Brokerage & Charges

Zerodha Review 2026 – Brokerage, Charges, Features & Pros and Cons

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Zerodha is an Indian discount stockbroker known for its Kite trading platform and transparent pricing. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Its trading segments include equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures and options, currency derivatives, commodity derivatives. It also offers IPO applications and mutual fund investments and SIPs.

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.

ChargeAmount
Account openingFree
Demat AMCFree 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.

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 ChargesFree
AMC ChargesFree 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 Balance0.05% per day / 18% p.a.
Intraday Auto Square-Off TimeCAS 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 SubscriptionKite Connect: ₹500/month (Personal plan free)
Off-Market Transfer₹25/transaction
BuybackRs 20 + GST per order
Take OverRs 20 + GST per order
Offer for Sale (OFS)Rs 20 + GST per order
View additional platform and service specifications
NRI AccountsYes
Non-Individual AccountsYes
Trading APIKite Connect
IPO ApplicationsYes
Mutual FundsDirect Mutual Funds
MTFYes
Stock PledgingYes
Web TradingYes
Mobile AppYes
Platform / AppKite

Important Information & Disclaimer

Compare Stock Brokerages is an independent information and education website. Broker charges, features and other details are based on available official sources and may change; please verify them directly with the broker. We do not provide personalized investment advice or guarantee outcomes. Trading and investing involve risk. Some account-opening links may earn us a referral commission.

Primary source: Zerodha official website

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Clear answers to common questions about Zerodha charges, services and account features.

Opening a resident individual or minor account with Zerodha is free. Eligible HUF accounts can also be opened online for free, while offline HUF accounts and NRI, partnership, LLP and corporate accounts have an account-opening fee of ₹500. Confirm the applicable account category and onboarding method on Zerodha's official charges page before applying.

For resident individual accounts opened on or after 1 June 2026, Zerodha states that AMC is free for the first year. After that, the amount depends on the account type and whether the demat account qualifies for the Basic Services Demat Account (BSDA) fee structure; non-BSDA resident individual accounts are listed at ₹300 per year plus 18% GST, charged quarterly. Check the current BSDA eligibility and holdings slabs on Zerodha's official charges page, as the applicable amount can differ.

Zerodha lists ₹0 brokerage for equity delivery trades on NSE and BSE for individual retail investors. Zero brokerage does not mean the trade is completely charge-free: statutory and exchange-related charges, such as STT, exchange transaction charges, GST where applicable and stamp duty, may still apply. The treatment can differ for non-individual account types, so check the applicable terms if you are not an individual retail investor.

For equity intraday orders placed through Zerodha Kite, brokerage is 0.03% of the traded value or ₹20 per executed order, whichever is lower. This is the brokerage component only. The total cost may also include STT, exchange transaction charges, SEBI charges, GST and stamp duty, depending on the trade and exchange. Use Zerodha's official brokerage calculator to estimate the total charges for your specific buy and sell orders.

For equity futures, Zerodha brokerage is 0.03% of the traded value or ₹20 per executed order, whichever is lower. For options, brokerage is ₹20 per executed order. These are brokerage charges, not the complete trading cost: applicable STT/CTT, exchange transaction charges, GST, SEBI charges and stamp duty may also apply. Exercised or physically settled contracts can have different applicable charges. Check Zerodha's current charges page and brokerage calculator before trading.

Zerodha's current charges page lists a depository participant (DP) charge of ₹15.34 per scrip when shares are sold from the demat account; this figure includes GST. DP charges are separate from brokerage and are generally applied to a sell-side demat debit, not calculated as a percentage of the share value. The official page notes a small CDSL-fee discount for a female first holder, so check the latest schedule for any applicable exception.

Yes, Zerodha offers a Margin Trading Facility (MTF) for eligible stocks and accounts. MTF lets an investor fund part of an eligible purchase through the broker, but the funded amount attracts interest and the trade may have additional brokerage and pledge-related charges. Zerodha's published schedule lists MTF interest at 0.04% per day and MTF brokerage at 0.3% or ₹20 per executed order, whichever is lower; verify the current eligible-stock list and terms before using it.

