Essential for 2025 Stock Market Investors: 5 Desktop Technical Analysis Software Deep Comparison

Why Desktop Software Remains Investors’ First Choice

With the proliferation of mobile devices, many investors actually prefer to operate on desktop platforms. This is not a matter of preference but a reality dictated by hardware limitations:

Desktop screens offer ample space to simultaneously display real-time quotes, candlestick charts, and risk monitoring panels for multiple markets. Imagine trying to accurately interpret MACD buy/sell signals on a 6-inch mobile screen—almost impossible for traders seeking precise entry points.

Second, desktops have stronger processing power. When sudden market movements occur, professional investors need to quickly switch between Taiwan stocks, Japanese stocks, US stocks, and monitor commodities like crude oil and gold simultaneously. Opening 10 windows on a computer is effortless; on a mobile device, it can cause lag and delays.

Furthermore, desktops do not face the critical vulnerabilities of mobile phones—loss risk and battery drain. You can monitor the market all day without worries.

Based on these advantages, desktop technical analysis software remains popular in 2025. This article reviews five of the most practical stock market desktop applications to help you find the best matching tools.

Five Major Stock Market Desktop Applications Compared

1. Mitrade — The First Choice for International Traders

App Positioning: An international broker focusing on forex, CFDs, and multi-asset trading

Mitrade was established in 2011, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, specializing in forex and CFD trading services. The platform supports both web and desktop modes; the web version allows trading without downloads, while the desktop version offers a more stable trading environment.

Core Advantages:

The interface design follows a minimalist principle. Beginners can easily browse market quotes, chart analysis, and trading records upon opening. Compared to feature-rich professional software, Mitrade’s usability is undoubtedly among the highest in its class.

For investors seeking global asset allocation, Mitrade covers over a hundred products including US stocks, Australian stocks, global indices, international ETFs, cryptocurrencies, forex, and precious metals. Market data is free, and orders can be placed directly within the app—completing all trading processes with one account.

Localized services in Taiwan are mature; users can deposit and withdraw in New Taiwan Dollars, avoiding currency exchange costs. The platform features high-speed order execution, supports various order types and automated trading, and employs advanced encryption to secure funds. Leverage trading is flexible, with zero-latency order placement.

Disadvantages:

Margin trading is not suitable for long-term investors; compared to advanced technical analysis tools required by professional traders, its functionality depth is limited.

2. San竹 Stock — Essential for Deep Taiwanese Stock Investors

App Positioning: Localized real-time Taiwan stock quotes and technical analysis platform

San竹 Information was founded in the 1990s and has been deeply involved in Taiwan for over 20 years. It has become the developer of mobile trading apps for over 90% of brokerage firms. Its desktop application is a standard tool for Taiwan stock investors.

Core Advantages:

The software provides real-time quotes for Taiwanese stocks and a rich set of technical analysis tools, including 24 built-in indicators (such as RSI, KD, and other common tools), satisfying various investment styles.

The desktop version offers ten different market viewing modes, with customizable interface styles in the top right corner, allowing users to tailor their environment. It includes strategy-based stock screening tools and AI-powered stock selection features to help investors quickly identify targets.

Post-market data is very comprehensive, with industry-leading completeness of corporate fundamental information. The system is highly stable, rarely crashing or displaying data errors.

Disadvantages:

The software itself only provides market viewing functions and does not directly support order placement. In 2023, a “multi-broker order” feature was introduced, connecting to three brokerages (Yuanta, E.SUN, and Uni-President Securities), but investors need to switch accounts to place orders, making the process somewhat cumbersome.

International stock assets are limited; US stocks and ADRs may experience quote delays. If your investment scope extends beyond Taiwan stocks, the international coverage of technical analysis software becomes a bottleneck.

3. Futu NiuNiu — A Comprehensive Platform for Hong Kong and US Stock Investors

App Positioning: Professional software providing real-time quotes and trading for Hong Kong, US, and A-shares

Futu NiuNiu’s influence in the Chinese-speaking world has rapidly grown. It listed on NASDAQ in 2019 (stock code FUTU), holding securities licenses in Hong Kong, the US, and Singapore, making it the preferred broker for Asian clients investing in Hong Kong and US stocks.

Core Advantages:

The desktop interface is intuitive and clear. The top left displays price charts with trend lines and various technical analysis tools; the top right shows company financials and valuation info; the bottom left covers options trading; the bottom right displays bid-ask data—an information layout that is quite comprehensive.

It uniquely integrates options pricing calculation functions, allowing options traders to quickly understand the underlying value and time value without manual calculations.

