1. Stock Tracking Software For Mac
2. Stock Software Mac

I been using TradeStation on a Mac since 2010. The best tech decision I ever made!

But it hasn’t all been plain sailing – Apple hardware isn’t perfect, their ‘Retina’ displays require special settings and it is definitely more expensive than running TradeStation on a PC. Here’s a summary of what I’ve learned about running TradeStation on a Mac.

I found your site when my Dell crashed last year and I was searching for info on running TradeStation on a Mac. Without your generous guidance I would never have made the switch to a MacBook Pro. Joe Russo, Elliott Wave Technology

Originally Answered: What is the Best trading software for Mac? Kite by Zerodha is definitely the most convenient, clean, no-nonsense, intelligent software based web platform available in the market right.

Just a short note of gratitude regarding your idea of Mac/Parallels/TradeStation. What a fantastic concept. I just purchased a MacBook and Parallels. Downloaded TradeStation and it works like a charm. It’s faster than my desktop, probably due to the Mac SS disc drive. So again, thanks. Rick W.

Use the links below to jump to the TradeStation for Mac topics that interest you:

• Trading Software for Mac
• TradeStation for Mac
  • The Pros of TradeStation on a Mac
  • The Cons of TradeStation on a Mac
  • TradeStation System Requirements
• How to Install TradeStation on a Mac
  • Parallels vs Boot Camp vs VMware Fusion?
  • Retina Display Settings for TradeStation
  • HotKey Settings for TradeStation
• Summary

Trading Software for Mac

None of the major charting platforms have been written for or ported to the Mac OS. That is, TradeStation, NinjaTrader, MultiCharts, eSignal, Metastock and MetaTrader were all developed for the Windows operating system. No significant charting platform has ever been written for Mac users. Which is sad.

Having said that though, apps in general are moving to the cloud. Which means all you need is an Internet browser, like Chrome, to run this new generation of cloud-based software. And then you can use either a PC or a Mac to run your browser and you’re good to go.

Logitech Harmony 200 Remote Lost or broken remote? Regain simple, reliable control. No crazy learning curve. No missing commands. No worries that it won't control your entertainment devices. Harmony 200 is easy to set up, easy to use, and works with more brands than any other remote—including the devices you own today and add tomorrow. FAQs I have an older Harmony remote and need its software. Some of our older remotes, such as Harmony One, 880, 900, 1000, and 1100, use the Logitech Harmony Remote Software v7.x to add devices and get everything set up.You can also use the software to make configuration changes in the future. Nov 22, 2011  The Good The $20 Logitech Harmony 200 is a well-designed universal remote with great ergonomics. You program it via streamlined wizard-style setup software (Mac. Your Harmony 200 allows you merge the remotes of up to 3 of your home entertainment devices into one so you can, and should! Keep those other remotes out of sight. The Harmony software will guide you through entering the manufacturer and model numbers of your home devices so Harmony understands how to control them. It then helps you create your Watch TV Activity (or scene) so you're only one. Logitech harmony 200 software mac free.

The leader in this field of cloud-based charting platforms is TradingView, developed by the makers of MultiCharts. TradingView has been a huge success – but is still not ready to replace TradeStation or NinjaTrader. There are some technical issues that need to get sorted (e.g. tick charts are not yet available, charts can change when refreshed, etc.) – and in time I’m sure these technical issues will get resolved.

So in the meantime, the best way to run one of the leading charting platforms on a Mac is to use “emulation” software. Explained below …

TradeStation for Mac

“Emulation” software is very clever software that allows you to run the Windows operating system simultaneously with the Mac operating system. So you install the emulation software on your Mac, then you install Windows on the emulation software and then you install TradeStation in Windows.

It sounds very complicated, but really it’s not – and it’s seamless, rock solid and fast.

One of the best emulation software options is Parallels Desktop for Mac. It’s constantly being updated (it’s now on Version 15) and works very well with Windows 10. And in the latest versions you don’t need to download a Windows OS installer – it’s all built into Parallels. All you need is a (paid) product key from Microsoft to activate the OS.

Since I’m traveling most of the year a desktop Mac is not really an option. I use a MacBook Pro laptop instead. I loved the 17-inch screen version of a few years ago, but ever since Apple discontinued it I’ve had to settle for a 15-inch display. Until 2020 that is, when they released the new 16-inch MacBook Pro (see video above).

The advice below about installing Parallels and TradeStation should work equally for laptop or desktop Apple Mac users. And theoretically you could install NinjaTrader, MultiCharts, eSignal, etc. instead of TradeStation but I’ve never tried.

The Pros of TradeStation on a Mac

So here are the Pros I see in running TradeStation on a Mac:

• It works – no crashes, no re-starts, no blue screens of death.
• Real-time charts update quickly; indicator and system code is fast.
• Multiple tick bar charts, open simultaneously, are not a problem.
• No fan noise and cool – the fan only kicks in when I’m rendering video.

