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Ranked

Best Demat & Trading Accounts

Ranked on total cost of ownership, not just brokerage.

Updated 17 August 2026
BrokerTypeAccount openingAMCDeliveryIntradayF&O
ZerodhaDiscountFree₹300/year (first year free)₹0₹20 or 0.03%, lower₹20 per order
GrowwDiscountFreeFree₹20 or 0.1%, lower₹20 or 0.1%, lower₹20 per order
DhanDiscountFreeFree₹0₹20 or 0.03%, lower₹20 per order
UpstoxDiscountFree₹300/year₹20 or 2.5%, lower₹20 or 0.05%, lower₹20 per order
Angel OneDiscountFree₹240/year₹20 or 0.1%, lower₹20 or 0.03%, lower₹20 per order
ICICI DirectFull serviceFree₹300–₹700/yearPlan-dependent, from 0.05%Plan-dependentPlan-dependent

Zerodha

  • Zero delivery brokerage
  • Kite platform stability
  • Varsity education content
  • No relationship manager; support is ticket-based.

Groww

  • Largest active user base in India
  • Zero AMC
  • Mutual funds and stocks in one app
  • Charges brokerage on delivery, unlike Zerodha and Dhan.

Dhan

  • Zero delivery and zero AMC
  • Strong options tooling
  • TradingView integration
  • Smaller support footprint than the incumbents.

Upstox

  • Fast order execution
  • Wide product range
  • Delivery brokerage applies.

Angel One

  • Research and advisory included
  • Large branch network
  • Push notifications and advisory calls can be heavy.

ICICI Direct

  • 3-in-1 account with banking
  • Deep research desk
  • Materially more expensive than discount brokers unless on a prepaid plan.

Data as of 15 Aug 2026Source: Broker published tariff sheets, August 2026Pending issuer verification

Worth knowing.Brokerage is only part of the cost. STT, exchange transaction charges, SEBI turnover fees, stamp duty, GST and DP charges apply on top and are identical across brokers because they are statutory. For a long-term investor placing a few delivery trades a year, the AMC and DP charge matter more than the brokerage; for an active F&O trader, the flat ₹20 is what counts.

Questions

How do you decide what makes this best demat & trading accounts list?

Every product is scored on the same fields — effective return, total cost including fees and GST, benefits, and how obtainable it actually is. The weights are published on our methodology page, and the score is computed, not assigned by an editor.

How often is this page updated?

Rate tables are refreshed weekly, and immediately after an RBI policy change or a Budget announcement. Every figure on the page carries the date it was captured and a link to its source, so you can always see how current it is.

Does Credsir get paid to rank products here?

No. We earn from partner links and advertising, but rankings come from a published scoring formula that runs identically on every product, whether we earn from it or not. Products we make nothing from appear in these lists whenever they win on the numbers.

Are these the rates I will actually be offered?

Advertised rates are the best case, reserved for applicants with a high credit score, stable income and a favourable profile. Your offer depends on your credit score, employer, income and existing obligations. Treat published rates as the floor, not the quote.

Related reading

Worth knowing.Rates, fees and terms change frequently and vary by applicant. Everything here is general information, not personalised advice. Confirm the current terms directly with the institution before you apply. How we research and rate.