How to Buy US Stocks in India (2026) — Step-by-Step Guide
Two legal ways to buy US stocks from India — real shares via LRS platforms or US stocks as CFDs — with the best brokers, apps, costs, taxes and steps explained.
Open a Free Trading Account →To buy US stocks from India, open an LRS-enabled account (INDmoney, Vested, Groww or Angel One) to buy real US shares including fractions, or trade US stocks as CFDs with an offshore broker such as Exness. Real shares suit long-term investors; CFDs suit short-term traders who want leverage and the ability to short. Indian residents can remit up to USD 250,000 per year under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme.
How to buy US stocks from India
- You can't buy US stocks directly on Indian exchanges (NSE/BSE), but two legal routes exist
- Route 1 — real shares: open an LRS-enabled account (INDmoney, Vested, Groww, Angel One) and buy real US shares, including fractions, under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme
- Route 2 — CFDs: trade US stocks as CFDs with an offshore broker such as Exness — go long or short, with leverage, without owning the share
- Best app to invest in US stocks from India: INDmoney or Vested for real shares, Exness for CFDs
- Costs to compare: brokerage/spread, USD conversion, the LRS limit (USD 250,000/year) and taxes (TCS, capital gains)
- Popular picks tradable from India: Tesla, Apple, Nvidia, Amazon, Google, Coca-Cola and Intel
- Start small with fractional shares or a free demo account before committing real money
Two ways to buy US stocks from India
| Real shares (LRS) | US stocks as CFDs | |
|---|---|---|
| You own the share | Yes | No — you trade the price |
| Go short (profit if it falls) | No | Yes |
| Leverage | No | Yes (amplifies gains and losses) |
| Minimum to start | Low (fractional shares) | Low ($10 at Exness) |
| Best for | Long-term investing | Short-term trading |
| Example provider | INDmoney / Vested / Groww | Exness |
Where to buy US stocks from India
| Platform / broker | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| INDmoney | Real shares (LRS) | Beginners, fractional US shares |
| Vested | Real shares (LRS) | US-focused investing |
| Groww | Real shares (LRS) | Existing Groww users |
| Angel One | Real shares (LRS) | Full-service brokerage users |
| Exness | US stocks as CFDs | Short-term trading, leverage, shorting |
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy US stocks from India?
Yes. Indian residents can legally buy US stocks under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme — either real shares via LRS platforms (INDmoney, Vested, Groww) or as CFDs via an offshore broker.
Which Indian broker is best for US stocks?
For real US shares, INDmoney, Vested, Groww and Angel One are popular LRS platforms. To trade US stocks as CFDs (long or short, with leverage), Exness is a strong choice that accepts Indian clients.
What is the best app to invest in US stocks from India?
INDmoney and Vested are popular apps for buying real US shares; the Exness app is a good pick for trading US stocks as CFDs. All let you start small with fractional shares or low minimums.
How can I invest in the Nasdaq 100 or S&P 500 from India?
You can buy US index ETFs through LRS platforms, or trade US index CFDs (US100 / US500) with an offshore broker — both give Nasdaq 100 or S&P 500 exposure from India.
What are the risks of investing in US stocks from India?
Market volatility, USD/INR currency risk, LRS limits and taxes (TCS on remittance, capital-gains tax). Never invest money you cannot afford to lose, and start small.