If you are planning to start investing in India, one of the first things you’ll need is a Demat and Trading account. Many investors today prefer the convenience of a 3-in-1 Demat account — a bundled solution where your bank account, trading account, and demat account are seamlessly linked.
But with so many banks and brokers offering this service, the question remains: Which is the best 3-in-1 demat account in India in 2025? Let’s break it down in simple, practical terms.
In India, many traders and investors look for a “3-in-1” account: one that bundles a Savings Bank Account + Trading Account + Demat Account. The idea is convenience: instead of shuffling funds between your bank and broker and waiting for transfers, everything plays together. But not all 3-in-1 accounts are equal. Fees, features, restrictions, banks, and brokerage vary a lot. This guide pulls together the latest info, compares the top options, and explains which is the best 3-in-1 Demat account and why — with a special spotlight on Zerodha.
Its where bank and trading accounts were made into one to be called a 2-in-1 account. But a 3-in-1 account comprises another account, which is the Demat account. However, if you wish to learn more about the 3-in-1 Demat account? Then read on, we have enlisted a surplus number of things that could be of use.
What is a 3-in-1 Demat Account?
A 3-in-1 account integrates:
- Bank / savings account — where your cash resides, for deposits/withdrawals.
- Trading account — to buy/sell stocks, derivatives, commodities etc.
- Demat account — to hold securities (shares, bonds, ETFs etc.) in electronic / dematerialised form.
Benefits of 3-in-1 Account
The benefits of a 3-in-1 account are:
- Seamless fund transfers: funds flow automatically (or with a “blocking” facility) from bank → trading → demat as needed.
- Less manual effort: you don’t need to initiate separate transfers / wait for them.
- Faster settlement and trade experience.
- Reduced risk of missing opportunities because funds are stuck elsewhere.
But there are tradeoffs, like higher brokerage or restrictions in certain segments, depending on how the broker + bank have structured things.
Such demat + trading + savings accounts’ significant attracting point is the clubbing of all the accounts and the seamless interaction that the user can have through the accounts. There is a comprehensive itinerary of investment products up for grabs through such accounts.
One thing to keep in mind is that the cost of using such an account is generally high. Banks generally levy a higher brokerage for intraday and delivery transactions through a 3-in1 demat account.
But you have to pay a premium if you want additional features, don’t you? On the contrary, the benefits of using such a demat and trading account are generally high and do offer some lucrative ways for people to invest in the stock market.
If you’re a long-term investor in the stock market, then availing such hassle-free services is a boon despite having to pay a bit extra.
A 3-in-1 Account – Benefits
Let’s count on the benefits of opening the benefits of a 3-in-1 account:
1. Paperwork Reduction
The paperwork is reduced drastically, where the banks would take over all the required documents that have to be filled. You can have the seamless experience of using the three accounts in compliance with the SEBI and stock exchanges to trade in the BSE and NSE.
2. Multiple Investment Avenues
Through one single account, traders have a broad avenue opened for them up for investment. These include currency, bonds, mutual funds, equities, derivatives, IPOS, commodities, NPS, insurance, and other financial services.
3. Fund Transfer becomes Quicker
If you have separate accounts for trading and banking, then getting the money from the bank account requires some levels of hassles. You have to go to the bank office, place a withdrawal request, and get funds from your full-service broker. Of course, you have the online fund transfer also these days. But with a 3-in-1 account, it gets much simpler since your funds would be credited to your bank account at the end-of-day after placing a withdrawal request.
You may also like to explore Minor Demat and Trading Account in India
A 3-in-1 Demat Account – Factors to Consider
Before opening a 3-in-1 demat account, you must consider some crucial factors:
1. Minimum Balance Requirements
In a 3-in-1 demat account, banks often have specific clauses where you will have to maintain a certain bank balance, carry out trades to a certain extent, and what not. Each of these clauses is variable from one 3-in-1 account to another.
2. Trading Facilities
These facilities include the tools that each broker offers. It provides training tips, research advice, trading tools, and much more. Choose wisely to see what these stock brokers in India have to offer to elevate your trading experience.
3. Brokerage Charges
These charges vary from one broker to another. It also depends on the usage of the account. Mostly the charges are permanent or vary based on the amount of trading done in an account. Compare each of these charges and then choose your 3-in-1 account.
4. Segments
Not every broker you choose to open a 3-in-1 account would suffice in trading with particular segments such as derivatives, currency, or commodity. Check into this weather they offer all trading options or its subsidies to a few trading options.
Key Criteria to Compare when Evaluating 3-in-1 Accounts
When choosing, here are the features you should check:
| Feature | Why it matters? |
|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | A zero or low opening fee means lower upfront cost. |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) / Demat Charges | These recur every year; if high, they eat into returns. |
| Brokerage Rates | Especially for equity delivery, intraday, F&O etc. Some offer zero or very low delivery brokerage. |
| Fund Transfer Speed & Flow | How fast can funds move between bank/trading/demat? Is it automatic / “blocking” / one-click? |
| Bank Partner & Features | Bank matters: interest on idle cash, debit card usage, bank branch-availability, etc. |
| Trading Platform, App & Tools | UI/UX, reliability, charting, orders types, mobile + web apps. |
| Transparency / Hidden Charges | Are there hidden fees, per-transaction charges, minimum balances etc.? |
| Other Services | IPO access, direct mutual funds, research, margin, customer support etc. |
What’s new? Recent Changes in 2025
- Zerodha + IDFC First Bank: The blocking facility is now an option. With this, you don’t have to pre-transfer money; you “block” a certain amount in your bank account which is debited only for what you use. Unused blocked amount is released at end of day.
