Dhan vs Zerodha – Compare Charges, Trading Features, Offers & More

Overview — Dhan vs. Zerodha

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.

Zerodha is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2010 with headquarters in Bangalore, India and founded by Nithin Kamath. It offers equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures using mobile app access, web trading and algo trading support and supports traders with features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking. Its brokerage model is structured as Standard Plan.

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.

Brokerage charges comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for Dhan and Zerodha.

Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Dhan charges Free while Zerodha charges Free.

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 Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (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 Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is low).

Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade while Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade.

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 Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is Low).

Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade while Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade.

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 Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is Low).

Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade while Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Trading platforms comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

Dhan provides mobile app access and web trading for order placement, portfolio tracking, and market monitoring. Zerodha provides mobile app access, web trading and algo trading support for its users.

• Android app: Dhan and Zerodha both list an Android trading app.

• iOS app: Dhan and Zerodha both list an iOS trading app.

• Web trading platform: Dhan and Zerodha both list a web trading platform.

• Desktop trading terminal: Neither broker currently highlights a desktop trading terminal.

• Algo trading: Zerodha lists algo trading support, while Dhan does not currently mention it.

• Basket trading: Dhan and Zerodha both list basket trading.

• Foreign stocks platform: Neither broker currently highlights foreign stocks access.

• Mutual fund platform: Dhan and Zerodha both list a mutual fund investment platform.

• Digital gold platform: Neither broker currently highlights digital gold investing.

• Bonds platform: Zerodha lists a bonds investment platform, while Dhan does not currently mention it.

Dhan vs. Zerodha — Comparison of trading features

Dhan highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking, while Zerodha promotes watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking. 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 Zerodha offer this feature.

• Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both Dhan and Zerodha offer this feature.

• Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both Dhan and Zerodha offer this feature.

• Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both Dhan and Zerodha offer this feature.

• Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both Dhan and Zerodha offer this feature.

• Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both Dhan and Zerodha offer this feature.

• Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both Dhan and Zerodha offer this feature.

Dhan vs. Zerodha — Comparison of offers

Stockbrokers use promotional offers to attract and retain clients. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the offers currently listed by Dhan and Zerodha.

• Free account opening: Dhan lists free account opening, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

• Free AMC: Dhan lists free Demat AMC, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

• Free brokerage: Dhan and Zerodha both list free brokerage.

• Flat brokerage: Dhan and Zerodha both list flat brokerage pricing.

• Flexible brokerage plans: Neither broker currently highlights flexible brokerage plans.

• Happy trading hours: Neither broker currently highlights happy trading hours.

• Free delivery trading: Dhan and Zerodha 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: Neither broker currently highlights free research reports.

• 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 while Zerodha offers 10% + 300 Points per Client for referrals.

Offered products comparison — Zerodha vs. Dhan

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 Zerodha 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, corporate bonds, government bonds and bonds.

• Demat services: Dhan and Zerodha both list Demat services.

• Trading services: Dhan and Zerodha both list trading services.

• Intraday services: Dhan and Zerodha both list intraday trading services.

• F&O services: Dhan and Zerodha both list F&O services.

• IPO services: Dhan and Zerodha both list IPO services.

• 3-in-1 account: Neither broker currently highlights 3-in-1 account support.

• Stock research: Neither broker currently highlights stock research.

• Stock recommendations: Neither broker currently highlights stock recommendations.

• Trading education: Zerodha lists trading education, while Dhan does not currently mention it.

• Share pledging: Zerodha 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.

Offered services comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

Dhan provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading and IPO access, while Zerodha offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and trading education.

Stock advisory service comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

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 Zerodha.

Exposure comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from Dhan and Zerodha across different segments.

Comparison of programs — Dhan vs. Zerodha

Dhan and Zerodha both list a sub-broker program. Dhan and Zerodha both list a partner program. Dhan and Zerodha both list a referral program.

Customer support comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

Dhan provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. Zerodha provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support.

Ratings — Dhan vs. Zerodha

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 Zerodha carries an overall rating of 9.85 / 10.

Complaints — Dhan vs. Zerodha

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.

Transaction charges comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for Dhan and Zerodha.

Pledge charges comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

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.

Hidden charges comparison — Dhan vs. Zerodha

Beyond brokerage, several statutory and operational charges apply. These include SEBI turnover fees, DP charges, GST, account closure, reactivation, dematerialisation, and call & trade charges.

Compare Demat charges — Dhan vs Zerodha

Dhan lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Free. Zerodha lists account opening charges of Rs.200 – Rs.300 and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.

Dhan vs Zerodha — Compare STT & CTT

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.

Compare stamp duty — Dhan and Zerodha

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.

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