Shoonya and Kotak Securities are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. Shoonya is listed as a Private Discount Broker , established in 2020 and headquartered in Punjab, 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 Shoonya or Kotak Securities is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
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.
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.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Private | Private |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Punjab | Mumbai |
| Founder | Sarvjeet Singh Virk and Tajinder Virk | Jaideep Hansraj |
| Establishment Year | 2020 | 1994 |
| Brokerage Plan | Standard | Trade Free Plan |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for Shoonya and Kotak Securities.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Shoonya charges Zero 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. Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low while Kotak Securities charges Free.
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Shoonya charges 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low while Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order while Kotak Securities 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 Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order while Kotak Securities 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 Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Shoonya charges Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order while Kotak Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Standard | Trade Free Plan |
| Subscription Charges | Zero | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | Zero | 0.25% or Rs.20 (whichever is higher) |
| Equity Intraday | 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low | Free |
| Equity Future | 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Equity Option | Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Future | 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Option | Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Future | 0.03% or Rs. 5.00 whichever is low | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Option | Flat ₹5 plus GST on per executed order | Rs.20 per Trade |
Shoonya provides mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support 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: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list a desktop trading terminal.
Algo trading: Shoonya lists algo trading support, while Kotak Securities does not currently mention it.
Basket trading: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list basket trading.
Foreign stocks platform: Neither broker currently highlights foreign stocks access.
Mutual fund platform: Shoonya 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.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Download | Kotak Securities Android App Link |
| iOS App | Download | Kotak Securities iOS App Link |
| Web Trading Platform | Shoonya Trade | Kotak Securities Web Trading Link |
| Trading Terminal | Available | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | Available | NA |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | No | NA |
| Basket Trading Platform | Available | Available |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Available | Available |
| Digital Gold Platform | No | NA |
| Bonds Platform | No | NA |
Shoonya 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 Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. Kotak Securities offers this; Shoonya does not currently highlight it.
Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Multi profile management: Manage multiple trading profiles from a single account. Shoonya offers this; Kotak Securities does not currently highlight it.
Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both Shoonya and Kotak Securities offer this feature.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | Shoonya | 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 | 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 Shoonya and Kotak Securities.
Free account opening: Shoonya lists free account opening, while Kotak Securities does not currently mention it.
Free AMC: Neither broker currently highlights free Demat AMC.
Free brokerage: Kotak Securities lists free brokerage, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Flat brokerage: Kotak Securities lists flat brokerage pricing, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Flexible brokerage plans: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list flexible brokerage plans.
Happy trading hours: Neither broker currently highlights happy trading hours.
Free delivery trading: Shoonya lists free delivery trading, while Kotak Securities does not currently mention it.
Free intraday trading: Kotak Securities lists free intraday trading, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Free F&O trading: Neither broker currently highlights free F&O trading.
Free research reports: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list free research reports.
Free trading calls: Kotak Securities lists free trading calls, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Zero brokerage for loss trades: Neither broker currently highlights zero brokerage for loss-making trades.
Referral offers: Kotak Securities offers 10% + Upto Rs.500 per Client for referrals; Shoonya does not currently list a referral offer.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | Yes | No |
| Free AMC | No | |
| Free Brokerage | No | Yes, Limited |
| Flat Brokerage | No | Yes, Limited |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | No | |
| Free Delivery Trading | Yes | No |
| Free Intraday Trading | No | Yes |
| Free F&O Trading | No | No |
| Free Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trading Calls | Yes | |
| Referral Offers | 10% + Upto Rs.500 per Client | |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | No | |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss-Making Trades | No |
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 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, foreign stocks, mutual funds, banking services, insurance, corporate bonds and government bonds.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | Shoonya | 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 | Yes | 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: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list Demat services.
Trading services: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list trading services.
Intraday services: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list F&O services.
IPO services: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list IPO services.
3-in-1 account: Kotak Securities lists 3-in-1 account support, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Stock research: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list stock research.
Stock recommendations: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list stock recommendations.
Trading education: Neither broker currently highlights trading education.
Share pledging: Shoonya and Kotak Securities both list share pledging.
PMS or PCG: Kotak Securities lists PMS or PCG support, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
NRI services: Kotak Securities lists NRI services, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Shoonya 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.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | Shoonya | 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 | Yes | |
| Stock Research | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Education | No | |
| Share Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| PMS or PCG | Yes | |
| NRI Services | 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 Shoonya and Kotak Securities.
Shoonya and Kotak Securities — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | Shoonya | 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 | |
| Weekly Review | Yes | |
| Relationship Manager | Yes | |
| Robo Advisory | No |
Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from Shoonya and Kotak Securities across different segments.
