What is Zerodha?
Zerodha is an Indian discount stockbroker known for its Kite trading platform and transparent pricing.
Best suited for: Active traders, investors, and API users.
Key highlights: Kite Trading Platform and Zero Brokerage on Equity Delivery.
Zerodha Brokerage and Important Charges
The table below focuses on the costs most traders and investors should check first. Brokerage is not the total cost of a trade: taxes, exchange fees and other applicable charges may be additional.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Account opening | Free |
| Demat AMC | Free for first year, then ₹75 + GST per quarter. |
| Equity delivery | ₹0 |
| Equity intraday | ₹20 or 0.03%, whichever lower per executed order |
| Equity futures | ₹20 or 0.03%, whichever lower per executed order |
| Equity options | ₹20/order |
| DP charges on delivery sell | ₹13 + GST / transaction (current public charge) |
| Call & trade | ₹50 + GST per order |
| Auto square-off | ₹50 + GST per order |
Rates are drawn from the central broker database. Confirm the latest applicable tariff, taxes and account-specific conditions with the broker.
Zerodha Demat AMC: Free for the first year. From the second year onward, ₹75 + GST per quarter for the applicable standard account category. Confirm whether any account-category exemptions apply to you.
Understanding these charges
Brokerage is the broker's fee for executing a trade. DP charges can apply when shares are sold from a demat account, even where delivery brokerage is zero. AMC is an account maintenance fee that can vary by account category. Traders should also consider auto square-off fees, applicable taxes and financing costs before estimating their total expense.
Zerodha Trading Platforms and Services
Kite: Trading on Web and Mobile
Kite is Zerodha's trading interface for placing and managing orders, monitoring positions and holdings, viewing market data and analysing charts. Its streamlined interface can be useful for investors who want to monitor a portfolio and for active traders who need access to order entry and charting tools. Available order types, market data and advanced features should be checked against the current platform offering.
Trading Directly from Charts
On Kite web and the mobile app, traders can use trade-from-chart functionality to place orders while analysing price movements. This reduces the need to switch between the chart and a separate order-entry screen. Traders should still check order details, position size and risk controls before submitting an order.
Kite Terminal: Customisable Web-Based Trading Workspace
Kite's web-based trading terminal provides a configurable workspace for monitoring markets, analysing charts, managing watchlists and placing orders. Users can tailor the workspace to their preferred workflow rather than relying on a single fixed layout. Available customisation options can differ between the web terminal and mobile app.
Console: Portfolio Monitoring and Reports
Console is Zerodha's back-office and portfolio-reporting platform. Investors can use it to review holdings and portfolio performance, examine trading and account reports, and access statements and tax-related reports. Kite is primarily the trading interface, while Console focuses on account records and portfolio analytics.
Coin: Direct Mutual Fund Investing
Coin is Zerodha's mutual fund investing platform. Investors can use it to access direct mutual fund plans and manage investments alongside their wider portfolio. Before investing, consider scheme risk, taxation and whether the demat-based holding arrangement suits your needs.
Varsity: Investor Education
Varsity provides educational material covering investing, trading, risk management and market concepts. It is particularly useful for people who want to understand financial markets before placing trades. Educational material is not a substitute for evaluating your own financial situation and risk tolerance.
How to Open a Zerodha Account
Eligible resident individuals can begin the Zerodha account-opening process online. Keep your identity and bank details ready, and complete the KYC steps requested during registration. Document requirements can vary depending on your account type and the trading segments you wish to activate.
Documents and details to keep ready
- PAN card: Your PAN details for identity and tax verification.
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number: Commonly needed for Aadhaar-based e-sign and online verification, where applicable.
- Mobile number and email address: To receive verification codes and account-related communications.
- Bank account proof: Bank account details and, if requested, a cancelled cheque, bank statement or passbook showing the required information.
- Signature and photograph: A signature image or live photograph may be requested during KYC.
- Income proof for derivatives: If you want to activate futures and options, additional financial documents such as a recent bank statement, salary slip, ITR acknowledgement or other accepted proof may be required.
Account-opening process
- Start your application: Use the account-opening button below to visit Zerodha's account-opening page.
- Verify contact details: Enter your mobile number and email address and complete the required OTP checks.
- Complete your profile and KYC: Provide PAN, personal details, address and any other requested information.
- Link your bank account: Enter your bank details and upload supporting proof if requested.
- Choose trading segments: Select the segments you need and provide any additional documents for activation.
