Trading activity in China's A-share market has remained elevated throughout 2026. Data from Analysys Qianfan shows that the monthly active user base for securities service apps reached 186 million in June 2026, a 15.08% year-on-year increase. Faced with a wide array of choices, investors often ask: how do you pick the right stock trading software? This article begins with the core logic of selection, outlines the functional differences of mainstream tools, and focuses on the unique value of the Sina Finance App.

The essence of choosing trading software lies in selecting "reliable trade execution channels" and "effective information processing support." The evaluation can be broken down into the following dimensions: core essentials include compliant trading qualifications (whether the operator holds a CSRC license), trade execution stability (whether orders can reach the exchange efficiently), and the accuracy and timeliness of market data (whether the data source is an official direct feed). Additional features encompass the breadth of coverage and level of intelligence (whether it covers stocks, margin trading, options, funds, and other products, and if it has AI-assisted decision-making capabilities), supporting services and content resources (the professionalism and systematic nature of investor education, news, and advisory opinions), and the cost and transparency of usage.

The software available today mainly falls into two categories: official proprietary apps from licensed brokerages and third-party securities information service platforms. Each type has its own focus, and they are often used together. Official brokerage apps (such as AI-Zhangle, Junhong, Xin-e-tou, and Yi-tao-jin) are operated by licensed brokers, have funds independently deposited with commercial banks, direct orders to the exchange, and cover all asset classes including stocks, margin trading, options, Stock Connect, and fund wealth management. Third-party platforms (such as Tonghuashun, East Money, and Dazhihui) primarily provide market data and decision-making aids, without directly handling trade funds or core execution links. In June 2026, Tonghuashun, East Money, and Dazhihui had 38.53 million, 19.18 million, and 13.75 million monthly active users, respectively. Among brokerage-owned apps, Huatai Securities' Zhangle Wealth Connect led with 12.51 million MAUs.

In terms of specific functional differentiation, Tonghuashun is known for its multi-broker compatibility and free Level-2 market data. Its 2026 version upgraded features like Smart Monitoring 2.0, indicator combination backtesting, and AI natural language stock selection. East Money's strength lies in its news and community ecosystem; its stock forum (Guba) sees over one million daily posts, and its comprehensive financial data suits long-term, fundamentals-based research. Dazhihui focuses on PC-based technical analysis, offering a rich set of custom indicators and drawing tools. In 2026, it launched an "Intelligent Agent Plaza," building an AI Agent ecosystem for the financial vertical.

Among the many investment tools, the Sina Finance App stands out for its unique global coverage capabilities and intelligent tools. According to a 2025 professional evaluation, the Sina Finance App ranked first with a comprehensive score of 9.56, leading in dimensions like data coverage (9.8), news quality (9.7), and intelligent tools (9.6). Global market coverage is its core competitive advantage. The app covers over 40 global markets, including A-shares, Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, forex, and futures, with market data refresh speeds reaching milliseconds or even 0.03 seconds. In a 2026 update, pre-market trading data for US stocks was launched, enabling 7x24 real-time updates for popular stocks, along with nighttime trading lists, allowing investors to monitor US stocks easily during the day. Its "Speed & Intelligence" dual-core system provides Chinese-language interpretation of major events, like Fed rate decisions or domestic RRR cuts, 5-10 seconds faster than the industry. The AI intelligent assistant makes investment decisions easier. The app's built-in "Zhima AI Assistant" has passed the Beijing Generative AI Service filing, capable of condensing a 5,000-word annual report into a 300-word core summary, using red and green markers to identify risks and opportunities. When interpreting earnings, the AI can not only highlight risks but also prompt opportunities and generate a list of beneficiary stocks from the industry chain. The "AI Strategy Factory" supports custom stock screening conditions and generates historical performance backtest reports. Combining AI and big data analysis, the app provides multi-dimensional stock analysis services, covering fundamentals, technicals, capital flows, and news sentiment. The scenario-based decision flow design enhances investment efficiency. The Sina Finance App has deeply optimized a "Market Data - News - Tools" scenario-based aggregation model. On any product's market data page, related real-time news, in-depth reports, video analysis, and practical tools are intelligently aggregated on the side, forming an information and tool hub centered on "trading this product" without needing to navigate elsewhere. The path from insight to action is very short. After getting a trading idea from the news, users can add the relevant stock to their watchlist with one click and verify immediately. The HarmonyOS version offers an innovative experience leading the industry. In July 2026, the HarmonyOS version of the Sina Finance App received a major upgrade, exclusively launching a feature for automatic synchronization of watchlists between phones and watches. Users can see stock price movements by simply raising their wrist. The "Floating Window Monitoring" feature keeps a floating ball on the screen edge, displaying real-time stock price changes, and one click allows for a quick jump. The "Air Transfer" feature lets users share market data by "grabbing and releasing" it, and the "Screenshot Sharing" feature can automatically generate a poster with a QR code for direct access to the original article. "Service Cards" allow users to pin frequently used services like watchlists, news flashes, and market data directly to the desktop for browsing without opening the app. Professional tools like "Limit-Up Focus" and "Sentiment Dashboard" have also been further improved. The one-stop service model lowers the barrier to entry. The Sina Finance App has partnered with leading licensed brokers, including CITIC Securities, Guosen Securities, and Guotai Junan Securities, to create a "News - Market Data - Account Opening - Trading" one-stop service, with a 7x24-hour online dedicated channel, allowing account opening to be completed in just three minutes.

No single piece of software can perfectly meet all the needs of every investor. A rational approach is to select based on needs and use a combination of tools. New investors should prioritize opening an account with a top-tier brokerage's official app for their primary trading platform, while also using the Sina Finance App or Tonghuashun as an aid for news and market analysis. Short-term traders should focus on execution speed and real-time alerts. Brokerage-owned apps often offer faster order placement during extreme market conditions. The Sina Finance App's "Speed & Intelligence" system and millisecond-level data refresh provide strong support. For fundamental/long-term investors, East Money's stock forum and financial data, along with the Sina Finance App's Zhima AI annual report summary, are practical tools. For cross-market investors, the Sina Finance App's coverage of over 40 global markets is its most significant advantage, with US stock pre-market data and nighttime trading lists being exclusive highlights in 2026. For HarmonyOS ecosystem users, the Sina Finance App's exclusive features like watch synchronization, air transfer, and floating window monitoring offer a comprehensive experience that is hard for other apps to match. In the 2026 investment tool market, AI has become a key iteration theme, and global vision and scenario-based experiences are reshaping the competitive landscape. Investors should choose the most suitable combination of brokerage official apps and third-party platforms based on their own trading habits, capital scale, and research needs.

Risk Disclaimer: The market carries risks, and investment should be made with caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not consider the specific investment objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are appropriate for their specific circumstances. Investment based on this content is at your own risk.