The platform covers real-time quotes and trading for Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, and A-shares (Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect). It offers both Windows and Mac desktop versions, with seamless synchronization between mobile and desktop.

Disadvantages:

Does not support credit card deposits; only bank wire transfers and ACH are accepted, which may hinder new users wanting quick account setup.

While the desktop features are rich, some functions on mobile require multiple clicks or are more complex to access, reducing ease of use.

4. Interactive Brokers (IB) — A Professional Platform for Global Market Investors

App Positioning: Institutional-grade technical analysis software for trading in over 120 markets worldwide

Interactive Brokers was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Connecticut, USA. Originally a market maker for options, it has evolved into a leading electronic trading platform, with trading volume making it one of the largest brokers globally.

The desktop software, Trader Workstation (TWS), is powerful and designed for professional traders needing diverse and efficient trading tools.

Core Advantages:

TWS offers highly customizable trading interfaces, allowing users to set up different windows and tools according to trading habits. It supports multiple order types and algorithmic trading, crucial for high-frequency traders.

It includes robust technical analysis tools such as real-time charts, indicators, market scanners, and strategy backtesting. As the largest online broker, IB provides access to over 120 markets, especially suitable for investors interested in overseas markets, including bonds.

Disadvantages:

The extensive features make the interface complex, posing a high learning curve for beginners. Those only wanting to track market quotes and perform simple buy/sell operations may find it difficult to master quickly. It is more suitable for experienced traders, high-frequency traders, or institutional investors.

The mobile app has cumbersome security verification procedures, which can impact trading speed.

5. Tradingview — The Most Powerful Charting and Technical Analysis Software

App Positioning: Leading global platform for financial charting and analysis

Tradingview was founded in 2011 in the US by technical experts and traders. Over more than a decade, it has become an industry benchmark. Many brokerage firms and Yahoo Finance embed charts powered by Tradingview.

Core Advantages:

Its charting capabilities are among the strongest. Users can draw lines, mark, color, and add trend lines freely. It includes over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools, making its analysis features unmatched.

Its database covers global markets—Taiwan stocks, US stocks, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and even Indian stocks—offering comprehensive data that surpasses competitors.

The social platform is rich, allowing users to view stock introductions, investor discussions, and latest news about related assets. Despite its extensive features, the interface is not cluttered, and beginners can learn quickly with short training.

Available as web and desktop versions.

Disadvantages:

Tradingview itself does not support order placement; it can connect to multiple brokers for trading, but users need to register accounts with those brokers separately.

Full features require a paid subscription; free version meets basic charting needs but limits advanced analysis tools. On small screens like smartphones, the full chart analysis capabilities are hard to utilize.

Tool Matching Guide for Different Investors

International Stock Traders: Prioritize Mitrade and Interactive Brokers; Mitrade is quick and low-cost, IB offers deep functionality.

Deep Taiwan Stock Researchers: Use San竹 Stock combined with Tradingview; the former provides localized real-time quotes, the latter enhances technical analysis.

Hong Kong and US Stock Investors: Futu NiuNiu offers an all-in-one solution with comprehensive features and user-friendly interface.

High-Frequency or Quantitative Traders: Best paired with Interactive Brokers (TWS) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), supporting algorithmic trading and strategy backtesting.

Beginner Investors: Mitrade or Tradingview; both feature simple interfaces and gentle learning curves.

Differences Between Desktop and Mobile Versions

All platforms have mobile counterparts, but user experience varies significantly.

San竹 Stock’s mobile app, while Taiwan’s largest market viewing app, offers less comprehensive company info display and a less optimal price chart experience compared to the desktop.

Mitrade’s mobile app maintains simplicity but lacks advanced technical analysis tools.

Futu NiuNiu and Interactive Brokers’ mobile versions, due to the complexity of their desktop features, often require multiple steps to access certain functions or are more difficult to operate. IB’s mobile app also has cumbersome security verification, affecting trading speed.

Tradingview on small screens cannot fully showcase its powerful chart analysis capabilities; professional users still prefer desktop operation.

Conclusion

By 2025, stock market desktop technical analysis software has evolved into a multi-ecosystem rather than a single solution. Mitrade leads in ease of use, Tradingview dominates chart analysis, IB offers the broadest market coverage, San竹 provides the most localized expertise, and Futu NiuNiu balances comprehensive features with user-friendliness.

Investors should choose tools based on their trading markets, risk preferences, and operational habits. There is no need to follow trends blindly; the platform that best suits your style is the optimal choice.