The best demat account app in 2026 is no longer just the one with the lowest entry cost. For investors, it should make mutual funds, ETFs, stocks, and IPOs easy to access and manage. For traders, it should add charting, speed, order flexibility, option tools, and margin features without becoming cluttered. Here are some of the top demat account apps in India for 2026, for both investing and active trading.
1. Groww
Groww is one of the cleanest demat apps for users who want to invest and trade from the same setup. It offers a ₹0 account opening and ₹0 AMC, along with direct mutual funds at zero charges, SIPs, ETFs, and IPO access.
For traders, Groww has a deeper stack than its simple interface suggests: option chain tools, pledge, MTF, GTT orders with up to 1-year validity, commodities and F&O access, and a dedicated terminal that supports customizable layouts with multiple charts.
Its equity brokerage remains ₹20 or 0.1% per executed order, whichever is lower, with a ₹5 minimum. That combination makes Groww the most balanced demat app on this list for mixed-use users.
2. Upstox
Upstox is a strong second choice, especially for users who lean more toward active trading but still want full access to investing. Its demat account supports stocks, mutual funds, IPOs, F&O, commodities, currencies, gold, and fixed income.
The trading side is where Upstox differentiates itself most clearly: TradingView-based charting, up to eight charts on screen, 100+ indicators, 80+ drawing tools, 3-leg GTT support, and MTF features are all prominently listed on its official pages.
In pricing terms, it keeps things simple with ₹0 account opening, ₹0 commission on mutual funds and IPOs, and ₹20 brokerage across key traded segments, while first-year AMC is waived for newly onboarded users.
3. Angel One
Angel One works well for users who want a broader “trade plus guidance” environment. It offers access to stocks, mutual funds, SIPs, IPOs, ETFs, F&O, commodities, and MTFs on a single platform.
It also supports TradingView, advanced charts, and GTT orders with a 1-year validity period, giving traders more flexibility than a purely day-only setup. For investors, Angel One also offers direct mutual funds at 0% commission.
Brokerage is currently ₹20 or 0.1% per executed order, whichever is lower, with a ₹5 minimum for equity delivery and intraday, while F&O brokerage is ₹20 per executed order.
4. Dhan
Dhan continues to look attractive for users who want a trading-centric app but do not want to give up long-term investing features. It offers stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, IPOs, commodities, and derivatives, while also keeping core account costs low with ₹0 account opening, ₹0 AMC, and ₹0 platform fees.
Delivery investing in equities, ETFs, IPOs, and mutual funds is free, while intraday and MTF equity/ETF trading costs ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower. Dhan also supports direct mutual funds at 0% commission, stock SIPs, MTF, and Forever Orders, which are valid for up to 365 days, making it one of the more flexible options for active users.
5. 5paisa
5paisa closes this list as a useful low-cost option for users who want a broad feature set without a high barrier to entry. It supports stocks, IPOs, mutual funds, ETFs, derivatives, direct mutual funds at 0% commission, and stock SIPs.
Its trading toolkit includes option chain access with Greeks, FnO 360, MTF, and chart-based trading via advanced chart integrations. Pricing remains one of its biggest advantages: ₹0 account opening, ₹0 AMC for the first year, ₹0 brokerage for the first 30 days, up to ₹500, and then a flat ₹20 per trade across segments.
6. ICICI Direct
ICICI Direct is the best fit here for users who want a more conventional brokerage environment with institutional backing. It’s a 3-in-1 structure that links savings, trading, and demat functions, and the platform supports stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, commodities, bonds, IPOs, and derivatives.
It is also better equipped for technical users than its legacy image suggests, with technical charts supporting over 100 indicators and both the ChartsIQ and TradingView libraries. Pricing depends on the selected plan, with ICICI Direct advertising delivery brokerage as low as 0.07% and MTF interest from 9.65% p.a. on select Prime plans.
Conclusion
If the goal is to open one demat account that works well for both investing and active trading, Groww could be the best overall choice on this list. It covers the core investor needs cleanly and still gives traders meaningful tools rather than a stripped-down experience. Upstox and Dhan remain strong alternatives for users who skew more toward trading, and Angel One offers a broader, information-led environment. ICICI Direct suits users who value a bank-linked structure, and 5paisa remains compelling in terms of cost.
Anantha Nageswaran is the chief editor and writer at TheBusinessBlaze.com. He specialises in business, finance, insurance, loan investment topics. With a strong background in business-finance and a passion for demystifying complex concepts, Anantha brings a unique perspective to his writing.
