17 Best Trading Software For Mac of 2025 (Free & Paid)

While we can’t promise to turn you into the Wolf Of Wall Street overnight, we can show you the best trading software for Macs of 2025 to help you be successful.

I’ve had years of experience trading on macOS and while I might be biased, I think Macs are actually better than PCs for trading.

However, as is the case with a lot of personal finance software, there’s no denying that there’s definitely less Mac based trading software than there is for Windows PCs.

I therefore tried and tested a range of trading software, screeners and platforms including those with Mac desktop apps aimed at everything from beginners to seasoned professional traders.

In my research, I covered a wide range of apps that allow you to trade everything from stocks and cryptos to options and forex.

After extensive testing, I found that TradingView for Mac (FREE) was the best trading software for Mac of 2025 thanks to its amazing charting tools, broker integration and excellent Mac desktop app.

Trading Software vs. Trading Platforms on macOS (2025 Update)

If you’re trading from a Mac, it’s important to understand the (increasingly blurred) difference between trading software and trading platforms. In 2025, many apps combine both charting and execution, but their origins and strengths still differ – especially when it comes to macOS compatibility.

🧠 Trading Software (Analysis-Focused)

• These are Mac-compatible tools built for technical and market analysis.
• Ideal for studying price trends, drawing trendlines, running backtests, or using advanced indicators like RSI, MACD, and Ichimoku clouds.
• Often referred to as:
  • Stock charting software
  • Day trading apps
  • Market analysis tools
• Some support broker integration via APIs (e.g. with Interactive Brokers), but trade execution is not always native.
• Popular macOS-compatible options:
  • TradingView (native Mac desktop and web-based)
  • TrendSpider (browser-based)
  • MotiveWave (native Mac app)
  • MetaTrader 4/5 (via virtual machines)

💼 Trading Platforms (Execution-Focused)

• Offered by regulated brokers, these platforms are made for executing trades in stocks, crypto, options, and forex.
• Many also include charting and basic technical indicators, but they often lag behind dedicated software in terms of flexibility and precision.
• macOS users may need to use:
  • A web-based platform (e.g. Robinhood, Charles Schwab)
  • A Mac-native app (e.g. TradingView, thinkorswim, MotiveWave for some broker integrations)
  • Or virtualization tools like Parallels to run Windows-only platforms (e.g. NinjaTrader, MetaTrader)

🔄 The 2025 Reality on Mac: Hybrid Solutions

• Most modern tools now offer both charting and execution, especially those designed for web browsers.
• macOS users benefit most from:
  • Cross-platform, cloud/desktop based solutions (like TradingView)
  • Native apps with M-chip support (like MotiveWave)
  • Browser access with responsive design and fast execution

✅ macOS Summary Table

Feature	Trading Software for Mac	Trading Platforms for Mac
Core Purpose	Advanced market analysis	Executing trades
Best Access Method	Native Mac apps or browser-based	Browser-based or Mac apps (where available)
Broker Integration	Some offer API linking	Native to the platform
Compatibility	macOS-native or cross-platform	Often browser-first, some need emulation
Best For	Charting, strategy building	Fast execution, portfolio management

With this in mind, here are the best trading software for Mac of 2025.

1. TradingView (Free)

TradingView is an amazingly powerful yet easy to use community driven charting and trading software that combines user knowledge with sophisticated analysis to make you a better trader.

It’s ideal for beginners with a thriving, helpful trading community that makes it more accessible than most other tools although millions of professionals use it due to its incredible range of features.

It has an excellent FREE native Mac desktop app for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs so it works flawlessly on any type of Mac.

The great thing about TradingView is that you can use all the main features for FREE.

You only have to upgrade to the paid plans if you want to remove some time frame limitations, add more charts, use multiple indicators, get faster, real-time information and remove ads.

These Pro features are highly recommended if you’re going to trade seriously but you can use the free version for as long as you want.

TradingView also allows you to trade on the stock market in real time by connecting it to selected brokers.

