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

Overview — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

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.

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 — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

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

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 Zerodha charges Free.

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

Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Sharekhan charges 0.03% of Transaction Value while Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is low).

Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Sharekhan charges Rs.30 per Lot while Zerodha 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 Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is Low).

Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Sharekhan charges Rs.75 per Lot while Zerodha 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 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. Sharekhan charges Rs.20 per Lot while Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Trading platforms comparison — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

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

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

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

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

• Desktop trading terminal: Sharekhan lists a desktop trading terminal, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

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

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

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

• Mutual fund platform: Sharekhan 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 Sharekhan does not currently mention it.

Sharekhan vs. Zerodha — Comparison of trading features

Sharekhan highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and customised recommendations, 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 Sharekhan and Zerodha offer this feature.

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

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

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

• Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Sharekhan offers this; Zerodha does not currently highlight it.

• Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. Sharekhan offers this; Zerodha does not currently highlight it.

• Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. Sharekhan offers this; Zerodha does not currently highlight it.

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

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

• Multi profile management: Manage multiple trading profiles from a single account. Sharekhan offers this; Zerodha does not currently highlight it.

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

Sharekhan 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 Sharekhan and Zerodha.

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

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

• Free brokerage: Zerodha lists free brokerage, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.

• Flat brokerage: Zerodha lists flat brokerage pricing, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.

• Flexible brokerage plans: Sharekhan lists flexible brokerage plans, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

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

• Free delivery trading: Zerodha lists free delivery trading, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.

• 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: Sharekhan lists free trading calls, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

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

Offered products comparison — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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 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: Sharekhan and Zerodha both list Demat services.

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

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

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

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

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

• Stock research: Sharekhan lists stock research, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

• Stock recommendations: Sharekhan lists stock recommendations, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

• Trading education: Sharekhan and Zerodha both list trading education.

• Share pledging: Sharekhan and Zerodha both list share pledging.

• PMS or PCG: Neither broker currently highlights PMS or PCG support.

• NRI services: Sharekhan lists NRI services, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

Offered services comparison — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

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

Stock advisory service comparison — Sharekhan 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 Sharekhan and Zerodha.

Exposure comparison — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

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

Comparison of programs — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

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

Customer support comparison — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

Sharekhan provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and WhatsApp support. Zerodha provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. Sharekhan operates - branches.

Ratings — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

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 Zerodha carries an overall rating of 9.85 / 10.

Complaints — Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan vs. Zerodha

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

Pledge charges comparison — Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan vs Zerodha

Sharekhan lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Free (1st Year). Zerodha lists account opening charges of Rs.200 – Rs.300 and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.

Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan 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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