What helped me bridge the gap between demo and live trading was finding tools that let you work with real market conditions while keeping the risk minimal. Most beginners get stuck because demo trading feels too safe, and live trading feels too dangerous. A good solution is offered here: https://gerchikfx.com/trial-real-market-volume/en/?utm_source=28&utm_medium=211&utm_campaign=9. It lets you access real market volumes without needing to jump in with high stakes right away. This approach gives you the feel of actual trading, where decisions matter, but you’re not wiping out your funds on early mistakes.

Demo accounts are useful for learning the platform, but don’t replicate the psychology of real money being on the line. A couple of safer approaches you might consider:

1. Paper trading with live market data – Some brokers (like Thinkorswim, TradingView, or Interactive Brokers) let you paper trade in real time with actual market conditions. It’s risk-free but helps you practice timing and strategy.
2. Micro accounts – Many forex and futures brokers offer micro or even nano lot sizes, so you can trade with just a few dollars at risk per position. It’s real money, so the psychological aspect is there, but the losses are tiny.
3. Fractional shares – If you’re more into stocks, some platforms (e.g., Robinhood, Fidelity, etc.) let you buy fractional shares, so you can test strategies with very small amounts.
4. Risk controls – Regardless of method, practice setting strict stop-losses and risk-per-trade rules (e.g., never risk more than 1% of your account on a trade). Building those habits early is more important than chasing profits.