Shoonya and Kotak Securities — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 1x | 1x |
| Equity Intraday | 2x | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) |
| Equity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x |
| Equity F&O Intraday | 2x | 1.3x |
| Commodity F&O Carry Forward | 1.5x | 1x |
| Commodity F&O Intraday | 1.5x | 1.3x |
| Currency F&O | 1.5x | 1x |
Kotak Securities lists a sub-broker program, while Shoonya does not currently mention it. Kotak Securities lists a partner program, while Shoonya does not currently mention it. Kotak Securities lists a referral program, while Shoonya does not currently mention it.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | Yes | |
| Partner Program | Yes | |
| Referral Program | Yes |
Shoonya provides support through trading desk support, call support, email support, website support and Facebook support. Kotak Securities provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and WhatsApp support. Shoonya operates Mumbai branches. Kotak Securities operates Available branches.
Shoonya and Kotak Securities — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | +91 9779 902 002 | Available, Chargeable |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Chargeable | |
| Call Support | +91 1726 670 000 | 1800-209-9393 |
| Email Support | [email protected] | [email protected] |
| WhatsApp Support | 7738988888 | |
| Website Support | https://shoonya.com/ | Website Link |
| Facebook Support | https://www.facebook.com/ShoonyaApp/ | Facebook Support Link |
| Twitter / X Support | https://twitter.com/shoonyaapp | Twitter Support Link |
| Telegram Support | https://t.me/Shoonya_App | Telegram Support Link |
| Branches / Offices | Mumbai | Available |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Shoonya carries an overall rating of 4/5, while Kotak Securities carries an overall rating of 9.39 / 10.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4/5 | 9.39 / 10 |
| Customer Support | 4/5 | 9.35 / 10 |
| Technology | 4/5 | 9.50 / 10 |
| Charges | 4/5 | 9.42 / 10 |
| Products & Services | 4/5 | 9.33 / 10 |
| Experience | 4/5 | 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.
Shoonya & Kotak Securities — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 437 | |
| Total Complaints Resolved | 366 | |
| % of Resolved Complaints | 83.75% | |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | 21 | |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | 4.81% |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for Shoonya and Kotak Securities.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.00297% | NSE Rs 297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) (each side) |
| Equity Intraday | 0.00297% | NSE Rs 297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) (sell side) |
| Equity Future | Exchange txn charge: 0.00173% | NSE Rs 173 per Cr (0.00173%) | BSE Rs 0 |
| Equity Option | txn charge: 0.03503% (on premium) | NSE Rs 3503 per Cr (0.03503%) | BSE Rs 325 per Cr (0.00325%) (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | MCX: 0.0021% | - |
| Commodity Option | MCX: 0.0418% | - |
| Currency Future | Exchange txn charge: 0.00035% | NSE Rs 35 per Cr (0.00035%) | BSE Rs 45 per Cr (0.00045%) |
| Currency Option | Exchange txn charge: 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.
Shoonya & Kotak Securities — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | Rs 20 + GST per ISIN | - |
| 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.
Shoonya and Kotak Securities — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | ₹10/crore | 0.0001% (₹10/Crore) of the turnover |
| DP Charges | Rs 9 + Gst | - |
| GST | 18% on ( transaction charges) | 18% on (Brokerage + Transaction Charge + SEBI Fee) |
| Account Closure Charges | - | |
| Reactivation Charges | - | |
| Dematerialisation Charges | - | |
| Call & Trade Charges | Zero | - |
Shoonya lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Zero. Kotak Securities lists account opening charges of Rs.99 and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | Free | Rs.99 |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Zero | 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.
Shoonya vs Kotak Securities — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% on buy & sell | 0.1% on both Buy and Sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% on the sell side | 0.025% on the Sell Side |
| Equity Future | 0.02% on the sell side | 0.01% on the Sell Side |
| Equity Option | 0.1% on sell side | 0.05% on the Sell Side (on Premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.01% on sell side | 0.01% on Sell Side (Non-Agri) |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% (of Selling Value) | 0.05% on Sell Side |
| Currency Future | Zero | NA |
| Currency Option | Zero | 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.
Shoonya and Kotak Securities — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | Shoonya | Kotak Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% on buy & sell | 0.015% |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% on the sell side | 0.003% |
| Equity Future | 0.02% on the sell side | 0.002% |
| Equity Option | 0.1% on sell side | 0.003% |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% or ₹200 / crore on buy side | 0.002% |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% or ₹300 / crore on buy side | 0.003% (MCX) |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% or ₹10 / crore on buy side | 0.0001% |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% or ₹10 / crore on buy side | 0.0001% |