Opening a Demat and Trading account is the first step toward investing in the Indian stock market. With millions of new investors entering the market every year, brokers are competing fiercely to attract customers. One of the biggest attractions today is the Trading App with Free Demat Account — where account opening is free, and often AMC (Annual Maintenance Charges) are waived.
But with so many options available, the question arises: Which is the best free Demat account in India? Which trading apps are safe, SEBI-approved, and suitable for beginners as well as professionals?
This blog will give you a complete guide on free Demat account trading apps, their features, benefits, hidden charges, and tips to choose the right one.
Best Trading App with Free Demat Account in India
The top free Demat + Trading apps in India (2025) are:
-
Groww App – Best for beginners, simple interface.
-
Upstox App – Advanced charts, free Demat account.
-
Angel One App – Free account + AI-driven research.
-
Kotak Securities (Neo Plan) – Free Demat + zero brokerage delivery.
-
Paytm Money App – Free Demat + low brokerage.
Free Demat and Trading Account for Beginners
For beginners, the best choice is an app with:
-
Easy account opening (paperless KYC).
-
No hidden charges.
-
Free tutorials and learning material.
Groww and Paytm Money are best for newcomers.
Best Free Demat Account for Stock Market Trading
For active stock market traders:
-
Zerodha Kite – Though Demat charges apply, often offers free AMC for first year.
-
Upstox – Free account + discount brokerage.
-
Angel One – Free account, best for technical analysis.
Free Demat Account Opening Online in India
Steps:
-
Download trading app (Groww, Upstox, Angel One, Kotak Neo).
-
Complete Aadhaar + PAN e-KYC.
-
Link bank account.
-
Upload signature & photo.
-
Account activated in 24–48 hours.
Zero Brokerage Trading App with Free Demat Account
Some apps offer zero brokerage on delivery trades + free Demat:
-
Kotak Securities Trade Free Plan.
-
Groww (free delivery, no hidden AMC).
-
Paytm Money (zero brokerage for delivery).
Best Bank-Backed Free Demat Account in India
For safety and trust, many prefer bank-backed brokers:
-
Kotak Securities – Free Demat + zero brokerage delivery.
-
ICICI Direct – Offers free account opening in special offers.
-
HDFC Securities – Sometimes free AMC for first year.
SEBI-Approved Free Demat Account Trading Apps
Always check if broker is SEBI registered. Safe options:
-
Zerodha
-
Groww
-
Upstox
-
Angel One
-
Kotak Securities
Avoid unregistered apps that offer free accounts but are not SEBI-compliant.
Free Demat Account with Lifetime AMC Waiver
Some brokers offer lifetime AMC-free accounts:
-
Groww
-
Paytm Money
-
Kotak Neo
This makes them cost-effective for long-term investors.
Free Demat Account for Intraday Trading in India
Intraday traders prefer apps with:
-
Free Demat account opening.
-
Low intraday brokerage (₹10–₹20 per order).
Best apps: Upstox, Angel One, Zerodha.
Free Demat Account for Long-Term Investors
For long-term wealth builders:
-
Groww – Free AMC, no hidden costs.
-
Kotak Neo – Free Demat + zero brokerage delivery.
Perfect for buy-and-hold strategy.
Best Free Demat Account for Mutual Fund Investment
If your focus is mutual funds:
-
Groww App – Best for direct mutual funds.
-
Paytm Money App – Zero commission on MF.
-
Zerodha Coin – Free MF investing via Demat.
Free Demat Account for IPO Investment in India
For IPO lovers:
-
Zerodha – Seamless IPO investing.
-
Groww – Easy online IPO application.
-
Upstox – Free Demat + IPO alerts.
Hidden Charges in Free Demat Account Trading Apps
Even with free Demat, some charges apply:
-
Transaction charges.
-
STT (Securities Transaction Tax).
-
Stamp duty & GST.
-
Call & trade charges.
Always read the fine print.
Free Demat Account vs Paid Demat Account
-
Free Demat Account: No opening charges, often free AMC. Best for beginners.
-
Paid Demat Account: May have better customer service & features, offered by premium brokers.
Best Free Demat Account with Global Investing Option
Some apps allow investing in US/global stocks:
-
INDmoney – Free Demat + US investing.
-
Groww Global – Buy Amazon, Tesla, Google shares.
-
Vested Finance – Best for global investing.
Safe and Secure Free Demat Account Trading Apps
Safety features to check:
-
SEBI registration.
-
2FA login (OTP + password).
-
Bank integration.
Best secure apps: Kotak Securities, Zerodha, ICICI Direct.
Free Demat Account with Best Trading Features
Look for:
-
Live stock market charts.
-
Options chain & F&O support.
-
IPO & Mutual Fund integration.
-
AI-based suggestions (Angel One ARQ Prime).
Case Study: Free Demat Investor
Priya from Delhi opened a Groww Free Demat account in 2023. She started with ₹10,000 in mutual funds and ₹15,000 in stocks. Since there was no AMC or brokerage on delivery, she saved nearly ₹1000 in her first year compared to a traditional broker.
This proves that free Demat accounts are cost-effective for small and medium investors.
FAQs
Q1. Which is the best free Demat account in India?
Groww, Kotak Neo, and Paytm Money.
Q2. Is free Demat account really free?
Yes, but statutory charges (STT, GST, stamp duty) still apply.
Q3. Can I trade intraday with free Demat?
Yes, but intraday brokerage of ₹10–₹20 per order applies.
Q4. Which is the safest free Demat account?
Kotak Securities and Zerodha.
Q5. Do I need PAN and Aadhaar for free Demat account?
Yes, mandatory KYC is required.
Conclusion
A trading app with free Demat account is the best way to start your stock market journey in India. It reduces costs, makes investing easier, and helps beginners build wealth without paying high fees.
Best for beginners – Groww, Paytm Money.
Best for safety – Kotak Securities (bank-backed).
Best for traders – Upstox, Zerodha.
Best for global investing – INDmoney, Vested Finance.
Always ensure you open an account with a SEBI-approved broker to stay safe and secure.
