The U.S. stock market is thriving and includes some of the world’s most sought-after stocks. Now, who doesn’t want to dip their toes in the growing market of America? But that is where the issue arises. Many people do not know how to invest in the stock market of the USA from their hometowns in India. That is where the USA stock brokers in India will offer the solution you need. These are popular platforms that help you to invest in US stocks without any issues.
Although it can seem like a foolproof solution, there are some challenges that exist as well. Think of scam brokers or platforms that are not legitimate! To help you get through the hurdles, we have compiled a list of the best US stock brokers in India. Choose anyone from this list and jump into the growing market of the United States of America.
While making the list of the best US stock brokers in India, we have paid attention to detail concerning aspects like –
So, here’s our list of the best platforms available in India –
| Rank | Platform | Score | Best For |
| 1 | Interactive Brokers | 4.9 | The overall best platform for anyone who wants to enter the US stock market.Extremely low trading fees. A number of useful research tools can be obtained. |
| 2 | Mexem | 4.6 | Best platform for someone with proper experience in trading.Trading fees are low. Many helpful research tools are there. |
| 3 | Tradestation | 4.6 | Best for traders who are active. Offers amazing mobile trading. The investor protection value is high.Great option to do algorithmic trading. |
| 4 | Cap Trader | 4.4 | If you want low ETF and stock fees, then this is a good option.It gives interest on cash that is uninvested.A very liked platform for short selling.Very good research tools are there. |
| 5 | tastytrade | 4.3 | Really helpful educational materials are there. The process of opening an account is very quick. A lot of research tools are available. |
| 6 | Swissquote | 4.2 | If you want the most convenient deposit/withdrawal options, then this is a great platform. Account opening is fast. |
| 7 | Zack’s Trade | 4.1 | Most user-friendly platform for people new to the trading field.The fees charged are very low. |
| 8 | Firstrade | 4.0 | The most convenient trading conditions are offered. A lot of helpful educational materials are there. Good platform if you want to do short selling. |
| 9 | Alpaca Trading | 3.9 | A great option if you want to do algorithmic trading. The trading fees taken are competitive as well. Helpful charting tools are there. |
| 10 | TradeZero | 3.8 | An amazing option for short selling. Account opening does not take much time. Customer support is really commendable. |
Despite being such a big step of investing outside your own country, investing in US stocks from India is relatively easy and safe, due in large part to both very strong local regulatory frameworks as well as international guidelines in place. Investors in India have peace of mind knowing that their interests are protected with a combination of stringent consumer supervision and strong investor protections.
Leading this set of protections is the prospect of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) upholding Indian broker regulations for foreign trades. Along with SEBI, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) manages foreign investments via the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS). Such a framework will not only validate overseas investments but will also make it easier for Indian investors to look beyond borders.
From the international perspective, Indian traders can seek the oversight of Tier-1 regulators such as the US SEC & FINRA. These bodies have set rigorous rules for US brokers, requiring transparency and investor protection. In addition, several brokers work with custodian services to bring the clients a step further to safety.
On the home front, the Investor Protection Funds (IPF) provided by the likes of NSE and BSE have been offering resources and risk mitigation strategies.
The combination of an Indian layer and an international layer creates this seamless two-tier protection, making buying US stocks from India easy, convenient, regulated, and thereby safe for investors.
How safe a broker is depends on many factors. Some of these factors include their past records, top-tier regulators, etc. Here is the detailed list –
| Platform | Interactive Brokers | Mexem | Tradestation | Cap Trader | tastytrade | Swissquote | Zack’s Trade | Firstrade | Alpaca Trading | TradeZero |
| Top-tier Regulators | FCA (UK)ASIC (Australia)SEC (USA) | CBI (Ireland) | SEC and FINRA (USA) | CBI (Ireland) | SEC and FINRA (USA), ASIC (Australia) | FCA (UK), FINMA (Switzerland), CSSF (Luxemburg) | SEC and FINRA (USA) | SEC and FINRA (USA) | SEC and FINRA (USA) | SEC and FINRA (USA), CIRO (Canada) |
| Scandalous Records | The track record is clean. It hasn’t faced any fines or regulation-related charges | The track record is clean. It hasn’t faced any fines or regulation-related charges | It once failed to register its crypto lending product. Paid a fine for it in the year 2022. | The track record is clean. It hasn’t faced any fines or regulation-related charges | The track record is clean. It hasn’t faced any fines or regulation-related charges | Last year, in 2023, it faced a fine of CHF 75’000. The issue raised was for negligent breach of rules. | The track record is clean. No fines or regulation-related charges | The track record is clean. No fines or regulation-related charges | The track record is clean. No fines or regulation-related charges | There was an issue in 2024 regarding the content that some online influencers posted who were under the paid service of the platform. The fine was $250,000. |
| Safe Broker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Protection of Investors | $500k (cash up to $250k) to US clients | €20k | $500k (cash up to $250k) | €20k | $500k (cash up to $250k) | £85k to UK, €100k for cash and €20 for securities to EU, 100CHF to 120 other countries, 500HKD to China | $500k (cash up to $250k) | $500k (cash up to $250k) | $500k (cash up to $250k) | $500k (cash up to $250k), 1M CAD to Canadian clients |
| Founding Year | 1977 | 2018 | 1982 | 1997 | 2017 | 1996 | 1978 | 1985 | 2015 | 2015 |
Here is a detailed overview of the fees of the best US stock brokers in India.