These include Oanda, TradeStation, Gemini, FXCM, Cannon Trading, GAIN, GFX Brokers, Interactive Brokers, Meintrade and even Indian trading platforms such as Dhan.

You can check out our full TradingView review for more on why we rate it so highly.

Pricing: Free for one chart and indicator, Paid plans start at $13.99/month with up to 17% off if paid annually

2. MetaTrader

MetaTrader (both versions 4 and 5) is one of the most widely used platforms for forex and CFD trading, but it’s also suitable for stock traders looking for robust charting and technical analysis tools.

While MetaTrader doesn’t offer a native Mac app, many you can still run it on a Mac using a virtual machine.

Some brokers also offer customized Mac versions of MetaTrader.

However, I think that TradingView is much better than MetaTrader anyway and you’d be much better off going with it instead of trying to run MT4 or MT5 in macOS.

MetaTrader is nevertheless ideal for traders who need algorithmic trading capabilities or who prefer to develop their own indicators and trading systems.

Pricing: Free

3. MotiveWave (Free)

MotiveWave is a professional multi-asset desktop trading software for Macs.

It not only allows users to do powerful technical analysis but is integrated with multiple brokers and financial data delivery services.

Brokers that you can connect to MotiveWave include Oanda, TD Ameritrade, Forex.com, Cannon Trading, GAIN, GFX Brokers, Interactive Brokers and Meintrade.

If your broker isn’t supported, it may also be possible to connect it via a Gateway Connector such as Rithmic or CQG.

MotiveWave automatically looks for complex patterns such as Elliott Wave Patterns and Gartley Harmonic Shapes in order to identify trading opportunities.

You can also connect it to Rithmic Level 2 data which gives you incredible insight into a stock’s price action.

Other advanced features include Replay Mode and Advanced Alerts based on multiple market signals, Component Alerts and Multiple Monitor Support.

You can sign-up for a free trial of MotiveWave and when it expires, you can still use the limited Community Edition for free.

You can check out our full MotiveWave review for more.

Pricing: Limited free community edition, Paid plans start at $24/month.

4. TC2000 ($25 off)

For a long time the popular TC2000 trading software and platform was only available for Windows but you can now use TC2000 on Macs too.

TC2000 allows you to connect to it remotely or you can now use TC2000 in any web browser on a Mac.

The comprehensive dashboard gives you charts, all US stocks & options, indicators, streaming data, option chains, trading windows, notepad and favorites watchlist.

Although you can’t connect TC2000 to external brokers, it offers its own brokerage account which it charges a commission for although the margin rates are reasonable.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one stocks/options trading and broker platform on your Mac, TC2000 is well established and trusted although it’s one of the more expensive tools we looked at.

Pricing: Starts at $20.82/month paid annually

5. Apple Stocks (Free)

Finally, no roundup of Mac compatible stock screeners would be complete without a mention of Apple Stocks in macOS.

The Stocks app is free in macOS and although you can’t trade from it, it’s very slick and aggregates multiple stock news sources in one place.

To access Stocks on your Mac, simply go to Finder > Applications and select Stocks or search for “Stocks” in Spotlight on your Mac.

Pricing: Free in macOS

6. Charles Schwab (thinkorswim)

Charles Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade in 2019 but it retained the TD Ameritrade thinkorswim (TOS) trading platform that has been popular on Windows and Mac for many years.

Thankfully, it also retained the TOS Mac desktop app too as well as the user friendliness that made thinkorswim popular with beginners with extensive how to guides, live training seminars and specific lessons on areas such as Options trading.

thinkorswim uses data from various sources including Morningstar and the Federal Reserve Economic Database giving you a wide range data to work with.

There’s also a paper trading account with Charles Schwab ThinkorSwim to test the water first.

Note that if you’re looking for Schwab’s optionsExpress, Schwab acquired it back in 2011 and has now retired it in favor of focusing on TOS instead.

