Practice investing without real money: StockWatch, Investopedia or a broker demo?
By MyIdeApp, the studio behind StockWatch. Comparison based on each app's official pages. Read in FR · ES
The short answer
StockWatch is an educational iPhone app: you build a virtual portfolio with your own trades, follow live prices and compare your performance with the S&P 500, with no account and never connected to a bank. Investopedia's free web simulator gives you $100,000 in virtual cash and lets you play with friends. A broker demo account mirrors its real interface but means signing up with that broker.
Comparison
| Criterion | StockWatch | Investopedia Simulator | Broker demo account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, Premium $3.99/month or $24.99/year | Free | Usually free |
| Account | Not required | Investopedia account required | Sign-up with the broker |
| Format | iPhone app | Website | Broker's app or website |
| Learning tools | S&P 500 comparison, alerts, DCA simulator, glossary | $100,000 virtual cash, games with friends or classes, articles | Same interface as the real account |
Why choose StockWatch
- No link to a bank or broker: you can't place a real order by mistake.
- Your portfolio, watchlist and alerts stay on your iPhone.
- Free: 10 tracked stocks, 1 portfolio, 3 alerts, sector heatmap, DCA simulator.
- Premium ($3.99/month or $24.99/year) unlocks unlimited use and multiple portfolios.
When another app is a better fit
For a class or friends competition with the same starting capital, Investopedia's simulator is built for it. If you've already chosen a broker and want to learn its interface before investing for real, its demo account is the most realistic. StockWatch gives no financial advice and doesn't replace a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Does StockWatch place real trades?
No. It is an educational tool, never connected to a bank or broker.
Are prices real-time?
StockWatch shows live prices from public sources; a slight delay is possible depending on the exchange.
Sources
Information checked on October 11, 2026. Other apps' offers may change: check their store listing before subscribing.