Top 5 Demat Accounts in India for Low Brokerage Charges (2025)

Finding the right broker from our guide to the Top 5 Demat Accounts in india is the first and most crucial step in your stock market journey. With dozens of brokers to choose from, beginners and even experienced traders can feel lost. High brokerage fees can eat into your profits, turning a winning trade into a losing one. This guide is here to cut through the noise.

We’ve analyzed the top stockbrokers in India to bring you the Top 5 Demat Accounts for Low Brokerage in 2025. This guide is for anyone—from a first-time investor to an active trader—who wants to maximize their returns by minimizing costs. We’ll break down the brokerage charges, account fees, platform features, and the pros and cons of each broker in simple terms.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently choose the best Demat account that perfectly matches your trading style and financial goals.

What is a Demat Account and Why Brokerage Matters?

Demat and Trading Account: The Basics

Before we dive in, let’s clarify two key terms:

• Demat Account: Think of this as a digital locker or a bank account for your shares. Instead of holding physical share certificates, your stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are held in an electronic (dematerialized) format in this account.

• Trading Account: This is the account you use to actually buy and sell shares in the stock market. It’s linked to your Demat account and your bank account.

In India, brokers typically offer a bundled 2-in-1 account (Demat + Trading), so you don’t have to open them separately.

Why Low Brokerage is a Game-Changer

Brokerage is the fee you pay your stockbroker for executing a trade (a buy or sell order). In the past, this was a percentage of your trade value, which could be very high. Today, discount brokers have changed the game by offering flat-fee brokerage.

Here’s why it’s so important:

• Higher Profits: Every rupee saved on brokerage is a rupee added to your profit.

• Enables Small Trades: With flat fees, you can start with small investment amounts without worrying about brokerage eating up a large chunk of your capital.

• Crucial for Traders: For intraday or frequent traders, high brokerage can wipe out all potential profits. A low, flat fee is non-negotiable.

The 5 Best Low-Brokerage Demat Accounts in India

After reviewing dozens of options based on pricing, platform quality, and user experience, here are our top 5 picks for 2025.

1. Zerodha

Zerodha is India’s largest discount broker and a favorite among both beginners and professional traders. They pioneered the low-cost brokerage model in India and are known for their cutting-edge technology and clean user interface.

Brokerage Charges:

• Equity Delivery: ₹0 (Free)
• Equity Intraday & F&O: Flat ₹20 per executed order.

Account Charges:

• Account Opening: ₹200 (Online)
• Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC): ₹300 per year.

Pros:

• Excellent and reliable trading platform (Kite).
• Completely free equity delivery trades.
• Extensive educational resources through Varsity.

Cons:

• No stock tips or recommendations (as they are a discount broker).
• Call and trade services are charged extra at ₹50 per order.

Best For:

• Everyone—from long-term investors to active day traders.

2. Upstox

Backed by prominent investors like Ratan Tata and Tiger Global, Upstox is another leading discount broker in India. It’s known for its user-friendly platform and competitive pricing, making it a strong competitor to Zerodha.

Brokerage Charges:

• Equity Delivery: ₹0 (Free)
• Equity Intraday & F&O: Flat ₹20 per executed order.

Account Charges:

• Account Opening: Often free (promotional offers are common).
• Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC): ₹249 per year.

Pros:

• Fast and intuitive trading platform.
• Competitive pricing with zero delivery fees.
• Good charting tools for technical analysis.

Cons:

Customer service can have longer wait times during peak hours.

Best For:

Tech-savvy traders and beginners looking for a modern interface.

3. Groww

Groww started as a direct mutual fund investment platform and has rapidly evolved into a full-fledged stockbroker. Its major selling point is its extreme simplicity, making it one of the best choices for absolute beginners.

Brokerage Charges:

• Equity Delivery: Flat ₹20 per executed order or 0.05% (whichever is lower).
• Equity Intraday & F&O: Flat ₹20 per executed order.

