XM offers a free demo account with virtual trading funds, a balance that can be adjusted, and access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and supported XM trading tools. A $100,000 virtual balance is commonly provided, but you can practise with a smaller amount. There is no fixed trading period; under XM's current help guidance, a demo account closes after 60 days of inactivity.
The XM demo is useful for learning order types and testing strategies without risking capital. It cannot reproduce every cost or execution condition of a live trade.
What Does the XM Demo Account Include?
| Feature | XM demo account |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free; no deposit required |
| Virtual balance | Commonly $100,000; adjustable in the XM profile |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, and supported XM App/WebTrader access |
| Expiry | No fixed end date; inactivity closure after 60 days under current XM help guidance |
| Active demo accounts | Up to five at once |
| Account models | Depend on XM entity; Ultra Low Standard and XM Zero are offered in some regions |
| Real-money withdrawals | Not available; funds and profits are simulated |
Available account models and instruments depend on the XM entity serving your country.
How Do You Open an XM Demo Account?
You do not need to fund an account to start practising.
- Go to XM's account page and choose the demo account option.
- Register an XM profile with your personal details and email address, or sign in to your existing profile.
- Open a demo trading account and select the available account model and trading platform.
- Review your demo balance and account settings. Adjust the virtual funds to suit the amount you intend to trade.
- Open MT4, MT5, or the supported XM trading interface and sign in with the demo account details.
XM may create your first demo automatically at registration; additional demos can be opened from the same profile.
How Long Does the XM Demo Account Last?
XM does not impose a fixed overall demo trading period, but inactivity can close the account. XM's current account guidance states that a demo account is automatically closed after 60 days without activity. You can open a replacement if that happens.
Some older and region-specific XM guidance refers to a 90-day period. The relevant inactivity rule is the one attached to your XM entity and profile. If you intend to keep a trading history or test a strategy over several months, sign in regularly and save your results outside the platform.
Live accounts have separate inactivity conditions.
Can You Reset the XM Demo Account Balance?
Yes. XM lets you adjust virtual funds without opening another demo.
- Log in to your XM profile.
- Select your demo account from the account selector.
- Choose Set Balance.
- Enter the virtual balance you want and save the change.
If you expect to deposit $200 in a live account, set your demo to $200. Practising with $100,000 can conceal the effects of margin requirements, spreads, and losses on a smaller account.
How Realistic Is XM Demo Trading?
XM demos use simulated, market-linked prices. You can practise market and pending orders, stop-loss and take-profit settings, and margin management.
Simulated execution cannot reliably predict live fills. Volatile markets can produce slippage and wider spreads, and real losses affect decision-making.
| Trading condition | Demo account | Live account |
|---|---|---|
| Money at risk | Virtual funds | Real deposits |
| Market prices | Simulated, market-linked pricing | Live tradable pricing |
| Order execution | Simulated fills | Subject to market liquidity and slippage |
| Spreads and commissions | Depend on the selected demo setup | Depend on live account type and market conditions |
| Trading psychology | No real financial loss | Real gains and losses affect decisions |
Judge the demo by consistent entries, exits, and risk management—not by the size of its virtual profits.
XM MT4 vs MT5 Demo Accounts: Which Should You Choose?
Choose MT4 if your priority is forex trading, familiar charting tools, or an Expert Advisor built for MT4. Choose MT5 if you want additional timeframes, an economic calendar, and access to the wider instrument range supported by your XM entity.
Both support indicators and automated strategies. Use the correct account login and server: MT4 and MT5 credentials are not interchangeable.
How Does XM's Demo Compare with Exness and HFM?
| Broker | Demo funding | Platforms | Notable condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| XM | Commonly $100,000; adjustable | MT4 / MT5 | Up to five active demos; inactivity closure applies |
| Exness | $10,000 initial Standard MT5 demo; adjustable | MT4 / MT5 and supported Exness tools | Demo accounts available for most account types |
| HFM | Up to $100,000 initially | MT4 / MT5 / WebTrader | Demo duration and inactivity terms depend on entity |
All three offer free demo trading. Choose based on the platform and live account you intend to use.
How Do You Move from an XM Demo to a Live Account?
Demo balances cannot become real money. For live trading, activate a real account, complete verification, and deposit through a supported payment method.
Eligible XM live forex and CFD accounts start with a $5 minimum deposit, although payment methods and regions can require more. The minimum may be too small for sensible position sizing.
Bottom line: XM's demo account is a practical way to learn MT4 or MT5 and test a trading plan without putting money at risk. Reset the virtual balance to the amount you realistically intend to deposit, use consistent risk limits, and do not treat simulated profits as evidence that live execution will produce the same result.
FAQs
Is the XM demo account free?
Yes. No demo fee or real-money deposit is required.
Does the XM demo account expire?
There is no fixed end date for active demo trading. XM's current help guidance specifies closure after 60 days of inactivity, although regional terms can differ.
Can I withdraw profits from an XM demo account?
No. Virtual profits cannot be withdrawn.
How many XM demo accounts can I open?
XM permits up to five active demo accounts.
Can I open an XM Micro demo account?
Not under the XM account guidance currently available for several entities. Demo choices can include Ultra Low Standard and XM Zero, but Micro demo accounts are not offered in those regions.
Do I need to verify my identity before using an XM demo?
A real-money deposit is not required for demo trading. XM may ask for registration details, while full identity checks are required before live trading under the applicable rules.
Chad Powell
Chad Powell has spent more than five years trading Forex and cryptocurrency, building a practical understanding of how markets move and the challenges traders face. He writes about technical analysis, risk management, trading discipline, broker platforms, crypto security, and fraud prevention.