How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Zerodha Kite and Dhan offer zero brokerage on equity delivery, which helps long-term investors who buy and hold.
- Groww is the simplest starting point for a first-time investor, with mutual funds, stocks and SIPs in one app.
- Active traders get more from Dhan, Upstox and Kotak Neo, which add options tools, fast order placement and APIs.
- Brokerage is only part of the cost. STT, exchange charges, GST, SEBI charges, stamp duty and DP charges still apply on most trades.
- This is not financial advice. Trading, especially intraday and derivatives trading, can lose money, so only invest money you can afford to lose.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Zerodha Kite | Active traders and long-term investors | ₹0 equity delivery; ₹20 per intraday or F&O order | No |
 Groww | Beginners and mutual fund investors | ₹20 or 0.1% per equity order, whichever is lower | No |
 Upstox | Mobile-first active traders | ₹20 per equity, F&O, commodity or currency order | No |
 Angel One | Research and multi-asset investing | ₹20 or 0.1% per equity order after introductory offer | No |
 Dhan | Options and active traders | ₹0 equity delivery; ₹20 per intraday or F&O order | No |
 Kotak Neo | Bank-backed trading with low F&O fees | ₹10 per intraday or F&O order after first 30 days | No |
 5paisa | Flat-fee trading with research tools | ₹20 per executed order | No |
 ICICI Direct | Investors who want a bank-linked account | See website | No |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best trading apps in India
Starting price₹0 equity delivery; ₹20 per intraday or F&O order
Free planNo
Zerodha Kite remains the default choice for many Indian traders, and the pricing explains why. Equity delivery costs no brokerage, direct mutual funds through Coin cost no commission, and intraday, futures and options orders are capped at ₹20 or 0.03 percent, whichever is lower. Account opening is free for resident individuals, and the demat AMC is free for the first year for qualifying new accounts opened from June 2026, then ₹300 plus GST per year for non-BSDA accounts.
Kite itself is clean and fast, with watchlists, GTT orders, baskets, market depth and two charting libraries. The wider Zerodha set adds Console for portfolio and tax reports, Coin for mutual funds and Varsity for learning. The main drawback is support: if something goes wrong during market hours, you will usually raise a ticket and wait, rather than calling someone. For a self-directed investor or trader who values low, predictable costs, that trade-off is usually worth it.
What we like- Zero brokerage on equity delivery and direct mutual funds
- Flat ₹20 cap on intraday and F&O orders
- Strong charting with TradingView and ChartIQ
- Varsity education library and Kite Connect API
Watch out for- Demat AMC of ₹300 plus GST per year after the first-year waiver for qualifying new accounts
- Support is mainly ticket-based, with no phone support for most queries
- Back-office reports update overnight rather than in real time
Starting price₹20 or 0.1% per equity order, whichever is lower
Free planNo
Groww started as a mutual fund app and still feels most at home there. Opening an account is free, there is no annual maintenance charge, and you can set up SIPs, buy direct mutual funds, and add stocks and ETFs without switching apps. That simplicity makes it the easiest first step for someone who has never invested before and wants to start with a monthly SIP rather than a trading screen full of indicators.
The cost to watch is delivery brokerage. Groww charges ₹20 or 0.1 percent per equity order, whichever is lower, with a minimum of ₹5, so a buy-and-hold investor pays more here than at Zerodha or Dhan. Intraday and F&O orders cost ₹20 per order. If you mainly invest in mutual funds and buy stocks occasionally, the simple design outweighs that difference. If you trade often or hold many delivery positions, a flat-fee rival will save money over time.
What we like- Very simple interface for a first account
- Stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, IPOs and SIPs in one app
- No account opening charge and no AMC
- Direct mutual funds with no commission
Watch out for- Equity delivery brokerage is ₹20 or 0.1 percent, so it costs more than Zerodha or Dhan for delivery trades
- Charting and research tools are lighter than trader-focused apps
- No dedicated desktop trading terminal for advanced users
Starting price₹20 per equity, F&O, commodity or currency order
Free planNo
Upstox suits a trader who does most work on a phone. The app pairs a clean layout with real-time data, custom watchlists, TradingView charting and fast order placement, and the web platform covers the same ground on a computer. Brokerage is a flat ₹20 per order for equity, F&O, commodity and currency trades, which keeps costs predictable for frequent traders.
Account opening is free, and AMC is free in the first year for newly onboarded customers, then ₹300 plus GST per year in many cases. Mutual fund and IPO commissions are zero. The main weakness is delivery cost: unlike Zerodha and Dhan, Upstox charges ₹20 per delivery order, so a long-term investor who buys in small lots will pay more. For an active mobile trader, that is a minor point next to speed and charting.
