Best Apps for Investing in the US Stock Market from India

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Investing in the US stock market allows Indian investors to explore international equity markets and gain exposure to businesses beyond India. Through US-listed stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), investors can access companies across industries, explore global investment opportunities and diversify their portfolios geographically.

Several investment platforms let Indian residents access US stocks. However, they differ in the securities they offer, brokerage charges, currency conversion costs, portfolio-tracking tools, and investment features. Some focus on simplifying international investing, while others offer research tools, recurring investment options and advanced order features.

Choosing the right app means comparing total investment costs, available securities, funding and withdrawal processes, and the tools you need to manage your investments.

Here are five apps to consider for investing in the US stock market from India.

1. Groww

Groww gives Indian investors access to 10,000+ US stocks and ETFs, letting them explore international equity markets through its app. Its US stocks offering combines stock discovery, fractional investing, online account management and transaction tracking.

Key features

• Access to US stocks and ETFs: Explore more than 10,000 US stocks and ETFs across industries and market segments.
• Stock discovery: Browse featured and trending stocks, access live market information and use category-based filters to discover securities.
• Fractional investing: Buy eligible fractional shares for as low as $1 instead of whole shares, letting investors allocate smaller amounts across multiple securities.
• USD balance and international investing: Maintain a USD balance for overseas investments and account for currency conversion when funding the account or withdrawing proceeds.
• Daily trading-activity summaries: Review trading activity alongside applicable charges and fees to understand transaction costs.
• USD dividend tracking: Track eligible US stock dividend credits in Groww Balance (GB) and monitor dollar-denominated investment income.
• Email trade statements: Receive daily trade statements by email to maintain records of transactions and associated charges.
• Digital onboarding: Eligible existing Groww users can activate their US stocks account by providing the required consent, subject to applicable verification and compliance requirements.
• Convenient funding and order placement: Add money after account activation without an additional platform-imposed waiting period. The platform also supports after-market orders (AMOs), subject to its order rules and validation requirements.
• Integrated portfolio tracking: Track US holdings alongside other investments within the Groww app.
• Pricing and charges: Account opening and maintenance are free. Brokerage is 0.1% of trade value or $1 per executed order, whichever is higher. Bank rates apply to currency conversion, with no separate forex conversion fee charged by Groww.

Groww may suit investors looking for a broad selection of US stocks and ETFs, fractional investing, stock-discovery tools and transaction-level cost visibility within an integrated investing app.

2. INDmoney

INDmoney provides access to more than 10,000 US stocks and ETFs. Alongside international investing, the platform offers portfolio analytics and tools to help investors monitor their holdings, track performance and manage recurring investments.

Key features

• US stocks and ETFs: Explore a wide range of US-listed securities.
• Fractional investing: Invest in eligible stocks with smaller amounts, including investments starting from $1.
• Portfolio analytics: Monitor investment performance and view portfolio information in USD and INR.
• Recurring investments: Use available systematic investment options to invest regularly.
• Tax-related tools: Access tax reports and information relevant to managing international investments.
• Dividend tracking: Monitor dividend-related information and changes in portfolio value.
• Pricing and charges: INDmoney advertises zero account-opening and annual account fees. Its published pricing lists brokerage at 0.25% per trade. Also consider currency conversion costs and other applicable charges.

INDmoney may suit investors who want international investing alongside portfolio analytics, recurring investment options, and tax-related tools.

3. Dhan

Dhan offers access to US stocks and ETFs, with features intended to help investors build and manage international equity positions. Fractional investing and recurring investment options let users invest smaller amounts without always buying whole shares.

Key features

• Access to US stocks: Explore available US-listed companies and investment opportunities.
• Fractional investing: Invest in eligible stocks with smaller amounts, including from $1.
• Recurring investments: Use available daily, weekly or monthly investment plans.
• Market information: Access stock information, research and market updates to support investment decisions.
• Order-placement features: Use supported order options, including advance orders where available.
• Pricing and charges: Dhan’s published US stock pricing lists brokerage at 0.25% of trade value, subject to a minimum of $0.01. A $1 pay-in charge may apply for pay-ins below $100, while payouts are listed as free. Also consider currency conversion costs and other applicable statutory or regulatory charges.

Dhan may appeal to investors looking for fractional US stock investing, recurring investment options and market information.

4. Zerodha

Zerodha offers access to eligible US stocks and ETFs through its global investing service. Its platform may suit investors who already use Zerodha for Indian market investments and prefer to manage domestic and international holdings within its broader ecosystem.

