Is eToro restricted in India? Alternatives for 2026

Why do brokers cover such different lists of countries? You have probably noticed a platform that is available in dozens of countries, while a close competitor only serves a handful of regions.

The answer usually combines regulation and business decisions, and brokers rarely explain the exact reason why they are available in one country and not in another.

The same applies to eToro, which does not accept clients from India. In this article, we explain eToro’s situation in India and present regulated alternatives that Indian residents can use to invest in US and global stocks.

eToro publishes a list of countries it does not serve, because of regulatory requirements or business decisions. India is on that list, alongside countries such as Canada, New Zealand and Russia.

eToro has not given a specific reason for India, but the regulatory picture explains a lot. Its core products include leveraged CFDs and forex, and in India, forex trading is only allowed through entities and electronic trading platforms authorised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). eToro appears on the RBI Alert List of entities that are not authorised to deal in forex or run forex trading platforms in India (list updated in November 2025). The RBI warns that forex transactions through unauthorised platforms can lead to penalties under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

There is no announcement of an eToro launch in India, so Indian investors need to look at other options.

Indian residents can invest in foreign stocks and ETFs under the RBI’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). The main rules are:

• Annual limit: up to $250,000 per financial year per person, across all LRS remittances.
• Tax collected at source (TCS): no TCS on investment remittances up to ₹10 lakh per financial year, and 20% on the amount above that. You can claim it back against your income tax.
• Reporting: foreign shares must be disclosed in Schedule FA of your income tax return.
• Dividends: the US withholds 25% on dividends paid to Indian residents under the India-US tax treaty, and the dividends are also taxable in India. You can claim a foreign tax credit with Form 67.

Investing in stocks and ETFs through a regulated broker under LRS is allowed. Leveraged forex and CFD trading through overseas platforms is a different matter, which is why the alternatives below focus on buying real shares.

Tax rules change often, so check the current rules or speak to a tax adviser before you invest.

Founded in 1978 and listed on the NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR), Interactive Brokers is one of the largest international brokers and tops our list of the best apps to invest in US stocks from India. It gives access to 160 exchanges, where you can trade stocks, ETFs, options, futures, currencies, bonds and funds.

Its platforms include more than 100 order types, detailed reporting, real-time trade confirmations and portfolio analysis tools. If you are a beginner, the IBKR GlobalTrader app keeps things simple. If you want every feature, the IBKR Mobile app and Trader Workstation offer the full experience.

Opening an account is free, and you fund it by bank wire under LRS. With fixed pricing, US stocks and ETFs cost $0.005 per share, with a minimum of $1 per order. With tiered pricing, the rate ranges from $0.0005 to $0.0035 per share, plus exchange and regulatory fees.

You can also buy fractional shares, so you can invest in almost any US stock regardless of its price, and you earn interest on eligible cash balances. The Stock Yield Enhancement Program lets you lend your fully paid shares to earn extra income.

Keep in mind that Interactive Brokers also offers leveraged products. As an Indian resident, stick to investing in real shares and ETFs within the LRS rules.

Read our Interactive Brokers review to learn more.

INDmoney

INDmoney is an Indian personal finance app that also offers US stocks and ETFs. It works through GIFT City as a Global Access Provider registered with IFSCA, so your US stocks wallet sits under an Indian regulator.

You open the account with PAN and Aadhaar, and the app handles the LRS remittance and paperwork, including Form A2. You can buy fractional shares from $1, and there is no account opening fee or minimum balance. TCS applies above ₹10 lakh per financial year, as with any LRS investment.

It is a good fit if you want a simple app and prefer to keep your investments tracked in one place with your Indian portfolio. The product range is narrower than at Interactive Brokers, so check the fees and the available stocks and ETFs before you invest.

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Vested

Founded in 2018, Vested is an Indian platform built specifically for investing in US stocks, ETFs and global funds. It works with a US brokerage partner that holds your shares, and it offers fractional investing, so you can start with small amounts.

Its pricing depends on the plan you choose, with a brokerage fee on each trade, so compare the total cost with the other options. Like the other platforms, it helps you with LRS remittances, and you still need to report your foreign assets in your income tax return.

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Which is the best alternative?

There is no single answer. If you want the widest access to global markets and the lowest trading costs, Interactive Brokers is the strongest option, although it takes more time to learn. If you want a simple app with the LRS process handled for you, INDmoney and Vested are easier places to start.

If you were looking for eToro’s copy trading feature, there is no regulated equivalent for Indian residents among these platforms. Be careful with offshore apps that promote copy trading, forex or CFDs to Indian users, and check the RBI Alert List before you sign up.

Think about your goals too: are you investing for the long term, or do you want to trade often? Always do your own research to find the platform that suits you best.

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