Top 20 Stock Brokers with the Highest Active Clients in India

The Indian brokerage industry is transitioning from a percentage-based business model to a flat brokerage and subscription-based model. Following the pandemic, there has been an influx of investors opening demat accounts. The average daily turnover and revenues of the stockbrokers also increased. People were looking for new ways to earn income when the pandemic hit, and that made entered them into the stock markets, which led to rapid growth in the stock broking industry.

There are more than 300 stockbrokers registered with SEBI. But all of them may not be safe and transparent. Being registered with SEBI does not make a broker trustworthy. There are many factors that put them on the list of the leading best stock broker in India. One of those important factors is unique active clients.

Active clients are those who have traded at least once in the financial year. So, in this article, we will see the ranking in terms of the Top 20 Stock Brokers with the highest number of active clients in India.

Top 20 Stock Brokers with highest active clients in India

S. NoStock Broker NameNo. of Active ClientsMarket Share
1Zerodha66,09,38417.61%
2RKSV Securities (Upstox)49,80,13913.27%
3Groww46,74,26312.45%
4Angel One41,11,60610.96%
5ICICI Securities Ltd.31,24,7758.33%
65 Paisa15,06,9664.02%
7Kotak Securities11,79,0533.14%
8HDFC Securities11,76,5263.13%
9IIFL / India Infoline Securities11,24,9763%
10Motilal Oswal Financial Services9,06,8282.42%
11Sharekhan Ltd.7,71,0902.05%
12SBICAP Securities Ltd.6,47,7331.73%
13Paytm Money5,78,6391.54%
14Axis Direct4,02,8771.07%
15Choice Equity Broking2,70,1950.72%
16Geojit Financial Services2,34,0200.62%
17Edelweiss Broking Ltd.2,13,0100.57%
18SMC Global1,60,0030.43%
19Religare Broking Ltd1,58,4910.42%
20Alice Blue1,42,3580.38%

The total number of active clients of all the combined stock brokers is 3,75,31,075.

Zerodha

With more than 66 lac active traders, Zerodha is one of the top 20 stock brokers in India. Founded in 2010 by Nitin Kamath, the company holds a market share of around 17% and has achieved recognition among the leading trade companies.

TitleDetails
Established2010
Headquarter Bangalore
Total Active Clients66 lac+
Total Market Size17%
AUMRs 3.50 lakh crore
Registered MemberNSE, BSE, MCX, and MCX-SX,
Trading PlatformsKite, Kite Mobile, and Sentinel
Additional ProductsCoin, Coin Mobile, Console, and Kite Connect API
Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 300
Equity Intraday BrokerageLower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03%
Equity FuturesLower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03%
OptionsRs 20 per executed order
Delivery0% charges
Features3 in 1 AccountEmail & call supportNo paperwork and online account opening

RKSV Securities (Upstox)

Upstox is next on the list of the top 20 stockbrokers in India, with the highest number of active members. At present, the platform has more than 22 lac users, and the market size is around 13%. The privately held discount broker business, which was founded in 2011, rebranded itself as UpStox from RKSV. Being one of the best stock brokers in India, it offers a variety of retail stock market products and services.

TitleDetails
Established2011
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients49 lac+
Total Market Size13%
AUMRs 7.50 lakh crore
Registered MemberNSE, BSE, MCX, and MCX-SX,
Backed byKalaari Capital, Ratan Tata and GVK Davix.
Trading PlatformsUpstox Pro Mobile and NEST Desktop
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, ETF, and  Insurance
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 150 yearly
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 20 per executed order or 0.05% (whichever is lower)
Equity FuturesRs 20 per executed order or 0.05% (whichever is lower)
OptionsRs 20 per executed order
DeliveryRs 18.5 per scrip per day only on sell
Commodity₹20 per executed order or 0.05% (whichever is lower).
Features3 in 1 Account Free Trading Calls Free Research Reports SMS Alerts Margin Funding Margin Against Share

Angel One

One of the top 20 stock brokers in India, Angel One has more than 50 lac active members and is well-known for its state-of-the-art tools and customer-first approach. Investors can trade on a variety of platforms, including mobile and web-based ones. There are more than 8000 sub-brokers, and it offers free Demat accounts to traders. As a registered member of BSE and NSE, Angel One is considered the safest platform to trade.

