Sharekhan and Kotak Securities are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. Sharekhan is listed as a Private Discount Broker , established in 2000 and headquartered in Mumbai, while Kotak Securities is listed as a Private Discount Broker , established in 1994 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 Sharekhan or Kotak Securities is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
Sharekhan is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2000 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Mukesh meena Dayalpura. 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 customised recommendations. It follows a Freedom Pricing brokerage structure.
Kotak Securities is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 1994 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Jaideep Hansraj. It offers equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures using mobile app access, web trading and desktop terminal access 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 Trade Free 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.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Private | Private |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Mumbai | Mumbai |
| Founder | Mukesh meena Dayalpura | Jaideep Hansraj |
| Establishment Year | 2000 | 1994 |
| Brokerage Plan | Freedom Pricing | Trade Free Plan |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for Sharekhan and Kotak Securities.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Sharekhan charges 0.30% of Transaction Value or 1 paisa per share (whichever is higher) while Kotak Securities charges 0.25% or Rs.20 (whichever is higher).
Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Sharekhan charges 0.02% of Transaction Value or 1 paisa per share (whichever is higher) while Kotak Securities charges Free.
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Sharekhan charges 0.03% of Transaction Value while Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Sharekhan charges Rs.30 per Lot while Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Sharekhan charges 0.03% of Transaction Value while Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Sharekhan charges Rs.75 per Lot while Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Sharekhan charges 0.03% of Transaction Value while Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Sharekhan charges Rs.20 per Lot while Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Freedom Pricing | Trade Free Plan |
| Subscription Charges | Zero | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | 0.30% of Transaction Value or 1 paisa per share (whichever is higher) | 0.25% or Rs.20 (whichever is higher) |
| Equity Intraday | 0.02% of Transaction Value or 1 paisa per share (whichever is higher) | Free |
| Equity Future | 0.03% of Transaction Value | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Equity Option | Rs.30 per Lot | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Future | 0.03% of Transaction Value | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Option | Rs.75 per Lot | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Future | 0.03% of Transaction Value | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Option | Rs.20 per Lot | Rs.20 per Trade |
Sharekhan provides mobile app access, web trading and desktop terminal access for order placement, portfolio tracking, and market monitoring. Kotak Securities provides mobile app access, web trading and desktop terminal access for its users.
Android app: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list a desktop trading terminal.
Algo trading: Neither broker currently highlights algo trading support.
Basket trading: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list basket trading.
Foreign stocks platform: Neither broker currently highlights foreign stocks access.
Mutual fund platform: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities 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.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Sharekhan Android App Link | Kotak Securities Android App Link |
| iOS App | Sharekhan iOS App Link | Kotak Securities iOS App Link |
| Web Trading Platform | Sharekhan Web Trading Link | Kotak Securities Web Trading Link |
| Trading Terminal | Available | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | NA | NA |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | NA | NA |
| Basket Trading Platform | Available | Available |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Available | Available |
| Digital Gold Platform | NA | NA |
| Bonds Platform | NA | NA |
Sharekhan highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and customised recommendations, while Kotak Securities 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 Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. Kotak Securities offers this; Sharekhan does not currently highlight it.
Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Multi profile management: Manage multiple trading profiles from a single account. Sharekhan offers this; Kotak Securities does not currently highlight it.
Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both Sharekhan and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Wishlist | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Details | Yes | Yes |
| Online MF Buy | Yes | Yes |
| Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Global Indices | No | Yes |
| Customised Recommendations | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Live Market | Yes | Yes |
| Multi Profile Management | Yes | No |
| 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 Sharekhan and Kotak Securities.
Free account opening: Sharekhan lists free account opening, while Kotak Securities does not currently mention it.
Free AMC: Sharekhan lists free Demat AMC, while Kotak Securities does not currently mention it.
Free brokerage: Kotak Securities lists free brokerage, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.
Flat brokerage: Kotak Securities lists flat brokerage pricing, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.
Flexible brokerage plans: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities 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: Kotak Securities lists free intraday trading, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.
Free F&O trading: Neither broker currently highlights free F&O trading.
Free research reports: Kotak Securities lists free research reports, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.
Free trading calls: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list free trading calls.
Zero brokerage for loss trades: Neither broker currently highlights zero brokerage for loss-making trades.
Referral offers: Sharekhan offers Upto Rs.400 per Client while Kotak Securities offers 10% + Upto Rs.500 per Client for referrals.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | Yes | No |
| Free AMC | 1st Year Free | No |
| Free Brokerage | No | Yes, Limited |
| Flat Brokerage | No | Yes, Limited |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | No | No |
| Free Delivery Trading | No | No |
| Free Intraday Trading | No | Yes |
| Free F&O Trading | No | No |
| Free Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Free Trading Calls | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Offers | Upto Rs.400 per Client | 10% + Upto Rs.500 per Client |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | No | No |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss-Making Trades | No | No |
Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. Sharekhan highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures, while Kotak Securities 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, banking services, insurance, corporate bonds and government bonds.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | No | Yes |
| Insurance | No | Yes |
| Corporate Bonds | No | Yes |
| Government Bonds | No | Yes |
| Digital Gold | No | No |
Demat services: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list Demat services.
