Short answer: Until you can follow your own trading plan consistently, not for a set number of weeks. A good test: 30 to 50 demo trades where you stuck to your entry, stop and size rules every time. Then move to a small live account, because real money changes how you behave.
What a demo is good for
- Learning the platform: order types, stops, closing trades
- Testing a plan with clear rules for entry, exit and size
- Seeing how spreads and swaps affect results
What it can’t teach you
Fear and greed. Demo money doesn’t hurt to lose, so people take trades they’d never take live. The aim is to prove you follow your process, not to win on a demo.
A simple readiness test
- 30–50 trades, all with a stop-loss set at entry
- Position size calculated the same way every time
- A written reason for each trade, and a review after
- No “revenge” trades after a loss
Check the demo’s limits
Some demos expire after 30 days, and some fill orders more perfectly than live markets do. Every BrokersNest profile lists the broker’s demo terms. Our Learn guide has more on using a demo properly.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
