Indian investors are asking a very specific question today: which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks in a simple, compliant and cost-effective way. With global diversification becoming mainstream, more platforms now offer direct access to NYSE and NASDAQ from India, either through tie-ups with US brokers or GIFT City structures.
This guide walks through how access works, then reviews the major Indian brokers and apps that actually let you buy US stocks, what they charge, and the typical minimums involved. The goal is to give you a practical directory you can directly use when opening or shifting your account.
Why everyone is asking “which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks”
The US market offers mega-cap technology, healthcare and consumer brands that are difficult to replicate in India. RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) allows resident individuals to remit up to 250,000 USD per financial year for investments, including foreign equities.
As a result, a full ecosystem of Indian brokers, fintech apps and global platforms now lets you buy US stocks from India with:
- Fractional investing from about 1 USD in many platforms.
- Zero or low brokerage on US trades, while charging on currency conversion and remittance.
- Integrated tax reports and statements that make it easier to file returns in India.
Because the menu is wide, the real question is no longer “can I invest” but “which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks in a way that fits my ticket size, costs and style.”
How Indian brokers actually give you US market access
Before looking at names, it helps to understand the plumbing. Most platforms fall into four models.
Indian brokers with global investing tie-ups
Full-service brokers and large discount brokers typically partner with regulated US entities like DriveWealth, Alpaca or Vested, or route through a GIFT-City entity. You open a global account from within your Indian broker, complete additional KYC, and remit dollars under LRS. HDFC Securities, Kotak Securities, Motilal Oswal and others follow this model.
Indian fintech apps with embedded US brokers
Apps like INDmoney, Vested and some bank-affiliated platforms give you a mobile-first interface while the actual US custody sits with SEC and FINRA regulated US brokers. INDmoney, for example, offers “direct access” via an IFSC entity at GIFT City and “global access” via US brokers like DriveWealth and Alpaca, with SIPC protection up to 500,000 USD.
Indian discount brokers and new-age apps
Discount brokers such as Upstox, Angel One, 5paisa and Groww have rolled out US stock access either through global partners or GIFT City-based structures. Their positioning is usually low brokerage, app-first onboarding and fractional investing.
Foreign brokers with an India presence
Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab and similar names accept Indian residents directly and are frequently recommended in independent guides for Indian investors seeking global markets. This route suits larger portfolios comfortable dealing with an international broker rather than a local wrapper.
Key factors to compare before picking an Indian broker for US stocks
When you look at which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks, you are really comparing a few things that directly affect your returns and experience.
Brokerage and platform fees
Many Indian platforms advertise “zero brokerage” on US stocks, yet you still pay through FX mark-ups, subscription fees, wire charges or higher spreads. Motilal Oswal, INDmoney, 5paisa and others highlight either zero or low brokerage and instead monetise through other channels.
Currency conversion and fund transfer costs
The INR to USD leg is where a lot of cost hides. Banks and brokers may charge:
- A flat remittance fee per transfer.
- A percentage mark-up on the exchange rate.
- GST on the forex conversion spread.
Articles aimed at Indian investors consistently warn that even when brokerage looks low, currency conversion can materially drag returns if you move money frequently.
Minimum ticket sizes and fractional shares
Most investor-friendly platforms now allow fractional investing so you can start from around 1 USD in many US stocks and ETFs. INDmoney and Motilal Oswal explicitly advertise low minimums with fractional investing.
Range of US products
Some Indian brokers restrict you to large-cap US stocks and a few ETFs; others give deep access across exchanges. Top global brokers like Interactive Brokers offer a much broader product set across equities, options, futures, fixed income and funds.
Tax reports and compliance support
You remain taxable in India on worldwide capital gains; dividends face 25–30 percent US withholding tax with credit under the India–US DTAA. Good platforms now provide 26AS-friendly statements, capital gains reports and dividend summaries tailored to Indian filing rules.
Directory of Indian brokers and platforms that let you buy US stocks
This section focuses on the practical part of the question: which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks, and how their US offerings are structured. The market changes fast, so always confirm charges and availability on the platform before funding.
INDmoney
INDmoney is one of the most prominent Indian apps for US stock investing as well as overall financial tracking. It offers two modes of US investing, “Direct access” via INDmoney Global IFSC in GIFT City and “Global access” through US brokers like DriveWealth and Alpaca, all under established regulators such as IFSCA, SEC and FINRA. Investments are protected by SIPC insurance up to 500,000 USD, with 250,000 USD for cash.
Account opening for US stocks with INDmoney is marketed as free, with zero annual maintenance and a minimum investment starting from about 1 USD through fractional shares. Currency remittance flows through LRS, where you can remit up to 250,000 USD per year. Many Indian investors prefer INDmoney because it combines US investing, mutual funds, domestic equities and goal tracking in a single app.
