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Discount Brokers

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Compare India's top discount stock brokers. Filter by account opening costs, annual maintenance charges (AMC), and trading terminal integrations.

Active Client Rankings

Live Database - January 2026

Total Inspected: 4Cr+ Active Accounts
Rank Broker Name Active Clients Equity Delivery Intraday API Support
#1
Groww
Groww
1,21,26,921 ₹20 or 0.05% ₹20 or 0.05% SUPPORTED
#2
Zerodha
Zerodha
68,52,086 ₹0 (Free) ₹20 or 0.03% SUPPORTED
#3
Angel One
Angel One
67,58,500 ₹20 per order ₹20 per order SUPPORTED
#4
Upstox
Upstox
20,77,937 ₹20 or 2.5% ₹20 or 0.05% SUPPORTED
#5
ICICI Direct
ICICI Direct
20,26,012 % based plans % based plans SUPPORTED
#6
HDFC Securities
HDFC Securities
14,49,382 ₹0 (Free) ₹0 (Free) SUPPORTED
#7
Kotak Securities
Kotak Securities
13,64,822 ₹0 (Free) ₹0 (Free) SUPPORTED
#8
SBI Securities
SBI Securities
11,38,143 ₹0 (Free) ₹0 (Free) SUPPORTED
#9
Dhan
Dhan
9,79,483 ₹0 (Free) ₹20 or 0.03% SUPPORTED
#10
Motilal Oswal
Motilal Oswal
9,10,999 ₹0 (Free) ₹0 (Free) SUPPORTED
#11
Paytm Money
Paytm Money
8,46,292 ₹20 or 2.5% ₹20 or 0.05% SUPPORTED
#12
INDmoney
INDmoney
8,38,493 ₹20 or 0.05% ₹20 or 0.05% SUPPORTED
#13
Sharekhan
Sharekhan
5,37,886 ₹0 (Free) ₹0 (Free) SUPPORTED
#14
IIFL Securities
IIFL Securities
4,31,217 ₹20 or 0.05% ₹20 or 0.05% SUPPORTED
#15
AxisDirect
AxisDirect
4,06,602 % based plans % based plans SUPPORTED
#16
5paisa
5paisa
3,49,926 ₹20 per order ₹20 per order SUPPORTED
#17
m.Stock
m.Stock
2,82,853 ₹0 (Free) ₹0 (Free) SUPPORTED
#18
Choice Broking
Choice Broking
2,69,943 ₹20 per order ₹20 per order SUPPORTED
#19
Fyers
Fyers
2,02,910 ₹20 or 0.03% ₹20 or 0.03% SUPPORTED
#20
SMC Global
SMC Global
15,8275 ₹0 (Free) ₹0 (Free) SUPPORTED
#21
ProStocks
ProStocks
N/A ₹0 (Free) ₹0 (Free) SUPPORTED

Detailed Broker Analyses

Groww

Groww

#1
4.8 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 or 0.05%
Intraday / F&O ₹20 or 0.05%
Platform Features
Super Simple UI Zero AMC Direct Mutual Funds
Advantages
  • Simplest interface for beginners
  • no AMC.
Drawbacks
  • No commodity trading
  • basic charting tools.
Default Terminal Groww App 🚀
Open Free Account
Zerodha

Zerodha

#2
4.9 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹20 or 0.03%
Platform Features
Kite Platform Console Coin Clean Tech
Advantages
  • Most stable platform (Kite)
  • zero delivery fee.
Drawbacks
  • Paid API (₹2000/mo)
  • no stock tips.
Default Terminal Kite 🚀
Open Free Account
Angel One

Angel One

#3
4.6 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 per order
Intraday / F&O ₹20 per order
Platform Features
ARQ Advisory Smart API High Leverage
Advantages
  • AI-advisory (ARQ)
  • robust full-service research.
Drawbacks
  • Complex UI
  • higher AMC after the 1st year.
Default Terminal Angel One App 🚀
Open Free Account
Upstox

