How much money do you really need to start?
You can practise with $0 and go live with surprisingly little. Here's an honest look at minimum deposits — and a sensible first amount.
Key takeaways
- Practising costs $0 — a demo needs no deposit at all.
- Some brokers go live from just a few dollars; others want $100–$200.
- Only ever fund with money you can comfortably afford to lose.
It's the most common beginner question, and the honest answer is freeing: to learn, you need nothing. To go live, far less than people assume.
$0
To practise on a demo
$5–$20
Lowest live minimums
$100+
Some bigger brokers
The honest answer
The right starting amount isn't about the broker's minimum — it's about your life. The number that matters is how much you can lose without it affecting you. For most beginners that's small, and that's completely fine.
- Never use rent, bills, or borrowed money
- Never use money you'll need in the next few months
- Treat your first deposit as tuition, not an investment
Leverage changes the maths
A small deposit plus high leverage can still create large losses. A small balance is not the same as small risk — your position size is what matters.
A sensible first deposit
Once you've practised on a demo and built a routine, fund a small amount you'd be genuinely okay losing. The goal of your first real money isn't profit — it's learning how differently you behave when the money is real.
Tip
Many brokers support micro lots, so even a small balance lets you place properly sized trades while you build confidence.