If you’re looking to practice trading strategies without risking real capital, paper trading is for you. Whether you’re new to trading or refining your current investment approach, TradingView’s built-in paper trading module offers a simulated environment to help you gain experience and confidence. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to paper trade on TradingView, explore its key features, and show how you can use it to prepare for real-world trading. 

What Is Paper Trading? 

Paper trading simulates trades without using real money. It allows you to execute hypothetical trades and monitor market outcomes in real time, helping you test strategies and build trading discipline in a risk-free environment. 

Why It Matters for Experienced Traders 

Even seasoned traders use paper trading to test new approaches or unfamiliar markets. It offers a way to: 

• Test new strategies without financial exposure 

• Build familiarity before scaling to larger positions 

• Analyse potential performance outcomes under different market conditions 

Paper trading is not only for beginners—it can also be a valuable tool for continuous improvement. 

What Is Paper Trading on TradingView? 

TradingView, one of the most popular charting and analysis platforms used by traders and investors, includes a built-in paper trading feature to simulate live trading using virtual funds. It mirrors real-time market conditions, allowing users to practise strategies, manage trades, and track performance all within the TradingView interface. 

4 Noteworthy Features of TradingView’s Paper Trading Module 

• Real-Time Market Data: Simulate trades based on live prices and movements.  

• Customisable Balance: Set your virtual capital to match your real-world account goals.  

• Full Trading Panel: Use advanced order types and position management tools.  

• Cross-Device Access: Practise from your desktop or mobile via the TradingView app.  

Is Paper Trading the Same as Live Trading?  

While paper trading mimics real conditions, it lacks the emotional and psychological pressures of real money trading (aka live trading).  

When paper trading, executions are typically instant and free of factors that may affect live trading outcomes such as slippage, spreads, or liquidity issues.  Still, it’s an invaluable training ground before risking actual capital. 

6 Key Features of Paper Trading Every Trader Should Know  

Paper trading provides a realistically interactive environment for traders to refine their trading strategies. Here are six features that make it a powerful tool for both beginners and experienced traders: 

1. Simulated Order Execution 

Paper trading on TradingView allows you to place market, limit, and stop orders in a simulated environment—mirroring how they would behave in real market conditions. This helps you gain practical experience and better understand how each order type works without risking actual capital. 

2. Customisable Starting Balance 

You can reset your paper trading account to any virtual balance, allowing you to practise with an amount similar to your intended live trading capital. This creates a more realistic and personalised trading experience. 

3. Performance Tracking  

• TradingView automatically logs each trade’s outcome, allowing you to review your performance over time and identify areas for improvement. This includes analysing metrics ^{[1, 2]} such as:  

• Win rate  

• Net profit  

• Gross profit/loss 

• Max profit/loss  

• Buy & hold return  

4. Access to Full Charting Tools  

While paper trading, you still have full access to TradingView’s comprehensive charting capabilities, indicators, and drawing tools that support technical analysis and strategy development. For those looking to go deeper, advanced features such as the footprint chart can offer greater insight into market activity.

5. Integrated Trading Panel 

 TradingView’s built-in trading panel offers real-time trade management, including position sizing, Profit & Loss tracking, and order editing. It closely replicates the experience of managing a live trading account, making it ideal for practice and strategy testing. 

6. No Risk of Financial Losses 

With paper trading, there is no real capital at stake. This allows you to test strategies, learn from mistakes, and develop trading discipline without the stress of losing money. 

How to Set Up Paper Trading on TradingView 

Getting started with paper trading on TradingView is straightforward. Follow these steps to set up your simulation environment and begin trading with virtual funds. 

Connect to the Paper Trading Account 

1. Log in to your TradingView account. 

2. Click on the Trading Panel tab at the bottom of your chart window. 

3. Select Paper Trading by TradingView and click Connect. 

This will create a simulated trading environment with a default virtual balance. 

Reset Your Paper Trading Account to the Desired Balance 

To tailor the experience to your personal trading goals: 

1. Click on the account settings icon next to the paper trading connection. 

2. Choose Reset account. 

3. Enter your preferred starting balance and click Reset. 

This sets your practice environment to the size of the account you plan to trade with. 

Understanding the Trading Panel 

The trading panel replicates the key functions of a live brokerage platform. You can: 

• Place market, limit, and stop orders 

• Monitor open positions and order history 

• Review your account’s equity, margin usage, and profit/loss 

Becoming familiar with this interface prepares you for live trading workflows.

Related Article: 3 Fundamental Indicators on TradingView to Improve Your Trading Strategies

 Simulate Trading 

You can then begin placing simulated trades directly from your charts. Use the Trade menu in the trading panel to: 

• Enter and exit trades 

• Modify or cancel orders 

• Set take-profit and stop-loss levels 

Treat this process as if you were using real money to build proper trading habits to test the functions. 

