2025 Annual | In-Depth Review of Five Popular Online Trading Desktop Software

In today’s investment environment, although smartphones have become essential daily tools, for serious traders, desktop online charting software still offers irreplaceable core advantages. Let’s first understand why these professional investors continue to insist on trading via desktop.

Why Desktop Online Charting Applications Remain the Top Choice for Investors

Screen Size and Data Presentation

Desktop monitors provide a wide field of view, allowing complex technical charts and multi-dimensional data to be displayed comprehensively. Compared to the difficulty of clearly showing technical indicators like MACD, KD, etc., on a 6-inch mobile screen, desktop online charting tools enable investors to observe price trends and market signals at a glance.

Multitasking Capabilities

Desktop hardware architecture supports monitoring multiple market windows simultaneously. Investors can track real-time movements of Taiwan stocks, Japanese stocks, observe commodities, and more—all within a single interface. This multi-window collaboration is nearly impossible on mobile devices. When sudden market events occur, this advantage becomes especially critical.

Stability and 24/7 Operation

Compared to the risk of losing a mobile device or battery depletion, desktop online charting applications eliminate these concerns, allowing investors to monitor markets securely around the clock.

Based on these advantages, by 2025, many excellent desktop online charting applications continue to emerge. Below, we provide an in-depth review of five market-leading applications to help different types of investors find the most suitable tools.

Panorama Analysis of the Five Major Online Charting Applications

Mitrade: One-Stop Platform for International Markets

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Australia, Mitrade specializes in forex and CFD trading services. Its desktop online charting software offers both web and desktop applications, allowing trading directly in browsers without downloads.

Design-wise, Mitrade’s interface is clear and intuitive, enabling new users to get started quickly without long-term learning. After opening the software, users can easily access market quotes, chart analysis, and trading history.

In terms of assets, Mitrade supports international stock markets such as US stocks and Australian stocks, covering global indices, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, forex, precious metals, and hundreds of other assets. For investors seeking multi-asset allocation, this global online charting option has clear advantages. Notably, users in Taiwan can deposit and withdraw directly in New Taiwan Dollars, avoiding frequent currency conversions.

Regarding trade execution, the platform features high-speed order processing, supporting various order types and automated trading functions. Technical analysis tools include trend lines, moving averages, RSI, and other indicators, helping investors identify optimal entry and exit points. Additionally, the platform employs advanced encryption technology to ensure fund security.

Sanchu Stock Market: Deeply Cultivating the Taiwan Local Market

Sanchu Information has been established since the 1990s and has become the preferred online charting tool for Taiwanese investors. The software developed by the company has evolved over decades and now provides underlying support for 47 securities firms, serving over 90% of market participants.

In charting features, Sanchu offers 24 professional technical indicators (including RSI, KD, etc.) and ten customizable chart modes. The desktop interface can be personalized, with company info and valuation data integrated at the top right, and options trading details displayed at the bottom left.

The platform also includes strategy stock-picking tools and AI-driven stock selection features, which are helpful for data-driven decision-making. Post-market data provides rich corporate information supplements.

However, Sanchu itself does not offer order placement; it collaborates with Yuanta Securities, E.SUN Securities, and Uni-President Securities. Investors need to select the corresponding broker within the app to place trades, which can be somewhat cumbersome. Additionally, the platform is more suitable for deep exploration of the Taiwanese stock market, with some delay in US stocks and ADR data.

Futu NiuNiu: Hong Kong and US Stock Comprehensive Platform

Futu NiuNiu has rapidly gained influence in the Chinese-speaking investment community and successfully listed on NASDAQ in 2019 (ticker: FUTU). The company holds securities licenses in Hong Kong, the US, and Singapore, making it a preferred broker for many Asian investors.

The desktop interface is simple and intuitive: the top left shows price charts with multiple trend lines and analysis tools; the top right displays company financials and valuation info; the bottom left shows options trading; and the bottom right presents bid-ask data. The overall layout is comprehensive.

Futu has notable features in options trading, including built-in options pricing calculators to help investors quickly understand intrinsic and time value. 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), with both Windows and Mac desktop versions for cross-platform synchronization.

However, Futu Securities does not support credit card deposits, only bank wire transfers and ACH transfers, which may impact convenience for some users.

Interactive Brokers (IB): A Global Market Leader

Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers (IB) has become a leading global electronic trading platform. Its desktop software, Trader Workstation (TWS), is extremely powerful and designed for professional traders requiring diverse and efficient tools.

TWS’s core strength lies in its highly customizable trading interface. Users can configure different windows and toolsets according to their trading habits. The platform supports multiple order types, algorithmic trading, and high-frequency strategies—crucial for quantitative traders.

In technical analysis, TWS offers real-time charts, extensive indicators, market scanners, and backtesting of trading strategies. As the world’s largest online broker, IB provides access to over 120 markets worldwide. It is ideal for investors interested in deepening their overseas market exposure, especially in bonds.

However, due to its extensive features, TWS’s interface is complex, making it difficult for beginners to master quickly. It is better suited for experienced traders or institutional investors engaged in high-frequency trading.

Tradingview: Industry Benchmark for Chart Analysis

Founded in 2011 by a team of technical experts and traders, Tradingview has grown into a leading global platform for financial charts and analysis. Many brokerage charts, including Yahoo Finance, are actually powered by Tradingview’s underlying technology.

Its greatest strength is in charting capabilities. Users can draw, mark, color, and add over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools freely on Tradingview’s canvas. This high level of customization is rarely matched by competitors.

In data coverage, Tradingview includes quotes for Taiwanese stocks, US stocks, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and even niche markets like Indian stocks. The platform also integrates social features, allowing users to view stock introductions, investor discussions, and related news.

Despite its comprehensive features, Tradingview’s interface remains user-friendly; new users can grasp core functions after short learning. It offers both web and desktop versions.

However, Tradingview does not provide order placement; users must open accounts with compatible brokers separately. Full features require a paid subscription, but the free version already meets most beginner online charting needs.

Desktop vs. Mobile Use of Online Charting Applications

All five applications have corresponding mobile apps, but actual user experiences differ significantly.

Sanchu’s mobile app, while supporting over 90% of brokers in Taiwan, lacks some corporate info display features compared to the desktop version. Viewing price charts on mobile is also less smooth.

Mitrade’s mobile app continues the desktop’s simplicity, making it easy for beginners, but advanced technical analysis features are somewhat limited on both versions.

Futu’s desktop features are very comprehensive; on mobile, some functions require multiple taps to access, and complex features may be less discoverable.

IB’s mobile app faces similar challenges. Due to TWS’s complexity, it’s difficult to fully replicate desktop functionalities on mobile. Users also report that login security verification is cumbersome, affecting trading speed.

Tradingview, as the best charting software, offers top-tier desktop experience, but this is hard to fully translate to small screens on mobile devices.

Recommendations and Summary

Different investors should choose online charting tools based on their needs. Mitrade’s simple, user-friendly interface is suitable for beginners. Tradingview’s unmatched charting capabilities appeal to technical analysis enthusiasts. IB’s extensive global market coverage is ideal for those with overseas asset allocation needs. Sanchu has deep roots in the Taiwanese market, providing reliable support for local investors. Futu NiuNiu balances comprehensive features and user experience, making it suitable for investors seeking an all-in-one solution.

When selecting online charting applications, prioritize your trading market preferences, technical analysis requirements, and ease of interface operation to find the most suitable desktop tool.