Pricing: 0% commission, $0.65 per options contract

7. Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

Interactive Brokers (known more commonly as IBKR) is aimed at experienced traders with its Trader Workstation platform.

IBKR Trader Workstation is complex with advanced Options analytics and portfolio management tools that take some time to find your way around at first.

IBKR also offers one of the best mobile apps for Options trading for those that want to trade on the move.

We wouldn’t recommend IBKR for beginners but for those that are already experienced traders, its a powerful platform with some of the most advanced algorithmic trading capabilities around.

Pricing: Variable commission and margins depending on asset class

8. Tastytrade

Tastytrade (formerly Tastyworks) is a Chicago based online brokerage firm from the makers of the Tastylive stock market news network.

Tastytrade is actually the US branding of the UK based IG (see review further down) and covers stocks, options, ETFs, and futures.

What we like about Tastytrade is that not only is it fresh and original, but it’s also got a Mac desktop client.

Tastytrade is also known for its extremely competitive pricing compared to most platforms and its own lively rolling news network.

Tastytrade is a very accessible trading platform that’s ideal for those new to trading because of its lack of jargon.

Pricing: Variable commission and margins depending on asset class

9. Power ETrade

ETrade is one of the biggest names in online trading and is a powerful online stocks, options and futures trading platform.

The main selling point of the Power ETrade platform is that it covers a huge range of assets, it’s well presented and designed and is easy to use for beginners.

The range of trading possible with Power ETrade is impressive covering Stocks, Options, Mutual Funds, ETFs and Bonds.

It also includes Futures trading with the ability to see Futures contract prices in real-time, depth of market and working orders.

Power ETrade can also evaluate risk vs reward, show you different outcomes based on different market scenarios and alert you to potential profitable trades.

Pricing: Variable commission and margins depending on asset class

10. Robinhood

Robinhood is a commission-free trading platform that has become popular with beginners.

The platform has a simple and clean interface, making it easy for new traders to buy and sell stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies.

While Robinhood doesn’t have a dedicated Mac app, its web platform and iOS apps are optimized for Apple devices.

It lacks advanced charting tools though, so it’s more suited for long-term investors and casual traders than for those relying on technical analysis.

Pricing: Commission free but other fees apply depending on trade

11. Market Gear

Market Gear is a powerful and comprehensive options trading tool aimed at professional traders.

Market Gear is made by iVest+ which is a big player in the world of trading platforms for educators and retail investors.

In particular, the Options trading features in Market Gear are some of the most advanced we’ve seen on any trading app.

For example, if you want to put on a bull call spread, Market Gear can analyze where you will make and lose money and make quick changes, but you can’t break the concept of the bull call spread.

It also allows you to connect to multiple brokers at the same time so if you’re experiencing problems with one account, you can switch to another trading account instantly.

Market Gear might be a bit overwhelming for beginners to trading but it’s powerful enough to impress any seasoned stock trader that has multiple brokerage accounts.

You can also read our full Market Gear review for more.

Pricing: $75/month but currently 33% off for first three months

12. MooMoo

If you want a slick Mac desktop app with zero commission trading, then MooMoo stands out as one of the best value trading apps we’ve seen.

MooMoo drills down data thanks to access to Level 2 NYSE market data including real time bid and ask feeds.

Usually only professional traders have access to this level of data so it already gives you a big advantage over most other trading apps.

It also analyzes trades before you place them to estimate what the result will be.

We also like the fact that MooMoo offers a free paper trading account so that you can place practice trades before using real money.

We’d say that MooMoo is an excellent trading starting point for beginners but the Level 2 NYSE data will also attract professionals too.

Pricing: 0% commission, variable Margin Rate

13. ProTA

ProTA is one of the most established technical analysis software packages for Mac and has been around for over 20 years.

The software is designed specifically for Macs and aimed both at beginners and seasoned traders.

Among the many features are more than 100 indicators, line studies, smartlists, chart templates and trading systems.

