Check the top trading apps on Sharescart. Compare different brokers, check their features, pros and cons, and pick the right one.
In 2026, choosing the right trading app has become more critical than ever before. With global stock markets reaching record highs and cryptocurrency volatility drawing in millions of new traders, over 150 million people worldwide are now engaged in online trading — up 20% from 2025 — highlighting the explosive growth in retail investing. The online trading platform market is projected to grow from $11.57 billion in 2026 to $18.50 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 6%, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in financial technology. With this rapid expansion comes a flood of platforms of varying quality, and the stakes of picking the wrong one are high. Choosing poorly can lead to high fees, poor execution speeds, or even security breaches, potentially costing traders thousands of dollars. In 2026, most platforms now offer AI-driven personalization, fractional trading, and wallet interoperability — meaning the gap in tools and features between a good app and a bad one is wider than ever directly impacting a trader's ability to manage risk, analyze markets, and execute profitable decisions. Regulators like the FCA have also flagged that poorly designed apps with gamification features can distort investor risk tolerance, making it essential for investors — especially beginners — to be highly selective about which platform they trust with their money in today's market.
A truly powerful trading app is not just fast—it is secure, transparent, feature-rich, and easy to use. Choosing the right one can significantly improve both your trading experience and outcomes.
| Platform | Downloads | Android Rating | iOS Rating | Opening Charges | AMC (₹/yr) | International Trading | F&O | IPO Brokerage | Delivery Charges | F&O Charges |
| Zerodha Kite | 1Cr+ | 4.4 | 4.3 | ₹0 | ₹100-300 | Free | ₹0 | ₹20/order | ||
| Groww | 10Cr+ | 4.8 | 4.6 | ₹0 | ₹0 | (limited) | Free | ₹20 or 0.1% per executed order | ₹20/order | |
| Angel One | 10Cr+ | 4.4 | 4.4 | ₹0 | 450 | Free | ₹20 or 0.1% per executed order | ₹20/order | ||
| Upstox | 1Cr+ | 4.4 | 4.3 | ₹0 | ₹0 | YES WITH LIMITATIONS | Free | ₹20 per executed order or 2.5% (whichever is lower) for equity delivery trades | ₹20/order | |
| HDFC Securities | 10L+ | 4.6 | 4.7 | Account opening is usually free for standard 3-in-1 online accounts, while Demat AMC is often ₹0 in the first year and then ₹300-₹750 annually, with some premium accounts offering zero AMC. | ₹750 | Charges apply | 0.50% or minimum ₹25 | 0.10% or min 20 Rs | ||
| ICICI Direct Markets | 1cr+ | 4.6 | 4.8 | Account opening is free with a 3-in-1 setup (savings, trading, demat), Demat AMC is around ₹700 p.a. (often waived in the first year) | ₹300-₹700 | NOT DIRECTLY OFFERED | Charges apply | Varies by plan, often 0.15% to 0.75% of trade value (minimum brokerage might apply) | Based on percentage (e.g., 0.03% to 0.75%) or flat rates per order depending on the brokerage plan. | |
| 5paisa | 1Cr+ | 4.2 | 4.3 | ₹0 | ₹25-₹300 | NO | Free | Flat ₹20 per executed order | ₹20/order | |
| Kotak Securities | 1cr+ | 4.4 | 4.7 | Kotak Securities offers free account opening for trading and Demat accounts, with an AMC of ₹600 per year and special plans like Trade Free Youth for users under 30. | Frequently ₹0 for new accounts (Trade Free Youth), otherwise potentially ₹600 for older plans. | Free/paid plans | ₹0 (plans) | Flat ₹10 per executed order (Trade Free Plan) or sometimes ₹20 in older "Trade Free Max" structures. | ||
| Rupeezy | 5L+ | 4.3 | 4.5 | ₹0 | ₹0-₹299 | Free | ₹0 | ₹20/order | ||
| Dhan | 1cr+ | 4.5 | 3.2 | ₹0 | ₹0 | Free | ₹0 | 20 per executed order or 0.03% |
Zerodha Kite is India's largest and most trusted discount broker, founded in 2010 by Nithin Kamath. It revolutionised the Indian brokerage industry by introducing flat-fee trading and a clean, powerful trading interface. Kite is widely regarded as the best overall app for intraday trading and long-term investing, thanks to its speed, reliability, and advanced charting tools. With over 1 crore downloads and an Android rating of 4.4/5 stars and an iOS rating of 4.3/5 stars, Zerodha Kite is the go-to platform for millions of Indian traders and investors.
Groww is one of India's fastest-growing investment platforms, originally launched as a mutual fund platform and now a full-fledged stock broker. It has become extremely popular among first-time investors and millennials due to its clean, beginner-friendly interface and zero-hassle onboarding. With over 10 crore downloads, an Android rating of 4.8/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 4.6/5 stars, Groww has among the largest, investor communities in India. The platform supports stocks, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, and F&O trading under one roof.
