You want to make sure that whatever stock charting software you select has the capability to handle all your requirements.
The effectiveness of stock charting software is dependent on the data that you load into it. Your package should have the capability to handle industry standard data. At the same time you want to make sure that your database can be updated without too much intervention by you. The last thing you want to be doing is manipulating your database everyday to make sure your data is up-to-date.
Whether you are leaning toward using a free program or purchasing a commercial program, be sure to take advantage of trial opportunities and tutorials. Before you make a full commitment try out the features you think you will use the most and put the program through its paces. You will be able to eliminate some software packages right off the bat. At the end of your analysis you should have a manageable short list of programs to explore.
FreeStockCharts.com (formerly BestFreeCharts.com) is, in my opinion, the best free stock charting software. Actually, I believe FreeStockCharts.com is head and shoulders above most stock charts by online brokers on their websites and other expensive stock charting software. If you're still using Yahoo! Finance for charts and checking the price of a stock, you're living in a cave (no offense to the Geico Caveman).
FreeStockCharts.com's parent company, Worden, took their flagship charting software package TeleChart 2007 (a.k.a. TCnet) and opened it to the public free to use. For many professional investors and traders, TeleChart 2007 is the top choice for charting software. FreeStockCharts.com has a database of over 7000 stocks.
Real-Time charts and data for over 7000 U.S. stocks, some foreign markets, all major forex pairs, and market internals data (such as the NYSE advance/decline statistics Mark Haines announces every morning on CNBC's Squawk on the Street). Make big watchlists of stocks you're interested in and see all of the price changes in real-time.
Browser-based desktop-quality stock chart software right in your browser. No more worries about downloading, installing, and updating software. We are entering the age of cloud computing where all the expensive equipment and software are stored on some far away server. All you need is to turn on your browser, on any computer from anywhere, and access all your data online. Google is doing it to email with Gmail, tradeMONSTER has done it with the first browser-based broker & platform, and Worden is doing it to stock charting software with FreeStockCharts.com.
Access your personal watchlist and chart configurations all online. You have to register for the free account so they know who is customizing the settings, but once you do, all your latest updates will be saved. If you add certain indicators or draw trendlines on a specific chart, Apple (AAPL) for example, those lines and indicator settings will stay. You can access that chart from any computer from anywhere, not just on your computer anymore. Same with your watchlists. Make a list for the top stocks you want to trade, make another for market data. For more stock market tutorials visit: stock charts software, stock charting software
