National Stock Exchange Of India
The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) is the country’s primary stock exchange, providing a platform to trade a variety of equities and derivatives. This article lists the best NSE brokers available to UK investors, considering fees, market execution, and regulatory oversight. Our team also unpack the history and background of the National Stock Exchange of India, alongside trading tips and investing considerations.
Top NSE Brokers UK
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Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM Web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) -
eToro, a leading multi-asset platform, provides access to trading services across thousands of CFDs, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. Established in 2007, it boasts millions of active traders worldwide and is sanctioned by top-tier regulators such as the FCA and CySEC. It stands out for its extensive social trading feature. Crypto investments are unstable and carry risk. Tax implications might apply. Acknowledge the risks involved. 61% of retail CFD accounts incur losses.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 $10 1:30 -
Established in 2009, Vantage provides trading on more than 1,000 short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. Forex CFDs are available from 0.0 pips on the RAW account via TradingView, MT4, or MT5. Regulated by ASIC, Vantage ensures that client funds are kept in separate accounts. Traders looking to copy strategies will benefit from a wide array of social trading tools.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Spread betting FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $50 0.01 Lots 1:30 -
Established in 2015, VT Markets is a leading Australian multi-asset CFD broker. Offering over 1,000 trading instruments, it supports both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. With these resources, VT Markets provides extensive trading opportunities to more than 400,000 clients globally. It operates under the regulation of ASIC, FSCA, and FSC.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Commodities, Stocks, Indices ASIC, FSCA, FSC VT Markets App, Webtrader, Web Trader+, MT4, MT5, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage 50 - 500 USD 0.01 Lots 1:500 -
SimpleFX is an online broker offering CFD and cryptocurrency trading. With multi-currency accounts, STP execution, competitive pricing, and no minimum deposit, the platform delivers an accessible trading experience. Since 2014, SimpleFX has been innovative and has earned acclaim at various industry events. Today, it serves over 200,000 active users in more than 190 countries, catering to retail traders worldwide.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptos FSC WebTrader, MT4 Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $0 0.01 Lots 1:1000 -
Founded in 2005 in Australia, FP Markets is a broker regulated by both ASIC and CySEC. It offers a wide range of tradable assets and provides Standard and Raw accounts suitable for traders of all levels. The platform excels in tools, featuring the MetaTrader suite, user-friendly TradingView, and practical insights from Trading Central and AutoChartist.
Instruments Regulator Platforms CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, ETFs, Crypto ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA Iress, MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage $40 0.01 Lots 1:30 (UK), 1:500 (Global)
IG
eToro
Vantage FX
VT Markets
SimpleFX
FP MarketsSafety Comparison
Compare how safe the National Stock Exchange Of India are and what features they offer to protect traders.
| Broker | Trust Rating | FCA Regulated | Negative Balance Protection | Guaranteed Stop Loss | Segregated Accounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| eToro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| VT Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| SimpleFX | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | |
| FP Markets | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
Payments Comparison
Compare which popular payment methods the National Stock Exchange Of India support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).
| Broker | GBP Account | Debit Card | Credit Card | Neteller | Skrill | Apple Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| eToro | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Vantage FX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| VT Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| SimpleFX | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| FP Markets | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Mobile Trading Comparison
How good are the National Stock Exchange Of India at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.
| Broker | Mobile Apps | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Smart Watch App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | iOS & Android | ✔ | ||
| eToro | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| Vantage FX | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| VT Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ | ||
| SimpleFX | iOS, Android + WebTrader | ✘ | ||
| FP Markets | iOS & Android | ✘ |
Beginners Comparison
Are the National Stock Exchange Of India good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?
| Broker | Demo Account | Minimum Deposit | Minimum Trade | Support Rating | Education Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| eToro | ✔ | $50 | $10 | ||
| Vantage FX | ✔ | $50 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| VT Markets | ✔ | 50 - 500 USD | 0.01 Lots | ||
| SimpleFX | ✔ | $0 | 0.01 Lots | ||
| FP Markets | ✔ | $40 | 0.01 Lots |
Advanced Trading Comparison
Do the National Stock Exchange Of India offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?
| Broker | Automated Trading | Pro Account | Leverage | VPS | AI | Low Latency | Extended Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime | ✔ | 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ |
| eToro | Automate your trades via CopyTrader - follow profitable traders. Open and close trades automatically when they do. | ✘ | 1:30 | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Vantage FX | Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| VT Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:500 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| SimpleFX | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:1000 | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| FP Markets | Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader | ✘ | 1:30 (UK), 1:500 (Global) | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
Detailed Rating Comparison
Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the National Stock Exchange Of India.
| Broker | Trust | Platforms | Mobile | Assets | Fees | Accounts | Support | Research | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | |||||||||
| eToro | |||||||||
| Vantage FX | |||||||||
| VT Markets | |||||||||
| SimpleFX | |||||||||
| FP Markets |
Our Take On IG
"IG offers a complete package with an intuitive online platform, top-tier beginner education, advanced charting tools through its TradingView integration, real-time data, and swift execution for seasoned traders."
