Indian investors are increasingly buying US stocks such as Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and NVIDIA to diversify beyond the Indian market. Doing it well means choosing an app that handles the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) remittance, keeps currency and trading costs low, and is properly regulated.
Here are the best apps to invest in US stocks from India, with their fees and features checked in September 2026, plus what you need to know about taxes and the new GIFT City route.
Best apps to invest in US stocks from India
Interactive Brokers: best overall
A global broker listed on Nasdaq and part of the S&P 500, with access to 160+ markets, very low commissions (from $0.0005 per US share on tiered pricing) and the simple IBKR GlobalTrader app for beginners.
Vested: best for beginners
A platform built for Indian investors, with fractional shares from $1, ready-made thematic portfolios (“Vests”), research tools and an LRS remittance process that is simple to follow.
INDmoney: best for managing all your finances
A financial super-app that combines US stocks (through its GIFT City entity) with Indian stocks, mutual funds, EPF tracking and more, with no subscription fee and US stock SIPs.
ICICI Direct: best for existing ICICI clients
A full-service Indian broker whose ICICI Direct Global account, powered by Interactive Brokers, gives access to six global markets from the same group that runs your Indian account.
Best apps to invest in US stocks from India compared
| App | US stock fees | Min. deposit | US stocks and ETFs | Ready-made portfolios |
| Interactive Brokers | $0.0005 to $0.0035 per share (min. $0.35, tiered) | $0 | 10,000+ | No |
| Vested | Depends on plan (lower with the paid plan) [CONFIRM] | $0 | 10,000+ | Yes (Vests) |
| INDmoney | No subscription; brokerage and FX costs per trade [CONFIRM] | $0 | 10,000+ | No |
| ICICI Direct | $0 to $2.75 per trade, depending on plan | $0 | Thousands (via Interactive Brokers) | Yes |
Fees checked in September 2026. All apps also involve currency conversion and bank remittance costs, which are often larger than the trading fee: check each app’s current fee page before investing.
#1 Interactive Brokers at a glance
Founded in 1978, Interactive Brokers is one of the largest international brokers, listed on Nasdaq (ticker: IBKR) and part of the S&P 500 since 2025. It gives access to 160+ markets, so you can trade stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds and funds well beyond the US.
For beginners, the IBKR GlobalTrader app offers a simple way to buy US stocks, including fractional shares, which help with high-priced names like NVIDIA or Berkshire Hathaway. More experienced investors can use IBKR Mobile or the desktop platform, with 100+ order types and advanced research.
There is no minimum deposit. You fund your account by bank wire under the LRS, converting INR to USD at your bank or, more cheaply, at IBKR itself, where currency conversion costs only a fraction of what most Indian banks charge. US stocks cost $0.0005 to $0.0035 per share (minimum $0.35 per order) on tiered pricing, or $0.005 per share (minimum $1) on fixed pricing. IBKR also pays interest on idle cash, and its Stock Yield Enhancement Program lets you earn extra income by lending your fully paid shares.
For a more detailed look, read our Interactive Brokers review.
#2 Vested at a glance
Vested is a platform built specifically for Indian investors who want to invest in US stocks and ETFs. You can buy fractional shares from $1, so expensive stocks like Amazon or NVIDIA are within reach even with small amounts.
The app is easy to use, with real-time prices, news, charts and fundamental data, plus research on US markets. Beginners can choose ready-made portfolios called “Vests“, built around themes and goals, instead of picking individual stocks. Account opening is fully digital and takes minutes.
Vested operates through its US broker-dealer, VF Securities, Inc. (registered with FINRA), with client assets held by the US custodian DriveWealth. It also lets you transfer US holdings from other brokers into your Vested account.
Vested offers a free basic plan and a paid Premium plan, which lowers trading costs and adds benefits such as advanced research tools, more free withdrawals and priority support. Vested’s pricing has changed several times, so check the current plans and fees on its website before signing up [CONFIRM: current plan prices and brokerage].
#3 INDmoney at a glance
Founded in 2019, INDmoney started as a way to invest in US stocks listed on Nasdaq and the NYSE from India and has grown into a broad financial super-app. Opening an account takes a few minutes.
Its US stock investing runs through an entity regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) in GIFT City, working with US-registered brokers such as DriveWealth and Alpaca Securities to execute and hold your trades.
Beyond US stocks, the app combines an Indian demat and trading account, mutual funds, automatic expense tracking, EPF and net worth tracking, insurance, an IPO section and credit score monitoring, so you can see Indian and US investments in one place.
INDmoney supports fractional investing from $1 and US stock SIPs, which work like the mutual fund SIPs Indian investors already know. There are no account opening or subscription fees. The main costs to check are the per-trade charges and the currency conversion rate applied when you move money between INR and USD [CONFIRM: current INDmoney brokerage and FX fees].