Trading services: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list trading services.
Intraday services: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list F&O services.
IPO services: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list IPO services.
3-in-1 account: Kotak Securities lists 3-in-1 account support, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.
Stock research: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list stock research.
Stock recommendations: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list stock recommendations.
Trading education: Sharekhan lists trading education, while Kotak Securities does not currently mention it.
Share pledging: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list share pledging.
PMS or PCG: Kotak Securities lists PMS or PCG support, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.
NRI services: Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list NRI services.
Sharekhan provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and stock research, while Kotak Securities offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Stock Research | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Education | Yes, Education First | No |
| Share Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| PMS or PCG | No | 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 Sharekhan and Kotak Securities.
Sharekhan and Kotak Securities — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Robo Advisory | Yes | No |
Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from Sharekhan and Kotak Securities across different segments.
Sharekhan and Kotak Securities — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list a sub-broker program. Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list a partner program. Sharekhan and Kotak Securities both list a referral program.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | Yes | Yes |
| Partner Program | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Program | Yes | Yes |
Sharekhan provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and WhatsApp support. Kotak Securities provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and WhatsApp support. Sharekhan operates - branches. Kotak Securities operates Available branches.
Sharekhan and Kotak Securities — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | Available, Free | Available, Chargeable |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Free | Available, Chargeable |
| Call Support | 9620206565 | 1800-209-9393 |
| Email Support | [email protected] | [email protected] |
| WhatsApp Support | - | 7738988888 |
| 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 |
| Branches / Offices | - | Available |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Sharekhan carries an overall rating of 9.06 / 10, while Kotak Securities carries an overall rating of 9.39 / 10.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.06 / 10 | 9.39 / 10 |
| Customer Support | 9.03 / 10 | 9.35 / 10 |
| Technology | 9.17 / 10 | 9.50 / 10 |
| Charges | 9.10 / 10 | 9.42 / 10 |
| Products & Services | 9.01 / 10 | 9.33 / 10 |
| Experience | 8.99 / 10 | 9.31 / 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.
Sharekhan & Kotak Securities — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 140 | 437 |
| Total Complaints Resolved | 122 | 366 |
| % of Resolved Complaints | 87.14% | 83.75% |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | 12 | 21 |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | 8.57% | 4.81% |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for Sharekhan and Kotak Securities.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE: 0.00297% | BSE: 0.00375% | NSE Rs 297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) (each side) |
| Equity Intraday | NSE: 0.00297% | BSE: 0.00375% | NSE Rs 297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) (sell side) |
| Equity Future | NSE: 0.00173% | NSE Rs 173 per Cr (0.00173%) | BSE Rs 0 |
| Equity Option | NSE: 0.03503% on Premium | NSE Rs 3503 per Cr (0.03503%) | BSE Rs 325 per Cr (0.00325%) (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.0021% (MCX) | - |
| Commodity Option | 0.0418% | - |
| Currency Future | NSE: 0.00035% | NSE Rs 35 per Cr (0.00035%) | BSE Rs 45 per Cr (0.00045%) |
| Currency Option | NSE: 0.0311% | NSE Rs 3110 per Cr (0.0311%) | BSE Rs 100 per Cr (0.001%) (on premium) |
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.
Sharekhan & Kotak Securities — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | - | - |
| Pledge Invocation Charges | - | - |
| Margin Trading Interest | - | - |
Beyond brokerage, several statutory and operational charges apply. These include SEBI turnover fees, DP charges, GST, account closure, reactivation, dematerialisation, and call & trade charges.
Sharekhan and Kotak Securities — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | ₹10/crore (w.e.f. 1st April, 2021) | 0.0001% (₹10/Crore) of the turnover |
| DP Charges | - | - |
| GST | 18% on (Brokerage + SEBI + Transaction charges) | 18% on (Brokerage + Transaction Charge + SEBI Fee) |
| Account Closure Charges | - | - |
| Reactivation Charges | - | - |
| Dematerialisation Charges | - | - |
| Call & Trade Charges | - | - |
Sharekhan lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Free (1st Year). Kotak Securities lists account opening charges of Rs.99 and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | Free | Rs.99 |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Free (1st Year) | Rs.300 per Year |
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.
Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% (both buy and sell sides) | 0.1% on both Buy and Sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% (sell-side on the avg. rate of buy and sell) | 0.025% on the Sell Side |
| Equity Future | 0.02% (sell side) | 0.01% on the Sell Side |
| Equity Option | 0.10% on the sell side (on premium) | 0.125% on the exercised trade (on premium) | 0.05% on the Sell Side (on Premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.01% (sell side, non-Agri) | 0.01% on Sell Side (Non-Agri) |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% (sell side) | 0.05% on Sell Side |
| Currency Future | NA | NA |
| Currency Option | NA | NA |
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.
Sharekhan and Kotak Securities — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.015% | 0.015% |
| Equity Intraday | 0.003% | 0.003% |
| Equity Future | 0.002% | 0.002% |
| Equity Option | 0.003% | 0.003% |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% | 0.002% |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% | 0.003% (MCX) |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% | 0.0001% |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% | 0.0001% |