Best 7 Demat Accounts in India

If you are looking to invest in the stock market, having a Demat account is the first step towards it. A Demat account serves as a digital repository that securely holds your shares and securities in electronic form, making trading easy, convenient, and secure. Choosing the right demat account is a must for a seamless investing experience.

But how do you choose the best demat account in India? So many options are available, each with its features, charges and benefits. How do you compare them and find the one that suits your needs and preferences?

Don't worry; we have got you covered. In this blog, we will help you find the Best Demat Account in India by comparing some of the most popular ones on various parameters. We will also give you some tips on how to open a demat account and what to look for when choosing one.

So, let's get started!

6 Best Demat Accounts in India

1. Zerodha

Zerodha provides a Demat account that allows you to trade in various segments at low or zero brokerage rates. The trading platform offers several online tools and platforms, such as Kite, Coin, Varsity, Console, etc. and has one of the most reliable customer support systems. Kite, built in-house, is India's simplest stock trading app, featuring a user-friendly interface, advanced features like 100+ indicators, cover/GTT orders, and multilingual support, making it an ideal platform for traders.

Read about 'How to use Zerodha Kite?'

Pros: 

• Zero brokerage for equity delivery trades, which means you don't have to pay any commission for buying and selling shares in the cash segment.
• Low brokerage for other segments, such as equity intraday, futures, options, and currency, which is 0.03% or ₹20 per executed order, whichever is lower.
• Kite - a trading and investing platform accessible on desktop and mobile devices with an intuitive interface.
• Zerodha Coin to invest in mutual fund direct plans without paying any commission or fees.
• Responsive and helpful customer support is available via email and chat.

Cons: 

• Demat account opening costs ₹300, and an annual maintenance charge of ₹300 is applicable.
• It covers only the Indian market, so you can't trade or invest in foreign markets or currencies through it.

2. Groww

Groww is a popular Indian fintech platform designed to simplify your financial journey. It offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, making it a one-stop solution for all your financial needs. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, Groww has something for you.

Read about 'How to use Groww App?'

Pros: 

• Zero account opening and maintenance charges.
• Instant and paperless online account opening.
• Commission-free investment for customers on Mutual Funds.
• The mobile app and website are beginner-friendly and intuitive.
• Invest in stocks, ETFs, IPOs, mutual funds, and even apply for loans.

Cons: 

• No commodity or currency derivative products are available.
• No physical branches or call & trade facilities.
• Lacks advanced research tools and advisory services.
• Not available for Non-Resident Indians.

3. Bajaj Broking

Bajaj Broking, a subsidiary of the renowned Bajaj Finance Limited, offers a feature-rich Demat account tailored to meet the needs of both beginner and experienced traders. With its seamless interface, the platform provides easy access to equity delivery trades, derivatives (F&O), intraday trading, and more.
Bajaj Broking stands out with its flat and highly competitive brokerage structure, designed to suit traders of all levels. For equity delivery trades, there’s ₹0 brokerage, making it a cost-effective solution for long-term investors. The professional pack offers trading at ₹10 per order for intraday and F&O, while the freedom pack provides a flat rate of ₹20 per order.

Opening a Demat account with Bajaj Broking is a fast and hassle-free process, with zero account maintenance charges (AMC), making it an appealing choice for cost-conscious investors. Backed by a highly responsive and reliable customer support team, Bajaj Broking ensures that users experience smooth and seamless trading across multiple segments.

Pros:

• Zero brokerage for equity delivery trades, enabling long-term investments without commission fees.
• Flat brokerage fees for intraday and F&O trades at ₹10 per order under the professional pack, and ₹20 per order in the freedom pack.
• Hassle-free and fast account opening with zero AMC charges, making it easy and cost-effective for new traders.
• Physical branches are available across India, providing a full-service brokerage experience.
• User-friendly trading platform with an intuitive interface accessible on both desktop and mobile devices.
• Responsive customer support is available to assist users through email and chat for a smooth experience.

Cons:

• Commodities trading not available, which may limit some traders looking for broader market options.
• Plans are priced differently based on trading frequency and volume, which could be less appealing to occasional traders.

