You have probably heard about the Robinhood app on YouTube and want to know if it is available in India, right?
Robinhood is a modern and easy-to-use investment app from the US that popularised commission-free trading in financial products such as stocks and ETFs, prompting rivals like Webull, E*TRADE, and Charles Schwab to follow suit.
Want to know if Robinhood is available in India, its expansion plans, and the alternatives available for Indian users? We’ve got you covered!
Is Robinhood available in India?
Unfortunately, Robinhood is not yet available in India.
Outside the US, Robinhood is available in the UK (commission-free US stock trading) and across the EU/EEA, where it offers crypto and tokenised US stocks and ETFs rather than real shares.
Currently, Robinhood has shown no specific indications of expanding to India. While India is a great market for brokers, it is also highly regulated and competitive. That said, Robinhood has signalled broader international ambitions: it has chosen Singapore as the base for its planned Asia-Pacific expansion and is working to secure licences in the region, so an eventual move closer to Asian markets is possible – though no India-specific timeline has been announced.
Robinhood alternatives in India
Interactive Brokers | Best overall
Interactive Brokers is one of the best options for Indian investors looking to access US and global markets. Residents can fund an account under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and trade across 150+ markets with low commissions, competitive currency conversion, and fractional shares for high-priced US stocks – all through advanced tools and intuitive mobile apps.
Vested | Best for beginners
Vested is a platform built specifically for Indian investors who want to invest in US stocks. It offers commission-free trading, fractional shares (so you can start small), curated ready-made portfolios called Vests, and educational resources – making it an easy entry point for newcomers funding their account under the LRS.
INDmoney | Best for financial management features
INDmoney is a popular Indian super-app known for bringing all your finances into one place. Alongside tracking your net worth, savings, and Indian investments, it lets you invest in US stocks with zero brokerage and fractional shares, and even set up US stock SIPs – all funded conveniently under the LRS.
Groww | Best for low fees
Groww is a popular investment app offering a range of financial products, including US stocks and ETFs. It is an ideal choice for cost-conscious investors as it charges only $0.02 per trade, making it one of the most affordable options for investing in US stocks.
Groww | Best for low fees
Groww is one of India’s most popular investing apps, known for its low fees and clean, beginner-friendly design. It is set to relaunch international investing for Indian users via GIFT City, which should once again make it one of the most affordable and accessible ways to gain exposure to US stocks and ETFs.
| Broker | Minimum deposit | Deposit method | Fees on stocks | Pre-built stock portfolios available | Number of US stocks |
| Interactive Brokers | $500 | Wire transfer | Between $0.0005 and $0.0035 per share | No | 17,500+ |
| Vested | $0 | Wire transfer | $0 (account fees apply based on plan) | Yes | 5,000+* |
| INDmoney | $0 | Wire transfer | $0 (deposit fees apply) | No | 8,000+* |
| Groww | $0 | Wire transfer | $0.02 per trade charged by exchange | No | 3,700+ |
| ICICI Direct | $0 | Wire transfer | Between $0 and $2.75 per trade depending on your subscription plan | Yes | 17,500+ |
*Stocks and ETFs
#1 Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers at a glance
Founded in 1978, Interactive Brokers is one of the largest international brokers listed on the NASDAQ exchange (ticker: IBKR) and is at the top of our list of the best apps to invest in US stocks from India. It provides access to over 150 markets in 33 countries, allowing you to trade stocks in addition to options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds.
The broker provides powerful trading apps with sophisticated tools and features, including over 100 order types. Comprehensive reporting, real-time trade confirmations, and portfolio analysis tools let you effectively monitor and manage your investments. The user-friendly IBKR GlobalTrader app is suitable for beginners, providing simplified investing without compromising on the powerful tools the broker is known for. For experienced traders seeking more advanced features, the IBKR Mobile app offers a complete and sophisticated trading experience for stocks, ETFs, and options.
Opening an account with Interactive Brokers is straightforward and comes with no fees or minimum activity requirements. You also benefit from a free Demat account and competitive interest rates on instantly available cash balances. The minimum deposit for Indian residents is $500, or its equivalent in INR, and funding your account can be done through a bank wire transfer. Commissions for US stocks and ETFs range from USD 0.0005 to USD 0.0035 per share.
One of the key advantages of trading with Interactive Brokers is the global access it provides. The platform also lets you buy fractional shares, so you can invest in almost any US stock regardless of its price. For those looking to generate extra income, the Stock Yield Enhancement Program allows you to lend your fully paid shares to traders who want to short them and are willing to pay interest to borrow the shares.
Please check our Interactive Brokers review to find out more about the broker.
#2 Vested
Vested at a glance
Vested Finance is an online investment platform with an app designed for Indian investors seeking to invest in US stocks and ETFs. Vested lets you trade over 5,000 US stocks and ETFs, and you can buy fractional shares – for example, a slice of Amazon or Google for as little as $1.
The app’s intuitive design ensures that both beginners and experienced investors can navigate it easily. Real-time price feeds, news updates, interactive charts, and fundamental data are readily available, giving investors up-to-date information for making informed decisions. Vested also provides research content and exclusive insights into the US markets, helping investors stay on top of market trends and spot opportunities.
Vested offers a range of options to suit different preferences. Investors can choose from ready-made portfolios called “Vests” – curated baskets of stocks and ETFs built around various themes and goals, giving you pre-selected, diversified exposure. Getting started is quick: the platform offers a fully digital onboarding process (including the LRS A2 form your bank needs), so you can open an account within minutes. Vested partners with the US-regulated broker DriveWealth LLC to give Indian investors access to the US stock market.
