Bank-linked trading setups create a single route for banking, investing and settlements. These structures are useful for users who prefer a smooth transfer of funds without switching between platforms. A demat account linked with your bank account keeps verification simple and records in a well-organised manner. To help you select the best one, this guide compares the top bank-linked options that offer lower brokerage across delivery and intraday trades.
Parameters That Define Demat Accounts with the Lowest Brokerage Charges
A low-cost demat account is shaped by pricing strategies that stay steady across trading volumes and styles. Here are a few key parameters that can help identify accounts with the lowest brokerage charges
- Brokerage structure: This displays the platform fee for delivery and intraday trades. A %age plan is usually suitable to low-volume users, whereas a flat fee plan is appropriate to frequent traders.
- Classification of Brokers: Identify the difference between full-service brokers and discount brokers. Full-service brokers offer a wide range of products and services to you, such as investing, trading, advisory, research, portfolio management, etc. While discount brokers' key services include trading and investing.
- Account opening fee: This is the one-time fee that you pay at the beginning of opening the demat account.
- Annual maintenance charge: This includes the charge for maintaining your account annually.
- Call and trade fee: This charge is applied when you place orders over the phone.
- Fund transfer charge: it is the charge of depositing or withdrawing funds in the trading account.
Top 5 Bank-Linked Demat Accounts with the Lowest Brokerage Charges
Bank-linked demat accounts combined with a savings account and a trading account under one channel. This accessibility simplifies fund flows and settlements, along with managing your accumulated wealth.
Here’s the table below to help you choose bank-linked investment options with the lowest brokerage charges.
| Platform | Account Opening Fee | Annual Maintenance Charge | Equity Delivery Brokerage | Equity Intraday or Call and Trade Charges |
| Kotak NEO | ₹99 for Trade Free Youth Plan | AMC structure is the same as Kotak demat rules since it uses Kotak demat | NIL | Intraday trades around ₹10 per order or 0.05% |
| HDFC Securities | Nil | AMC from the second year is about ₹500 for the Classic plan | Delivery around 0.2% to 0.75%, depending on the plan | Intraday, around 0.01% to 0.03% |
| ICICI Direct | Nil | First year free. Second year onward, about ₹700 plus taxes | Delivery varies by plan. | Call and Trade about ₹50 per order |
| SBI Securities | Nil | AMC around ₹500 | Delivery brokerage varies by plan; some plans have complementary limits | Intraday is often around ₹20 per order |
| AXIS Prosperity by Axis Direct | Nil | Axis Bank Customer: First Year: No AMC, Non-Axis Bank Customer: First Year: ₹350. For both customers, Second Year Onwards: ₹750. |
Delivery brokerage starts from ~ 0.5% for this plan. | Intraday brokerage starts from 0.5%. |
1. Kotak Neo
Kotak Neo is a new trading platform at Kotak, which operates with a similar demat structure as Kotak Securities. It is dedicated to a clean design, fast order placement, and investing through an app for new-age investors. The platform has low flat prices on intraday orders. It also offers essential research snippets, a stock list and charting features that assist users to make consistent decisions.
Features:
- A consolidated movement of bank and demat accounts.
- Rapid order placement featuring simple applications built into the application.
- A connected bank, trading and demat system for easy funds transfer.
- Indicator-based smart charting tools and historical data.
2. HDFC Securities
HDFC Securities operates under HDFC Bank 3 in 1. The platform provides convenient charts, trusted execution of orders, and account security with the support of the bank ecosystem.
Features:
- 3 in 1 system combining savings, trading, and demat accounts to facilitate simple transactions.
- Multiple timeframes and technical indicator charting tools.
3. ICICI Direct
ICICI Direct provides numerous sources of research, investment products and ready portfolios, allowing the novice to learn the market. Users have an option of various brokerage plans, depending on their trading style and cost preference.
Features:
- A variety of brokerage schemes, like Prime or iValue to reduce charges.
- Goal-based investing, stock screening tools and advanced analysis.
4. SBI Securities
The SBI Securities interface is user-friendly and appropriate to all users. It favours long-term investment, mutual funds, and intraday trading with a transparent fee structure and instructions to assist investors in their choices.
Features:
- A simple platform with equity, mutual funds, ETFs, and NCD investments
- Real-time and delivery trading using simple order placement applications.
5. AXIS Prosperity by Axis Direct
The Prosperity plan is a standard investment account option offered by Axis Securities. It follows a fixed charge structure for delivery and intraday trades. Also, the plan remains active for the lifetime once it is opened.
Features:
- All statutory/regulatory levies (such as STT, exchange charges, stamp duty, GST) are charged over and above the brokerage.
- It supports access to multiple segments, such as equities, derivatives, and commodities, through the same account link.
Top 2 Recommendations for Traders
1. Kotak Neo
Kotak Neo is designed to fit traders since it reduces the number of steps between onboarding and the initial trade. The application handles an identity check, bank connection and verification process in one flow, which minimises friction prior to order placement. The interface is created to manage high-frequency trades, and the order window is responsive, which allows active users to switch between positions without the need to confirm high-frequency trades.
2. ICICI Direct
ICICI Direct is suitable for traders requiring reliable execution in the event of a lot of market activity. The site is capable of managing large loads of traffic, and the system is used to verify it in a clear order.
Top 2 Recommendations for Investors
1. Kotak NEO
Kotak Securities suits well to the investors who would like to have a stable setup whereby the bank, demat and trading accounts work within a single line. This minimises transferring mistakes and maintains records that are well systemised to be tracked in the long term. The platform also provides comprehensive research notes and portfolio tools that assist investors to assess holdings with accurate data.
2. HDFC Securities
HDFC Securities suits long-term investors as the layout remains focused on simple and steady delivery-based investing. The platform keeps reports, statements, and research content in order, making it easier to understand your portfolio without switching across multiple sections.
Benefits of Opening the Bank-Linked Demat Accounts
Demat accounts with low brokerage attached to the banks give you a more controlled trading environment, as the structure ensures your activities are well organised. This brings about a simple flow of banking, trading, and settlement.
- Easy flow of funds: Your bank is connected with your demat account, and hence the deposits and withdrawals become smooth without any time loss.
- Stable support quality: The big banking systems have stable support teams, which help you to get out of any problems more quickly.
- Simpler tax tracking: related statements give you an easier time reviewing your profit and loss to perform tax-related checks.
How to Open an Instant Demat Account: A Step-by-Step Guide
Opening an instant demat account is a paperless process that allows you to start your investment journey quickly. Here’s how you can open a demat and trading account:
- Step 1: Go to the broker platform and select the option of opening both a trading account and demat account.
- Step 2: Enter your mobile number and email ID.
- Step 3: Complete KYC through your PAN and date of birth.
- Step 4: Upload your bank statement, enter your bank account number and IFSC code or UPI ID by following the on-screen instructions.
- Step 5: Select the market segments that you wish to reach, like intraday, derivatives or equity delivery.
- Step 6: Take a proper selfie against a clear background. After this step, you have to upload your signature.
- Step 7: Check everything one more time and submit the form for verification. Once the review is done, you will receive your demat account number. The details and login credentials will reach you via email or SMS.
Conclusion
Opening a bank-linked demat account setup offers multiple advantages, such as clear records, simpler verification, and clarity about the cost of delivery and intraday activity. With this structure, investors can easily manage statements, settlements, and ongoing charges without the need for separate systems. By reviewing each platform’s cost structure, workflow, and support quality, you can choose an account that aligns with your investment style.