What we like- Flat ₹20 brokerage across segments
- Clean mobile app with TradingView charts
- Account opening free and AMC free in the first year for new customers
- Developer API for automation
Watch out for- AMC of ₹300 plus GST applies after the first year for many accounts
- Delivery brokerage is ₹20 per order, not zero
- Support quality varies in user reviews during volatile sessions
Starting price₹20 or 0.1% per equity order after introductory offer
Free planNo
Angel One blends a discount-style price list with full-service features, which suits an investor who wants research help without paying bank-broker percentage fees. The app covers stocks, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds and commodities, with TradingView charts, basket orders, ready-made advisory portfolios and SmartAPI for users who automate trades. With more than 30 years in Indian broking, it also offers branch and authorised-person support that app-only brokers cannot match.
Pricing needs a careful read. New users get flat zero brokerage for orders in the first 30 days, up to ₹500, and zero commission on mutual funds and IPOs. After that, equity delivery and intraday orders cost ₹20 or 0.1 percent, whichever is lower, and F&O orders cost ₹20. AMC is free in the first year, then ₹240 plus GST. If research and human support matter to you, Angel One justifies its slightly higher delivery cost. If you only need low fees, Zerodha or Dhan are cheaper.
What we like- Research reports, advisory portfolios and ARQ Prime insights
- TradingView charts with basket orders
- SmartAPI for automation
- Large branch and authorised-person network for in-person help
Watch out for- Standard delivery brokerage is ₹20 or 0.1 percent, with a ₹5 minimum
- AMC of ₹240 plus GST after the first year
- Introductory zero-brokerage offer lasts only 30 days up to ₹500
Starting price₹0 equity delivery; ₹20 per intraday or F&O order
Free planNo
Dhan is built for traders first. The app offers TradingView charts, a dedicated Options Trader app, Power Trade mode, iceberg orders, one-tap options buying and scalper trading from charts, plus free APIs for algo traders. Pricing matches Zerodha on the headline numbers: zero brokerage on equity delivery, ₹20 or 0.03 percent on intraday and futures, and ₹20 on options, with no account opening fee and no AMC or platform fee.
That combination makes Dhan one of the cheapest all-round choices in this list, especially for an active trader who also holds delivery positions. The trade-off is history: Dhan is younger and smaller than the oldest brokers here, and its research library is thinner. Shares are held in your own CDSL demat account, which is the same safeguard as at other SEBI-registered brokers. If low cost and trading tools matter most, Dhan is hard to beat. If a long track record matters most, Zerodha or a bank-backed broker may feel safer.
What we like- Zero brokerage on equity delivery and zero AMC
- Options trader app with advanced tools
- Free trading APIs through DhanHQ
- Fast order types including iceberg, scalper and super orders
Watch out for- Younger broker with a shorter track record than Zerodha or Angel One
- Research and advisory coverage is thinner
- US stock access is through a separate regulated route, not a standard Indian demat feature
Starting price₹10 per intraday or F&O order after first 30 days
Free planNo
Kotak Neo is the trading platform from Kotak Securities, and its headline appeal is low derivatives pricing. After a first-30-days period with zero brokerage on delivery, intraday and F&O, intraday and F&O orders cost a flat ₹10 per order, half the ₹20 charged by most discount brokers. Trade APIs carry no platform fee, and the app adds a strategy bot, screeners, an options chain, a payoff analyser and trade-from-charts execution.
The catch is delivery pricing. On the Trade Free plan, delivery brokerage is 0.20 percent, which adds up for a buy-and-hold investor compared with zero-delivery brokers. AMC is zero for a BSDA account with holdings up to ₹4 lakh, with other rules for larger accounts. Kotak Neo therefore fits an active intraday or F&O trader who wants bank backing and research, rather than a pure delivery investor.
What we like- Flat ₹10 per intraday or F&O order after the introductory period
- Trade APIs at no platform fee
- Strategy bot, screeners, options chain and payoff analyser
- Kotak bank backing and research calls
Watch out for- Delivery brokerage on the Trade Free plan is 0.20 percent, so delivery investors pay more
- Pricing is plan-dependent and needs checking before opening
- AMC rules depend on BSDA holding limits
Starting price₹20 per executed order
Free planNo
5paisa offers a simple flat-fee model: ₹20 per executed order, with zero brokerage for the first 30 days and zero commission on mutual funds and IPOs. The platform covers stocks, mutual funds, IPOs and F&O, with TradingView charting, trade-from-charts, an FnO 360 options view, a scalper terminal for fast intraday orders and algo tools for automation. Margin trading facility is available on eligible stocks, with interest charged daily.
For a trader who values a single, predictable fee and a wide toolset, 5paisa is a solid mid-pack choice. It does not match Zerodha or Dhan on delivery cost, and its pricing varies by plan, so confirm the plan you are actually on before trading. The FinSchool learning section helps beginners, but a new investor who mainly wants mutual funds will still find Groww simpler.