TitleDetails
Established1987
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients41 lac+
Total Market Size10%
AUMRs 13,254 crores 
Registered MemberNSE, BSE, MCX, and NCDEX,
Backed byAngel Broking.
Advisory ToolAngel iTrade PRIME
Trading PlatformsAngel One App, Angel One Trade, ARQ, and SpeedPro
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, ETF, and Insurance
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 240 yearly
Equity Intraday Brokerage20 or 0.03% per executed order
Equity FuturesRs 20 per executed order 
OptionsRs 20 per executed order
Delivery0
Commodity₹20 per executed order 0.25% (whichever is lower)
DP ChargesRs 20 + GST per Debit TransactionRs 50 + GST per Debit Transaction for BSDA Clients
FeaturesFree Trading Calls Free Research Reports SMS Alerts Margin Funding Margin Against ShareNRI Service to 143 countries

Groww

With more than 70 lac active users, Groww has a market share of 12% and is growing widely. It charges Rs 20 for per executed trade and zero fees for mutual fund investment. Groww provides commission-free direct mutual fund investments done without any hassle and paperwork. Groww has also adopted a community-based strategy, launching a number of channels and groups on the app in recognition of the fact that individuals find it simpler to make investments when they have peer group advice.

TitleDetails
Established1987
Headquarter Bangalore
Total Active Users46 lac+
Total Market Size12%
AUMRs 553.45 Cr
Registered MemberNSE, BSE, MCX, and NCDEX,
Backed byPeak XV and Tiger Global.
Trading PlatformsWebsite and Mobile App
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, and ETF.
Demat Annual Maintenance Charges0
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 20 per trade (or 0.05% whichever is lower)
Equity FuturesRs 20 per executed order 
OptionsRs 20 per executed order
DeliveryRs 20 per trade (or 0.05% whichever is lower)
Commodity₹20 per executed order 0.25% (whichever is lower)
DP ChargesRs 13.5 per company for deliveryRs 0 for Intraday
FeaturesSMS AlertsOnline IPO application.Direct Mutual Funds platform that helps you earn an extra 1.5% returns.Option to invest online in digital gold.

ICICI Securities Ltd.

ICICI Securities, also called ICICI Direct, has a total active user of more than 18 lac with a market share of 8.33%. The most preferred feature of ICICIDirect is the 3-in-1 account, which consists of an ICICI Bank Account, an ICICI Trading Account, and an ICICI Demat Account. Traders can trade using 3 in 1 account for smooth functioning.

TitleDetails
Established1995
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients31 lac+
Total Market Size8.33
AUMRs 1900 Cr
Registered MemberNSE, BSE, and MCX, 
Backed byICICI
Trading PlatformsMarket App, Trade Racer, i- Track, and Money App
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, Insurance, and ETF.
Trading PlansNeon, ICICIdirect Prime Plan, I-Secure Plan and ICICIdirect Prepaid
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 300-900/- per year
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeRs 50 per trade
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 20 per trade (or 0.05% whichever is lower)
Equity FuturesRs 20 or 0.5% per executed order 
OptionsRs 20 per executed order
DeliveryRs 20 per trade 
Commodity₹20 per executed order 0.25% (whichever is lower)
DP ChargesRs 4.5 + GST per company for delivery
Features3 in 1 Account Free Trading Calls Free Research Reports SMS Alerts Margin Funding Margin Against Share.

5Paisa

5Paisa is the leading stock broker in India, having a client base of around 15lac and a market share of 4.02%. IIFL, a prominent financial organisation in the nation, introduced it. It is the first low-cost discount broker to offer both share trading and robot advisory services in a single app. From its founding in March 2016 to its ranking as India’s second-largest stockbroker in December 2018, 5Paisa has come a long way in a short amount of time. The BSE, NSE, and MCX offer currency, equities, and commodity trading through a 5paisa broking review.