4. Upstox

Upstox is a leading discount broking firm in India, aiming to make investing simple, affordable, and accessible for everyone. Founded in 2009, they've grown from a small operation to serve over 1 crore investors across the country. They offer a user-friendly platform for trading in equities, commodities, currencies, and mutual funds, all with a focus on low brokerage fees. 

Pros: 

• They offer a flat ₹20 per trade fee across all segments, which is attractive for active traders.
• Margin trading facility to trade with borrowed funds.
• It provides you with different kinds of knowledge resources, from technicals to fundamentals of investing.

Cons: 

• No monthly trading plans.
• It is an online-only broker, which might not suit investors who prefer face-to-face interaction.
• Limited customer support hours.

5. 5paisa

5paisa is a rapidly growing discount stock broking company based in India. Founded in 2016, they offer online trading and investment services across various segments like equities, derivatives, commodities, currencies, and mutual funds. Their core principle is "A Paisa Saved is a Paisa Earned," reflected in their flat fee of ₹20 per order, regardless of the segment. This makes them a popular choice for cost-conscious investors.

Pros: 

• Whether you're a beginning trader, investor, or expert trader, 5paisa offers different brokerage plans for you.
• All-in-one account for stock, mutual fund, commodity, currency, research, and advisory investments.
• 5paisa offers traders a cutting-edge trading platform and free technical, derivative, and fundamental research.

Cons:

• Their free "Optimum" plan doesn't include research and advisory services, which may be crucial for some investors.
• It doesn't provide services for NRI traders.
• Some users have reported challenges reaching customer support or receiving timely assistance.
• Higher exchange transaction charges.

6. HDFC Securities

HDFC Securities, a subsidiary of the renowned HDFC Bank, has established itself as a leading full-service stockbroker in India. Launched in 2000, they cater to investors of all levels, offering a comprehensive suite of features to manage your finances seamlessly.

Pros: 

• Invest in equities, derivatives, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds, and more, all under one roof.
• Multiple platforms and trading options, including advanced features like GTT orders and basket trading.
• 3-in-1 account to simplify your finances with a combined Demat, trading, and bank account.
• Access research reports, investment recommendations, and relationship manager support.

Cons:

• You cannot trade on commodity exchanges like MCX or NCDEX through HDFC Securities.
• Services and features may cater more towards experienced investors with larger portfolios.

7. Axis Direct

Axis Direct, a subsidiary of Axis Bank, is a prominent online brokerage firm in India offering a diverse range of investment and trading solutions. From beginners to seasoned investors, Axis Direct caters to various financial needs with its 3-in-1 account and multiple platforms.

Pros:

• Simplifies investing and trading by combining Demat, Savings, and Trading accounts.
• Wide investment options like equities, derivatives, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, bonds, and more.
• Detailed research reports and professional advice on stocks and investing.
• Supports diverse order types for risk management.
• Offers comprehensive support channels.

Cons:

• Plans are priced differently based on trading frequency and volume.
• Brokerage, account opening cost, and maintenance charges are very high compared to other brokers.
• Some users have experienced longer wait times and less satisfactory support when seeking assistance from Axis Direct's customer service team.

Here is the comparison table:

Broker	Account Opening Fees	Annual Maintenance Charges	Equity Delivery	Equity Intraday	Free Research Reports
Zerodha	₹300	₹300	Zero	0.03%	No
Groww	Free	Free	0.05%	0.05%	No
Bajaj Broking	Free	Free	₹0/order	Freedom: ₹20/order Professional Pack: ₹10/order	No
Upstox	Free	₹150	₹20 or 2.5%	₹20 or 0.05%	No
5paisa	Free	₹300	₹10	₹10	Yes
HDFC Securities	Free	Free	0.15%	0.015%	Yes
Axis Direct	₹499	₹790	0.50%	0.05%	Yes

Conclusion

If you want to invest in the stock market, it's important to have a Demat account. However, choosing the best can be overwhelming since there are many options available in India. 
Don't worry! You can visit Select by Finology today, compare brokers, and receive help opening your account. This way, you can confidently take your first step towards investing in the stock market. 
Remember, before investing, it's essential to assess your goals, research thoroughly, and choose the account that best suits your needs.