New to Trading? Start Here
Trading basics, practice and risk management.
A reminder before you start: trading carries a real risk of loss, including after a period of successful practice. Nothing here is financial advice. Please read ourrisk disclaimer.
1 Understand what you are getting into
Trading is a skill that takes time to build, not a shortcut to quick money. You can lose money even after studying and practising. Start by reading what day trading actually involves and setting realistic expectations.
2 Learn the language
Charts, orders, spreads, drawdown, leverage: trading has its own vocabulary, and you cannot make good decisions without it. Keep our glossary open as you read.
3 Practice without risking money
Before you risk a cent, practise on a simulator or demo account to learn the controls and record your decisions. Simulated fills and results do not establish live profitability; some practice services also charge fees.
4 Make risk management your first skill
Surviving is the whole game early on. Position sizing and stop losses matter more than any entry signal. Learn to protect your capital before you try to grow it.
5 Decide how you will fund your trading
Trading through your own broker and buying a prop evaluation are different choices. Many evaluations and subsequent reward accounts are simulated, and fees can be lost. Neither route guarantees income or live funding. Compare the exact costs, eligibility and rules; choosing neither is valid.
6 Choose your tools
A platform to trade on and, if you automate or want stability, a VPS to run it. Do not overspend early. Pick tools that fit a beginner's needs and budget.
Where to go next
Once you have the basics, dig into the blog for strategy and psychology, use the comparison tool to weigh up covered prop accounts, CFD brokers, platforms and VPS plans, and read ourmethodology to understand what our reviews and source checks establish.