TitleDetails
Established2016
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients15 lac+
Total Market Size4.02
AUMN/A
Registered MemberNSE and BSE 
Backed byIIFL
Trading PlatformsMobile, website, and Trade Terminal
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, Insurance, and ETF.
Trading PlansPower Saver and Ultra Trader
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 300- per year
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeRs 100 per trade
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 20 per trade
Equity FuturesRs 20 
OptionsRs 20 
DeliveryRs 20 per trade 
Commodity₹20 per executed order 
DP ChargesRs 12.5 
Features2 in 1 Account Free Trading Calls Free Research Reports Margin Funding Margin Against Share.Algo trading

Kotak Securities

Kotak Securities is yet another leading top 20 stockbroker in India with a good client base. Currently, it has more than 10 lac active members and a market share of 3.14%. It is known for offering unique trading services and options for traders. The company has demonstrated cutting-edge technologies and creative concepts for stock brokerage modules.

Established in 1994, Kotak Securities has since grown to rank among India’s top stock brokers. It offers 3-in-1 online trading, including Kotak Mahindra Bank Savings Account, Kotak Securities Trading Account and Kotak Securities Demat Account.

TitleDetails
Established1994
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients11 lac+
Total Market Size3.14%
AUMRs 2.86 lakh crore
Registered MemberNSE, BSE, MSE, MCX & NCDEX
Backed byKotak
Account TypesTrinity Account (3-in-1 account)2-in-1 AccountPrivate Client GroupNRI Account
Trading PlatformsKotak NEO, Stock Trader, KEAT Pro x, App, and website
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, Insurance, and ETF.
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 50 pm
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeRs 98 per trade
Equity Intraday Brokerage0.039%
Equity FuturesRs 0.002%
OptionsRs 0.0505%
Delivery Rs 20 per trade 
Commodity (futures and commodities)0.0026% – MCX; 0.006% and 0.05% for MCX; 0 for NCDEX
DP ChargesRs 4.5 NSDL charges + 0.04% of the value of the transaction or Min. Rs. 27/-(per Instruction)
Features3 in 1 Account Free Research Reports Margin Funding Margin Against Share.SMS Alert

HDFC Securities

One of India’s top stock brokers, HDFC Securities is a division of HDFC Bank, which is entirely focused on trading. HDFC Securities has active clients of more than 11lac with a market share of 3.13%. With a minimum brokerage of Rs 25, the platform charges 0 for commodity trading. Like other trading platforms, HDFC Securities offers 3-in-1 Online Trading Accounts, which include HDFC Bank Savings Accounts, HDFC Securities Trading Accounts and HDFC Securities Demat Accounts.

TitleDetails
Established2000
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients11 lac+
Total Market Size3.13%
AUMRs 6,900 crore
Registered MemberBSE, NSE, MCX, CDSL and NSDL
Backed byHDFC
Account TypesPreferred, Classic, Infiniti, Standard, and Prime
Trading PlatformsMobile app, HDFC Money, website and Pro-Terminal
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, Insurance, and ETF.
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 250-700/- (depending on the account type)
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeRs 25 per trade
Equity Intraday Brokerage0.003%
Equity FuturesRs 0.002%
OptionsRs 0.003%
Delivery Rs 0.50% or min Rs 25
Commodity (futures and commodities)0.0025% 
DP Charges0.04% of the value of the transaction or Rs. 25/- (per Instruction)
Features3 in 1 AccountFree Research ReportsPersonalized watchlist and a highly customizable trading system.SMS AlertAI Chat support Arya smart visual assistant.

IIFL / India Infoline Securities

One of the more seasoned financial service companies, India Infoline, was founded in 1995 and presently has more than 4 lacs active users and a 3% market share. The platform offers both online trading and research-based consulting services for a whole range of financial products, such as bonds, IPOs, stocks, derivatives, commodities, insurance, FDs, loans, mutual funds, and others. Although it doesn’t charge for account opening, it charges Rs 400 annually for demat and a minimum charge of o.05% for every trade executed.

TitleDetails
Established1995
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Users11 lac+
Total Market Size3%
AUMRs 64,000 crore
Registered MemberBSE and NSE
Backed byIndia Infoline
Account TypesRegular, Repatriable and non-repatriable demat account
Trading PlatformsIIFL Mutual Funds App, TT Iris, Trader Terminal, and IIFL Markets App
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, Insurance, and ETF.
Trading PlansInvestor Plan (Online Plus) Premium Plan (Dedicated RM) Super Trader Plan (Pro Traders)
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 250
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeRs 13.5 + GST per scrip
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 20
Equity FuturesRs 20
OptionsRs 20
Delivery Rs 20
Commodity (futures and commodities)Rs 20
DP ChargesRs 20
FeaturesFree Research ReportsPersonalized watchlist and a highly customizable trading system.Equity Systematic Investment PlanAdvanced order type like Valid till Date (VTD).

