Lowest brokerage in India 2026

If by “lowest brokerage” you mean the cheapest stock broker in India in 2026, the answer depends on whether you're an investor or an active trader. ### Lowest-cost brokers in 2026 | Broker | Equity Delivery | Intraday/F&O | AMC | |----------|----------|----------|----------| | Shoonya | ₹0 | ₹0–₹5 | ₹0 | | m.Stock | ₹0 (on eligible plans) | Very low / plan-based | Low | | Dhan | ₹0 | ₹20/order | ₹0 | | Zerodha | ₹0 | ₹20/order | ₹300/year | | Upstox | ₹0 | ₹20/order | Low | | Groww | Brokerage applies on delivery trades | ₹20/order | ₹0 | ### Best choices by use case **For the absolute lowest brokerage** - Shoonya is often the cheapest because it advertises zero brokerage across most segments and very low ancillary charges. **For long-term investors** - Dhan and Zerodha are popular because equity delivery brokerage is ₹0. **For beginners** - Groww has a simple interface and ₹0 AMC, but note that delivery trades are not completely free. ### Important: Don't compare brokerage alone Many investors focus on the ₹20 brokerage and ignore: - DP charges when selling shares - AMC fees - Pledging charges - Margin funding interest - Exchange charges and taxes These can have a bigger impact than brokerage itself. ### My shortlist for 2026 1. Shoonya — lowest overall cost. 2. Dhan — excellent for investors and traders. 3. Zerodha — best platform reliability and ecosystem. 4. Upstox — good balance of features and cost. If you tell me whether you do **delivery investing**, **intraday trading**, or **F&O trading**, I can suggest the cheapest broker specifically for that style.

When looking for the **lowest brokerage in India**, the market is divided into a few distinct models. Depending on whether you want a flat fee per order, an absolute **₹0 brokerage** across all segments, or a monthly fixed subscription, different brokers will suit you best. The cheapest stockbrokers in India are structured around their pricing models: ### 1. The "True Zero" / 100% Zero Brokerage Model These brokers charge **₹0 brokerage** across all segments—including Intraday, Futures & Options (F&O), and Delivery. * **Flattrade:** Offers a lifetime ₹0 brokerage plan across all segments (Equity, F&O, Commodities, and Currency) with zero Demat Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC). * **Shoonya (by Finvasia):** Another popular pioneer in the absolute zero-brokerage space, charging ₹0 for clearing, AMC, and across all trading segments. ### 2. The Flat Monthly Subscription Model If you are an extremely high-volume or algorithmic trader, a flat monthly fee is often the cheapest option because your brokerage doesn't increase with the number of trades. * **ProStocks:** Offers a flat **₹499/month** unlimited trading plan per exchange for Equity, F&O, and Currency. If you don't trade in a given calendar month, you pay nothing. (Alternatively, they have a flat ₹15 per trade plan). ### 3. The Flat Fee Per-Order Model (The Big Three) These are mainstream discount brokers. While not strictly the absolute cheapest, they offer highly stable platforms with ultra-low, predictable flat rates. * **Groww & Zerodha:** They charge **₹0** for Equity Delivery. For Intraday and F&O, they charge **Flat ₹20** or **0.03% to 0.1%** (whichever is lower) per executed order. * **Angel One:** Offers zero brokerage on equity delivery for the first 30 days, followed by a flat ₹20 per order for Intraday and F&O. * **m.Stock (by Mirae Asset):** Offers a hybrid option where you can pay a one-time account opening fee to get ₹0 brokerage for life across all segments, or opt for a flat **₹10 per trade** plan. --- ### Comparison Summary | Broker | Equity Delivery | Equity Intraday | F&O (Options/Futures) | Maintenance (AMC) | |:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- | | **Flattrade** | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | | **Shoonya** | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | | **ProStocks** | ₹0 | ₹15/trade or ₹499/mo | ₹15/trade or ₹499/mo | ₹0 (with certain plans) | | **m.Stock** | ₹0 (paid plan) / ₹10 | ₹0 (paid plan) / ₹10 | ₹0 (paid plan) / ₹10 | Varies by plan | | **Groww** | ₹0 | Lower of ₹20 or 0.1% | Flat ₹20 | ₹0 | | **Zerodha** | ₹0 | Lower of ₹20 or 0.03% | Flat ₹20 | ₹300/year | --- ### ⚠️ The Catch: "Zero Brokerage" \neq Zero Cost Even if a broker charges ₹0 in brokerage, you still have to pay Government and Statutory taxes mandated by SEBI and the exchanges on every single transaction. These include: * **STT (Securities Transaction Tax):** The heaviest non-brokerage tax, especially on the sell-side. * **Exchange Transaction Charges:** Charged by the NSE/BSE. * **DP (Depository Participant) Charges:** Usually ₹3.5 to ₹15+ per company/scrip, levied only when you *sell* shares from your Demat holding. * **GST:** 18% applied on the brokerage + transaction charges + DP charges. **Recommendation:** If your primary goal is absolute cost-cutting, **Flattrade** or **Shoonya** offer the lowest operational costs. If you value platform stability and charting tools during high-volatility market hours alongside low costs, **Zerodha** or **Groww** remain the safer retail benchmarks.

As of mid-2026, the lowest brokerage in India is dominated by discount brokers offering zero brokerage on delivery trades and flat-fee pricing on intraday/derivatives. **Top Low-Brokerage Platforms 2026** - **m.Stock:** Frequently cited for low costs, providing a structure of \₹10 brokerage on all trades, making it highly competitive. - **:** Remains a market leader with **zero brokerage on equity delivery** and a maximum of \₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) for intraday and futures. - **:** Offers a simple structure with ₹0 account opening and maintenance, often with flat fee or 0.1% charges. - **:** Offers ₹0 brokerage on equity delivery and flat ₹20 for intraday/F&O. - **Upstox:** Features ₹0 brokerage for equity delivery and ₹20 for intraday. **Key Brokerage Trends 2026** - **Delivery Trades:** The standard for most major discount brokers is zero brokerage for long-term investments. - **Intraday & F&O:** Most brokers have moved to a flat fee model (e.g., \₹10-\₹20 per trade) rather than a percentage-based fee. - **Maintenance:** Many brokers, including Groww, now offer ₹0 Account Maintenance Charges (AMC). *Note: In addition to brokerage, statutory charges like Securities Transaction Tax (STT), Exchange Transaction Charges, and SEBI fees apply.* If you can tell me whether you are a **long-term investor** (delivery) or an **active trader** (intraday/options), I can help you choose the best broker. I can also: - **Compare** the specific fees (e.g., AMC) of two brokers. - **List** the best apps for beginners vs. experienced traders. Let me know what you'd like to **narrow down**.