Trading Account Costs: What You Really Pay to Start Trading in India

When you start trading stocks or commodities in India, the first thing you hear is "open a trading account for free." But trading account costs, the fees and charges tied to buying and selling securities through a broker in India. Also known as brokerage fees, these aren’t always zero—especially when you dig deeper. Many beginners think no-cost means no fees. It doesn’t. There’s more to it than just signing up online.

Behind the scenes, your demat account, a digital locker where your shares are held electronically. Also known as demat account charges, it’s required by law to hold stocks in India. gets linked to your trading account, the platform you use to place buy and sell orders. Also known as stock trading India, it’s where the actual trading happens. And while some brokers advertise zero brokerage, they often charge for other things: annual demat maintenance, transaction taxes, stamp duty, or even small fees per trade after a certain number of free trades. You might pay ₹200–₹500 a year just to keep your demat account active. Some brokers charge ₹10–₹20 per trade after the first 10–20 free trades. These add up fast if you trade often.

And it’s not just about the numbers. The real cost is how much time and money you waste choosing the wrong broker. If you’re a beginner, you might not need advanced tools—so paying extra for them is a waste. If you trade daily, even a ₹5 fee per trade can cost you ₹1,000+ a month. That’s why knowing the full picture matters more than the headline "zero cost" offer. You need to understand what’s included, what’s hidden, and what actually impacts your profits.

Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of what different brokers charge, how fees vary between intraday and delivery trading, and which hidden costs trip up most new traders in India. You’ll also see how these costs compare to other financial services, and what you can do to keep more of your money in your pocket—not your broker’s.