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Best Demat Accounts in India in 2025

by Admin - 2025-04-25

There was a time when investing seemed like a puzzle only experts could solve. People thought you needed a finance degree, a fancy advisor, or hours of research just to buy a single stock. But not anymore. Thanks to smartphones and smart apps, investing is now easier, faster, and more exciting than ever before. You can easily start the investment process and journey with a few clicks on your smartphone, and you are good to go. All you need is a best demat account in India to get started with and let the investment journey go smoothly. Think of a demat account like your personal digital locker. It safely stores all your shares and investment documents in one place. Now here’s the tricky part—there are so many platforms out there claiming to be the best. Each app promises low fees, great features, or the easiest experience. So, how do you know which one is right for you, especially if you’re just starting out?

What is a Demat Account?

A Demat account stores your stock-based assets as electronic items within a service account managed by a secure app. E-shares replace physical stock certificates to ensure protection from theft and loss. Stock market traders need to set up their Demat account through a depository participant such as a bank or brokerage. This system expedites security transactions and it allows investors to store various investment types at once. The best demat accounts help complete transactions quickly and securely, so investors can benefit from digital investment processes in India today.

Benefits of Opening a Demat Account

To grow your wealth through stock market investments, you should begin by opening a Demat account. Your Demat account functions as advanced online storage to keep all your investment assets digitally safe from physical threats.

Safe & Paperless Investment

You can securely store the lifetime investments via a digital Demat account. People no longer need to handle physical stock certificates, which can get lost, stolen or tampered with. The digital storage protects your assets from threats to physical items and lets you access them anytime using your computer or mobile device.

Quick & Seamless Transactions

Your Demat account permits fast processing of investment transactions. Share and investment trading takes place immediately, while funds settle T+1 within normal business days. Investors can take immediate action on market changes while maintaining efficient control of their available funds.

All-in-One Investment Platform

Your Demat account is not limited to holding share certificates. Through this single platform, you can invest in all major asset types, including mutual funds, ETFs, government bonds and American stocks, when you work with certain brokerage companies. It makes it easier to monitor and handle different types of investments through a unified online interface.

Auto Credit of Corporate Actions

Your account receives automatic transfers for all dividend payments, interest earnings, bonus shares, and stock splits. By automating activities, you don't need to follow up manually and will never miss a payment.

Cost-Effective & Convenient

Discount brokerage services have made it possible to create and run a Demat account with cost-effective options. You can open an account on numerous platforms without paying fees today, since most services cost little or nothing to use. People can now access investments through mobile tools and clear display panels, which help all investor levels make better use of their resources.

Top 10 Best Demat Accounts in India

Broker

Annual Maintenance Fee (AMC)

Brokerage Fee (Equity Delivery/Intraday)

Zerodha

Rs 300 annually

Delivery: Free
Intraday: Rs 20 or 0.03% per trade (whichever is lower)

Groww

No AMC charged

Rs 20 per transaction or 0.1% of trade value

Upstox

First year free; Rs 150/year thereafter

Delivery: Free
Intraday: Rs 20 or 0.05% (lower of the two)

Angel One

Free in year one;
Rs 60 per quarter for non-BSDA clients

First Rs 500 trades: Free
Then Rs 20 or minimum Rs 2 per trade

ICICI Direct

First year free; Rs 700/year from second year

Flat Rs 20 per executed order

HDFC Sky

Rs 0 for the first year;
Rs 240/year from the second year

Rs 20 per order or 2.5% of trade value, whichever is lower

Kotak Securities

BSDA accounts: Rs 0–Rs 100
Non-BSDA: up to Rs 600/year

Charges 0.20% on the transaction amount

5paisa

AMC ranges from Rs 0 to Rs 300/year based on holding value

Rs 20 or 0.1% per executed trade

Sharekhan

No AMC for the first year.
Rs 400/year afterwards

0.30% of trade value or a minimum of 1 paisa per share

Edelweiss (Nuvama)

Free for first year;
Then Rs 500/year or Rs 1500 one-time

Rs 10 per executed transaction


Best Demat Accounts in India

These are the top choices for a demat account investment application:

1. Zerodha

Zerodha started operations in 2010 and now operates as a top-ranked discount brokerage company in India. Zerodha changed trading in India by giving customers free equity trading while making their trading technology available at an affordable price. The sleek and intuitive Kite platform, equipped with advanced charting tools, makes Zerodha a favorite among both beginners and seasoned traders. This is one of the best demat accounts in India, making it on top of the list.

