Zerodha Review
EditZerodha Review
As a seasoned investor with a profound understanding of the financial landscape, I would like to express my personal perspective on Zerodha, a brokerage firm that has undeniably left a significant mark on India's trading and investment realm.
In my experience, Zerodha stands out notably for its unwavering commitment to transparency and cost-effectiveness. Upon establishing my Zerodha account, I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer simplicity of its fee structure. The absence of brokerage charges for equity delivery transactions and the modest fees for other transactions have made trading exceptionally budget-friendly for both neophyte investors and seasoned professionals. Notably, the Kite trading platform warrants special acclaim. It is not merely user-friendly; it constitutes a potent tool replete with real-time market data, advanced charting features, and customizable options that harmonize seamlessly with my trading methodology.
Furthermore, Zerodha's dedication to financial education, as exemplified by its "Varsity" initiative and vibrant community forum, adds substantial value to the overall trading experience. The firm's unwavering commitment to security, rigorous adherence to regulatory standards, and superior customer service have cemented my trust in the platform. Whether you are an aspiring trader or a seasoned investor, Zerodha delivers the requisite tools and support to effectively navigate the intricate world of finance, rendering it a paradigm shift in the Indian brokerage industry. It has consistently been my preferred choice for trading, and I wholeheartedly endorse it as a reliable and cost-efficient brokerage solution.
Pro’s and Cons
Pros of Zerodha |
Cons of Zerodha |
Transparent and low-cost brokerage |
Limited research and advisory services |
No brokerage fees for equity delivery |
No direct access to IPOs |
User-friendly trading platforms |
Margin funding limitations |
Comprehensive educational resources |
No physical branches for in-person assistance |
Security measures for data protection |
Charges for call & trade facility |
Access to various financial instruments |
Limited customer support on weekends |
Seamless integration with mutual funds |
Minor technical glitches on trading platforms |
Strong regulatory compliance |
Limited customer support channels (no chat) |
Margin trading and derivatives support |
|
Zerodha Ratings
Service |
Rating (out of 5 stars) |
Trading fees |
4.5 |
Customer support |
4.3 |
Trading platforms |
4.4 |
Educational resources |
4.2 |
Research reports |
4.1 |
Account opening process |
4 |
Examples of how brokerage can be saved by trading in Zerodha:
● Intraday: Let's say you trade 1000 shares of a stock at INR 100 per share. The brokerage charges at a traditional full-service broker would be around INR 200. However, if you trade the same number of shares on Zerodha, you would only pay INR 20. This is a saving of INR 180.
● Delivery: Let's say you buy 1000 shares of a stock at INR 100 per share. The brokerage charges at a traditional full-service broker would be around INR 200. However, if you buy the same number of shares on Zerodha, you would only pay INR 0. This is because Zerodha does not charge any brokerage for delivery trades.
● F&O: Let's say you trade 100 contracts of a futures contract at INR 1000 per contract. The brokerage charges at a traditional full-service broker would be around INR 500. However, if you trade the same number of contracts on Zerodha, you would only pay INR 20. This is a saving of INR 480.
The actual amount of brokerage saved will vary depending on the number of shares or contracts traded, the price of the security, and the type of brokerage plan you choose.
Here are some other ways to save brokerage on Zerodha:
● Use the Zerodha Coin platform to invest in direct mutual funds. There are no brokerage charges for investing in direct mutual funds on Zerodha Coin.
● Use the Zerodha Varsity platform to learn about trading and investing. There are no charges for using Zerodha Varsity.
● Trade in smaller quantities. The lower the number of shares or contracts you trade, the lower the brokerage charges will be.
● Use a brokerage plan that is right for you. Zerodha offers a variety of brokerage plans, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Brokerage in Zerodha
Segment |
Delivery |
Intraday |
Futures |
Options |
Equity |
Free |
INR 20 per executed order or 0.03% of the contract value, whichever is lower |
INR 20 per executed order or 0.03% of the contract value, whichever is lower |
INR 20 per executed order |
Currency |
Free |
INR 20 per executed order or 0.03% of the contract value, whichever is lower |
INR 20 per executed order or 0.03% of the contract value, whichever is lower |
INR 20 per executed order |
Commodity |
Free |
INR 20 per executed order or 0.03% of the contract value, whichever is lower |
INR 20 per executed order or 0.03% of the contract value, whichever is lower |
INR 20 per executed order |
Other charges
Charge Type |
Description |
Amount |
Securities/Commodities Transaction Tax (STT/CTT) |
Tax on exchanges. Charged on both buy and sell in equity delivery, only on sell in intraday or F&O. |
Varies (can be significant) |
Call & Trade |
Additional charge for orders placed through a dealer at Zerodha. |
₹50 per order |
Stamp Charges |
Government charges for transacting in instruments on exchanges. |
As per applicable rates |
NRI Brokerage Charges |
Varies depending on the type of account and transaction. |
₹100 per order for F&O, 0.5% or ₹100 for equity (non-PIS), 0.5% or ₹200 for equity (PIS), AMC ₹500 + GST |
GST (Goods and Services Tax) |
Tax on services rendered. Calculated on brokerage, SEBI charges, transaction charges. |
18% of (brokerage + SEBI charges + transaction charges) |
SEBI Charges |
Regulatory charges by SEBI. |
₹10 per crore + GST |
DP (Depository Participant) Charges |
Charges for scrip holding in a depository account. |
₹13.5 + GST per scrip |
Pledging Charges |
Charges for pledging securities. |
₹30 + GST per pledge request |
AMC (Account Maintenance Charges) |
Annual account maintenance charges. |
₹300/year + GST (charged quarterly) |
Off-Market Transfer Charges |
Charges for off-market transfers. |
₹25 or 0.03% of transfer value (whichever is higher) |
Physical CMR Request Charges |
Charges for physical CMR (Client Master Report) requests. |
First request free, subsequent requests: ₹20 + ₹100 (courier charge) + 18% GST |
Payment Gateway Charges |
Charges for payment gateway usage (not levied on UPI transfers). |
₹9 + GST |
Delayed Payment Charges |
Interest on debit balance. |
18% per annum or 0.05% per day |
Products of Zerodha
I have been using Zerodha's products for a few years now and I have been very impressed with them. They offer a wide range of products and services for traders and investors, all at very competitive prices.
