Dhan and Shoonya are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. Dhan is listed as a Private Discount Broker , established in 2018 and headquartered in Mumbai, while Shoonya is listed as a Private Discount Broker , established in 2020 and headquartered in Punjab.
This comparison reviews brokerage, Demat charges, product availability, platforms, features, support, ratings, and complaints. Use the side-by-side tables below to see whether Dhan or Shoonya is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
Dhan is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2018 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Pravin Jadhav. The broker highlights access to equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures through mobile app access and web trading and promotes features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking. It follows a Standard Plan brokerage structure.
Shoonya is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2020 with headquarters in Punjab and founded by Sarvjeet Singh Virk and Tajinder Virk. It offers equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures using mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support and supports traders with features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and customised recommendations. Its brokerage model is structured as Standard.
Both brokers use technology-driven platforms to attract active traders and investors, but the better option depends on the combination of pricing, products, services, and support that matters most to you.
Dhan vs Shoonya — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Private | Private |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Mumbai | Punjab |
| Founder | Pravin Jadhav | Sarvjeet Singh Virk and Tajinder Virk |
| Establishment Year | 2018 | 2020 |
| Brokerage Plan | Standard Plan | Standard |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for Dhan and Shoonya.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Dhan charges Free while Shoonya charges Zero.
Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low) while Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low.
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low) while Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low.
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade while Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order.
Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low) while Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low.
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade while Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order.
Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low) while Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade while Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Standard Plan | Standard |
| Subscription Charges | Zero | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | Free | Zero |
| Equity Intraday | Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low) | 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low |
| Equity Future | Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low) | 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low |
| Equity Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order |
| Commodity Future | Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low) | 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low |
| Commodity Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order |
| Currency Future | Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low) | 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low |
| Currency Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order |
Dhan provides mobile app access and web trading for order placement, portfolio tracking, and market monitoring. Shoonya provides mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support for its users.
Android app: Dhan and Shoonya both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: Dhan and Shoonya both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: Dhan and Shoonya both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: Shoonya lists a desktop trading terminal, while Dhan does not currently mention it.
Algo trading: Shoonya lists algo trading support, while Dhan does not currently mention it.
Basket trading: Dhan and Shoonya both list basket trading.
Foreign stocks platform: Neither broker currently highlights foreign stocks access.
Mutual fund platform: Dhan and Shoonya both list a mutual fund investment platform.
Digital gold platform: Neither broker currently highlights digital gold investing.
Bonds platform: Neither broker currently highlights a bonds investment platform.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Dhan Android App Link | Download |
| iOS App | Dhan iOS App Link | Download |
| Web Trading Platform | Dhan Web Trading Link | Shoonya Trade |
| Trading Terminal | NA | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | NA | Available |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | NA | No |
| Basket Trading Platform | Available | Available |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Available | Available |
| Digital Gold Platform | NA | No |
| Bonds Platform | NA | No |
Dhan highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking, while Shoonya promotes watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and customised recommendations. The table below shows the full feature set for both brokers side by side.
Wishlist: Monitor specific stocks or assets by adding them to a watchlist for close tracking. Both Dhan and Shoonya offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both Dhan and Shoonya offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both Dhan and Shoonya offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both Dhan and Shoonya offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Shoonya offers this; Dhan does not currently highlight it.
Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. Shoonya offers this; Dhan does not currently highlight it.
Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. Shoonya offers this; Dhan does not currently highlight it.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both Dhan and Shoonya offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both Dhan and Shoonya offer this feature.
Multi profile management: Manage multiple trading profiles from a single account. Shoonya offers this; Dhan does not currently highlight it.
Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both Dhan and Shoonya offer this feature.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Wishlist | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Details | Yes | Yes |
| Online MF Buy | Yes | Yes |
| Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Global Indices | No | |
| Customised Recommendations | No | Yes |
| Stock Tips | No | Yes |
| Interactive Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Live Market | Yes | Yes |
| Multi Profile Management | No | Yes |
| Robust & Secure Platform | Yes | Yes |
Stockbrokers use promotional offers to attract and retain clients. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the offers currently listed by Dhan and Shoonya.
Free account opening: Dhan and Shoonya both list free account opening.
Free AMC: Dhan lists free Demat AMC, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Free brokerage: Dhan lists free brokerage, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Flat brokerage: Dhan lists flat brokerage pricing, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Flexible brokerage plans: Shoonya lists flexible brokerage plans, while Dhan does not currently mention it.
