If your goal is **long-term investing in India in 2026**, these are the strongest choices: 1. **Zerodha** – Best overall for experienced investors. Reliable platform, excellent charts, direct mutual funds (Coin), ETFs, IPOs, and low costs. 2. **Groww** – Best for beginners. Clean interface, easy SIP setup, stocks, ETFs, and direct mutual funds in one app. 3. **Upstox** – Good balance of features and pricing, suitable for both investing and occasional trading. 4. **Dhan** – Best if you plan to trade actively or use advanced options/F&O tools. 5. **Angel One** – Good if you value built-in research and market insights. **Recommendation by investor type:** - New to investing → **Groww** - Long-term stock investor → **Zerodha** - Active trader → **Dhan** - Already bank with ICICI/HDFC and want integration → Their brokerage apps can be convenient, though often not as streamlined as discount brokers. Whichever app you choose, make sure it is **SEBI-registered**. Google Play has also introduced verification badges for legitimate investment apps in India to help reduce fraud. If you're investing **₹5,000–₹50,000 per month** and mostly buying stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds, **Groww** or **Zerodha** are the two most commonly recommended options in 2026.
Sources cited · 3
- Best Demat Accounts in India (2026) — Zero Brokerage, Compare Brokers | InvestingPro Indiainvestingpro.in/demat-accounts
- Discount Brokers (Zerodha, Groww) vs. Bank-Backed Brokers (ICICI, HDFC SKY), Is the higher brokerage fee worth the peace of mind?reddit.com/r/IndianStocks/comments/1u5i7ay/discount_brokers_zerodha_groww_vs_bankbacked
- Google to label verified investment apps in India amid regulatory crackdown on fraudreuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/google-label-verified-investment-apps-india-amid-scam-crackdown-2026-03-25