Pros
- IG stands out with its extensive range of instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it has recently introduced US-listed futures and options, along with an AI Index. These options enhance opportunities for diversification in trading.
- The web-based platform supports traders at every level, offering advanced charting tools and real-time market data vital for trading. Additionally, IG now includes TradingView integration.
- As a seasoned broker, IG adheres to stringent regulatory standards across various regions, ensuring significant trust.
Cons
- In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.
- IG has ended its swap-free account, diminishing its attractiveness to Islamic traders.
- IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
Our Take On eToro
"eToro's social trading platform excels with its outstanding user experience and lively community chat, aiding beginners in spotting opportunities. It offers competitive fees on numerous CFDs and real stocks, alongside exceptional rewards for seasoned strategists."
Pros
- eToro is a globally recognised brand, operating under top-tier international regulations. It boasts a community of over 25 million users.
- The broker offers excellent services for beginners, featuring commission-free stock trading, a low minimum deposit, and an unlimited demo account.
- There is an extensive online training academy offering a range of accessible resources, from concise articles to detailed courses.
Cons
- The absence of extra charting platforms such as MT4 may deter experienced traders who rely on external software.
- There are no assured stop-loss orders, which could be a valuable risk management tool for novice traders.
- The only significant contact option, besides the in-platform live chat, is limited.
Our Take On Vantage FX
"Vantage is an ideal choice for CFD traders looking for a well-regulated broker with access to the dependable MetaTrader platforms. With a swift sign-up process and a minimum deposit of $50, starting trading is simple and fast."
Pros
- Vantage has enhanced its trading tools for experienced traders, introducing AutoFibo EA to pinpoint potential market reversals.
- With a minimal deposit requirement of just $50 and no funding fees, this broker stands out as an excellent option for novice traders.
- Hedging and scalping strategies are fully permitted without any short-term restrictions.
Cons
- To access optimal trading conditions, a substantial deposit of $10,000 is required. This includes a commission of $1.50 per transaction per side.
- Regrettably, cryptocurrencies are accessible solely to clients in Australia.
- It's unfortunate that some clients must register with the offshore firm, which provides reduced regulatory safeguards.
Our Take On VT Markets
"VT Markets is an excellent option for traders seeking tight spreads and robust charting tools. The broker excels in share CFDs, offering hundreds of commission-free assets across various global markets."
Pros
- Traders have access to various analytical tools from trusted sources, such as the Market Buzz AI by Trading Central and a personalised economic calendar.
- Spreads are highly competitive, tested at 0.2 pips for EUR/USD in the ECN account, comparable to leading firms such as Pepperstone.
- VT Markets provides complimentary 90-day demo accounts, enabling traders to rigorously assess their short-term strategies.
Cons
- The broker's bonus programmes have strict conditions, including limits on minimum deposits and acceptable payment methods.
- Unlike peers such as Fusion Markets, VT Markets lacks cryptocurrency trading options.
Our Take On SimpleFX
"SimpleFX is perfect for those wishing to deposit, trade, and withdraw in popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It also introduces its own SimpleFX Coin, offering rebates and exclusive benefits to holders."
Pros
- SimpleFX's unique WebTrader, supported by TradingView, provides a stable trading platform with an intuitive interface, welcoming even to beginner traders.
- With leverage reaching 1:1000, traders can significantly boost their positions. This offers increased market exposure and the chance for amplified profits or losses.
- In 2021, SimpleFX refreshed its platform, introducing a more streamlined client area with improved load speeds. It also launched a social trading community for idea exchange.
Cons
- While Bloomberg TV news and the economic calendar provide useful information, the absence of research tools such as Autochartist and Trading Central places traders at a significant disadvantage when seeking to identify opportunities.
- SimpleFX functions with limited regulatory oversight, enabling it to provide high leverage. This means it is subject to less stringent scrutiny from regulators than brokers such as IG, which operate under strict regulatory environments.
- The limited availability of non-crypto funding methods is a drawback for traders who prefer more diverse and convenient ways to manage their accounts.
Our Take On FP Markets
"FP Markets achieves a perfect blend of affordability and quality for active traders. They maintain low trading costs while enhancing investment options, charting tools, and research features, alongside providing reliable support for urgent queries."
Pros
- FP Markets provides swift and reliable support, accessible 24 hours a day, five days a week, with average response times under one minute during tests.
