Zerodha Review
Zerodha Review
A practical look at Zerodha’s pricing, Kite trading platform, account fees and who the broker is best suited for.
What is Zerodha?
Zerodha is an Indian discount stockbroker offering access to stock market investing and trading through its digital platforms. Unlike a traditional full-service broker, its proposition centres on self-directed investing: customers make their own decisions using trading, portfolio and educational tools rather than receiving personalised buy or sell calls.
Key Zerodha platforms
- Kite: Web and mobile trading platform with charts, watchlists, market depth, alerts and order-management features.
- Console: Account dashboard for portfolio analytics, trade reports, statements and profit-and-loss information.
- Coin: Platform for investing in direct mutual funds without distributor commissions.
- Varsity: Educational lessons about investing, trading and financial markets.
Zerodha brokerage charges
The following is the published standard brokerage schedule for resident individual accounts. Charges are calculated per executed order, not simply per trading day.
| Trading segment | Brokerage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Equity delivery | ₹0 | No brokerage for buying and holding shares; other charges can still apply. |
| Equity intraday | 0.03% or ₹20, whichever is lower | Charged on each executed buy and sell order. |
| Equity futures | 0.03% or ₹20, whichever is lower | Per executed order. |
| Equity options | ₹20 flat | Per executed order, plus applicable levies. |
| Currency futures / commodity futures | 0.03% or ₹20, whichever is lower | Subject to availability and applicable segment rules. |
| Currency options / commodity options | ₹20 flat | Per executed order. |
| Direct mutual funds through Coin | ₹0 commission | Fund expenses and other applicable costs are separate. |
Example: How much does an intraday trade cost?
Suppose you place one intraday buy order worth ₹50,000 and one sell order worth ₹50,000. At 0.03%, the brokerage is ₹15 for the buy and ₹15 for the sell: ₹30 total brokerage. This example excludes STT, GST, exchange transaction charges, SEBI charges, stamp duty and any other applicable fees. If the order value were large enough for the percentage charge to exceed ₹20, the standard brokerage would be capped at ₹20 per executed order.
Special circumstances, including certain negative-balance or collateral cash-shortfall situations, can result in higher F&O brokerage. Consult Zerodha's official charges schedule before placing trades.
Account opening, demat AMC and additional charges
| Charge | Published amount / rule |
|---|---|
| Resident individual account opening | Free (online and offline) |
| First-year AMC for eligible new accounts | ₹0 for the primary demat account opened on or after 1 June |
| Regular non-BSDA individual demat AMC | ₹300 + 18% GST per year, generally collected as ₹75 + GST quarterly |
| Eligible BSDA holdings up to ₹4 lakh | ₹0 AMC |
| Eligible BSDA holdings above ₹4 lakh up to ₹10 lakh | ₹25 + GST per quarter |
| Share sale from demat account | DP charges apply; see the latest official charges page for the applicable amount |
| Taxes and exchange levies | STT/CTT, GST, exchange charges, SEBI charges and stamp duty, as applicable |
Important: The first-year AMC waiver is not a permanent waiver for all accounts. BSDA eligibility depends on applicable account and holding-value conditions. Non-BSDA accounts generally incur maintenance charges after the waiver period. Also, ₹0 delivery brokerage does not mean selling shares is entirely free: DP charges and statutory levies may still apply.
How good is the Zerodha Kite app?
Kite's appeal is its focused interface. Investors can search instruments, monitor watchlists, review charts, place orders and track positions from the web or mobile app. Features such as GTT orders, basket orders, alerts and advanced charting are useful for traders who prefer managing their own strategies.
However, a trading platform is only one part of broker selection. Active traders should also assess execution reliability during volatile markets, their internet connectivity, order types they need, and how easily they can reach support when something goes wrong. A feature-rich interface does not remove market risk.
Zerodha pros and cons
✓ Advantages
- Zero brokerage on standard equity delivery trades for resident individuals.
- Low, predictable brokerage ceiling on intraday and futures orders.
- Kite offers clean navigation, charting and useful trading tools.
- Console makes portfolio and tax-related reporting easier to access.
- Coin supports direct mutual fund investing without distributor commissions.
- Varsity provides substantial free learning material.
- Free account opening for resident individuals.
✕ Disadvantages
- Demat AMC may apply after the first-year waiver, depending on eligibility.
- DP charges can make frequent delivery share sales more expensive than the ₹0 brokerage headline suggests.
- No personalised stock tips or investment advisory service.
- Self-directed setup may not suit investors who want a dedicated adviser.
- Brokerage is only part of the cost; statutory charges still apply.
- Like any online trading platform, technical or connectivity problems can disrupt trading.
Who should consider Zerodha?
Long-term equity investors: A good fit if you mainly buy and hold stocks and want to avoid delivery brokerage. Check whether your demat account qualifies for reduced AMC.
Active intraday and derivatives traders: Worth considering for its per-order pricing, charting and order tools. Compare total trading costs, not just brokerage, especially if you trade frequently.
Mutual fund investors: Coin may appeal if you prefer direct plans and are comfortable managing investments independently.
People seeking personalised recommendations: A full-service advisory-led broker or a properly registered investment adviser may be more appropriate.
Final Verdict: Should You Choose Zerodha?
Zerodha combines a straightforward brokerage structure with capable investing tools. Its biggest strengths are ₹0 equity delivery brokerage, capped intraday/futures brokerage, the Kite interface and its wider ecosystem of reporting, mutual funds and education. The main trade-offs are ongoing demat fees for some accounts, DP charges on share sales, and the absence of personalised advice.
Our recommendation: Shortlist Zerodha if you value cost transparency and prefer making your own investment decisions. Before opening an account, compare the latest full charges schedule with your expected trading pattern and account eligibility.
Visit Zerodha's official website ↗
Frequently asked questions
Is Zerodha brokerage free?
Equity delivery brokerage is ₹0 for standard resident individual accounts. Intraday and derivatives trades have brokerage charges, and statutory and DP fees can still apply.
What is Zerodha's intraday brokerage?
0.03% of order value or ₹20 per executed order, whichever is lower, under its standard published schedule.
Is a Zerodha demat account free for life?
Not necessarily. Eligible resident individual accounts opened from 1 June receive a first-year AMC waiver on the primary demat account. Thereafter, AMC depends on account type and BSDA eligibility.
Can I apply for IPOs through Zerodha?
Yes. Zerodha supports IPO applications through its platform, subject to the relevant IPO and application requirements.
Does Zerodha provide stock tips?
No. Zerodha states that it does not offer stock tips or personalised investment advisory services.
Official sources and disclosure
- Zerodha: Official brokerage and charges
- Zerodha: AMC and BSDA charges
- Zerodha: Account opening fees
- Zerodha: Trading and investing products
Editorial disclosure: This is an independent informational review based on publicly available information, not a hands-on performance test or personalised financial advice. PulseBuzz is not Zerodha. Fees and product features may change; verify them on official sources. If an affiliate partnership is added later, disclose it clearly beside any affiliate link. Securities trading involves risk, including possible loss of capital.
Financial information is provided for educational purposes and is not investment advice. Verify market data and announcements with official sources.
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