Here are some of the products I have used and my thoughts on them:
● Kite: Kite is Zerodha's flagship trading platform. It is a web-based platform that is also available as a mobile app. I find Kite to be very user-friendly and easy to use. It offers a variety of features that I need as a trader, such as real-time market data, charting tools, and order execution.
● Console: Console is a more advanced trading platform that is designed for professional traders. I have not used Console myself, but I have heard good things about it from other traders. It offers a wider range of features than Kite, including algorithmic trading and backtesting.
● Coin: Coin is a platform for investing in direct mutual funds. I have used Coin and I find it to be a great way to invest in mutual funds. It offers low-cost investments and real-time portfolio tracking.
● Varsity: Varsity is a platform for learning about trading and investing. I have used Varsity and I find it to be a great resource for learning about trading and investing. It offers a variety of courses, articles, and videos that are designed for beginners and experienced traders alike.
Is Zerodha Safe
Zerodha is a regulated broker by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which means that it is subject to strict regulations to protect its customers.
Here are some of the things that make Zerodha safe:
● SEBI regulation: Zerodha is a regulated broker by the SEBI, which means that it is subject to strict regulations to protect its customers.
● Investor Protection Fund: Zerodha is a member of the Investor Protection Fund (IPF), which means that your investments are protected up to INR 5 lakh in case the broker defaults.
● Comprehensive risk management: Zerodha has a comprehensive risk management system in place to protect its customers. This includes features such as stop-loss orders and margin calls.
● Transparent fees: Zerodha's fees are transparent and competitive. There are no hidden charges or fees.
● Good customer support: Zerodha has a good customer support team that is available 24/7 to help you with any problems you may have.
I am confident that Zerodha is a safe and reliable broker. If you are looking for a broker to trade or invest in the stock market, I would recommend Zerodha.
Here are some additional thoughts on Zerodha's safety:
● Zerodha has never been involved in any major scandals or controversies.
● Zerodha has a good track record of customer satisfaction.
● Zerodha is constantly innovating and improving its security measures.
How to open account
I know that the process can be daunting at first. But don't worry, I'm here to walk you through it step-by-step.
Here's how to open a Zerodha account:
- Go to the Zerodha website and click on the "Open Account" button.
- Select the type of account you want to open. You can choose between a trading account and a demat account.
- Enter your personal details, such as your name, email address, and mobile number. You will also need to select your date of birth and PAN number.
- Upload a scanned copy of your PAN card and a recent passport-size photograph. You can also upload your signature.
- Pay the account opening fee of INR 200. You can pay using a credit card, debit card, or net banking.
- Once your account is opened, you will receive an email confirmation. You can then login to the Zerodha trading platform and start trading.
Here are some additional tips:
● Make sure you have all of the required documents ready before you start the application process.
● Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before you submit your application.
● If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Zerodha's customer support team.
Here are some additional thoughts based on my experience:
● The account opening process is relatively simple and straightforward.
● The customer support team is very helpful and responsive.
● The trading platform is easy to use and navigate.
● Zerodha offers a wide range of products and services at competitive prices.
Zerodha demat account review
Based on my experience, I can confidently say that their demat account is one of the best in India. It offers a number of features that make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced investors, including:
● Low brokerage: Zerodha charges a flat brokerage of INR 20 per executed order for intraday and futures contracts, or 0.03% of the contract value, whichever is lower. This is one of the lowest brokerage rates in India.
● No account opening charges: Zerodha does not charge any account opening charges.
● Free demat account: The demat account is free with the trading account.
● Easy to use trading platform: The Zerodha trading platform is easy to use and navigate, even for beginners.
● Wide range of products and services: Zerodha offers a wide range of products and services, including stocks, derivatives, mutual funds, and commodities.
● Excellent customer support: Zerodha has a good customer support team that is available 24/7 to help you with any problems you may have.
Here are some additional thoughts based on my experience:
● I have been very happy with the low brokerage rates offered by Zerodha. This has saved me a lot of money on my trading costs.
● The Zerodha trading platform is very easy to use and navigate. I have never had any problems using it.
● The customer support team at Zerodha is very helpful and responsive. I have always been able to get help with any problems I have had.
Conclusion
As a stock market student who has been following the Indian stock market for many years, I have seen many brokerages come and go. However, Zerodha has stood the test of time and is now one of the most popular brokerages in India.
There are many reasons for Zerodha's success. First, they offer very low brokerage rates. This is a major draw for both beginners and experienced investors. Second, they have a wide range of products and services, including stocks, derivatives, mutual funds, and commodities. This makes them a one-stop shop for all your investment needs. Third, they have a good customer support team that is available 24/7 to help you with any problems you may have.
I have personally used Zerodha for a few years now and I have been very happy with their services. They have always been reliable and their customer support team has been very helpful. If you are looking for a low-cost, reliable, and user-friendly brokerage, I would highly recommend Zerodha.