What we like- Flat ₹20 per executed order across segments
- Direct mutual funds at zero commission
- MTF up to 4x on eligible stocks
- TradingView charts, FnO 360 and algo tools
Watch out for- Plan-dependent pricing can confuse new users
- Delivery brokerage is ₹20, not zero
- Research depth is below full-service bank brokers
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ICICI Direct is the full-service option in this list, and it suits an ICICI Bank customer who wants banking and investing in one place. The 3-in-1 account lets funds move directly from a savings account, and the platform adds research reports, one-click curated portfolios, daily recommendations and wealth management services that discount brokers do not offer. Product coverage is broad, from stocks and mutual funds to bonds, IPOs and NRI investing.
Cost is the reason it ranks last for price-sensitive traders. Default delivery pricing has been listed around 0.29 percent, and options pricing varies by plan, so a frequent trader or large investor will pay far more than the ₹20 flat fee at discount brokers. AMC is around ₹700 per year, waived in the first year on some plans. Because pricing is plan-dependent, the starting price here is listed as See website: check the plan offered to you before opening. If banking integration and advice matter more than the lowest fee, ICICI Direct is a credible choice.
What we like- 3-in-1 account linking ICICI Bank savings, trading and demat accounts
- Research, advisory portfolios and wealth management
- Wide product range including bonds, NRI services and IPOs
Watch out for- Percentage-based pricing on default plans costs more than flat-fee brokers for larger trades
- Pricing is plan-dependent, so headline numbers vary
- App and web experience feel heavier than discount rivals
How we chose
We compared broker pricing pages, product documentation and public reviews, and checked that each broker homepage loads and belongs to the broker named. We favored SEBI-registered brokers that are widely used in India, that state brokerage and AMC clearly, and that cover beginners, active traders and bank-backed investors. We did not claim hands-on testing. Brokerage figures change often and vary by plan, so check the broker's own charges page before opening an account. This article is not financial advice, and past performance does not guarantee future results.
How to pick a trading app in India
Start with how you will actually trade
A monthly SIP investor needs a simple app and low delivery cost. An intraday trader needs speed, charts and a low per-order fee. An options trader needs an options chain, Greeks and fast order types. Pick the app that fits your main activity, not the one with the longest feature list.
Add up the full cost, not just brokerage
Brokerage is the headline, but STT, exchange charges, GST, SEBI charges, stamp duty and DP charges on delivery sales all add to the bill. Compare a full contract note for a typical trade, not just the per-order fee. A zero-delivery broker can still charge DP fees when you sell.
Check the account and support model
Account opening is free at most brokers here, but AMC ranges from zero to around ₹700 per year. Support also differs: some brokers offer phone help, while others are ticket-only. If you trade during market hours and need fast help, test support before you fund a large account.
Protect your account from day one
Use a strong password, two-factor authentication and a separate email for investing if you can. Never share OTPs or login details, and verify any UPI handle before adding funds, using SEBI's check tools where offered. Keep a record of every contract note and tax statement.
Frequently asked questions
Which trading app is best for beginners in India?
Groww is the simplest starting point, with stocks, mutual funds and SIPs in one clean app and no AMC. Zerodha Kite is also a strong first choice if you want deeper charting and education through Varsity. Start with a small SIP or a small delivery position, and learn the app before trading intraday or derivatives.
Is Zerodha better than Groww?
It depends on what you do most. Zerodha offers zero delivery brokerage and stronger trading tools, so it suits active traders and buy-and-hold investors. Groww offers a simpler interface and no AMC, so it suits a first-time mutual fund investor. Compare your expected delivery and intraday volume, not just the app design.
Do I need a demat account to trade in India?
Yes, for most stock trades. When you open an account with a broker in this list, you usually get a trading account and a demat account together, linked automatically. Shares you buy for delivery are held in your demat account with NSDL or CDSL. Check which depository your broker uses and what DP charges apply when you sell.
What are the hidden charges in trading apps?
There are no truly hidden charges at regulated brokers, but several costs sit outside brokerage. STT, exchange transaction charges, GST, SEBI charges, stamp duty and DP charges apply on most trades. Read the broker's full charges page and a sample contract note before you judge an app on brokerage alone.
Can I trade US stocks from India with these apps?
Some brokers offer US stock access through a separate regulated route, and Dhan lists US stocks from $1 through its IFSCA route. Availability, fees, currency conversion and tax treatment vary, so check the broker's own page for the product you want. Do not assume a standard Indian demat account includes US stocks.
Is intraday trading safe for beginners?
Intraday trading carries high risk, and most individual derivatives traders lose money according to SEBI-linked disclosures cited by brokers. Beginners should start with long-term investing, learn position sizing and risk controls, and treat intraday trading as a separate skill that needs practice with small amounts. This is not financial advice.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://zerodha.com/
- https://groww.in/
- https://upstox.com/
- https://www.angelone.in/
- https://dhan.co/
- https://www.kotaksecurities.com/
- https://www.5paisa.com/
- https://www.icicidirect.com/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.