5 Must-Have Stock Trading Software for 2025 - Desktop Version | Investor's Complete Guide

Mobile trading is convenient, but for serious investors, the desktop trading software is the true “battlefield.” Why?

Let’s first look at some real-world issues: How cumbersome is it to view MACD, RSI, KD, and other technical indicators on a 6-inch phone screen? Want to monitor Taiwan stocks, Japanese stocks, and US stocks simultaneously? Do you still want to keep an eye on the market when your phone battery is running low?

This is the core reason why desktop applications cannot be replaced:

Large Screen Advantage—Displays more detailed charts and data analysis tools, which are crucial for investors needing in-depth market trend research

Performance Advantage—Powerful hardware processing capabilities, quick execution of multiple tasks, responsive to market sudden changes, easily open multiple windows to monitor different markets simultaneously

Stability Advantage—No risk of data loss, no power outages, far superior security and stability compared to mobile

Based on these advantages, desktop stock market applications remain popular in 2025. This article reviews 5 most practical desktop trading software to help you find the most handy tools.

Comprehensive Balanced Player｜Futu NiuNiu

Futu NiuNiu has rapidly increased influence in the Chinese-speaking world in recent years. It listed on NASDAQ in 2019 (stock code: FUTU) and obtained securities licenses in Hong Kong, the US, and Singapore. For Asian clients interested in Hong Kong stocks and US stocks, this is a top choice.

Desktop Interface Design

The layout is very professional: top-left shows price trend charts with trendline tools; top-right displays company financials and valuation info; bottom-left integrates options trading; bottom-right shows bid-ask data. This all-in-one layout allows investors to grasp key data at a glance.

Notably, Futu embeds price calculation functions for options, enabling investors to easily understand the underlying value and time value of options, saving the trouble of doing homework.

Market Coverage

Real-time quotes and trading for Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, and A-shares (Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect), with desktop versions for Windows and Mac, allowing seamless synchronization between mobile and desktop.

User Experience

Futu NiuNiu’s desktop features are comprehensive, but this complexity becomes a double-edged sword when ported to mobile—some functions require multiple clicks to access, which can confuse beginners.

Professional Quantitative Player｜Interactive Brokers (IB)

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Interactive Brokers has evolved from a market maker for options to one of the world’s largest electronic trading platforms by trading volume.

For Taiwanese investors interested in overseas markets (especially bonds), IB offers powerful tools.

Desktop Trading Platform Trader Workstation

This software is incredibly powerful, designed for professional traders needing efficient, diverse trading tools:

• Highly customizable trading interface: users can set different windows and tools according to habits
• Supports various order types and algorithmic trading to meet different markets and strategies
• Built-in powerful technical analysis tools: real-time charts, indicators, market scanners, strategy testing
• Access to global markets—trade financial products across more than 120 markets

Entry Barrier

Due to its extensive features, it’s difficult for beginners to master quickly. This platform is more suitable for experienced traders, especially high-frequency or institutional investors. Some users also report that the security verification process at login is cumbersome, affecting trading speed.

All-in-One Chart Player｜Tradingview

Founded in 2011 by technical experts and traders, Tradingview has become a leading global platform for financial charts and analysis over more than a decade. Many broker charts and Yahoo Finance charts actually utilize Tradingview’s functions.

Charting Capabilities Are Among the Best

Over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools. On Tradingview charts, you can draw lines, mark, color, and add trendlines freely. In terms of chart power and flexibility, Tradingview is almost unmatched.

Comprehensive Data Database

Quotes and charts for Taiwan stocks, US stocks, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, Indian stocks… all kinds of market data are available. If you need global financial market data, Tradingview is the most comprehensive one-stop platform.

Community Features

The platform integrates social features: you can see stock introductions, real-time investor discussions, and latest news on related assets. It’s both a market viewing tool and an investment community ecosystem.

Design Philosophy

The interface is not cluttered; beginners can grasp it after brief learning. Available as web and desktop versions.

Drawbacks

Tradingview itself does not support order placement; trading must be done through connected brokers. Full features require a paid subscription, but the free version is sufficient for basic market viewing.

Localized Taiwan Player｜Sanchu Stock Market

Sanchu Information Co., Ltd. has focused on developing stable, precise trading platforms since the early 1990s. Sanchu Stock Market has long been a top choice for many Taiwanese investors to trade Taiwan stocks.