ProTA uses Yahoo Finance to extract end of day financial data and continuously updates data automatically to make sure you’re making trading decisions based on the latest figures.

It also allows you to import your own Excel data, drill-down tickers to analyze market data and create your own rules for data tracking.

Pricing: $99/year

14. Latinum

Latinum is a slick, professional trading and technical analysis software for Mac and PC.

If you’re going to be trading Stocks, Cryptocurrencies Forex and CFDs (Contract for Difference) then Latinum is a good choice as it supports streaming quotes for Forex and CFDs.

Latinum is designed for discretionary (non-automated) traders and quickly enables you to determine risk, make orders quickly via a Mini Order Ticket feature and more easily manage order and positions with a Mini Blotter.

You can even trade Forex on Latinum by linking it to FXCM Trading Station and Marketscope broker accounts although it no longer supports OANDA.

Latinum also has a trading simulator which you can practice paper trades on.

Pricing: Starts at $99.99/year

15. IG (UK)

Disclaimer: Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

For British based Mac users, IG is one of the best and most established trading platforms with access to over 17,000 markets.

This includes forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. It also offers CFD trading, spread betting (UK only), and share dealing.

The platform has a clean, easy to navigate interface and has some of the best educational resources of any platform we’ve used.

It also offers risk management tools like guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs) to help you control exposure.

Although there’s no Mac desktop app, you can use it via MT4’s own version of MT4 for Mac.

The platform is regulated by the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and NFA (U.S.), although financial guarantees differ in each country.

Note that although IG may accept customers in the USA and other countries, they will not offer the full range of features or trading possibilities as it’s mainly aimed at the UK market.

Check out our full IG trading platform review for more.

During these volatile times of trade tariffs, IG also has some excellent Market News and Analysis to help base your trades ob.

Pricing: Free Demo Account. Spreads starting from 0.6 pips on forex and commission-free trading on U.S. shares

16. SaxoTrader (Europe)

SaxoTrader is Saxo Bank’s trading platform which is a popular choice with traders in Europe.

SaxoTrader Pro is the Mac desktop app which is mainly aimed at professionals although there is an easier to use web version available.

The platform gives you access to over 70,000 financial instruments including forex, stocks, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, and cryptocurrencies.

There are over 50 technical indicators available including annotation tools for in-depth technical analysis.

Some of the best features in Saxo are the risk management tools which include an Account Shield to put a stop loss on your entire account which closes all of your positions when triggered.

The SaxoTrader Pro Mac app is a bit complex for beginners but for professionals that want an advanced desktop trading platform, it’s an excellent choice.

Check out our full Saxo Trader review for more.

Pricing: Free with a Saxo trading account

17. Interactive Investor (UK)

If you’re a UK based trader then Interactive Investor is an award winning online investment platform and only open to UK residents.

It does however allow you to buy shares in other foreign exchanges including the US.

If you trade frequently, Interactive Investor works out extremely good value although IG (see review above) also gives it a run for its money.

Interactive Investor also has some excellent charting tools and there are plenty of useful education resources for becoming a better trader.

You can start trading immediately with Interactive Investor as long as you have a UK address, debit card and National Insurance number.

Pricing: Various Plans for SIPPs. ISA, Ethical and General Investment Accounts (GIAs) also available.

Comparison Table

Here’s a summary of these apps to see how they compare side-by-side.

Software / Platform	macOS Compatible?	Price (basic / free tier)	Notes

TradingView

✅ Web & Desktop

Free / Starts at $13.99 per month

Account sync across devices, desktop app available

MetaTrader (MT4/MT5)

✅ (via broker Mac app or virtualization)

Free to download; account fees set by broker

Platform is free; execution via a broker

MotiveWave

✅ Native Mac

Free Community; paid editions via buy or lease starting at $24 per month

14‑day trial, multiple editions available

TC2000

⚠️ Mac via virtualization

Starts at $20.82/month paid annually

Windows-native; Mac users need Parallels or Wine

Apple Stocks (Stocks app)

