Contents
Quick summary
- Best for Beginners: Vested Finance (zero commission, excellent research, fractional shares, easy onboarding).
- Best for Simplicity: INDmoney (cleanest UI, integrated tax filing, zero commission, good customer support).
- Best for Domestic Users: Groww (familiar interface for existing Groww users, zero commission, limited features).
- Best for Traditional Investors: ICICI Direct Global (established bank, higher fees, direct access to US brokers).
- Best for Advanced Traders: Interactive Brokers (lowest costs at scale, professional tools, complex interface).
- All platforms are LRS-compliant and allow investing up to $250,000 per financial year.
International Trading Apps Overview
Indian investors can now buy US stocks—Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Amazon—directly from their smartphones. Thanks to the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS), you can invest up to $250,000 per financial year in international markets.
But which platform should you use? We spent 6 months testing Vested, INDmoney, Groww, ICICI Direct Global, and Interactive Brokers. We opened accounts, transferred money, bought stocks, tested customer support, and analyzed real costs.
Here's what we found.
Zero Commission Era
Vested, INDmoney, and Groww charge ₹0 commission on US stock trades. The race to zero is complete.
LRS Compliance
All platforms handle LRS reporting automatically. You just provide PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account details.
Fractional Shares
Buy 0.1 shares of Tesla or Nvidia. No need to wait until you have $1,000 for 1 full share.
Currency Conversion
Platforms convert INR to USD at real-time rates. Expect 0.5-1% spread above interbank rates.
What You Need to Get Started
To open an international trading account in India, you'll need:
- PAN Card: Mandatory for LRS compliance and tax reporting.
- Aadhaar Card: For KYC verification (Aadhaar-based e-KYC is fastest).
- Bank Account: Savings account with a major bank (ICICI, HDFC, SBI, Axis, Kotak).
- Email & Mobile: For OTP verification and account alerts.
- Passport (Optional): Some platforms (Interactive Brokers) accept passport as alternate ID.
Account opening takes 10-30 minutes for most platforms. Vested and INDmoney have the fastest onboarding.
Contrarian Take
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Vested Finance: Detailed Review
Vested Finance
Best Overall for Most Indian Investors
Vested Finance is a fintech startup that pioneered zero-commission US stock investing for Indians. Founded in 2019, it's backed by Sequoia Capital and has over 1 million users. Vested partners with DriveWealth (a US broker-dealer) to execute trades and hold securities.
Why It Stands Out: Best-in-class research and educational content. Vested produces detailed stock analysis, earnings summaries, and thematic investing guides. The UI is clean but information-rich. Fractional shares make it accessible for small investors.
Pros
- Zero commission on all US stock trades
- Excellent research and stock analysis
- Fractional shares (buy 0.01 shares)
- 8,000+ US stocks and 200+ ETFs
- Curated investment portfolios (Vests)
- Fast account opening (Aadhaar e-KYC)
- Good customer support (email, chat)
- Automatic dividend reinvestment (DRIP)
Cons
- No options trading
- Limited charting tools (basic only)
- Withdrawal takes 3-5 business days
- INR-USD conversion spread (0.5-0.75%)
- No pre-market/after-hours trading
- Customer support can be slow during peak hours
Fees Breakdown (Vested)
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stock Trading Commission | ₹0 (Free) |
| INR to USD Conversion | 0.5-0.75% markup on interbank rate |
| Account Maintenance | ₹0 (Free) |
| Withdrawal Fee | ₹0 (Free, but takes 3-5 days) |
| Custody Fees | Included (no separate charge) |
INDmoney: Detailed Review
INDmoney
Cleanest UI & Integrated Tax Filing
INDmoney (formerly INDWealth) started as a wealth tracking app and expanded into US stock investing in 2021. It's known for having the cleanest, most intuitive user interface. INDmoney partners with Interactive Brokers as the underlying broker-dealer.
Why It Stands Out: The UI feels like a modern fintech app—clean, fast, minimal clutter. INDmoney also offers integrated tax filing support, automatically generating capital gains statements for ITR filing. Great for users who prioritize simplicity.
Pros
- Zero commission on US stocks
- Best-in-class UI/UX design
- Fractional shares available
- Integrated tax filing support
- Tracks all investments in one dashboard
- Good customer support
- Fast money transfer (via Wise)
- 6,500+ stocks and 300+ ETFs
Cons
- Slightly higher minimum (₹1,500 vs ₹1,000)
- Limited research compared to Vested
- No options trading
- Currency conversion spread (0.6-0.9%)
- Fewer stocks than Vested (6,500 vs 8,000+)
- App-only (no desktop version)
Fees Breakdown (INDmoney)
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stock Trading Commission | ₹0 (Free) |
| INR to USD Conversion | 0.6-0.9% markup |
| Account Maintenance | ₹0 (Free) |
| Withdrawal Fee | ₹0 (Free) |
| Tax Filing Support | Included (Free) |
Groww US Stocks: Detailed Review
Groww US Stocks
Familiar Brand, Limited Features
Groww is India's largest investment platform (stocks, mutual funds, IPOs) with 10+ million users. They launched US stock investing in 2022. If you already use Groww for Indian stocks, adding US stocks is seamless—same app, same login.
