We ranked the top paper-trading apps on three honest criteria: free access, ease of use, and whether you can actually compete for prizes. Most are solid solo simulators. One lets you win real cash.
New to this? Start with our paper trading guide.
How to read this list
GameStock publishes this page and ranks itself first, so read it with that in mind. We rank on the one thing other lists don't measure — whether you can actually compete for real prizes. For solo practice, several platforms below are stronger than we are, and each entry says where. Competitor details are compiled from public sources rather than hands-on testing, so confirm anything that matters to you before you commit.
| App | Cost | Assets | Format | Real prizes | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ GameStock | Free / paid | Stocks + crypto | Competition | Yes (cash) | Competing for prizes |
| Webull | Free | Stocks, options, crypto | Solo | No | Options practice |
| TradingView | Free / paid | Broad | Solo | No | Charting |
| thinkorswim (Schwab) | Free | Stocks, options | Solo | No | Advanced tools |
| Moomoo | Free | Stocks, options | Solo | No | Data depth |
| Interactive Brokers | Free | Global multi-asset | Solo | No | Market breadth |
| TradeStation | Free | Stocks, options, futures | Solo | No | Automated strategies |
| eToro | Free | Stocks, crypto | Solo | No | Copy trading |
| Investopedia Simulator | Free | Stocks | Contest | No | Classrooms |
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns. GameStock is highlighted. It's the only entry built around competition and real cash prizes.
The Ranking
The only app here built around competition. You paper trade real stocks and crypto, then enter free or paid tournaments where top portfolios split a real cash prize pool. If you want stakes and a leaderboard, nothing else compares, though solo-only practicers may still prefer a plain simulator.
A polished broker sim with deep instrument coverage including options. Great if you want to rehearse complex trades solo, but there's no competitive or prize layer.
Best-in-class charts with a built-in paper account. Ideal for technical analysis practice; the simulator is a companion to the charts rather than the main event.
A professional-grade platform with a full paper-trading mode. Powerful but steep: more than most beginners need, and strictly solo.
Rich market data and a capable simulator. A strong solo option for data-driven practice, without any competitive format.
The widest instrument coverage of anything here, with a paper account that mirrors the live platform across global markets. The trade-off is an interface built for professionals rather than beginners.
Strong simulation for rule-based and automated trading, with futures alongside equities and options. Worth the setup effort if you want to test a system rather than discretionary picks.
A virtual portfolio sits alongside eToro's social and copy-trading features, so you can shadow other traders without committing capital. Lighter on charting and order types than the broker platforms above.
The classic educational simulator, popular for class competitions. Contests exist but prizes aren't cash, so it's best as a learning tool rather than a place to win.
The Difference
Solo simulators teach you the mechanics. But nothing sharpens a strategy like a leaderboard and real stakes. GameStock keeps the risk-free practice (real prices, virtual money) and adds tournaments where the best portfolios win actual cash. That's the difference between practicing and competing.
Join a free-entry tournament and see where you land on the leaderboard.
Use code GOATED at sign up and get $10 free to play.
GameStock is a free-to-play trading game and paper-trading platform. Trades use simulated money; entry fees and prizes, where applicable, are real. Nothing here is investment advice, a recommendation, or a price forecast. This comparison is editorial.
Past game results do not predict real market outcomes. Competitor details are current best-effort and subject to change.