Close Navigation
Learn more about IBKR accounts

Signing up for a Paper Trading Account

Lesson 16 of 18

Duration 1:39
Level Beginner

To watch this video you must accept functional cookies.

Looking to open a paper trading account as an individual? Check out our step-by-step guide.

What are paper trading accounts?

A paper trading account lets you use the full range of IBKR’s trading features in a simulated environment using real market conditions. The trading permissions, market data subscriptions, base currency and account type configurations in your paper trading account are the same as in your regular account.

Using a paper account is a great way to learn how the platform works, plus you can try out new features.

All paper trading accounts start with USD 1,000,000 of paper trading Equity with Loan Value, and this equity will fluctuate as if the trades had executed in the real market.

As an Advisor you will have a separate username and password for your paper trading account.

To set this up, access Advisor Portal, select Account Settings, then the Paper Trading Account configure icon.

Enter a username and password to be used with your paper trading account and confirm your password. After that, click Continue.

Next, you’ll see that your paper account has been submitted.

If we receive your request by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on any normal business day, it will be processed by the next business day under normal circumstances.

Orders submitted to the paper trading account will not actually execute on any exchange or settle at a clearing house

See the Traders’ Academy link in the study note section on how paper trading accounts work and their limitations.

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!

23 thoughts on “Signing up for a Paper Trading Account”

  • Vassilios Tsalavos

    Hello! I recently opened a paper trading account (username tsalav280). When I am trying to use TWS I receive an error message mentioning that credentials are not correct, although I use the same credentials to access my portfolio (paper trading account). Could you please help to resolve this issue?

  • William Sun

    Is it possible the paper trading TWS set to a Portfolio Margin account, I don’t mean the demo account.
    In fact, I found try PM on the TWS paper trade, but this function only allows to view the margin requirements under the PM account, rather than turning it into a PM paper trade account.

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello, thank you for reaching out. Margin in a Paper Trading account is set to Reg T and cannot be changed. Clients may model a position and use the preview feature “Try Portfolio Margin (“Try PM”) in the Account Window. https://www.interactivebrokers.com/faq?id=23298991
      We hope this helps!

  • Youssef

    I have open positions that have failed to close since months and seem “stuck”, how can I delete/completely reset paper trading account?

  • Robert

    Can I have 2 versions of Trader Workstation open at the same time, 1 for my actual account and 1 for my paper trading account? Each has its own username, but whenever I’ve tried to do this it says I’m already logged in and have to cancel the session that’s already open.

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hi Robert, thank you for reaching out. There can only be one active session at a given time. 

  • Kevin

    Hi! i am able to connect to the paper trading account but then there is no where to go from there. I have change the amount in the account to 100k, but there is no menu to go to trades/portfolio/watchlist and the whole desktop of the paper account is quite empty I must say, I can’t do anything or practice in it. When I connect via mobile, I can trade and change currency etc… Anything wrong with the desktop website ?

    • Anonymous

      Hi Kevin, I have the same issue can’t find ONE thing about what is happening. Did you figure out why we can’t access any trading on the PAPER DESKTOP site? The answer that Interactive Brokers left did NOT answer YOUR question at all. Is the people responding not real people? Seems odd they can’t explain this.

      • Interactive Brokers

        Hello again. After downloading IBKR Desktop, there is an option for live and paper trading. This is before you login to the account. Please reach back out with any additional questions. We hope this is helpful!

  • Abane Louis Ashu

    Hello IBKR, I recently opened my paper trading account but then I am stuck as there is no menu to go to trades/portfolio/watchlist. The layout is quite empty with only Home, Performance Reports and Settings. I therefore can’t practice on it. Your prompt assistance would be highly appreciated. Thanks

  • Chris

    I have a few questions: – does paper trading support pre-market and post-market trading? – are hot keys supported with the paper trading simulator?

    • Interactive Brokers

      Hello, thank you for reaching out. Paper trading does support trading outside of RTH. Hotkeys are also supported. We hope this information is helpful!

  • Owen

    I signed up for a paper trading account to trade gold options. I have access to the client portal and all the apps and everything but I’m wondering how to execute my trades on trading view?

  • Emmanuel

    I want to create an account

    • Interactive Brokers

      Thanks so much for your interest in opening an account! You can get started here: http://spr.ly/OpenAccountfromIBKRCampus

      We’re glad to help with any general questions along the way. You can also find helpful info in our FAQ: https:// ibkr.com/article?id=28216814. Don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here for you!

  • Richard

    Hi, would like to ask does paper trading account provide real-time bid and ask price and level 2 data, and able to use stock scanner to retrieve stocks real-time, if we subscribe corresponding subscriptions in live trading account. Thanks.

  • Eugene Goh

    Everytime I log into my TWS and paper trading account, my layout settings are not saved (even after I save settings as..). When I try to recover my settings via layout settings/recovery by selecting the previous dates or via custom saved settings – NOTHING happens.

    • Interactive Brokers

      Thank you for reporting this issue with your TWS layout settings not being saved.
      Please attempt these troubleshooting steps:
      Verify proper shutdown: Always exit TWS using File > Exit or the X button, rather than forcing it closed, to ensure settings are saved properly
      Check your TWS version:
      Ensure you’re running the latest version of TWS
      Some older versions had known issues with layout persistence
      Reset TWS settings:
      Close TWS completely
      Navigate to your TWS installation directory
      Rename the “jts” folder to “jts_old” (this backs up your settings)
      Restart TWS to create fresh settings files
      Reconfigure your layout and save it
      File locations: Verify you have write permissions to the TWS settings directory:
      Windows: C:\Usersusername]\Jts
      Mac: /Users/[username]/Jts
      Linux: /home/[username]/Jts
      If these steps don’t resolve your issue, please contact IBKR Customer Service directly as they may need to check specific account settings or provide more targeted troubleshooting based on your exact TWS version and setup. http://spr.ly/IBKR_ClientServicesCampus

      We would appreciate the opportunity to turn around your experience.

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.