✅ Native Mac

Free (built into macOS)

Basic tracking but no trading

Charles Schwab (thinkorswim)

✅ Native Mac

Commission-free trading; thinkorswim app free

No platform fee, charges for options/OTC as per Schwab policy

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

✅ Native Mac app & web

Commission‑based; IBKR Lite $0 stock/ETF US, IBKR Pro tiered fees

Charges per trade basis; platform free

Tastytrade

✅ Web-based

No commission; US equities free

Charged via options/futures fees if applicable

Power E*TRADE

✅ Web & app

No commission for stocks/ETFs

Platform free; account dependent

Robinhood

✅ Native Mac App

Free trades on US stock/ETF; Gold $5/mo

Fees on options/contracts/transfer

Market Gear

Web-based? macOS compatible?

Pricing not publicly listed

Info not available publicly in 2025

MooMoo

✅ Native App (macOS)?

Commission‑free trades; data fees may apply in some regions

Platform free; additional market data charges may apply

ProTA

✅ Windows only; Mac via virtualization

Licensing fees start at $99/year

No native Mac app; runs through emulator

Latinum

✅ Web platform

Subscription-based; pricing not public

UK‑based investment app; no public macOS native desktop

IG (UK)

✅ Mac via Webtrader or IG app

No commission on UK/US shares; spreads apply

IG offers Mac-compatible web and desktop trading

SaxoTrader (Saxo Bank)

✅ Native Mac app & web

No commission for select markets; tiered spread/fee model

UK/EU users pay via spread or OTC fees

Interactive Investor (UK)

✅ Web/Safari

£3.99 flat fee per trade

Platform access via browser; no macOS app

What I Looked For In These Trading Apps

In shortlisting these apps and platforms, I gave preference to tools that offered the following features:

1. Mac Desktop App: Naturally, I gave preference to those platforms that offered a native Mac desktop for stock trading and analysis. Bonus points went to those that offered a native app for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
2. Chart Trading: The ability to place trades directly from charts is vital for day traders both for speed and trade execution
3. Data Replay: This allows you to replay historical market data for backtesting strategies. Without it, evaluating or refining your trading approach becomes difficult..
4. Stop-Loss Entries: Automatically attaching stop-losses and take-profit targets to your orders is very important, especially for beginners, to minimize risk and lock-in profits.
5. Execution Speed: Fast trade execution is critical in day trading. Slow or laggy software can result in missed opportunities, so I looked for platforms that are snappy and reliable.
6. Paper Trading: The best stock trading apps allow you to simulate trades first to get to grips with the software before you start trading with real cash.
7. Availability in the USA: All of the following apps and platforms are available to users in the USA. Those based in the UK can also use some of these platforms.
8. Investment Tracking Software: I gave preference to those platforms and app that enabled you to link them in some way with either personal finance software or investment tracking software to track your portfolio’s net worth.

The Broker Small Print (2025)

If you’re signing up with one of the brokers featured in this guide, there are a few important things to be aware of:

