Top Picks 2026
- Best for beginners: Vested Finance (zero commission, fractional shares, simple UI, 24hr account opening).
- Best mobile experience: INDMoney (gorgeous UI, Indian + US stocks in one app, tax automation).
- Best for active traders: Interactive Brokers (professional tools, options/futures, lowest margin rates 3-5%).
- Best for large capital: ICICI Direct Global (trusted Indian bank, relationship manager, higher fees but premium service).
- Emerging option: Groww Global (limited stocks, but zero commission, good for simple portfolios).
The Top 5 Platforms Compared
| Platform | Commission | Min. Investment | Fractional Shares | Account Opening | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vested Finance | ₹0 | ₹1,000 | ✅ Yes | 24 hours | Beginners, small investors |
| INDMoney | ₹0 | ₹1,000 | ✅ Yes | 24-48 hours | Mobile-first users |
| Interactive Brokers | $0.35-1/trade | $0 (realistically ₹5L+) | ✅ Yes | 1-2 days | Active traders, options |
| ICICI Direct Global | $15-25/trade | ₹50,000 | ❌ No | 3-5 days | Conservative, large capital |
| Groww Global | ₹0 | ₹1,000 | ✅ Yes (limited stocks) | 1-2 days | Existing Groww users |
#1: Vested Finance — Best for Beginners
Verdict: If you're new to US investing, start here. Zero commission, fractional shares (buy 0.01 Tesla), clean mobile app, and Indian rupee interface.
Key Features:
- Zero commission on US stocks (Vested makes money from forex markup ~0.5%)
- Fractional shares: Buy $10 worth of any stock (great for Tesla at $200+)
- Partner: DriveWealth (US broker-dealer, FDIC insured up to $250K)
- Tax support: Pre-filled ITR data, integrates with Form 26AS
- Minimum: ₹1,000 to start
- Withdrawal fee: $5 per transfer back to India
Pros: Easiest onboarding, mobile-first, great educational content, SIP-style recurring investments available.
Cons: No options trading, limited research tools, forex markup adds up on large trades.
Best Use Case
You want to start with ₹10,000-50,000/month, buy 2-3 Bro Billionaire Stocks, and learn. Vested is perfect.
#2: INDMoney — Best Mobile Experience
Verdict: If you want a beautiful, intuitive app that handles both Indian stocks + US stocks in one place, INDMoney wins.
Key Features:
- All-in-one app: Indian stocks, mutual funds, US stocks, tax filing—single interface
- Zero commission on US stocks
- AI tax optimizer: Suggests tax-loss harvesting, LTCG/STCG planning
- Portfolio tracking: See all investments (India + US) in one dashboard
- Fractional shares: Yes
Pros: Stunning UI, tax automation, good customer support, tracks net worth across all accounts.
Cons: Newer platform (less track record than Vested), no options trading.
Best Use Case
You already invest in Indian stocks/mutual funds and want to add US exposure without juggling multiple apps. INDMoney consolidates everything.
#3: Interactive Brokers (IBKR) — Best for Pros
Verdict: For experienced traders who want professional tools, options/futures access, and ultra-low margin rates. Not for beginners.
Key Features:
- Commission: Tiered ($0.0035/share, min $0.35) or Fixed ($0.005/share, min $1). Tiny for large trades.
- Options + Futures: Trade options on TSLA, NVDA. Sell covered calls, buy protective puts.
- Margin: Borrow at 3-6% (cheapest in industry). Leverage your portfolio.
- Global markets: Access 150+ markets (not just US—buy European, Asian stocks too)
- Research tools: Best-in-class charts, scanners, algo trading APIs
Pros: Professional-grade, cheapest for high-volume traders, advanced strategies possible.
Cons: Steep learning curve, intimidating UI, small per-trade fees hurt tiny investments (~$100).
Best Use Case
You have ₹10+ lakh to invest, want to trade options, or need margin/leverage. IBKR is the institutional-grade choice.
#4: ICICI Direct Global — Best for Conservative Investors
Verdict: If you trust Indian banks more than fintech apps, and don't mind paying higher fees for peace of mind, ICICI works.
Key Features:
- Backed by ICICI Bank: Trusted brand, relationship manager support
- Seamless INR-USD conversion: Integrated with ICICI Bank account
- Commission: $15-25/trade (expensive!)
- Minimum: ₹50,000
- No fractional shares
Pros: India-based support, familiar banking interface, good for large infrequent investments.
Cons: High fees kill returns on small trades, clunky platform, no fractional shares.
Best Use Case
You're 50+, have ₹50 lakh+ to invest, and prefer traditional banks. Make 2-3 large trades/year, not frequent small ones.
#5: Groww Global — Emerging Option
Verdict: If you already use Groww for Indian stocks/MFs, try Groww Global for US exposure. Limited but growing.
Key Features:
- Zero commission
- Limited stock universe: ~200 US stocks (Mag 7, major S&P names). No obscure smallcaps.
- Fractional shares: Yes
- Same login as Groww India
Pros: Convenient if you're in Groww ecosystem, zero fees, simple.
Cons: Limited stock selection, newer product (launched 2024), no options trading.
Best Use Case
You want to buy Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft—major names only. Don't need 5,000+ US stocks. Groww Global covers basics.
Contrarian Take
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Key Decision Factors
Factor #1: Investment Size
- <₹50K /month: Vested or INDMoney (fractional shares critical)
- ₹50K-₹2L/month: Vested, INDMoney, or Groww Global
- ₹2L-₹10L/month: Consider IBKR (commission savings matter at scale)
- >₹10L/month: IBKR or ICICI Direct Global
Factor #2: Experience Level
- Never invested abroad: Vested (simplest)
- Comfortable with investing: INDMoney or Vested
- Want options/leverage: IBKR only
- Ultra-conservative: ICICI Direct Global
Factor #3: Tax Support
- Best tax automation: INDMoney (AI-powered suggestions)
- Good tax reports: Vested (Form 26AS integration)
- Manual tax work: IBKR (you'll need a CA)
Our Recommendation
Start with Vested Finance or INDMoney. Zero commission, fractional shares, easy onboarding. Once you have ₹10 lakh+ invested and want advanced features, consider upgrading to IBKR.
The best platform is the one you'll actually use. Start simple. Scale later.