2025 Desktop Stock Market Software Selection Guide: In-Depth Review of 5 Major Platforms

Why Do Investors Still Need Desktop Stock Market Tools?

In today’s era of widespread smartphone use, desktop stock market applications remain essential tools for professional investors. Compared to mobile devices, desktop platforms offer three core advantages for investment decision-making:

Display Quality and Analytical Depth
The spacious screens of computers allow for clearer presentation of complex charts and data. Investors can monitor 24 technical indicators such as MACD, RSI, and KD simultaneously, which is nearly impossible on a 6-inch mobile screen. Detailed market data visualization directly enhances stock selection and timing accuracy.

Multitasking Capabilities
Hardware performance differences determine operational efficiency. Computers can easily open multiple windows in parallel, tracking real-time quotes for Taiwan stocks, Japanese stocks, commodities, and other assets simultaneously. This multi-dimensional monitoring is difficult to achieve on mobile devices. When market sudden changes occur, this advantage becomes especially critical.

Stability and Durability
Computers do not need to worry about battery depletion or accidental loss. Investors can confidently monitor markets all day long, fully dedicating themselves to market analysis without distractions from device management.

It is precisely because of these advantages that the demand for desktop stock market applications continued to surge in 2025. Next, we will introduce five of the most popular desktop stock market applications and their features.

Comparative Analysis of 5 Desktop Stock Market Applications

Tradingview: The Absolute Benchmark for Chart Analysis

Founded in 2011 in the United States by technical experts and traders, this platform has become a top global financial analysis tool after more than a decade of development.

Core Advantages
Tradingview’s charting features are industry-leading, with many well-known financial websites (including Yahoo Finance) actually integrating its system. The platform has over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools built-in, allowing users to draw, mark, color, and add trend lines freely, with almost unlimited functionality.

Its database is extremely comprehensive, covering global markets including Taiwan stocks, US stocks, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and Indian stocks. The community feature enables investors to access stock introductions, investor discussions, and latest news, forming a closed-loop knowledge ecosystem. Despite its rich features, the interface design is not cluttered, allowing beginners to grasp core operations quickly.

Usage Limitations
The platform itself does not provide order execution services; trading must be carried out through other brokers. Full functionality requires a paid subscription, but the free version is sufficient for beginners’ daily market viewing.

Interactive Brokers (IB): Professional Tool for Global Market Access

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Interactive Brokers is one of the largest brokers in terms of trading volume worldwide. Its desktop platform, Trader Workstation (TWS), is designed specifically for professional traders.

Highlighted Features
TWS offers highly customizable trading interfaces, allowing users to configure windows and tools according to their preferences. It supports various order types and algorithmic trading, suitable for high-frequency traders. Powerful technical analysis tools include real-time charts, technical indicators, market scanners, and strategy backtesting, with access to over 120 global markets’ financial products. For Taiwanese investors interested in overseas bond markets, IB provides unparalleled convenience.

Usage Considerations
The extensive features come with a complex interface. New investors may need more time to familiarize themselves with the operation process, making it more suitable for experienced traders or high-frequency users.

Futu NiuNiu: Balanced Solution for Hong Kong and US Stock Trading

Launched in 2019 and listed on NASDAQ (stock code FUTU), Futu NiuNiu has rapidly risen in the Chinese-speaking world, obtaining securities licenses in Hong Kong, the US, and Singapore.

Design Advantages
The desktop interface is straightforward: the top-left displays price charts and technical analysis tools; the top-right shows company financials and valuation data; the bottom-left is for options trading; and the bottom-right shows bid-ask information. Especially for options investors, the platform includes an options pricing calculator, helping users understand the underlying value and time value of options easily. It covers real-time quotes and trading for Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, and A-shares (Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect), with both Windows and Mac desktop versions.

Operational Limitations
The platform does not support credit card deposits; funds can only be transferred via bank wire or ACH, adding complexity to fund inflow and outflow.

Mitrade: Rapid Entry Platform for International Financial Markets

Founded in 2011 in Australia, Mitrade focuses on forex and CFD trading. Its desktop version supports both web-based (no download needed) and application modes.

Convenience Features
The interface is simple and intuitive, allowing beginners to get started quickly. The web version can be used immediately without installation, while the desktop app offers more stable performance. As an international broker, it mainly provides quotes for US stocks, Australian stocks, global indices, international ETFs, cryptocurrencies, forex, and precious metals, with free market viewing and direct order placement. Localized services in Taiwan are mature, supporting NTD deposits and withdrawals, avoiding currency exchange issues.

The desktop application boasts high-speed order execution, ensuring optimal transaction prices with no delay. It supports various order types and automated trading functions. Technical analysis tools include trend lines, moving averages, RSI, and other indicators. Advanced encryption and multi-layer security protect funds and privacy. Leverage trading is supported, allowing flexible margin configurations. New users can enjoy a 90-day demo account (with USD 50,000 virtual funds) upon registration.

Limitations
Margin trading mode is not suitable for long-term holding strategies.

Sankyo Stock Market: Local Market Expert Focused on Taiwan

Since its establishment in the 1990s, Sankyo Information has specialized in developing trading platforms, becoming the preferred tool for Taiwanese investors. The earliest software version appeared in the early 1990s. With advances in internet and technology, Sankyo Stock Market has continuously iterated and upgraded.

Main Highlights
An essential free market viewing tool for Taiwan stocks, providing real-time quotes and rich technical analysis tools, including 24 professional indicators such as RSI and KD. The desktop version offers ten viewing modes, with customizable interface styles. It includes features like strategy stock screening, AI intelligent stock picking, and the New Stock Winner, helping investors scientifically select targets. Post-market stock data is comprehensive. The system runs reliably, with very few crashes or data errors.

Usage Limitations
Sankyo itself does not provide order execution; in September 2023, it launched a “multi-broker order” feature connecting Yuanta Securities, E.SUN Securities, and Union Securities. Investors need to manually select the broker, which is somewhat cumbersome. The range of international stocks is limited, with delays in US stocks and ADR quotes. It is more suitable for investors focused on the Taiwanese stock market.

Function Comparison: Desktop vs. Mobile

The same platform performs differently on desktop and mobile. Although Sankyo is Taiwan’s largest mobile trading app (developed by 47 brokerages), its mobile version slightly lags behind the desktop in corporate information display and has a less smooth price chart experience.

Mitrade’s mobile app continues the desktop’s simplicity but lacks advanced technical analysis features on both ends. Futu NiuNiu’s desktop features are comprehensive but require multiple taps on mobile to access certain functions. Interactive Brokers’ Trader Workstation is feature-rich; its mobile app cannot fully support all functionalities, and users report that login verification processes can slow down trading. Tradingview, as the best charting software, cannot fully realize its experience on small screens.

Recommendations

Different investors should choose desktop stock market applications based on their needs. Those seeking the strongest chart analysis should choose Tradingview; users needing access to global markets should opt for Interactive Brokers; balanced traders interested in Hong Kong and US stocks should consider Futu NiuNiu; beginners wanting quick setup should try Mitrade; and investors focused on Taiwan stocks should prioritize Sankyo Stock Market. Each platform has its strengths; the key is to find a tool that matches your investment style.