Close Navigation

How to Open an IBKR Paper Trading Account

Lesson 1 of 3

Duration 1:54
Level Beginner

To watch this video you must accept functional cookies.

An IBKR paper trading account is a great place to start If you’re new to trading or want to test strategies without putting your actual funds at risk.

To get started, it’s important to note that IBKR only allows access to its paper trading account after opening an actual, funded account. If you need any help applying for one, 

you can get more details in our ‘Getting Started at IBKR’ course on Traders’ Academy, or visit our website to complete an application.

Now, you don’t need to fund your live account straight away, but it must be approved before paper trading is made available.

Once your live account is approved, or if you’re already an IBKR client with a live account, you’re just a few clicks away from accessing paper trading. Here’s how:

  1. Log into IBKR’s Client Portal, then, from the side menu, select Settings, then Paper Trading Account – listed under the Account Configuration selections; once there,
  2. Establish unique credentials for the Paper Trading Account – a username and password, which you’ll use to log into the separate, simulated trading environment.
  3. Once completed, your Paper Trading Account will be made available with its own account number.

And that’s it! 

Notice that when you log in, your account will come pre-funded with US $1 million in simulated buying power. That means you can begin placing trades, experimenting with tools, and testing strategies—all in a safe, simulated, and financially risk-free trading environment.

In our next lesson, we’ll dive into some of the platforms, features, and configurations available with your paper trading account.

Learn More

Traders’ Academy

Traders’ Academy (US Campus) (EU Campus)

New IBKR Institutional Account: Requesting a Paper Trading Account

Getting Started for Financial Advisors: Signing-up for a Paper Trading Account

How to Open an Account, Deposit, and Withdraw Funds

IBKR Guides

Paper Trading Account

IBKR Website

Start a Free Trial

Guide to Choosing the Right Account

What You Need for the Application

Join The Conversation

For specific platform feedback and suggestions, please submit it directly to our team using these instructions.

If you have an account-specific question or concern, please reach out to Client Services.

We encourage you to look through our FAQs before posting. Your question may already be covered!

7 thoughts on “How to Open an IBKR Paper Trading Account”

  • El Dorado

    Great!

    • Interactive Brokers

      We appreciate your positive words!

  • RB

    it is nonsense that you firslty need to fund the account in order to test its fucntionality

  • Jose Amable

    Buenos dias quiero a prender operar el broker

    • Interactive Brokers

      ¡Muchas gracias por su interés en Interactive Brokers! Nos enorgullece ser una de las firmas de valores líderes, con más de 16.100 millones de dólares en capital social al 30 de septiembre de 2024.

      Ofrecemos a inversores institucionales y profesionales acceso directo en línea a una amplia gama de productos globales, incluyendo acciones, opciones, futuros, divisas, bonos, oro y fondos.

      IBKR está regulado por la SEC, la FINRA, la NYSE, la FCA y otras importantes agencias reguladoras.

      Si desea obtener más información sobre quiénes somos y qué hacemos, no dude en visitar: https://spr.ly/AboutIBKRCampus

      Nos complace que explore IBKR y estamos a su disposición para cualquier pregunta.

  • Rodrigo

    extremadamente dificil y complicado tratar de poder iniciar a practicar en una cuenta de paper trading. que broker mas complicado, piden factura de servicios, direccion de la casa, documentacion y no se que mas verificaciones y firmas. solamente para poder abrir una cuenta de paper trading. Dios mio que complicado, mas dificil imposible llevo dias intentando usar una cuenta de paper trading, sin exito. parece que tocara usar otro broker

  • gopal Karmakar

    Paper tranding

Leave a Reply

Disclosure: Interactive Brokers

The analysis in this material is provided for information only and is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security. To the extent that this material discusses general market activity, industry or sector trends or other broad-based economic or political conditions, it should not be construed as research or investment advice. To the extent that it includes references to specific securities, commodities, currencies, or other instruments, those references do not constitute a recommendation by IBKR to buy, sell or hold such investments. This material does not and is not intended to take into account the particular financial conditions, investment objectives or requirements of individual customers. Before acting on this material, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and, as necessary, seek professional advice.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Interactive Brokers, its affiliates, or its employees.

IBKR Campus Newsletters

This website uses cookies to collect usage information in order to offer a better browsing experience. By browsing this site or by clicking on the "ACCEPT COOKIES" button you accept our Cookie Policy.