Motilal Oswal Financial Services

Motilal Oswal Financial Services is next on the list of the top 20 stock brokers in India, having more than 8 lac active users and 2.42% of the market share. It charges Rs 20 for every executed trade and Rs 199 for account maintenance annually. Trading clients of Motilal Oswal can choose from a variety of individualised wealth-management and investing options. These consist of trading in stocks, commodities, and currencies, portfolio management and advisory services, investment advisory services, mutual fund distribution, initial public offerings (IPOs), personal loans, insurance, and e-broking and depository services.

TitleDetails
Established1987
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients8 lac+
Total Market Size2.18%
AUMRs 65,000 crore
Registered MemberBSE and NSE
Backed byMotilal Oswal
Account TypesDemat Account
Trading PlatformsMotilal Oswal App (also known as MO INVESTOR APP)MO Trader App – Specially designed for TradersDesktop Exe and Web login
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, Insurance, and ETF.
Trading PlansMotilal Oswal Default Brokerage Plan
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 0
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeNA
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 20 per trade
Equity FuturesRs 0.02%
OptionsRs 20
Delivery Rs 0.20%
Commodity (futures and commodities)Rs 20% 
DP Charges0.075% or Rs 75, whichever is higher.
FeaturesFree Trading Calls Free Research Reports SMS Alerts Margin Funding Margin Against Share

Sharekhan Ltd

Sharekhan is one of the leading top 20 stock brokers in India, having active clients of more than 7 lac and a 2.05% market size. It is a full-service public broker that is regarded as leading in popularising internet trading throughout the nation.

Shripal Morakhia founded the company in 2000, and it quickly rose to the top of India’s stock broker rankings. It offers a 2-in-1 account service to NRIs in addition to its services to Indians. It also provides a cutting-edge trading platform and extremely effective customer service.

TitleDetails
Established1987
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients9 lac+
Total Market Size2.42%
AUMRs 65,000 crore
Registered MemberBSE and NSE
Backed byMotilal Oswal
Account TypesDemat Account
Trading PlatformsMotilal Oswal App (also known as MO INVESTOR APP)MO Trader App – Specially designed for TradersDesktop Exe and Web login
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, Insurance, and ETF.
Trading PlansMotilal Oswal Default Brokerage Plan
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 0
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeNA
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 20 per trade
Equity FuturesRs 0.02%
OptionsRs 20
Delivery Rs 0.20%
Commodity (futures and commodities)Rs 20% 
DP Charges0.075% or Rs 75, whichever is higher.
FeaturesFree Trading Calls Free Research Reports SMS Alerts Margin Funding Margin Against Share

SBICAP Securities Ltd.

SBICAP Securities Ltd. has active clients of more than 6 lac and has a market size of 1.73%. SBICAP Securities (SSL), a well-known stockbroker in India, is a 100 percent subsidiary of SBI Capitals. Through their simple education investor initiative, they offer possibilities for learning to a variety of investors in addition to a platform for investing.

The platform offers a wide range of goods and services, including distribution of financial products, investment banking, retail broking, and private wealth management.

TitleDetails
Established2006
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients6 lac+
Total Market Size1.73 %
AUMRs 33,000 crore
Registered MemberBSE, NSE, NSDL & CDSL.
Backed bySBI
Account TypesDemat Account
Trading PlatformsSBISmart Portal (Web-based Trading Platform)SBISmart Xpress (Desktop Trading Software)SBISmart Lite (Website Trading)SBISmart Mobile App
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, Bonds, Insurance, and ETF.
Trading PlansNA
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 750 yearly
Account Opening ChargesRs 850
Call & trade chargeNA
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 0.75% per trade
Equity FuturesRs 0.01%
OptionsRs 0.5
Delivery Rs 0.20%
Commodity (futures and commodities)Rs 20% 
DP ChargesRs 13.50 +GST
Features3-in-1 account SBISMART Xpress and Mobile Trading app SBISMARTResearch reports and analysis tools SMS Alerts Margin Funding Margin Against Share

Paytm Money

Paytm Money has an active client of more than 5lac with a market share of 1.73%. With the Paytm Money platform, traders can purchase stocks, mutual funds, NPS, and other financial goods. The trading platform was introduced by One97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, the biggest digital payments firm in India, which introduced the platform in 2017. 

