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

Overview — Shoonya vs. Dhan

Shoonya is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2020 with headquarters in Punjab and founded by Sarvjeet Singh Virk and Tajinder Virk. 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, desktop terminal access and algo trading support and promotes features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and customised recommendations. It follows a Standard brokerage structure.

Dhan is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2018 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Pravin Jadhav. It offers equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures using mobile app access and web trading 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 — Shoonya vs. Dhan

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

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

Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low while Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low).

Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low while Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low).

Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order while Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low while Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low).

Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order while Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low while Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (Whichever is Low).

Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order while Dhan charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Trading platforms comparison — Shoonya vs. Dhan

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

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

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

• Web trading platform: Shoonya and Dhan 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: Shoonya and Dhan both list basket trading.

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

• Mutual fund platform: Shoonya and Dhan 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.

Shoonya vs. Dhan — Comparison of trading features

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

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

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

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

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

Shoonya vs. Dhan — 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 Shoonya and Dhan.

• Free account opening: Shoonya and Dhan 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: Shoonya and Dhan 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.

Offered products comparison — Dhan vs. Shoonya

Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. Shoonya highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures, while Dhan 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 and mutual funds.

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

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

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

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

• IPO services: Shoonya and Dhan 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.

Offered services comparison — Shoonya vs. Dhan

Shoonya provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and stock research, while Dhan offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading and IPO access.

Stock advisory service comparison — Shoonya vs. Dhan

Stock advisory helps investors choose appropriate stocks through research reports, tips, and market reviews. The table below shows which advisory products are available from Shoonya and Dhan.

Exposure comparison — Shoonya vs. Dhan

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

Comparison of programs — Shoonya vs. Dhan

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.

Customer support comparison — Shoonya vs. Dhan

Shoonya provides support through trading desk support, call support, email support, website support and Facebook support. Dhan provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. Shoonya operates Mumbai branches.

Ratings — Shoonya vs. Dhan

Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Shoonya carries an overall rating of 4/5, while Dhan carries an overall rating of 7.26 / 10.

Complaints — Shoonya vs. Dhan

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 — Shoonya vs. Dhan

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

Pledge charges comparison — Shoonya vs. Dhan

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 — Shoonya vs. Dhan

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 — Shoonya vs Dhan

Shoonya lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Zero. Dhan lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Free.

Shoonya vs Dhan — 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 — Shoonya and Dhan

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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