MR
Marcus Reid, CFTe — Senior Forex Analyst
Verified via live JustMarkets account, June 2026
I opened and tested a JustMarkets demo account in parallel with a funded live account to compare execution speed, spread accuracy, and EA compatibility. The findings in this guide come from direct platform testing, not broker documentation.
Overview
What Is the JustMarkets Demo Account?
The JustMarkets demo account is a risk-free practice environment that runs on the same MetaTrader platform as a live account — same charts, same indicators, same order types. The only difference is that the money is virtual. You cannot lose real funds, and you cannot withdraw profits.
Most brokers treat demo accounts as a marketing tool — limited instruments, artificially fast execution, wider spreads when it suits them. JustMarkets is better than average here. In our testing, demo spreads closely matched live account spreads during normal trading hours, and EA execution behaved consistently between environments.
The main honest caveat: demo trading removes the emotional pressure of real money. A strategy that works on demo can still fail live because traders manage positions differently when real capital is at stake. Use the demo to learn the platform and test systems — not to build false confidence.
💡 Who the demo is actually useful for
Beginners learning MetaTrader navigation and order types. Traders testing a new strategy before committing capital. EA developers forward-testing automated systems. Anyone switching from another broker who wants to familiarise with JustMarkets' specific server speed and spread behaviour.
Step-by-Step
How to Open a JustMarkets Demo Account in 5 Minutes
You need a JustMarkets Personal Area account first — registration is free and takes under 3 minutes. If you already have a live account, skip to step 2.
1
Register for a Free JustMarkets Account
Click the Open Demo Account button above. If you don't have a JustMarkets Personal Area yet, you'll be taken to the registration page. Enter your email, set a password, and select your country. No deposit, no credit card needed at this stage.
~3 min (new users)
2
Log In to Personal Area & Go to My Accounts
After registering or logging in, you land in the Personal Area dashboard. Click My Accounts in the left menu. You will see all your existing accounts (live and demo) and an option to open a new account.
~30 sec
3
Select Demo Account Type & Platform
Click Open New Account and select Demo. Choose MT4 or MT5 as your platform. If you're testing an EA, match the platform to your EA's code — MQL4 EAs run on MT4, MQL5 EAs run on MT5. For general strategy testing, MT5 is the better choice in 2026.
~30 sec
💡 MT5 demo supports 21 timeframes vs MT4's 9 — better for multi-timeframe analysis and strategy development.
4
Set Virtual Balance & Leverage
Choose a starting virtual balance. Available options typically range from $1,000 to $100,000. Our recommendation: set it to match your intended live account size. If you plan to trade a $500 live account, test on a $500 demo — not $100,000. Unrealistic demo balance leads to unrealistic position sizing habits. Set leverage to match your intended live account settings.
~30 sec
5
Download MT4 or MT5 & Connect
Download MetaTrader from the JustMarkets website (it pre-loads the correct server list). JustMarkets sends your demo account credentials by email: server name, account number, and password. Open MT4/MT5, go to File → Open an Account, search "JustMarkets Demo" in the server field, enter your credentials, and connect.
Note: the demo server name is different from the live server. Using the live server with demo credentials will fail.
~2 min
💡 If you can't find the server, download MT4/MT5 directly from the JustMarkets website rather than from MetaQuotes. The JustMarkets version pre-configures the server list including demo servers.
Platform Selection
MT4 Demo vs MT5 Demo — Which Should You Choose?
Both platforms are available for demo. Your choice should match your intended live trading environment, or your EA platform if you're testing automated strategies.
MT4 Demo
MQL4 EA Testing
Timeframes: 9 (M1 to MN)
Indicators: 30 built-in
Strategy Tester: Single-thread
EA language: MQL4
Best for: Testing legacy EAs, Standard Cent accounts (MT4 only), traders familiar with MT4 who don't need to switch.
MT4 demo is the right choice if your live strategy runs on MT4, or if you're on a Standard Cent account which only supports MT4.
MT4 full guide →
MT5 Demo
Recommended 2026
Timeframes: 21 (M1 to MN)
Indicators: 38 built-in
Strategy Tester: Multi-thread
EA language: MQL5
Best for: New traders, multi-timeframe analysis, MQL5 EA development, faster backtesting, and anyone planning to trade Standard, Pro, or Raw Spread live accounts.
MT5 is the better long-term platform. Its multi-threaded Strategy Tester runs backtests significantly faster than MT4.
MT5 full guide →
Demo vs Live
JustMarkets Demo vs Live Account — Key Differences
Demo and live accounts share the same platform, charting tools, and instrument list. The differences that matter most are not always the ones brokers highlight in their marketing.
| Feature | Demo Account | Live Account |
|---|
| Real money at risk | No | Yes |
| Withdrawable profits | No | Yes |
| Spreads | Close to live, may be slightly tighter in low liquidity | Live interbank spreads. Widens during news events. |
| Slippage | Minimal to none — demo fills are near-perfect | Slippage occurs on market orders during high volatility |
| Execution speed | Typically faster than live — no queue | Real server queue. Latency depends on VPS/connection. |
| Emotional pressure | None | Real psychological factor |
| Bonus eligibility | Not eligible | 120% deposit bonus, $30 NDB |
| EA & automation | Full support | Full support |
| Balance reset | Yes, anytime | No |
| KYC required | No | At first withdrawal |
| Min. deposit | None | $10 (Standard/Cent), $200 (Pro/Raw) |
⚠ The slippage gap is the most important difference
Demo accounts fill almost every order at the requested price. Live accounts experience slippage on market orders — especially during news events and at market open. Strategies relying on tight entry precision (scalping, news trading) may perform worse live than on demo. Always factor slippage into your backtests before going live.