| Platform | Interactive Brokers | Mexem | Tradestation | Cap Trader | tastytrade | Swissquote | Zack’s Trade | Firstrade | Alpaca Trading | TradeZero |
| Stock fee | $0.005/share ($1 min) | $0.005/share ($1 min) | $5 | $0.01/ share ($2 min) | $0 | $9-$190 | $0.01/ share ($1 min) | $0 | $0 | $0.99 is the fee taken for orders for a limit of 200 shares, and $0.005/share is charged above that |
There are some other fees that can be charged by platforms, but they do not come under trading fees. Charges to open an account or to make a deposit come under non-trading fees. Here’s what each platform charges –
| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Mexem | Tradestation | Cap Trader | tastytrade | Swissquote | Zack’s Trade | Firstrade | Alpaca Trading | TradeZero |
| Fee to do a withdrawal | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $10 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $15 |
| Fee to make a deposit | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $15 |
| Fee for being inactive | $0 | $0 | $10 per month for accounts below $5000 or for less than 10 transactions in 3mo | $1 per month for accounts below $1000 after 1mo | $0 | $0 | $15 per month for accounts below $25000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Account related fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
The table below offers insight into the account opening speeds and fractional shares’ availability on different platforms.
| Platform | Interactive Brokers | Mexem | Tradestation | Cap Trader | tastytrade | Swissquote | Zack’s Trade | Firstrade | Alpaca Trading | TradeZero |
| Deposit Amount (Minimum) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $2000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $250 |
| Debit/Credit card | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Fractional shares | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Account Opening Time | 1-3 days | 1 day | 1-2 days | 10 days | 1 day | 1 day | > 3 days | 1-3 days | 1 day | 1 day |
Here’s a detailed look at the trading platforms on the basis of mobile app performance and other aspects like algorithmic trading.
| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Mexem | Tradestation | Cap Trader | tastytrade | Swissquote | Zack’s Trade | Firstrade | Alpaca Trading | TradeZero |
| Platform Efficiency | 4.8 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
| Availability of Demo Account | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Algorithmic trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tradingview | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Mobile app Performance | 5.0 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
The table below compares the available financial products.
| Broker | Interactive Brokers | Mexem | Tradestation | Cap Trader | tastytrade | Swissquote | Zacks Trade | Firstrade | Alpaca Trading | TradeZero |
| Mutual Funds (providers) | 600 | 600 | 54 | 600 | – | 120 | 550 | – | – | – |
| ETFs | 13,000 | 13,000 | 3,000 | 13,000 | 2,200 | 1,000 | 13,000 | 0 | – | – |
| Stocks | 90 | 90 | 5 | 90 | 4 | 6 | 90 | 3 | – | 4 |
| Futures | 32 | 32 | 11 | 32 | 8 | 5 | – | – | – | – |
| CFDs | 8,515 | 8,515 | – | 8,515 | – | 3,000 | – | – | – | – |
| Bonds | 41,336 | 41,336 | 630 | 41,336 | – | 20,000 | 38,321 | – | – | – |
| Options (exchanges) | 34 | 34 | 10 | 34 | 8 | 5 | 34 | – | – | – |
| Cryptos | 5 | 5 | – | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | – | – | 3 |
| Forex | 100 | 100 | – | 100 | – | 80 | – | – | – | – |
This table looks at the number of clients that each broker has.
| Platform | Interactive Brokers | Mexem | Tradestation | Cap Trader | tastytrade | Swissquote | Zack’s Trade | Firstrade | Alpaca Trading | TradeZero |
| User Base | 2.6M | N/A | 220k | N/A | 105k | 570k | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
When we speak of the best US stock brokers, it means the ones who offer the best rates and total peace of mind. It means no scams or hideous actions – transparency all through the process. Let’s start by taking a detailed look at the winner in the list, Interactive Brokers.
