2025 Stock Technical Analysis Software Desktop Version Comprehensive Review | Five Major Platform Feature Benchmarking Guide

Why Professional Investors Still Need Desktop Charting Software

By 2025, although smartphones have become everyday tools, for serious traders, desktop stock software remains an indispensable tool:

The Analytical Depth Enabled by Larger Screens
Computer monitors are much larger than phone screens, directly determining the amount of information that can be displayed. During technical analysis, indicators like MACD, RSI, KD, and others require large charts to clearly see trends. Dense data on small screens can easily lead to misinterpretation.

Multi-Task Market Monitoring
The hardware advantages of computers are especially critical during market volatility. Investors can open multiple windows simultaneously to track real-time changes in Taiwan stocks, US stocks, futures, commodities, and more. This multi-screen workflow is nearly impossible on a phone. When sudden market events occur, parallel monitoring allows for faster reactions.

Stability and Continuity
Computers do not have battery anxiety or risk of loss like phones. All-day market watching and monitoring can be done without worry, and system stability is more assured.

Deep Comparison of Five Major Stock Technical Analysis Software Desktop Versions

Tradingview｜Chart Analysis Ceiling

Founded in 2011 by technical experts and traders, Tradingview has evolved over more than a decade into a top global financial chart platform, with many brokerage chart functions utilizing its engine.

Core Advantages:
In drawing and technical analysis, Tradingview is nearly unmatched. Over 100 technical indicators and drawing tools allow analysts to freely draw lines, mark, and color, offering unparalleled flexibility. Its database covers Taiwan stocks, US stocks, forex, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and even Indian stocks, making cross-market analysis effortless.

Community features complement the charting, providing stock discussions, investment opinions, and latest news all within the platform. Despite its powerful features, the interface remains clean and simple; beginners can quickly learn core operations after short training. It offers both web and desktop versions for flexible switching.

Limitations:
Tradingview does not provide trading functions itself, only chart analysis. Some brokers support trading through integration, but require separate account registration. The free version is generally sufficient; full features require a paid subscription.

Suitable for: Chart analysis enthusiasts, multi-market researchers, investors seeking visual analysis tools.

Interactive Brokers｜All-in-One Overseas Market Trading

Founded in 1977, Interactive Brokers (IBKR) evolved from a market maker focused on options into a global electronic trading giant, with the largest trading volume among brokers worldwide. Its desktop platform, Trader Workstation (TWS), is designed for professional traders.

Core Advantages:
TWS offers highly customizable trading interfaces, allowing investors to configure windows and tools according to trading habits. Supports various order types and algorithmic trading, ideal for high-frequency traders. The platform connects to over 120 markets globally, covering stocks, options, futures, bonds, forex, and more.

Its technical analysis tools are also comprehensive, including real-time charts, indicators, market scanners, and strategy backtesting. For Taiwanese investors interested in overseas markets, especially bonds, IBKR provides unmatched market depth and advanced tools.

Limitations:
Its rich features mean a complex interface, making it difficult for beginners to learn quickly. If you only want simple charting and order placement, IBKR’s learning curve can be steep. More suitable for experienced traders or institutional investors.

Suitable for: Overseas market traders, high-frequency traders, institutional investors, professional traders needing advanced tools.

Sankyo Stock Market｜Deep Optimization for Taiwan’s Local Market

Sankyo Information has focused on Taiwan stock tools since the 1990s and has become a favorite among local investors. Its software is trusted by over 90% of Taiwanese brokerages, currently serving 47 brokerages’ mobile trading needs.

Core Advantages:
Taiwan stock market charting is free and real-time, with 24 built-in technical indicators (including RSI, KD, and other common tools). The desktop version offers ten charting modes and customizable interfaces, providing flexible user experience. It also includes strategy stock selection, AI intelligent stock picking, and other auxiliary functions to help investors select targets more effectively.

Post-market data is rich, with comprehensive fundamental information on individual stocks. Years of local market operation experience ensure system stability and reliability, with very few crashes or data errors.