Features:

  • Free equity delivery trades—no hidden costs for long-term investors.
  • Kite platform featuring advanced charts like TradingView, with over 100 technical indicators.
  • Seamless integration with Coin (mutual funds), Smallcase (portfolio-based investing), and Varsity (learning).
  • Clean, ad-free interface designed for speed and focus.
  • Robust APIs for algorithmic trading and custom solutions.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 200 (equity) or Rs 300 (equity + commodity)

2. Groww

Groww creates a simple investment platform that helps users trade all investment types, including stocks and mutual funds. Groww makes investing easy with its user-friendly platform and full set of trading features for investors of all levels. The Groww platform has several features that make it one of the best demat accounts for beginners.

Features:

  • Zero account opening and maintenance charges for a lifetime.
  • Unified dashboard for mutual funds, US stocks, and SIPs.
  • Fast onboarding—Demat account in under 5 minutes via Aadhaar.
  • Investment planning calculators built in (SIP, brokerage, etc.).
  • Intuitively designed app with a transparent, minimalistic interface for seamless navigation.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

3. Upstox

Upstox serves as a leading discount brokerage company in India by offering simple trading tools combined with competitive pricing. Upstox gives investors access to multiple investment choices of stocks, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, and initial public offerings to serve investors at all skill levels. Upstox simplifies trading for customers through its advanced technology while emphasizing innovative solutions.

Features:

  • Smart Watchlist, powered by AI, that suggests trending stocks.
  • Option chain analysis and option Greeks are available in-app.
  • Invest in stocks, mutual funds, and IPOs with zero commission.
  • Access to the API Bridge for algo traders and power users.
  • Chartiq and TradingView-powered graphs

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

4. Angel One

Angel One serves as an important full-service brokerage company in India that provides complete trading and investment solutions. Angel One uses advanced technology to develop platforms for trading and investing that suit both new and experienced market participants. There are many features in the trading app that you can use to analyse the market trends, which makes it one of the best Demat accounts out there in the market.

Features:

  • ARQ Prime helps investors by using advanced computer systems to create personal asset recommendations.
  • Video-based learning through the Smart Money platform.
  • Voice search-enabled investing in the mobile app.
  • In-depth research reports are available even to non-clients.
  • 24/7 WhatsApp bot and app-based customer service.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

5. ICICI Direct

ICICI Direct serves as a notable full-service brokerage firm in India that provides all aspects of investment and trading services. The platform serves beginners and experts with tools that help investors make good decisions about their money.

Features:

  • Effortless 3-in-1 account integration with ICICI Bank for smooth and instant fund transfers
  • Trade Racer terminal is designed exclusively for high-volume, serious investors
  • Join iCommunity to explore social investing and engage in real-time market discussions
  • One-stop access to IPOS, bonds, fixed deposits, and insurance—everything you need in one place
  • Built-in tax planning tools and portfolio health check.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

6. HDFC Sky

HDFC Securities created HDFC Sky to serve as their latest trading platform, designed with ease and efficiency in mind. Users benefit from an easy-to-use interface that works well for investment beginners as well as experienced traders. HDFC Sky uses modern technology to add advanced trading capabilities that help users make better investment choices.

Features:

  • Margin Trading Facility (MTF) at just 1% per month—one of the most competitive rates in the industry.
  • Daily market insights from HDFC's in-house analysts.
  • Customizable risk alerts and order triggers.
  • Access to US stock investments and international ETFs.
  • Modern, intuitive user experience designed to support beginners as they grow into active traders.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

7. Kotak Securities

Kotak Securities runs India's top full-service brokerage business and provides all investment and trading tools. Its digital platforms serve investors who are new to the market and advanced traders through an innovative technology system.

