The share market offers multiple ways to profit, and intraday and delivery trading are two of the most widely used approaches. Some traders like the idea of booking profits within hours, while others prioritise building wealth steadily over time. Today’s stock market apps have made both styles accessible to anyone with an interest in market participation.
Wondering which approach suits you best? The decision depends on factors such as time commitment, your trading skills, available capital, liquidity expectations, and risk tolerance.
Take a look at what each option offers so you can decide whether one, or a combination of both, works best for you.
What is intraday trading?
Intraday trading means buying and selling stocks within the same trading day. The goal is to profit from short-term price movements. Every trade is closed (squared off) before the market session ends. Since positions must be squared off before the market closes, traders rely heavily on technical analysis, real-time charts, and momentum indicators.
When using this mode on a share market app, you select “intraday” before placing an order. You can trade with a lower amount because many brokers offer Pay Later Margin Trading Facilities (MTF).
Key points:
- Lower capital requirement due to Pay Later (MTF)
- Possibility of quick profits
- Higher risk owing to volatility and leverage
- More frequent brokerage charges due to multiple trades
What is delivery trading?
Delivery trading refers to purchasing shares and holding them in a demat account beyond one trading day. You can keep these shares for weeks, months, or even years. It allows you to benefit from long-term price appreciation without the stress of daily market fluctuations. You actually own the shares, which means you could be eligible for dividends, bonuses, and voting rights.
Since there is no urgency to sell, delivery trading suits individuals having both short and long-term goals.
Key points:
- Lower short-term risk as you can wait out volatility
- Less time-bound decision-making
- Lower trading frequency and reduced stress compared to intraday
- Ideal for patient traders focused on long-term wealth-building
Intraday trades vs delivery trades | What should you choose?
Stock market apps provide the full toolkit for both intraday and delivery trading, from live charts and market alerts to margin calculators and in-depth stock research by experts. However, the method you choose should match your trading style, financial goals, and risk tolerance.
Choosing intraday trading makes sense when you:
- Have the time to monitor the market actively during trading hours
- Are comfortable making quick decisions in a fast-moving market
- Can interpret price charts, use market indicators, and recognise trading patterns
- Can handle higher risk in exchange for the possibility of quick returns
- Want to avoid overnight exposure to domestic and global events
Choosing delivery trading makes sense when you:
- Believe in building wealth slowly and steadily over weeks or months
- Want to see your holdings grow through company performance and market cycles
- Like the idea of earning dividends in addition to market gain
- Don’t want the stress of watching every market movement
- Rely more on long-term research than intraday speculation
You don’t have to limit yourself to one strategy. Many traders use intraday trading for short-term opportunities while also building a delivery portfolio for long-term wealth creation. You can begin with small amounts in both to figure out which balance works best for you, provided you clearly separate capital, strategies, and expectations for each type.
To sum up
Intraday and delivery trading both have unique advantages, and the right choice depends on your goals, risk appetite, and time commitment. To execute either effectively, you need to have a trading app that combines speed, research, practical tools, and guidance. MO Riise by Motilal Oswal is a platform you can confidently trust.
Backed by the legacy of a SEBI-registered public entity, MO Riise is trusted by more than 40 lakh traders. You benefit from high-quality expert-backed research, TradingView integration, daily stock recommendations, unlimited order placement, personalised tools, video tutorials, and informative FAQ sections. Moreover, with StoCoMo, an in-app community of traders, you can learn and grow together with fellow stock market participants.
Open a demat account online in 15 minutes on MO Riise today! Trade fast, smart, and confidently!
