The Best Trading Platforms for Mac Users

This article explores some of the best trading software available for macOS, helping you to navigate the market with ease and confidence. These platforms typically allow users to trade different types of assets.

What Do I Need to Look for When Choosing a Trading Platform?

No matter which computer you use, some platform features are essential for traders. This is true even for Mac trading software. Before rushing to place an order, make sure the software you choose includes at least some, if not all, of the following features:

Market Replay Functionality. The ability to play back historical market data at any time is critical for both novice and experienced traders.

Direct chart trading. The ability to trade from the charts. This is a must-have feature for day traders. Chart trading allows you to trade and execute trades directly from the charts.

Custom order entries or additional orders. This money-saving feature automatically adds a stop loss to your orders. For newbies, this is crucial, so you don't lose a lot of money.

Speed of execution. We're all familiar with the saying ‘time is money’ and in the world of day trading, it couldn't be more relevant. Whatever you do, make sure your software allows you to enter and exit trades quickly.

How Do I Choose a Mac Trading Platform?

1. Confirm the regulatory status of each broker by checking their authorization, licensing and supervision.
2. Make sure each broker has access to the trading platform provided by Apple Mac.
3. Explored the number of trading instruments that can be traded through a Mac.
4. Examined each broker's trading and non-trading fees to ensure they were competitive and transparent.
5. Opened a live trading account to test the broker's products and trading instruments and how they are accessed through the Mac.

What to Avoid When Choosing a Mac Trading Broker?

Unregulated brokers: Brokers that are not regulated by reputable financial institutions are more likely to be scammers.

Lack of Transparency: Brokers that do not transparently disclose fees, spreads and other terms and conditions are more likely to be scammers.

No physical presence: brokers without a physical office or a team you can't contact personally are more likely to be scammers.

Promising unrealistic profits: Brokers who promise unrealistic profits are usually scammers. There are no get-rich-quick scams in the financial markets!

List of Top Forex Trading Platforms for Mac

Saxo -Best Broker for Mac Users

Why We Picked It

Saxo was founded in 1992 and is regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including FSA Denmark, FCA UK, and ASIC. With over 40,000 tradable instruments covering global markets, and professional-grade Mac trading platforms, Saxo is considered our best overall Mac forex trading broker.

Key Mac Trading Features:

• Trading Platforms: SaxoTraderGO (web and iOS mobile), SaxoTrader PRO (Mac desktop app)
• Trading Tools: Autochartist, TradingView, Dynamic Trend, Updata, Multicharts, OpenAPI
• Social and Copy Trading: No
• Trading Strategies: No restrictions

It was impressed by how accessible Saxos professional-grade trading platforms are for all levels of traders. SaxoTraderGO can be accessed via a web browser or iOS app, while SaxoTrader PRO offers a Mac desktop app and can support up to six screens. There are 64 technical indicators, 20 drawing tools, 19 timeframes, 9 chart types, and an impressive range of 40,000 tradable instruments.

Saxo offers an excellent range of extra trading tools. This includes Autochartist signals which are integrated into its platforms. Users can also trade their Saxo account from the popular social trading platform TradingView, offering an impressive range of Mac trading solutions. Our live fee test showed the spread for EUR/USD averaged 0.85 pips with a commission of USD 3.0 per lot, per side. The commission beats the industry average of USD 3.50, but the spread is higher than the 0.1 pip average.

Pros and Cons

Charles Schwab- Best Mac platform for Advanced Charts

Why We Picked It

Schwab has made a significant leap for Mac users by integrating thinkorswim, a powerful platform inherited from its acquisition of TD Ameritrade. This platform, available for Mac users running OS X 10.11 or higher, is packed with the advanced features that have made it a standout in 2024. From multi-leg options to futures and forex trading, thinkorswim is a go-to for traders who need a comprehensive toolset to handle complex strategies.

Comprehensive charting and analysis: Thinkorswim offers everything a seasoned trader could want – from comprehensive charting tools and hundreds of indicators to options strategies and paper trading. The platform‘s ability to handle multi-leg options, futures, and forex trades makes it versatile for those who want to push the limits of their trading strategies. On MacOS, the platform runs smoothly, offering an optimized experience for those who prefer Apple’s ecosystem. While Schwab‘s website and web-based platform don’t yet support forex trading, thinkorswim is also available for web and the mobile version can be downloaded for iOS on Apples App store.

