Prompt 27 · 23 May 2026
Lowest brokerage in India 2026
Three engines were asked the exact prompt above on 23 May 2026. Below is the verbatim answer each one gave, the brands it named, and the URLs it cited.
If your priority is the **absolute lowest brokerage** in India in 2026, these are the main brokers people are comparing right now: | Broker | Equity Delivery | Intraday / F&O | AMC | Best For | |---|---|---|---|---| | Shoonya | ₹0 | ₹0–₹5 | ₹0 | Lowest overall charges | | m.Stock | ₹0 | ₹5/order | One-time plan available | Heavy F&O traders | | Zerodha | ₹0 | ₹20/order | ~₹300/year | Reliability + ecosystem | | Dhan | ₹0 | ₹20/order | ₹0 | Active traders + charting | | Groww | ₹0–₹20 | ₹20/order | Often ₹0 | Beginners | | Upstox | ₹0 | ₹20/order | Low/offer-based | Fast app + traders | Sources consistently show that most major discount brokers charge ₹20/order for intraday & F&O, while Shoonya and m.Stock are the cheapest for high-frequency traders. ### Best picks by use case - **Cheapest overall:** Shoonya — near-zero brokerage across segments, zero AMC in many plans. - **Best for serious F&O traders:** m.Stock — ₹5/order is among the lowest in India. - **Best balance of low cost + stability:** Zerodha — not the cheapest, but strongest platform reputation and largest active client base. - **Best UI for beginners:** Groww — simple app, though not always the cheapest after DP charges. ### Important hidden charges most people miss Even “zero brokerage” brokers still charge: - STT - Exchange transaction charges - GST - Stamp duty - DP charges when selling delivery shares These government/exchange charges apply almost everywhere. Reddit users repeatedly point out that DP charges matter more than headline brokerage for long-term investors. ### Simple recommendation - **Investor only (long term):** Zerodha or Dhan - **Daily options trader:** m.Stock or Shoonya - **Absolute lowest cost:** Shoonya - **Best beginner experience:** Groww - **Best all-rounder:** Zerodha Official websites: - - - - - -
Sources cited · 10
- Best Discount Brokers India 2026 — Zerodha vs Groww vs Upstox | InvestingPro | InvestingPro Indiainvestingpro.in/demat-accounts/discount
- 7 Lowest Brokerage Platforms (Apps) in India 2026: Compare Fees, AMC, and Hidden Chargestradebrains.in/money/7-lowest-brokerage-platforms-apps-in-india-2026-compare-fees-amc-and-hidden-charges
- Best Stock Brokers in India 2026 — Compare Zerodha, Groww, Upstox & More | StockVizstockviz.in/brokers.html
- Lowest brokerage charges in India. Went down a rabbit hole comparing 10 brokers.reddit.com/r/ValueInvestingIndia/comments/1qblidf/lowest_brokerage_charges_in_india_went_down_a
- Shoonyashoonya.com
- m.Stockmstock.com
- Zerodhazerodha.com
- Dhandhan.co
- Growwgroww.in
- Upstoxupstox.com
When evaluating the lowest brokerage in India, the market is divided between **traditional flat-fee discount brokers** and **true zero-brokerage/subscription-based platforms**. While many popular platforms claim "zero brokerage," it's crucial to look closely at the fine print—specifically for intraday, futures and options (F&O), and Demat account maintenance charges (AMC). The breakdown below highlights the lowest brokerage options in India, categorized by what they do best. --- ## 1. Absolute Zero-Brokerage & Flat-Fee Disrupters These platforms target high-frequency traders by completely removing or significantly cutting down the standard flat fee. ### m.Stock (by Mirae Asset) * **Delivery & Intraday:** **₹0** (Zero) for life if you opt for a one-time onboarding fee of ₹999. Alternatively, they offer a basic plan charging a flat **₹10 per order** across all segments. * **F&O:** ₹0 (with the ₹999 plan) or ₹10 per order. * **Account Maintenance (AMC):** Free for life if you pay an additional one-time fee of ₹999, or ₹120 per quarter. * **Best For:** High-volume traders who want to completely eliminate brokerage fees via a one-time payment. ### Sahi / Dhan * **Delivery:** **₹0** * **Intraday & F&O:** Flat **₹20** per executed order (Dhan offers a **50% discount for women investors**, bringing it down to ₹10 per order for intraday and F&O). Special boutique platforms or niche API brokers like *Sahi* also offer aggressive options pricing (down to flat **₹10 per order** for options). * **Best For:** Options traders and algorithmic/API traders looking for discount pricing. --- ## 2. Mainstream Market Leaders (Flat ₹20 Model) These are the industry heavyweights. While they aren't the absolute cheapest for intraday/F&O, they dominate the market due to platform stability, advanced tooling, and zero-brokerage on long-term equity deliveries. | Broker | Equity Delivery | Intraday | F&O (Futures & Options) | Direct Mutual Funds | |:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- | | **Groww** | ₹0 | Lower of 0.1% or ₹20 | Flat ₹20 per order | ₹0 Commission | | **Zerodha** | ₹0 | Lower of 0.03% or ₹20 | Flat ₹20 per order | ₹0 Commission | | **Angel One** | ₹0 | Lower of 0.1% or ₹20 | Flat ₹20 per order | ₹0 Commission | | **Upstox** | ₹0 | Lower of 0.05% or ₹20 | Flat ₹20 per order | ₹0 Commission | *Note: Angel One frequently runs promotions offering ₹0 brokerage across all segments for the first 30 days for new users.