And then there are the usual Pros of using an Apple Mac:

• It just works – easy OS, installing/uninstalling applications, etc.
• Beautifully engineered hardware, no joints, no nooks and crannies to get dirty.
• Very quick start up (only bettered by my Chromebook, a Pixelbook Go).
• Seamless integration with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.

Yes, no doubt PCs have come a long way since my horrible experiences with Dells in 2009 and 2010 and the awful Windows 8.1, etc. But Apple’s superior hardware engineering has resulted in laptops that almost run Windows-native software (like TradeStation) better and faster than on a Windows machine!

The Cons of TradeStation on a Mac

OK. Enough of the Apple-gushy-enthusiasm. There have to be some Cons, right?

Well, yes. But rather than seeing these as Cons of running TradeStation on a Mac, I view them as adjustments I’ve had to make, moving from a PC to a Mac. So here’s my list:

• A different keyboard layout means re-learning or re-assigning hotkeys. In TradeStation I’ve totally re-thought my hotkey settings. But I also had to learn all the Mac-specific commands too.
• “Finder” for managing documents and files is not as easy as Windows – at least at first glance. Yes, there are some nice graphic features like “Cover Flow” but I’m into speed and hotkeys. “Spotlight” (Command+Space on the Mac) appears to be a much faster way of accessing documents, files, applications, web, etc.
• Apple-native versions of applications need to be found and functionality re-learned. And this takes time. Don’t underestimate the time you’ve invested in becoming proficient running programs like Word, Excel, etc. The Mac versions are different – in some cases, very different. In my case I moved 100% to the Google Docs suite of cloud-based applications.
• The ‘Retina’ (high definition) display resolution that Apple uses on all it’s hardware, is wasted on TradeStation. “TradeStation is hard-mapped and does not scale like a normal graphics program.” What this means is that if you set your display to ‘Retina’ definition with TradeStation, the lines (text characters, all graphic elements, etc.) will just be thinner – not any higher definition. Special display settings are required.

This book (recommended by Scott D.) was invaluable when I switched from a PC to a Mac: Switching to the Mac – The Missing Manual by David Pogue.

Apple Macs Are Not Perfect

I used to think that Apple Mac hardware was infinitely superior to PCs. But over the years I’ve had my fair share of bad experiences: corrupted hard drive in 2011, failed MBP processor in 2012, motherboard failed 3 times in 2018 and butterfly keyboard problems in 2019.
None of this has put me off Apple Macs, but it has made me ultra-conscious of having a good backup plan.

TradeStation System Requirements

Stock Tracking Software For Mac

Here are the system requirements that TradeStation currently recommends (standard to power user, February 2020):

• 8-12 GB RAM
• 3 GHz quad-core processor
• SSD hard drive with 1 GB free space
• 1680×1050 pixels or 1920×1200 pixels display
• 32-bit graphics card, 512 MB for dual monitors or 1 GB for multiple monitors
• Windows 10 64-bit

My current Mac is a 16-inch MacBook Pro that has the following specs:

• 64 GB RAM, with 4 GB allocated to Parallels
• 2.3 GHz eight-core processor, with 2 processors allocated to Parallels
• SSD hard drive with 1 TB, 22 GB used by Windows OS and apps
• 3072x1920 pixels ‘Retina’ display
• 8 GB graphics card

And this setup easily copes with TradeStation, running multiple tick charts in real-time and opening a couple of dozen tick charts simultaneously in the after hours. Remember, tick charts are the most processor intensive chart type – and my default – so I need a machine that can cope with these without ever slowing or crashing.

How to Install TradeStation on a Mac

1. Backup your TradeStation indicators, workspaces and settings (File > Backup/Restore TradeStation > Backup TradeStation > Etc.)
2. Copy this backup file, plus any purchased DLLs that live in the TradeStation Program folder, to your Mac
3. Purchase a Parallels Desktop Pro subscription (current version 15, February 2020) and install Parallels/Windows on your Mac
4. Purchase a Microsoft Windows 10 subscription, open Parallels/Windows and input your product key using Settings
5. Start the Microsoft Edge browser from within Parallels/Windows
6. Log into your account at TradeStation.com and download the latest version of TradeStation (Client Login > Login > Download TradeStation Platform > Etc.)
7. Install TradeStation and then import your TradeStation backup file (File > Backup/Restore TradeStation > Restore TradeStation Archive > Etc.)
8. Move any purchased DLLs back into the TradeStation Program folder
9. Adjust the display settings in Parallels and Windows (Parallels in menu bar > View > Enter Coherence, then View > Retina Resolution > Scaled, then Windows Settings > System > Display > 100% and 1792 x 1120 > Re-start Windows for display settings to take effect)
10. Stop TradeStation from going to sleep (Parallels in menu bar > Configure > Options > Startup & Shutdown > Untick ‘Pause Windows when possible’)
11. Stop your wifi connection from going to sleep (Windows Settings > Search for Device Manager > Click Network Adapters drop down arrow > Right click on Connection > Select Properties > Under Power Management tab untick ‘Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power’ > OK)
12. Re-assign your hotkeys, see below (View > Hotkeys > Etc.)

