The best platforms for trading in the Russian stock market

Modern traders use special applications and platforms to trade stocks, bonds and other securities. However, the abundance of software confuses not only beginners, but also more experienced traders. Below you can find a description of the best terminals and applications for trading in the Russian Federation. Having studied this information, it will be much easier for users to choose the most suitable option for the exchange platform.

Overview of the best trading platforms for the stock exchange in Russia

The applications listed below are suitable not only for experienced traders, but also for novice traders.

FinamTrade

FinamTrade is a popular utility that provides access to the stock and currency section of the Moscow Exchange, as well as to the derivatives market of the Moscow Exchange. To download the platform, the user needs to go to the AppStore/GooglePlay online store. It should be taken into account that only liquid financial instruments can be used in the basic version of FinamTrade. To get access to quotes of illiquid/exotic stocks, you will need to submit an order to the broker. Such restrictions were introduced in order to save traffic.
The main features of the platform include:

• the presence of an increased list of opportunities for working with charts / “glass”;
• workspace saving and extensive settings;
• visual formation of a trading order;
• the presence of a meaningful portfolio and a module with news;
• extended list of quotes;
• sorting by the most significant financial instruments: indices/currencies/commodities.

Note! You can manage all accounts from one account.

The strengths of the FinamTrade application include:

• the possibility of using additional technical analysis programs;
• reliability;
• a wide range of brokerage services;
• ease of registration;
• low commissions;
• user-friendly interface;
• good job technical support.

The only thing that is a little frustrating is that for private clients with a small deposit, a small daily turnover on the exchange, the intermediary interest will be higher than that of other
brokers .

Transaq

Transaq is a trading and investment platform that allows traders to analyze the situation on the market, while tracking price changes for certain assets. Users have the ability to make predictions by making deals in real time. You can use both Russian-language and English-language interface. In order to understand how to work with stocks, you can use the demo version.
The features of the Transaq platform include the presence of:

• end-to-end processing and online data analysis;
• crypto protection for a secure connection;
• access to exchanges: XETRA/MB, etc.;
• AWP trader module;
• broadcasting current news;
• graphic display of changes in the market;
• versions for PC/PDA/smartphones (TRANSAQ Handy);
• the ability to communicate with bidders in an online chat;
• margin module to control credit risks.

Note! Customer information forms do not need to be completed manually. The platform automatically uploads/unloads the database to services for analysis.

Strengths of Transaq:

• user-friendly interface;
• reliability;
• the possibility of round-the-clock monitoring of the portfolio status with an SMS notification system;
• availability of accounting for limited liquidity of certain categories of shares.

Servers can be backed up online. Frustrates the lack of a number of stop orders, options boards and SMS confirmations when entering the system. It is also worth considering that the drawn levels on the charts often “slide”. Therefore, when entering, it is recommended to pay attention to the correctness of their construction.

MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader 5 is a popular application that allows traders to trade stocks, bonds, currency pairs and futures. The choice of timeframes is extended. In this version, it is possible to overlay one indicator on another. The advantages of MetaTrader 5 include:

• free license;
• the presence of 4 order execution modes and 6 types of pending orders;
• availability of timeframes and built-in reports;
• Depth of Market option;
• reliability;
• user-friendly interface.

The disadvantages of MetaTrader 5 are the lack of the possibility of simultaneously opening several orders for one instrument and the impossibility of localizing positions that were opened earlier.

Quik

Quik is a program that is popular with traders due to the large number of useful options. Using this software, users will be able to execute various types of orders (market / limit / linked / conditional / stop orders). The presence of the function of importing transactions and automating trading operations is a significant advantage of the application. Using a wide range of tools, traders will be able to analyze the current state of the portfolio.
Additional useful options include:

• displaying the dynamics of changes in any parameter through convenient graphs;
• Alert notifications with the ability to transfer unfulfilled notifications to the next day;
• a built-in messenger that allows you to communicate with the QUIK administration and other traders;
• hot keys;
• convenient and flexible system of bookmarks;
• the possibility of programming the workspace in the QPILE language;
• digital signature for transactions;
• built-in Russified interface.

Traders using the QUIK program speak positively about this software, referring to the strengths:

• high speed of execution of transactions;
• low traffic;
• reliable protection of personal information of customers;
• the presence of hot keys;
• user-friendly interface.

Only the absence of archives of past transactions per day and the inability to open a position in both directions can upset you a little. Also, beginners have difficulties when setting up the program for the first time.

Tinkoff Investments

The Tinkoff Investments trading application contains candlestick charts. With their help, users will be able to determine the range of changes in the value of stocks and bonds over a certain period of time. Traders have the ability to switch charts, choosing an acceptable format for themselves. The paper catalog has been improved. A showcase of investment tools that displays relevant statistics for each type of securities is convenient and understandable.

Note! The developers have added the option of push notifications to the application, notifying customers about the receipt of dividends and coupons.

The strengths of the software include: the ability to quickly withdraw earned funds, reliability, good portfolio analytics and the availability of the necessary information on issuers. The high commission on the base rate and the lack of a derivatives market are cons.

