Motilal Oswal is a popular full-service financial company in India. They provide trading (stocks, F\&O), mutual funds, portfolio management services (PMS), research reports, and advisory services. If you need a trading platform along with expert research and advice, Motilal Oswal is designed as a one-stop solution.
This article will help you understand what it provides, its price, its strengths and weaknesses, and how you can implement it.
Motilal Oswal: Features, Pros & Cons, Charges, How to use Motilal Oswal?

Features of Motilal Oswal
Motilal Oswal has various features that benefit investors and traders. First, it is a full-service broker, meaning it not only allows you to place trades but also offers research reports, stock picks, mutual fund products, IPO access, and wealth management services. The firm points to strong research and a large group of advisors that can serve those who like guided investing. For online users, Motilal Oswal provides mobile apps (such as MO Trader) and web portals on which you can build watchlists, submit orders, construct stock SIPs (one-click monthly investments), and monitor your portfolio.
It also facilitates opening a demat and trading account online via Aadhaar e-signature, thus making signing up less complicated. The above features are designed to appeal to both new entrants who need assistance and seasoned investors who demand research facilities.
Pros & Cons of Motilal Oswal
Every platform has good and not-so-good points.
Pros: Motilal Oswal is reliable and established in the market (long years and a large client base), so it provides rigorous research, plenty of product offerings (stocks, mutual funds, PMS), and a large branch network if you require assistance in person. The research and advisory support can come in particularly handy for new investors who want ideas and explanations.
Cons: It is a full-service broker, so its regular brokerage rates are higher than many discount brokers. If very low-cost trading is your main goal- say, heavy day-trading with tiny margins, Motilal Oswal will cost more than discount platforms. Certain user reviews also touch on areas for enhancement, like app experience and customer support speed in comparison to newer discount brokers. So, select it if you appreciate research and counsel; select a low-cost broker if price tops the list.
Charges (fees) on Motilal Oswal
Charges matter. Motilal Oswal charges its typical pattern of brokerage: equity delivery (buy & hold) is usually a percentage (say 0.20% of the trade size), intraday/futures usually a smaller percent (say 0.02%), and options are typically charged as a fixed per-lot amount (say ₹20 per lot). Apart from brokerage, you will also have to pay regular exchange and government charges — such as STT, transaction fees, GST, and stamp duty — applicable across all brokers.
Account opening is often free or has zero initial charges for many online offers, and Motilal Oswal also advertises free first-year AMC offers sometimes, but AMC (annual maintenance) and other DP charges can apply in certain plans, so always check the current fee page before opening your account. These numerical examples are taken from Motilal Oswal’s fee explanations and secondary broker comparison websites — always check on the official page at registration.
Tip: Brokerage plans and promotional waivers change over time. Check Motilal Oswal’s official charges page when you sign up.
How to use Motilal Oswal (step-by-step)
Using Motilal Oswal is simple.
Step 1 — Open account: Go to the Motilal Oswal website or mobile app and start “Open a Demat & Trading Account.” You normally require your mobile number, PAN card, Aadhaar, and bank account. The process is largely online: check with OTP, upload PAN/Aadhaar, and e-sign with Aadhaar or use physical KYC if required.
Step 2 — Login & add money: Once verified, you will receive login credentials. Log in through the app (MO Trader) or web portal. Fund your trading wallet through UPI, net banking, or NEFT.
Step 3 — Place orders: Build a watchlist, filter for stocks or funds, select quantity and order type (market, limit), and enter buy/sell orders.
Step 4 — Use research & tools: Review Motilal Oswal’s research reports, analyst notes, and tools for ideas. You can even set reminders, set stop-loss, or initiate stock SIPs for periodic investments. At each step, there is a step-by-step guide on the website and on learning pages in case you need visual assistance.
Motilal Oswal: Quick Comparison Table
Broker | Equity Delivery (typical) | Intraday/Futures (typical) | Account Opening / AMC (typical) |
---|---|---|---|
Motilal Oswal | ~0.20% per trade (delivery). | ~0.02% for intraday/futures; options: ₹20/lot. | Often ₹0 for online opening; AMC offers vary — check current offers. |
Zerodha | Zero brokerage on delivery (no charge). | Flat ₹20 per order or lower of percent (for intraday & F&O). | Online account opening often free / AMC around ₹300 (check site). |
Upstox | Flat ₹20 per order (or lower of percent) for delivery. | ₹20 per order or % (whichever lower) for intraday/futures. | Account opening often free or promotional; check current terms. |
Note: These numbers are typical examples from provider pages and broker comparison sites. Fees and plans change often — always confirm on the broker’s official pricing page before acting.
Conclusion
Motilal Oswal is a good full-service broker for those needing research, guidance, and a broad selection of financial products (equity, mutual funds, PMS, IPO). Best suited for investors who want expert reports and direct support. But if the maximum requirement is minimum cost of trading (for heavy intraday trading or extremely tight margin strategies), a discount broker like Upstox or Zerodha might be more economical.
The appropriate decision would be based on whether you want advice and services (Motilal Oswal) or extremely low brokerage (discount brokers). Always look at the current charges on the official website before registering for an account.
FAQ on Motilal Oswal
Is Motilal Oswal good for beginners?
Yes. Motilal Oswal provides research reports and advisory services that help beginners learn and make decisions. The app and website also guide new users through steps like funding and placing trades. If you prefer human advice and structured reports, this broker suits beginners.
How much does Motilal Oswal charge for equity delivery?
Typical examples show around 0.20% on equity delivery trades, but the exact number can vary by plan or offer. Check the official charges page for the most current info.
Can I open an account online?
Yes. Motilal Oswal supports mostly online account opening — you can upload PAN/Aadhaar, verify by OTP, and e-sign in many cases. The digital flow is quick for most users.
How do I use the Motilal Oswal app to buy a stock?
Download MO Trader, log in, add funds to your wallet, create a watchlist, search the stock, choose quantity and order type (market/limit), and place the order. You can monitor trades and set alerts from the app.
Should I pick Motilal Oswal or a discount broker?
If you value research, advisory, and a broad product set, Motilal Oswal is a good pick. If low cost per trade is your first priority (for frequent trading), discount brokers like Zerodha or Upstox are usually cheaper. Compare real fees and the services you need before deciding.