Groww
Groww started as a mutual fund platform and has grown into one of India’s largest stock brokers, with a strong presence in direct mutual funds and domestic equities. Their documentation and learning content devote an entire section to how to invest in US stocks from India, emphasising platforms that allow direct US equity access.
Groww highlights US stocks, ETFs and other instruments as part of its product bouquet for Indian investors. While the exact route and availability of US equities have occasionally changed due to regulatory clarifications, independent pages note that Groww offers US investing opportunities, and it is widely discussed in Indian investor communities for this purpose.
If Groww is your existing broker for Indian markets, it can be convenient to explore whether your account currently supports US investing, keeping an eye on forex fees, US partner brokers and whether fractional shares are available.
Upstox
Upstox has pushed aggressively into global investing. Community posts and official updates in 2025 show Upstox rolling out US market access, inviting early users to invest in US stocks directly through their app.
The typical flow involves opening a global investing account inside Upstox, completing additional KYC, and then funding a dollar wallet that can be used to purchase US stocks and ETFs. Upstox positions itself as an affordable, app-centric broker, so you should pay close attention to forex mark-ups, any per-transaction remittance charges and whether trades themselves are commission-free or capped at a low flat fee.
ICICI Direct
ICICI Direct has long been one of the earliest Indian brokers to offer US market access through overseas trading accounts. Independent guides listing which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks usually include ICICI Direct among the core options, alongside INDmoney, Groww, Angel One and Upstox.
ICICI Direct’s global investing allows you to buy US stocks and ETFs through tie-ups with overseas brokers. You generally complete an additional KYC package, remit dollars under LRS from your linked ICICI Bank account and then use the ICICI trading interface, or the partner’s interface, to place orders. As a full-service broker, ICICI Direct tends to provide strong research and customer support but may charge higher fees than pure discount apps, particularly on forex conversion.
HDFC Securities
HDFC Securities provides a dedicated “Invest in US stocks” experience via its global investing platform. Its official site describes how Indian investors can access US equities, often in partnership with platforms like Vested, and explains that settlement takes place on T+2 for US stocks.
You open a global trading account with HDFC Securities, then move funds in USD using LRS. Once funded, you can buy a wide range of US stocks from within the same broker ecosystem that manages your Indian equities. HDFC focuses on convenience and the comfort of dealing with a well-known bank broker. As always, review their forex spread, remittance fees, and any annual charges or inactivity fees attached to the global account.
Kotak Securities
Kotak Securities runs a “Global Investing” product that explicitly allows you to invest in US stocks and ETFs. Kotak’s support materials state that investors can open a Global Investing account, remit money abroad under LRS, and then use that account to trade US equities.citeturn2search3turn2search7turn2search19turn2search11
In their FAQ, Kotak explains topics such as who the custodian is, what insurance or protection you get for your account, the time required to open the account, and what transaction charges apply when sending money abroad. That kind of transparency can be useful when you compare which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks in a safer and more clearly regulated format.
Angel One
Angel One, one of India’s largest full-service retail brokers, offers US stocks through an in-app integration with Vested. Their dedicated page for US stocks explains that investors can access US shares and ETFs via Vested, which is a US SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA member.
The Angel One app includes US stock screeners, symbol search and in-app execution while the custody remains with the US partner. Angel One emphasises the benefits of fractional investing, quick digital account opening and a broad collection of US securities. Fee-wise, investors should distinguish between Angel’s own charges and Vested’s fee model, including any subscription tiers or other charges.
5paisa
5paisa is a well-known discount broker that directly markets US stocks as one of the segments available on its platform. Its website and app describe a specific US Stocks section where investors can diversify into US stocks and ETFs seamlessly, and a separate page outlines how Indian residents can invest in the US market through 5paisa’s ecosystem.
5paisa often highlights low brokerage on domestic markets and works with foreign partners to deliver US execution. Check carefully for any platform fees, minimum transfer amounts and forex spreads when you compare it with other brokers in this directory.
Motilal Oswal
Motilal Oswal offers global investing via its “Riise” app, which prominently features US stock access. The official site invites investors to “easily invest in US stocks from India with 0 brokerage” and underlines that you can start from as low as 1 USD with fractional investing.
The flow typically involves opening a US stocks account within the Riise app, funding a US stocks wallet by converting rupees to dollars, then placing orders. Motilal Oswal stresses research-driven strategies, thematic baskets and advisory, which may appeal to investors who want some guidance rather than purely do-it-yourself execution.
Other Indian players and evolving options
Several other Indian brokers and platforms either already offer US equity access or are in the process of rolling it out:
- Some bank brokers and wealth platforms integrate with Stockal or similar B2B global investing rails to provide US access, particularly for HNIs.