Angel One (formerly Angel Broking) is one of India's oldest and most trusted brokerage firms, established in 1987 with over 35 years of market experience. It has successfully transformed itself from a full-service broker to a tech-first discount broker with a powerful super app. With over 10 crore downloads, an Android rating of 4.4/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 4.4/5 stars, Angel One is especially popular among investors who want low-cost trading alongside in-depth research and advisory support. The ARQ Prime AI feature sets it apart by offering personalised investment recommendations.
Upstox is one of India's leading discount brokers, backed by prominent investors including Ratan Tata and Tiger Global. It is well known for its speed, competitive pricing, and advanced trading tools. With over 1 crore downloads, an Android rating of 4.4/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 4.3/5 stars, Upstox strikes an excellent balance between affordability and feature richness. It is particularly popular among active traders due to its free TradingView integration, fast order execution, and developer-friendly APIs. The platform supports equities, F&O, commodities, currency, mutual funds, and IPOs.
HDFC Securities is one of India's most reputed full-service stock brokers and is a subsidiary of HDFC Bank - one of India's largest private sector banks. It offers a comprehensive suite of investment services including equities, derivatives, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds, and insurance under one integrated platform. With over 10 lakh downloads, an Android rating of 4.6/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 4.7/5 stars, HDFC Securities is the preferred choice for conservative investors and HDFC Bank customers who value bank-grade security, research-backed advice, and seamless banking integration. The 3-in-1 account (bank + trading + demat) makes it a particularly convenient option.
ICICI Direct Markets is one of India's oldest and largest full-service retail stock brokers, operated by ICICI Securities - a subsidiary of the renowned ICICI Group. As a pioneer in online trading in India, ICICI Direct offers a wide range of financial products including equities, derivatives, mutual funds, fixed deposits, bonds, NPS, and US stocks. With over 1 crore downloads, an Android rating of 4.6/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 4.8/5 stars, it is especially trusted by investors who prefer bank-integrated trading, reliable research, and a comprehensive financial ecosystem. The 3-in-1 account (ICICI Bank + trading + demat) makes it extremely convenient for ICICI Bank customers.
5paisa is one of India's fastest-growing discount brokers, known for its ultra-low flat-fee pricing model and a wide range of investment products available on a single platform. Launched by IIFL (India Infoline) as a separate budget-focused entity, 5paisa appeals to cost-conscious investors who want access to equities, F&O, mutual funds, commodities, currency, and robo-advisory - all without breaking the bank. With over 1 crore downloads, an Android rating of 4.2/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 4.3/5 stars, it has built a growing user base among active traders and retail investors looking for predictable, low costs.
Kotak Securities is one of India's most established full-service brokers, founded in 1994 and backed by Kotak Mahindra Bank - one of India's top private banks. Known for its comprehensive research, strong analytics platform, and the unique 3-in-1 account offering (banking + trading + demat), Kotak Securities is the go-to choice for investors who want professional-grade tools alongside excellent banking integration. With over 1 crore downloads, an Android rating of 4.4/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 4.7/5 stars, it has built a loyal base of serious investors and HNIs. As of April 2026, Kotak Securities has an active client base of over 14+ lakh.
Rupeezy (formerly AsthaTradeOnline) is a growing discount broker based in India, incorporated in 2002, known for offering powerful options trading tools, advanced analytics, and 5x leverage trading. It has carved a niche in the F&O trading community by providing over 100 technical indicators, pre-defined options strategies, and an advanced option chain - all on a lightweight, fast platform. With over 50 lakh downloads, an Android rating of 4.3/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 4.5/5 stars, Rupeezy appeals to active traders who want specialist tools at low cost. Accounts opened after June 15, 2024 enjoy zero AMC for life.
Dhan is one of India's newest and fastest-growing discount brokers, launched in 2021 by Raise Financial Services. Despite being a relatively young platform, Dhan has quickly built a strong reputation among active traders - particularly options and F&O traders - due to its focus on speed, powerful tools, and a clean modern interface. With over rapidly growing user base, an Android rating of 4.5/5 stars, and an iOS rating of 3.2/5 stars, Dhan is especially popular on Android. The platform offers zero account opening charges, zero AMC, and a flat brokerage model, making it highly attractive for cost-conscious active traders. It supports equities, F&O, mutual funds, commodities, currency, and IPOs from a single, unified platform.
Trading apps have transformed the way Indians invest and trade, making the stock market more accessible than ever before. Here is a look at the key benefits they offer:
Trading apps have fundamentally changed how Indians participate in the stock market - lowering barriers, cutting costs, and putting powerful tools in the hands of everyday investors. That said, no single app suits everyone. Before choosing a platform, consider your trading style, frequency, the instruments you wish to trade, and the fee structure that works best for you. A little research up front goes a long way in finding the right platform to support your financial goals.
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