Best platforms for Indians to invest in US ETFs: 2026 comparison

Indian investors now have more ways than ever to buy U.S. ETFs directly. Platforms like Winvesta, Vested Finance, and INDmoney let you invest from ₹80 onwards. But choosing the best platform to invest in U.S. ETFs from India takes more than a quick Google search.

Each platform charges differently for forex conversion, withdrawals, and account maintenance. The ETF selection varies wildly — from 1,000 to over 11,000 securities. And one major player, Groww, has left the U.S. stocks space entirely.

This 2026 comparison breaks down fees, features, and real trade-offs so you can pick the right platform for your goals.

Why the platform you pick matters more than you think

Zero brokerage sounds great until you discover where the real costs hide. All platforms in this comparison charge no commission on U.S. stock and ETF trades. The actual cost difference arises from the forex markups he spreads when converting INR to USD and back.

A 1% forex markup on a ₹10 lakh round-trip investment costs you ₹20,000. A 2% markup doubles that to ₹40,000. Over five years of regular investing, that gap compounds into a significant sum. This is why a brokerage fee comparison of U.S. stocks must include foreign exchange charges, not just trading commissions.

The platform also determines which ETFs you can access, how quickly your money moves, and which regulatory protections cover your holdings. Let's examine each option.

Winvesta: widest ETF range with competitive pricing

Winvesta offers access to over 11,000 US stocks and ETFs — the most extensive selection among all platforms serving Indian investors. This breadth allows you to build a diversified ETF portfolio across sectors, themes, and asset classes without hitting availability constraints.

Here's a closer look at some popular U.S.ETFs that Indian investors can invest in.

The platform charges no per-trade brokerage and applies an approximately 1% forex markup. Withdrawals cost $10, the lowest fixed fee in this comparison. There are no account-opening charges, inactivity fees, or hidden platform costs.

Winvesta operates under dual regulation. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) provides oversight through its Appointed Representative status. On the U.S. side, its clearing partner, Alpaca Securities LLC, holds SEC and FINRA registrations. Your holdings receive SIPC protection up to $500,000 and potential FSCS coverage up to £85,000. No other platform for US ETF investment offers this dual-layer regulatory framework.

The digital KYC process completes in 5 to 15 minutes. You can place both market and limit orders and buy fractional shares starting at $1. The app provides weekly stock ratings, integrated news feeds, and portfolio tracking. Fundinis processed wire transfers from banks such as ICICI, Kotak Mahindra, SBI, IDFC First, and IndusInd Bank.

Strengths: Largest ETF universe (11,000+), lowest forex markup (~1%), dual FCA and SIPC regulation, $10 withdrawal fee, limit orders, multi-currency accounts, global investing beyond USUSarkets.

Weaknesses: Forex conversion happens through your bank rather than in-app. Funding takes 2 hours to 3 days, depending on your bank. Some banks require branch visits for remittance paperwork.

Vested Finance: best for guided thematic investing

Vested Finance stands out with its curated "Vests" — pre-built thematic portfolios tracking trends like Electric Vehicles, Healthcare Innovation, and Dividend Aristocrats. If you prefer guided investing to stock picking, Vested makes the process simple.

The platform provides access to roughly 1,500 to 5,000 US stocks and ETFs. It charges no brokerage but carries a forex markup of approximately 1.5%-2%, the highest among active platforms. Withdrawals cost $11 per transaction.

Vested offers both a free tier and a premium Vested+ plan at roughly ₹249 per month. The premium plan adds priority support and enhanced portfolio analytics. Tax reporting assistance helps Indian investors file returns accurately—a genuinely useful feature given the complexity of foreign capital gains reporting.

The mobile app earns 4.0 to 4.5 star ratings on app stores. It provides clean portfolio tracking and curated stock analysis. Customer support is available via email and in-app chat, though response times can be longer during busy periods.

Strengths: Unique curated Vests for thematic investing, fractional shares from $1, solid educational resources, tax reporting help, SIPC protection through DriveWealth, and strong VC backing from Valar Ventures.

Weaknesses: Highest forex markup of 1.5%-2%, smaller ETF universe than Winvesta, $11 withdrawal fee, no options trading, and customer support can be slow during peak times.

INDmoney: the all-in-one financial super app

INDmoney takes a fundamentally different approach. USUStock investing is available within a comprehensive financial super app that also tracks Indian mutual funds, fixed deposits, insurance, loans, EPF, and tax filing. For investors who want everything in one dashboard, INDmoney delivers.

The best app for USUStocks, India debate often favours INDmoney for its user experience. The app has surpassed 10 million downloads and holds a 4.5+ star rating on Google Play. Its net worth tracker aggregates assets across all financial providers using India's Account Aggregator framework.