Sberbank Investor

Sberbank Investor is a client application running on mobile devices running iOS and Android operating systems. The software provides users with access to market and analytical information, and also allows them to conduct their own operations. Beginners can use the full-featured demo access service, which will allow them to evaluate the features of the application. Using Sberbank Investor, traders get the opportunity to:

• monitor the state of your own portfolio;
• place orders and make transactions;
• send non-trading orders;
• contact the technical support service to resolve emerging issues;
• broadcast investment ideas with the possibility of passing risk profiling.

Sberbank Investor is a reliable application. The advantages of the software include:

• the possibility of free storage and accounting in the depository;
• intuitive interface;
• reliability;
• quick withdrawal of money;
• small commission.

Cons, like any other software, there are also. Users note that the program often freezes, there is no access to a foreign market, and the technical support service is too slow.

VTB exchange

VTB offers traders two platforms for trading shares and bonds on the stock exchange. The VTB OnlineBroker application can only be used on a PC, while the VTB My Investments software is suitable for mobile devices. In the OnlineBroker application, access codes can only be obtained after opening a brokerage account. The “Trade” section is the main menu item. It contains many tabs. In the “Client Portfolio” there is an opportunity to get acquainted with open accounts and the composition of assets on them.

Advice! To order a brokerage report for a certain period of time, go to the Reports tab.

The VTB My Investments software features a user-friendly interface. The application contains the options necessary for trading. The main screen displays information about the accounts that have been opened. You can view the composition of the portfolio and the return on various types of assets for each account
. After switching to the “Exchanges” category, traders will be able to start buying/selling stocks, bonds, currencies and futures. The strengths of VTB applications for trading in the Russian Federation include:

• the presence of an exchange glass;
• the ability to set take profit and stop loss;
• reliability;
• low commission;
• intuitive interface;
• a large amount of analytical information on securities.

According to the reviews of traders who have already used VTB applications, the only drawback of the software is the low level of technical support. Otherwise, the work of the platform is quite satisfactory for traders.

Alpha direct

Alfa Direct is a user-friendly application suitable for both beginners and more experienced traders. It should be borne in mind that during the opening of an account, the user is assigned a tariff plan, which can only be changed through a PC. The quotes tab contains a wide range of financial instruments, which can be sorted by trading volumes/growth leaders, etc. There is no information about the issuer. Data on the profitability or loss of the portfolio is displayed as a percentage.

Note! Alfa Direct has a notification service when an instrument reaches a certain value.

The strengths of the software are: user-friendly interface, a wide range of financial instruments. The disadvantages of Alfa Direct include the low level of technical support, as well as the lack of complete information about tariffs.

BCS World of Investments

To manage an account in this application, you need to go from the software to your personal account on the site. You can replenish your account from the card by interbank transfer without commission. The overview of assets within the portfolio is detailed. Users see not only active orders, but also the history of transactions, a graph of the value of portfolio assets. In order to get acquainted with stock reports, charts, order book and analytics, you need to go to the Quotes section. The advantages of the BCS World of Investment application include:

• reliability;
• good technical support service;
• availability of detailed analytics on assets in the portfolio;
• a wide range of financial instruments;
• the presence of a news feed with deep expert fundamental analytics.

The only thing that can upset you a little is that the commission is not displayed during transactions. It is also worth considering that the software graphical analysis service is rather weak.

MKB Invest

MKB Invest is a trading platform that is perfect for both novice traders and more experienced professionals. Using this software, users can trade stocks and bonds on the Moscow Exchange and, if necessary, sign documents via the Internet from anywhere in the Russian Federation. If any problems arise regarding the operation of the program, the trader can contact the technical support service. Customer issues are resolved by specialists around the clock. Users get access to analytical reviews of leading stock market experts. The strengths of MKB Invest include:

• reliability;
• access to foreign stock markets;
• 24/7 customer support;
• user-friendly interface.

The lack of a demo version and the need to pay an account maintenance fee in case of low trading activity are the disadvantages of MKB Invest.

XM

XM is a trading platform that supports different types of contracts (stop loss/stop profit/trailing orders). Application speed is high. You can trade from anywhere in the world. Beginners who are just learning how to trade stocks and bonds in the stock market can use the demo version to familiarize themselves with the features of the XM platform and evaluate its benefits. No hidden fees/commissions are charged from the transferred funds. The advantages of the software include the presence of:

• low entry threshold ($5);
• tight spreads;
• a wide range of assets;
• licenses;
• the possibility of keeping funds in a segregated account;
• access to the simultaneous opening of several accounts.

It frustrates the need to send a copy of documents by mail when registering an account and a weak training program.

Which platforms/apps can be used on Android and iPhone

Most traders are interested in what program can be installed on a smartphone for stock trading in the Russian Federation. The following applications are available for Android:

• FinamTrade;
• Transaq;
• Quick;
• MetaTrader 5;
• Sberbank Investor;
• Alpha direct;
• BCS World of Investments;
• XM

Suitable software for iPhone:

• FinamTrade;
• Transaq;
• Quick;
• MKB Invest;
• MetaTrader 5;
• Alpha direct;
• Sberbank Investor;
• BCS World of Investments;
• Tinkoff Investments;
• XM

Thanks to the efforts of the developers, there are no shortcomings in applications for trading stocks and bonds on the Russian stock exchanges. In order not to get confused and choose the most suitable option for yourself, you should responsibly study the features, advantages and disadvantages of the platforms you like. By giving preference to software that is included in the rating above, you can be sure that the program will be not only reliable, but also easy to use.