This software first appeared in the early 1990s when Taiwan’s stock market was just starting, and the demand for professional trading tools was not complex. Sanchu launched its first version and quickly gained market recognition. With the rise of the internet and technological advances, Sanchu continuously updates and adds features to meet modern investors’ needs.

Core Highlights

✔️ Real-time Taiwan stock quotes and rich technical analysis tools—including RSI, KD, and 24 other professional indicators

✔️ Ten viewing modes to choose from, with customizable interface styles in the top-right corner

✔️ Built-in stock selection tools, AI intelligent stock picking, New Stock Winner, and other auxiliary features

✔️ Post-market data is quite rich, providing in-depth stock information

Current Usage

Rooted in the Taiwanese market for many years, it is now the largest mobile stock viewing app in Taiwan—47 brokerage firms and over 90% of the industry rely on Sanchu for development and maintenance. Its system is highly reliable, with very few crashes or data errors.

Limitations

✔️ Only provides market viewing information; it does not directly support order placement. In September 2023, it launched “multi-broker order” functionality, connecting to Yuanta Securities, E.SUN Securities, and Uni-President Securities, but the order process is relatively cumbersome.

✔️ More suitable for investors deeply involved in Taiwan stocks; international stock assets are limited, with delays in US stocks and ADRs.

International Trading Player｜Mitrade

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Mitrade specializes in forex and CFD trading services. Investors can trade forex, commodities, popular US stocks, and cryptocurrencies via its desktop software.

Dual Support

Supports both web and desktop applications. The web version requires no download—just connect online to view markets and trade; the desktop app is downloaded and used locally, offering flexible options.

User Experience

The interface is simple and intuitive, allowing beginners to get started quickly. Opening the platform provides easy access to market quotes, chart analysis, and trading history.

Asset Breadth

As an international broker, it mainly offers US and Australian stocks. In addition, it provides global indices, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, forex, precious metals, and hundreds of other assets. Free market viewing and direct order placement within the app, all transactions managed with one account.

Technical Strength

✔️ High-speed trade execution ensures users can trade at the best prices quickly, with no delay

✔️ Supports various order types and automated trading features to meet different investor needs

✔️ Offers multiple technical analysis tools—trendlines, moving averages, RSI, and more

✔️ Uses advanced encryption and multi-layer security measures to protect transactions

✔️ Supports leverage trading, allowing investors to choose leverage multiples and fully utilize funds

Localization Advantage

Large user base in Taiwan; real trading allows deposits and withdrawals in New Taiwan Dollars, reducing FX conversion hassle. Demo accounts can be practiced for up to 90 days.

Limitations

Margin trading mode is not suitable for long-term traders; such platforms are more suitable for short-term operators.

Desktop vs Mobile｜Practical Comparison

All five software offer desktop and mobile versions, but user experience varies significantly:

Sanchu Stock Market: The mobile version is the industry’s largest market viewing app, but compared to the desktop version, it lags slightly in displaying company info, and price charts are less smooth.

Mitrade: The mobile version continues the desktop’s simplicity and ease of use, but lacks advanced technical analysis features on both ends.

Futu NiuNiu: The desktop is comprehensive but complex; on mobile, some functions require multiple clicks to access.

Interactive Brokers: Due to its extensive features, the mobile version’s design is somewhat compromised. Login verification is cumbersome, affecting trading speed.

Tradingview: The desktop experience is excellent, but on small screens, it’s hard to fully utilize all features.

Selection Guide｜Find Your Market Viewing Software

Different investors have different needs. How to choose?

If you want simplicity and ease of use—Mitrade’s interface is the most friendly, ideal for beginners

If you prioritize chart analysis—Tradingview’s features are unmatched, with over 100 technical indicators and tools

If you seek market diversity—IB covers over 120 global markets, with the broadest access

If you focus on Taiwan market—Sanchu system is stable, reliable, with high data accuracy and mature local service

If you want comprehensive strength—Futu NiuNiu balances full features and trading categories

Overall, by 2025, market viewing software options are quite abundant. Choose according to your trading style, market preferences, and technical analysis needs to find the most suitable tool. Compared to mobile, desktop advantages include larger screens, stronger performance, and multi-tasking capabilities, which are especially critical for serious trading.