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NEXMAXOSmart money decisions

Discount vs full-service broker: which to pick

Share Market4 min read
By NexMaxo Editorial TeamPublished 19 Jun 2026Updated 22 Jun 2026

India's brokers split into two camps. Picking the right one can save you thousands a year — or buy you research you'll actually use.

Discount brokers

Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, Dhan and others charge a low flat fee — or ₹0 on delivery — and leave the decisions to you. Best for self-directed investors who don't need advice.

Full-service brokers

ICICI Direct and similar add in-house research, advisory and a 3-in-1 bank-demat-trading account, but charge percentage brokerage, which gets expensive on large delivery orders.

For most DIY investors, a discount broker's flat or zero pricing wins. Choose full-service only if you'll genuinely use the research and value the 3-in-1 convenience.

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