When to switch from a demo to a real account

Updated: 7 November 2026

In short: When the virtual account shows 20–30 trades strictly by plan, with fixed risk and journal entries, and the run did not end in disaster. Switch with a small amount: emotions are stronger with real money.

Signs you are ready

You know in advance where you will enter and where the stop and target are. You have never moved a stop. You can explain the reason for each trade. You skip situations that do not fit your rules.

How to switch

The same plan, the same risk percentage, minimum size. For the first months the goal is not profit but the same quality of decisions as on the demo.

A readiness checklist

1) At least 50–100 virtual trades with one plan. 2) The last 30 trades are not net negative. 3) No trades without a stop-loss. 4) Risk never exceeded the plan. 5) You can explain in words why you enter each trade. If even one point is not met, keep going on the virtual account: it is cheaper.

Example of a first real month

Account $300, risk 1% — $3 per trade. The goal of the month is not to earn but to repeat your virtual statistics and get used to the emotions. If results are noticeably worse than virtual, nerves are getting in the way: cut risk to 0.5% or go back to the simulator. If results match for two or three months, you can gradually add to the account.

Common mistakes when switching

Trading a large amount straight away "because it worked on demo". Raising risk to "make at least something" on a small account. Dropping the journal because "now it is real". And above all — refusing to go back to a virtual account after a losing streak: it is not a step back but a normal part of the job.