Vested offers two main subscription plans, Basic and Premium, each designed for different investor needs. The Basic plan, available for a one-time fee of ₹250, provides essential features such as zero brokerage charges, easy money transfers, access to curated Vests, and basic research tools like AlphaScreener Basic. The Premium plan, priced at ₹4,500 per year (about ₹375 per month), adds benefits including unlimited free withdrawals with Vested Direct, advanced research tools like AlphaScreener Plus, priority support, and access to exclusive Vests and premium content.
#3 INDmoney
INDmoney at a glance
INDmoney is a leading Indian investment platform that simplifies investing in US stocks listed on exchanges like the NASDAQ and NYSE from India. Founded in 2019, it is known for offering zero commission on US stocks. Opening an account is fast and straightforward, taking just a few minutes. INDmoney has also partnered with reputable US brokers, including DriveWealth LLC and Alpaca Securities LLC, to ensure a secure and compliant trading environment for Indian investors.
INDmoney’s super-app brings together a wide range of features to help users manage their finances. From Demat and trading accounts to automatic expense tracking, mutual fund investments, investment calculators, insurance services, an IPO centre, advanced reports, INsta Cash, and credit score monitoring, the app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for making informed financial decisions.
On the minimum investment amount, INDmoney’s US Stocks account supports fractional shares, letting investors put in as little as $1 in stocks like Apple, Netflix, and Tesla. The process is straightforward and handled directly on the INDmoney platform: investors can browse the catalogue of US stocks and ETFs, or consult their wealth manager for a customised investment proposal.
INDmoney provides a transparent fee structure, with no account opening fees and no brokerage on US stock trading. There is a platform fee of 0.75% of the deposit amount, capped at ₹1,000, and withdrawing funds back to an Indian bank account costs $5 per request for amounts below $2,000 (withdrawals of $2,000 or more are free).
#4 Groww
Groww at a glance
Groww is one of India’s most popular investment apps, used for mutual funds, SIPs, Indian stocks, futures, and options. Founded in 2016, it built its reputation on a simple, fully paperless experience. Note that Groww discontinued its US stocks service in 2023 and currently supports only Indian-market investing. The good news for global investors: in 2026, Groww (alongside other major Indian brokers) received approval from the IFSCA to relaunch international investing via GIFT City, expected to go live within a few months.
When its US offering returns, Groww is expected to again provide access to thousands of US stocks and ETFs, with fractional shares that let users invest small amounts, alongside the comprehensive charts and analysis tools the app is known for.
On pricing, Groww’s previous US service charged $0 brokerage on US stocks (with a small $0.02 per-trade fee passed through from the exchange on sell orders) and $9 per withdrawal to cover its US counterpart bank’s fees, with accounts managed by ViewTrade Securities (VTS) and cleared through Apex Clearing Corporation. The exact fee structure and partners for its GIFT City relaunch may differ, so it is worth checking the latest details once the service goes live.
#5 ICICI Direct
ICICI Direct at a glance
ICICI Direct is a reputable broker founded in 1995 that lets you open an ICICI Direct Global account, enabling investments in six major global markets: the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Opening an ICICI Direct Global account is easy and completed entirely online with just a few clicks, with no physical documentation needed. One notable feature is the availability of fractional shares, letting you start with small amounts in the US markets. There is also no minimum balance requirement, giving you the freedom to invest without maintaining a set account balance.
The platform is powered by its broker partner Interactive Brokers LLC, which executes and clears your trades, with ICICI Securities acting as an introducing broker to Interactive Brokers. ICICI Direct also provides access to over 80 curated portfolios managed by global fund managers, letting investors benefit from their expertise.
The app provides a consolidated view of your portfolio’s performance across different asset classes, so you can easily track your investments, along with biometric login. Managing your portfolio is simpler with personalised watchlists, pre-defined lists, and trade execution algorithms. The app also offers a dark mode for comfortable viewing and smart features like Flash Trade for quick F&O trading.
On pricing, ICICI Direct offers competitive plans, letting you choose between zero-subscription and zero-brokerage options. Here is a brief overview of their three plans: Global Classic (₹0 per year and $2.75 per trade), Global Select (₹999 per year and $1.99 per trade), and Global Advantage (₹9,999 per year and $0 per trade).
Which platform should you choose?
When choosing a platform, consider the fees charged, whether it is regulated by top-tier institutions, and the range of products it lets you trade (not all platforms offer Indian stocks alongside US ones). It is also worth checking how each one handles funding under the LRS – and remember that remittances abroad may attract TCS, which can usually be claimed back against your income tax.
The best option in your specific case will depend on your profile, preferences, and objectives. Explore the platforms above and decide for yourself!
A reminder that the above should not be seen as investment advice and should be considered information only. Investors should do their own research and diligence about the best-suited services and opportunities for their risk, returns, and impact strategy.
Other FAQs about Robinhood
Can I use Robinhood from India with a VPN?
No, Indian investors cannot use a VPN to open a Robinhood account. Upon account opening, Robinhood requires specific documentation that proves that you are a US citizen.
How exactly does Robinhood make money?
The online broker earns money from interest earned on customers’ cash balances (money in your account not invested), by selling order information to third parties (high-frequency traders, for instance), and margin lending.
Regarding the selling of orders, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is still investigating Robinhood for not fully disclosing its practice of selling clients’ orders to high-speed trading firms.
Until October 2018, Robinhood would not clearly state that it was receiving payments for order flows. By law, any financial company must reveal all the material facts an investor would want to know before making any investment decision.