• Minimum Deposits: Most trading platforms are free to sign up for, but you’ll typically need to make a minimum deposit to start trading. This is often around $50 to $250, depending on the broker. Some platforms targeting active traders or margin accounts may require more.
• Bonus Restrictions (EU/UK): Since the implementation of MiFID II (Directive 2014/65/EU), brokers based in the EU and UK are prohibited from offering cash bonuses or incentives to open accounts. This regulation is intended to improve transparency and protect retail investors from high-risk promotions.
• How Brokers Make Money:
  • Commission-Based: Some platforms charge a fixed fee or percentage per trade.
  • Commission-Free: Others advertise “commission-free” trading but instead earn revenue from widening the spread (the difference between the buy and sell price).
  • Payment for Order Flow (PFOF): US-based brokers like Robinhood often make money by routing your orders to market makers in exchange for a small fee—a practice that has drawn regulatory scrutiny and is banned in some jurisdictions outside the US.
• Margin Accounts: Many brokers offer margin trading, which lets you borrow money to trade. Margin interest rates vary and typically get lower the more you borrow. In 2025, competitive platforms like Interactive Brokers offer some of the lowest margin rates on the market.
• Demo Accounts & Simulators: Most trading platforms offer demo or paper trading accounts, which let you trade with virtual money. This is a useful way to test out the platform – especially charting tools and order types – on your Mac before committing real funds.
• Regional Restrictions:
  • CFD Trading: US residents cannot legally trade CFDs due to the Dodd-Frank Act, which restricts over-the-counter derivatives.
  • Cross-Border Limitations: Similarly, many US-based platforms are not available to international users, and some non-US brokers restrict access to US residents. Always check regional availability before signing up.
• Mac Compatibility Note: While most brokers now offer web-based platforms that run smoothly on macOS (including Safari and Chrome), some still rely on Windows-only desktop apps, requiring virtualization tools like Parallels or CrossOver on a Mac.

FAQ: Trading Software for Mac Users (2025)

Is there good trading software for Mac?

Yes. In 2025, many popular trading platforms and charting tools now offer native support for macOS, including Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 & M4) Macs. Top choices like TradingView and MotiveWave provide full-featured Mac compatibility either via desktop apps or browser access.

Can I trade stocks directly on macOS without third-party apps?

No. Apple’s built-in Stocks app lets you track the markets but not execute trades. It also lacks advanced features like technical indicators, screeners and automated trading.

Are there any native Mac apps for technical analysis?

Yes. Tools like MotiveWave, ProTA, and Latinum are designed with Mac users in mind. Many of them support advanced features such as Elliott Wave analysis, order flow tools, and multi-timeframe charting, without needing virtualization.

Do I need a broker-specific platform to trade on a Mac?

Not always. Some trading software (e.g., TradingView or Market Gear) can integrate with multiple brokers. However, platforms like thinkorswim or Power E*TRADE are tied to specific brokerage accounts. Always check integration compatibility before choosing a platform.

What’s the difference between a trading platform and trading software on Mac?

• Trading Software: Focuses on market analysis (e.g., charting, indicators, backtesting). Examples: TradingView, ProTA.
• Trading Platforms: Broker-provided tools for executing trades, often with analysis features. Examples: Interactive Brokers, Robinhood.

In 2025, most platforms combine both roles, so the line is increasingly blurred.

Can I run Windows-only trading apps on my Mac?

Yes, using virtualization tools like Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or CrossOver, you can run Windows apps like MetaTrader 4/5, NinjaTrader and XTRADER. However, performance may vary and native Mac support is always preferable.

Are there free trading apps for Mac?

Yes. Many platforms offer free tiers or commission-free trading. Examples include:

• TradingView Basic (free charting)
• Robinhood (free trading, limited tools)
• thinkorswim (free with account)
• Apple Stocks app (pre-installed)

Do trading platforms for Mac work on Apple Silicon chips?

Most major platforms are now optimized or compatible with Apple Silicon. Some use Rosetta 2 for translation, while others offer native M-series versions for better performance.

Can I use a MacBook for active trading?

Yes, especially newer MacBooks with M1, M2, M3 and M4 chips. For best results:

• Use an external monitor for more screen space (check out our guide to Apple Studio Display alternatives for some good options).
• Ensure reliable internet connection
• Use macOS-compatible platforms with real-time data and alerts

Do Mac trading apps support real-time data?

Yes, but often with limitations. Some platforms require a paid plan or data subscription to unlock real-time quotes, Level II data, or options analytics.

Can you use iPad Only Trading Apps on Macs?

There are some trading apps for iPad that may run on Macs via the Mac App Store but they aren’t necessarily optimized for it.

One example is the eOption iPad app which is available for download in the Mac App Store but is labelled as “not verified for macOS” which means that it may not work well on a Mac as it’s designed for touch screens.