Many potential or wannabe day traders will be interested in finding free day trading software that they can use to run simulations of real time trading. This is a great way to help learn the mechanics of day trading without risking real money on the stock market. The idea behind this is that you can learn from your mistakes without losing your shirt.
There are a number of ways you can get access to free day trading software and you may find each useful for understanding the ins and outs of day to day trading.
Firstly, you wish to try a free simulator such as that available at investopedia.com (http://simulator.investopedia.com/). This will give you $100,000 of virtual money to trade with for free. The software is quoted as being suitable for everybody from beginners to more sophisticated investors.
A similar option is available from FX Solutions (www.fxsolutions.com). Here, at the time of writing, you can get free day trading software with a practice account containing a balance of $10,000.
Understand the reasons why you want free day trading software. If you trawl financial and investment forums you will soon discover that there are a growing number of people who are blinded by the potential profits to be made from day trading but have no real understanding of the risks. There seems to be a belief that they can start from scratch with no real knowledge of the workings of the stock market and still make a profit as long as they can get hold of free software that can do the work for them. Not so! As with any trading software, it can provide a guide and recommendations only – it cannot guarantee success.
If you think that trading is a game or that it is a way to make a quick buck then even with the best software out there you are probably not going to succeed. Successful traders have spent a good deal of time on education and understanding the data and rules of the markets. On the otherhand if you have a genuine approach or have traded for a long time in other stocks and shares then you should already have a more mature approach to trading. In this case free day trading software should help hone your skills and provide further understanding of how day trading works and how you can minimise your losses and prevent catastrophe. As with any investment you should never put in more than you can afford to lose.
