Best Broker in India 2026: Zerodha vs Upstox vs Dhan vs Fyers vs Angel One

Real experience from a trader who has actually used all five. Brokerage charges, platforms, options trading features and which broker fits which trader.

By Anil Hanegave, Founder, Trading Direction | Updated: 24 September 2026

Every week students ask me one question: "Sir, which broker should I open my demat account with?" After training 21,000+ students, I can tell you there is no single "best broker". I have personally traded and invested through Zerodha, Upstox, Angel One, Fyers and Dhan, and each one is better at something different.

Quick answer:
• Zerodha – best for long-term investing
• Fyers – best for options trading and charting
• Upstox – best for quick options selection
• Dhan – best for saving on brokerage and account charges
• Angel One – best if you want research, advisory and a big-brand feel

1. Brokerage Charges Comparison (2026)

Most discount brokers now charge a flat ₹20 per executed order on options and futures. The real difference lies in delivery brokerage, AMC and platform quality.

BrokerEquity DeliveryIntradayF&ODemat AMC
Zerodha₹0₹20 or 0.03%, lower₹20 flat/orderAbout ₹300/yr
UpstoxCheck plan (some listings show ₹20/order)₹20 or 0.1%, lower₹20 flat/order₹300/yr (free 1st year)
Angel OneCheck plan (listed ₹20 or 0.1%, min ₹5)₹20 or 0.1%, lower₹20 flat/order₹240 + GST/yr (free 1st year)
Fyers₹0₹20 or 0.03%, lower₹20 flat/order₹0
Dhan₹0₹20 or 0.03%, lower₹20 flat/order₹0

Rates compiled from broker rate cards and comparison sites (July–August 2026). Brokers revise plans and run promotions often, so always confirm on the broker's official website before opening an account.

Important 2026 change: From 1 April 2026, STT on futures (sell side) moved to 0.05% and STT on options premium (sell side) to 0.15%. This is a government tax and is the same at every broker, so it will not change which broker is cheaper, but it does raise your real cost of trading. Include it in your breakeven calculation.

2. Broker-by-Broker Review

Zerodha – Best for Long-Term Investing

India's largest broker by active clients. In my experience Zerodha is the most dependable choice for building a long-term portfolio. Kite is clean and stable, Coin handles direct mutual funds, and Varsity is one of the best free learning resources.

Pros: ₹0 delivery brokerage, stable platform, Coin for mutual funds, Varsity education, strong reputation.
Cons: Fewer bells and whistles for fast options execution, basic charting compared with Fyers, AMC applies.

Open a free demat account with Zerodha and start investing in stocks, derivatives, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, IPOs and more.

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Fyers – Best for Options Trading and Charting

When I trade options actively, Fyers is my pick. Its TradingView-powered charts and clean trader-first design suit price action and CPR-style analysis, and it offers free APIs for algo traders. Demat AMC is ₹0.

Pros: Excellent charting, zero AMC, ₹0 delivery, free APIs, strong for technical traders.
Cons: Less beginner-friendly learning ecosystem, smaller investing product range than Zerodha.

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Upstox – Best for Quick Options Selection

Upstox has a polished, fast app. I like it when I want to pick strikes and place options orders quickly. The option chain flow is smooth and works well for active traders who value speed of selection.

Pros: Slick mobile app, quick option-chain workflow, flat ₹20 F&O pricing.
Cons: AMC after the first year, delivery pricing depends on plan, so check the current rate card.

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Dhan – Best for Saving Brokerage and Charges

Dhan is where I save the most on fixed costs: ₹0 account opening, ₹0 AMC, ₹0 delivery brokerage. It also targets active options traders with fast execution and charting tools.

Pros: Zero AMC, zero delivery brokerage, options-focused tools, modern platform.
Cons: Newer broker (started 2021), so a shorter track record than Zerodha or Angel One. Note that its ₹20 F&O order fee is the same as the others, so the saving comes from AMC and delivery, not from per-order options brokerage.

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Angel One – Best for Research and Advisory

Angel One is one of India's oldest broking houses and now runs a flat-fee model. It offers research, advisory, the SmartAPI for algo traders, and margin trading funding (MTF) if you want leverage on delivery positions.

Pros: Long operating history, research and advisory, SmartAPI, all-in-one app.
Cons: ₹240 + GST yearly AMC after the first year, MTF interest is high (around 18% a year), and I find the platform busier than the others.

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3. Which Broker Is Best for Options Trading?

Since brokerage is a flat ₹20 across all five, choose for execution speed, charting and stability:

  • Analysis and charting: Fyers (TradingView charts)
  • Fast strike selection and order entry: Upstox
  • Speed plus low fixed costs: Dhan
  • Stability during volatile sessions: Zerodha

Many serious traders keep two accounts: one for long-term investing and one for active trading. That is exactly how I use them.

4. How Much Does Brokerage Really Cost You?

Take a trader who does one options round trip (one buy and one sell order) every trading day. That is ₹40 a day. Over roughly 250 trading days it is about ₹10,000 a year in brokerage alone, before STT, exchange charges, GST and stamp duty. This is why cost per order matters less than avoiding losses, but hidden fixed costs like AMC still add up over years.

5. Things to Check Before Opening an Account

  • Platform stability during fast markets and expiry days
  • Margin and leverage rules for your segment
  • Fund withdrawal speed and payout timing
  • Customer support quality and complaint resolution
  • Charting and option-chain tools that match your strategy
  • SEBI registration: verify the broker on the SEBI website

6. Final Verdict

Long-term investor: Zerodha
Options trader who loves charts: Fyers
Fast options execution on mobile: Upstox
Lowest fixed costs: Dhan
Research and advisory: Angel One

Start with the broker that fits your main goal, trade small for a month, and switch if the experience does not suit you. Moving brokers in India is easy.

Want help choosing and trading the right way?
Join our free Sunday webinar and learn CPR and price action strategies live.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best broker in India for options trading?

There is no single best. Fyers suits chart-heavy traders, Upstox suits quick strike selection, and Dhan suits cost-conscious active traders. All charge a flat ₹20 per F&O order.

Which broker is best for long-term investing?

Zerodha is a popular choice thanks to ₹0 delivery brokerage, the Coin platform for mutual funds and a stable app.

Which broker has zero AMC?

Dhan and Fyers list ₹0 demat AMC. Zerodha charges about ₹300 a year, Angel One ₹240 plus GST after the first year, and Upstox ₹300 after the first year.

Can I have accounts with more than one broker?

Yes. Many traders keep one broker for investing and another for trading. Each account is separate.

Do all brokers charge the same STT?

Yes. STT, exchange charges, GST and stamp duty are set by the government and exchanges and apply equally. Only brokerage and AMC differ.

Disclaimer: This article is for education only and is not investment advice. Brokerage and charges change often, so verify on the official broker website. Trading in stocks and derivatives involves risk of loss. This post contains an affiliate link (Zerodha); Trading Direction may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Reviews reflect the author's personal experience.

अस्वीकरण: यह लेख केवल शैक्षणिक उद्देश्य के लिए है, निवेश सलाह नहीं। ब्रोकरेज और शुल्क बदलते रहते हैं, कृपया ब्रोकर की आधिकारिक वेबसाइट पर जाँच करें। शेयर और डेरिवेटिव ट्रेडिंग में नुकसान का जोखिम है। इस पोस्ट में एक एफिलिएट लिंक (Zerodha) है।
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