The demat + trading account is where every Indian investor starts — for stocks, IPOs, ETFs and mutual funds. We rank the 10 most popular apps on real charges (account opening, AMC, delivery and intraday/F&O brokerage), platform quality and who each one suits best. Charges verified June 2026 — always confirm on the broker's site before opening.
India's most trusted discount broker. Free equity delivery, the polished Kite platform, Console reporting and the free Varsity education library make it the default first account for serious long-term investors.
The simplest app for first-time investors, now one of India's largest brokers by active users. Stocks, mutual funds, IPOs and ETFs in one clean interface with zero account opening and zero AMC.
A full-featured app that blends discount pricing with research and advisory. Zero account opening, free first-year AMC and a feature-rich platform make it a strong all-rounder for Indian investors.
A fast, reliable discount broker backed by Ratan Tata and Tiger Global. Flat ₹20 trades, a snappy app and frequent free-account-opening offers make it a popular Zerodha alternative.
A trader-first platform that has won a loyal following for speed, free delivery and excellent options tools. Zero AMC and free equity delivery make it cheap to hold and great to trade.
A serious traders' platform with deep TradingView charting and a powerful API. Free delivery and zero AMC make it a low-cost choice for technically minded investors and algo traders.
The best-known 3-in-1 account, linking your ICICI bank, demat and trading seamlessly. Pricier than discount brokers, but the integration, research and trust appeal to long-term and first-time investors who bank with ICICI.
One of India's lowest-cost brokers, with flat ₹20 trades and optional subscription plans that cut brokerage further for high-volume traders on a budget.
For most investors Zerodha is the best all-round demat app thanks to free equity delivery, a polished platform and a huge trusted user base. Groww is the easiest for beginners, while Dhan is a favourite among active traders. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise low cost, ease of use or trading tools.
Which demat account has the lowest charges?
The cheapest accounts combine ₹0 account opening, ₹0 AMC and free equity delivery — Dhan, Fyers and Groww stand out. Zerodha and Angel One also offer free delivery but levy an annual AMC. Compare the full charges table above, since intraday and F&O pricing differ.
Can I apply for IPOs from these apps?
Yes. Every broker here lets you apply for IPOs online via a UPI mandate — no cheque or physical form. Zerodha, Groww and Angel One make the IPO application flow especially simple.
Is a demat account free in India?
Many brokers now charge ₹0 to open an account, but a demat account usually has an Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC). Several brokers (e.g. Groww, Dhan, Fyers) offer ₹0 AMC, while others charge ₹240–300 per year. Always check the latest charges on the broker's site.
How we rank: we score each app on charges, platform quality, reliability,
breadth (stocks, IPOs, mutual funds, F&O) and who it suits best. Charges were verified
in June 2026 from each broker's official pricing page — they can change, so confirm
on the broker's site before opening. This is information, not financial advice.