Stock Market Game
Play the Stock Market Game — a free investment simulator where students and groups compete by trading virtual stocks with fake money. Learn finance risk-free.
About This Game
The Stock Market Game (SMG) is an educational simulation where participants manage a virtual portfolio of $100,000, making trades on real stock exchanges using real-time market data. The twist? No real money is involved. Players compete to grow their portfolio value over a set period, learning about investing, risk management, and financial literacy through hands-on experience.
Run by the SIFMA Foundation, the Stock Market Game has been used in classrooms for decades, but it works equally well for friend groups, office competitions, and family challenges. The competitive element — who can earn the highest returns over a month or semester — transforms dry financial concepts into an engaging game. Players research companies, watch market news, and make buy/sell decisions that play out with real market movements.
The social betting aspect comes from the competition itself. Groups set up leagues and compete against each other, tracking portfolio performance on leaderboards. Side bets (dinner, bragging rights, silly forfeits) on who finishes first or last add stakes that make every market movement personally exciting. It is gambling on your own investment instincts without risking a cent.
How to Play
Register and join a group
Create a free account on the Stock Market Game website. Join or create a team competition.
Receive your virtual portfolio
Each player starts with $100,000 in virtual cash to invest however they choose.
Research and buy stocks
Research companies and submit buy orders for stocks listed on major exchanges at real market prices.
Monitor and trade
Watch your portfolio value change with real market movements. Sell positions and buy new ones as you see fit.
Compete on the leaderboard
Track your portfolio value against other players. The highest portfolio value at the end of the competition wins.
Tips & Strategy
- Diversify your portfolio across sectors rather than putting everything in one stock.
- Watch financial news — earnings reports and economic data move stocks significantly.
- Do not panic sell during normal market dips. Long-term thinking usually beats reactive trading.
- Set a strategy (growth stocks, value stocks, index funds) and stick with it rather than chasing trends.
- Use the experience to learn about real investing concepts like P/E ratios and market cap.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Uses real market data for an authentic investing experience
- Completely risk-free — no real money involved
- Highly educational about finance and economics
- Group competitions make it genuinely exciting and social
Cons
- Requires ongoing engagement — not a quick play session
- Market hours limit when trading can occur
- The simulation does not perfectly replicate real trading (no bid-ask spreads, etc.)
- Can be less exciting during flat market periods
Game Details
- Players
- 2-100 players(recommended: 10)
- Duration
- 1-12 weeks
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Web
Screenshots
Tags
Games Like Stock Market Game
Poker Now
Risk Online
Catan Universe
Dominion Online
Blackjack Online
