Difference Between Large Cap Vs Small Cap Vs Mid Cap Stocks
May 30, 2025
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India's stock broking industry has witnessed a tremendous transformation over the past few years. With millions of new investors entering the market, especially Gen Z and millennials, the demand for seamless, cost-effective, and feature-rich trading platforms has reached new heights. In the earlier times, investing in the stock market was quite complex and a headache, in which the investor had to do detailed analysis of the stocks and paperworks. Due to this, in the year 2000, less than 0.5% of the country's population was investing in the stock market, but after the Internet boom of India in 2016, many stock broker platforms have come up and through them, investing in the stock market has become quite easy by creating a Demat account.
In 2025, the market will be dominated by a mix of discount brokers and full-service firms that offer an array of services catering to both novice and seasoned traders. This article ranks the top 20 share brokers in India based on their number of active clients, features, and overall user experience.
We'll break down each broker's services, pricing and features to help you choose the best broker in India tailored to your needs. So if you are connected to the stock market in any way, whether you are a trader or an investor, read this article completely.
So if you are also an investor in the Stock Market or are thinking of investing in the Stock Market or Mutual funds, then before investing, it is best to choose the best stock broker platform so that you can easily start investing by creating a Demat account on that platform, so today in this article we will know about the top 20 stock broker platforms in India.
Rank | Stock Broker | Active Clients (2025) | Type | Brokerage Charges |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Groww | 1,30,11,867 | Discount Broker | Free delivery, ₹20/trade |
2 | Zerodha | 79,57,128 | Discount Broker | ₹20/trade |
3 | Angel One | 76,49,188 | Full-Service Broker | Free delivery, ₹20/trade |
4 | Upstox | 27,89,896 | Discount Broker | Charges: ₹20/trade |
5 | ICICI Securities | 19,38,192 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
6 | Kotak Securities | 14,91,998 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
7 | HDFC Securities | 14,88,982 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
8 | Motilal Oswal | 10,19,877 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
9 | SBICAP Securities | 9,82,704 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
10 | Dhan | 9,67,410 | Discount Broker | Free delivery, ₹20/trade |
11 | Mirae Asset Sharekhan | 6,74,378 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
12 | Paytm Money | 6,62,797 | Discount Broker | ₹20/trade |
13 | m.Stock | 5,60,995 | Discount Broker | Zero brokerage plans |
14 | IIFL Securities | 4,49,886 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
15 | 5Paisa | 4,38,280 | Discount Broker | ₹20/trade |
16 | Axis Direct | 4,23,767 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
17 | Share.Market (PhonePe) | 3,49,993 | Discount Broker | Flat ₹20/trade |
18 | Geojit | 2,48,888 | Full-Service Broker | Varies |
19 | Fyers | 2,43,923 | Discount Broker | Free delivery, ₹20/trade |
20 | Alice Blue | 2,00,000 | Discount Broker | ₹15/trade |
After the internet boom in India, many stock broker platforms have been launched, and today users can easily invest in the stock market using the internet, so whether you are a new stock market investor or a trader or a professional investor, it is most important for you to choose the right stock broker platform so that you can invest in the share market without any tension and full of trust, so let's learn about the 20 best stock broker platforms, and we will know in detail about all the stock brokers platforms, their ranking, active clients and when that platform was established so that you can choose the right stock broker platform according to your needs in 2025.
Groww has emerged as India’s largest stock broker, dominating with its easy-to-use platform and zero-cost equity delivery trades. Groww is a popular online investment platform where you can invest in mutual funds, stocks, US stocks, ETFs, IPOs, and F&O. Its user-friendly interface is very helpful for beginners. I have personally used the Groww platform too, it is a much more beginner friendly platform, if you are a beginner stock market investor then you can prefer the Groww platform. In this, you can easily open your Demat account in just 24 to 48 hrs and start trading.
Zerodha revolutionized discount broking in India with its low-cost model and robust trading tools. Zerodha is India's largest discount broker that provides low-cost trading services. The platform offers trading in stocks, F&O, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, and bonds. Zerodha's disruptive pricing model and in-house technology have made it a market leader. Zerodha's customer support team is great, so if you are a beginner or don't have much knowledge of investing, the Zerodha platform could be a good option for you.
Angel One balances affordability with quality advisory services. Angel One is a full-service broker that provides investment options in stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, US stocks, currencies, commodities, F&O, and bonds. This platform also offers advisory, portfolio management, and transaction services. Angel One is one of the top stock brokers in India, and this platform has also become quite popular in 2025.