Upstox

#4
4.7 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 or 2.5%
Intraday / F&O ₹20 or 0.05%
Platform Features
Pro Trading Fast Executions Advanced Charts
Advantages
  • High-speed charts
  • great mobile app experience.
Drawbacks
  • Higher delivery brokerage for small traders.
Default Terminal Upstox Pro 🚀
Open Free Account
ICICI Direct

ICICI Direct

#5
4.4 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery % based plans
Intraday / F&O % based plans
Platform Features
3-in-1 Account Research Reports Vast products
Advantages
  • 3-in-1 account
  • excellent research & trust.
Drawbacks
  • High, percentage-based brokerage costs.
Default Terminal ICICI Direct Web 🚀
Open Free Account
HDFC Securities

HDFC Securities

#6
4.3 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹0 (Free)
Platform Features
Trust of HDFC Seamless Banking Advisory
Advantages
  • Bank integration
  • great for conservative investors.
Drawbacks
  • No public API
  • dated technology UI.
Default Terminal HDFC InvestRight 🚀
Open Free Account
Kotak Securities

Kotak Securities

#7
4.5 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹0 (Free)
Platform Features
Free Intraday Cherry App Market Insights
Advantages
  • Free intraday for youth (Trade Free Plan).
Drawbacks
  • High delivery charges on standard plans.
Default Terminal Kotak Cherry/Neo 🚀
Open Free Account
SBI Securities

SBI Securities

#8
4.2 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹0 (Free)
Platform Features
Safe & Secure Pan-India presence Wide reach
Advantages
  • Huge physical branch support across India.
Drawbacks
  • Slow tech updates
  • higher account opening fees.
Default Terminal SBI Smart 🚀
Open Free Account
Dhan

Dhan

#9
4.8 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹20 or 0.03%
Platform Features
TradingView Instant MTF Strategy Builder
Advantages
  • Direct trading from TradingView
  • zero AMC.
Drawbacks
  • Smaller client base
  • new to the market.
Default Terminal Dhan / TV 🚀
Open Free Account
Motilal Oswal

Motilal Oswal

#10
4.5 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹0 (Free)
Platform Features
Research First Wealth Management Expert Advice
Advantages
  • Industry-leading research and stock picks.
Drawbacks
  • Higher brokerage for non-intraday trades.
Default Terminal MO Investor 🚀
Open Free Account
Paytm Money

Paytm Money

#11
4.6 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 or 2.5%
Intraday / F&O ₹20 or 0.05%
Platform Features
Flat Brokerage Direct MF Clean UI
Advantages
  • Fast digital KYC
  • simple MF + Stock combo.
Drawbacks
  • Customer support is purely ticket-based.
Default Terminal Paytm Money App 🚀
Open Free Account
INDmoney

INDmoney

#12
4.7 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 or 0.05%
Intraday / F&O ₹20 or 0.05%
Platform Features
US Stocks Automatic Tracking Goal Planning
Advantages
  • Best for tracking total net worth (US + India).
Drawbacks
  • Lacks professional-grade desktop terminal.
Default Terminal INDmoney App 🚀
Open Free Account
Sharekhan

Sharekhan

#13
4.4 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹0 (Free)
Platform Features
TradeTiger Expert Research Investor Training
Advantages
  • Powerful "TradeTiger" terminal
  • great training.
Drawbacks
  • High brokerage
  • UI feels like the 2000s.
Default Terminal TradeTiger 🚀
Open Free Account
IIFL Securities

IIFL Securities

#14
4.3 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 or 0.05%
Intraday / F&O ₹20 or 0.05%
Platform Features
Market Analysis Pro App Wealth Advisory
Advantages
  • Good mobile app
  • solid margin funding (MTF).
Drawbacks
  • Not fully transparent with "hidden" charges.
Default Terminal IIFL Markets 🚀
Open Free Account
AxisDirect

