Beginner
What is Stock Paper Trading?
Discover how paper trading helps you learn stocks without risking real money. Perfect for complete beginners.
Read Article →Learn Stock Trading
14 free guides to help you master stock paper trading
Whether you're completely new to the stock market or looking to sharpen your trading skills, these guides walk you through everything step by step — from understanding what paper trading is, to reading charts, evaluating stocks, and developing your own strategies.
Every concept can be practiced risk-free using CustomStocks' paper trading simulator, which uses real market prices and supports 50+ stocks. No account required, no real money at risk.
Start Here
New to stock trading? Start with the fundamentals of paper trading and learn how to read your first stock chart.
Build Your Skills
Ready to go deeper? Understand order types, trading strategies, and the difference between paper and real trading.
Understand the Market
Expand your knowledge with guides on stock valuations like P/E ratios and how market hours affect your trading.
Beginner
How to Read Stock Charts
Master the basics of chart reading, candlesticks, and technical indicators to make informed trading decisions.
Read Article →Intermediate
Stock Order Types Explained
Understand market orders, limit orders, and stop orders — what each does, when to use them, and how they work.
Read Article →Intermediate
What is a P/E Ratio?
Learn how to evaluate whether a stock is overvalued or undervalued using the Price-to-Earnings ratio and other metrics.
Read Article →Intermediate
Trading Strategies for Beginners
Learn 5 proven approaches — buy and hold, DCA, swing trading, momentum, and value investing — and practice each risk-free.
Read Article →Intermediate
Paper Trading vs Real Trading
Understand the key differences in psychology, fees, execution, and risk — and know when you're ready to switch.
Read Article →Reference
How Stock Market Hours Work
A complete guide to regular hours, pre-market, after-hours trading, holidays, and global markets.
Read Article →Beginner
ETFs vs Individual Stocks
Compare diversification, cost, control, and learning value to decide which fits your goals as a beginner investor.
Read Article →Beginner
What Are Dividends?
Learn how dividend payments work, yield, ex-dividend dates, DRIPs, and qualified vs ordinary tax treatment for beginners.
Read Article →Beginner
Bull vs Bear Markets Explained
Definitions, historical examples, what causes each cycle, and how to practice trading through both with paper trading.
Read Article →Intermediate
Day vs Swing vs Long-Term Trading
A time-horizon framework comparing time commitment, taxes, win rates, capital needs, and learning value for each approach.
Read Article →Intermediate
How to Read a 10-K Annual Report
Walk through every key section — MD&A, financial statements, risk factors, and footnotes — to evaluate stocks like a pro.
Read Article →Intermediate
Options Trading 101
Calls, puts, strike prices, expiration, intrinsic vs extrinsic value, and basic strategies. Conceptual education for beginners considering options.
Read Article →Reference
Tax Basics: Paper to Real Trading
Short vs long-term capital gains, wash sale rule, 1099-B, cost basis, and tax-advantaged accounts for the transition to real trading.
Read Article →Put Your Knowledge Into Practice
Download CustomStocks free and start paper trading with real market data