Upstox is a strong competitor to Zerodha with similar pricing and advanced tools. Upstox is a SEBI-registered discount broker that offers trading in stocks, F&O, commodities, and currencies. This platform is known for its low brokerage charges and user-friendly interface. I have personally used Upstox and it is a very professional platform as compared to Groww. So if you are a professional stock market investor or have good knowledge of the share market, you can prefer Upstox. I really liked the Net worth feature of this platform, which shows the "Net Worth" of all your investments, be it in stocks or mutual funds, etc., as per the market value.
A trusted name in full-service broking with a strong offline presence. ICICI Securities is a part of ICICI Bank, which provides financial services like investments, insurance, borrowing, and real estate planning. This platform helps in wealth creation, preservation, and transfer. ICICI Banks has many branches in India due to which ICICI direct platform seems to be quite trusted.
Kotak Securities is a trusted name in full-service broking, offering robust trading platforms and personalized investment solutions. Kotak Securities is a full-service broker that provides investment options in stocks, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, and IPOs. This platform also offers research, trading, and advisory facilities. Kotak is quite popular for its banking facilities, especially Kotak's 811 online savings account, hence Kotak securities are also quite popular among Kotak customers.
HDFC Securities is known for its reliability and comprehensive market analysis. HDFC Securities is a subsidiary of HDFC Bank that provides an online real-time trading platform. This platform provides facility to buy/sell stocks on BSE and NSE, along with it offers mobile app and Call N Trade services. HDFC is a very popular bank in India, hence its stock broker platform "HDFC Securities" is also considered to be very trustable.
Motilal Oswal combines discount and full-service features, making it a versatile choice. Motilal Oswal is a reputed financial services company that provides investment options in stocks, mutual funds, commodities, and currencies. This platform is known for its research-based advisory services. This platform is quite popular among Stock Market investors or traders because of its discounts and referral demat account opening commission.
SBI Securities offers the trust of India’s largest bank with competitive pricing. SBICAP Securities, a part of SBI Capital Markets, provides secure online share market trading and investment solutions. This platform is known for trust and reliability. SBI Securities also has a mobile application available through which an investor can invest in Stock Market, Mutual funds, etc. from their phone and this platform is linked to SBI bank. If you have an SBI bank account, investing through SBI Securities can be a very good option for you as in this you will not have to go through repeated KYC verification along with security.
Dhan is gaining popularity for its sleek interface and affordable pricing. Dhan is a SEBI-registered stock broker that offers trading in equities, derivatives, commodities, and currencies. This platform offers mobile app, web trading platform, and India's first dedicated F&O trading platform. Dhan platform is also so popular for their stock market news and updates.
Mirae Asset Sharekhan merges global expertise with local presence. Mirae Asset Sharekhan is a full-service broker that provides investment options in equity, F&O, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, IPOs, fixed deposits, and bonds. This platform also offers NRI services. If you need currency exchange then this platform can be a good option for you, as this user gets all the NRI facilities along with a stock broker.
Paytm Money leverages its parent brand’s ecosystem for ease of transactions. Paytm Money is a SEBI-registered stockbroker that provides low-cost and commission-free investing options. The platform offers investments in mutual funds, stocks, NPS retirement funds, and IPOs. Payment money is associated with the Paytm application where you can easily receive or transfer transactions to Paytm money from your Paytm account and Paytm money is known for its attractive interface.
m.Stock is disrupting the market with its zero-cost model and user-friendly app. m.Stock is an initiative of Mirae Asset, which provides online investment options in stocks, delivery, intraday, F&O, mutual funds, and IPOs. This platform is known for advanced tools and intuitive interface. In this, users get the feature of “popular stocks”, “Most selling stocks” and “Most buying stocks” today, which helps the investor understand market sentiments.
IIFL Securities is a premium broker with a strong advisory team. IIFL Securities is a leading wealth management firm providing advisory solutions to retail and institutional clients. This platform offers diversified financial services and products, such as mutual funds, insurance, and portfolio management.
5 Paisa stands out for its tech-driven solutions and low-cost plans. 5paisa is a discount broker that provides seamless investment experience with transparent fees and zero hidden charges. This platform offers investment options in stocks, mutual funds, and insurance products.
Axis Direct offers reliability and seamless banking-trading synergy. AxisDirect is a subsidiary of Axis Bank that allows investors to invest in stocks, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, and derivatives. This platform makes the trading experience smooth with easy-to-use tools and research reports. Available on both mobile app and desktop platform, in which you can do real-time data and analysis of stocks.
