Best Swing Trading Apps

Swing trading is a strategic approach to capitalize on short- to medium-term price fluctuations. Unlike day trading, where traders hold positions for minutes or hours, swing trading focuses on capturing gains over days or weeks. 

This guide will give you an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each swing trading platform.   

How We Chose the Best Swing Trading Apps

We evaluated the swing trading apps based on their commission structure and pricing transparency, platform usability and the range of available account types. Educational tools, investor resources and the quality of customer service also were considered.

5 Best Swing Trading Apps

Webull – Best for Commission-Free Trading

Swing traders like Webull for its commission-free trading on stocks, exchange-traded funds and options. It provides trading tools and real-time data that are available on more expensive platforms. Its user-friendly interface, available on both mobile and desktop, makes it accessible to both newer and more experienced traders looking for a cost-effective solution with advanced charting capabilities.

Key Features: 

• Fees: Webull offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs and options. There are no account minimums to open a standard brokerage account, but some services such as margin trading and wire transfers may have fees. 

• Investment Access: Webull users can trade stocks, ETFs and options. It also provides access to fractional shares, allowing traders with smaller capital to invest in higher-priced stocks. While it offers a range of securities for swing trading, it does not support trading mutual funds or fixed-income products. 

• Platform Experience: Webull’s platform is available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and via a web browser. The mobile app is well-designed and offers comprehensive features. The desktop platform has more advanced charting layouts and analytical tools for traders who prefer a larger screen for in-depth analysis. 

• Tools/Education Highlights: Webull provides real-time Level 2 market data, advanced charting tools with a variety of technical indicators and drawing tools, customizable chart layouts and paper trading functionality for practicing strategies without risking real capital. It also offers a stock screener with various filters to identify potential trading opportunities. Educational resources are available but may not be as extensive as some of the more established brokerages.

• Drawbacks: The complexity of the platform and margin calculations may be overwhelming for beginner traders. Inactivity fees can apply to accounts with low trading activity and small balances. 

Who It’s Best For: Cost-conscious swing traders who want a user-friendly interface and a strong set of charting tools and real-time data. It’s well-suited for beginners and experienced traders. 

Thinkorswim – Best for Advanced Charting

Thinkorswim from TD Ameritrade, now part of Charles Schwab, is a top choice for active traders, including swing traders. Its strength is its customizable charting tools and library of technical indicators, sophisticated order types and the flexibility offered by its proprietary thinkScript language. It provides a professional trading environment suitable for in-depth technical analysis and strategic trade execution.

Key Features: 

• Fees: Charles Schwab offers commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs and options. There are no account minimums to open a standard brokerage account, but options contracts have a per-contract fee. Margin trading incurs interest charges.

• Investment Access: Thinkorswim provides access to a range of securities, including stocks, ETFs, options, futures and forex. The broad access allows swing traders to explore different asset classes and implement diverse trading strategies.

• Platform Experience: Thinkorswim is available as a downloadable desktop application, mobile app and web-based platform. The desktop app offers customizable layouts and a wealth of features. The mobile app provides a streamlined experience for trading and monitoring positions on the go. While powerful, the platform can have a steeper learning curve for beginners because of its extensive functionality. 

• Tools/Education Highlights: Thinkorswim excels in its charting capabilities, offering a wide selection of technical indicators, drawing tools and customizable timeframes. Its thinkScript language allows users to create their own indicators, trading strategies and backtest them using historical data. The platform also provides sophisticated order types, real-time data, integrated news and analysis and robust paper trading functionality for practice. Schwab offers extensive educational resources, including webinars, videos and articles to help users navigate the platform and improve their trading knowledge.

• Drawbacks: The number of features and level of customization can be overwhelming for novice traders. While the mobile app is functional, some advanced analysis might be better suited for the desktop version.

Who It’s Best For: Experienced swing traders who want advanced charting tools, extensive technical analysis capabilities and the flexibility to customize their trading environment. It’s a good choice for investors who want to backtest strategies, use sophisticated order types and have access to a range of investment products.

TC2000 – Best for Rapid Analysis

TC2000 is a subscription-based platform known for its speed, robust stock screening capabilities and reliable real-time data. It offers brokerage services, but its strength for swing traders is its ability to quickly identify trading candidates based on a variety of technical and fundamental criteria, making it a powerful tool for efficient market analysis.

Key Features: 

• Fees: TC2000’s tiered subscription model gives traders a choice of levels with varying features and data access. Brokerage services are available through TC2000 Brokerage, with commission structures for stocks, ETFs and options. Account minimums for the brokerage service may apply. The platform’s subscription fees are separate from brokerage commissions.

• Investment Access: Through TC2000 Brokerage, users can trade stocks, ETFs and options. The platform’s analytical tools can be applied to these asset classes to identify swing trading opportunities. The focus is on equities and options trading, aligning well with common swing trading instruments.

• Platform Experience: TC2000 offers a downloadable desktop application and mobile apps. The desktop platform is fast and customizable, allowing traders to tailor the interface to their needs. The mobile apps provide essential charting and scanning functionalities. The platform is designed for rapid data retrieval and analysis, crucial for timely swing trading decisions.

• Tools/Education Highlights: TC2000’s scanning engine allows users to create complex scans based on a variety of technical indicators, price patterns and fundamental data. It offers highly customizable charting with a wide selection of indicators and drawing tools. The platform also provides real-time data, integrated news and quote windows. Educational resources such as webinars and tutorials on leveraging the platform’s features and understanding technical analysis concepts are also available. 

