A Deriv demo account is free and is created automatically when you sign up on deriv.com or in the Deriv App, before you verify your identity or fund a Wallet. It gives you virtual funds to practise on Deriv MT5, Deriv cTrader and Deriv Trader, including Deriv’s 24/7 Synthetic Indices.
This guide covers how to open the demo as at October 2026, how to add a demo MT5 account, how long it lasts, and what to check before you move to real money. Deriv’s MT5 offer used to be branded DMT5; it is now simply Deriv MT5.
How to open a Deriv demo account
- Sign up. Go to deriv.com or open the Deriv App and choose Sign up. Register with your email address or a Google or Apple account, and select South Africa as your country of residence.
- Confirm your email. Click the link Deriv sends you and set a password.
- Switch to demo. Your dashboard has a demo and a real side. Select demo; no deposit or document upload is needed for practice trading.
- Pick a platform. Use Deriv Trader or Deriv Bot in your browser straight away, or add a demo MT5 or cTrader account from the dashboard.
Deriv’s help centre confirms you can use the demo even before completing verification or activating a Wallet. Download links for the mobile app are covered in our Deriv App guide.
Adding a Deriv MT5 demo account
MT5 is where most South Africans practise forex, gold and indices. From the demo side of your dashboard:
- Choose the MT5 account type to practise on: CFDs (Standard), Financial, Zero Spread, Swap-free, Gold or Crypto. Availability can vary by country.
- Review the account specifications and tap Activate.
- Set a trading password. This MT5 password is separate from your Deriv login.
- Note the MT5 login number and server shown in the dashboard, then log in on MT5 for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android or the web terminal.
Your Deriv login opens the dashboard, Deriv Trader and Deriv Bot. MT5 uses its own credentials, so keep both. The Deriv MT5 guide explains the six account types and download options in more detail.
What you can practise on the demo
- Derived indices: Synthetic Indices such as Volatility 75, Crash/Boom, Jump and Step trade 24/7, including weekends. Read what Volatility 75 is before you trade them, because they are generated by Deriv’s random number generator and are not linked to any real market.
- Financial markets: forex, stock indices, stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies and ETFs as CFDs, on the same instrument list as a real MT5 account.
- Options and multipliers: on Deriv Trader, with a fixed maximum loss per trade.
- Automated strategies: build a bot in Deriv Bot or test an Expert Advisor on MT5 without risking money.
How long does the Deriv demo last?
Deriv keeps a demo MT5 account active while you use it. If it is inactive for 30 days it is deactivated automatically, but you can create a new demo MT5 account from your dashboard at any time. Log in at least once a month if you want to keep the same account and trade history.
Getting the most from a demo account
- Trade the demo as if its balance were the amount you plan to deposit. Sizing trades off a large virtual balance when you will go live with $50 builds the wrong habits.
- Use the same position sizes and stop-losses you will use live, and keep a trade journal.
- Practise during the hours you will actually trade, so spreads and volatility match what you will see.
- Treat leverage carefully. Deriv offers up to 1:1000 on forex and more on some Synthetic Indices; read how leverage works first.
A demo cannot copy real execution. Slippage, spread widening and the pressure of real money are all milder in practice. Our general guide to forex demo accounts covers these limits.
Moving from demo to a real Deriv account
Deriv is not authorised by the FSCA. South African Wallets, cTrader and swap-free CFDs sit with Deriv (SVG) LLC, options and multipliers with Deriv Capital International Ltd in Samoa, and MT5 accounts with an offshore Deriv company that depends on the jurisdiction shown when you create the account. The FAIS Ombud cannot take complaints about any of them.
If you still want to go live, follow our guide to opening your real account, which covers verification and the Wallet. When you are ready for your first deposit, Deriv deposit methods sets out the USD 5 Wallet minimum and the card, e-wallet, crypto and P2P options. Read the full Deriv review, or compare FSCA-authorised brokers if local regulation matters to you.
FAQs
Is the Deriv demo account free?
Yes. The demo is created with your Deriv profile at no cost, and you do not need to deposit or upload documents to use it.
How do I open a Deriv MT5 demo account?
Sign up, switch your dashboard to demo, choose an MT5 account type and tap Activate. Set an MT5 password, then log in on MT5 with the login number and server shown.
Does the Deriv demo account expire?
A demo MT5 account is deactivated after 30 days without activity. You can create a new one from your dashboard whenever you need it.
What is DMT5?
DMT5 was Deriv’s former name for its MetaTrader 5 offer. It is now called Deriv MT5 and works the same way for demo and real accounts.
Trading CFDs is high risk. Leverage can magnify losses, and you may lose your deposit. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.
