The Paper Trading tab is in the left sidebar under the Broker Connections section
Open TradingView and look at the left edge of your screen. You will see a vertical sidebar with several icons. Click the icon that looks like a person or account symbol — this opens your account menu. From there, select Broker Connections. The Paper Trading option appears as a tab within that section, usually near the top of the available brokers list.
If you do not see Broker Connections when ready, you may need to scroll down in the left sidebar. TradingView reorganizes this menu based on your account type and which features you have enabled. Paper Trading is a free feature available to all users, so it will always be there once you know where to look.
Paper Trading lets you practice buying and selling stocks, options, or crypto using virtual money instead of real funds. This is useful for testing strategies or learning how the platform works before you risk actual money. The virtual account starts with a set amount of cash — typically $100,000 — that you can trade with as many times as you want.
Key Takeaways
- The Paper Trading tab lives under Broker Connections in the left sidebar, accessed through your account menu.
- Paper Trading is free and available to all TradingView users regardless of subscription level.
- Your virtual account comes with a default cash balance you can use to practice trades without risking real money.
- You can reset your paper trading account at any time if you want to start fresh with a new balance.
How to open Paper Trading once you find the tab
Once you locate the Paper Trading option under Broker Connections, click on it. TradingView will load your paper trading account, which displays a separate portfolio from your real money accounts. You will see your virtual cash balance at the top, along with any open positions or past trades you have made in this account.
The interface for paper trading looks almost identical to real trading. You can search for any stock, crypto, or other asset on the platform, click it to open the chart, and then place a buy or sell order just as you would with real money. The main difference is that no actual transaction occurs — the money is virtual, and you are only practicing.
What happens if you cannot find the Broker Connections section
If the left sidebar does not show Broker Connections at all, you may be on a mobile device or using a simplified version of TradingView. The full Broker Connections menu is available on the desktop website and the desktop app, but mobile apps have a different layout.
On mobile, look for a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) and search for "Paper Trading" or "Broker" in the settings. Some mobile versions do not display paper trading as prominently, so you may need to dig into account settings instead. If you still cannot locate it, switching to the desktop version of TradingView will give you access to the full Broker Connections menu.
Resetting your paper trading account
If you have been trading in your paper account for a while and want to start over with a fresh balance, you can reset it. Look for a settings or options button within the Paper Trading tab itself — this is usually a gear icon or a three-dot menu. Select the option to reset or restart your account.
When you reset, TradingView will clear all your past trades and positions in that account and restore your cash balance to the default amount. This is useful if you have lost most of your virtual money and want to practice again, or if you straightforward want to start a new trading experiment without the history of your old trades cluttering the view.
Using paper trading to test strategies before real money
Paper trading is most valuable when you use it to test an idea before you commit real funds. Set up a specific strategy — for example, buying stocks that cross above their 50-day moving average — and execute it in your paper account for a week or a month. Track how it performs, what mistakes you make, and whether the results match what you expected.
The key limitation of paper trading is that it does not account for emotion or slippage. In real trading, you may hesitate to buy or sell because money is actually leaving your account, and you may get a slightly worse price than you see on the chart because of market movement between when you decide to trade and when the order fills. Paper trading removes both of these friction points, so your results will often look better than they would with real money.
Switching from paper trading to a real brokerage account
Once you feel ready to trade with real money, you will need to connect a real brokerage account to TradingView. This is different from paper trading — you are no longer using virtual money. Go back to Broker Connections and look for the option to connect a real broker. TradingView supports connections to several brokers including Interactive Brokers, Alpaca, and others depending on your region.
When you connect a real account, TradingView will ask you to log in with your broker credentials and authorize the connection. After that, you can place real trades directly from TradingView charts. Your real account will appear as a separate tab in Broker Connections, distinct from your paper trading account. Many traders keep both active — they use paper trading to test new ideas and their real account for strategies they have already proven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does paper trading cost money?
No. Paper trading is completely free and included with all TradingView accounts. You do not need a paid subscription to access it. The virtual cash balance is provided by TradingView at no cost.
Can I change the starting balance in my paper trading account?
This depends on your TradingView plan. Some account types allow you to adjust the starting balance, while others lock it at a default amount. Check the settings within the Paper Trading tab to see if a balance adjustment option is available for your account.
Do my paper trades affect real market prices?
No. Paper trades are completely simulated and do not interact with real markets. They do not move prices, affect order books, or have any impact on actual trading. They exist only in your TradingView account.
Can I see my paper trading history?
Yes. Your paper trading account keeps a record of all trades you have made. You can view your trade history, past positions, and performance statistics within the Paper Trading tab. This history persists until you reset the account.
What if I want to practice with a specific amount of money?
Set a personal rule for yourself. If your paper account starts with $100,000 but you want to practice managing $10,000, straightforward pretend that is your balance and track your trades accordingly. This mental discipline helps you prepare for real trading with smaller amounts.