- FP Markets now offers advanced research tools from Trading Central and Autochartist. These tools assist traders in spotting short-term opportunities by analysing chart patterns, indicators, and other technical elements.
- FP Markets provides an excellent range of trading options, thanks to its broadened commodities offerings and support for more than 10,000 stocks.
Cons
- The Raw account offers excellent pricing. However, the Standard account has wider spreads, averaging 1.1 pips on EUR/USD, which lags behind the competitive 0.8-pip spread at IC Markets.
- FP Markets’ Iress platform is exclusively available to Australian clients. The platform is geared towards stock trading rather than forex. Data fees may accumulate quickly unless you are an active trader or hold a high-balance account.
- Traders Hub offers valuable resources such as the Daily Report, Technical Report, Market Insights, and Fundamental Analysis. Yet, it should diversify its daily content and ensure its forex news remains current to compete with market leaders like IG.
Choosing NSE Brokers
When comparing NSE brokers, there are several key factors to consider:
- Registration & License – Ensure that the NSE broker is registered with and regulated by a reputable financial regulator. In India, NSE brokers may be covered by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), though UK traders may prefer UK-based NSE brokers covered by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Charges & Fees – Compare the commission charges and in-built spreads, which will impact your profitability per trade. Some National Stock Exchange of India brokers also have non-trading fees, such as inactivity charges or fees for deposits and withdrawals. Look for NSE brokers with a transparent fee structure and competitive costs. Note that trading Indian stocks may involve currency conversion fees if you are trading in GBP and not INR.
- Platform – The platform is the terminal traders use to analyse chart data and execute trades. Look for NSE brokers that offer reliable and user-friendly platforms and apps with instant and pending orders, drawing tools and technical indicators. Popular software includes MetaTrader 4 and TradingView. Also check for automated trading functionality. NSE brokers may also provide access to NSE NOW platform or the NSE trading app.
- Market Execution – To get the best prices, check whether the broker provides Direct Market Access (DMA), which allows investors to access the same pricing and order book execution model as institutional investors. Some National Stock Exchange of India brokers may also offer extended hours or weekend trading, allowing you to take advantage of price movements outside normal market hours.
- Tradable Assets – Consider the different investing vehicles offered by the broker. Leading brokers with access to the National Stock Exchange of India offer direct share dealing, indices, contracts for difference (CFDs), and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). CFDs are leveraged derivatives that enable traders to speculate on the rising or falling prices of Indian equities, such as HDFC Bank and Hindustan Unilever.
- Customer Support – Customer service accessibility is important when comparing NSE brokers. Look for brokerages that offer 24/5 or 24/7 customer support through various channels, such as phone, email, or live chat. This is important if your National Stock Exchange of India broker is located in India or a location that is not the UK.
National Stock Exchange Of India Basics
History
The National Stock Exchange of India was incorporated in 1992 and began operations in 1994, after being set up by a group of prominent Indian financial institutions at the government’s suggestion. The NSE’s introduction of electronic trading in 1994 revolutionised Indian financial markets, making trading faster and more efficient.
The National Stock Exchange of India is well suited to online investing as there is a large volume of data on each security available, including price highs and lows on a daily to 52-weekly basis, plus relevant global and local news.
In 2000, the National Stock Exchange of India became the first exchange in India to offer derivatives with the introduction of index futures contracts on the Nifty 50 Index. This segment has since grown to become a significant part of the exchange. In 2008, the NSE launched currency futures trading, which has seen exponential growth in recent years.
Today, the NSE supports over 1,600 stocks, 2,100 securities, 235 currency futures, and 71 index futures.
Top Companies
Among the largest National Stock Exchange of India-listed companies by market capitalisation include:
- Reliance Industries Ltd – Indian multinational conglomerate with energy, petrochemical, retail, telecom, textile and mass media interests
- ICICI Bank Ltd – Multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in Mumbai
- HDFC Bank Ltd – India’s largest private bank and the world’s 10th biggest bank overall
- Hindustan Unilever Ltd – The Indian arm of the British-owned consumer goods giant
- Tata Consultancy Services – Multinational IT services & consultancy company
Note, access to these companies will vary between online brokers and platforms.
Segments
The Indian stock exchnage has several segments based on the type of instrument or vehicle.
The F&O (Future and Options) segment comprises a range of underlying assets, including stocks, indices, and currencies. In addition to equity and F&O trading, the NSE also offers investing in ETFs and currency futures and options, allowing investors to hedge against currency risks and speculate on forex movements.