Yes, Zerodha supports pledging eligible securities to obtain collateral margin, subject to its rules and exchange requirements. Pledging is not the same as transferring ownership, but the securities are marked as collateral and cannot be freely sold until released as permitted. Zerodha lists a pledge charge of ₹30 plus GST per pledge request per ISIN on its charges page; confirm the current fee and applicable margin rules before pledging.

Yes, Zerodha offers the Kite Connect API for developers who want to build trading tools or integrate with market data and order workflows. API access has its own terms, usage limits and plan details, and it is separate from ordinary use of the Kite web or mobile platform. Check Zerodha's official Kite Connect documentation and pricing for the current plan and permitted use before building an integration.

Yes, Zerodha supports IPO applications. Investors must follow the application process and eligibility requirements, and payment is typically handled through the supported bank/UPI process for the application. An IPO application does not guarantee allotment; check the issue-specific dates, limits and instructions shown in Zerodha and the official offer documents.

Yes, Zerodha offers direct mutual fund investments through its investing services. Direct plans generally do not include distributor commissions, but mutual funds still have scheme-level expenses and investment risks. Review the scheme's official documents, expense ratio, risk level and investment objective before investing; availability and service features may depend on the platform.

Yes, Zerodha supports NRI accounts, but the onboarding process, permitted products and charges differ from resident individual accounts. The account-opening fee and brokerage/AMC structure may depend on whether the NRI account uses a PIS or non-PIS route and on the relevant service arrangement. Check Zerodha's current NRI documentation before applying rather than assuming resident-account charges apply.

Yes, Zerodha supports eligible HUF and certain non-individual account types, including partnership firms, LLPs and companies, subject to documentation and onboarding requirements. These accounts may have different account-opening fees, delivery brokerage and AMC from resident individual accounts. Confirm the exact entity category and current fee schedule with Zerodha before submitting documents.

Zerodha lists an additional ₹50 plus 18% GST per order placed through its dealer-assisted Call & Trade service. This charge is separate from the usual brokerage and applicable statutory charges. Check whether the order type or service used qualifies for this fee before placing a dealer-assisted order.

Zerodha's published charges list an additional ₹50 plus 18% GST per order for auto square-off, where applicable. Auto square-off can occur when an intraday position remains open beyond the broker's permitted time or under its risk rules; timing and eligibility may vary by segment. Do not rely on auto square-off as a risk-management strategy—monitor positions and confirm the latest segment-specific rules.

Zerodha lists delayed-payment charges of 0.05% per day, equivalent to 18% per annum, on a debit balance in the trading account. A debit balance can arise when amounts due are not covered by available funds, and it may continue to accrue until the balance is cleared. Review your ledger and add funds promptly; check Zerodha's current policy for how the charge applies to your account.

Zerodha lists regular fund withdrawals as free. Withdrawal timing can depend on settlement cycles, available withdrawable balance, bank processing and the broker's withdrawal schedule. Before initiating a withdrawal, check the withdrawable balance in your account and the current processing instructions in Zerodha.

The supplied broker data states that Zerodha offers instant withdrawals up to ₹2 lakh per day. Instant withdrawal availability can depend on eligibility, available withdrawable funds, service hours and the broker's current conditions. Because limits and conditions can change, verify the latest limit in Zerodha's official help documentation before relying on it.

Zerodha provides Kite for web trading and mobile trading on Android and iOS. Platform features, supported order types and access can vary by device or service, and API integrations are separate from the standard trading interface. Review the official platform documentation to confirm that the tools you need are available for your trading style.

Zerodha may suit active traders, long-term investors and users who value the Kite platform or want to explore API-based tools. Its suitability depends on the segments you trade, the services you need, your support preferences and your total costs—not brokerage alone. Compare AMC, DP charges, MTF interest, platform/API fees and other applicable charges with your expected usage before choosing a broker.

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Last verified: 16 September 2026
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