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- 1. Compare Top 6 Best Forex Brokers and Apps in India for 2024
- 2. What is the best forex broker in India?
- 3. Top 6 online forex brokers India, reviewed
- 4. The best 10 local Indian forex brokers
- 5. More about the best forex trading platforms in India
- 6. How to trade forex in India
- 7. How we chose the best forex brokers India
- 8. FAQs
Compare Top 6 Best Forex Brokers and Apps in India for 2024
Our expert panel tested all the best forex brokers in India and rated their features according to 8 key criteria, including regulatory status, the range of currency pairs on offer, and overall trading experience.
The panel set out to answer the question: what’s the best forex trading app in India for Indian users?
Read our verdict for India below to compare the best forex trading platforms.
What is the best forex broker in India?
Copy link to sectionOur experts rank IG Markets as the best forex broker in India.
The list below shows the three best Indian forex brokers. These are the top forex apps in India for their security, service, and support.
We found 8 forex brokers for users based in
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Contracts for Difference (CFDs) trading carries a high level of risk to your capital and can result in losses, you should only trade with money you can afford to lose. CFDs trading may not be suitable for all investors, please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and take appropriate measures to manage it.
Top 6 online forex brokers India, reviewed
Copy link to sectionWe found 8 forex brokers for users based in
1. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading
Copy link to sectionFrom 0.5%
Fees
$...
Minimum deposit
17,000
No. assets
Yes
Demo/virtual account
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love IG because it’s one of the most established and reputable names in the online trading industry, known for its reliability, comprehensive offerings, and strong regulatory compliance. In the United States, IG recently changed its name to TastyFX and is focused solely on forex trading.
TastyFX is America’s fastest growing forex brokerage and as you’d expect from a subsidiary of IG, it offers excellent service with a wide selection of tools and features. Not only will you have access to over 80 forex pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY, but you’ll also pay $0 commission and have spreads starting from just 0.8 pips.
What makes TastyFX stand apart from other US brokers is its excellent bonus schedule. After creating an account you can access up to $10,000 in cash bonuses. You cna also earn up to 15% rebate cashback every month.
The fees: TastyFX has a clear and easy to understand fee schedule. It is a commission free brokerage and only charges a spread. Spreads are variable and generally lower for more liquid currency pairs. Spreads are as low as 0.8 pips for EUR/USD. Forex markets offer up to 50:1 leverage, or 2% margin requirements, on forex pairs like EUR/USD and USD/CAD.
Highlights
Features | IG Markets summary |
---|---|
No. of tradable assets | 17,000+ |
Min. Deposit | $0 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | Yes |
Supported assets | Stock CFDs, ETFs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodities |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | FSCA, MAS, FMA, ASIC, FCA, BaFin, FINMA, DFSA, BMA, CFTC, NFA |
View more > | IG Markets > |
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. Eightcap. Best online broker for choice of trading platform
Copy link to sectionUp to $3.5 RT
Fees
$...
Minimum deposit
800
No. assets
Yes
Demo/virtual account
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love Eightcap because you have several trading platforms to choose from. You can choose between MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. All of these platforms are favourites among retail traders. With the MetaTrade suite of platforms, you can access lots of technical indicators, custom tools, and expert advisors.
TradingView with Eightcap allows you to trade directly from your charts while accessing the hundreds of tools and features available. Eightcap has over 40 forex pairs available, including the majors, minors, and some exotic crosses.
The fees: Eightcap is a CFD broker and charges spread, commissions, or a combination of both. There are two account types available, RAW, and Standard. The RAW account has ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips but charges $3.5 RT per lot. The standard account is commission-free for most assets and spreads start from 1 pip.
Highlights
Features | Eightcap summary |
---|---|
No. of tradable assets | 800+ |
Min. Deposit | $100 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | Yes |
Supported assets | Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, Currencies, Indices |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | ASIC, FCA, CySEC |
View more > | Eightcap > |
3. Pacific Union. Best for social trading & customer support
Copy link to section...
Fees
$...
Minimum deposit
200
No. assets
No
Demo/virtual account
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love Pacific Union because its beginner friendly platform comes loaded with lots of educational content, including how to guides and video learning. Pacific Union offers over 30 forex pairs, including majors and minors.
It’s an award-winning broker with a proprietary social trading application that makes it easy for beginners to follow the strategies and positions of the platform’s top traders. Pacific Union uses the popular Metatrader 4 software alongside its mobile and web based apps. Traders can choose the amount of leverage they want to use, all the way up to 500:1.
The fees: There are fees with Pacific Union, but it depends on your account type. Its standard account is commission free, but Bid/Ask spreads start at 1.3 pips. Pro accounts are charged a $3.5 RT per lot commission and have spreads starting from 0 pips. Swap charges for holding a trade overnight vary depending on size.