Share.Market leverages PhonePe’s massive user base for accessibility. Share.Market is PhonePe’s investment platform specially designed for long-term investors. It offers stock baskets, direct stocks, and expert-backed recommendations. Its goal is to help retail investors make smarter investment decisions. The platform offers easy onboarding and an intuitive interface. The platform is quite new compared to other stock brokers but due to PhonePe’s branding, it is becoming quite popular among PhonePe users.
Geojit is a veteran broker with a focus on personalized service. Geojit is a well-established full-service broker that provides equity, mutual funds, portfolio management, and insurance services.
It is quite popular in South India and also offers investment solutions for NRIs. Its platform comes with Geojit SELFIE user-friendly tools and trading features.
Fyers is a favorite among technical traders for its superior charting tools. Fyers is a modern discount broker designed especially for traders. Its platform offers advanced charting tools and zero brokerage on delivery trades. Fyers' motto is “Focus Your Energy and Reform Yourself,” and it empowers traders through smart tools.
Alice Blue offers some of the lowest brokerage rates in India. Alice Blue is a low-cost discount broker that is very popular among F&O traders. This platform provides trading software named “ANT” which is very fast and customizable. Brokerage charges are quite low, and customer service is also responsive. It has a strong presence mainly in South Indian states.
Important Note: The information about all Indian stockbrokers given above has been taken from the internet and their official platforms, and our team has presented the data and information from different reputed sources, our personal experience and market research. We do not promote any platform or recommend you to use one. Choose the right stockbroker platform as per your knowledge and needs and invest in it. For more information, you can visit the official websites of the stockbroker platforms or read SEBI guidelines for Investors.
To open your Demat account on any Indian Share Broker platform, it is necessary for you to have a PAN Card and Aadhar Card and if you do online KYC verification, then for this your phone number should be linked with your Aadhar Card, because final document verification will be done through OTP only, apart from this you should be an Indian national and your age must be 18 or 18+. Future Trends in Stock Broking in India
AI-Powered Investment Tools: Many stock brokers in India are integrating AI for recommendations, portfolio analysis, and real-time alerts. This will help a lot in manual analysis and will also save a lot of time of Stocks investors or traders.
Zero Brokerage Plans: Like m.Stock, India's more brokers are expected to offer unlimited trading at flat rates.
Increased Regulatory Oversight: SEBI continues to enhance investor protection, making broking safer. SEBI India will bring many new rules and regulations for the education and awareness of stock market investors or traders.
Rise of Hybrid Models: A blend of discount and full-service models will gain popularity. With time all platforms will further enhance their facilities or features.
Focus on Tier 2/3 Investors: All platforms will increasingly cater to smaller cities with vernacular content. Even 1% of India's population does not invest in the stock market yet, so tier 2 and 3 cities will be targeted by these Stock broker platforms.
Choosing the best stock broker in India depends on your trading style, budget, and the kind of support you expect. While platforms like Groww and Zerodha are perfect for low-cost, no-frills trading, full-service brokers like ICICI Direct and Motilal Oswal offer a more guided approach. And if your Bank also provides stock broking facilities like SBI or Kotak Bank, then choosing their stock broking platform can also be a good option. After reading this detailed article, you will be able to choose the best stock broking platform according to your need in 2025.
1. Which is the best broker in India for beginners?
Groww and Zerodha are ideal for beginners due to their ease of use and low costs.
2. What is the difference between a full-service and discount broker?
Full-service brokers offer research, advisory, and portfolio management; discount brokers offer only trading services at lower costs.
3. Which platform is the best for options trading?
Zerodha and Upstox are widely used for options trading due to low charges and fast execution.
4. Is m.Stock really zero brokerage?
Yes, m.Stock offers zero brokerage on delivery and intraday if you opt for their subscription plan
5. What is the best stock market app in India?
Apps from Zerodha, Groww, Angel One, and Upstox are highly rated in terms of user experience. Because all these platforms come with simple to use interface.
6. Which broker is best for NRIs?
Geojit and ICICI Direct offer specialized NRI trading accounts. So if you are an NRI then you can prefer these platforms.
7. Who has the lowest brokerage for intraday?
Zerodha, Upstox, and Alice Blue charge ₹20 or less per trade.
8. Is Groww safe for beginners?
Yes, Groww is SEBI-registered and has a user-friendly interface and it's the most popular stock broker platform in India, in terms of active clients.
9. Which broker offers the best research reports?
Motilal Oswal and ICICI Direct provide premium research.
10. Can I switch brokers easily?
Yes, use the CDSL/NSDL slip transfer process for a seamless shift.
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