HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. HDFC Securities is listed as a Private Discount Broker , established in 2000 and headquartered in Mumbai, while Motilal Oswal is listed as a Public Full Service , established in 1987 and headquartered in Mumbai.
This comparison reviews brokerage, Demat charges, product availability, platforms, features, support, ratings, and complaints. Use the side-by-side tables below to see whether HDFC Securities or Motilal Oswal is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
HDFC Securities is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2000 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Dhiraj Relli. The broker highlights access to equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures through mobile app access, web trading and desktop terminal access and promotes features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices tracking. It follows a Starter Pack – Lite 199 brokerage structure.
Motilal Oswal is listed as a Public Full Service established in 1987 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Motilal Oswal, Raamdeo Agrawal. 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 global indices 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.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Private | Public |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Full Service |
| Headquarters | Mumbai | Mumbai |
| Founder | Dhiraj Relli | Motilal Oswal, Raamdeo Agrawal |
| Establishment Year | 2000 | 1987 |
| Brokerage Plan | Starter Pack – Lite 199 | Standard Plan |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. HDFC Securities charges 0.32% of Transaction Value while Motilal Oswal charges 0.20% of Transaction Value.
Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. HDFC Securities charges 0.032% of Transaction Value while Motilal Oswal charges 0.02% of Transaction Value.
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. HDFC Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade while Motilal Oswal charges 0.02% of Transaction Value.
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. HDFC Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade while Motilal Oswal charges Rs.20 per Lot.
Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. HDFC Securities charges 0.025% of Transaction Value while Motilal Oswal charges 0.02% of Transaction Value.
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. HDFC Securities charges Rs.20 per Lot while Motilal Oswal charges Rs.20 per Lot.
Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. HDFC Securities charges 0.025% of Transaction Value while Motilal Oswal charges 0.02% of Transaction Value.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. HDFC Securities charges Rs.25 per Lot while Motilal Oswal charges Rs.20 per Lot.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Starter Pack – Lite 199 | Standard Plan |
| Subscription Charges | Zero | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | 0.32% of Transaction Value | 0.20% of Transaction Value |
| Equity Intraday | 0.032% of Transaction Value | 0.02% of Transaction Value |
| Equity Future | Rs.20 per Trade | 0.02% of Transaction Value |
| Equity Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Rs.20 per Lot |
| Commodity Future | 0.025% of Transaction Value | 0.02% of Transaction Value |
| Commodity Option | Rs.20 per Lot | Rs.20 per Lot |
| Currency Future | 0.025% of Transaction Value | 0.02% of Transaction Value |
| Currency Option | Rs.25 per Lot | Rs.20 per Lot |
HDFC Securities provides mobile app access, web trading and desktop terminal access for order placement, portfolio tracking, and market monitoring. Motilal Oswal provides mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support for its users.
Android app: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list a desktop trading terminal.
Algo trading: Motilal Oswal lists algo trading support, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Basket trading: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list basket trading.
Foreign stocks platform: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list foreign stocks access.
Mutual fund platform: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list a mutual fund investment platform.
Digital gold platform: Motilal Oswal lists digital gold investing, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Bonds platform: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list a bonds investment platform.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | HDFC Securities Android App Link | Motilal Oswal Android App Link |
| iOS App | HDFC Securities iOS App Link | Motilal Oswal iOS App Link |
| Web Trading Platform | HDFC Securities Web Trading Link | Motilal Oswal Web Trading Link |
| Trading Terminal | Available | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | NA | Available |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | Available | Available |
| Basket Trading Platform | Available | Available |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Available | Available |
| Digital Gold Platform | NA | Available |
| Bonds Platform | Available | Available |
HDFC Securities highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices tracking, while Motilal Oswal promotes watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices 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 HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. Both HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. Motilal Oswal offers this; HDFC Securities does not currently highlight it.
Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. Motilal Oswal offers this; HDFC Securities does not currently highlight it.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
Multi profile management: Manage multiple trading profiles from a single account. Motilal Oswal offers this; HDFC Securities does not currently highlight it.
Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal offer this feature.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Wishlist | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Details | Yes | Yes |
| Online MF Buy | Yes | Yes |
| Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Global Indices | Yes | Yes |
| 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 HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal.
Free account opening: Motilal Oswal lists free account opening, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Free AMC: Motilal Oswal lists free Demat AMC, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Free brokerage: Neither broker currently highlights free brokerage.
Flat brokerage: HDFC Securities lists flat brokerage pricing, while Motilal Oswal does not currently mention it.
Flexible brokerage plans: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list flexible brokerage plans.
Happy trading hours: Neither broker currently highlights happy trading hours.
Free delivery trading: Neither broker currently highlights 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: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list free research reports.
Free trading calls: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list free trading calls.
Zero brokerage for loss trades: Neither broker currently highlights zero brokerage for loss-making trades.
Referral offers: HDFC Securities offers Rs.200 per Client while Motilal Oswal offers Upto Rs.500 per Client for referrals.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | No | Yes |
| Free AMC | No | 1st Year Free |
| Free Brokerage | No | No |
| Flat Brokerage | Yes, Limited | No |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | No | No |
| Free Delivery Trading | No | No |
| Free Intraday Trading | No | No |
| Free F&O Trading | No | No |
| Free Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trading Calls | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Offers | Rs.200 per Client | Upto Rs.500 per Client |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | No | Yes |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss-Making Trades | No | No |
Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. HDFC Securities highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures, while Motilal Oswal 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, foreign stocks, mutual funds, banking services, insurance, corporate bonds, government bonds, bonds and digital gold.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Yes | No |
| Insurance | Yes | No |
| Corporate Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Government Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Gold | No | Yes |
Demat services: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list Demat services.