- Some earlier versions of 3-in-1 setups have been altered by brokers or banks (e.g., old “one-click transfer” facilities may have been phased out). For new requests, the current terms apply. Existing customers often retain their older-fee structure.
- Brokers continue to compete by lowering or waiving fees: zero account-opening fee has become common among discount brokers doing 3-in-1s (like Zerodha, Upstox etc.)
Top 3-in-1 Demat Accounts Compared (2025)
Before you decide which account to open, it helps to see the major options side by side. Below we’ve compared the most popular 3-in-1 Demat accounts in India including Zerodha with IDFC First Bank, Upstox with IndusInd Bank, and traditional full-service brokers like ICICI Direct, HDFC Securities, and Kotak Securities.
The table highlights account opening fees, annual maintenance charges, brokerage rates, and key features so you can quickly identify which plan best suits your investing style.
Now, lets analyze these leading providers, their pros/cons, and how they stack up.
| Provider | Bank Partner | Account Opening Fee | Demat AMC & Other Charges | Equity Delivery & Intraday Brokerage | Key Strengths / Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zerodha (IDFC FIRST Bank) | IDFC First Bank | ₹0 for opening new account | ~₹300 + GST annually for Demat AMC | Equity Delivery: zero brokerage. Intraday / F&O etc: flat ₹20 or lower of a % rate (whichever is lower) per order. | Very strong trading platform (Kite), robust user base, good educational content; the blocking facility adds convenience. Some earlier 3-in-1 features may’ve changed; also, fund blocking means your bank account may have “liens” on funds until used. |
| Upstox / IndusStox (IndusInd Bank) | IndusInd Bank | ₹0 for opening (often promotional offers) | AMC ≈ ₹300 annually (after first year free in some plans) | Equity Delivery: often zero. Intraday / F&O etc: flat ₹20 / order (or similar) | Good integration with savings bank, fast setup, simple to use. May have fewer advanced platform features versus top ones; customer support, platform/UI differences matter. |
| Full-Service Bank-Brokers (ICICI Direct, HDFC Securities, Kotak Securities, etc.) | Their own banks | Often ₹0 opening fees in some schemes, sometimes non-zero depending on offers/promos. | AMC tends to be higher (700-₹750 or more) for Demat & yearly fees. | Equity Delivery brokerage often % based (higher), intraday / F&O may be competitive but less so. Research / advisory / other services are stronger. | Best if you want one-stop full services, trusted bank network, multiple product offerings; trade-offs: higher cost, possibly slower fund transfer. |
Best 3-in-1 Demat Account in India: Top 5 List
There is a wide array of banks offering such services, but the best are enlisted below. So, let’s have a quick look on each one of the 3-in-1 accounts:
1. Zerodha + IDFC First Bank
Zerodha’s 3-in-1 demat account, in partnership with IDFC First Bank, is one of the most cost-effective options in India. It combines a robust trading platform (Kite), zero brokerage on equity delivery, and flat ₹20 per order for intraday and F&O. A unique advantage is the fund blocking facility, where you don’t need to pre-transfer funds—money is simply “blocked” in your bank account and debited only when used. This keeps your savings earning interest until trades are executed.
With low AMC charges and seamless integration, Zerodha is the go-to choice for retail investors who value both affordability and convenience.
Pros: Zero delivery brokerage, flat & transparent charges, advanced trading platform, fund blocking facility.
Cons: AMC charges apply, currently limited to IDFC First Bank integration.
2. Upstox + IndusInd Bank (IndusStox)
Upstox, in collaboration with IndusInd Bank, offers another popular 3-in-1 demat account branded as IndusStox. It provides free account opening (with occasional first-year AMC waivers), zero brokerage on equity delivery, and flat ₹20 charges on intraday/F&O orders. Fund transfers between the IndusInd savings account and trading account are instant, making it easy to manage liquidity while investing. It has a modern trading app and web platform with essential tools, though it may not match Zerodha in advanced analytics.
For investors who want a reliable, low-cost account with smooth banking integration, Upstox + IndusInd is a solid pick.
Pros: Free account opening offers, smooth bank integration, zero delivery brokerage.
Cons: Fewer advanced features than Zerodha, customer support may vary.
3. ICICI Direct, HDFC Securities, Kotak Securities (Full-Service Banks)
Traditional full-service brokers like ICICI Direct, HDFC Securities, and Kotak Securities offer 3-in-1 accounts directly linked to their respective bank accounts. Their main strength lies in the all-in-one convenience: you can manage savings, investments, loans, insurance, and trading under a single umbrella. They provide detailed research reports, relationship managers, and strong physical branch networks for those who prefer offline assistance.
