Best Free Crypto Apps in India: What Is Really Free
Which crypto apps in India are free to use? We compare free sign-up, free INR deposits, zero-fee trading plans and the hidden costs that are never free.
Every crypto app in India is free to download, and none of them charges you to open an account. But "free" stops there for most people. Trading fees, 18% GST, withdrawal charges and inactivity fees all add up. This guide shows which parts of each app are genuinely free, which apps offer zero-fee trading, and where the costs hide, so you can pick the best free crypto app in India for the way you actually use it.
Key takeaways
- Downloading the app, opening an account and completing KYC cost nothing on every app we review.
- Mudrex and Delta Exchange offer free INR deposits and withdrawals; ZebPay deposits are free but INR withdrawals cost ₹15.
- WazirX ZERO removes per-trade fees for ₹99 a month plus GST, the closest thing to free trading for active users.
- The 1% TDS is not a fee; it is advance tax you can claim back against your tax bill.
What is free on Indian crypto apps
Account opening and KYC
Installing a registered app, verifying your PAN and Aadhaar and setting up two-factor authentication costs nothing. Be wary of any "platform" that asks for an activation fee or a deposit before KYC; that is a common sign of a scam.
Rupee deposits and withdrawals
Moving money in and out is where apps differ most:
- Mudrex: INR deposits and withdrawals are free.
- Delta Exchange: direct INR bank deposits and withdrawals are free.
- ZebPay: deposits are free, but each INR withdrawal costs ₹15.
- CoinDCX, CoinSwitch and WazirX: take UPI and bank transfers; check the in-app charges before withdrawing.
Watching prices and learning
You do not need an exchange account to follow the market. Our live crypto prices in INR, watchlist, portfolio tracker and crypto tax calculator are free to use, and the Learn section explains the basics before you spend a rupee.
Zero-fee and low-fee trading options
No Indian app gives completely free trading to everyone, but a few come close for particular users:
| App | What is free or near-free | What you still pay |
|---|---|---|
| WazirX | Zero per-trade fees on the ₹99/month ZERO plan; USDT markets were at 0% when we checked | ₹99 a month plus GST; network fees on crypto withdrawals |
| Delta Exchange | Spot buys free; INR deposits and withdrawals free | 0.1% on spot sells; futures 0.02% maker / 0.05% taker; GST |
| Mudrex | Free INR deposits and withdrawals | Spot 0.12% to 0.45%; 2% to withdraw crypto |
| ZebPay | Free INR deposits | 0.45% regular spot fee, ₹15 INR withdrawal, monthly inactivity fee |
| CoinDCX | SIPs from just ₹100 | Tiered spot fee up to about 0.5%, plus GST |
| CoinSwitch | SIPs from ₹100; built-in tax reports | Tiered spot fee up to about 0.4%, plus GST |
The WazirX plan pays for itself once you trade more than roughly ₹25,000 a month at its 0.40% base rate. Below that, a normal per-trade fee is cheaper. Before choosing WazirX, weigh its July 2024 hack, after which users recovered about 85% of balances under a court-approved scheme.
The costs that are never free
- GST at 18% is added to trading fees at Indian exchanges, so a 0.45% fee really costs about 0.53%.
- The spread. "Instant buy" buttons often price in a margin above the order-book rate. ZebPay's QuickTrade starts at 0.5%. Limit orders on the order book usually cost less.
- Crypto withdrawal fees. Every exchange charges a network fee to send coins out, and Mudrex charges 2% of the amount.
- Inactivity fees. ZebPay lists a monthly inactivity fee of 0.0001 BTC, which matters for small accounts you forget about.
- "Free" P2P deposits. Offshore exchanges such as Binance fund INR through peer-to-peer trades. There may be no deposit fee, but the price includes the other trader's spread, and tainted counterparty money can get your bank account frozen. See P2P crypto trading risks in India.
TDS is not a fee
When you sell crypto on a registered Indian app, 1% TDS is deducted and reported against your PAN. It shows in your Form 26AS and you adjust it against your tax when you file, or claim it as a refund. Read what is 1% TDS on crypto and how to claim a crypto TDS refund. Separately, profits are taxed at a flat 30% plus cess.
Beware of "free crypto" offers
Free coins for signing up, doubling schemes and "free trading signals" are how many Indians lose money. Legitimate exchanges sometimes run small referral rewards, but anyone promising guaranteed returns, or asking you to deposit to unlock a free bonus, is running a scam. Our guide on avoiding crypto scams in India lists the common tricks.
Which free crypto app should you pick?
- Small monthly investor: CoinSwitch or CoinDCX. Account and SIP set-up are free and you can start from ₹100.
- Want free rupee withdrawals: Mudrex or Delta Exchange.
- Active trader: WazirX ZERO, if your monthly volume is above roughly ₹25,000.
- Just watching the market: use free price trackers and do not deposit until you are ready.
For a full cost breakdown with worked examples, read the best low fee crypto app in India, or compare every app on our best crypto apps in India hub.
Frequently asked questions
Which crypto app is free in India?
All registered crypto apps are free to download and open an account. Mudrex and Delta Exchange also offer free INR deposits and withdrawals, but every app charges some fee to trade.
Is there zero-fee crypto trading in India?
WazirX ZERO removes per-trade fees for ₹99 a month plus GST. Delta Exchange spot buys are free, though sells cost 0.1%. Network fees still apply when you withdraw crypto.
Is it free to deposit money into a crypto app with UPI?
On most registered Indian apps, UPI deposits are free. Check each app's fee page, because withdrawal charges differ, for example ₹15 per INR withdrawal on ZebPay.
Are free crypto giveaways real?
Almost never. Offers of free or doubled crypto, especially on social media or Telegram, are usually scams. Registered exchanges never ask you to deposit money to unlock free coins.
This article is AI-assisted, educational and general in nature. It is not financial advice and never a guarantee of profit. Every trade is at your own risk on your own exchange. See our risk disclosure and editorial policy.
