here's how to make a million on your smartphone
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Most of us have a couple of games tucked away on our smartphones ready for the commute or waiting in line at the post office.
But if you wanted to go beyond tapping, swiping and flicking through the likes of Candy Crush or Trivia Crack then it might be worth considering stock trading.
We're not suggesting you take out a second mortgage and wade into the FTSE 100 with cash to burn, but instead try out a stock trading simulation to get used to how the financial system works.
After all, it'll be a better long-term strategy that sticking all your salary into bitcoin.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
App developers are focusing on the trading floor to build addictive games that offer the chance to trade with virtual money. It's like having a mini Gordon Gekko in your pocket.
"The same kind of person who is hooked on a computer video game may seek a similar thrill from the stock market," Kam Star, the founder and managing director at games development studio PlayGen recently told Reuters.
"Developers are realising that games are played by all kinds of people with different desires and motivations."
Here's our pick of the top five trading games for your smartphone. No MBA required.
Bux
Available on both iOS and Android, this app sets you up with 1,000 Bux and sets you loose to trade on a host of well-known companies like Amazon and Facebook.
The app takes its data from the real-work performance of shares on the market. If you get really comfortable with it, you can make the transition to real-world cash.
Download it on iOS here .
Download it on Android here.
Kapitall
Explaining itself as using "basic video game mechanics to develop and easy, user-friendly interface that rewards you as you learn to invest", this app lets you practice with virtual money before trying the real thing.
Like any good gaming app, it's also social - giving you the chance to show off your trading portfolio to others. There's even a monthly competition that lets you compete for real cash.
Download it on iOS here.
Download it on Android here.
Stock Wars: Virtual Investing
One for the more serious enthusiast, this app does away with fancy colours in favour of stark data. It lets you create and manage a virtual portfolio and place real-time orders.
There's plenty of detail to dig into, including analysing your purchase history, dividends and the distributions of your holdings. You can create personal trading groups to compete with friends.
Download it on iOS here.
Stock Market Simulator Plus
Available on the Amazon Appstore for Kindle tablets and the Google Play store, this app credits you with $50,000 in virtual cash and invites you to take over the market.
Like real markets, it will close when trading is done for the day.
Download it on Android here.
Download it on Kindle here.
Invstr
Along with placing virtual bets on the stock market, this app also offers a news feed of the latest financial information as well as social forums relating to certain stocks.
It's free to play on both iOS and Android, but much of the additional information requires you to pay extra.
Download it on iOS here.
Download it on Android here.
Still not sold on trading? Never mind, here's our pick of the best brain training apps for 2018.