Account Charges:

• Account Opening: Free
• Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC): ₹0 (Free)

Pros:

• Completely free account opening and zero AMC.
• Super simple and beginner-friendly user interface.
• Seamlessly integrates stocks, mutual funds, and IPOs in one app.

Cons:

• Trading platform lacks advanced tools required by professional traders.
• Equity delivery is not free (unlike Zerodha and Upstox).

Best For:

Absolute beginners and mutual fund investors who want to start exploring stocks.

4. Angel One

Angel One has successfully transitioned from a traditional, full-service broker to a modern fintech company. It offers the best of both worlds: low-cost brokerage combined with research reports and advisory services, which are rare for discount brokers.

Brokerage Charges:

• Equity Delivery: ₹0 (Free)
• Equity Intraday & F&O: Flat ₹20 per executed order.

Account Charges:

• Account Opening: Free
• Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC): ₹240 per year (waived for the first year).

Pros:

• Zero brokerage on equity delivery.
• Provides stock recommendations and research reports.
• Strong presence with a large user base.

Cons:

• The platform can feel cluttered for some users due to the sheer number of features.

Best For:

• Investors who want low fees but still value research and advisory services.

5. Religare Dynami

Religare is a name that’s been in the market for a long time. While traditionally a full-service broker, their Dynami app is a modern offering that combines a powerful platform with the in-depth research they’re famous for.

Brokerage Charges:

• Equity Delivery: Varies by plan, but typically charged (not free).
• Equity Intraday & F&O: Flat ₹20 per executed order on their competitive plans. Subscription packs can lower this cost.

Account Charges:

• Account Opening: Typically has a fee, though it’s often waived during promotional periods.
• Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC): Generally higher than pure discount brokers, often around ₹400-₹500 per year.

Pros:

• Provides top-tier, in-depth research and expert stock recommendations.
• Offers a powerful trading platform with advanced analytical tools.
• Has a network of physical branches for in-person support.

Cons:

• The platform can be complex and overwhelming for absolute beginners.
• Annual charges (AMC) are higher compared to most discount brokers.
• Equity delivery trades are not free on their popular plans.

Best For:

• Investors and traders who heavily rely on professional research and want a feature-rich trading platform.

Of course! Here is a blog post about the top 5 Demat accounts in India, written in the style you’ve requested.

Quick Comparison of Top 5 Demat Accounts

For a quick overview, here’s how these brokers stack up against each other:

Broker	Equity Delivery Brokerage	Intraday Brokerage	Account Opening Fee	AMC (Annual Maintenance Charge)
Zerodha	Free	Flat ₹20	₹200	₹300/year
Upstox	Free	Flat ₹20	Free	₹249/year
Groww	Flat ₹20	Flat ₹20	Free	Zero
Angel One	Free	Flat ₹20	Free	₹240/year
Religare Dynami	Varies by plan	Flat ₹20	Free	₹400/year – ₹500/year

How to Choose the Right Demat Account for You

The “best” account depends entirely on your needs.

• If you are a long-term investor: Choose a broker with zero delivery brokerage and low AMC. Zerodha, Upstox, and Angel One are excellent choices.
• If you are an active day trader: Your priority should be a stable, fast platform and low flat fees. Zerodha and Upstox are tailor-made for this.
• If you are a complete beginner: Look for a simple interface and zero opening fees. Groww is arguably the easiest platform to start with.
• If you want research support: If you value stock tips and reports along with low fees, Angel One and Religare Dynami are great options.

Conclusion

The days of paying hefty brokerage fees are long gone. Today’s discount brokers have made investing in the stock market more affordable and accessible than ever before. Each of the brokers listed above offers a compelling combination of low fees and powerful features.

Your next step is to assess your own needs as an investor. Are you a buy-and-hold investor or a frequent trader? Do you need a simple interface or advanced tools? Answering these questions will point you to the right choice.

Don’t wait for the “perfect” time. Choose a broker, complete the simple online account opening process, and take the first step on your wealth creation journey today!

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