“I am a former Motivewave user on linux, while CQG Desktop does not compare directly in terms of sheer capability to Motive, I find it more than adequate for my trading style and strategy.
PROS:
Very customizable
Browser based so works well on Linux
Plenty of indicators and tools that should cover most retail traders needs
Continuous improvements with a forum where you can vote for features you want to see added
CONS:
Complex exit strategies with multiple legs are a real pain to set up, often leaving open pending orders that may get executed in a volatile market causing unforced losses if you're not on top of canceling said orders
Traders coming from more complex platforms may find the tools or indicators lacking complexity or configuration ability to fit their trading style; no footprint charts, TPO is limited etc...
Improvements that are highly voted on in the forum are not prioritized, some taking months to years if implemented at all
No journaling built in, and exporting trades tends to be very cumbersome and limited to about 30 days of trading history
DOM update speed is slower than dedicated software, so if you're a scalper may not be the best for that strategy
Overall I have been happy using CQG Desktop after Motivewave absolutely destroyed their software with the major 6-7 release upgrade, I've had to adjust my tooling and strategy to work within the limits of the software which hasn't been limiting for me at least for now. I also appreciate being able to jump on any machine with a browser and being able to access my complete trading setup without a bunch of hassle, makes trading while traveling a breeze.
My biggest complaint would be the lack of journaling or trading statistics built in to help you understand your current trading performance. If this feature was implemented I feel like it would be a strong contender for a 5 star review.”
“CQG Desktop is a solid platform, especially for being free with Amp, but some simple tweaks could make it a much better app. I appreciate that is has bracket order customization and numerous types of entries and exits options. The design could use some work, mainly very small numbers and some fine details on some of the features. The platform trades very solidly and doesn’t feel like there is slippage or lag, and that’s worth a lot.”
“In my futures trading, I use cluster volume analysis and order flow. Unfortunately, these features are not available on CQG platforms, so I conduct my analysis on a third-party platform without trading functionality and use CQG Desktop as a trading window for placing orders. Throughout my trading experience, the platform has never let me down; it's convenient and reliable, especially considering the convenient mobile version. I would be thrilled if CQG platforms added analytical features such as cluster volumes, order flow, bid/ask imbalance, and similar functions.”
“Fast execution, rarely freezes, simple to use, and crossplatform because it's web based. I have no issues with this platform unlike some of the other clunky disasters out there.”
