Mobile vs Desktop: Key Differences

TradingView works beautifully on both mobile and desktop, but they’re not the same. Think of it like watching cricket on your phone vs a big-screen TV. You’ll get the match either way, but the experience changes.

So which one should you use?
Here’s a breakdown of what works best where and why most traders end up using both.

The Desktop Version – For Full Analysis Mode

This is where serious traders live. The desktop version is a full-blown experience, and it shows.

Here’s what makes it powerful:

• Bigger chart area – More candles, less scrolling
• Multiple charts on one screen – Compare Nifty, BankNifty, and Dow Jones side by side.
• Custom indicator setups – Drag, resize, colour-code everything the way you like it.
• Pine Scripts™ coding – Full access to Strategy Tester, custom script editor
• Keyboard shortcuts – Save tons of time with hotkeys for drawing, changing timeframes, etc.

Ideal for:
Swing traders, technical analysts, Pine Scripts™ users, or anyone who does deep-dive charting.

The Mobile App – For Monitoring on the Go

The mobile version is surprisingly powerful but best used for tracking, not building setups.

What you can do easily on mobile:

• Check charts and indicators on the move.
• Set or modify price alerts.
• View your saved watchlists.
• React to market movements quickly

What’s limited:

• Drawing tools are clunky on touchscreens.
• Custom layouts and multiple charts are harder to manage.
• Pine Scripts™ tools aren’t editable here, only viewable.

Ideal for:
Quick chart checks, setting alerts, reacting to breakout levels while you’re not near your desk.

Use Case Example

Let’s say you’re planning a trade on BankNifty.

• You analyse the chart in depth using desktop – plotting EMAs, RSI zones, support/resistance, etc.
• You save the setup and set alerts near your key levels.
• Later, you get the alert on mobile and check if it’s a valid entry.
• You execute the trade using your broker app.

That’s the hybrid approach most traders follow: Analyse on desktop. Act on mobile.

Pro Tip

Even if you’re a mobile-first user today, try building setups on desktop at least once a week. It sharpens your view and lets you think bigger than what fits on a phone screen.

Summary

In short, use mobile to stay connected.
Use desktop to stay prepared.
Together, they make you a sharper, faster, and better trader.

Next up: we dive into chart types — candlesticks, lines, Heikin-Ashi and when to use what. Let’s go!