Highlights
Features | summary |
---|---|
No. of tradable assets | |
Min. Deposit | |
ID verification required | No |
Free demo account | No |
Supported assets | |
Mobile trading app | No |
Web trading platform | No |
Regulatory bodies | |
View more > | > |
4. Exness. Best for tight spreads and a pro-style trading experience.
Copy link to sectionFrom $0.2 per lot
Fees
$...
Minimum deposit
300
No. assets
No
Demo/virtual account
Pros & Cons
Overview
We love Exness because of its tight spreads, which make it a top choice for traders looking to minimize trading costs and maximize profitability. The brokerage offers some of the most competitive spreads in the industry, especially on markets like currencies. Excess offers 100+ forex pairs via CFDs from the majors, minors, and exotics.
Its focus on low trading costs is ideal for both newbies and experienced traders looking to trade with minimal overheads. Exness also stands out for its range of trading terminals. It offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the Exness web terminal. There’s also a dedicated mobile app meaning you’ll be able to always access your account.
Beginners can take advantage of a free demo account or micro-lots for low minimum trades, while more experienced traders can use the hundreds of pre built indicators available on the MetaTrader suite.
The fees: Standard accounts aren’t charged a commission but are charged through the spread. Spreads start from 1 pip on major forex pairs. Overnight fees apply on some assets (exc. swap-free accounts).
Highlights
Features | Exness summary |
---|---|
No. of tradable assets | 250+ |
Min. Deposit | From $10 |
ID verification required | Yes |
Free demo account | Yes |
Supported assets | Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, Currencies |
Mobile trading app | Yes |
Web trading platform | Yes |
Regulatory bodies | FSCA, FCA, CySEC, FSA, BVIFSC |
View more > | Exness > |
The best 10 local Indian forex brokers
Copy link to section- IIFL Forex. A currency trading and CFD brokerage of India Infoline Finance Limited. It offers currencies, commodities, indices, and more via its own proprietary trading platform.
- Angel Broking. A broker from Angel Broking Ltd offering FX pairs, contract CFDs, commodities and indices trading.
- Reliance Money. A forex broker and CFD trading provider from Reliance Capital. Offers forex, commodities, equity indices and more.
- Kotak Securities. Provides forex and CFD trading from Kotak Mahindra Bank. Offers a range of pairs, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrency CFDs.
- Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Forex brokerage arm of Motilal Oswal offering FX pairs trading, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrency CFDs.
- SMC Global Securities. Financial services firm providing currencies trading, commodity CFDs, and equity indices trading.
- Alice Blue Online. Online discount forex broker providing trading in foreign exchange pairs, commodities, indices, stocks, and ETF CFDs.
- Trading Bells Securities. Trading Bells offers trading in forex, commodities, global indices, and equities.
- Upstox Pro. A proprietary trading platform from Upstox that provides FX, commodities, global indices, and share CFD trading.
- IC Markets. An Indian branch of the global broker IC Markets, offering trading in currency, commodity and index CFDs.
More about the best forex trading platforms in India
Copy link to sectionIs forex trading legal in India?
Copy link to sectionYes, forex is legal in India, as long as it is done through brokers approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)[1] regulates forex in India.
Under FEMA guidelines, Indian residents can legally engage in forex trading of currencies involving the Indian rupee (INR) or other, non-INR pairs, through SEBI registered brokers only.
They can also remit funds overseas to trade through an international forex broker. Forex is legal for Indian residents, provided they use SEBI regulated brokers and adhere to regulations.
Are forex brokers legal in India?
Copy link to sectionYes, the top forex brokers in India legally operate under SEBI licensing. This license regulates forex brokers under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992[2].
All India-based forex brokers and international brokers with operations in India must register with SEBI and follow its guidelines and regulations for traders.
SEBI issues certificates of registration after vetting applications and only trading platforms with SEBI registration can legally offer forex trading services to Indian residents and retail investor accounts.
How are forex brokers regulated in India?
Copy link to sectionSEBI is the regulatory body overseeing forex brokers in India. SEBI enacted the SEBI (Foreign Portfolio Investors) Regulations in 2019[3] that established guidelines for forex platforms operations and forex trading in India.
All India-based and international forex brokers must register under these regulations to be considered legal for Indian traders.
As part of the regulation, SEBI mandated forex brokerages maintain a minimum capital base of $1 million and submit to ongoing oversight of their financial stability, transparency, risk management and other aspects. SEBI can take regulatory action against brokers for violations.
What currency pairs can I trade in India?
Copy link to sectionIndian residents can legally trade major pairs like EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY and USD/CHF through SEBI registered brokers.
They can also trade cross-pairs such as EUR/JPY and GBP/JPY. Indian traders can access USD/INR, EUR/INR, GBP/INR and JPY/INR pairs involving the Indian Rupee. Indian forex traders can access all major global and INR currency pairs through legal local or foreign brokers approved by SEBI.