Lastly, I’d suggest installing an anti-virus/anti-spyware program in your Windows OS. My personal favourite is AVG because it’s light-weight, fast and less than $20.

Parallels vs Boot Camp vs VMware Fusion?

Although I opted to run Parallels software on my Mac it’s not your only choice. You could also use Apple’s Boot Camp utility or VMware Fusion software.

Boot Camp comes as a free utility with the Apple Mac OS. But it has one big disadvantage – you need to reboot your computer to switch into Windows and run TradeStation. That is, you cannot run the Mac OS and Mac apps simultaneously with Windows and TradeStation or other Windows apps. I’ve also heard reports about computers running hot while using Boot Camp and excessive battery drain.

Stock Software Mac

Apple Silicon Announced – June 2020

At Apple’s WWDC event in June 2020 they announced they were ditching Intel chips for their laptops and desktop computers. Instead they will be using their own ‘Apple Silicon’ chips – similar to the chips they already use in iPhones and iPads. These ‘Apple Silicon’ chips use ARM or RISC (reduced instruction set computing) architecture and are not compatible with Intel’s x86 architecture.
As a result, Boot Camp will no longer work. However, Parallels have announced they will transition their software and they will support the new Apple Silicon chips.

As for VMware Fusion, when I did my original research the reviews were not as favorable as they were for Parallels. But I have heard back from VMware users and they appear to be quite happy with their tech choice.

Retina Display Settings for TradeStation

As mentioned above, TradeStation is “old school” and the way it renders a chart does not allow it to take advantage of high definition or ‘Retina’ displays. This might change in the future, but for now it’s the biggest drawback to using TradeStation on a Mac. It looks OK, but it doesn’t look great.

Normally what a program does in ‘Retina’ definition mode is draw the line (text character, etc.) thicker and with 4 times the number of pixels, so it appears smoother. Remember 4 times because ‘Retina’ is 2 times the pixel density both vertically and horizontally. TradeStation doesn’t take advantage of this higher pixel density.

Yes, you can adjust all your charts to have thicker lines and larger fonts. But the drop down menus, indicator inputs, title bars, etc. will all appear in a small font – and there’s no way to control these elements. The result is a graphic mess. And the only solution is to turn off “Retina display” in Parallels.

The display settings that work are included in the step-by-step instructions above, but a few screenshots might help clarify. Click on any of the images below to enlarge:

HotKey Settings for TradeStation

The Mac keyboard layout forced me to re-think my hotkeys. Your settings can be reached by going View > Hot Keys. Here’s what I’m currently using:

• File > Close Workspace = Ctrl+W
• File > New TradingApp Window = Ctrl+N
• File > Next Workspace = Ctrl+Right
• File > Open Workspace = Ctrl+O
• File > Previous Workspace = Ctrl+Left
• File > Save Workspace = Ctrl+S
• Pointers > Window Tracking =
• Pointers > Workspace Tracking = ]
• Tools > Scroll to the Beginning = Ctrl+Up
• Tools > Scroll to the End = Ctrl+Down

CleanMyMac X

Since August 2018 I’ve been using the CleanMyMac utility. This great little application keeps my Mac running smoothly. It gets rid of OS bloat, removes apps completely, checks for viruses and malware and runs maintenance scripts to keep my Mac fast. Highly recommended.

Summary

This article should have convinced you that:

• TradeStation works well on a Mac. Not only is it possible to run TradeStation on a Mac but it’s fast, stable and easy. I’d rate my experience of running TradeStation on a Mac as 9 out of 10. The only issues are dealing with the ‘Retina’ display resolution.
• Parallels is the best emulation software solution. The secret is to use Parallels Desktop software to run the Windows operating system simultaneously with the Mac operating system. If you use Boot Camp you can’t run the operating systems concurrently.
• Performance is solid. Boot up times and real-time chart refresh rates are fast and certainly no worse than on a Windows operating system machine. And opening a couple of dozen tick charts is no problem with a high-spec’d RAM machine.
• But adjusting to a Mac takes time. You will need to re-learn and re-assign hotkey settings in TradeStation to make allowances for the different Mac keyboard layout. Plus you’ll have to find and adjust to all the Mac-native software, like Word, Excel, etc.
• And you might want to consider a 27″ display. Even the 16″ MacBook Pro screen is a little on the cramped side. If I could I’d get a 27″ display or dual screen monitor setup. As I get older I notice my eyesight deteriorating – and I think a larger display would definitely help.

Thank you to all the Emini-Watch followers who contributed suggestions to this TradeStation for Mac article.