Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

thinkorswim vs TradingView

thinkorswim 4.7★ · Free to download 60
Winner TradingView
TradingView 4.8★ · Free + IAP 80

TradingView is generally preferred for its superior charting and indicators, while thinkorswim struggles with frequent app compatibility issues and a dated interface.

Full reviews: thinkorswim · TradingView

TradingView offers a more modern interface and powerful charting capabilities, though some users find it complex and encounter mobile app glitches. thinkorswim, while feature-rich, is plagued by mandatory updates that render it unusable on older devices and has a less intuitive mobile experience.

Head to head

Features and Tools edge: TradingViewR2R18R26R32
thinkorswim thinkorswim is praised for being a full-featured trading platform, offering extensive tools comparable to its desktop version and free indicators R2R26. However, some users note it lacks certain advanced options trading features found in competitors like tastytrade and that custom indicators from desktop don't work well on mobile R32. Users also desire more features like Volume Profile and better integration of trading functions with charts R18.
TradingView TradingView is highly regarded for its powerful charting system, custom indicators, and extensive analytical tools, with users appreciating its comprehensiveness and customization options . The app is seen as a 'golden gem' for trading analysis . However, some users report missing features present on the website, like an earnings calendar, and wish for Pine Script editing on mobile .
Ease of Use and Interface tieR18R24R25R30
thinkorswim thinkorswim's interface is often described as confusing and not simple, especially for new or less sophisticated users R25. The mobile app is considered less flexible and not as powerful as its desktop counterpart R30. Users also report issues with charts not fitting dates, random white space, and clunky options trading R18R24.
TradingView TradingView is seen as complex but capable, with new users finding its interface and features challenging to get used to R90. While praised for its intuitive nature by some , others find the mobile app hard to navigate, confusing, and less compatible with iPhones compared to desktop R70R72R103. Recent redesigns have also made it less intuitive for some long-time users .
Reliability and Performance tieR3R4R6R7
thinkorswim thinkorswim suffers from significant reliability issues, particularly after updates. Users frequently report the app becoming slow, lagging, crashing, and experiencing connection problems R3R4. There are also reports of glitches in lot trading methods and cost basis calculations R6R7.
TradingView TradingView also has performance issues, with users reporting the app being glitchy, slow to load charts, and crashing frequently . Specific problems include full-screen charts turning black, indicators not loading or failing, and crosshairs flickering . Some users also experience issues with broker links logging out and chart replays getting stuck .
Compatibility and Updates edge: TradingViewR1R5R8R11
thinkorswim thinkorswim has severe and widespread compatibility problems due to mandatory updates. Many users report being unable to use the app because their older iPhones or iPads are no longer supported or cannot update to the required iOS version R1R5R8R11. This forces users to buy new devices or switch platforms.
TradingView TradingView users report some issues with updates, such as indicators failing after a recent update and the app not working despite being up to date . However, these issues are not as widespread or critical as thinkorswim's forced device obsolescence, and there are no direct complaints about mandatory iOS updates preventing app use on older devices.
Price and Value edge: thinkorswimR9R16R35R50
thinkorswim thinkorswim is free to download and offers free indicators R9. However, some users complain about high trading commissions and slow fund settlement times R35R50. There are also accusations of the broker selling customer information R16.
TradingView TradingView is free with in-app purchases, but many users find it overpriced, especially its premium tiers . There are complaints about being charged for two plans, issues with refunds, and ads appearing even on premium subscriptions R112R115. Some users feel it should be free given the glitches .
Customer Support edge: thinkorswimR6R21R50R61
thinkorswim thinkorswim users report that company employees are generally helpful R21. However, there are complaints about customer attention worsening after the Charles Schwab acquisition R50. Issues like incorrect share sales require reporting by the next day or the user is held responsible R6.
TradingView TradingView's customer support is a major point of frustration. Users report no customer support, useless AI chat, and an inability to report issues or get refunds R61R69R112R115. Some even claim that to get help, one has to pay for it, and there are accusations of mods being scammers R112.
Pick thinkorswim if

You are an experienced trader who values a comprehensive platform for monitoring positions and making trade adjustments, and you are willing to tolerate frequent app updates that may require newer devices R26.

