Zerodha vs Dhan vs Kotak Securities
A side-by-side comparison of charges, brokerage, segments and ratings across all three brokers — with a free calculator to see which is cheapest on a trade of your size.
Bottom line
Zerodha and Dhan offer free equity delivery, while Kotak Securities charges for it, and Kotak Securities is cheapest on F&O at ₹10 / order (flat). Dhan and Kotak Securities carry zero AMC. In short — choose Zerodha for long-term investors & serious traders who want a dependable platform. Dhan for active f&o and options traders who want speed and charting. Kotak Securities for active f&o traders and kotak bank customers wanting a bank-backed broker.
Charges are compiled from each broker's official published rate card and the prevailing NSE / SEBI statutory rates. Figures are indicative and reviewed periodically — always confirm current charges on the broker's own website before opening an account.
Est. 2010 · BengaluruIndia's largest broker by volume — free delivery, rock-solid Kite platform.
Est. 2021 · MumbaiBuilt for active options traders — speed, TradingView charts, free delivery.
Est. 1994 · MumbaiBank-backed broker with the Kotak Neo app — ₹10 flat F&O orders and free API trading.
Zerodha vs Dhan vs Kotak Securities — Charges & Features
| Parameter | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.9/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Account opening | ₹0 (free) | ₹0 (free) | ₹0 (free) |
| Maintenance (AMC) | ₹0 (1st year), then ₹300 / year | ₹0 (free) | ₹0 (Trade Free plan) |
| Equity delivery | ₹0 (free) | ₹0 (free) | 0.20% of trade value |
| Equity intraday | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) | ₹10 or 0.05% (lower) |
| Futures | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) | ₹20 / order (flat) | ₹10 / order (flat) |
| Options | ₹20 / order (flat) | ₹20 / order (flat) | ₹10 / order (flat) |
| DP charges | ₹13 + GST per scrip (sell) | ₹12.5 + GST per scrip (sell) | ₹15 + GST per scrip (sell) |
| Margin (intraday) | Up to 5× intraday (MIS) | Up to 5× intraday (MIS) | Up to 5× intraday (MIS) |
| Active clients | ~80 lakh | ~10 lakh | ~14 lakh |
| Founded | 2010 | 2021 | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru | Mumbai | Mumbai |
| Segments | Equity, F&O, Currency, Commodity, Mutual Funds, IPO | Equity, F&O, Currency, Commodity, Mutual Funds, IPO | Equity, F&O, Currency, Commodity, Mutual Funds, IPO |
| Platforms | Kite, Console, Coin | Dhan App, Dhan Web, TradingView | Kotak Neo App, Kotak Neo Web, Neo API |
Charges are indicative, compiled from each broker's published rate card (reviewed July 2026), and exclude statutory taxes. Verify current rates on the broker's website.
Brokerage Cost Calculator
- Brokerage
- ₹0.00
- STT
- ₹201.00
- Exchange txn
- ₹6.17
- GST
- ₹3.49
- SEBI
- ₹0.20
- Stamp duty
- ₹15.00
- DP charges
- ₹13.00
Lowest cost- Brokerage
- ₹0.00
- STT
- ₹201.00
- Exchange txn
- ₹6.17
- GST
- ₹3.40
- SEBI
- ₹0.20
- Stamp duty
- ₹15.00
- DP charges
- ₹12.50
- Brokerage
- ₹402.00
- STT
- ₹201.00
- Exchange txn
- ₹6.17
- GST
- ₹76.21
- SEBI
- ₹0.20
- Stamp duty
- ₹15.00
- DP charges
- ₹15.00
On this delivery trade, Dhan is cheapest — by ₹0.59 versus the next broker.
Estimate based on NSE statutory rates (STT, exchange, SEBI, stamp duty & 18% GST) plus each broker's published brokerage. DP charges apply on delivery sells. Actual contract-note charges may vary slightly.
Pros & Cons
- Free equity delivery investing
- Reliable, fast Kite web & mobile platform
- Largest broker — deep liquidity & trust
- Free education via Varsity
- AMC of ₹300/year from the second year
- Occasional load during peak volatility
- Support is largely ticket/email based
- Free equity delivery & zero AMC
- Purpose-built for fast options trading
- Native TradingView charts
- Free APIs & advanced order types
- Newer broker, smaller track record
- Smaller community & content base
- Premium tools behind some plans
- ₹10 flat F&O — half the usual ₹20
- Zero brokerage on API-based orders
- Backed by Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Seamless bank + broking integration
- Delivery charged at 0.20% after the first 30 days
- App heavier than a pure discount broker
- Cross-selling of bank products
FAQs
Zerodha vs Dhan vs Kotak Securities — FAQs
For information only — not investment advice or a recommendation of any broker. OptionX is broker-neutral. Charges are indicative; confirm current rates with the broker before opening an account.
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