Starting an investment journey is an important step towards building long-term wealth. While the Indian stock market offers several opportunities for wealth creation, investing in international markets can help investors diversify their portfolios and gain exposure to businesses operating across different economies.
The US stock market, in particular, provides access to some of the world’s largest companies across technology, healthcare, financial services and consumer sectors. Through the Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), resident Indians can remit funds overseas for permitted investments and participate in US markets.
However, investing in international markets involves additional considerations, including currency conversion, overseas fund transfers, brokerage charges and tax compliance. These aspects can be particularly challenging for beginners who are unfamiliar with cross-border investing.
Choosing the right investment platform can make this process easier. Beginners should look for platforms that simplify account activation and fund transfers, support fractional investing, provide access to a wide range of US-listed securities and maintain transparency in their fee structures.
Here is a look at some of the best platforms for investing in US stocks from India, with a focus on features that can make the experience more accessible for beginners.
1. Groww
Groww is a compelling option for investors looking to enter international markets while managing their domestic investments through a single ecosystem. As India’s largest stock broker, it offers an integrated investment experience covering Indian equities, mutual funds and US stocks.
For beginners, managing multiple investment accounts across different providers can add complexity to the investment process. Groww addresses this by bringing domestic and international investments together within one platform. Its US stocks offering focuses on accessibility, stock discovery, fractional investing and transparent pricing.
By combining digital onboarding with investment tracking and detailed transaction summaries, Groww makes it easier for first-time international investors to navigate the US stock market.
Key Features of Investing in US Stocks on Groww:
- Access to US Stocks and ETFs: Investors can explore and invest in US-listed stocks and ETFs, gaining exposure to international companies across sectors such as technology, healthcare and consumer goods.
- Extensive Stock Discovery: Groww offers access to more than 10,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs, allowing beginners to explore investment opportunities beyond widely followed large-cap companies.
- Fractional Investing Starting at $1:Investors can purchase a portion of a US-listed share instead of buying an entire unit. With investments starting at $1, beginners can distribute smaller amounts across multiple securities.
- International Portfolio Diversification:Investing in US-listed securities allows individuals to diversify geographically and reduce their dependence on a single domestic market. However, international investments also involve currency and market risks.
- USD-Denominated Investments: US stocks are traded in dollars, so investment returns are influenced by both share-price movements and exchange-rate fluctuations. Groww provides a dedicated USD balance to manage funds and track international investments.
- Daily Trading-Activity Summaries:Investors receive daily summaries outlining applicable charges and fees, helping them monitor transactions and reconcile their account balances.
- USD Dividend Tracking: Dividends from eligible US-listed securities are credited in USD to the investor’s Groww Balance, making it easier to monitor overseas dividend income separately from capital gains.
- Email Trade Statements: Groww sends daily trade statements detailing transactions and applicable charges, providing investors with records for portfolio monitoring and tax-related documentation.
- Digital Account Activation: Existing Groww users can activate their US stock accounts through an on-screen consent process, simplifying onboarding and reducing additional paperwork.
- Convenient Account Funding: Once the account is activated, investors can initiate funding without an additional platform-mandated waiting period. Actual credit timelines depend on bank remittance processing.
- After-Market Orders: The platform supports after-market orders (AMOs), allowing investors to place orders outside regular US market hours.
- Transparent Brokerage and Charges: Groww charges zero account opening and maintenance fees. Its brokerage is 0.1% of the transaction value or $1, whichever is higher, with applicable regulatory and other charges disclosed separately.
- Online Funding and Account Management: Investors can manage their US stock accounts digitally, with Help Centre resources providing guidance on funding and other account-related processes.
2. INDmoney
INDmoney is a financial super-app that offers access to US stocks and ETFs alongside several personal finance and investment management services. It can be a suitable option for beginners who want to explore international markets while using tools that simplify recurring investments and financial tracking.
The platform also integrates banking-related facilities to support overseas fund transfers under LRS, helping investors navigate the funding process.
Key Features:
- Automated SIPs in US Stocks:Investors can set up weekly or monthly SIPs in fractional US stocks and ETFs, allowing them to invest predetermined amounts at regular intervals.
- US Stock Wallet:INDmoney provides a dedicated wallet for managing funds allocated to international investments, along with facilities for transferring funds back to an Indian bank account.
- ITR Filing Assistance: The platform offers tax-related tools to help investors track overseas holdings, calculate relevant foreign-asset disclosures such as Schedule FA and manage their tax filing requirements.
3. Zerodha
Zerodha is one of India’s established discount stockbrokers, with an extensive presence in the domestic trading and investment market. Through its global investing offering, the company has expanded access to US-listed stocks and ETFs for Indian investors.
Although Zerodha is traditionally popular among experienced traders, its familiar investment ecosystem can also appeal to beginners who want to explore international markets.
Key Features:
- Kite Integration: Investors can access global investment facilities through Zerodha’s ecosystem, offering a familiar interface for managing their domestic and international investment activities.
- Fractional Investing:Zerodha supports fractional investments in US-listed stocks and ETFs, allowing beginners to purchase portions of high-value shares instead of investing in complete units.
- Transparent Brokerage: Its US stock brokerage structure is designed to keep transaction costs predictable, with charges subject to a maximum brokerage cap of $10 per order.
4. Dhan
Dhan is a technology-driven investment platform that offers services for both active traders and long-term investors. While it has a strong presence in the domestic derivatives and equity markets, its US stock investing facility provides another avenue for users to diversify internationally.
Its interface and integrated investment features can appeal to beginners who prefer managing different investment categories through a single ecosystem.
Key Features:
- Fractional Ownership: Investors can purchase fractional shares of US-listed stocks and ETFs, with investments starting at $1.
- Competitive Brokerage: Dhan offers a transparent brokerage structure for US stock transactions, with the applicable charges subject to its published minimum and maximum limits.
- Unified Investment Experience: The platform brings domestic investment and trading facilities together with access to international securities, allowing users to monitor different asset classes within one ecosystem.
5. Upstox
Upstox is an established stockbroking company in India that offers investment opportunities across domestic and international markets. Its US stock investing facility provides access to overseas equities and ETFs, allowing Indian investors to diversify their portfolios.
The platform uses its GIFT City-based infrastructure for international investing, offering an additional route for retail investors looking to participate in the US stock market.
Key Features:
- Capped Brokerage: Upstox charges brokerage of 0.25% per transaction, subject to a minimum of $0.01 and a maximum of $25 per order.
- Wide Selection of Securities:Investors can explore a large selection of US-listed stocks and ETFs, providing opportunities to diversify across different industries and investment themes.
- International Market Access: The platform provides a dedicated route for investing in US securities, allowing Indian residents to expand their portfolios beyond domestic equities.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform is an important part of starting an international investment journey. Beginners should consider more than just the availability of US stocks and ETFs. Factors such as minimum investment requirements, brokerage charges, account activation, fund transfers and access to investment-related information can influence their overall experience.
INDmoney can appeal to investors looking for automated investment facilities and tax-related assistance, while Zerodha and Dhan offer international investing alongside their domestic stockbroking ecosystems. Upstox is another option for investors seeking access to a broad selection of US-listed securities.
However, Groww stands out as a compelling choice for beginners looking for an integrated and accessible investment experience. As India’s largest stockbroker, it brings domestic and international investments together on one platform. Its access to more than 10,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs, fractional investing starting at $1, digital account activation and transparent brokerage structure make it easier for first-time investors to explore global markets.
By combining international stock investing with domestic mutual funds and equities, Groww offers a convenient way for beginners to start building a geographically diversified portfolio.