- Complete verification and e-sign: Follow the applicable identity-verification and electronic-signature instructions, then submit your application for review.
Zerodha Pros and Cons
Zerodha combines low-cost equity delivery investing with tools for self-directed traders. Its strengths are most relevant to investors comfortable making their own decisions, while some services and account activities involve additional charges or separate platforms.
Advantages of Zerodha
Zero brokerage on equity delivery: Standard equity delivery trades carry no brokerage, which can benefit long-term investors building a portfolio. Taxes, transaction fees and applicable demat charges still apply.
Clear brokerage structure for active trading: Standard equity intraday and futures brokerage is generally 0.03% or ₹20 per executed order, whichever is lower. This makes the brokerage component easier to estimate before trading.
Free online account opening for eligible individuals: Resident individual investors can open an account online without an account-opening fee. Qualifying new primary accounts may also receive a first-year AMC waiver; account category and opening date affect eligibility.
Useful trading and investing platforms: Kite supports trading and charts, Console provides portfolio monitoring and reports, and Coin supports direct mutual fund investing. Each platform has a distinct purpose.
Chart-based trading and advanced orders: Kite offers trade-from-chart functionality on web and mobile. Available GTT and other order-management tools can help users plan trades, subject to their execution rules and restrictions.
No separate clearing charges: Zerodha operates as a self-clearing broker and does not levy a separate customer clearing fee.
Access to IPOs and direct mutual funds: Eligible investors can apply for IPOs and invest in direct mutual fund plans through Zerodha's services.
Investor education through Varsity: Zerodha Varsity offers structured educational material about investing, trading and risk management for users who want to learn independently.
Disadvantages
No personalised stock research or recommendations: Zerodha primarily serves self-directed investors. Users seeking ongoing stock tips, tailored advisory services or research recommendations may need another provider.
AMC may apply after the first year: For qualifying new resident individual primary accounts, the first-year AMC is waived. Thereafter, the standard non-BSDA individual account AMC is ₹75 plus GST per quarter. Eligible BSDA accounts may have lower or zero AMC depending on the applicable rules.
Additional fees for assisted orders and auto square-off: Call & Trade and applicable broker-initiated square-offs may attract ₹50 per executed order. Users should check when these charges apply rather than assuming every order costs only the standard brokerage.
Separate trading and reporting interfaces: Kite is used for live trading, while Console handles many statements, historical reports and account functions. Console data is updated after the trading end of the day.
Who Should Consider Zerodha?
Zerodha may be worth evaluating for self-directed investors who value straightforward brokerage pricing, direct mutual funds and access to educational resources. Active traders should compare execution tools, product availability, support and all-in trading costs with other brokers. The best choice depends on your trading frequency, investment products and service expectations.
Our Zerodha Review Verdict
Zerodha offers a combination of trading technology, an investing platform and educational content. Its pricing structure can appeal to cost-conscious users, but brokerage alone should not determine a broker choice. Compare the full tariff, account services and platform capabilities before deciding.
View additional service and account charges
| Account Opening Charges | Free |
|---|---|
| AMC Charges | Free for first year, then ₹75 + GST per quarter. |
| DP Charges | ₹13 + GST / transaction (current public charge) |
| Call & Trade Charges | ₹50 + GST per order |
| Auto Square-Off Charges | ₹50 + GST per order |
| Delayed Payment / Debit Balance | 0.05% per day / 18% p.a. |
| Intraday Auto Square-Off Time | CAS stocks: 3:12 PM Non-CAS stocks (Equity): 3:25 PM Equity & Index F&O contracts: 3:26 PM Commodities (MCX): 10 minutes before market close |
| Payment Gateway / Netbanking | ₹9 + GST (UPI transfers free) |
| Instant Withdrawal | ₹0 (Free) |
| Stock Pledging | ₹30 + GST per pledge request per ISIN |
| Stock Unpledging | ₹0 (Free) |
| API Subscription | Kite Connect: ₹500/month (Personal plan free) |
| Off-Market Transfer | ₹25/transaction |
| Buyback | Rs 20 + GST per order |
| Take Over | Rs 20 + GST per order |
| Offer for Sale (OFS) | Rs 20 + GST per order |
View additional platform and service specifications
| NRI Accounts | Yes |
|---|---|
| Non-Individual Accounts | Yes |
| Trading API | Kite Connect |
| IPO Applications | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Direct Mutual Funds |
| MTF | Yes |
| Stock Pledging | Yes |
| Web Trading | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes |
| Platform / App | Kite |
