Demat account is a must for an individual who is planning to buy and sell shares and can be used to hold shares in the electronic form. This is used as a bank where shares bought are deposited in, and where shares sold are taken from. You will get a single account for demat & trading.
New investors who wish to start trading should be smart in choosing a demat account or else he has to end-up paying a high fee and charges for each transaction. Different charges are applicable for opening and maintaining a demat account. Individuals, while choosing a Demat account should check firms with good customer support along with other charges.
Here is our list of 10 Best Demat Accounts in India for new investors.

1. Zerodha

Zerodha was one of the first brokerages in the country to start discount broking in the country. The organization is currently scaling high with its new innovation.Zerodha is among the quickest developing, top volume supporters with a normal every day trading turnover of over Rs 10,000 crores. The organization currently offers traders and investors in equities to open demat accounts instantaneously with their Aadhaar. Zerodha takes 4 to 5 days to open your account.

Key Benefits of Zerodha

• zero brokerage charges.
• Intraday equity and equity futures attract a fee of 0.01% or Rs. 20/ trading transaction whichever is lower.
• Maximum brokerage charge capped to Rs 20 irrespective of transaction volume.
• Demat account opening charges (one-time) is Rs 100.
• Demat account Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) are Rs 300 per year.
• No minimum cap of brokerage per transaction.
• Provide a margin from 4 to 10 times.

Further there are STT or CTT charges that vary across transactions.Now on, GST charges @ 18% also apply on brokerage plus transaction charges.

Account Charges

• Trading Account Opening Charges ( one time) – Nil
• Demat Account Opening Charges ( one time) – Rs 300
• Trading Account Maintenance Charges (AMC) – Rs 0
• Demat Account Maintenance Charges (AMC) – Rs 300 per year

Zerodha Trading Platforms

• Zerodha Trader – A complete trading solution for the investors and traders which provide complete market data and multi market access from a single front end.
• Zerodha Z5 – A browser based website specially for the users having low internet speed of less than 512 Kbps.
• Zerodha Mobile – A mobile app through which you can trade from your mobile also.
• Zerodha Pi – A next generation trading platform having many features such as integrating charting with up to 50,000 candles.

Start Trading on Zerodha

Here we are introducing the best cryptocurrency exchange platforms

2. Angel Broking

Angel broking is one of the oldest brokerage companies in India having established network branches in more than 900 urban communities.With presence in the industry since 1987, Angel Broking offers its clients innovation engaged Demat and trading accounts. Combined with it likewise offers a fundamental and technical research guidance. At present angel broking offers support to in excess of 10,00,000 clients.
Angel broking‘s customer care service is sufficient. I suggest Angel Broking just if your Adhaar Card is connected with your mobile number.

Angel Broking Trading Platforms
Angel Eye – A web based platform helpful for portfolio tracking and undated quotes. It additionally gives up-to-date market information and live news. I use Angel Eye platform for transactions.
Angel Broking App – A mobile app useful to view current market prices and track your portfolio.
Angel Speed Pro – An installable software comes with 30 days intraday and 20 years historical data.
Angel Broking Additional Services

• Margin provided up to 10 times the amount deposit.
• Free SMS advisory service for 3 months.
• You can start trading within 1 hour through digital KYC.

Account Charges of Angel Broking

• Demat Account Opening Charges – NIL
• Trading Account Opening Charges – NIL
• Angel Classic ( 10,000 to 24,999) – Rs 450 per annum.
• Angel Preferred ( 25,000 to 49,999) – No AMC for 1st year and Rs 450 p.a afterwards.
• Angel Premier ( 50,000 to 99,999) – No AMC for 2 year and Rs 450 p.a afterwards.
• Angel Elite ( 1,00,000 & more) – No AMC for 3 years and Rs 450 p.a afterwards.

3. Sharekhan

Sharekhan is one of the famous stock broking firm with a universal presence through its branches in the UAE and Oman and having in excess of 12 lakh customer base.Presently the company has offered support from in excess of 1800 offices across 550 cities.Individual investors can get an idea of the happenings in the markets from Sharekhan fundamental research reports. 

Sharekhan offers two types of accounts.They are classic account and Trade tiger account.

1) Classic Account – Classic account is an online trading account for equities and derivatives most appropriate for investors. This account has the features like multiple watch lists, real-time portfolio tracking with price alerts and integrated banking.
2) Trade Tiger Account – Trade tiger account is a net-based executable application for active traders who trade frequently during the day’s trading session.

Account Charges of Sharekhan account

• Trading Account Opening Charges – Rs 750 for classic account, Rs. 1000 for Trade Tiger A/c. It is to be noted that these charges are fully adjusted against first six-months brokerage charges.
• Demat Account Opening Charges – Nil
• Annual Maintenance Charges – Upto 750 (depend on the balance keep)
• Demat Annual Maintenance Charges- Rs 400 (free for 1st year with trading account)
• For equity intra-day trading the brokerage charge - 0.1% for both buy and sell sides.
• For equity delivery trading the brokerage charge - 0.5% or 10 paise per share or Rs 16 per scrip whichever is higher.