The Currency Derivatives segment is the fastest-growing, with trading volumes increasing by around 80% in 2022. The market timings for different segments are as follows:
- Equity: Monday to Friday from 9:15am to 3:30pm Indian Standard Time (IST)
- Futures and Options (F&O): Monday to Friday from 9:15am to 3:30pm IST. However, there is an extended trading session for equity derivatives from 3:40pm to 4:00pm IST
- Currency Derivatives: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm IST
- Debt: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm IST
- Commodity Derivatives: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 11:30pm IST
- Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Monday to Friday from 9:15am to 3:30pm IST
The Indian international stock exchange also offers a virtual trading platform called “NSE Paathshala” for those who want to practice investing without risking real money.
Listing Requirements
There are strict rules and protocols for companies to be listed on the National Stock Exchange of India, which involves submitting a detailed report of their financials and operations, and meeting the exchange’s value and liquidity criteria.
The listing requirements include a minimum paid-up capital of 100 million INR (approximately 1 million GBP), a track record of profitability for at least three years, and a minimum net worth of 250 million INR (approximately 2.5 million GBP).
Additionally, a minimum public float of 25% of the issued share capital is required for companies to be listed on the exchange.
Trading Hours & Holidays
The National Stock Exchange of India offers opportunities to investors from around the world, including the UK. The regular opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 9:15am to 3:30pm IST (3:45am to 10:00am GMT during UK daylight savings time, and 4:45am to 11:00am GMT during UK standard time). The NSE is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Note, NSE brokers may set their own trading hours.
NSE trading holidays include Republic Day, the Hindu festival of Holi in March, Good Friday, Eid al-Fitr, Independence Day, Diwali, Christmas, and a few others.
On trading days, the exchange releases data on volumes and provides updates on market conditions.
The NSE also has a system for halting trading in the event of abnormal market conditions.
How To Start Trading The NSE
- Research The Markets – India is a huge country with a great many NSE-listed companies, international stock exchanges, and a large number of factors that could influence price movements. Make sure you have a good grasp of the NSE basics before getting started, from new company ownerships to upcoming IPOs and forecasted revenues.
- Choose A Broker – Use our guide above to find NSE brokers that best meet your needs. Consider the vehicles available, fees, platforms, additional tools like stock screeners, plus oversight from a trusted regulator.
- Sign Up – If the NSE broker is based in the UK, the sign-up process should be relatively simple to complete online using your personal information and some documents to verify your identity. It may be more difficult for traders to sign up with an Indian broker with additional documentation and hoops to jump through.
- Choose An Asset & Vehicle – Choose a vehicle that suits your investing style and timeframe, for example, buy and hold for long-term dividend stocks or derivatives like CFDs for short-term trading strategies. Note, access to vehicles varies between brokers with access to the National Stock Exchange of India.
- Analyse Market Data – Study price history charts and resources like earnings reports and relevant sector news to gauge whether an asset is undervalued or overvalued.
- Open A Position – Open a position on your platform or mobile app. Set stop loss and take profit orders to minimise your risk exposure.
- Monitor Market Movements – Stay up to date with price movements. The top NSE brokers also offers price alerts and mobile notifications.
Bottom Line On National Stock Exchange of India
The National Stock Exchange of India is one of largest stock exchange in the world by the total number of trades in equities. It also represents an attractive investment opportunity for many traders, with a young workforce and rising middle class. The best brokers with access to the National Stock Exchange are regulated, offer low fees and a reliable platform or investing app.
Use our ranking of the top NSE brokers to get started.
FAQ
What Is The National Stock Exchange (NSE)?
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is the leading stock exchange in India, founded in 1994. NSE brokers offer access to the country’s largest publicly-traded companies, including Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Hindustan Unilever, and Tata Consultancy Services.
Which UK Brokers Offer Trading On Indian Stocks?
Popular brokers available to UK residents that offer trading on Indian stock markets either through shares, indices, CFDs, ETFs or other products include IG, eToro and VT Markets. Alternatively, see our full list of NSE brokers.
How Do I Start Trading On The National Stock Exchange Of India?
To start trading on the National Stock Exchange of India, you need to open a live account with a registered broker. This will typically require providing basic contact details and verifying your identity. You will then need to make a deposit and download or open the broker’s trading platform or app. From here, you can browse the list of NSE stocks and open a position.
What Are The Trading Hours Of The NSE?
The opening hours of the National Stock Exchange of India for equity and currency trading are from 9:15am to 3:30pm IST, Monday to Friday. For derivatives, the timings are from 9:00am to 11:55pm IST, Monday to Friday. Note that NSE brokers may also have their own times and holidays that can affect opening hours.
What Is The Minimum Deposit At NSE Brokers?
The minimum deposit varies between brokers with access to the National Stock Exchange of India. IG, for example, requires a £250 minimum payment.