- Newer apps occasionally run US-stock pilot programs; always confirm live availability before assuming you can trade.
Zerodha deserves a special mention. For years, it did not offer direct US equity trading, instead suggesting routes like mutual funds or ETFs for international exposure. Recent news reports, however, confirm that Zerodha plans to enable trading in US stocks via regulatory approvals in GIFT City, with a launch targeted around early 2026.For now, you can access US exposure indirectly through international ETFs on Indian exchanges, or wait for Zerodha’s US product to actually go live.
Foreign brokers that Indian investors often use
Although the question focuses on which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks, many Indian investors also open accounts directly with foreign brokers that accept Indian residents. Independent broker comparison sites and guides for Indian investors consistently feature Interactive Brokers, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade and other US-domiciled firms as strong options.
These brokers typically require you to:
- Complete a non-resident account application.
- Provide passport and address proof.
- Fund via international wire transfer under LRS.
In return, you often get very low trading fees, tight spreads and institutional-grade market access across many countries. This route is most suitable if you are comfortable handling documentation, taxation and support with an overseas institution rather than an Indian intermediary.
Charges and minimums: what really matters
Regardless of which Indian broker you choose to buy US stocks, the final cost you pay combines several layers.
Brokerage on trades can be zero or a small flat fee, but that is only one part. Global investing guides for Indian residents repeatedly underline that you must look at the all-in cost structure, including forex spread, remittance charges, custody or platform fees, and withdrawal fees.
Minimum investment amounts are usually low today. Many platforms advertise that you can invest in US stocks with just 1 USD by using fractional shares, which is true of INDmoney, Motilal Oswal and several fintech brokers.However, the fixed component of bank and remittance fees may still be high for very small portfolios, so you should batch transfers rather than moving tiny amounts frequently.
LRS, taxation and safety considerations
Under RBI’s LRS, you can remit up to 250,000 USD per financial year per individual for permissible capital and current account transactions, which includes investing in foreign stocks. Indian-facing global investing platforms rely on this framework and usually help you generate the required documentation.
For taxation, Indian content from brokers and media outlets converges on a few key points for US stocks:
Capital gains on US shares are taxed in India depending on your holding period, with different rates for long-term and short-term holdings.
Dividends attract US withholding tax, commonly around 25–30 percent for Indian residents, with a credit available in India under the DTAA so that income is not taxed twice.
Safety depends on both the Indian wrapper and the underlying foreign broker. Reputed platforms stress that:
- US securities are held with regulated custodians, often covered by SIPC insurance up to 500,000 USD.
- IFSC entities at GIFT City are regulated by IFSCA and designed precisely for international financial services including foreign securities.
Always verify who your actual custodian is and what investor protection schemes apply.
How to choose the right Indian broker for your US investing style
To answer “which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks” for your specific needs, you can think in terms of use cases.
If you are a beginner with a small monthly SIP into US equities, a fintech app like INDmoney or a discount broker with a strong app experience such as Upstox, Angel One or 5paisa may feel more intuitive. These provide fractional investing, quick KYC and ready-made baskets themed around technology or indices.
If you already use a bank broker and value everything in one place, HDFC Securities, ICICI Direct, Kotak Securities or Motilal Oswal’s Riise app can help you keep Indian and US holdings under a single relationship, with relatively deeper research coverage and telephone support.
If your portfolio is large, orders are frequent and multi-market access is important, foreign brokers such as Interactive Brokers or Schwab may offer better all-in costs and more advanced order types, at the expense of dealing directly with an overseas firm.
Whichever route you choose, it is worth reading both the marketing page and the detailed pricing and support documents before committing significant capital.
Putting it together
The short answer to the original question is that there is no single platform; instead, there is now a full menu of choices when you ask which Indian broker allows to buy US stocks. INDmoney, Groww, Upstox, ICICI Direct, HDFC Securities, Kotak Securities, Angel One, 5paisa and Motilal Oswal all provide some form of direct US equity access, usually via partner brokers or GIFT City entities. Foreign brokers like Interactive Brokers complement this list for investors comfortable going global directly.
The real decision is not just “who allows it” but “who allows it at the right cost, convenience and risk level for me.” Once you shortlist two or three platforms, compare their forex mark-ups, custody arrangements, product range and tax reports very carefully. That comparison will matter more to your long-term returns than a headline claim of zero brokerage alone.
If you want a more broker-by-broker comparison focused specifically on costs and platform features, you can also refer to a dedicated deep-dive on the best stock brokers for Indian investors trading the US market hosted on rajeevprakash.com, which complements this directory with more fee-focused analysis.
