Are you an aspiring trader in India who is determined to learn the dynamic stock market but doesn't want to risk your hard-earned money? You are far from alone. The vast and varied Indian financial markets are full of opportunities to trade across equities, derivatives, and commodities. For traders starting their journey in financial markets, it can feel overwhelming. This is where paper trading apps (also known as virtual trading apps or stock market simulators) are a viable training ground.
As we approach the year 2025 with emerging technology allowing trading to be more accessible than ever, these platforms are essential for aspiring traders to normalise confidence and skill acquisition. This article will provide a list of the best paper trading apps in India for 2025, so you can practice smartly and trade better.
Why Paper Trading is Essential for Indian Traders?
Jumping into the Indian stock market without preparation would be akin to trying to learn how to swim in the deep end. There are the complexities of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and there are also the various financial instruments (equities, futures, options, etc.) to navigate, and the intricacies of information from news articles and trading forums are overwhelming. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find a learning structure for trading, which is why paper trading has advantages!
Here's why virtual trading in India is essential for anyone wanting to trade:
Risk-Free Learning: Learn how to trade stocks with Virtual cash, make mistakes, without the fear or concept of losing actual money. This provides a strong foundation.
Testing Strategies: You are able to test numerous trading strategies (day trading, swing trading, etc.) and multiple factors (Technical Analysis Tools and Fundamental Analysis) without the fear of losing any money.
Familiarizing Yourself with Platforms: Get familiar with the interfaces of online stock trading apps in India. Gain an understanding of the different order types (market, limit, stop-loss) and charting options, etc.
Reflect and Adhere to Market Movements: Appreciate how real news and global factors in real-time affect certain stocks and sectors in India.
Practice Discipline: Practice demonstrating discipline with trading emotions. Though the pressure of actual dollars will never be replicated which is significant in risk management.
Try Derivatives / Futures / Options: Try to learn about futures and options, and practice using concepts such as Open Interest in Derivatives, etc.
In conclusion, paper trading apps in India are the ultimate stock market practice app, as they provide a safe space to practice and improve your confidence for live trading.
Top 10 Paper Trading Apps in India 2025
Selecting the best paper trading apps is based on your individual needs, whether you are a total beginner or developing advanced strategies. In 2025, several platforms provided similar attributes, realism, and quality of experience in the Indian context.
Here are our picks for the Top 10 Paper Trading Apps in India 2025:
1. TradingView (with Paper Trading)
Key Features: This platform is recognized all over the world and has various features that allow for advanced charting capabilities with many technical indicators. The paper trading feature is integrated throughout, so you'll have access to lots of data from both the Indian markets and many global markets, plus data and charts of many different asset classes.
Pros: Amazing charting tools, large community with lots of ideas, real-time data, and cross-platform use. Best for traders who rely heavily on technical analysis tools and want to practice in various asset classes.
Cons: Some of the advanced features and extra data have to be subscribed to by organizations that require payment as a user.
Best for: Technical analysts and experienced traders, and anyone looking for a full charting and analysis platform.
2. Sensibull (Options Trading Simulator)
Key Features: Made for the options trader, an excellent simulator to practice all options strategies, build a virtual options portfolio, and practice with payoff diagrams.
Pros: You get a nice analysis options metal chain, built-in strategy analysis, and real-time options. Very good for complex derivative instruments.
Cons: Sensibull is more about Options, so it's not really made for pure equity trading practice.
Ideal User: Traders who are looking to learn and study options trading strategies and learn 7 Proven Derivative Trading Strategies.
3. Zerodha Streak (Virtual Deployment for Algo Trading)
Key Features: Streak is not technically a paper trading app, but it allows backtesting and live trading of algorithmic trading strategies, without coding. Streak simulates live markets for your automated strategies.
Pros: Very powerful for strategy testing, integrated with India's biggest broker (Zerodha), and no-code interface.
Cons: Streak is focused more on algorithmic testing rather than manual paper trading.
Ideal User: Anyone who is interested in algorithmic trading, backtesting their own strategies, and wants to understand automated trading execution.
4. Stock Trainer: Virtual Trading
Key Features: Provides a complete virtual trading experience with real-time market data on multiple exchanges, including the NSE. Virtra trades with virtual capital, as well as permitting several different types of market orders.