Trading services: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list trading services.
Intraday services: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list F&O services.
IPO services: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list IPO services.
3-in-1 account: HDFC Securities lists 3-in-1 account support, while Motilal Oswal does not currently mention it.
Stock research: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list stock research.
Stock recommendations: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list stock recommendations.
Trading education: Neither broker currently highlights trading education.
Share pledging: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list share pledging.
PMS or PCG: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list PMS or PCG support.
NRI services: HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list NRI services.
HDFC Securities provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support, while Motilal Oswal offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and stock research.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Stock Research | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Education | No | No |
| Share Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| PMS or PCG | Yes | Yes |
| NRI Services | Yes | Yes |
Stock advisory helps investors choose appropriate stocks through research reports, tips, and market reviews. The table below shows which advisory products are available from HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal.
HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Company Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Annual Reports | Yes | Yes |
| IPO Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Technical Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Top Stock Picks | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Market Review | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Review | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Review | Yes | Yes |
| Relationship Manager | No | Yes |
| Robo Advisory | No | No |
Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal across different segments.
HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 1x | 1x |
| Equity Intraday | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) |
| Equity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x |
| Equity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.3x |
| Commodity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x |
| Commodity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.3x |
| Currency F&O | 1x | 1x |
HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list a sub-broker program. HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list a partner program. HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal both list a referral program.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | Yes, Limited | Yes |
| Partner Program | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Program | Yes | Yes |
HDFC Securities provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, website support and Facebook support. Motilal Oswal provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and WhatsApp support. HDFC Securities operates Available branches. Motilal Oswal operates Available branches.
HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | Available, Free | Available, Free |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Free | Available, Free |
| Call Support | 022-39019400 | 022-40548000, 022-67490600 |
| Email Support | NA | [email protected] |
| WhatsApp Support | NA | 8657075050 |
| Website Support | Website Link | Website Link |
| Facebook Support | Facebook Support Link | Facebook Support Link |
| Twitter / X Support | Twitter Support Link | Twitter Support Link |
| Telegram Support | Telegram Support Link | Telegram Support Link |
| Branches / Offices | Available | Available |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. HDFC Securities carries an overall rating of 9.50 / 10, while Motilal Oswal carries an overall rating of 9.17 / 10.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.50 / 10 | 9.17 / 10 |
| Customer Support | 9.46 / 10 | 9.13 / 10 |
| Technology | 9.61 / 10 | 9.28 / 10 |
| Charges | 9.53 / 10 | 9.21 / 10 |
| Products & Services | 9.44 / 10 | 9.12 / 10 |
| Experience | 9.42 / 10 | 9.10 / 10 |
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.
HDFC Securities & Motilal Oswal — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 129 | 348 |
| Total Complaints Resolved | 104 | 298 |
| % of Resolved Complaints | 80.62% | 85.63% |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | 8 | 6 |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | 6.20% | 1.72% |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE Rs 297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) (each side) | 0.00340% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Intraday | NSE Rs 297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) (sell side) | 0.00340% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Future | NSE Rs 173 per Cr (0.00173%) | BSE Rs 0 | 0.002% (NSE & BSE) |
| Equity Option | NSE Rs 3503 per Cr (0.03503%) | BSE Rs 325 per Cr (0.00325%) (on premium) | 0.053% (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.0021% (Non-Agri) / 0.006% (Agri) / 0.0005% (Special) | |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% (Non Agri) | |
| Currency Future | NSE Rs 35 per Cr (0.00035%) | BSE Rs 45 per Cr (0.00045%) | 0.0009% (NSE) & 0.00022% (BSE) |
| Currency Option | NSE Rs 3110 per Cr (0.0311%) | BSE Rs 100 per Cr (0.001%) (on premium) | 0.035% (NSE) & 0.001% (BSE) |
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.
HDFC Securities & Motilal Oswal — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | Rs.35 per Request or 0.02% of Value (whichever is higher) | |
| Pledge Invocation Charges | Rs.35 per Request or 0.02% of Value (whichever is higher) | |
| Margin Trading Interest | 0.05% 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.
HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | 0.0001% (₹10/Crore) of the turnover | Rs.10/ Crore (All Segment) |
| DP Charges | Rs.25 per Scrip only on Sell | |
| GST | 18% on (Brokerage + Transaction Charge + SEBI Fee) | 18% on (Brokerage + SEBI + Transaction charges) |
| Account Closure Charges | Rs.100 | |
| Reactivation Charges | Rs.50 | |
| Dematerialisation Charges | Rs.50 per Certificate | |
| Call & Trade Charges | Free |
HDFC Securities lists account opening charges of Rs.199 and Demat AMC of Rs.750 per Year. Motilal Oswal lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year (1st Year Free).
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | Rs.199 | Free |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Rs.750 per Year | Rs.300 per Year (1st Year Free) |
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.
HDFC Securities vs Motilal Oswal — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% of total transaction value | 0.1% on buy & sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% of turnover | 0.025% on sell |
| Equity Future | 0.01% of turnover | 0.0125% on sell |
| Equity Option | 0.05% | 0.0625% on sell (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.01% | 0.01% on sell (Non-Agri) |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% | 0.05% on sell |
| Currency Future | - | Nil |
| Currency Option | - | Nil |
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.
HDFC Securities and Motilal Oswal — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | HDFC Securities | Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.015% | 0.015% on buy |
| Equity Intraday | 0.003% | 0.003% on buy |
| Equity Future | 0.002% | 0.002% on buy |
| Equity Option | 0.003% | 0.003% on buy |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% | 0.002% on buy |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% (MCX) | 0.003% on buy |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% | 0.0001% on buy |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% | 0.0001% on buy |