Paytm Money provides a free, paperless, and entirely online account opening process. Additionally, Paytm Money doesn’t charge an annual maintenance fee (AMC) for trading or demat accounts, which has allowed them to develop significantly quicker than their rivals.

TitleDetails
Established2017
Headquarter Bangalore
Total Active Clients5 lac+
Total Market Size1.54%
AUMRs 5800 crore
Registered MemberBSE, NSE, CDSL.
Backed byOne97 Communications Ltd
Account TypesDemat Account
Trading PlatformsPayTM Money mobile app
Trading OptionsMutual Funds, IPO, digital golds, Bonds, and ETF.
Trading PlansNA
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 0 
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeNA
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 10 per trade
Equity Futures0.02% or Rs 20
OptionsRs 20
Delivery Rs 20 per trade
Commodity (futures and commodities)Rs 20 per trade
DP ChargesRs 13.50 +GST
FeaturesZero commission direct mutual fundsFully digital account opening.Free Mutual Fund services  SMS Alerts Margin Funding 

Axis Direct 

Axis Direct, with an active client of more than 4 lacs and a market share of 1.07%, is the leading stockbroker in India. Axis Securities Limited, a 100 percent subsidiary of Axis Bank, operates under the flagship brand Axis Direct and provides retail broking services in addition to assisting in the distribution of the Bank’s financial products.  

TitleDetails
Established2011
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients4.2 lac+
Total Market Size1.07%
AUMRs 9,420.35 Cr.
Registered MemberSEBI, BSE, NSE, MCX, and NCDEX
Backed byAxis Bank
Account TypesDemat Account
Trading PlatformsDirectTradeSwift TradeMobile TradingAxisDirect Lite
Trading OptionsEquities, Mutual Funds, SIP, IPO, Derivatives, Bond, NCD, ETF and Company Fixed Deposits.
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 750
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargefree
Equity Intraday Brokerage0.05% per trade
Equity Futures0.03% per trade
OptionsRs 0.01 per lot
Delivery 0.50% per trade
Commodity (futures and commodities)0.03% per trade
DP ChargesRs 25
Features3 in 1 Account Free Trading Calls Free Research Reports SMS Alerts Margin Funding Margin Against Share Margin Funding Margin Against Share

Choice Equity Broking

Choice Equity Broking is the leading stock broker in India, having a clientele of around 2lac and a market share of 0.72%. With a wide range of financial products, including equity, derivatives, currencies, commodities, mutual funds, wealth management, and loans secured by shares, Choice Equity Broking provides online trading with first-rate financial services. The company is a member of NSE, BSE and ICEX, in addition to having a depository membership with CDSL and NSDL. Choice Broking’s brokerage fees are said to be among the lowest in India, with Rs 0 for account openings and AMC of Rs 200 years. Also, the brokerage rate of 0.2% per trade executed.

Choice International Limited, a publicly traded financial services company founded in 1993, is the parent company of Choice Broking.

TitleDetails
Established2010
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients2.70 lac+
Total Market Size0.72%
AUMRs 3635 cr.
Registered MemberNSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX, and ICEX
Backed byChoice International
Account TypesDemat Account
Trading PlatformsChoice FinXJiffy Web Trading ApplicationInvestica
Trading OptionsMutual Funds IPO Platform Bonds & Debt Exchange Traded FundInsurance.
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 200 yearly
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargefree
Equity Intraday Brokerage0.02% per trade
Equity Futures0.02% per trade
OptionsRs 25 per lot
Delivery 0.2% per trade
Commodity (futures and commodities)0.02% per trade
DP ChargesRs 13.5
FeaturesFree Trading Calls Free Research Reports SMS Alerts Margin Funding Margin Against Share

Geojit Financial Services

Geojit Financial Services is one of the leading stock brokers in India, with more than 2 lac active traders and a market share of 0.57%. Geojit BNP Paribas (Geojit) was founded in 1987. With its headquarters in Kochi, Kerala, Geojit is well-known throughout the Gulf. With a wealth of knowledge in portfolio management services, life insurance, and mutual fund distribution, Geojit BNP Paribas is a cash equity and derivatives broker.

