Lowest brokerage in India 2026

If your priority is **the lowest brokerage cost** in India in 2026, these are among the strongest options: | Broker | Equity Delivery | Intraday | F&O | |--------|-----------------|-----------|------| | Zerodha | ₹0 | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) | ₹20/order | | Groww | ₹0 | ₹20 or 0.1% (lower), minimum ₹5 | ₹20/order | | Upstox | ₹0 | Up to ₹20/order | Up to ₹20/order | | Dhan | ₹0 | ₹20/order | ₹20/order | | m.Stock | ₹0 (selected plans) | ₹0 or very low under lifetime plans | ₹0 or very low under lifetime plans (plan-dependent) ### Lowest brokerage overall - **m.Stock** offers one of the lowest-cost models if you're willing to purchase its lifetime brokerage plan, which can reduce brokerage to zero for many segments. - **Zerodha**, **Groww**, **Upstox**, and **Dhan** follow the industry-standard discount brokerage model with ₹0 delivery and up to ₹20 per executed order for most trades. ### Which should you choose? - **For long-term investing:** Zerodha or Groww (₹0 delivery brokerage). - **For active traders:** Dhan or Upstox (good trading platforms with competitive pricing). - **For the absolute lowest brokerage:** m.Stock's lifetime plan can be the cheapest if you trade frequently. Keep in mind that brokerage is only one part of trading costs. You'll also pay exchange transaction charges, GST, SEBI fees, stamp duty, and applicable taxes regardless of the broker. If you mainly trade **options**, I can also compare the **total cost per order** (brokerage + statutory charges) across Zerodha, Groww, Dhan, Upstox, and m.Stock.

In 2026, the Indian stock broking space is intensely competitive, with a clear divide between **Zero-Brokerage platforms** (ideal for active intraday and F&O traders) and **Flat-Fee Discount Brokers** (the industry standards like Zerodha and Groww). The breakdown below highlights the lowest brokerage options in India for 2026, categorized by how they charge. --- ## 1. True "Zero-Brokerage" Platforms These brokers offer zero brokerage across major segments, usually in exchange for a one-time subscription fee or by keeping delivery/intraday completely free. * **Navia:** Offers a lifetime **₹0 brokerage** plan across all segments—Stocks (Delivery & Intraday), F&O, Mutual Funds, and Commodities—with no Account Maintenance Charges (AMC) or account-opening fees. * **m.Stock (by Mirae Asset):** Offers a lifetime free brokerage plan across all segments (including Intraday and F&O) for a one-time account opening fee of ₹999. If you opt for their free account opening instead, they charge a highly competitive flat **₹10 per trade** across all segments. * **Kotak Neo:** Highly popular among beginners and younger traders. It features a "Youth Plan" (for users under 30) that offers **₹0 brokerage** on Intraday, F&O, and Commodity trading for an initial annual subscription fee. * **Shoonya (by Finvasia):** A dedicated zero-brokerage platform that charges **₹0** for Delivery, Intraday, and F&O with no hidden subscription fees. --- ## 2. Standard Flat-Fee Discount Brokers (The Industry Leaders) If you prefer established market leaders with massive tech ecosystems, the standard rate in 2026 is **₹0 for Equity Delivery** and a flat **₹20 per executed order** (or 0.03% to 0.1%, whichever is lower) for Intraday and F&O. | Broker | Equity Delivery | Equity Intraday | Futures & Options (F&O) | |:--- |:--- |:--- |:--- | | **Zerodha** | ₹0 | Lower of ₹20 or 0.03% | Flat ₹20 per order | | **Groww** | ₹0 (or 0.1% max ₹20) | Lower of ₹20 or 0.1% | Flat ₹20 per order | | **Angel One** | ₹0 | Lower of ₹20 or 0.1% | Flat ₹20 per order | | **Dhan** | ₹0 | Lower of ₹20 or 0.03% | Flat ₹20 per order (50% off for women) | --- ## ⚠️ Important Side Note: The "Hidden" Charges When choosing a broker based solely on "lowest brokerage," remember that **statutory and regulatory charges are fixed by SEBI and the exchanges**, and they apply across all brokers equally. Always factor in: * **STT (Securities Transaction Tax):** 0.1% on Equity Delivery (buy/sell) and 0.025% on Intraday (sell). * **DP Charges:** Charged by the depository (CDSL/NSDL) and the broker whenever you **sell** shares from your Demat account. This usually ranges between ₹13.5 to ₹20 + GST per company per day. * **GST:** 18% applied on the brokerage, exchange transaction charges, and DP charges. > **Recommendation:** If you are a long-term investor who only buys and holds (Equity Delivery), **Zerodha, Groww, or Dhan** are virtually free. If you are a high-volume Intraday or F&O trader, looking into a subscription-based zero-brokerage model like **Navia, m.Stock, or Kotak Neo** will save you the most money.