| Feature | Details |
| Initial Funding Requirement | $0 |
| Account Opening Duration | 1-3 days |
| Trial Account Availability | Yes |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $0.005 per share with a minimum of $1 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $0 (no inactivity fee) |
| Mobile Application Rating | 5.0 (outstanding user score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 (no fees for deposits) |
| Withdrawal Charges | $0 (no fees for withdrawals) |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
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| Feature | Details |
| Initial Funding Requirement | $0 |
| Account Setup Duration | 1 day |
| Trial Account Availability | Yes |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $0.005 per share with a minimum of $1 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $0 (no inactivity fee) |
| Mobile Application Rating | 4.9 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 |
| Withdrawal Charges | $0 |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
| Feature | Details |
| Initial Funding Requirement | $0 |
| Account Setup Duration | 1-2 days |
| Trial Account Availability | Yes |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $5 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $10 per month for accounts below $5,000 or fewer than 10 transactions in 3 months |
| Mobile Application Rating | 5.0 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 |
| Withdrawal Charges | $0 |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
| Feature | Details |
| Initial Funding Requirement | $2,000 |
| Account Opening Duration | 10 days |
| Trial Account Availability | Yes |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $0.01 per share with a minimum of $2 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $1 per month for accounts below $1,000 after 1 month |
| Mobile Application Rating | 4.5 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 |
| Withdrawal Charges | $0 |
Key points
Pros
Cons
| Feature | Details |
| Initial Funding Requirement | $0 |
| Account Setup Duration | 1 day |
| Trial Account Availability | No |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $0 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $0 (no inactivity fee) |
| Mobile Application Rating | 4.6 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 |
| Withdrawal Charges | $0 |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
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| Feature | Details |
| Initial Funding Requirement | $0 |
| Account Opening Duration | 1 day |
| Trial Account Availability | Yes |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $9-$190 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $0 |
| Mobile Application Rating | 4.7 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 |
| Withdrawal Charges | $10 |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
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| Feature | Details |
| Initial Deposit Requirement | $0 |
| Account Opening Duration | More than 3 days |
| Trial Account Availability | Yes |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $0.01 per share with a minimum of $1 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $15 per month for accounts below $25,000 |
| Mobile Application Rating | 4.5 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 |
| Withdrawal Charges | $0 |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
| Feature | Details |
| Initial Funding Requirement | $0 |
| Account Setup Time | 1-3 days |
| Trial Account Availability | No |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $0 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $0 (no inactivity fee) |
| Mobile Application Rating | 4.6 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 |
| Withdrawal Charges | $0 |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
| Feature | Details |
| Initial Funding Requirement | $0 |
| Account Opening Duration | 1 day |
| Trial Account Availability | Yes |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $0 |
| Account Maintenance Fees | $0 (no inactivity fee) |
| Mobile Application Rating | 4.5 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Charges | $0 |
| Withdrawal Charges | $0 |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
| Feature | Details |
| Initial Deposit Requirement | $250 |
| Account Setup Time | 1 day |
| Practice Account Availability | Yes |
| Commission for U.S. Stocks | $0.99 flat fee for orders up to 200 shares; $0.005 per share for additional shares |
| Account Maintenance Charges | $0 (no inactivity fee) |
| Mobile Application Rating | 4.4 (user satisfaction score) |
| Deposit Fee | $15 |
| Withdrawal Fee | $15 |
Key Points
Pros
Cons
Here are the top things to keep in mind:
This will include registration of the broker itself with regulatory authorities like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the case of the US and the following of guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Consider what kind of accounts are available (individual, joint, retirement, etc.) and if the firm has a minimum deposit to get started. Platforms like Interactive Brokers facilitate fractional shares, which are great for smaller investors.
Look at the range of investment options on offer, from stocks to ETFs, mutual funds, and options trading. Depending on which brokerages you look at, you can gain access to broader US stocks and investment vehicles.
Evaluate how easy it is to use the trading platform, whether it has a mobile app or not, and what customer support services are available. A great user-friendly interface can make a huge difference in your trading experience.
There are a lot of factors to keep in mind when it comes to investing in US stocks from India and the tax implications involved. Below are the main tax considerations:
Dividend Tax: The dividends that an investor receives when investing in US securities are subject to a 25% tax in the US. However, one can claim this tax in Indian tax liabilities under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement [DTAA] between India and the US. Dividends in India are taxed as per the investor’s income tax slab.