AxisDirect

#15
4.2 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery % based plans
Intraday / F&O % based plans
Platform Features
3-in-1 Account Research Kits Wide Portfolio
Advantages
  • Integrated banking
  • research-heavy.
Drawbacks
  • Expensive brokerage
  • heavy sales cross-selling.
Default Terminal AxisDirect Web 🚀
Open Free Account
5paisa

5paisa

#16
4.4 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 per order
Intraday / F&O ₹20 per order
Platform Features
Flat ₹20 Margin Trading Algorithm Trading
Advantages
  • Fixed ₹20 fee
  • all-in-one investment app.
Drawbacks
  • High focus on upselling "Paisa" subscription packs.
Default Terminal 5paisa App 🚀
Open Free Account
m.Stock

m.Stock

#17
4.5 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹0 (Free)
Platform Features
Zero Brokerage For Life Global Reach Fast UI
Advantages
  • Lifetime zero brokerage with one-time fee.
Drawbacks
  • Occasional technical glitches during peak hours.
Default Terminal m.Stock App 🚀
Open Free Account
Choice Broking

Choice Broking

#18
4.3 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 per order
Intraday / F&O ₹20 per order
Platform Features
Jiffy App Free Account Research & Tips
Advantages
  • Personalized Relationship Managers.
Drawbacks
  • Higher per-trade costs on basic plans.
Default Terminal Choice Jiffy 🚀
Open Free Account
Fyers

Fyers

#19
4.8 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹20 or 0.03%
Intraday / F&O ₹20 or 0.03%
Platform Features
Advanced Charts Free API Trading Bridge
Advantages
  • Free Trading API
  • best for technical analysts.
Drawbacks
  • No offline support
  • smaller user community.
Default Terminal Fyers Web/Next 🚀
Open Free Account
SMC Global

SMC Global

#20
4.1 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹0 (Free)
Platform Features
Wide Network Personalized Service Mutual Funds
Advantages
  • Diversified services (Insurance, FD, Bonds).
Drawbacks
  • Not a "modern" tech-first discount broker.
Default Terminal SMC ACE 🚀
Open Free Account
ProStocks

ProStocks

#21
4.5 Rating
Account Opening
Account AMC
Equity Delivery ₹0 (Free)
Intraday / F&O ₹0 (Free)
Platform Features
Unlimited Trading Plans Low Latency Safety Focus
Advantages
  • Unlimited trade plans
  • lowest call & trade.
Drawbacks
  • Live API is a paid feature (₹1000/mo).
Default Terminal ProStocks Desktop 🚀
Open Free Account
Demat Broker Knowledge Hub

Frequently Asked Questions About Discount Stock Brokers in India

Objective broker insights and regulatory disclosures verified against SEBI and NSE guidelines.

What is a discount stock broker in India?
A discount stock broker provides a modern online platform for trading equities, derivatives (F&O), currencies, and commodities. Unlike traditional full-service brokers that levy percentage commissions (0.3%–0.5%), discount brokers charge flat execution fees (typically ₹20 or 0.05% per executed order) regardless of order size.
Which discount broker offers zero brokerage on equity delivery?
Brokers like Zerodha, Groww, and Angel One provide zero brokerage or minimal flat pricing on equity delivery trades held for long-term investments. Statutory government charges (STT, GST, SEBI turnover fees, and exchange transaction fees) apply uniformly across all brokers.
What is Demat AMC and which brokers offer zero AMC?
Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) are recurring maintenance fees billed quarterly or annually by depository participants (CDSL/NSDL). Platforms such as Groww, Dhan, and Angel One provide lifetime zero AMC accounts for standard retail investors, eliminating recurring holding expenses.
Which broker is best for F&O and active intraday traders in India?
Zerodha Kite and Dhan are widely considered top platforms for active derivatives traders due to reliable order execution, integrated TradingView charts with 100+ indicators, options payoff diagrams, webhooks, and transparent flat ₹20 order pricing.