Limitations:
Sankyo itself does not offer order placement; as of September 2023, it only supports order placement through three brokers (Yuanta Securities, E.SUN Securities, and Union Securities), making the process somewhat cumbersome for traders. Limited international stock assets, with delays in US stock prices and ADRs.

Suitable for: Local investors focused on Taiwan stocks, those who prefer analysis over frequent trading, retail investors seeking stable free charting tools.

Mitrade｜Simple and Efficient International Trading Platform

Mitrade, established in 2011 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, specializes in forex and CFD trading, and is an international fintech company.

Core Advantages:
The desktop version supports both web and desktop applications; the web version requires no download and is ready to use. Both modes feature a clean, intuitive interface, allowing beginners to get started quickly. As an international broker, it offers hundreds of assets including US stocks, Australian stocks, global indices, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, forex, and precious metals, all with free charting and direct order placement within the app.

Mitrade’s localized services in Taiwan are mature, supporting TWD deposits and withdrawals to reduce currency exchange hassle. The platform executes trades quickly with no delays. Leverage trading enhances capital efficiency. Technical analysis tools include trendlines, moving averages, RSI, and more, meeting basic to advanced needs. Security is ensured through encryption and multi-layer protection.

Registering grants a 90-day demo account (with $50,000 virtual funds) for risk-free practice. Beginners can familiarize themselves with the platform before trading live.

Limitations:
Margin trading and leverage modes are not suitable for long-term investors, better suited for short-term trading strategies.

Suitable for: International market traders, investors wanting a one-stop multi-asset platform, beginners, users seeking simple operation.

Futu NiuNiu｜Hong Kong and US Stock Comprehensive Platform

Futu NiuNiu has rapidly gained influence in the Chinese-speaking world. In 2019, it successfully listed on NASDAQ (stock code FUTU) and obtained securities licenses in Hong Kong, the US, and Singapore, making it the top choice for Asian investors trading Hong Kong and US stocks.

Core Advantages:
The desktop interface is clean and intuitive, with default layout centered on price charts, supporting multiple trendlines and technical tools. Real-time financial data, valuation info, options trading details, and order book data are all displayed clearly, with a comprehensive information structure.

In options, Futu uniquely integrates a pricing calculator, allowing investors to understand the underlying value and time value of options without extra calculations. Supports real-time trading and quotes for Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, and A-shares (Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Connect). Offers both Windows and Mac desktop versions, seamlessly synchronized with mobile apps.

Limitations:
Does not support credit card deposits; only bank wire and ACH transfers are available, which may inconvenience some users’ fund flow.

Suitable for: Hong Kong and US stock investors, options traders, users seeking balanced features, cross-platform investors.

Desktop vs Mobile Experience Comparison

All five platforms have mobile apps, but user experience varies significantly:

Sankyo Stock Market is Taiwan’s largest mobile charting app, with broad coverage, but its mobile version lags behind the desktop in corporate info presentation and chart fluidity.

Mitrade’s mobile app continues the desktop’s simplicity and ease of use but has relatively weaker professional analysis features; future updates have room for improvement.

Futu NiuNiu’s desktop is feature-rich, but on small screens, complex functions require multiple taps, reducing efficiency.

Interactive Brokers’ mobile app is hampered by its extensive features and complicated security procedures, affecting trading speed.

Tradingview’s top-tier charting tools excel on desktop, but small screens cannot fully leverage its drawing advantages.

Recommendations for Selection

Different investors have different needs; selection criteria should be:

For deep chart analysis → Tradingview (over 100 indicators, global market data)
For Taiwan market focus → Sankyo Stock Market (best local optimization, 24 indicators, stable and free)
For international market beginners → Mitrade (simple, multi-asset support, 90-day demo)
For professional overseas trading → Interactive Brokers (120+ markets, advanced tools)
For Hong Kong and US stock trading → Futu NiuNiu (balanced features, comprehensive options tools)

Choosing desktop stock technical analysis software fundamentally depends on your trading style, market preferences, and skill level. Each platform excels in specific areas, and ideally, investors can combine different tools based on market and analysis needs.