Extensive research and educational resources: Schwab also shines for its vast library of research and educational materials. Whether youre watching daily webinars or diving into in-depth articles from its highly respected analysts, Schwab delivers top-notch content to guide traders. The platform is also integrated with CNBC global broadcasts, providing live insights to help you make informed decisions.

Pros and Cons

XTB- Great Ease of Use Through Simple Platform Design

Why We Picked It

Founded in 2002, XTB is a company listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange and is regulated by the UK FCA and CySEC. If youre looking for a top-notch, superior trading platform to trade on 5,400+ financial instruments then the XTB xStation 5 Mac platform could be for you.

Key Mac Trading Features:

• Trading Platforms: xStation 5 Mac Desktop and Web
• Trading Tools: Stock & ETF Scanner in xStation
• Social and Copy Trading: Yes
• Trading Strategies: No restrictions

During our live test, I was impressed with the features and functionalities available from XTBs xStation 5 platform. It can be used as a desktop app from a Mac or from a web browser such as Safari. Both provide the same features such as the ability to trade on more than 5,400+ financial instruments and competitive fees. The spread for EUR/USD in our live test averaged 0.85 pips which is better than the industry average of 1.0 pips for a commission-free trading account.

Having tested the xStation 5 web version from a Mac, I found it simple to use and easy to navigate. There are three different windows: one is the market watch where you can search for your instruments, at the bottom is the trading window for open and pending positions and then you have the chart window which has tabs that include news, calendar, education, and market analysis. The last tab has an excellent stock and ETF screener and a currency heatmap which I found useful to quickly see what currencies are strong and weak.

Pros and Cons

AvaTrade -Automated Trading Capabilities

Why We Picked It

Founded in 2006, AvaTrade provides an excellent range of trading accounts with low spreads to trade on over 1,250 financial instruments from a Mac. Regulated by multiple authorities globally, including ASIC, CySEC, and FSA Japan, it is a top broker to consider.

Key Mac Trading Features:

• Trading Platforms: MT4/MT5 App for iPad, MT4/MT5 Web Trader, AvaTrade Web Trader
• Trading Tools: AvaSocial App, AvaOptions App, DupliTrade
• Social and Copy Trading: Yes
• Trading Strategies: No restrictions

With AvaTrade, you can trade from the MT4, MT5, and AvaTrade web platforms. The broker does offer an MT4 and MT5 desktop solution for Mac, but this is simply the MT4/MT5 mobile app designed for an iPad. While it has limited charting functionality, it is easy to trade from. I was impressed with the AvaTrade Web platform. Easy to navigate and with a wide range of platform video tutorials, it is an excellent option for beginner traders.

I found the spread for EUR/USD during the most active London and New York trading sessions averaged 0.9 pips which is better than the industry average of 1.0 pips for a commission-free trading account. With access to commission-free Forex, CFD, Spread Betting, and Islamic trading accounts from a Mac, AvaTrade provides a good offering for beginners.

Pros and Cons

FAQ

Is a Mac good for trading?

Much like a Windows computer, your Mac laptop or desktop machine likely already has a powerful balance of the hardware and software capabilities necessary to run the best trading platforms. Likewise, iOS devices such as the iPhone can run even the most demanding mobile trading app for Macs.

How do I trade forex on a Mac?

To trade forex, you will need to set up a live forex account online, fund it, then either install desktop software on your computer or proceed to use the web version of the trading platform.

Can you trade forex on a MacBook?

Yes, you can trade forex on a MacBook by either using the web or desktop version of the trading platform from your device. Even the smallest MacBook, the 12-inch, can be used for forex trading, in addition to the hardier MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

Is MetaTrader available for Mac?

Unfortunately, MetaTrader only runs natively on Windows. MetaQuotes does have what appears to be a Mac version of MetaTrader, but it requires a Windows Emulator in order to actually work on a macOS device. If you are looking for MetaTrader 4 for Mac, you can download the installation file directly from the developer here (and the MT5 version is available here).