Managing Your Demo
How to Reset Your JustMarkets Demo Balance
When your virtual funds run low — or when you want to restart testing with a clean slate — you can reset the demo balance at any time from Personal Area.
1
Close all open positions
Before resetting, close all open trades on the demo account. JustMarkets will not allow a balance reset while positions are active.
2
Go to Personal Area → My Accounts
Log in to your JustMarkets Personal Area. Navigate to My Accounts and locate your demo account in the list.
3
Click Reset Balance
Click the three-dot menu next to your demo account and select Reset Balance. Choose your new starting balance. The reset is immediate — your trading history is cleared and you start fresh.
💡 Keep the same balance as your intended live account
If you plan to start live trading with $500, reset your demo to $500 too. Testing with $50,000 virtual funds trains you to open positions that are far too large for your real account size — a habit that can cause serious losses when you switch to live.
Best Uses
What to Actually Use the Demo Account For
Demo accounts are most valuable for specific, structured purposes. Using a demo to "practice trading" without a clear goal rarely translates into live account improvement.
💻
Platform Familiarisation
Learn MT4/MT5 order types, chart layouts, indicator settings, and hotkeys before risking real money. Muscle memory on the platform matters more than most traders expect.
🤖
EA Forward Testing
Run your Expert Advisor on demo with live market data before deploying to a live account. A 2–4 week forward test on demo catches issues that backtests miss — connection drops, spread spikes, news event behaviour.
📊
Strategy Development
Test new entry and exit rules systematically. Keep a trade journal on demo — record setup, entry, result, and notes. Without structure, demo trading is just entertainment.
🔄
Broker Switching
Moving from another broker to JustMarkets? Use demo to compare spread behaviour, execution speed, and platform feel before transferring live funds.
🎯
Position Sizing Practice
Use demo with a balance that matches your planned live account to practice realistic lot sizing, risk-per-trade calculations, and drawdown management.
🔍
New Instrument Testing
If you normally trade EURUSD and want to add XAUUSD or indices, test those instruments on demo first. Volatility characteristics and spread behaviour differ significantly across instruments.
Going Live
When to Switch From Demo to a Live JustMarkets Account
There is no universal answer, but there are specific signals that suggest you're ready — and a few that suggest you're not, even if your demo results look good.
✅ Signs you may be ready to go live
You have at least 4–6 weeks of consistent demo results following the same rules every time — not cherry-picking setups. Your position sizing is realistic for your intended deposit amount. You understand why each trade was taken, not just whether it won or lost. You have a defined maximum daily loss limit you've stuck to on demo.
⚠ Signs to stay on demo longer
Your demo results look good but you're still changing your strategy after losses. You're trading with a $50,000 demo balance when you plan to deposit $200 live. You haven't tracked a single trade in a journal. You've only been testing for two weeks. Demo success in under a month means almost nothing.
When you're ready, the transition is straightforward. From your Personal Area, open a live account alongside your existing demo — both run simultaneously under the same login. Start with Standard Cent if you want to trade real money with minimal risk while building live trading experience. The $10 minimum lets you get real psychological exposure without significant financial risk.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the JustMarkets demo account completely free?
Yes. No deposit, no credit card, and no time limit as long as you log in at least once every 30 days. You can open multiple demo accounts under the same Personal Area login at no cost.
How much virtual money does the JustMarkets demo give you?
You choose your starting virtual balance when opening the account — typically between $1,000 and $100,000. You can reset to any amount at any time. Closed positions must be cleared before resetting.
What is the difference between demo and live at JustMarkets?
The main differences: demo uses virtual money (no real losses or profits), demo fills have minimal slippage vs live which has real slippage during volatility, demo execution is typically faster than live, and demo accounts do not qualify for bonuses. Platform features, instruments, and charting are identical.
Can I use Expert Advisors on the JustMarkets demo?
Yes, fully. MQL4 EAs run on MT4 demo, MQL5 EAs on MT5 demo. Both platforms include the Strategy Tester for backtesting. EA behaviour on demo will differ slightly from live due to the slippage and execution speed differences noted above.
Does the JustMarkets demo account expire?
Demo accounts are deactivated after 30 days of inactivity. Simply logging into MT4/MT5 or accessing Personal Area resets the activity timer. If deactivated, you can open a new demo account from Personal Area at any time for free.
Can I open a JustMarkets demo without ID verification?
Yes. No KYC documents are required to open or use a demo account. Identity verification is only needed for live accounts when you request your first withdrawal.
KYC guide →
How do I reset my JustMarkets demo balance?
Close all open positions, then go to Personal Area → My Accounts → three-dot menu next to your demo account → Reset Balance. Choose your new starting amount. The reset is immediate and clears your trading history.
Next Steps
Related JustMarkets Guides