Benefits of Sharekhan

• Account opening charges are adjusted towards first six months brokerage or waived off
• No annual maintenance charge for the first year
• Sharekhan provides online & offline training workshops to investors
• Free call & trade facility

Drawbacks of Sharekhan

• Minimum brokerage charge per stock would reduce your profit on trading small (penny) stock.
• Brokerage rate is higher as compared to other demat companies. But you can negotiate at the time of account opening.
• Annual Maintenance Charges – Upto 750 (depend on the balance keep)

4. Edelweiss

Edelweiss Broking is part of the Edelweiss Group, one of the leading diversified financial services conglomerates in India, offering a wide range of financial products and services to a large and diversified clientele including companies, institutions and individuals. The trading account generally helps to trade easily on the stock market. Edelweiss doesn't charge an expense for opening a trading account, but also offers transparent features.
Key features are

• The annual maintenance fees for the first year are FREE. From the second year, you will be charged Rs. 500 + applicable taxes per year. Also, Trading AMC Charges are free.
• The research team covers more than 200 companies covering more than 16 sectors.
• The Edelweiss Lite plan is a major reason to start with edelweiss @ Rs.10 per transaction
• It allows users to quickly trade and view all first-level stocks.

Edelweiss Trading Platforms
It offers two types of trading platforms for trading on the market. Its trading platforms are the Terminal X3 and the mobile trader.
Mobile Trader
One of a kind stock market app that lets you carry the share market in your pocket.Best tools for all Investors.
Terminal X3
A desktop trading software with an X-factor.Terminal X3 (TX3) is a complete trading terminal with analytical solution for all you traders.Trading, Charting, Analytics, Calculators - All in One! 3 X-factors that will keep you on top of the share markets, always!

5. 5paisa

5paisa.com is financed by one of India's leading financial services organizations - IIFL. Using 5paisa.com, you can avail various services at very low cost. This brokerage firm is an apt brokerage firm for those who like to trade on Mobile. 5paisa.com offers different types of services such as you can do online trading, invest in Mutual Funds and also you can buy Insurance Policy on 5paisa.com.
5Paisa charges the most reduced brokerage charges in India as compared to the other discount broker in India. You just need to pay level Rs 10. per trade with platinum and titanium.You can place a single trade worth crores and pay Rs 10 per trade. You won't be charged dependent on any rate. To put it plainly, 5paise is the least expensive discount broker in India.
You would get your 5Paisa account opened on the same day on submitting all the documents.
Key Features

• Demat account opening charges - Free
• Trading account opening charges - Rs 650 (one time)
• Demat Annual Maintenance Charges- Rs 400.
• For equity intraday trading the brokerage charges - Rs 10 per executed order irrespective of the trading volume
• For equity delivery trading the brokerage charges - Rs 10 per executed order

5Paisa Brokerage Charges
5Paisa offers three subscription plans, namely the Optimum, Platinum and Titanium Plans. 5Paisa brokerage charges are different for each plan.
5Paisa Trading Platforms
Investor Terminal – Investor terminal is for the low volume traders. This is a web-based terminal and easy to access.
Trader Terminal – Trader terminal is for high volume traders which provide a powerful interface and fast execution.
Benefits

• Invest in Mutual Funds and buy insurance through the same account
• 100% waiver on account opening charges – A saving of Rs. 650
• Maintenance Charges – Rs. 45 per month only for months when you trade

6. Kotak Securities Demat and Trading Account

Kotak Securities Demat and Trading account comes with a 3 in 1 account which means it brings together saving account, demat account and trading account into one smart service. With a 3-in-1 account, your trade can get more seamlessly since your bank and trading accounts are linked with the demat account!This account makes it comfortable for investors and gives a smooth experience. 

Kotak Securities holds membership of both BSE and NSE and the trader can call to toll-free numbers 1800 209 9191, 1800 222 299 and also can send SMS to KSQ to 5676788.
Charges associated with Kotak Securities Account

• Trading Account Opening Charges: Rs 750 (One Time)
• Demat Account Opening Charges: Rs 0 (One Time)
• Demat Account Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC): Rs 50 for Indians and Rs 75 for NRIs
• Trading Annual maintenance charges (AMC): Rs 0

Kotak Securities Trading Platforms
KEAT ProX
KEAT ProX is a free, simple and high speed web-based trading platform that gives you control over your portfolio, allows you to track the markets live, as well as buy and sell securities online, in real time. KEAT ProX deals with scripts on the BSE, NSE and NSE Currency markets.

Kotak Stock Trader (KST)
KST is a mobile-based application which allows you to trade from your mobile phone anywhere, anytime.