Features:

  • Kotak Neo—customizable trading dashboard with AI filters.
  • The platform offers built-in budget planning features and risk evaluation tests.
  • The platform uses Smart Order Routing (SOR) technology to search for better exchange prices.
  • For BSDA accounts, lifetime AMC is available.
  • Multi-language platform accessibility.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

8. 5 paisa

5paisa serves as India's top discount brokerage by providing complete financial services for investments and trading. The services align with technology and price benefits to help investors at all skill levels through simple interface tools. The FinSchool can help many investors to make their earnings, which makes it one of the best Demat accounts in India.

Features:

  • Value-add packs offering reduced brokerage + premium services.
  • FnO360 for derivatives traders with real-time risk and P&L tools.
  • Single-screen execution across segments (stocks, F&O, forex, etc.).
  • FinSchool—gamified investing education with certifications.
  • Instant loans against shares via 5paisa Capital.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

9. Sharekhan

As part of Mirae Asset, Sharekhan remains a strong and established full-service brokerage in India that provides complete trading and investment solutions. Sharekhan delivers technology-based platforms and research services to meet the requirements of beginner and advanced investors. 

Features:

  • TradeTiger terminal for desktop-based active trading.
  • Special investment baskets of related stocks come from our research.
  • Sharekhan Classroom for structured learning (progress tracked).
  • Personalised relationship manager for premium clients.
  • Long-term SIP planner integrated into portfolio dashboard.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

10. Edelweiss Broking (Nuvama Wealth)

Nuvama Wealth, formerly known as Edelweiss Broking, runs as a full-service brokerage firm in India by giving customers access to a vast range of investment and trading solutions. The company focuses on technology and research with tools suitable for all investor levels through its easy-to-use platforms.

Features:

  • Trader’s Lounge: Web-based terminal with smart order types.
  • A single command lets you buy different investment products, such as stocks and derivatives, together.
  • Investology platform with curated investment content.
  • Real-time sentiment tracking for stocks and sectors.
  • Lifetime AMC plans are available for long-term investors.

Charges:

  • Account Opening Fee: Rs 0

How to Choose the Best Demat Accounts in India

Choosing the right Demat account is key to making the investment experience simple and getting more returns. You will need to assess several key criteria before choosing between multiple brokerage companies.

  1. Brokerage & Charges:

The expense of conducting trades serves as a fundamental essential when choosing a broker. Each trading platform uses a distinctive approach to set fees that either depend on the trade size or include a fixed payment amount. Frequent traders should consider working with discount brokers like Zerodha, Upstox, and Groww because they charge only Rs 20 or less per trade.

  1. Platform & Usability

The platform's quality determines how well traders can execute their transactions. Choose brokers with user-friendly trading platforms that deliver quick performance without errors. Traders use advanced charting software with live market info, while one-click ordering helps them track their progress in personal dashboards.

  1. Account Opening & AMC

Brokers allow new clients to register for free with no AMCs in their first year. Some platforms offer both lifetime free AMC plans and additional benefits. Review all cost details of your demat account, including transaction fees and SMS notifications, before creating an account.

  1. Research & Customer Support

People who invest for the first time or depend on research should select brokers that publish knowledgeable research, guidance and educational materials. Pick a broker who provides quality customer support in various contact methods, including phone calls, chats, and emails.

  1. Additional Features & Offerings

Determine all services the broker offers beyond trading, including access to mutual funds and stocks, plus offers related to investing and customer assistance. Select a broker that matches your investment path to your plans.

Conclusion

Opening a Demat account represents the beginning of your investment journey and requires careful selection. Multiple trading platforms match the needs through brokers like ICICI Direct and Sharekhan, plus discount providers Zerodha, Groww, and Upstox. The different platforms match the investment needs of all traders who prioritise particular trading features, from low brokerage fees to research tools and mobile trading options. Take time to review all brokerages' plans, features, and fees before making your choice. The best demat accounts in India should align with your trading goals, frequency, and investment style. So, take your time, do the homework, and get ready to unlock the full potential of your financial future with the best Demat account for you.


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