Learn the basics of investing in shares with these free share trading games.
If you’re new to investing, share trading can be a daunting and even overwhelming topic. With so much advice and information out there on buying and selling shares, it can be a little hard to know where to start.
That’s when share trading games can be an extremely useful resource. Designed to help novice investors learn about trading shares, these games allow you to invest in shares and manage a share portfolio using virtual money.
In this way, you can learn about how share trading works and how to develop an investment strategy without putting any of your own money on the line.
Share Trading Account Offer
Competitive broker fees on Australian and international shares.
- No monthly fees
- Buy and sell foreign currency
- Trade 24 hours a day on more than 30 international markets
- Trade on the go with dedicated apps for all major devices
What is a share trading game?
A share trading game basically offers a real-time simulation of investing on the share market. These games provide you with a set budget, for example $50,000, of pretend money. You can then use these virtual dollars to “buy” your very own portfolio of shares.
For extra realism, share trading games are based on the performance of real-life stock exchanges such as the ASX. That means that the prices of the shares in your portfolio will fluctuate in line with price increases and falls in the real world. The aim of the game is to build a portfolio that generates as much capital growth as possible by buying and selling shares.
Share trading games can be an extremely useful way to learn more about investing in the stock market. They can teach you how to research companies, decide on an investment strategy, place a trade and minimise your level of risk.
However, it’s important to understand that share trading games are simulations only and can never provide a completely accurate depiction of what it’s like to trade shares in real life. Your appetite for risk and willingness to accept losses will always be different when your hard-earned cash is on the line, not just virtual money.
It’s also worth pointing out that successful sharemarket investment strategies often take several years to produce the desired results, which is a long way outside the timeframe of many share trading games.
Back to topWhat online share trading games are available?
The following games are a selection of online share trading games based on different markets and available to Australians.
ASX Sharemarket Game
This free game is open to all members of the public and gives you a virtual AUD$50,000 to invest. It is designed to help you learn more about the sharemarket and how to invest your money.
The ASX Sharemarket Game lets you buy and sell shares in 200 nominated companies listed on the ASX. Live market prices are used to simulate real share trading conditions, and brokerage is charged on each trade.
The game runs for 15 weeks and you can set up a league to compete against family and friends. An online portfolio allows you to monitor your stocks and at the end of the competition, cash prizes are available to the three competitors with the most valuable portfolios.
StockWatch Trading
StockWatch Trading gives you a fictitious budget of AUD$50,000 which you can use to manage your own fantasy share portfolio. The game is free and aims to offer an experience as similar to real-life trading as possible.
The game allows you to buy and sell shares, keep a record of your trades and your share portfolio, test out trading strategies and see how your performance stacks up against other traders. Instead of determining the leading trader based on the value of their portfolio, StockWatch Trading uses a points system based on good share trading practices.
Investopedia Stock Simulator
Although not based on the ASX, the Investopedia Stock Simulator is another free share trading game designed to give you a taste of sharemarket investing. Players are given a virtual budget of US$100,000 to invest and can compete with more than 700,000 other traders from around the world.
You can join or create challenges to test your skills against other investors, such as who can achieve the best investment results each day.
Wall Street Survivor
Another game based on the US market rather than the ASX, Wall Street Survivor is nonetheless worth a look for Australian investors. It gives competitors a budget of US$100,000 to invest in whichever stocks they like.
Features include simple-to-understand stock ratings and advice, a huge resource library and tips on company research. It’s a very useful educational tool if you’re looking to find out more about investing in stocks.
Back to topWhat are the benefits of using share trading games?
- Learn how to trade. Share trading games allow you to gain an understanding of how the sharemarket works, and how you can buy and sell shares to generate wealth.
- No money at risk. Share trading games let you gain trading experience without actually investing any of your own money. This means that you won’t end up out of pocket if you make a mistake.
- Put theory into practice. Share trading games allow you to put some of your trading ideas and investment strategies into practice without exposing yourself to any risk.
What are the risks involved?
- Never the same as the real world. Despite their benefits, playing a share trading game is never the same as investing in real life. Your appetite for risk and overall investment strategy is always going to be different when you’re not actually risking any of your own money.
- Short-term. Many share trading games only run for a limited period, for example 10 weeks, which is not enough time to get a full understanding of how the stock market works.
Ready to try the real deal? Compare share trading and CFD trading accounts below
Some commonly asked questions about share trading games
Do I invest real money in a share trading game?
No. These games are played using “virtual” money.
Are there rules about which stocks I can buy?
Yes, but rules differ between games. For example, the ASX Sharemarket Game allows players to “purchase” shares in ASX200 companies.
In the ASX Sharemarket Game, can I invest all of my budget in one company?
No. Individual share purchases are not allowed to exceed more than 25 per cent of the total value of your portfolio.
Is there a game available for school students?
Yes. The ASX runs two of its Sharemarket Games specifically for Australian school students each year.
How else can I get a taste of share market investing?
Some online share trading platforms offer a free demo account for a trial period, allowing you to test out the features of their platform without actually spending any money.
If you’re new to investing, share trading games are a useful tool to help you learn the basics of buying and selling shares. Start researching share trading games today to find a game that will help you build your investment knowledge.
