Winners summary
Best stock broker in India – Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) earns the top spot as the best stock broker in India for 2025 due to its unmatched global reach, regulatory reliability, and competitive pricing. Regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Interactive Brokers offers Indian investors a secure and robust platform for accessing a wide variety of investment opportunities across global markets.
Global market access: With IBKR, Indian residents can seamlessly trade U.S. stocks, Indian equities, and over 135 markets worldwide – spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and beyond. This breadth of access is unparalleled among brokers operating in India, making it a great choice for investors looking to diversify their portfolios internationally.
Platforms and tools: IBKR is known for its institutional-grade tools and platforms such as Trader Workstation (TWS) for advanced trading and its more user-friendly IBKR Desktop and IBKR GlobalTrader app for beginners and casual investors. Fractional shares allow Indian investors to buy high-value U.S. stocks like Apple or Amazon with minimal capital, democratizing access to premium markets.
Trading costs: Interactive Brokers' competitive pricing includes zero-commission trading on U.S. stocks under the IBKR Lite plan and some of the lowest margin rates in the industry. For Indian investors, the transparent fee structure ensures no hidden costs, which can be a concern when working with local intermediaries.
Whether you're a seasoned trader, a passive investor, or just starting out, IBKR stands out as the most comprehensive and cost-effective broker for Indian residents in 2025. From its SEBI regulation to its state-of-the-art tools and vast international market access, IBKR continues to set the gold standard for global investing.
Learn more by reading our Interactive Brokers review.
Excellent trading platform (thinkorswim) – Charles Schwab
| Company |
Overall |
Minimum Deposit |
Stock Trades |
 Charles Schwab
|
 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Charles Schwab stands out as another top choice for Indian investors in 2025, combining a legacy of reliability with cutting-edge trading technology and global reach. Indian residents can open accounts to trade U.S. stocks without minimum deposit requirements, and Schwab provides a range of account options, from traditional brokerage accounts to long-term wealth planning.
A global financial powerhouse with trillions in assets under custody, Schwab provides investors in India with access to zero-commission trading on U.S. stocks and ETFs, along with robust multi-asset trading tools, making it an ideal choice for those seeking both simplicity and sophistication.
Specialty trading platforms: Through its acquisition of TD Ameritrade, Schwab has integrated the award-winning thinkorswim trading platform for multi-asset trading, a feature-rich suite offering advanced charting tools, real-time data, and custom scripting using its ThinkScript-powered indicators. As a resident of India, you have to choose the Schwab International account for access to Schwab services.
Whether you're a professional trader or a long-term investor, the platform caters to all skill levels, with features like paper trading. On the Schwab web platform, fractional shares are available on all S&P 500 stocks via Stock Slices, if you want to buy high-value companies without having to purchase the full shares.
From its regulatory compliance to innovative trading tools, Charles Schwab continues to deliver a well-rounded package for Indian investors, maintaining its position as one of the most trusted names in global investing.
Learn more by reading our Charles Schwab review.
Discount broker for residents of India – Firstrade
| Company |
Overall |
Minimum Deposit |
Stock Trades |
 Firstrade
|
 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
Firstrade is an excellent choice for budget-conscious investors in India seeking a straightforward and cost-effective broker for accessing U.S. markets. Established in 1985, Firstrade combines zero-commission trading across stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds with a user-friendly platform, making it a standout for value-driven traders.
Range of investments: For Indian investors looking to build diversified portfolios with minimal costs, Firstrade delivers fractional shares trading on over 4,000 stocks and ETFs with a low minimum investment of $5. This makes it easy for beginners and those practicing dollar-cost averaging to gain exposure to U.S. markets. Moreover, options traders will appreciate OptionsPlay-powered trading ideas, offering actionable strategies without additional fees.
Top features: Costs and accessibility are key strengths. Firstrade charges no trading fees or annual account fees, setting itself apart as a true deep-discount broker. The absence of mutual fund transaction fees is particularly appealing to long-term investors seeking cost efficiency in building diversified portfolios.
However, advanced traders might find Firstrade’s platform and research tools somewhat limited compared to industry leaders like Interactive Brokers or Charles Schwab. While its FirstradeGPT AI tool provides innovative market insights, the lack of access to advanced features like Level II market data or extensive charting tools might deter professionals or those who require deeper analytics.
For Indian investors prioritizing affordability and ease of use, Firstrade offers a compelling value proposition. With no minimum deposit requirement, it’s an accessible entry point for beginners and a practical solution for experienced investors looking to minimize trading costs. While its tools are more geared toward casual investors, Firstrade remains a strong contender for those who prioritize cost savings and multilingual support over advanced trading capabilities.
Learn more by reading our Firstrade review.
FAQs
Who is the best stock broker for investing in US stocks from India?
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is the best broker for investing in U.S. stocks from India in 2025. Regulated by SEBI in India and by the SEC in the United States, IBKR provides Indian investors with a secure platform to trade U.S. stocks, Indian equities, and assets across 135 international markets. Its advanced trading tools, including Trader Workstation (TWS) for professionals and IBKR GlobalTrader for beginner stock traders, cater to investors of all experience levels. IBKR also offers a transparent, low-cost pricing structure, featuring zero-commission trading on U.S. stocks under the IBKR Lite plan, further enhances its appeal. Learn more by reading our Interactive Brokers review.
smartphoneChoosing a U.S.-regulated stock broker
When you choose a local broker in India, there will typically be additional costs and limitations involved when accessing the U.S. stock market, which is why it is almost always better to deal directly with a U.S.-regulated stock broker, or a broker in India that is also regulated in the U.S.
Can you buy stocks in India without a broker?
No, you can’t buy stocks in India without a stock broker. Whether you use a bank, or other fintech app or website, there will always be an underlying broker that transmits your orders to the exchange to execute each trade.
Who are the best low-cost stock brokers in India?
Which stock broker is best for beginners in India?
Charles Schwab is my number one choice for beginners in India in 2025. Beginner stock traders gain access to a tremendous amount of high-quality educational content covering a range of financial markets. Schwab’s website contains a dedicated “Learn” section, which houses educational courses and podcasts, the Onward Magazine, and its Insights & Education Center. You’ll find content that can help you learn general skills applicable to trading any market. Beginners will also appreciate Schwab’s Stock Slices, which allow you to purchase fractional shares, and the fact that Schwab offers paper trading, which allows you to practice stock trading without using real money. Check out our Charles Schwab review to learn more.
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Steven Hatzakis is a well-known finance writer, with 25+ years of experience in the foreign exchange and financial markets. He is the Global Director of Online Broker Research for Reink Media Group, leading research efforts for ForexBrokers.com since 2016. Steven is an expert writer and researcher who has published over 1,000 articles covering the foreign exchange markets and cryptocurrency industries. He has served as a registered commodity futures representative for domestic and internationally-regulated brokerages. Steven holds a Series III license in the US as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).
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