Additionally, explore our guide on backtesting strategies with TradingView to better evaluate your trading ideas using historical market data.

Track Performance 

TradingView automatically records your paper trading history. Use the History tab in the trading panel to: 

• Review closed trades 

• Analyse profit and loss 

Regularly reviewing your performance is critical to improving your strategy. 

Reset or Adjust 

You may wish to reset your account periodically to test new strategies or simulate different capital scenarios. However, avoid doing so too often, as it can distort your long-term performance data and reduce the realism of your practice. 

How to Get Real Trading Experience with Paper Trading on TradingView 

To make the most of TradingView’s paper trading feature, it’s essential to approach it as seriously as you would a live trading account. Below are three practical ways to maximise your learning and simulate real trading conditions: 

1. Choose Realistic Lot Sizes 

Avoid the temptation to trade oversized positions just because you’re using virtual funds. Choose lot sizes that reflect your actual capital and risk tolerance.  

This approach helps you develop proper risk management habits and better prepares you for live market conditions. 

2. Time Your Trades Properly 

Practise entering trades during the same market hours you would follow in a real scenario.  

For instance, if you intend to trade the EUR/USD pair, consider simulating trades during the most active sessions—which is typically the London and New York overlap. 

3. Limit Account Restarts 

While TradingView allows you to reset your virtual balance at any time, doing so too often can lead to unrealistic expectations.  

Set clear rules for when to reset your account, for example, after a full month of trading to maintain consistency and preserve the integrity of your performance tracking. 

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trading 

Even in a simulated environment, many traders often fall into habits that may hinder their success when transitioning to live markets. Be mindful of these common pitfalls: 

1. Overtrading 

With no real financial consequences, it’s easy to enter multiple trades without a clear plan. This can create false confidence and poor trading habits.  

Always approach each trade with discipline using a well-defined strategy. 

2. Emotional Trading 

Paper trading is the perfect opportunity to observe how emotions influence your decisions. Even without real money on the line, you may still experience frustration after a loss or overconfidence after a win.  

Identifying these emotional patterns early helps you build control before moving to live markets.  

Related Article: The Basics of Trading Psychology

3. Treating Paper Trading Like It’s a Game 

Paper trading should be taken seriously instead of treating it as entertainment. Avoid high-risk or gambling-style behaviour as it can undermine your development as a trader.  

Instead, treat the simulation as seriously as a real account. Keep in mind that your goal is to replicate the conditions, decision-making, and discipline of live trading as closely as possible. 

5 Signs To Check if You’re Ready to Transition to Live Trading 

Once you’ve developed healthy trading habits and followed a disciplined strategy, you may be considering to trade with real funds. Here are five key indicators: 

1. You Can Consistently Make Profitable Trades  

Generating profits consistently over time—especially in varying market conditions—is a strong signal that your strategy is effective and your execution is reliable. 

2. You Follow Your Trading Guidelines Without Exception 

Discipline is crucial in live trading. If you diligently follow your trading plan during paper trading, you’re more likely to stay composed when real money is at stake. 

3. You Stay Calm During Losing Trades 

Emotional control is one of a strong predictor of long-term trading success. If you can remain rational and avoid impulsive decisions during losses, you are better equipped for the realities of live markets. 

4. You Don’t Take Your Losses Too Hard 

Losses are an inevitable part of trading. If you can accept them without abandoning your strategy or chasing losses impulsively, you’re demonstrating the mindset necessary for sustainable trading. This is also why it’s important that you only trade what you can afford to lose. 

Related Article: How do you manage emotions while trading? 

5. You’re Confident in Your Broker and Trading Platform 

Confidence in your broker and trading platform helps reduce hesitation and build trust in your process. Make sure you’re fully comfortable with your tools before going live. 

Turn Practice into Real Trading Confidence  

Paper trading on TradingView offers a realistic, risk-free environment to develop and refine your trading strategy. By leveraging the platform’s robust features, tracking your performance, and treating your practice with discipline, you build the habits and confidence needed for long-term success in the live markets. 

To get started with the platform, read our ‘Beginner’s Guide to TradingView‘ and explore its core functions in more detail.

Ready to take the next step? Open a demo account with Vantage and connect it to your TradingView profile. Practise with purpose, monitor your progress, and prepare to trade live with clarity and control.  

CFDs and Spreadbets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 67.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and Spreadbets with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs and Spreadbets work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.  

The information has been prepared by Vantage UK as of 20^th May 2025 and is subject to change thereafter. The information is provided for educational purposes only and doesn’t take into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances, or needs. It does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to seek independent advice if necessary. The information has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained within. This material may contain historical or past performance figures and should not be relied on. Furthermore estimates, forward-looking statements, and forecasts cannot be guaranteed. The information on this site and the products and services offered are not intended for distribution to any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.   Vantage is a trading name of Vantage Global Prime LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN: 590299 

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