* --- ## 3. The Traditional Transition: Kotak Securities (Trade FREE Plan) * **Delivery:** 0.25% of transaction value. * **Intraday:** **₹0** (Completely free under their Trade FREE plan). * **F&O:** Flat ₹20 per order. * **Special Youth Plan:** For investors under 30, they offer a "Youth Plan" where **everything** (Delivery, Intraday, and F&O) is ₹0 for the first year against a nominal annual subscription fee. * **Best For:** Intraday traders and investors under 30 who want the backing of a large institutional banking broker. --- ### ⚠️ A Quick Heads-Up on "Hidden" Non-Brokerage Charges Even if a broker charges ₹0 in brokerage, you cannot trade entirely for free in India. Every single transaction attracts mandatory government and exchange taxes. When calculating your net profits, keep these in mind: * **Securities Transaction Tax (STT):** Charged primarily on the sell side for intraday/F&O and both sides for delivery. This is usually the largest chunk of your trading fees. * **DP (Depository Participant) Charges:** Charged by CDSL/NSDL and your broker whenever you **sell** shares from your Demat account (usually ranges between ₹13.50 to ₹20 + GST per stock per day, regardless of quantity). * **Exchange Turnover Charges & GST (18%):** Applied to the brokerage and transaction fees. > **Recommendation:** If you are a long-term investor who buys and holds, **Groww** or **Zerodha** offer the cleanest, lowest-cost experience. If you are an aggressive day trader or F&O player looking to shave every rupee off your expenses, look into **m.Stock's** lifetime free plan or **Dhan**. Are you looking to trade primarily in equity delivery for the long term, or are you looking for a platform geared toward active intraday/F&O trading?
In India's 2026 stock broking landscape, **Shoonya by Finvasia and offer the absolute lowest brokerage** by charging **₹0 across all segments**, including Equity Delivery, Intraday, and Futures & Options (F&O). Other discount platforms like **** offer complete lifetime zero brokerage after a one-time onboarding fee. Market leaders like ** and Groww** continue to offer ₹0 equity delivery, capping intraday and F&O trades at a low, flat fee of ₹20 per order. Compare Lowest Brokerage Plans The table below breaks down the pricing models of India's leading low-cost stockbrokers for 2026: | Broker | Equity Delivery | Intraday Trading | F&O Trading | Key Dynamic | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Shoonya by Finvasia** | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | Completely free across segments. | | **Flattrade** | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | Lifetime zero brokerage and zero AMC. | | **m.Stock by Mirae Asset** | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | Free for life after a one-time setup fee. | | **** | ₹0 | ₹9 / order | ₹9 / order | Competitive per-order option for active traders. | | **Zerodha** | ₹0 | Flat ₹20 or 0.03% | Flat ₹20 per order | Best overall platform for stability & active tools. | | **Groww** | ₹0 | Flat ₹20 or 0.05% | Flat ₹20 per order | Highly beginner-friendly with ₹0 AMC. | | **Upstox** | ₹0 | Flat ₹20 or 0.05% | Flat ₹20 per order | Fast execution suitable for high-volume traders. | Avoid Hidden Charges While brokerage can be ₹0, you must account for government-mandated taxes and operational fees: - **Mandatory Statutory Charges**: All brokers levy Securities Transaction Tax (STT), SEBI turnover fees, Stamp Duty, and Goods and Services Tax (GST). These are uniform across the industry and cannot be waived. - **Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC)**: Platforms like Flattrade and Groww feature ₹0 lifetime AMC. However, Zerodha charges around ₹300 per year, and others may bill quarterly. - **Call and Trade Fees**: Placing an order via phone instead of the app typically incurs an extra charge of ₹20 to ₹50 per order. - **Auto-Square Off Charges**: If you do not close your intraday positions before the market cuts off, the broker's system closes them automatically and charges a penalty fee. Implement Strategies to Reduce Costs 1. **Match Your Broker to Your Style**: Choose a flat-fee or 100% free broker if you trade frequently. Choose an established ecosystem if you only buy delivery stocks. 2. **Utilize Free APIs**: If you use automated or algorithmic systems, utilize platforms like Flattrade that offer zero-cost API integrations. 3. **Monitor Demat DP Charges**: Every time you sell a stock from your delivery holdings, a depository participant (DP) fee is charged. Avoid selling small fractions of shares frequently to limit this recurring fee. To help select the ideal platform, please share your primary **trading style** (long-term investing or intraday trading) and if you intend to trade **Futures & Options**.
Sources cited · 6
- Flattradeflattrade.in/pricing
- m.Stockmstock.com/articles/low-cost-discount-brokerage-in-india
- Zerodhazerodha.com
- sathya.sanjeevi.2025 / posts / zero brokerage trading app list in indiatop 0 brokerage trading apps in india fo / 916190917952454facebook.com/sathya.sanjeevi.2025/posts/zero-brokerage-trading-app-list-in-indiatop-0-brokerage-trading-apps-in-india-fo/916190917952454
- Wisdom Capitalwisdomcapital.in/brokerage-plan
- investing guide / demat account / demat account lowest brokerage chargeskotakneo.com/investing-guide/demat-account/demat-account-lowest-brokerage-charges