The **lowest brokerage options in India for 2026** are offered by **discount brokers providing absolute zero-brokerage models** across various segments, or a **flat fee of ₹20 per trade**. The industry features three main pricing tiers: **Zero Brokerage Brokers** (completely free trading models), **Flat ₹20 Discount Brokers** (industry-standard budget models), and **Traditional Full-Service Brokers** (higher volume-based percentage pricing). Top 10 Lowest Brokerage Demat Accounts (Compared) The following table presents a structured breakdown of the most cost-effective stock brokers operating in India as of 2026: | Broker | Equity Delivery Brokerage | Intraday & F&O Brokerage | Highlight Feature | |---|---|---|---| | **** | **₹0 (Free)** | **₹0 (Free)** | 100% zero brokerage across all segments. | | **** | **₹0 (Free)** | **₹0 (Free)** | Zero brokerage for life via a one-time upfront fee. | | **Shoonya by Finvasia** | **₹0 (Free)** | **₹0 (Free)** | Zero trading fees and free algorithmic trading APIs. | | **** | **₹0 (Free)** | **₹0 (Free)** | Zero brokerage pricing framework. | | **Zerodha** | **₹0 (Free)** | **Flat ₹20** or 0.03% (lower) | Largest ecosystem with clean interface and tools. | | **Groww** | **₹0 (Free)** | **Flat ₹20** or 0.05% (lower) | India's largest broker by active client volume. | | **** | **₹0 (Free)** | **Flat ₹20** or 0.1% (lower) | Modernized full-service tools at discount prices. | | **** | **₹0 (Free)** | **Flat ₹20** | Highly optimized interface built specifically for traders. | | **Upstox** | **₹0 (Free)** | **Flat ₹20** or 0.05% (lower) | Fast technology infrastructure with strong charting tools. | | **5Paisa** | Flat ₹20 | **Flat ₹20** | Uniform pricing tier suited for heavy volume traders. | Hidden Costs to Keep in Mind Even if a platform claims to have **₹0 brokerage**, you are still required by Indian regulations to pay mandatory, non-negotiable statutory fees on every transaction: - **Securities Transaction Tax (STT)**: 0.1% on delivery (both buy and sell), and 0.025% on intraday (sell side only). - **Demat DP Charges**: A flat transaction fee (usually ₹13.5 to ₹20 + GST) charged by the depositaries (CDSL/NSDL) and the broker every time you sell shares from your delivery holdings. - **Exchange Transaction Charges**: Fees charged directly by the **NSE or BSE** to clear your trades. - **GST**: A standard 18% tax calculated on the combined value of your brokerage and exchange transaction charges. Which Broker Type is Best For You? - **For Long-Term Delivery Investors**: Choose mainstream platforms like **Groww**, **Zerodha**, or **Dhan**. They charge a **₹0 brokerage fee for equity delivery holdings** while offering highly reliable server uptime. - **For Active Intraday and F&O Traders**: Look into absolute zero-brokerage apps like **Flattrade** or **m.Stock**. Saving ₹40 per round-trip trade will significantly improve your overall profit margins. To help tailor a recommendation, what **segments** do you trade most (e.g., Equity Delivery, Intraday, or Options)? Also, let me know if your monthly **trading volume** is high or if you prefer a platform with **zero Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC)**.