Capital Gains Tax: The US does not charge any capital gains tax, but all Indian investors are chargeable to tax in India for capital gain. If the stocks are held for more than 24 months, then you are liable to pay Long Term Capital Gains(LTCG) of 20%. If they are held for less than 24 months, they become Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) and are subject to tax based on your income tax slab.
To trade US stocks from India, you first need to select a brokerage platform that facilitates market access for Indian investors through US-based brokers or brokers in India with international connections. Then, set up a trading account by filling out the KYC (know your customer); most of the platforms are integrated with a smooth onboarding process.
After you create an account, fund it from a Federal Account for superior forex rates while following the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) of the Reserve Bank of India. Once you have funded your account, research and choose which US stocks or ETFs to invest in based on your investment goals and risk tolerance. Once you determine what to buy or sell, place your stock trades through your brokerage platform and check in on your investments regularly.
Indian clients are allowed to trade in the below-mentioned US market products via FEMA-compliant brokers.
We analyzed the best US stock brokers for Indian clients and found that Interactive Brokers is the best broker in 2025. Interactive Brokers provides unrivaled value for Indian investors looking for US stock investment with its access to 90+ international stock markets at competitive costs and cutting-edge trading tools. It is fully compliant with RBI and FEMA guidelines, has great resources for learning, and has very well-functioning and reliable customer support.
| Rank | Platform | Score | Best For |
| 1 | Interactive Brokers | 4.9 | The overall best platform for anyone who wants to enter the US stock market.Extremely low trading fees. A number of useful research tools can be obtained. |
| 2 | Mexem | 4.6 | Best platform for someone with proper experience in trading.Trading fees are low. Many helpful research tools are there. |
| 3 | Tradestation | 4.6 | Best for traders who are active. Offers amazing mobile trading. The investor protection value is high.Great option to do algorithmic trading. |
| 4 | Cap Trader | 4.4 | If you want low ETF and stock fees, then this is a good option.It gives interest on cash that is uninvested.A very liked platform for short selling.Very good research tools are there. |
| 5 | tastytrade | 4.3 | Really helpful educational materials are there. The process of opening an account is very quick. A lot of research tools are available. |
| 6 | Swissquote | 4.2 | If you want the most convenient deposit/withdrawal options, then this is a great platform. Account opening is fast. |
| 7 | Zack’s Trade | 4.1 | Most user-friendly platform for people new to the trading field.The fees charged are very low. |
| 8 | Firstrade | 4.0 | The most convenient trading conditions are offered. A lot of helpful educational materials are there. Good platform if you want to do short selling. |
| 9 | Alpaca Trading | 3.9 | A great option if you want to do algorithmic trading. The trading fees taken are competitive as well. Helpful charting tools are there. |
| 10 | TradeZero | 3.8 | An amazing option for short selling. Account opening does not take much time. Customer support is really commendable. |
An online broker is a facilitator for trading in financial instruments such as stocks, mutual funds, and bonds that gives the investor the ability to manage their portfolio and access market research from the comfort of their home or the local coffeehouse rather than having to travel to a traditional broker’s office.
Indians can open a brokerage account to buy US stocks such as Apple and Amazon, enter the global market, and get access to features such as fractional investing to buy high-value shares with a small amount.
To simplify the trading of US stocks, it is best to select brokers regulated by RB and international authorities hath have low fees, offer fractional investing, have easy-to-navigate platforms, and have access to global markets.
Yes, platforms such as Interactive Brokers associated with international platforms allow clients to invest in US stocks hassle-free.
US brokers regulated by authorities such as the SEC and FCA are safe. Make sure that all the RBI & FEMA regulations are followed.
For US stocks, you should expect trading fees of $0-$1, currency conversion fees, withdrawal fees, and possibly fees for maintaining your account.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulates outward remittances under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS), which allows for investments of $250,000 a year, which Indians can invest globally.
The answer is yes; gains you make from US shares are taxed.
Yes, NRIs can buy US stocks through NRE or NRO accounts through brokers who provide NRI services.
With fractional investing, you can buy smart parts of stocks that are of high value. This gives you the ability to diversify with small investments.
Arjun is a seasoned stock market content expert with over 7 years of experience in stock market, technical & fundamental analysis. Since 2020, he has been a key contributor to Strike platform. Arjun is an active stock market investor with his in-depth stock market analysis knowledge. Arjun is also an certified stock market researcher from Indiacharts, mentored by Rohit Srivastava.
Shivam is a stock market content expert with CFTe certification. He is been trading from last 8 years in indian stock market. He has a vast knowledge in technical analysis, financial market education, product management, risk assessment, derivatives trading & market Research. He won Zerodha 60-Day Challenge thrice in a row. He is being mentored by Rohit Srivastava, Indiacharts.
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