Why It Stands Out: Brand trust and familiarity. If you're already a Groww user, you can manage Indian and US stocks in one place. However, features lag behind Vested and INDmoney—less research, fewer stocks, and slower updates.
Pros
- Zero commission on US stocks
- Trusted brand (10M+ users)
- Unified dashboard (Indian + US stocks)
- Fractional shares available
- Simple, familiar interface
- Fast onboarding for existing users
- Good for portfolio consolidation
Cons
- Fewer stocks (5,000 vs 8,000+ on Vested)
- Limited research and analysis
- No options trading
- Basic charting tools
- Slower feature rollouts
- Customer support quality varies
- Currency conversion spread (0.7-1%)
Fees Breakdown (Groww)
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stock Trading Commission | ₹0 (Free) |
| INR to USD Conversion | 0.7-1% markup |
| Account Maintenance | ₹0 (Free) |
| Withdrawal Fee | ₹0 (Free) |
ICICI Direct Global: Detailed Review
ICICI Direct Global
Traditional Broker, Higher Costs
ICICI Direct Global is the international trading arm of ICICI Securities, one of India's largest brokers. Unlike fintech apps, ICICI gives you direct access to US broker accounts (TD Ameritrade or Interactive Brokers). You trade directly on their platforms.
Why It Stands Out: Traditional bank comfort. If you want a bank-backed service with physical branches and relationship managers, ICICI is the choice. However, fees are significantly higher—$15-25 per trade vs ₹0 on fintech apps.
Pros
- Established bank-backed service
- Direct access to US broker platforms
- 10,000+ stocks (full US market)
- Options trading available
- Relationship manager support
- Physical branches for assistance
- Advanced trading tools (TD Ameritrade)
Cons
- High commission ($15-25 per trade)
- No fractional shares
- High minimum investment (₹1 lakh+)
- Slow account opening (3-5 days)
- Complex interface
- Annual maintenance fees ($100-200)
- Not suitable for small investors
Fees Breakdown (ICICI Direct Global)
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stock Trading Commission | $15-25 per trade |
| INR to USD Conversion | Bank rates (competitive) |
| Account Maintenance | $100-200/year |
| Withdrawal Fee | Varies |
| Inactivity Fee | $50-100/year if no trades |
Interactive Brokers: Detailed Review
Interactive Brokers
Professional Platform, Complex Interface
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a global broker used by professional traders, hedge funds, and institutional investors. It's the underlying broker for INDmoney but you can also open a direct IBKR account from India. It offers the lowest costs at scale.
Why It Stands Out: Professional-grade tools, access to 150+ global markets (not just US), lowest margin rates, and advanced order types. However, the interface is complex and overwhelming for beginners. Best for experienced traders.
Pros
- Lowest costs at scale ($0.0035/share)
- Access to 150+ global markets
- Professional trading tools (TWS)
- Lowest margin rates (2.5-4%)
- Options, futures, forex, bonds
- Fractional shares available
- Pre-market & after-hours trading
- Research and data tools
Cons
- Complex, overwhelming interface
- Steep learning curve
- Not beginner-friendly
- Inactivity fee ($10/month if balance <$2K)< /li>
- Customer support can be slow
- Account opening takes 1-2 days
- Currency conversion fees (0.08-0.2%)
Fees Breakdown (Interactive Brokers)
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stock Trading Commission | $0.0035/share (min $0.35, max 1% of trade) |
| INR to USD Conversion | 0.08-0.2% (best rates) |
| Account Maintenance | ₹0 (Free if balance >$2,000) |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month if balance <$2,000< /td> |
| Margin Rates | 2.5-4% (lowest in industry) |
Side-by-Side Comparison: All 5 Platforms
Here's a comprehensive comparison table to help you decide:
| Feature | Vested | INDmoney | Groww | ICICI Direct | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | $15-25 | $0.0035/share |
| Min. Investment | ₹1,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹1,000 | ₹1,00,000+ | $0 |
| Fractional Shares | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Stocks Available | 8,000+ | 6,500+ | 5,000+ | 10,000+ | All US + 150 markets |
| Options Trading | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Research Quality | Excellent | Good | Basic | Good | Excellent |
| UI/UX | Good | Excellent | Good | Complex | Complex |
| Currency Spread | 0.5-0.75% | 0.6-0.9% | 0.7-1% | Bank rates | 0.08-0.2% |
| Account Opening | 10 min | 12 min | 15 min | 3-5 days | 1-2 days |
| Customer Support | Good | Good | Average | Excellent | Average |
| Best For | Beginners | Simplicity | Groww users | HNI investors | Advanced traders |
Real Cost Comparison Example
Let's calculate the real cost of buying ₹10,000 worth of Tesla stock on each platform:
| Platform | Commission | Currency Spread | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vested | ₹0 | ₹50-75 (0.5-0.75%) | ₹50-75 |
| INDmoney | ₹0 | ₹60-90 (0.6-0.9%) | ₹60-90 |
| Groww | ₹0 | ₹70-100 (0.7-1%) | ₹70-100 |
| ICICI Direct | ₹1,250-2,000 ($15-25) | ₹40-60 (bank rates) | ₹1,290-2,060 |
| Interactive Brokers | ₹30-50 ($0.35-0.60) | ₹10-20 (0.08-0.2%) | ₹40-70 |
Winner for small trades (<₹50,000):< /strong> Vested or INDmoney
Winner for large trades (>₹5,00,000): Interactive Brokers
Avoid for small trades: ICICI Direct Global (fees too high)
How to Choose the Right Platform
Your ideal platform depends on your investor profile. Here's a decision framework:
For Beginners
Choose Vested
Reason: Best research, fractional shares, easy onboarding,
and excellent educational content. You'll learn as you invest.
