Day Trading Mobile Apps in India (Free): Complete Guide for Traders

Day trading in India has exploded in popularity, thanks to smartphones and low-cost brokerages. Today, most active traders use mobile trading apps to execute intraday strategies. These apps are free to download and use, with costs limited to brokerage and statutory charges. But not all apps are built equal—speed, reliability, features, and user experience matter a lot.

This guide explores the best free day trading apps in India, explains how costs work, and helps you choose the right tool for your trading style.

What “Free” Really Means in Day Trading Apps

Most Indian brokers let you download and use their apps for free. Charges apply only when you execute trades.

➤ Zerodha (Kite): Free app; intraday brokerage ₹20 or 0.03% per order (lower applies).
➤ Upstox: Free app; intraday brokerage ₹20 per executed order.
➤ Angel One: Free app; intraday brokerage ₹20 or 0.03% per order.
➤ 5paisa: Free app; flat ₹20 per executed order.
➤ Dhan: Free app; flat ₹20 intraday, delivery at ₹0.

👉 Takeaway: Downloading the app is free, but actual costs depend on brokerage plus taxes.

Why Regulations Matter for Day Trading Apps

Trading rules shape how apps are designed and what features traders must use.

➤ Peak Margin Rule: Brokers must collect upfront margin—no more high leverage as in the past.
➤ T+1 Settlement: India has fully moved to T+1, with pilots for optional T+0 settlement—making faster margin updates critical.
➤ Upfront Margin Verification: Orders get rejected if required funds are not available.

Key Features to Look For in Free Day Trading Apps

If you are serious about intraday trading, your app must have these essentials:

➤ Fast Execution & Reliability – Orders must execute instantly with minimal lag.
➤ Advanced Charts – TradingView or ChartIQ with indicators, drawing tools, and multiple timeframes.
➤ Order Types – Cover orders, bracket orders, stop-loss, trailing SL.
➤ Options Chain – For derivatives traders, live Greeks, OI, and strike price data.
➤ Alerts & Watchlists – Instant price/volume alerts with synced watchlists.
➤ Live Margin Display – Shows available funds and margin used in real time.
➤ Brokerage Calculator – Clear breakdown of charges before trading.

Comparison of Top Free Trading Apps in India

➤ Zerodha Kite – Brokerage ₹20 or 0.03% per order, dual charting (TradingView + ChartIQ), trade-from-chart (TFC), and GTT orders.
➤ Upstox – Brokerage ₹20 per order, smooth interface, strong options chain, and clean execution.
➤ Angel One – Brokerage ₹20 or 0.03% per order, beginner-friendly, with built-in research.
➤ 5paisa – Flat ₹20 brokerage, simple UI, and square-off charges for intraday auto exits.
➤ Dhan – Flat ₹20 brokerage, strong TradingView integration, and direct trade from charts.

Which App Fits Which Trader?

➤ Scalpers: Zerodha Kite (with TradingView TFC) or Dhan (deep TradingView integration).
➤ Options Traders: Dhan and Upstox (fast option chain and OI data).
➤ Breakout/Momentum Traders: Kite and Upstox (multi-timeframe alerts and charts).

Free Supporting Apps for Traders

➤ TradingView (Free Plan): Professional charting with indicators, alerts, and scripts.
➤ StockEdge (Free Tier): India-specific stock scans, EOD analytics, and ready watchlists.

👉 Best combo: Use StockEdge for scanning, TradingView for analysis, and your broker’s app for execution.

Typical Intraday Workflow Using Free Apps

➤ Pre-Open (9:00–9:15): Build watchlist from scans.
➤ Market Open (9:15–9:30): Mark high/low, VWAP, and first pullbacks.
➤ Mid-Session (11:00–1:30): Avoid overtrading; set alerts instead.
➤ Market Close (3:00–3:30): Exit intraday positions; check square-off policies.

Hidden Costs in Day Trading

Even with free apps, traders must pay:

➤ Brokerage charges (flat ₹20/order in most apps).
➤ Exchange fees (NSE/BSE).
➤ GST and SEBI charges.
➤ STT/CTT and stamp duty.

👉 Always use the brokerage calculator inside the app to estimate net costs before trading.

Security Features You Must Check

➤ 2FA and Biometrics: Ensure secure login.
➤ Pledge-only Collateral: Required for margin safety.
➤ Real-time Margin Check: Prevents accidental violations.

Final Thoughts

Free mobile apps for day trading in India make intraday trading accessible, cost-efficient, and convenient. But the best app depends on your trading style:

➤ Choose Zerodha Kite for reliability and ecosystem.
➤ Pick Dhan if you love TradingView execution.
➤ Go with Upstox for user-friendly options trading.
➤ Use Angel One or 5paisa for simple brokerage structures.

Pro Tip: Pair a free scanning app like StockEdge with TradingView for analysis and then execute via your broker’s app. This 3-step combo is completely free and powerful enough for professional day traders.