Key features

• US stocks and ETFs: Explore eligible US-listed securities available through its global investing service.
• Fractional investing: Purchase fractional units of eligible stocks and ETFs, subject to the platform’s terms.
• Integrated investing experience: Manage international investments alongside other holdings through the supported platform interface.
• Market information: Use available price information, charts and company data to research investment opportunities.
• Order placement: Access supported order types for eligible international investments.

Zerodha may be worth considering for existing customers who value its familiar investing ecosystem.

5. Upstox

Upstox offers a US stocks investing service with access to US-listed stocks and ETFs. Its offering includes fractional investing and tools to help investors discover securities and monitor market movements.

Key features

• US stocks and ETFs: Explore available international securities across different industries and market segments.
• Fractional shares: Invest in eligible securities without purchasing whole shares, subject to the platform’s terms.
• Watchlists and alerts: Monitor selected securities and track price movements through available alerts.
• Curated stock lists: Explore collections of stocks organised around themes or market trends, where available.
• Order-placement options: Use supported order types, including limit orders and after-market orders where available.
• Dividend tracking: Monitor dividend-related information for eligible US holdings.

Upstox may suit investors who value watchlists, price alerts, stock-discovery features and fractional investing.

How to Choose the Best App for Investing in US Stocks

The best app depends on an investor’s budget, investment strategy and preferred investing experience. Before selecting a platform, investors should compare share market apps based on their features, charges, reliability and security. Consider the following factors before selecting a platform.

1. Compare the total cost of investing

Brokerage is only one component of the total cost. Check account fees, currency conversion rates, remittance charges, withdrawal fees, GST and applicable regulatory charges.

A platform with low brokerage may still be expensive if its currency conversion costs or transfer fees are high. Compare charges for your expected transaction sizes rather than relying on a single headline fee.

2. Check the available stocks and ETFs

Consider whether the platform provides access to the securities you intend to buy. A larger selection may offer more choice, but the number of listed securities should not be the only deciding factor.

Check whether the platform supports fractional shares if you want to invest smaller amounts. Also consider whether you prefer individual stocks, broad-market ETFs or funds focused on particular sectors.

3. Evaluate stock discovery and research tools

Features such as watchlists, price alerts, market information, company data and curated stock lists can help investors research and monitor securities.

Investors who prefer a simpler experience may prioritise easy navigation and portfolio tracking. Those who conduct detailed research may prioritise analytical tools and access to company information.

4. Review funding and withdrawal processes

Investing in US stocks from India generally involves converting rupees into US dollars and transferring funds through supported channels. Check the available payment methods, minimum transfer amounts, conversion rates and processing timelines.

Also understand how sale proceeds and dividends are credited, how withdrawals are handled and what charges may apply when converting dollars back into rupees. Bank processing times and compliance checks can affect when funds become available.

5. Understand fractional investing

Fractional investing lets investors buy a portion of an eligible share instead of paying for a full share. This can make higher-priced stocks more accessible and help investors allocate smaller amounts across several securities.

However, fractional investing does not remove market risk. Investors should also understand the platform’s rules for fractional holdings, order execution and transfers or withdrawals.

6. Consider portfolio tracking and reporting

A platform that provides a consolidated view of holdings, transactions, dividends and charges can make it easier to monitor investments.

Daily transaction summaries and email trade statements can help investors maintain records and reconcile account activity. Dividend tracking and tax-related reports may also be useful when managing overseas investments.

7. Review regulatory and tax requirements

Indian residents investing overseas must comply with applicable requirements under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and relevant tax rules.

The general LRS limit is USD 250,000 per resident individual per financial year, subject to applicable conditions and regulations. International investments can also involve dividend withholding taxes, foreign-asset disclosures and Indian tax-reporting obligations, depending on an investor’s circumstances.

Investors should review the requirements applicable to their situation and consult a qualified tax professional when necessary.

Conclusion

Groww, INDmoney, Dhan, Zerodha and Upstox offer different ways for Indian investors to access the US stock market. The right choice depends on the available securities, total transaction costs, funding arrangements, research tools, and portfolio-management features.

Groww is worth considering for investors looking for 10,000+ US stocks and ETFs, fractional investing, stock-discovery features and an integrated view of their investments. Its daily trading-activity summaries, USD dividend tracking, and email trade statements also help users monitor transactions and investment income.

INDmoney offers portfolio analytics and tax-related tools, while Dhan provides recurring investment options and market information. Zerodha may appeal to existing users of its investing ecosystem, and Upstox offers stock-discovery and monitoring features.

Before choosing an app, compare current official pricing, confirm your preferred securities are available, and calculate the total cost of investing. International investing can complement a diversified portfolio, but investors should account for market volatility, currency fluctuations, transaction costs and tax obligations.