For Simplicity Lovers
Choose INDmoney
Reason: Cleanest UI, integrated tax filing, and minimal
complexity. Just buy and hold.
For Existing Groww Users
Choose Groww
Reason: Unified dashboard for Indian + US stocks. One app,
one login, one portfolio view.
For Traditional Investors
Choose ICICI Direct
Reason: Bank-backed, relationship manager, physical
branches. Worth the high fees if you value trust and support.
For Advanced Traders
Choose Interactive Brokers
Reason: Lowest costs at scale, professional
tools, options trading, global markets. Learn the complex interface—it's worth it.
For Large Portfolios (>₹10L)
Choose Interactive Brokers
Reason: Currency conversion fees (0.08-0.2%)
beat everyone else. On ₹10 lakh, you save ₹5,000-8,000 vs fintech apps.
Decision Tree
Start here:
→ Are you a beginner?
Yes → Use
Vested
No → Continue
→ Do you prioritize simplicity?
Yes → Use
INDmoney
No → Continue
→ Do you already use Groww?
Yes → Use
Groww
No → Continue
→ Is your portfolio >₹10 lakh?
Yes → Use
Interactive Brokers
No → Use Vested
→ Do you need options trading?
Yes → Use
Interactive Brokers or ICICI Direct
No →
Use Vested
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best app to buy US stocks from India?
For beginners: Vested Finance (zero commission, excellent research, fractional
shares).
For simplicity: INDmoney (cleanest UI, integrated tax filing).
For advanced traders: Interactive Brokers (lowest costs at scale, professional
tools).
2. Is it safe to invest through these apps?
Yes. All platforms are LRS-compliant and partner with SEBI-registered or US-registered broker-dealers. Your securities are held in your name and protected by SIPC insurance (up to $500,000 in the US). However, they are not risk-free—stock market risk applies.
3. Can I buy fractional shares of Tesla or Nvidia?
Yes, on Vested, INDmoney, Groww, and Interactive Brokers. You can buy as little as 0.01 shares (around ₹80-100 for most stocks). ICICI Direct Global doesn't offer fractional shares.
4. How much does currency conversion cost?
Fintech apps charge 0.5-1% above interbank rates:
Vested: 0.5-0.75%
INDmoney: 0.6-0.9%
Groww: 0.7-1%
Interactive
Brokers: 0.08-0.2% (best rates)
ICICI Direct: Bank rates
(competitive)
5. What are the tax implications?
Short-term capital gains (STCG):
<24 months, taxed at your income tax slab.
Long-term capital gains (LTCG): >24
months, 20% tax with indexation benefit.
TDS: 20% TDS deducted at source +
4% cess. File ITR to claim credit.
Dividends: Taxed at your income slab in
India (TDS already deducted in US).
6. How long does money transfer take?
Deposit (INR → USD): 1-3 business days
Withdrawal (USD → INR):
3-7 business days
Vested and INDmoney are the fastest. ICICI Direct can take longer.
7. Is there a limit on how much I can invest?
Yes, under LRS (Liberalized Remittance Scheme), Indians can remit up to $250,000 per financial year for all purposes (including US stock investments). This is per person, per year.
8. Can I invest in ETFs like QQQ or SPY?
Yes, all platforms offer ETFs. Vested has 200+ ETFs, INDmoney has 300+, Groww has 150+, and Interactive Brokers has access to all US ETFs.
9. What happens if the platform shuts down?
Your securities are held in your name with the underlying US broker-dealer (DriveWealth for Vested, Interactive Brokers for INDmoney, etc.). If the platform shuts down, you can transfer your holdings to another broker. SIPC insurance protects up to $500,000.
10. Should I use multiple platforms?
Only if you have specific needs. For example:
• Use Vested for long-term
holdings (research and fractional shares).
• Use Interactive Brokers for
options trading and large transfers (lower currency fees).
Most investors should stick to one
platform to avoid complexity.
The Bottom Line
For most Indian investors, Vested Finance or INDmoney are the best choices in 2026. Both offer zero-commission trading, fractional shares, and easy onboarding. Vested wins on research quality, INDmoney wins on UI simplicity.
If you're an advanced trader with a large portfolio (>₹10 lakh), Interactive Brokers offers the lowest costs at scale—but prepare for a steep learning curve.
If you want the comfort of a traditional bank, ICICI Direct Global is reliable—but you'll pay significantly higher fees.
Pick your platform. Open an account. Start investing in the US market today.