Pick TradingView if

You prioritize advanced charting, custom indicators, and a highly customizable trading analysis platform, and you are comfortable with a potentially complex interface and some mobile app glitches .

Evidence note: Recent reviews for thinkorswim are heavily skewed negative due to widespread app compatibility issues related to mandatory iOS updates. This contrasts with its higher lifetime rating, indicating a significant decline in user satisfaction for mobile users.

Frequently asked

Does thinkorswim work on older devices?
No, many users report that thinkorswim's mandatory updates frequently render the app incompatible with older iPhones and iPads, often requiring an upgrade to iOS 18 or a newer device to continue using the app R1R5R17R41.
Is TradingView easy for beginners?
TradingView is generally considered complex and not intuitive for new users, with many finding the interface challenging to navigate, especially on mobile R70R72R90R103.
Does TradingView have good customer support?
No, TradingView's customer support is widely criticized, with users reporting no direct support, useless AI chat, and difficulty getting refunds or reporting issues R61R69R112R115.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] thinkorswim 5/5 · US Unbelievable.: A full-featured trading platform on my iPhone. Holy cow. Really: what more needs to be said?
  2. [R18] thinkorswim 3/5 · US Better than others but frustrating details: Still impossible to trade while looking at chart or even P/L. Still super Clunky for options. Still no parity with desktop on trading button functions. Alarm sounds not customizable. Alarms do not sound on time. Placing exit orders should be integrated with the chart.
  3. [R26] thinkorswim 5/5 · US Use it all day for years: I have used this all day long for years to track the market, monitor portfolio positions, and make trade adjustments. I can not run the desktop app most of the time (when working or away from home). When needed or available I use the desktop for analyze tab, setting alerts with studies (wish they would add MA trendline crossover alert creation to the app), or when I can
  4. [R32] thinkorswim 4/5 · US Good, But Could Be GREAT: If anyone from Schwab reads these reviews, please take a look at tastytrade’s app. Your app is good and I use it all the time. But I’m always wishing you had more features as the tastytrade app when it comes to options trading. If you could focus on streamlining the options trading features I would delete my tastytrade app and never look back.
  5. [R24] thinkorswim 3/5 · US What happened: What have you done to this app? I get random white space at the top when viewing positions for specific stocks, and charts will not fit their dates in the viewer anymore.
  6. [R25] thinkorswim 1/5 · US Not everybody likes thicker swim: Briefly: the interface for thinker swim is confusing unless you’re a broker or a very sophisticated full-time user of thinkorswim and all of its multiple options. If you want simple, this is not it. I’d like to talk to those that seem to love it. I would like to know what I’m missing.
  7. [R30] thinkorswim 3/5 · GB Nothing like their desktop version: This app is ok for checking on you current positions, but is nothing compared to their desktop version. It needs to be updated so that it is more flexible. Having said that, it works fine and has not crashed once.
  8. [R3] thinkorswim 3/5 · US Lagging: Recent update has made the app very slow. This is at least in the options trading portion of the app. I get the re-establishing connection quite often than before. I don’t have this issue in the desktop app or on my android device.
  9. [R4] thinkorswim 1/5 · US Absurdly Slow: You will literally lose money as you wait for charts and other views to load.
  10. [R6] thinkorswim 3/5 · US BEWARE SHARE LOT METHOD MISHAPS: Glitches Galore!! Still!! Your lot trading method can be set to your preferred default on the website, great. But, when you choose a different lot sale method on any random sale, the system will defer (in the background) to your set preference and not over ride, causing the wrong shares sold. …you have to report the issue by settle on the next day or they hold y
  11. [R7] thinkorswim 2/5 · US Cost basis of lots is broken: Not wasting my time with a drawn out review. Please fix the app. Schwab can afford it, just get it done.
  12. [R1] thinkorswim 1/5 · US Forced mandatory updates: Think or swim have a bad habit of forced mandatory updates that will make your older iPhone and iPad not compatible. They should have an option where you can update to the latest compatible version instead of not being compatible at all and now you have to buy new devices. Or maybe that’s the point maybe they have some type of agreement with Apple I’m not sure but it’s no
  13. [R5] thinkorswim 5/5 · US Can’t use app anymore😤: My phone is not compatible for the latest iOS update and now I cannot use the app. This is not OK! Do something.
