No Frills, All Thrills: Discount Brokers 2025

Brokerage Free Team •April 9, 2025 | 6 min read • 694 views

​In India's evolving financial landscape, discount brokers have transformed trading by offering cost-effective solutions and user-friendly platforms. As of 2025, here's an updated overview of some prominent discount brokers, their unique selling propositions (USPs), and key features:​

Top Discount Brokers in India (2025)

1. Zerodha

USP: Zero brokerage on equity delivery and a flat fee for intraday and F&O trades.​

Key Features:

  • Kite Trading Platform: An intuitive interface with advanced charting tools.​

  • Varsity: Comprehensive educational resources for investors.​

  • Coin: Direct mutual fund investments without commissions.​

Review: Zerodha's commitment to low costs and technological innovation has garnered a vast client base, making it a top choice for both novice and seasoned traders.​

2. Upstox

USP: Competitive brokerage rates with high-speed trade execution.​

Key Features:

  • Pro Web and Pro Mobile: Feature-rich platforms suitable for active traders.​

  • Access to Multiple Markets: Including equities, commodities, currencies, and derivatives.​

Review: Upstox's emphasis on technology and user experience positions it as a formidable competitor in the discount broking arena.​

3. Groww

USP: User-friendly interface tailored for first-time investors.​

Key Features:

  • All-in-One Platform: Investments in stocks, mutual funds, and digital gold.​

  • Educational Content: In-app blogs and tutorials to guide beginners.​

Review: Groww's minimalist design and educational resources make it ideal for newcomers to the stock market.​

4. Angel One

USP: Flat brokerage fees across segments with value-added advisory services.​

Key Features:

  • ARQ Prime: AI-powered investment recommendations.​

  • SmartAPI: For developers to build trading algorithms.​

Review: Angel One's hybrid approach appeals to investors seeking both low costs and expert guidance.​

5. 5Paisa

USP: Flat-rate brokerage with additional services like insurance and loans.​

Key Features:

  • Auto Investor: Robo-advisory for mutual fund investments.​

  • Research and Advisory: Stock recommendations and market insights.​

Review: 5Paisa's comprehensive offerings cater to investors looking for a one-stop financial solution.​

6. Paytm Money

USP: Low-cost investments with integration into the Paytm app.​

Key Features:

  • Direct Mutual Funds: Zero commission investments.​

  • Stock Broking: Equity trading with competitive brokerage.​

Review: Paytm Money's integration with its parent app offers convenience, especially for existing Paytm users.​

7. Fyers

USP: Feature-rich platforms with zero brokerage on delivery trades.​

Key Features:

  • Fyers One: Desktop platform with advanced charting.​

  • Thematic Investing: Pre-designed portfolios based on specific themes.​

Review: Fyers' emphasis on technology and thematic investments appeals to tech-savvy traders.​

8. Alice Blue

USP: Low brokerage with a focus on regional markets.​

Key Features:

  • ANT Trading Platform: Comprehensive tools for analysis and trading.​

  • Trade School: Educational initiatives for traders.​

Review: Alice Blue's regional focus and educational efforts make it a preferred choice in southern India.​

9. Dhan

USP: Zero fees for account maintenance and stock delivery trades.​

Key Features:

  • Modern Platform: User-friendly with advanced charting tools.​

  • Diverse Investment Options: Equities, ETFs, and mutual funds.​

Review: Dhan's transparent pricing and modern interface cater to the new-age investor.

10. Samco

USP: Flat ₹20 brokerage per executed order across all segments.

Key Features:

  • StockNote App: AI-powered trading platform for real-time market insights.

  • Leverage Products: High exposure for intraday and delivery trades.

Review: Samco's uniform brokerage structure and advanced trading tools make it suitable for traders seeking simplicity and efficiency.

11. ProStocks

USP: Ultra-low brokerage with unlimited monthly trading plans.

Key Features:

  • Unlimited Trading Plans: ₹899/month for equity and derivatives; ₹499/month for currency.

  • Free Account Opening and AMC: No charges for account opening and lifetime free AMC for Demat accounts.