For USUSTFs specifically, INDmoney charges zero brokerage with a forex markup of roughly 1% to 1.5%. The platform offers access to more than 1,000 U.S. stocks and ETFs listed on the NYSE and NASDAQ. A standout feature is USUStock SIPs — automated recurring investments that mirror the familiar SIP format Indian investors already use for mutual funds.

Withdrawal fees are included in the forex spread rather than charged separately. This makes the actual cost harder to isolate, but the all-in forex rate remains competitive. Repatriation typically takes 3 to 7 business days.

Strengths: All-in-one financial dashboard, zero brokerage, competitive forex markup, SIPs in USUStocks, massive user base, excellent app design, net worth tracking, and integrated tax computation.

Weaknesses: Smaller US ETF universe (1,000+), opaque withdrawal costs hidden in forex spreads, repatriation takes up to 7 days, inconsistent customer support, no advanced order types, USUSnvesting is one product among many,y rather than the core focus.

Groww US stocks review: why it no longer exists.

Person reviewing stock market decline on screen, representing platform exit and portfolio changes.

Groww discontinued its UUSstock investing service in late 2023. The platform sent notices to existing users to sell holdings or transfer positions elsewhere. You can no longer open a UUSinvesting account on Groww.

Three factors drove Groww's exit. The RBI and SEBI tightened regulations on Indian fintechs to facilitate overseas investments. The 20% TCS on LRS remittances exceeding ₹7 lakh significantly dampened retail demand. Compliance costs associated with maintaining cross-border operations conflicted with Groww's IPO preparation priorities.

This Groww US stocks review matters because it shows that not every platform will survive in this space. Cross-border compliance costs create barriers that favour platforms fully committed to international investing — not those treating it as an add-on feature.

Fee structure comparison at a glance

Here is how the numbers stack up across platforms when comparing Winvesta, Vested, and INDmoney.

On a $5,000 investment, Winvesta's 1% forex markup costs roughly $50 each way. Vested's 2% markup costs $100 each way. Over a year of monthly $500 investments, the forex difference alone adds up to $120 to $240.

Available ETFs and securities coverage

Securities coverage is where platforms diverge most sharply. Winvesta leads with 1US000+ U.S. stocks and ETFs. This means access to niche-sector, bond, commodity, and international ETFs listed on U.S. exchanges. Vested offers 1,500 to 5,000 securities. INDmoney provides about 1,000+ options.

For most passive investors buying broad-market ETFs such as those tracking the S&P 500 or the NASDAQ-100, all three platforms suffice. But if you want to build a multi-asset portfolio with bond ETFs, REIT ETFs, or thematic plays, the wider selection on Winvesta gives you room to diversify properly.

Make sure you also understand the tax implications of investing in U.S. stocks from India before you start.

Customer support and user experience

INDmoney wins on pure app design and user experience. Its financial super-app interface feels polished, intuitive, and comprehensive. Vested's app delivers clean portfolio tracking with a focus on educational content. Winvesta's app prioritises function — it handles orders, watchlists, and tracking efficiently without unnecessary design flourishes.

For customer support, Winvesta provides email and chat support with generally consistent response times. Vested offers similar channels but slower responses during peak periods. INDmoney's large user base sometimes strains its support capacity, leading to inconsistent experiences.

2026 regulatory updates that affect your choice

Budget 2025-26 raised the TCS-free threshold from ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh effective April 2025. Your first ₹10 lakh in overseas remittances now attracts zero TCS. Above that, the 20% TCS rate continues but remains fully adjustable against your income tax liability.

Long-term capital gains on foreign ETFs held for more than 24 months now attract a 12.5% tax without indexation. This replaced the earlier 20% rate with indexation. Short-term gains remain taxable at your income tax rate. U.S. dividends are subject to 25% withholding at source under the India-US DTAA.

The RBI's annual LRS limit stays at $250,000 per person — more than enough for most retail investors.

Picking the right platform for your goals

Your ideal choice depends on your investing style. For the widest ETF selection and lowest overall transaction costs, Winvesta's combination of 11,000+ securities, approximately 1% forex markup, and $10 withdrawals makes it the strongest all-around option. For guided investing through curated thematic portfolios, Vested's Vests simplify the process. For investors wanting U.S. ETFs alongside their entire Indian financial life in one app, INDmoney's super-app ecosystem offers unmatched convenience.

All three platforms provide the essentials: zero-commission trades, fractional shares starting at $1, SIPC protection, and digital onboarding. The differences matter most over time, where forex spreads compound, and securities coverage shapes portfolio construction.

Start by deciding what you value most: breadth, guidance, or convenience. Then let the fees confirm your choice.