TitleDetails
Established1987
Headquarter Kochi
Total Active Clients2.30 lac+
Total Market Size0.62%
AUMRs 89,000 Cr.
Registered MemberBSE and NSE
Backed byBNP Paribas
Account TypesDemat Account
Trading PlatformsSELFIE GoldSELFIE Platinum
Trading OptionsEquities, Mutual Funds, SIP, IPO, Derivatives, Bond, ETF, etc
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 450
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargefree
Equity Intraday Brokerage0.03% per trade
Equity Futures0.01% per trade
OptionsRs 50 per lot
Delivery 0.30% per trade
Commodity (futures and commodities)0.03% per trade
DP ChargesRs 25
FeaturesFree research and recommendations.Free account opening.2-in-1 (Demat & Trading) as well as 3-in-1 accounts with a PNB bank account

Edelweiss Broking Ltd.

With a total trading account of around 2lac and a market share of 0.57%, Edelweiss Broking Ltd. is next on the list of top 20 stock brokers in India. Established in 1995, Edelweiss Broking Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Edelweiss group, a prominent diversified financial firm in India that serves people, corporations, and institutions.

TitleDetails
Established2008
Headquarter Mumbai
Total Active Clients2.13 lac
Total Market Size0.57%
AUMRs 1lac Cr.
Registered MemberBSE and NSE
Backed byNuvama Wealth & Investment Limited
Account TypesNuvama Lite (Discount Brokerage Plan)Nuvama EliteAdvance Subscription (prepaid) Plans
Trading PlatformsNuvama XpressNuvama Xtreme TraderNuvama Mobile Trader
Trading OptionsEquity, Debt, Mutual Funds, IPOs, Currency, Futures & Options, etc
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 500
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargefree
Equity Intraday BrokerageRs 10 per trade
Equity FuturesRs 10 per trade
OptionsRs 10 per lot
Delivery 0.30% per trade
Currency (futures and commodities)0.02% per trade
DP ChargesRs 11 + ₹5.5 (CDSL) per scrip
FeaturesFree research, trading tips, and recommendations.Instant paperless online account opening.Excellent mobile application, website & desktop trading software for trading.Online IPO investment.High leverage facilities across Cash, F&O and CDS segments.

SMC Global

This premier stock broker platform has more than 1 lac active users and 0.43% of the market share. SMC Global offers corporate, institutional, high net worth individuals, and other retail clients a wide range of financial products, including equity, currency, commodities, investment banking, distribution of third-party financial products, research, insurance broking, clearing services, mortgage advisory, institutional brokering, etc. Additionally, it offers portfolio and wealth management.

TitleDetails
Established1994
Headquarter New Delhi
Total Active Clients1.60 lac+
Total Market Size11%
AUMRs 3000 Cr.
Registered MemberNSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX and MCX-SX
Backed bySMC Global Limited
Account TypesCommodity TradingEquity Trading
Trading PlatformsSMC PrivilegeMobitradeTabtradeBrowser based
Trading OptionsEquities, Derivatives, Currency, Commodities, IPOs, Mutual Funds and Bonds, etc.
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 400 yearly
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargefree
Equity Intraday Brokerage0.05% or 5 paisa per trade
Equity Futures0.05% or 5 paisa per trade
OptionsRs 100 per lot
Delivery 0.50% or 30 paisa
Currency (futures and commodities)0.05% or 5 paisa per trade and Rs 25
DP ChargesNA
FeaturesInvestment online in IPOs, Mutual Funds, and GOI Bonds all from one website. Trading is available in both BSE and NSE. High leverage facilities across Cash, F&O and CDS segments.

Religare Broking Ltd.

Religare Securities Ltd (RSL), a 1986-founded subsidiary of the multinational financial firm Religare Enterprises Limited, is the leading stock broker in India with active clients of around 1lac and a market share of 0.42%.

