT5 maps out price data. In fact, the underlying logic of this indicator was freely obtained from an overseas biotech scientist. A log-log chart displays logarithmic values on both the x (horizontal) and y (vertical) axes, which generally produces a straight line that points up, down, or remains flat. A straight line is not very useful for trading markets because such a straight line is so smoothed that actual price values that appear over time are very far away from the line study. In contrast, a semi-log chart is only logged on one axis--generally, the y axis. Such a semi-log chart is well suited for trading markets because the time (x) axis is preserved in its original form while at the same time, providing a graduated y scale where the distance between price increments progressively increases as price rises higher (and decreases as price falls lower). This allows us to establish a zero level for a low price, clearly view trends on straighter angles, and clearly observe amplified price spikes at high prices. Accordingly, this indicator employs a semi-log scale on the y axis only. This indicator is anchored because it allows you to specify a start time for calculation of price bars. The settings are as follows: Year.Month.Day Hour:Minute - defaults to 1970.01.01 00:01 - if left on default setting, the indicator automatically detects the earliest price bar in chart history--even where the year 1970 is not in history. Notes appear in the indicator settings window. Size of first pip step to log - defaults to 135 - this default is suitable for higher timeframes such a MN1 (monthly), while 5 is suitable for lower timeframes such as M1 (minute). Ultimately, optimal settings will depend on the timeframe that you attach the indicator to, the level of price volatility within that timeframe, and start time that you choose. Remember... The semi-log formula calculates from low to high, so your start time must always be a major swing low. Again, notes appear in the indicator settings window. The standard (built-in) MT5 indicators that can be applied to the "Previous indicator's data" can be applied to this indicator. Indicator lines (indicator buffers) can be called with iCustom in Expert Advisors created by Expert Advisor builder software or custom coded Expert Advisors. The log scale Open, High, Low, and Close prices are buffers: No empty values; and No repainting.
    • A custom Gann Candles indicator is now available for MT5 on the Metaquotes website and directly in the MT5 platform. https://www.mql5.com/en/market/product/126398 This Gann Candles indicator incorporates a series of W.D. Gann's strategies into a single trading indicator. Gann was a legendary trader who lived from 1878 to 1955. He started out as a cotton farmer and started trading at age 24 in 1902. His strategies included geometry, astronomy, astrology, times cycles, and ancient math. Although Gann wrote several books, none of them contain all of his strategies so it takes years of studying to learn them. He was also a devout scholar of the Bible and the ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures, and he was a 33rd degree Freemason of the Scottish Rite. In an effort to simplify what I believe are the best of Gann's strategies, I reduced them into one indicator that simply colors your preexisting price bars when those strategies are in-sync versus out-of-sync. This greatly reduces potential chart clutter. Also, I reduced the number of input settings down to only two: FastFilter, and SlowFilter Both FastFilter and SlowFilter must be set to 5 or more, as noted in the Inputs tab upon attaching the indicator to your chart. Gann Candles works on regular time-based charts (M5, M15, M20, etc.) and custom charts (Renko, range bars, etc.). The indicator does not repaint. When using the default settings, blue candles form bullish price patterns, gray candles form flat (sideways) price patterns, and white candles form bearish price patterns. The simplest way to trade Gann Candles is to buy at the close of a blue candle and exit at the close of a gray candle, and then sell at the close of a white candle and exit at the close of a gray candle.
    • A custom Anchored VWAP with Standard Deviation Bands indicator for MT5 is now available on the Metaquotes website and directly through the MT5 platform. https://www.mql5.com/en/market/product/99389 The volume weighted average price indicator is a line study indicator that shows in the main chart window of MT5. The indicator monitors the typical price and then trading volume used to automatically push the indicator line toward heavily traded prices. These prices are where the most contracts (or lots) have been traded. Then those weighted prices are averaged over a look back period, and the indicator shows the line study at those pushed prices. The indicator in this post allows the trader to set the daily start time of that look back period. This indicator automatically shows 5 daily look back periods: the currently forming period, and the 4 previous days based on that same start time. For this reason, this indicator is intended for intraday trading only. The indicator automatically shows vertical daily start time separator lines for those days as well. Both typical prices and volumes are accumulated throughout the day, and processed throughout the day. Important update: v102 of this indicator allows you to anchor the start of the VWAP and bands to the most recent major high or low, even when that high or low appears in your chart several days ago. This is how institutional traders and liquidity providers often trade markets with the VWAP. This indicator also shows 6 standard deviation bands, similarly to the way that a Bollinger Bands indicator shows such bands. The trader is able to set 3 individual standard deviation multiplier values above the volume weighted average price line study, and 3 individual standard deviation multiplier values below the volume weighted average price line study. Higher multiplier values will generate rapidly expanding standard deviation bands because again, the indicator is cumulative. The following indicator parameters can be changed by the trader in the indicator Inputs tab: Volume Type [defaults to: Real volume] - Set to Tick volume for over-the-counter markets such as most forex markets. Real volume is an additional setting for centralized markets such as the United States Chicago Mercantile Exchange. VWAP Start Hour [defaults to: 07] - Set according to broker's or broker-dealer's MT5 server time in 24 hour format. For example, in the New York, United States time zone, 07 is approximately the London, United Kingdom business open hour. VWAP Start Minute [defaults to: 00] - Set according to broker's or broker-dealer's MT5 server time in 24 hour format. For example, 00 is on the hour with no delay of minutes within that hour. StdDev Multiplier 1 [defaults to: 1.618] - Set desired standard deviation distance between the volume weighted average price line study and its nearest upper and lower bands. For example, 1.618 is a basic Fibonacci ratio. Some traders prefer 1.000 or 1.250 here. StdDev Multiplier 2 [defaults to: 3.236] - Set desired standard deviation distance between the volume weighted average price line study and its middle upper and lower bands. For example, 3.236 is 1.618 (above) + 1.618. Some traders prefer 2.000 or 1.500 here. StdDev Multiplier 3 [defaults to: 4.854] - Set desired standard deviation distance between the volume weighted average price line study and its furthest upper and lower bands. For example, 4.854 is 1.618 (above) + 3.236 (above). Some traders prefer 3.000 or 2.000 here. VWAP Color [defaults to: Aqua] - Set desired VWAP line study color. This color automatically sets the color of the start time separators as well. SD1 Color [defaults to: White] - Set desired color of nearest upper and lower standard deviation lines. SD2 Color [defaults to: White] - Set desired color of middle upper and lower standard deviation lines. SD3 Color [defaults to: White] - Set desired color of furthest upper and lower standard deviation lines. Just to clarify, popular standard deviation bands settings are: 1.618, 3.236, and 4.854; or 1.000, 2.000, and 3.000; or 1.250, 1.500, and 2.000. Examples of usage *: In a ranging (sideways) market, enter a trade at the extremes of the standard deviation bands (SD3) and exit when price returns to the VWAP line study. Trade between SD1Pos and SD1 Neg, alternately buying and selling from one standard deviation line to the other. In a trending (rising or falling) market, enter a buy when a price bar opens above the VWAP line study, and exit at the nearest standard deviation band above (SD1Pos). Optionally, repeat the same trade but substitute SD1Pos for the VWAP, and SD2Pos for SD1. Reverse for sell; or Trade all lines (VWAP, SD1Pos, SD2Pos, and SD3Pos) in the same way. Again, reverse for sell. Indicator lines (indicator buffers) can be called with iCustom in Expert Advisors created by Expert Advisor builder software or custom coded Expert Advisors: No empty values; and No repainting.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.