• Drawbacks: The subscription cost for the TC2000 platform is an additional expense on top of brokerage commissions. The platform offers brokerage services, but some users may prefer to use its analytical power in conjunction with a different brokerage that offers advantages in terms of fees or execution quality. 

Who It’s Best For: Swing traders who prioritize efficient stock screening and rapid analysis to identify potential trading opportunities. Traders who rely heavily on technical analysis, the ability to create customized scans and charts and value speed will appreciate the platform.

TrendSpider – Best for Technical Analysis

TrendSpider leverages automation and artificial intelligence to enhance technical analysis for swing traders. It automatically identifies and analyzes trendlines, support and resistance levels and candlestick patterns, freeing up traders from manual drawing and interpretation. The platform provides dynamic price alerts based on technical conditions, making it a powerful tool for timely trade entries and exits.

Key Features: 

• Fees: TrendSpider’s subscription model offers various tiers with different levels of features, data and alert allowances. Subscription fees are separate from brokerage commissions because TrendSpider is not a direct brokerage. Users must integrate its analysis with their brokerage platform for trade execution. 

• Investment Access: TrendSpider’s analysis capabilities focus on stocks and ETFs. Its technical analysis tools can be applied to those asset classes to identify swing trading opportunities, but it does not support trading in options, futures or other instruments on its platform. The platform provides automated technical insights for equity-based swing trading. 

• Platform Experience: TrendSpider’s web-based platform is accessible from any device with an internet connection. Its interface is intuitive, with charts that automatically display identified trendlines and levels. It doesn’t have a downloadable desktop app, but its web platform is designed specifically for automated technical analysis. Mobile access is available through web browsers on smartphones and tablets.

• Tools/Education Highlights: TrendSpider offers automated trendline and Fibonacci retracement tools, dynamic price alerts based on trendline breaks, support/resistance breaches and indicator triggers. It offers candlestick pattern recognition, volume analysis tools and the ability to backtest trading strategies based on its automated technical analysis. Educational resources include webinars and tutorials focused on understanding and using its automated analysis features.   

• Drawbacks: TrendSpider’s subscription cost is an additional expense on top of brokerage fees. It doesn’t function as a brokerage, so users must use its insights with a separate brokerage account for trade execution.

Who It’s Best For: Swing traders who want to leverage the power of automated technical analysis to save time and identify trading opportunities more efficiently. 

E*Trade – Best for Mobile 

E*Trade offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs, a user-friendly mobile app and access to two distinct trading platforms: the core E*Trade platform and the more advanced Power E*Trade. The dual approach caters to both new and experienced traders who want a balance of accessibility and sophisticated tools.

Key Features: 

• Fees: E*Trade offers commission-free trading for online stock, ETF and options trades. Options contracts have a $0.65 per-contract fee and futures contracts are $1.50. There are no account minimums to open a standard brokerage account. Margin trading is available with associated interest rates. 

• Investment Access: E*Trade provides access to stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds and fixed-income securities. Futures and forex trading are available through separate agreements. The variety of access allows swing traders to explore different strategies and asset classes.

• Platform Experience: E*Trade offers a website, mobile app and the Power E*Trade platform on desktop, web and mobile. The standard platforms are intuitive and designed for general trading and account management. Power E*Trade offers more advanced charting tools, technical indicators, customizable layouts and sophisticated order types for swing traders. The mobile versions of both platforms allow for trading, charting and research. 

• Tools/Education Highlights: Both the standard E*Trade platform and Power E*Trade offer charting tools with various technical indicators and drawing capabilities. Power E*Trade provides more advanced features like integrated trading ladders and strategy backtesting. E* Trade’s educational resources include articles, videos, webinars and live events covering various investment topics and trading strategies. It also provides market analysis and research from in-house experts and third-party providers.

• Drawbacks: Active or experienced swing traders may find E*Trade’s charting capabilities and customization less extensive than other platforms. 

Who It’s Best For: Swing traders who value a comprehensive trading ecosystem with robust mobile capabilities and access to user-friendly and advanced trading platforms.

Choosing the Right Swing Trading App

Choosing the right swing trading platform can directly influence your performance. The best apps support fast execution, smart analysis and efficient trade management – all critical for traders holding positions over days or weeks.

Webull is ideal for cost-conscious traders who want a clean interface, real-time data and commission-free trading. It’s a solid choice for those who value simplicity without sacrificing functionality.

Thinkorswim stands out for traders who rely on detailed charting and technical indicators. With thinkScript and custom strategy backtesting, it's built for traders who need precision and control.

TC2000 offers one of the most efficient stock screeners and real-time analytics engines available. It’s especially useful for traders who need to scan hundreds of stocks quickly and filter for specific setups.

TrendSpider is a time-saver for technical traders. Its automation tools help remove the guesswork from drawing trendlines and identifying breakout zones – ideal for those who want to speed up analysis without sacrificing quality.

E*Trade, with its dual-platform approach and excellent mobile functionality, provides both accessibility for newer traders and advanced tools for those looking to scale their strategies.

At a minimum, your chosen platform should offer real-time data, customizable charts, efficient screeners and access to the asset classes you trade most. Whether you're just starting or looking to upgrade, the right swing trading app should complement your process and reduce friction in your execution.

Frequently Asked Questions