Review: ProStocks' cost-effective plans and transparent pricing appeal to high-frequency traders looking to minimize costs.

✅ Comparison Matrix

Broker Delivery Intraday F&O Charges Account Opening AMC USP Platform Highlights
Zerodha ₹0 ₹20/order or 0.03% ₹20/order ₹200 ₹300/year Market leader, best tools Kite, Varsity, Coin
Upstox ₹0 ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹0 ₹0 Speed, Ratan Tata-backed Pro Web/Mobile
Groww ₹20 or 0.05% ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹0 ₹0 Beginner-friendly interface Clean app, Direct MF access
Angel One ₹0 ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹0 ₹240/year Hybrid model, AI advisory ARQ Prime, SmartAPI
5Paisa ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹0 ₹0 Full financial ecosystem Insurance, Robo advisory
Paytm Money ₹0 ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹200 ₹0 Seamless for Paytm users Mutual funds, Stocks, NPS
Fyers ₹0 ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹0 ₹0 Thematic investing + charting tools Fyers One, Fyers Web
Alice Blue ₹15/order or 0.05% ₹15/order ₹15/order ₹0 ₹400/year Low cost regional favorite ANT Platform
Dhan ₹0 ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹0 ₹0 Sleek UI, fast onboarding Options Trader, TradingView
Samco ₹0 ₹20/order ₹20/order ₹0 ₹0–₹400 StockNote (AI-powered) Leverage + research-rich
ProStocks ₹0 ₹15/order or unlimited plans ₹15/order or unlimited ₹0 ₹0 ProStocks Web & Desktop Unlimited plans + zero AMC
Note: Some brokers offer flat monthly brokerage plans (like ProStocks), while others follow the per-order model. Also, charges can vary based on optional add-ons (e.g., advisory tools, value packs).

✨ Key USPs by Broker

  • Zerodha: Reliable, stable, and offers a top-notch research + education ecosystem.

  • Upstox: Great for high-frequency traders with its speed and integration.

  • Groww: Easiest onboarding and app-first experience for millennials.

  • Angel One: Traditional investors looking for advisory plus discount pricing.

  • 5Paisa: Perfect for budget investors who want full financial services.

  • Paytm Money: Best for existing Paytm ecosystem users.

  • Fyers: Thematic investing + advanced trading tools make it ideal for experienced traders.

  • Alice Blue: Solid value for traders in Tier 2/3 cities.

  • Dhan: Great for mobile-first traders and options players.

  • Samco: A smart option for high-conviction traders who need tools and leverage. Great tech, though less beginner-friendly than Groww or Dhan.
  • ProStocks: A price warrior’s dream. If you trade often or want unlimited action without worrying about cost-per-trade, ProStocks is unbeatable.

🧠 Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

🔍 1. Know Your Trading Style

  • Casual/Long-term investors → Zerodha, Groww, Dhan

  • Active traders/intraday traders → Upstox, Fyers, Angel One

  • Beginner investors → Groww, Paytm Money

  • Advisory-focused traders → Angel One, 5Paisa

  • AI-Powered Trading + High Leverage Products - Samco
  • Unlimited Monthly Trading Plans + Lifetime Zero AMC - ProStocks

💸 2. Keep Costs in Check

  • Delivery trading is free on most platforms now (Zerodha, Dhan, Paytm Money, etc.)

  • Intraday and F&O fees are flat (₹20/order), so heavy-volume traders should optimize platforms that offer bulk trade features or better speed (Upstox, Zerodha, Angel One).

⚙️ 3. Tech Makes the Difference

  • Zerodha’s Kite and Fyers’ One are powerful for charting.

  • Dhan’s UI and TradingView integration is excellent for mobile and options trading.

  • Look for brokers with robust APIs if you’re into algo or automated trading (Zerodha, Angel One, Dhan).

🔐 4. Don’t Ignore Customer Support & Reliability

  • A slick app is great — but when markets are volatile, reliable trade execution and responsive support matter. Zerodha and Upstox have edge here.

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