Pros: Good user interface, excellent for beginners, access to a wide variety of both Indian and global stocks.
Cons: The free version may be encumbered with ads.
Ideal For: Beginners or intermediate traders looking for an easy stock market simulator in India.
5. Moneybhai by Moneycontrol
Key Features: Moneycontrol's popular web-based virtual trading platform offers a significant cash balance to trade with and market access to Indian stocks, mutual funds, and commodities.
Pros: Practical integration with Moneycontrol financial news and data, good for practicing long-term investments.
Cons: Primarily web-based, the mobile experience may not be as smooth as its dedicated apps.
Ideal User: Investors looking to explore long-term portfolio management with an interest in financial news.
6. Virtual Trading App 2.0 (KavKrish Apps)
Key Features: This application focuses on NSE Stock, Stock Derivatives, and Index F&O with real price and volume data. The app also covers features present on most virtual trading applications, including virtual trading, live market data, as well as multiple order types.
Pros: This app is primarily focused on the Indian market and has a very large user base. The developer regularly updates the app and is responsive to user feedback.
Cons: Some users of the app reported seeing ads with surprising frequency in the free version; some of the added value features, which could prove useful, are premium.
Ideal User: Anyone looking specifically for the Indian equity and derivatives market context.
7. Dalal Street Investment Journal (Virtual Trading)
Key Features: A virtual trading platform with virtual money that allows you to take part in a simulated stock market competition using your virtual money trade simulator. With this application, you are able to keep track of how you are doing against other competitors.
Pros: Gamification of learning, competitive nature, comprehension of market sentiment, distinct from a paper acknowledgement.
Cons: Although this application might teach ideas, it may not provide as many tools for deep analysis as dedicated trading apps do.
Ideal User: Beginners who learn through gamification and relish competitive challenges.
8. ICICI Direct / HDFC Securities (Demo Accounts)
Key Features: A number of traditional brokers, including ICICI Direct and HDFC Securities, offer clients or prospective clients demo accounts or virtual trading sections on their broker platforms. These are often close to the live trading environments.
Pros: Realistic simulation of a particular broker's interface, which may be beneficial for existing clients or a prospective client about to open a trading account and a demat account.
Cons: Features may vary, and access may be restricted for non-clients.
Ideal user: Individuals looking to have a demat account and trading account opened with particular brokers.
9. 5paisa / Angel One / Groww (Check if they offer paper trading features)
Key Features: While most people will probably associate these platforms as discount brokers that offer live trading, and very little unless they call themselves an education platform as well, some of them, like Angel One, seem to be starting to incorporate/enhance their practice or demo features that they have, and coupled with education features. You will want to check back on what these companies are now offering in 2025.
Pros: Correspond directly with popular discount brokers that offer live trading almost exclusively, and typically provide lots of educational resources.
Cons: Existing options for paper trading features may not be as comprehensive as some standalone simulators.
Ideal user: New investors who desire the ability to use a platform that is consistent with the paper trading and live trading accounts.
10. (Research for Emerging App/Highly-Rated Niche Simulator for 2025)
Example: A niche app that is a Commodity Trading Simulator or Forex for India. Monitor newer platforms, or niche-market focused ones that gain traction for specific market segments in 2025. For instance, if exploring Types of Commodity Markets in India, a simulator specific to commodities could be beneficial.
Keep in mind: Always check on the latest features, user reviews, and terms & conditions of any app before starting, as offerings can change quickly.
Conclusion
The opportunities the Indian stock market has to offer in 2025 are astonishing, but it takes preparation and a lot of practice to be successful in it. Paper trading apps can be very helpful, providing a simulated real-life environment to practice your skills, test your strategy, and build your confidence before trading in the real world.
By using the best paper trading apps in India, as mentioned above, everyone could bridge the gap between theory and practice. Use your virtual trades seriously, learn from mistakes, and continually improve yourself. If you would like to become a skilled and profitable trader in the Indian financial markets, you are now on your way with the use of simulation. Choose the best stock market course in India that you feel would help your concentration and get on your way to mastery in a risk-free environment.