5 Best Stockbrokers in India for 2024

By:

Prash Raval

Prash is a financial writer for Invezz covering FX, the stock market and investing. For over a decade he has traded spot FX full time while... read more.

 & 

James Knight

James is the Editor of Education for Invezz, where he covers topics from across the financial world, from the stock market, to cryptocurrency, to macroeconomic markets.... read more.

Reviewed by:

Richard Stutely

Richard is a Fact Checker for Invezz who ensures all our reviews and guides are accurate and unbiased. He is a best-selling international business author whose... read more.

Updated:  Sep 9, 2024

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11 min read

The Invezz team of expert traders, data analysts, and financial writers frequently test the best stock trading platforms to create a comprehensive guide to the best trading platforms in India.

This guide is designed to help traders of all kinds find the most appropriate app for their style and experience. Whatever your previous experience, goals, and whatever your strategy or plan, we can help.

Our expert panel spends hundreds of hours every year ranking the top trading platforms in India according to their affordability, security, and available international markets. We conduct user surveys to gather feedback from real people about what works and what doesn’t.

Then we pool all of this information together to create a final ranking that answers the question: what are the best mobile trading platforms in India for Indian users?

Best trading platforms in India 2024

Our rankings reveal that the best trading app in India is IG Markets .

Having assessed 100+ brokers, this list represents the three services that top our rankings as the overall best trading platforms in India. 

Most popular

1

Min. Deposit

-

Best offer

User Score

9.8

Zero Commission when trading US shares, only £3 commission for UK shares. Additionally, there’s an FX conversion fee of just 0.5%

Explore a vast range of stocks with 13,000+ options, including popular companies like Amazon, Apple, Tesla, and Netflix.

Offers longer trading hours, allowing you to access markets even when they’re closed elsewhere.

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Credit Card, Wise

Full Regulations:

ASIC, FCA, FINMA, is a licensed bank (IG Bank in Switzerland)

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

Min. Deposit

-

Best offer

User Score

9.7

Open an MT5 account to go long or short on 250 of the largest US, Australian, and European stocks

Instruments in 21 time-frames and 80 pre-installed indicators

Multi jurisdiction regulation by ASIC and VFSC

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Bank Transfer, Bitcoin, Debit Card, PayPal, neteller, Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Cryptocurrencies, FasaPay, PayRetailers, POLi, Wise, Worldpay, skrill

Full Regulations:

ASIC, CySEC, FCA

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

3

Min. Deposit

-

Best offer

User Score

9.0

Trade with Exness to enjoy better-than-market conditions and a friction-free online trading experience

The Exness Group is an international award-winning broker, with licenses in Seychelles, Cyprus, UK, South Africa and Kenya

Flexible funding- Choose from multiple currency funding options

Start Trading more info

Payment Methods:

Bank Transfer, Debit Card, neteller, Credit Card, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Perfect Money, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Discover, Electron, Sticpay, Bank Transfer: EPS, skrill

Full Regulations:

CMA Lebanon, CySEC, FCA, FSA, FSC, FSCA

Exness does not offer services to residents of certain jurisdictions including the USA, Iran, North Korea and others. The content of the website including translations should not be construed as means for solicitation. Investors make their own and independent decisions. Trading in CFDs and generally leveraged products involves substantial risk of loss and you may lose all of your invested capital.

Top 5 best stockbrokers in India, reviewed

1. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading

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From 0.5%

Fees

$...

Minimum deposit

17,000

No. assets

Yes

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Intuitive web trading platform Excellent demo account available Variety of deposit and withdrawal options Wide variety of useful educational tools Trading platform tutorial to get you started

Slow account opening process Unavailable in all regions

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 market offerings, and strong regulatory compliance. IG offers CFD trading in stocks, forex, commodities, indices, ETFs and more, with plenty of useful plugins and integrations to improve the trading experience.

One of the key strengths of IG Markets is its seamless integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular third-party trading platform favored by many traders for its advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities, and custom indicators. This integration allows users to leverage MT4’s sophisticated features while benefiting from IG Markets’ competitive pricing, reliable execution, and extensive market access.

Beyond its product range and platform integrations, IG Markets stands out for its commitment to education and customer support. The company offers a wealth of educational resources, such as webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, which help traders of all levels improve their knowledge and skills.

The fees: For most assets, you don’t pay a trading fee but will be charged through the spread instead. That’s the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset. IG’s spreads are competitive but variable: you’ll pay a smaller spread on popular assets compared to less popular ones. Share trading works differently, and you’ll be charged a minimum fee on each trade of at least $15.

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 >

Visit IG Markets IG Markets Review

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

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Up to $3.5 RT

Fees

$...

Minimum deposit

800

No. assets

Yes

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Low trading fees for CFDs Trade directly from the TradingView platform Regulated by top-tier authorities Leverage up to 1:500 Partnered with multiple proprietary trading firms

Some markets are not available to all regions Customer support does not operate 24/7

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 900 markets available including stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. 