Xtralite
Xtralite, an extra-light, super-fast trading website specially designed for trading using slow internet connections. Now, you can use your existing internet connections to trade in the equity and derivative markets.

 

7. India Infoline (IIFL)

IIFL Demat and Trading Account accompany Industry’s best trading platforms and regular personalised portfolio analysis.IIFL is one of the few brokers which give demat services of both NSDL and CDSL. Clients investing with IIFL can use proprietary TT EXE, TT web (desktop) and IIFL markets application for exchanges.Some offer lower brokerage to clients that trade over a fixed volume. IIFL is a very safe and trusted brand.
An investor can trade in Cash, F&O, Mutual Fund, IPOs, Currency, Commodity with the IIFL account. It has quick request execution and affirmation.Investors can watch the market live and get real-time official scrip updates. It is simple and easy to use with an interface designed for optimal performance. IIFL is the single integrated window to Buy and Sell any product.

Key Features are

• Demat account opening is free with IIFL and for the first year
• Demat AMC also entails no cost.
• Brokerage firm charges 0.5% for equity delivery, for equity intraday and futures trade, the charges are 0.05%
• Equity options are 1% of premium or Rs. 100 per lot whichever is high.

 

8. Motilal Oswal 

Motilal Oswal has nine lakh plus customers with a vast experience of 30 years in the field. The company is a 4-time winner of Best Performing Equity Broker by UTI-CNBC TV18 National Financial Advisory Awards. Motilal Oswal provides a huge number of services such as retail broking,institutional broking, private wealth management & distribution, asset management, commodity broking, investment banking, private equity, currency broking, principal strategies & home finance.

Account Charges

• Demat Account Opening Charges - Nil
• Trading Account Opening Charges -Rs 0
• Demat Account Annual Maintenance Charges - Rs. 441

Key Features

• Free Brokerage for first month
• For equity intra-day trading the brokerage charge - 0.03-0.015%
• For equity delivery trading the brokerage charge - 0.25-0.18%

Motilal Oswal Trading Platforms
Desktop Trading Platform – A desktop based platform which needs to be installed in the system, provides access to over 30,000 research reports across all asset classes.
Web Trading Platform – Accounts can be accessed very easily with any system through web
Mobile Trading Platform – A mobile platform which allows trading through mobiles and tablets.
Benefits of Motilal Oswal

• Award winning research advice covers around 95% of market capitalisation.
• Provides free brokerage for the first month.

9. ICICI Direct Demat Account

ICICI Direct is one the largest share brokerage companies having more than 20 lakh customers.ICICI Direct provides an array of services including stock trading. You can opt for the 3 in 1 Demat account by ICICI. Clients do not need to open multiple accounts for trading and fund management separately. The main advantage of ICICI Direct demat account for new small investors or beginners is that it takes away regular fuss over funds transfer between trading and bank accounts. Being a huge brand ICICI provides a wide physical presence across the country. ICICI Direct provides a wide range of services and investment options which includes

• Investment in equities, derivatives, mutual funds, SIP, IPO, NCD & bonds, ETF and currency.
• Wealth products.
• Home loans & loans against securities.

 ICICI Direct Account Charges

• Account Opening Charges -Rs 975
• Annual Maintenance Charges – Rs 700
• Demat account opening charges- Nil
• Demat account AMC- Nil
• Trading account opening charges- Nil
• Trading account AMC- Rs. 700

ICICI Direct Trading Platforms
Share Trading Account – A web based platform with which you can do all the trading and investing activities. This is not purposeful if you want to do technical analysis for trading.
Trade Racer – Trading platform suits for technical analysis as well. This provides features like live streaming quotes & research cells and integrated fund transfer system.

10. Karvy

Karvy is one of the well known brokerage firm is based out of Hyderabad.It is one of the biggest stockbroking firms who provide core financial services to the customers.The Karvy Group is good at offering depository participant, stockbroking services, financial products including- advisory services, commodities broking, wealth management, merchant banking and corporate finance, NBFC,loans to individual investors, forex, currencies, data management, data analytics, registrar & transfer agents and market research.Karvy is very good option for any prospect looking for a decent brokerage with full fledged support of decent quality service.

Karvy Account Charges

• Minimum Brokerage: Percentage of Transaction
• Demat AMC Charges: Rs.500 per annum
• Trading AMC Charges: Free
• Account Opening Charges: Free
• Demat AMC Charges: Rs.500 per Annum

The offers available to Karvy users are given below

• The Karvy Group allows users to open up a demat account for free of cost.
• It is also good at offering flexible brokerage plans to the customers for huge satisfaction.

Here are the ratings of the 10 Best Demat Accounts in India for new investors.

Conclusion

All the above mentioned 10 broking houses have best in class demat account service. Anyone looking to finalize a broker should always choose based on their individual requirement. Understand your requirements before taking a final decision.