Lately, I’ve been organizing tools for watching stocks on my computer, and I found that desktop versions are still far more useful than mobile. With a larger screen, faster data processing, and the ability to open multiple windows at the same time to monitor different markets, these advantages are simply not something mobile can match.

I’ve tried quite a few software options myself, so I’ll share a few decent choices here. SanTzu Stock Market is a must-have for Taiwanese stock investors: it offers free market quotes, 24 technical indicators, and 10 viewing modes that can be customized. The only downside is that placing orders requires connecting to other brokerage firms, which can be a bit troublesome. If you want to explore international markets, Mitrade—a platform from Australia—is quite good. Its interface is clean and easy to get started with, and it offers two options: a web version and a desktop version. Newcomers can practice for 90 days using a simulated account with 50,000 US dollars, which is pretty considerate.

Futu NiuNiu has also gained popularity in recent years, especially among people interested in Hong Kong stocks and U.S. stocks. Its options features are well-developed, and it includes built-in price calculation tools. Interactive Brokers (IB) has the most comprehensive functions, but its interface is complex, making it better suited for experienced traders. TradingView’s charting tools are extremely powerful, with 100+ technical indicators and drawing tools, and its database is also very extensive. However, it doesn’t provide order placement on its own, so you need to pair it with another brokerage.

The benefit of watching stocks on a computer is that you can do deeper analysis, but the software you choose still depends on your needs. Taiwanese stock investors can start with SanTzu. If you want to trade international markets, try Mitrade or Futu. If you want the most professional analysis tools, use TradingView along with another brokerage. If you have experience, Interactive Brokers is also a good option. Each has its own strengths—just pick based on your trading habits.