2025 Computer Essential Tools for Stock Watching | In-Depth Comparison of Five Stock Market Software

Why Do Investors Still Need a Desktop Stock Market App?

As mobile applications become increasingly sophisticated, many investors may ask: do I still need a desktop stock market app? The answer is yes. Compared to mobile versions, desktop programs still hold irreplaceable advantages in investment trading:

Better Display Capabilities: Desktop screens offer a wider view, allowing multiple technical indicators, charts, and data panels to be displayed simultaneously. This advantage is especially evident during in-depth technical analysis—viewing complex indicators like MACD, KD on a small mobile screen is indeed inconvenient.

Multitasking Ability: Desktop hardware performance far surpasses that of mobile devices, enabling multiple windows to monitor different markets at once. Investors can observe Taiwan stock trends while tracking US stocks and international commodities, which is difficult to achieve on a mobile device.

Stability and Security: Compared to easily lost or drained mobile phones, desktops do not have these issues, allowing investors to monitor the market stably around the clock.

Because of these advantages, the demand for stock viewing on desktops remains strong in 2025. This article will introduce five mainstream stock software desktop applications in detail to help you find the most suitable tool.

Comprehensive Review of Five Stock App Desktop Versions

San竹 Stock Market: A Localized Choice Focused on Taiwan Market

San竹 Information has been established since the 1990s, accumulating decades of experience in Taiwan’s stock market. Its developed San竹 Stock Market software has become the first choice for many Taiwanese investors, with a large user base.

Core Advantages:

• Real-time Taiwan stock quotes combined with rich technical analysis tools, including 24 built-in indicators (such as RSI, KD, and other common indicators)
• Ten viewing modes with customizable interface styles
• Built-in strategy stock selection and AI intelligent stock picking features
• Detailed after-hours stock information with stable and reliable data processing

Main Limitations:

• The software itself does not support order placement; it requires integration with multiple brokerages (currently connected with Yuanta, E.SUN, and Uni-President Securities), making the process somewhat cumbersome
• Limited coverage of international stocks; delays exist for US stocks and ADRs
• More suitable for investors focusing on the Taiwan market

Mitrade: Cross-Market All-Asset Trading Platform

Mitrade was founded in 2011, headquartered in Australia, offering forex, CFDs, and multi-asset trading services. Its desktop version supports both web and desktop applications.

Core Advantages:

• Simple and intuitive interface, easy for beginners to get started
• Covers global markets: US stocks, Australian stocks, global indices, international ETFs, cryptocurrencies, forex, precious metals, and hundreds of other assets
• Localized services with support for NTD deposits and withdrawals, eliminating currency exchange hassles
• Fast trade execution, supporting various order types and automated trading
• Multiple technical analysis tools (trend lines, moving averages, RSI, etc.)
• Uses advanced encryption technology and multi-layer security
• Supports leveraged trading, offering flexible capital allocation

Main Limitations:

• CFDs are more suitable for short-term traders; less ideal for long-term holdings

Futu NiuNiu: Hong Kong and US Stock Comprehensive Trading Platform

Futu went public on NASDAQ in 2019 (ticker: FUTU) and has obtained securities licenses in Hong Kong, the US, and Singapore, making it a popular choice for Asian investors entering the Hong Kong and US stock markets.

Core Advantages:

• Well-designed, intuitive interface: top-left price chart, top-right company financial info, bottom-left options trading, bottom-right order book, with full functionality
• Unique options analysis features, including built-in options pricing calculator for easy valuation
• Real-time quotes and trading for Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, and A-shares (Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect)
• Available on Windows and Mac desktop versions

Main Limitations:

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

Interactive Brokers: Professional Trading Tools for Global Markets

Interactive Brokers, founded in 1977, is a leading electronic trading platform known for its Trader Workstation (TWS) desktop software.

Core Advantages:

• Highly customizable trading interface, allowing users to set up windows and tools as needed
• Supports various order types and algorithmic trading, especially useful for high-frequency traders
• Powerful technical analysis: real-time charts, indicators, market scanners, strategy backtesting
• Access to over 120 markets worldwide, with the broadest range of financial products

Main Limitations:

• The extensive features make the interface complex; steep learning curve for beginners, better suited for experienced traders
• Designed for professionals and high-frequency traders; less accessible for novices

TradingView: Industry-Leading Chart Analysis Platform

TradingView was founded in 2011 by technical experts and traders, and after more than a decade has become the world’s top financial chart analysis platform.

Core Advantages:

• Most powerful charting capabilities, with over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools; many brokers, including Yahoo Finance, integrate its charts
• Comprehensive database: covers Taiwan stocks, US stocks, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and even Indian stocks and global markets
• Rich social features: view stock discussions, investor opinions, and latest news
• User-friendly interface, easy for beginners to grasp in a short time
• Available on web and desktop versions

Main Limitations:

• Does not support order placement directly; trading must be done through partner brokers, requiring secondary registration
• Full features require a paid subscription, but the free version sufficiently meets daily market viewing needs

Comparison of Desktop and Mobile App Experiences

The desktop and mobile versions of each stock app differ in functionality:

San竹 Stock Market: The mobile version is Taiwan’s largest market viewing app (over 90% of brokerages rely on it for development and maintenance), but it lags behind the desktop version in corporate info display and chart fluidity.

Mitrade: The mobile version continues the desktop’s simple style, easy to use, but still has room for improvement in professional technical analysis features.

Futu NiuNiu: Some complex functions transferred from the desktop require multiple taps to access on mobile, making navigation less convenient.

Interactive Brokers: Similar issues with feature-heavy transfer; users report cumbersome login verification processes on mobile, affecting trading efficiency.

TradingView: The excellent experience on desktop cannot be fully replicated on small screens; some advanced drawing tools are limited on mobile.

Recommendations for Choosing

Different investors should select desktop stock viewing tools based on their needs:

• Focusing on Taiwan Market: San竹 Stock Market offers the most localized data and tools
• Seeking a Simple Interface: Mitrade and TradingView excel in ease of use
• Looking for Comprehensive Features: Futu NiuNiu performs well overall
• Accessing Global Markets: Interactive Brokers covers the widest range
• Deep Chart Analysis: TradingView is unmatched

Investors should choose the desktop application that best fits their trading style, market focus, and skill level.