#4 ICICI Direct at a glance
ICICI Direct, founded in 1995, offers the ICICI Direct Global account, which gives access to six markets: the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Account opening is fully online, there is no minimum balance, and you can buy fractional shares. Trades are executed and held by Interactive Brokers LLC, with ICICI Securities acting as the introducing broker. ICICI Direct also offers 80+ curated portfolios from global fund managers.
The app gives a consolidated view of your investments across asset classes, with watchlists, biometric login and a dark mode.
ICICI Direct Global has three plans:
- Global Classic: ₹0 a year, $2.75 per trade.
- Global Select: ₹999 a year, $1.99 per trade.
- Global Advantage: ₹9,999 a year, $0 per trade.
Global Advantage pays off after roughly 40 trades a year compared with Global Classic, so it suits active traders, while Global Classic is cheaper for occasional investors. Check current pricing on the ICICI Direct website before subscribing.
Taxes and costs of investing in US stocks from India
Before you invest, factor in the rules that apply to every app:
- LRS limit: under the Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme, you can send up to $250,000 per financial year abroad, including for investments.
- TCS on remittances: your bank collects 20% tax at source (TCS) on LRS remittances for investment above ₹10 lakh in a financial year. It isn’t an extra tax: you can claim it back against your income tax or as a refund.
- Dividends: the US withholds 25% on dividends for Indian residents (under the India-US tax treaty, once you sign a W-8BEN form). The dividend is also taxable in India at your slab rate, but you can claim a credit for the US tax by filing Form 67.
- Capital gains: US shares held for more than 24 months are taxed at 12.5% as long-term gains; shorter holdings are taxed at your income slab rate.
- Reporting: you must report your foreign holdings in Schedule FA of your income tax return every year, even if you didn’t sell anything.
Tax rules change regularly, so check the current rules or speak to a tax adviser before investing.
The GIFT City route: a new way to buy US stocks
Until recently, Indian apps offering US stocks were mostly front-ends for US brokers. GIFT City, India’s International Financial Services Centre, now offers a more regulated route: NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) launched its Global Access platform in early 2026, letting Indian investors buy and sell US-listed stocks through brokers connected to GIFT City, still within the LRS limit.
This is the route Zerodha plans to use. Its CEO said in October 2025 that US investing would arrive “in the next quarter”, but as of September 2026 it is still not available on Kite. Groww, meanwhile, has stopped offering US stocks. If you already use one of these apps, check its announcements before moving your money.
How we chose these apps
We compared the apps on five points:
- Access to US stocks: the number of US stocks and ETFs available, and whether fractional shares are offered.
- Total cost: not just the trading fee, but also account and subscription fees, currency conversion, remittance and withdrawal costs.
- Features: ease of use, market data, research tools and ready-made portfolios.
- Security and regulation: LRS compliance, IFSCA oversight where relevant, and US partner brokers registered with the SEC and FINRA.
- Onboarding and support: digital account opening and KYC, INR to USD remittance support, and customer service in Indian time zones.
Conclusion
Investing in US stocks from India has become much easier. Each of these apps suits a different investor:
Interactive Brokers
Best overallVested
Best for beginnersINDmoney
Best for managing all your financesICICI Direct
Best for existing ICICI clients
The best choice depends on how much you invest and how often you trade. For larger or regular investments, the currency conversion and remittance costs usually matter more than the trading fee, which is where Interactive Brokers stands out. For small amounts and a simple experience, Vested and INDmoney are easier to start with.
Whatever you choose, remember the LRS limit, the TCS on remittances above ₹10 lakh and the Indian tax rules on US dividends and capital gains, which can make a real difference to your net returns.
Disclaimer: when investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. This article is for information only and is not investment or tax advice.
FAQs
Are Indians allowed to invest in US stocks?
Yes. Under the Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), Indian residents can send up to $250,000 per financial year abroad, including for investing in foreign stocks.
How can Indians invest in the US stock market?
Open an account with an app or broker that gives access to US markets, complete the KYC, transfer money from your Indian bank account under the LRS, and then buy US stocks or ETFs in the app.
What is the TCS on US stock investments?
Banks collect 20% tax at source on LRS remittances for investments above ₹10 lakh in a financial year. You can claim it back against your income tax, but it temporarily ties up part of your money.
How are US stocks taxed in India?
US dividends are taxed at 25% in the US (with a W-8BEN form) and again in India at your slab rate, with a credit for the US tax. Capital gains on shares held more than 24 months are taxed at 12.5%, and shorter-term gains at your slab rate.
Is there a minimum investment?
All four apps in this article have no minimum deposit, and most let you buy fractional shares from about $1. Keep in mind that bank remittance fees make very small transfers expensive.
Can I invest in US stocks through Zerodha?
Not yet. Zerodha said in October 2025 that it would launch US stock investing through GIFT City, but as of September 2026 the feature is still not available.
