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Upstox Overview 2026
Upstox is India's third-largest discount broker backed by Tiger Global Management and Ratan Tata. With over 50 lakh active clients, Upstox has positioned itself as a premium discount broker offering professional-grade tools at competitive prices. The company is SEBI registered and a member of NSE, BSE, and MCX.
Upstox's key selling point is its Pro platform, which offers advanced charting, customizable layouts, and institutional-grade order types. This makes it popular among serious intraday and F&O traders who need more than basic buy/sell functionality.
Upstox Charges and Fees 2026
| Segment | Brokerage | AMC | Account Opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Rs 20/order or 2.5% | Zero | Free |
| Equity Intraday | Rs 20/order or 0.05% | Zero | Free |
| F&O | Rs 20/order | Zero | Free |
| Commodity | Rs 20/order | Zero | Free |
| Currency | Rs 20/order | Zero | Free |
| Mutual Funds | Zero (direct) | Zero | Free |
Upstox's zero AMC is a significant advantage. However, unlike Zerodha and Groww, Upstox charges Rs 20 even on delivery trades. For buy-and-hold investors who make frequent purchases, this adds up. For F&O and intraday traders, the pricing is identical to competitors.
Upstox Pro Platform Review
Upstox Pro is one of the most customizable trading platforms available in India. Key features include TradingView-powered charts with 100+ indicators, multi-chart layouts (up to 4 charts on screen), custom screeners and scanners, Level 2 order book data, and advanced order types (bracket, cover, trailing SL).
The platform is available as a web app, desktop app (Windows and Mac), and mobile app. The desktop app is particularly impressive, offering a near-institutional trading experience with custom workspace layouts, hotkeys, and rapid order placement.
One standout feature is the Upstox Options Strategy Builder, which lets you visualize payoff diagrams for complex options strategies. While not as advanced as Sensibull, it covers basic strategies like straddles, strangles, butterflies, and iron condors.
Key Features
Zero AMC Demat: No annual charges for maintaining your demat account. This saves Rs 240-750 compared to other brokers.
Instant Account Opening: Aadhaar-based e-KYC with account activation in under 30 minutes during market hours.
EDIS Authorization: Sell delivery holdings without calling the broker using electronic Delivery Instruction Slip via CDSL.
MTF (Margin Trading): Leverage up to 4x on 500+ stocks for delivery trades. Interest rate is competitive at ~14-16% annualized.
API Access: Free API for algo trading with comprehensive documentation. Python SDK available.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Zero AMC demat | Rs 20 charge on delivery trades |
| Upstox Pro advanced platform | App stability issues during volatility |
| Free API for algo trading | Customer support slow |
| TradingView-powered charts | Mutual fund platform less mature |
| Desktop app available | No research or recommendations |
| Backed by Tiger Global, Ratan Tata | Less intuitive for beginners |
Final Verdict
Upstox is best suited for intermediate to advanced traders who value platform features over simplicity. The Pro platform with TradingView charts, multi-layout support, and desktop app makes it a serious contender for full-time traders. The zero AMC demat is a bonus.
However, the Rs 20 delivery brokerage, occasional app stability issues, and lack of research make it less suitable for beginners and long-term investors. If you primarily invest in stocks for the long term, Groww or Zerodha are better choices.
For international forex and CFD trading alongside Indian markets, consider pairing Upstox with an international broker like Exness (for zero-spread forex) or XM (for low minimum deposit). This gives you the best of both worlds: domestic market access through Upstox and global market access through an international platform.
XM offers 1,000+ instruments beyond what domestic brokers provide. Gold, oil, forex pairs, crypto CFDs. Rs 400 minimum deposit. The evening session starts where the NSE leaves off.
Explore XM for ForexFrequently Asked Questions
Is Upstox good for beginners?
Upstox is moderately suitable for beginners. The Pro platform has a learning curve compared to Groww's simplicity. However, it offers good educational resources and the chart tools help beginners learn technical analysis. For absolute beginners, Groww is a better starting point.
Does Upstox charge AMC?
No. Upstox offers zero AMC (Annual Maintenance Charge) on demat accounts. This is a permanent policy, not a promotional offer. However, Upstox charges Rs 20 per delivery trade, unlike Zerodha and Groww which offer free delivery trading.
Upstox vs Zerodha: which is better for F&O?
Both charge Rs 20 per order. Zerodha has a more stable app and better ecosystem (Sensibull, Streak). Upstox Pro has better charting with TradingView integration and a superior desktop app. For options analytics, Zerodha with Sensibull wins. For pure charting, Upstox Pro wins.
Is Upstox safe?
Yes. Upstox is SEBI registered, member of NSE/BSE/MCX, and backed by Tiger Global and Ratan Tata. Client securities are held in CDSL demat accounts. The company has been operating since 2009 and has a strong financial position.
Domestic brokers cover NSE and BSE. For forex, commodities, and global indices after market hours, international platforms like Exness fill the gap. Many Indian traders use both: Zerodha for equity, Exness for forex.
Add Forex with Exness