Happy trading hours: Neither broker currently highlights happy trading hours.
Free delivery trading: Dhan and Shoonya both list free delivery trading.
Free intraday trading: Neither broker currently highlights free intraday trading.
Free F&O trading: Neither broker currently highlights free F&O trading.
Free research reports: Shoonya lists free research reports, while Dhan does not currently mention it.
Free trading calls: Neither broker currently highlights free trading calls.
Zero brokerage for loss trades: Neither broker currently highlights zero brokerage for loss-making trades.
Referral offers: Dhan offers 20% of Revenue for referrals; Shoonya does not currently list a referral offer.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | Yes | Yes |
| Free AMC | Yes | |
| Free Brokerage | Yes, Limited | No |
| Flat Brokerage | Yes | No |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | No | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | No | |
| Free Delivery Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Free Intraday Trading | No | No |
| Free F&O Trading | No | No |
| Free Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Free Trading Calls | No | |
| Referral Offers | 20% of Revenue | |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | No | |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss-Making Trades | No |
Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. Dhan highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures, while Shoonya highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures.
The table below compares the full product lineup side by side across equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options, currency futures, currency options, mutual funds and foreign stocks.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Intraday | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Option | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Future | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity Option | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity Future | Yes | Yes |
| Currency Option | Yes | Yes |
| Currency Future | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign Stocks | No | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | No | No |
| Insurance | No | No |
| Corporate Bonds | No | No |
| Government Bonds | No | No |
| Digital Gold | No | No |
Demat services: Dhan and Shoonya both list Demat services.
Trading services: Dhan and Shoonya both list trading services.
Intraday services: Dhan and Shoonya both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: Dhan and Shoonya both list F&O services.
IPO services: Dhan and Shoonya both list IPO services.
3-in-1 account: Neither broker currently highlights 3-in-1 account support.
Stock research: Shoonya lists stock research, while Dhan does not currently mention it.
Stock recommendations: Shoonya lists stock recommendations, while Dhan does not currently mention it.
Trading education: Neither broker currently highlights trading education.
Share pledging: Shoonya lists share pledging, while Dhan does not currently mention it.
PMS or PCG: Neither broker currently highlights PMS or PCG support.
NRI services: Neither broker currently highlights NRI services.
Dhan provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading and IPO access, while Shoonya offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and stock research.
Dhan vs Shoonya — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Demat Services | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Services | Yes | Yes |
| Intraday Services | Yes | Yes |
| F&O Services | Yes | Yes |
| IPO Services | Yes | Yes |
| 3-in-1 Account | No | |
| Stock Research | No | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | No | Yes |
| Trading Education | No | |
| Share Pledging | No | Yes |
| PMS or PCG | No | |
| NRI Services | No |
Stock advisory helps investors choose appropriate stocks through research reports, tips, and market reviews. The table below shows which advisory products are available from Dhan and Shoonya.
Dhan and Shoonya — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Reports | No | Yes |
| Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Company Reports | No | Yes |
| Annual Reports | No | Yes |
| IPO Reports | No | Yes |
| Technical Reports | No | Yes |
| Stock Tips | Yes, chargeable | Yes |
| Daily Top Stock Picks | No | Yes |
| Daily Market Review | No | Yes |
| Monthly Review | No | |
| Weekly Review | No | |
| Relationship Manager | Yes, chargeable | |
| Robo Advisory | No |
Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from Dhan and Shoonya across different segments.
Dhan and Shoonya — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 1x | 1x |
| Equity Intraday | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) | 2x |
| Equity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x |
| Equity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 2x |
| Commodity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1.5x |
| Commodity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.5x |
| Currency F&O | 1x | 1.5x |
Dhan lists a sub-broker program, while Shoonya does not currently mention it. Dhan lists a partner program, while Shoonya does not currently mention it. Dhan lists a referral program, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | Yes, Limited | |
| Partner Program | Yes | |
| Referral Program | Yes |
Dhan provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. Shoonya provides support through trading desk support, call support, email support, website support and Facebook support. Shoonya operates Mumbai branches.