However, these benefits come at a cost—brokerage is typically percentage-based and annual maintenance charges are higher compared to discount brokers. These accounts suit investors who value in-depth advisory and full banking services more than ultra-low costs.
Pros: Integrated with top banks, strong research & advisory, physical branch support.
Cons: Higher brokerage & AMC, less cost-effective for frequent traders.
Zerodha 3-in-1 Deep Dive: Why It’s Very Competitive?
Here’s what makes Zerodha’s 3-in-1 (with IDFC First Bank) a strong pick, and where you should watch out.
Strengths
- Zero brokerage on equity delivery: If your style is more buy-and-hold, this saves a lot.
- Flat low brokerage in other segments: Intraday, F&O etc. ₹20 / order (or lower of a percentage) makes trading cost predictable.
- Blocking facility: If you enable the “3-in-1 block facility”, you don’t need to manually transfer funds ahead. Instead, you “block” funds in your bank account, which are debited only for used amount; rest is released. Adds convenience.
- Good platform & ecosystem: Zerodha’s Kite platform is respected for reliability, clean UI, mobile + web, and tools. They also allow direct mutual funds (on Zerodha Coin), IPO investment etc.
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Best 3-in-1 Demat Account – Is it Beneficial?
A 3-in-1 account isn’t for everyone. However, it might have its own way of benefiting customers; it’s widely suited towards the long-term trader where brokerage charges are almost neglected. The returns are way more substantial than the brokerage fees, and it doesn’t matter to the person looking to open such an account.
Investors that are looking for a convenient way to have a demat account without having to open another account can go for a 3-in-1 account. Lots of popular brokers have collaborated with big banks to provide such a platform. There are lots of benefits of owning this account like:
- Easy account creation.
- Minimum balance requirement will be automatically fulfilled.
- You can retain your investments.
- Easy nomination.
- Use all kinds of modern tools and charting features.
- Buying and selling becomes easy and convenient.
- Brokerage charges are also discounted.
- Easy tracking of investments.
However, you must look into the overall merits and see how it could prove beneficial to you. Wage out the pros and cons and then go for it. Also, each of the stock brokers does have many pros, but the cons are very hard to figure out. So, target more on this aspect of choosing the 3-in1 account. It should be beneficial for you and not the other way around.
And yes, do share your personal experiences of opening a trading and demat account with any of the stock brokers in India.
Which is the best 3-in-1 Demat account in India?
The best 3-in-1 demat account in India depends on your needs. If you value convenience and want a direct link with your bank, HDFC Securities, ICICI Direct, and Kotak Securities remain top choices.
However, if low brokerage and advanced trading features matter most, many investors prefer Zerodha, India’s largest discount broker, even though it’s technically a 2-in-1 account (Trading + Demat). Pairing Zerodha with a UPI-enabled bank account often provides better overall cost efficiency than traditional 3-in-1 setups.
The Best Demat account in India for most retail investors is Zerodha (in partnership with IDFC First Bank). It offers zero brokerage on equity delivery, flat and predictable charges (≈ ₹20 per order) for intraday/F&O, a strong platform (Kite), and the “blocking facility” so you don’t need to pre-transfer funds. If your trading / investing style is frequent and cost-sensitive, this gives one of the best value-for-money bundles.
FAQs on 3-in-1 Demat Accounts
Q1: Which is the best 3-in-1 demat account in India?
A1: Zerodha with IDFC First Bank is the best 3-in-1 demat account in India for 2025. It offers zero brokerage on delivery, flat ₹20 charges, and seamless fund blocking.
Q2: What is the difference between 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 demat accounts?
A2: A 2-in-1 combines trading + demat, while a 3-in-1 adds a linked savings bank account for automatic transfers and easier investing.
Q3: Is Zerodha 3-in-1 better than full-service brokers like ICICI Direct?
A3: Zerodha is cheaper and platform-driven, while ICICI Direct or HDFC Securities provide research and banking convenience but at higher costs.
Q4: Can NRIs open a 3-in-1 demat account in India?
A4: Yes, but NRIs must use an NRE/NRO account and follow RBI’s Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS). Broker and bank requirements differ.
What type of user is Zerodha’s 3-in-1 best suited for?
If you fall into one or more of these categories, Zerodha is especially good for you:
- You invest for the long term and expect to hold equities (so zero delivery brokerage helps).
- You trade occasionally in intraday / futures/options, but want costs to be predictable.
- You want a polished platform, good UX, minimal friction in fund transfers.
- You don’t need super fancy research/advisory or full service bank broker perks.
If instead you want full advisory, in-person branches, bundled services, very high margin exposure, or very rare exotic assets, a full-service broker might still serve you better.
However, if you want full service, deeper research or bank-broker ties, full-service brokers may still be worth considering.
If you want one recommendation: Zerodha with IDFC First Bank is the top 3-in-1 account for the majority of retail investors in 2025. It hits the sweet spot: low/no cost on delivery, predictable brokerage elsewhere, strong platform & added convenience via the blocking facility.