# Does Polymarket have a demo account? No. Here's what to use instead

Polymarket has no official demo or paper trading mode. What exists instead, from browser extensions to Kalshi's demo, and what each one can teach you.

Source: https://rizon.markets/learn/polymarket-demo-account (updated 2026-11-04)

> **Short answer:** No. We found no demo, paper trading mode, sandbox or testnet anywhere in [Polymarket's docs](https://docs.polymarket.com) or [help center](https://help.polymarket.com/en/), so every trade there uses real money. To practice its actual markets, use a third-party simulator such as PolySimulator or PredictMirror, which copy its live prices. Kalshi does have an official demo. For a real order book where someone can trade against you, there's [Rizon](https://rizon.markets/?ref=learn-polymarket-demo-account), but its contracts work differently.

## What you can use instead

From each one's own site, as of Nov 4, 2026:

| Tool | What it is | Virtual balance | Account | Your orders hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [PolySimulator](https://polysimulator.com/faq) | A site that simulates Polymarket | $1,000 | Sign-up | A simulation on Polymarket's prices |
| [PredictMirror](https://predictmirror.com/) | A Chrome extension on Polymarket's own pages | $1,000 | None | A simulation on its live order book |
| [DemoMarket](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/demomarket/khhjjkbmckhdabkaepljmhbegbmphael) | A Chrome extension with a Demo button | Virtual funds | None | A simulation; events only, no sports |
| [Kalshi's demo](https://demo.kalshi.co/) | Kalshi's official test environment | Mock funds | Sign-up with mock details | Kalshi's demo exchange: "may not be reflective" of real markets |
| [Manifold](https://manifold.markets/about) | A play-money prediction market | Ṁ1,000 | Sign-up | Other users' limit orders, then an automated market maker |
| [Rizon](https://rizon.markets/?ref=learn-polymarket-demo-account) | A paper exchange for [horizon contracts](https://rizon.markets/horizon-contracts) | $1,000 | None | Other accounts in a real order book, mostly bots |

## Which one to pick

| You want to | Use |
|---|---|
| See how you'd do on Polymarket's actual markets | PolySimulator or PredictMirror |
| Learn Kalshi's app and fees | Kalshi's demo |
| Make your own markets on anything, with friends | Manifold |
| Feel a real book: resting orders, spreads, someone taking the other side | Rizon |
| Test a bot | [Compared here](https://rizon.markets/learn/test-a-trading-bot-without-real-money) |

The difference that matters is the last column of the first table. A simulator copies Polymarket's prices, so it's faithful about what things cost, but no real trader ever sees your order. That's fine for practicing a view. It's no good for practicing a resting order, because in a simulation nobody real can hit it.

Rizon is the reverse: your orders really trade, but it isn't Polymarket. Every contract pays 2× and the book quotes a [strike instead of a price](https://rizon.markets/learn/strike-vs-probability), so you're not practicing how to read a 37¢ price. What carries over is direction, sizing, spreads and knowing when you have no edge.

## Before you use real money on Polymarket

A demo won't tell you these, so do the sums first:

- **Fees.** Takers pay up to 1.75¢ a share on crypto markets: [fee calculator](https://rizon.markets/learn/polymarket-fee-calculator).
- **Most traders lose.** On [one count of 2.5 million addresses](https://sergeenkov.com/polymarket-profitability/), 15.9% were in profit. [More on that](https://rizon.markets/learn/are-prediction-markets-a-good-side-hustle).
- **Where you live.** Polymarket isn't open everywhere, and rules differ. Check its own terms for your country before you sign up. [Polymarket vs Kalshi](https://rizon.markets/learn/polymarket-vs-kalshi) sets out who can use each.
- **If you're building a bot.** Use the current client, not the archived one: [Polymarket's API in Python](https://rizon.markets/learn/polymarket-api-python).

## FAQ

### Does Polymarket have paper trading?

Not officially. Third-party tools add it, and they're not affiliated with Polymarket.

### Is there a Polymarket testnet or sandbox?

We found none in its docs. To test code, see [where to test a trading bot without real money](https://rizon.markets/learn/test-a-trading-bot-without-real-money).

### Does Kalshi have a demo account?

Yes, at [demo.kalshi.co](https://demo.kalshi.co/), with mock funds. [Kalshi's help pages](https://help.kalshi.com/en/articles/13823775-creating-and-using-a-demo-account) say to sign up with mock details and fund it with test cards.

### Can I practice Polymarket for free?

Yes, with a simulator. You only pay when you trade real money, and then fees and spreads apply.

### Is Polymarket free to use?

It's free to sign up and browse. Fees apply when you take liquidity on most markets, and geopolitical markets are fee-free.