Deriv Account Types Explained: Options, MT5, cTrader, Demo, and What Happened to Deriv X
The Main Deriv Account Types
| Account | What you trade | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Options | Rise/Fall, digits, Accumulators, Multipliers, Vanillas, Turbos | Deriv Trader, Deriv Bot, Deriv apps |
| Deriv MT5 | CFDs on synthetic indices, forex, stocks, commodities, crypto | MetaTrader 5 |
| Deriv cTrader | CFDs, plus copy trading on cTrader | cTrader |
| Demo (each type) | The same markets with virtual money | All of the above |
Deriv MT5 Account Types
Deriv MT5 offers several CFD account types, commonly Standard (the widest range of instruments), Financial (forex and other financial assets), Swap-Free (no overnight swap charges on selected assets) and Zero Spread (zero spread on many instruments, with a commission). The exact list, leverage and spreads depend on your country and Deriv entity, so compare them in your account before opening one. Details: Deriv MT5 account guide.
What Happened to Deriv X?
Deriv announced that Deriv X was phased out and new accounts could no longer be opened. Accounts without open positions were archived by 18 August 2025, open positions had to be closed by 1 October 2025, and anything still open was closed by 2 October 2025, with balances moved to the client’s main account. CFDs remain available on MT5 and cTrader.
Minimum Deposit
Deriv’s minimum deposit depends on the payment method, not the account type, and is shown in the Cashier for each method. You fund your main account first and then transfer to MT5 or cTrader. Kenyans: see how to deposit with M-Pesa and how to withdraw to M-Pesa.
Which Account Should You Choose?
- Learning or using bots: Options demo, then Options real with small stakes.
- Forex or gold with lot sizes: Deriv MT5 Standard or Financial (see {L("gold-trading-deriv-xauusd", "gold trading")}).
- Copy trading: cTrader (see {L("copy-trading-kenya", "copy trading")}).
- Muslim traders: check the Swap-Free account conditions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Deriv account types?
Options, Deriv MT5 (several CFD types), cTrader, and a demo for each.
Which Deriv account is best for beginners?
The Options demo account, then a small real Options account.
Is Deriv X still available?
No. Deriv phased it out in 2025 and closed remaining positions by 2 October 2025.
What is the Deriv minimum deposit?
It depends on the payment method; the Cashier shows the minimum for each one.
Can I have MT5 and Options accounts at the same time?
Yes, they sit under one Deriv profile and you transfer funds between them.
What is a swap-free account?
An MT5 account type without overnight swap charges on selected assets.
Related Guides
How to Open a Deriv MT5 Account, Log In and Place Your First Trade
Deriv cTrader Guide: How to Log In, Trade and Copy, and How It Compares With MT5 and Deriv X
How to Open a Deriv Demo Account (and Reset, Fund or Link It to MT5)
NEWDeriv Trader (DTrader) Guide: How to Log In, Choose a Contract and Place Your First Trade