Religare is a participant in the NCDEX, MCX, NSE, and BSE exchanges. Religare uses CDSL and NSDL to provide demat account services. Religare Broking offers traders an option for online trading via the broker’s website, mobile trading application, and installable trading terminal. Religare provides its customers with a 2-in-1 account that combines a demat account with internet trading. Customers must have a trading account to purchase or sell shares on stock exchanges. Customers can hold securities in demat accounts. 

TitleDetails
Established1986
Headquarter New Delhi
Total Active Clients1.50 lac+
Total Market Size0.42%
AUMRs 350 Cr.
Registered MemberBSE, NSE, MCX and NCDEX exchanges.
Backed byReligare Enterprises Limited
Trading PlatformsWebsite and Religare Dynami
Trading OptionsCommodity Trading, Equity Trading, currency derivatives, commodity, Demat account
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 400 yearly
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargefree
Equity Intraday Brokerage0.05% to 0.01%
Equity Futures0.05% or 5 paisa
OptionsRs 70 per lot
Delivery 0.50% to 0.10%
Currency (futures and commodities)0.50% to or 5 paisa per trade and Rs 30
DP Charges12 plus 18% GST per transaction
Features2-in-1 accountSMS Alert

Alice Blue

Founded in 2006, Alice Blue is a stock broker platform located in Bangalore that provides trading services for stocks and commodities at BSE, NSE, and MCX. The platform has more than 1,42,000 active clients and a market share of 0.38%. It provides depository services under Alice Blue CDSL membership.

TitleDetails
Established2006
Headquarter Tamil Nadu
Total Active Clients1.42 lac+
Total Market Size0.38%
AUMNA
Registered MemberBSE, NSE, and MCX.
Backed byAlice Blue
Account TypesAlice Blue Demat and Trading AccountAlice Blue Mutual Fund Account
Trading PlatformsAdvisorymandiAlice AlgoANT IQAlice Blue Mutual FundsSensibullSmallcaseTickerTape
Trading OptionsCommodity Trading, Equity Trading, currency derivatives, commodity, demat account
Demat Annual Maintenance ChargesRs 400 yearly
Account Opening ChargesRs 0
Call & trade chargeRs 50
Equity Intraday Brokerage0.05% or Rs 15 whichever is lower
Equity Futures0.05% or Rs 15 whichever is lower
OptionsRs 15 per lot
Delivery Free
Currency (futures and commodities)0.05% or Rs 15 whichever is lower
DP ChargesRs 15 plus 18% GST per transaction
Features2-in-1 accountSMS Alert

The above table clearly shows that Zerodha is the largest stockbroker in India, with the most unique active clients registered on the National Stock Exchange, followed by Upstox and Angle One.

FAQs About Best Stock Brokers in India

Q1: What are the key factors to consider when selecting a stock broker in India?

Ans: Consider factors like brokerage fees, trading platforms, customer support, research and analysis tools, ease of use, and the broker’s reputation in the market.

Q2: How can I open an account with a top stock broker in India?

Ans: Visit the broker’s official website, locate the “Open an Account” section, and follow the registration process. This typically involves submitting KYC documents and completing an application form.

Q3: Are there any hidden charges associated with using stock brokers?

Ans: Brokers may have various fees, including brokerage charges, account maintenance fees, transaction charges, and more. It’s essential to review the broker’s fee structure thoroughly.

Q4: Can I trade on a mobile device with these top stock brokers?

Ans: Yes, most top stock brokers offer mobile trading apps, enabling you to trade conveniently on smartphones or tablets.

Q5: How can I compare different stock brokers to find the best one for me?
Ans: Create a list of your priorities, such as low fees, a user-friendly platform, or specific investment options. Compare brokers based on these criteria and read reviews from other users.

Q6: Is there any regulatory body overseeing stock brokers in India?

Ans: Yes, SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) is the regulatory authority overseeing stock brokers and ensuring market integrity in India. Always choose brokers regulated by SEBI for added security.

Q7: Why is the number of active clients important when choosing a stock broker?

Ans: The number of active clients can be indicative of a broker’s popularity and reliability. Brokers with a large client base often have a more extensive track record and may offer more competitive services.

Q8: Can I trust stock brokers solely based on their active client numbers?
Ans: While a high number of active clients is a positive sign, it’s crucial to consider other factors such as reputation, customer service, trading platforms, and fees. Always research comprehensively before choosing a stock broker.