What currency markets are available in India?
Copy link to sectionIndian traders mainly access the decentralised global over-the-counter (OTC) forex markets through SEBI approved local and international brokers. Major OTC markets include the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Brokers provide Indian residents access to these global FX markets via locally established affiliates, branches and trading platforms. OTC markets enable 24-hour trading and high liquidity for Indian traders. INR based currency pairs are offered by all Indian brokers.
Are there restrictions for forex in India?
Copy link to sectionThe main restrictions are:
- Indian residents must use SEBI registered brokers only, not deal with a foreign broker directly.
- Residents of India cannot trade the INR outside India except for limited purposes or use foreign forex brokers.
- Indian traders can only remit up to $250,000 abroad yearly under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) without RBI approval.
- Trading in cryptocurrency pairs or using crypto for payments is currently banned; however, using a foreign broker can make crypto accessible to Indians.
The restrictions emphasise using approved Indian brokers, curbing speculation in INR and monitoring fund flows. Trading major pairs not involving INR has few restrictions for Indian forex traders.
Can I trade other assets with a forex broker in India?
Copy link to sectionYou can, though it depends on the type of broker you choose. The usually offer other financial markets in addition to currency pairs. If you want to trade other assets, such as stocks or cryptocurrency, then you need either the or the .
How to trade forex in India
Copy link to sectionFollow the steps below to begin trading forex successfully with a trusted Indian broker. Remember always to use wise risk management when trading.
Step 1. Select a SEBI registered broker
Copy link to sectionThe first step is to select an authorised forex broker registered with SEBI. Some good options for the forex market include IC Markets, Angel Broking, IIFL Forex, and Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Only use trading platforms licensed by SEBI to offer forex in India. You can use our comparison table above to find the best SEBI regulated forex brokers
Step 2. Open a trading account
Copy link to sectionOnce you have selected a forex broker, fill out the application form to open a foreign exchange account. The broker will need your personal and financial details to set up the account. The minimum deposit is usually around $100-$250, or approximately ₹8,200 – ₹20,500 to trade the forex market.
Step 3. Fund your trading account
Copy link to sectionFund your account by transferring money via NEFT, IMPS, UPI or RTGS to your account. Some forex market brokers may also allow funding with debit cards, credit cards, or e-wallets. Fund the account with enough capital to start forex trading.
Step 4. Start trading forex
Copy link to sectionOnce your account is funded, you can log in to the broker’s trading platform and begin trading forex currency pairs. Place buy or sell orders for pairs like EUR/INR, USD/INR, or GBP/INR. Use risk management tools like stop losses and test out different trading strategies when placing forex trades. Use a demo account to practice with simulated funds if you’re a beginner in forex.
Step 5. Monitor and close your trades
Copy link to sectionStay updated on market movements using live charts and pricing. Close profitable trades by taking a profit. Close losing trades quickly with stop losses to manage your risk. Keep trading judiciously.
How we chose the best forex brokers India
Copy link to sectionOur expert reviews panel comprises currency traders with years of experience in the foreign exchange markets. It includes our Data Analyst, Dan Ashmore, Senior Editor of News, Jayson Derrick, and long-time forex trader, Prash Raval. The panel includes an independent fact checker, Richard Stutely.
Here are the 8 key criteria that the panel used to rate each platform.
- Regulation with a trusted financial institution such as SEBI. We only recommend forex brokers for beginners that are regulated in India and offer top-tier protection to their clients.
- Low minimum Indian Rupee deposit requirements. Accessible trading platforms in India, with a low minimum deposit, scored higher in our rankings.
- Mobile app availability and devices. Our experts gave preference to the forex platforms in India with the best forex trading apps.
- The number of currency pairs available to trade. We expect India brokers to offer a comprehensive service where you can trade major, minor, and exotic currency pairs.
- Amount of leverage on offer. You need leverage to trade forex, so we looked for platforms that offered lots of leverage within the limitations set by local Indian regulators.
- Tight spreads. We sought the best value for the average user. Small spreads mean a lower cost of trading.
- Lowest commissions and other fees. Our experts don’t like hidden fees and unexpected costs, so brokers with a clear fee structure perform well.
- Compatibility with trading software. Any Indian forex broker that offers integration with popular trading software like MetaTrader 4, MT5, or cTrader received a high rating.
FAQs
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What’s the best forex trading app in India?
What’s the cheapest forex trading platform in India?
Which is the safest Indian forex broker?
What is the best forex trading app in India?
What is the minimum capital to start forex trading in India?
What are the major currency pairs traded in India?
Is trading with international forex brokers legal for Indian traders?
Can I trade stocks with an Indian forex broker?
More of the best forex brokers by country
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