  14. [R8] thinkorswim 4/5 · US The App for IPad don’t let me login: Thinkorswim works very well on the desktop platform, and I have had a good experience using it on my computer. Unfortunately, the iPad app is currently unusable for me because it will not allow me to log in. Every time I try, I receive a message saying that I must update to the latest version of the app, but this prevents access altogether. The desktop version
  15. [R11] thinkorswim 5/5 · US Unable to use app: Like the app and the features. Can’t use it anymore however due to updates that I also can’t apply on the phone. Hopefully I can workaround it but not as of now.
  16. [R9] thinkorswim 3/5 · US Outdated: Think swim platform is becoming dated in comparison to the likes of Trading View for example. I use both platforms and in terms of clarity of indicators on screen and availability. Trading View is hands down the winner. Thinkswwim though has the edge with free indicators on display. But to me the look and feel is now dated
  17. [R16] thinkorswim 1/5 · US Sale the information: They sell customer information to market makers and exploit the situation to destroy portfolios for their own personal gain, the worst broker.
  18. [R35] thinkorswim 1/5 · US Fund settle time too long: I really don’t like the way this broker takes too long to settle the funds, other brokers takes hours but this broker takes days .
  19. [R50] thinkorswim 4/5 · US Attention: The app is very good but if you do traiding is the worst because the commission is to high, and the change to Charles the client attention got worse and when the volatility is very high some time freeze and leave out of market
  20. [R21] thinkorswim 3/5 · US Okay but could be great.: Long story short Schwab needs work. The people that work for the company are great and super helpful as was the case before but we lost a great app when TD Ameritrade sold. This app works for brand new investors. I would recommend it over say robinhood or webull but it quickly has flaws that ruin it as you learn and grow. First every update has caused problems since Schwa
  21. [R61] TradingView 1/5 · US .: No customer support
  22. [R17] thinkorswim 5/5 · US Version 226.1 requires iOS 18…why?: I use this app daily on a dedicated older iPad, which cannot run iOS 18. The backend now requires 226.1, which I cannot install. Thus I can no longer login with the previous version 225.1 anymore. Please reconsider the iOS 18 requirement on new versions. Thanks.
  23. [R41] thinkorswim 1/5 · US App is no longer working: It really sucks that this app is no longer supported on older versions of iOS, and that means that if you want to continue using the app, you have to go out and buy newer versions of iPads and iPhones. If you are still able to use the app today, be prepared as your time is coming when your device is no longer supported. As a financial services company, Schwab should not b
  24. [R70] TradingView 1/5 · US Can’t figure it out.: Dnt know how to use it. It’s not easy to use.
  25. [R72] TradingView 3/5 · US App is kind of hard to navigate: Although this app is amazing on a computer or MacBook, this app really seems to fall short on the cell phone. Maybe it is better on iPad, but it is not compatible with iPhone. Very confusing and unclear.
  26. [R90] TradingView 3/5 · GB Complex, capable but not intuitive: New Users challenge to get used to the interface and features both for the App and the Website. There should be a dedicated helpline to get off the ground …
  27. [R103] TradingView 2/5 · US Needs serious User Interface improvements: A good app that is not very easy to use. You can create a watchlist of stocks but to quickly go through every stock chart in that watchlist is neither intuitive nor easy. They don’t have simple mechanisms like front/back buttons to move thru a watchlist. The mechanism provided is very hard if you have a large watchlist.
  28. [R69] TradingView 3/5 · US Still believe in you guys: The most frustrating thing is that you aren't even able to report an issue. This AI chat is useless, it looks like it generates action buttons that are not clickable or not working when clickable. Very inconsistent. What I wanted to suggest: Please add an option to disable this new "AI generated earning summary"(when clicking on "e" icon at the bottom of the chart). It's
  29. [R112] TradingView 1/5 · US Scammers: No support, no one to get a hold of regarding refund for false advertisement. The subscription says 30 days free but immediately charged me and once I cancelled my subscription i was unable to contact customer service. Apparently to get any help from them you have to pay for it!
  30. [R115] TradingView 1/5 · US Credit card issues and double charging: Awful customer service. No phone number and you can’t open a ticket while on a trial subscription but my issue was their problem charging my card to no longer be on a trial subscription. Now both my cards have been charged.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store