2025 Computer Charting Software Recommendations | In-Depth Review of Five Professional Applications

In the world of investment trading, choosing the right market monitoring tool can often determine trading efficiency. While mobile apps have become an essential daily tool, for serious traders, desktop charting software still offers irreplaceable advantages.

Why Desktop Charting Software Is More Worth Choosing

Stronger Data Processing Capabilities

With larger screens and more powerful computing power, desktop software can simultaneously display complex technical charts and multi-layered data analysis tools. Studying technical indicators like MACD and Bollinger Bands on a 6-inch mobile screen is challenging, whereas the desktop version can easily present these details.

Multiple Windows for Market Monitoring

The hardware advantages allow investors to open multiple windows at once, enabling real-time monitoring of different markets such as Taiwan stocks, Japanese stocks, US stocks, and commodities. When sudden market events occur, this multi-monitor capability becomes especially critical.

Higher Security and Stability

Compared to mobile phones that are easy to lose or run out of battery, desktop computers eliminate concerns about device loss or power failure, allowing investors to confidently perform 24/7 market monitoring and tracking.

In-Depth Introduction of Five Desktop Charting Software

San竹 Stock｜Taiwan’s Local Market Charting Leader

San竹 Information has been focused on developing trading platforms since the 1990s. Its San竹 Stock software has become the preferred tool for many Taiwanese investors. Since its first version, San竹 has continuously iterated and updated to meet evolving modern investment needs.

Core Advantages:

• Provides real-time Taiwan stock quotes and 24 professional technical indicators (RSI, KD, etc.)
• Ten charting modes to choose from, highly customizable interface
• Built-in stock screening and AI intelligent stock selection tools
• Offers extensive after-hours stock data

Points to Note:

• The main software only provides charting; order placement requires connecting to one of three brokerages (Yuanta, E.SUN, Uni-President), which makes the process somewhat cumbersome
• Limited international stock assets; US stocks and ADRs may have quote delays

San竹 has deep roots in the Taiwanese market, with reliable data processing and system stability, rarely crashing or errors, making it especially suitable for traders focused on Taiwan stocks.

Mitrade｜One-Stop Global Market Trading

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Australia, Mitrade specializes in forex and CFD trading services. Its desktop software supports CFD trading across forex, commodities, US stocks, and cryptocurrencies.

Core Advantages:

• Web version requires no download; desktop app can be downloaded and used flexibly
• Simple and intuitive interface, easy for beginners
• Suitable for international market traders, covering US stocks, Australian stocks, global indices, ETFs, forex, precious metals, and hundreds of assets
• Well-developed local services in Taiwan, supports NTD deposits and withdrawals, avoiding currency exchange hassles
• Fast trade execution with no delays
• Offers various order types and automated trading features
• Uses advanced encryption and multi-layer security
• Supports leverage trading to maximize capital utilization

Points to Note:

• Margin trading is not suitable for long-term investors

Futu NiuNiu｜Hong Kong and US Stock Trading Platform

Futu NiuNiu has rapidly gained influence in the Chinese-speaking world in recent years. In 2019, it successfully listed on NASDAQ (FUTU), holding securities licenses in Hong Kong, the US, and Singapore, becoming a top choice for many Asian investors trading Hong Kong and US stocks.

Core Advantages:

• Intuitive desktop interface: top-left shows price charts, top-right displays company financials, bottom-left contains options trading, bottom-right shows order book; comprehensive layout
• Prominent options features, with built-in options pricing calculator to help evaluate underlying value and time value
• Real-time quotes and trading for Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, and A-shares (Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect)
• Provides Windows and Mac desktop versions; mobile and desktop operations are synchronized

Points to Note:

• Does not support credit card deposits; only bank wire and ACH transfers

Interactive Brokers｜Professional Global Market Trading Tools

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Interactive Brokers (IB) evolved from an options market maker to a leading electronic trading platform. It offers a wide range of financial products including stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, and funds. By trading volume, IB is one of the largest brokerages worldwide.

IB’s desktop platform, Trader Workstation (TWS), is powerful and designed for professional traders needing efficient, diverse trading tools.

Core Advantages:

• Highly customizable interface, users can set up windows and tools according to preferences
• Supports multiple order types and algorithmic trading, suitable for high-frequency traders
• Comprehensive technical analysis tools, including real-time charts, indicators, market scanners, and strategy backtesting
• Access to over 120 markets globally, facilitating overseas investments (especially bonds) for Taiwanese investors

Points to Note:

• Its extensive features make the interface complex; beginners may find it difficult to learn quickly
• More suitable for experienced traders, high-frequency, or institutional investors

Tradingview｜The World’s Leading Charting and Analysis Platform

Founded in 2011 in the US by technical experts and traders, Tradingview has grown into a leading global platform for financial charts and analysis. Many brokerages and financial websites embed Tradingview’s charting functions.

Core Advantages:

• Market-leading charting features: freehand drawing, marking, coloring, trend lines, with over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools
• Extensive database: Taiwan stocks, US stocks, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and even Indian stocks, covering global assets
• Social features: view stock introductions, investor discussions, and related news
• Clean, user-friendly interface suitable for beginners to learn quickly
• Available as web and desktop versions

Points to Note:

• Does not support order placement directly; trading must be done through connected brokers, requiring separate account registration
• Full features require a paid plan, but the free version suffices for basic daily monitoring

Differences Between Desktop and Mobile Versions

San竹 Stock

San竹 is currently Taiwan’s largest mobile charting app, with over 90% of brokers outsourcing development and maintenance to San竹. However, compared to the desktop version, the mobile app’s corporate info display is somewhat limited, and the experience viewing price charts is less smooth.

Mitrade

The mobile app continues the desktop’s simplicity and ease of use, making it beginner-friendly. However, for investors needing in-depth technical analysis, both versions lack advanced features.

Futu NiuNiu

The desktop version is fully featured, but on mobile, some functions require multiple taps to access, leading to a less optimal experience for complex features.

Interactive Brokers

Similar to Futu, due to the extensive capabilities of Trader Workstation, the mobile app cannot fully replicate the desktop experience. Many users also find the login security verification process on mobile too cumbersome, affecting trading speed.

Tradingview

As the best charting tool on the market, the desktop experience is excellent, but on small screens like smartphones, it’s difficult to fully leverage its advantages.

Summary of Recommendations

The five desktop charting tools each have their strengths. If you prioritize a simple, user-friendly interface, Mitrade performs well. For the most powerful charting and analysis, Tradingview is unmatched. For diverse market coverage, Interactive Brokers leads the industry. San竹 Stock is best suited for investors deeply engaged in Taiwan stocks, while Futu NiuNiu offers a balanced solution for Hong Kong and US stock trading. Choosing the tool that best fits your trading needs and preferences is the wisest approach.

For professionals engaged in quantitative trading, MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is also worth considering. As a professional trading platform, it features built-in technical analysis tools, automated trading (EA), and strategy backtesting, making it suitable for advanced users. However, MT5 requires broker account login, and some Mac functionalities may need virtual machines or web versions.