The fees: Eightcap is a CFD broker and charges spreads, 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 >

Visit Eightcap Eightcap Review

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

3. Exness. Best for tight spreads and a pro-style trading experience.

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From $0.2 per lot

Fees

$...

Minimum deposit

300

No. assets

No

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

Trade all major asset classes with zero commission Competitive spreads starting from 0.3 pips on standard accounts Highly flexible trading terminal available on mobile app, desktop, and web browser Top-tier regulation and negative balance protection

Restricted access in the US and UK

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 stocks. Excess offers 80+ stocks via CFDs from some of the worlds largest companies.

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 0.3 pips on stocks. 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 >

Visit Exness Exness Review

Exness does not offer services to residents of certain jurisdictions including the USA, Iran, North Korea and others. The content of the website including translations should not be construed as means for solicitation. Investors make their own and independent decisions. Trading in CFDs and generally leveraged products involves substantial risk of loss and you may lose all of your invested capital.

4. Pacific Union. Best for social trading & customer support

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...

Fees

$...

Minimum deposit

200

No. assets

No

Demo/virtual account

Pros & Cons

70+ forex pairs and 200+ financial assets available to trade Extremely low minimum trade sizes Multilingual support in 18+ languages

Minimum withdrawal of $100 Fewer assets than many competitors

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 200 stock CFDs for some of the world’s biggest companies.  

It’s an award-winning broker and has 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: Commission starting at 0.1 points is charged on select stock CFDs across all account types. Spread starts at 0.5 points and applies to all stocks. 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 >	>

Visit Review

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.

How we chose the best trading app India 2024

Our reviewing panel is made up of industry experts, including our Data Analyst, Dan Ashmore, CFA, our Senior Editor of News, Harsh Vardhan and expert trader, Prash Raval. The panel also includes an independent fact checker, Richard Stutely.

Here are the key factors that played into our final ranking of the best stock brokers in India.

• Fees. We prioritised trading platforms in India that charge low trading fees, don’t charge for deposits or withdrawals, have low brokerage fees, and don’t have any hidden costs.
• Device availability. An online stock trading platform that is available across all devices as a mobile app deserves a boost. In a mobile world, you need the best stock trading app in India to work across mobile, tablet, and as a web trading platform. 
• Mobile app security. All services we recommend are regulated by respected financial institutions and provide investor protection in the event that anything goes wrong.
• Free demo accounts. All the best stockbrokers in India should offer the chance to test their service before you pay for it. We gave the brokers with the best demo accounts a boost in our rankings.
• Access to global markets. International stock brokers in India that allow you to invest in global markets, particularly popular ones like the United States, scored well in our reviews.
• Research and analysis tools. Trading platforms that offer analysis tools and real-time market data make it easier to do all your research and trading in one place. Any broker that offered this convenience and has a user friendly interface scored well.
• Third-party integrations. You might want to use a piece of downloadable, third-party software like MetaTrader 4, MT5, or cTrader to place your trades. The best trading software in India should integrate with these services and those that did so received a higher ranking. 
• Customer reviews. Finally, we looked into customer reviews, to make sure that we only recommend the best investment platforms in India where the majority of Indian customers had a positive experience.

Find out more about how we rate, rank, and review platforms.

More about stock trading platforms India

What products can I trade with an Indian stock broker?

You can trade stocks from India or invest in leading companies from around the world. Here’s a breakdown of what (and how) you can trade with an online trading platform in India.

Stocks

• Indian stocks. One option is to simply buy and sell stocks that are on the India stock market. This is normally the most straightforward option for Indian residents, as you can buy shares in any company that’s listed on an Indian stock exchange including the National Stock Exchange (NSE)[1] and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)[2].
• US stocks. Some of the best known companies in the world are listed in the United States. The best online broker in India will also let you invest in stocks that are listed on the NYSE or the NASDAQ exchange in the US, but it depends on the legal restrictions in India.
• International stocks. You may also be able to buy shares in companies that are based in the rest of the world. The best international brokers in India offer global stocks, but it may be a limited selection. If you want to buy equities from outside India or the US, be sure to check those stocks are available through your trading platform before you sign up.

ETFs

ETFs (exchange traded funds) are investment funds that pool money together from lots of different investors and use it to track a particular index, like the S&P 500. Even if you can’t invest in every stock from every country, you can usually find an alternative in an ETF that tracks the performance of India’s top stock exchanges and indexes. 

Use our dedicated guide to find the best Indian ETFs to buy in 2024.

Mutual funds

Mutual funds are professionally managed investments. You buy shares in the fund through an investment platform and the manager decides what to invest it in. 

Mutual funds and ETFs are similar, but the former are managed by a professional who tries to beat the market, while the latter buy and sell stocks automatically based on a set of fixed criteria. The best stock broker in India allows you to invest in stocks from India, ETFs, and mutual funds.

