How Does a smallcase Subscription Work? Features, Fees & Management
This article explains smallcase subscription options – how smallcase subscription fee and billing cycles work, what access you get, and how to manage or cancel your subscription effectively.
A smallcase subscription lets you access expert-curated portfolios of stocks, ETFs or mutual funds, organised by specific themes or strategies. You can choose between free and fee-based smallcases, track your investments in real time, and manage everything directly via the smallcase platform or partner broker apps.
What are Fee-Based smallcases?
Fee‑based smallcases require a subscription, which is the Professional Fees charged by the smallcase manager for their Research Analysis or Investment Advisory services. This gives you access to the underlying portfolio details and manager‑delivered services like research updates, rebalance alerts, and insights while the subscription is active. The fee amount and billing cycle (monthly, quarterly, or annually) are set by each smallcase manager.
What’s Included as Part of a Fee-Based smallcase Subscription?
- Full access to the basket’s constituents (stocks/ETFs/mutual funds)
- Regular rebalance updates from the smallcase manager during the active subscription
- Premium research and analysis from the manager, if provided
- Option to customise your basket, invest via lump sum or SIP
- Alerts before subscription expiry
- Ability to track, renew, and cancel subscriptions anytime
Together, these features define the value of a fee-based subscription compared to free smallcases. Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand what each type offers at a glance:
| Feature | Free Smallcase | Fee-based Smallcase |
| Access to Basket | ✅ | ✅ (after payment) |
| Subscription Cost | ₹0 | ₹X/month or ₹Y/year (varies and set by the smallcase manager |
| Rebalance Guidance | ✅ | ✅ (while subscription is active) |
| Transaction Charges | Brokerage charges as per your broker’s standard delivery rates + statutory charges | Brokerage charges as per your broker’s standard delivery rates + statutory charges + subscription fee (if applicable) |
| Renewal Reminders | N/A | ~7 days before expiry |
| Cancel Anytime | N/A | ✅ |
*The manager charges subscription fees for their RA/IA services. Brokerage, taxes, and statutory charges on transactions are separate.
Where Can I Find a List of Fee-Based and Non-Fee-Based smallcases?
On the website, visit the smallcase Discover page and use the ‘Fee-based’ or ‘Free access’ filters to see available baskets. Each smallcase lists whether it requires a subscription fee charged by the manager or not.
On the app, Android or iOS, go to the Search section and click on “smallcases”. Then, select the “Fee-based” or “Free access” filters from the Subscription Type to view the desired smallcases. Each smallcase will display if a subscription fee is required or not.
What is the Subscription Charge of a smallcase and How is it Billed?
Subscription charges are the professional fees charged by the manager for their research analysis/investment advisory services and are billed upfront for the chosen period (monthly, quarterly, or annually). Charges are visible before you subscribe. Some managers use a flat fee, while others may use an AUM-based fee, as applicable. Reminders are sent ~7 days before expiry.
How Can I Track My Active and Inactive smallcase Subscriptions?
All your ongoing, upcoming, and expired subscriptions can be tracked on the smallcase app or partner platform under the ‘Subscriptions’ section. You see renewal dates, amounts, and details for each.
How Can I Renew My smallcase Subscription?
Go to your Subscriptions dashboard, select the smallcase to renew, and choose the desired plan. Renewal starts from the end date of your previous subscription.
How Can I Cancel a Fee-Based smallcase Subscription?
You can cancel anytime in the app under ‘Subscriptions.’ After cancellation, you retain access to manager‑delivered services and updates until the end of the billing cycle. Cancellation stops future auto-renewals; refunds are not provided for the unused period. For eMandate-linked subscriptions, an email request is required.
How Can I Partially Exit smallcase?
You can sell a part of your holdings in a smallcase anytime the markets are open. No transaction fee is charged for exits; only your broker’s statutory costs apply. Partial exits are independent of your subscription status; however, access to manager updates and research requires an active Professional Fee period
Subscription Scenario: Reinvesting in a smallcase that the User Has Exited From
If you have exited a smallcase (sold all holdings), your subscription (if active) continues unless manually cancelled. If you wish to invest again, you simply re-invest using the same smallcase, and your access to premium features will resume as long as the subscription is active or renewed.
Can I Re-Enter a smallcase That I Have Exited From?
Yes. If your subscription is still active, you can re-invest. If the subscription has expired, you need to renew it to regain access to the basket’s details and receive rebalance updates.
Frequently Asked Questions on smallcase Subscriptions
A smallcase is a ready-made portfolio of stocks, ETFs or mutual funds, curated by SEBI-registered professionals and aligned to investment themes.
Value depends on your goals and needs. Fee-based smallcases offer professional research, guidance, and ongoing updates, while free smallcases suit those who want to pick and track independently. You cannot access a paid smallcase for free, but you can explore free options listed under the ‘Discover’ tab on the platform.
Fee-based smallcases include upfront smallcase subscription charges, which vary by manager and plan. These fees are billed monthly, quarterly, or annually and do not include transaction fees that are charged separately.
You lose access to rebalance updates and premium research. You can continue to track old investments and invest more, but you won’t get new updates until you renew.
Yes. You can sell part or all of your smallcase whenever markets are open. No lock-in; standard broker charges apply.
Yes. You can continue to invest or add to the portfolio, but you won’t get rebalance alerts or premium features after your current subscription ends.
No. Cancelling a subscription stops future renewals but does not trigger a partial refund for the unused period.
To cancel a smallcase subscription, go to the Subscriptions dashboard in the app and turn off auto-renewal. There is no partial refund; you continue to receive benefits until the end of your billing cycle. e‑Mandate users must email support to cancel direct debit mandates.
smallcases are curated by SEBI‑registered experts and invest in listed stocks/ETFs. The platform ensures transparency with portfolio rationale and delivery‑only orders. Investments in securities/stock markets are subject to market risks. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and there is no guarantee or assurance of returns. Please evaluate the smallcase and consult your advisor if needed before investing.
Yes and no. smallcase is free to browse and build your own portfolios. However, some curated portfolios require a paid subscription to view and receive updates.