Dhan and Shoonya — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | Available, Chargeable | +91 9779 902 002 |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Chargeable | |
| Call Support | 022-48906273 | +91 1726 670 000 |
| Email Support | [email protected] | [email protected] |
| WhatsApp Support | NA | |
| Website Support | Website Link | https://shoonya.com/ |
| Facebook Support | Facebook Support Link | https://www.facebook.com/ShoonyaApp/ |
| Twitter / X Support | Twitter Support Link | https://twitter.com/shoonyaapp |
| Telegram Support | Telegram Support Link | https://t.me/Shoonya_App |
| Branches / Offices | NA | Mumbai |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Dhan carries an overall rating of 7.26 / 10, while Shoonya carries an overall rating of 4/5.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 7.26 / 10 | 4/5 |
| Customer Support | 7.23 / 10 | 4/5 |
| Technology | 7.35 / 10 | 4/5 |
| Charges | 7.29 / 10 | 4/5 |
| Products & Services | 7.22 / 10 | 4/5 |
| Experience | 7.20 / 10 | 4/5 |
SEBI, BSE, and NSE regularly publish broker complaint data as part of investor protection oversight. The table below shows the complaint records for both brokers.
Dhan & Shoonya — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 6 | |
| Total Complaints Resolved | 6 | |
| % of Resolved Complaints | 100.00% | |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | 0 | |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | 0.00% |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for Dhan and Shoonya.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.00325% (NSE) & 0.00375% (BSE) | 0.00297% |
| Equity Intraday | 0.00325% (NSE) & 0.00375% (BSE) | 0.00297% |
| Equity Future | 0.0019% (NSE & BSE) | Exchange txn charge: 0.00173% |
| Equity Option | 0.05% (on premium) | txn charge: 0.03503% (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.0021% (Non-Agri) / 0.006% (Agri) / 0.0005% (Special) | MCX: 0.0021% |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% (Non Agri) | MCX: 0.0418% |
| Currency Future | 0.0009% (NSE) & 0.00022% (BSE) | Exchange txn charge: 0.00035% |
| Currency Option | 0.035% (NSE) & 0.001% (BSE) | Exchange txn charge: 0.0311% |
Pledge creation charges apply when traders borrow against their held securities. Pledge invocation charges apply if the pledged shares are sold due to a shortfall. Margin trading interest is the rate charged on borrowed funds.
Dhan & Shoonya — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | Rs.12.5 per Request | Rs 20 + GST per ISIN |
| Pledge Invocation Charges | Rs.12.5 per Request | |
| Margin Trading Interest | 0.045% per day |
Beyond brokerage, several statutory and operational charges apply. These include SEBI turnover fees, DP charges, GST, account closure, reactivation, dematerialisation, and call & trade charges.
Dhan and Shoonya — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | Rs.10/ Crore (All Segment) | ₹10/crore |
| DP Charges | Rs.12.5 per Scrip on Sell | Rs 9 + Gst |
| GST | 18% on (Brokerage + SEBI + Transaction charges) | 18% on ( transaction charges) |
| Account Closure Charges | Nil | |
| Reactivation Charges | Nil | |
| Dematerialisation Charges | Rs.20 per Certificate | |
| Call & Trade Charges | Rs.20 per Trade | Zero |
Dhan lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Free. Shoonya lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Zero.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | Free | Free |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Free | Zero |
Securities Transaction Tax (STT) and Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT) are government levies — the same for all brokers in India. These are shown below for reference.
Dhan vs Shoonya — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% on buy & sell | 0.1% on buy & sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% on sell | 0.025% on the sell side |
| Equity Future | 0.0125% on sell | 0.02% on the sell side |
| Equity Option | 0.0625% on sell (on premium) | 0.1% on sell side |
| Commodity Future | 0.01% on sell (Non-Agri) | 0.01% on sell side |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% on sell | 0.05% (of Selling Value) |
| Currency Future | Nil | Zero |
| Currency Option | Nil | Zero |
Stamp duty is a government tax charged when the broker issues, sells, or transfers a security. It is collected at the end of each trading day.
Dhan and Shoonya — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | Dhan | Shoonya |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.015% on buy | 0.1% on buy & sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.003% on buy | 0.025% on the sell side |
| Equity Future | 0.002% on buy | 0.02% on the sell side |
| Equity Option | 0.003% on buy | 0.1% on sell side |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% on buy | 0.002% or ₹200 / crore on buy side |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% on buy | 0.003% or ₹300 / crore on buy side |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% on buy | 0.0001% or ₹10 / crore on buy side |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% on buy | 0.0001% or ₹10 / crore on buy side |