Futures and options

Futures and options contracts involve making an agreement to purchase a stock in the future at an agreed price. They’re favoured by stock traders and can be used as a way of speculating on how you think a company’s price might change in the future.

Other assets

To invest in other financial assets from India, you may be better off using a different type of trading platform. For example, for trading currency pairs you want one of the , for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the . The offer a range of financial assets, including many of the options above.

How to buy stocks in India

Every stock trading app in India is designed to help you invest with the minimum of fuss. 

Follow this six step guide to learn how to buy shares online in India for the first time through your stockbroker.

Quick answers to key questions

Is stock trading legal in India? 

Yes, stock trading is completely legal for Indian citizens 18 years and above, subject to taxes and regulations set by SEBI[6] (Securities and Exchange Board of India). Both trading Indian stocks on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the BSE and international stocks listed on foreign exchanges are allowed for Indian residents.

How are Indian trading platforms & stockbrokers regulated? 

All trading platforms and stock brokers that operate in India must register with SEBI[6] and comply with its securities regulations. SEBI[6] enforces strict standards around minimum capital requirements, auditing, transparency, segregation of client funds, investor protections, and other rules that brokers must adhere to.

Violations can result in hefty fines or a loss of license. This regulation helps ensure the fairness and safety of capital markets for traders, and ultimately keeps you and your money safe.

On top of that, many online brokers in India are based elsewhere but regulated to operate internationally through institutions such as CySEC (the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission). Here are the best online brokers in India and where they’re regulated across the world.

What are the costs of stock trading in India? 

Brokerage charges or fees are typically around 0.5% of each transaction value or may be charged as a minimum fixed rate per trade.

Then exchange transaction charges apply per trade, while account opening charges and annual maintenance charges range from ₹0-₹2000, demat account charges are ₹300-₹500 annually, taxes like STT, stamp duty[5], GST also apply per transaction.

Overall costs can range from 0.5% for large trades at the best trading brokerages to over 1% at some discount brokers. Frequent traders incur higher costs.

Another way an online broker in India might charge you is via the spread. The spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset and effectively serves as a commission the broker is charging you on top of the market price. The smaller the spread, the better value you’re getting from your broker.

Here’s a comparison of the spreads across the top Indian trading platforms.

On top of the trading fees and spreads, there may be other charges for using your online broker account. These can include inactivity fees, where you’re charged if you don’t use your account for a period of time (usually 3-6 months), as well as overnight fees, which only apply if the broker is also a CFD platform, or even an account maintenance fee.

Here’s a look at the types of fees different brokers in India charge, to give you a complete picture of the cost of trading with the top brokers in India.

What is the minimum amount needed to start trading in India? 

While some brokers allow opening a trading account with no minimum, most recommend at least ₹10,000-25,000 to start, especially for beginner retail traders.

This capital helps you buy a balanced portfolio, provides a cushion to absorb small losses, and ensures costs don’t consume a large share of capital. With ₹10,000, you can build a starter portfolio. More capital, like ₹1 lakh, allows greater flexibility. Start small if needed.

How is trading taxed in India? 

Profits from trading and investing in Indian stocks and shares are subject to various taxes, which you can learn more about from the Indian government.

In short, there is a 15% tax on short term capital gains[3], which refers to assets that you hold for under 1 year. Long term gains[4] on assets held for over 1 year are tax-exempt.

Other charges like STT, and stamp duty[5] apply per transaction. We highly recommend you speak with a local tax expert before trading or investing if you aren’t sure how the tax system works.

What regulations apply to trader safety and security? 

The SEBI[6] rules ensure that all mobile trading platforms in India meet KYC[7] (Know Your Customer) regulations, which usually means you must verify your identity in order to use any service.

In addition, trading platforms should offer two-factor authentication, and other measures to protect investor accounts and information security. Client funds must be kept separate from company assets. This means a trading platform in India cannot use your funds to operate its business activities.

What are some other popular trading platforms in India?

You can use our comparison table above to find the best online trading platforms in India. If you’re looking for a brokerage firm closer to home, then the following online trading apps are some of India’s best brokers. 

• Zerodha. Low fee broker in India. RS. 20 for intraday trades. 
• ICICI Direct. Subscription based brokerage plans with advanced features. 
• Motilal Oswal. Mobile based trading platform with many market analysis tools.
• Sharekhan TradeTiger. Multi asset web based trading platform with advanced charting tools.
• Kotak Stock Trader. One of the fastest trading platforms for stock market traders. 
• Upstox. Low commission Indian broker with many financial instruments available. 

User reviews: your verdict on the best trading app in India

During our research into the best trading platforms in India, we gathered lots of user feedback in the form of surveys and platform reviews. Below is a short summary of that feedback for each of the top trading platforms in our rankings.

FAQs