For millions of retail traders across India, the journey into capital markets often begins the same way. They start small, learning the fundamentals of the market, placing their first few trades, and slowly understanding how each percentage point of cost can turn into returns. Between high brokerage fees, hidden charges, and complex interfaces, trading often feels like a challenge. To begin investing while navigating the market movements, what they seek is simple: a fair, transparent, and tech-driven platform that lets them trade freely without worrying about every click costing more.
At the same time, several major brokers have experienced a slowdown in the number of active clients. The pressing challenge for brokerage firms lies in striking a balance between meeting the expectations of traders and fulfilling business demands.
In this competitive landscape, Stoxkart, a tech-led discount brokerage and a part of SMC Group, is charting a new course for success.
Over the past four months alone, Stoxkart has helped its clients collectively save more than ₹20 crore in brokerage while adding over 60,000 new Demat accounts. Its growth story reflects a wider shift in investor behaviour- one where affordability, simplicity, and technology drive decision-making.
User-First Model in a Crowded Market
Launched in 2017, Stoxkart was envisioned as a next-generation trading platform for simplifying investments while keeping costs under control. Unlike conventional full-service brokers, the platform combines the low-cost appeal of a discount broker with the support and research of a traditional brokerage house.
Its unique offering is the Smart Trader Plan, which allows people to trade unlimited across segments for a flat ₹99 per month. It is designed to enhance the trading experience and unlock savings for retail traders and active investors with no per-trade brokerage and no hidden fees. For retail traders and active investors, this means significant savings and more streamlined fund management.
“The idea was simple, to empower traders and focus on strategy, not on how much brokerage they’re paying on every order,” Mr. Pranay Aggarwal, CEO and Director of Stoxkart, shared when the plan launched. “We realised that the real differentiator in today’s market is not just pricing, but user experience backed by technology and education.”
Strong Adoption Amid Industry Headwinds
In the past four months, Smart Trader Plan by stoxkart has changed the stage of online trading, bringing on board over 45,000 new subscribers. The overall user base has expanded by 60,000 new Demat accounts, an exceptional feat considering that several leading brokers saw client attrition during the same period.
Stoxkart gives credit to the hybrid approach for this momentum that balances affordability and expert advisory. While many discount brokers focus purely on low-cost execution, Stoxkart has invested heavily in educating customers, market insights, and intuitive digital tools that make trading easier for both beginners and experienced investors.
Tech-Driven and Customer-Centric
For many traders, technology is a gateway and, simultaneously, a barrier. The right tools open up markets, while the usual clunky platforms and confusing interfaces often drive new investors away. Recognising this gap, Stoxkart built its platform with a product-first mindset that focuses on simplifying decisions rather than complicating them. The seamless journey of trading is thus achieved in the platform using integrated TradingView charts and advanced order types like order slicing, along with AI-driven customer support.
But again, it is not just about the tools; it is about accessibility. A clean interface, fast onboarding, and responsive service unite the web and mobile platforms at Stoxkart, enabling users to trade anytime, anywhere, seamlessly.
According to Aggarwal, “The future of trading lies in intelligent automation and democratized access. Our focus is on building technology that reduces friction and enables every investor-from college students to professional traders-to participate confidently in the markets.”
Empowering the New Generation of Investors
India’s retail participation in the stock market has surged after the COVID pandemic which is largely driven by first-time investors from Tier II and Tier III cities. Brokerage firms have been proactive in capturing this demographic through educational initiatives, from webinars and online workshops to social media short videos that simplify complex market concepts.
Stoxkart’s focus on financial literacy has played a key role in building trust among new investors. The platform’s integrated advisory support also helps users make informed decisions by offering professional advice while supporting DIY investing.
Why Cost Efficiency Matters More Than Ever
For most traders, it’s not the big losses but the small, recurring costs that quietly takeaway the profits. Every trade comes with a fee, and over time, those charges can add up to a substantial drag on returns, particularly for active investors.
This is the problem Stoxkart set out to solve. By offering unlimited trading across segments for a flat ₹99 a month, the platform removes the uncertainty of per-trade costs and brings predictability to investors’ expenses. In just four months, this approach has saved over ₹20 crore in brokerage fees for its clients.
For retail participants trading frequently across segments, equities, F&O, and commodities, the savings compound quickly, freeing up capital for reinvestment and portfolio diversification. In a market where margins are thin and volatility is high, such cost advantages can meaningfully improve overall profitability.
Next Chapter of Retail Broking
As India’s retail investing scene is growing, the brokerage industry is quietly undergoing a transformation of its own. It is anticipated that the next phase of growth won’t just be about cheaper trades or faster apps; it will be about smarter systems that understand investors’ behaviour, guide their decisions, and simplify their journey.
Stoxkart plans to deepen its focus on its core strengths- technology, transparency, and affordability, while enhancing advanced analytics and personalised portfolio tracking as well as diversifying its offerings as part of its upcoming product roadmap.
The growth story of Stoxkart reflects a broader shift in India’s retail investing landscape. As the market matures, the emphasis is clearly on tools and services that help individuals participate in the markets with greater confidence and control.
