Zerodha vs HDFC SKY – Compare Charges, Trading Features, Offers & More

Overview — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

Zerodha is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2010 with headquarters in Bangalore, India and founded by Nithin Kamath. 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 algo trading support and promotes features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking. It follows a Standard Plan brokerage structure.

HDFC SKY is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2023 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Dhiraj Relli. 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, research reports and global indices tracking. Its brokerage model is structured as Standard.

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 — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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

Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Zerodha charges Free while HDFC SKY charges Rs.20 per Order or 0.01% (whichever is low).

Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is low) while HDFC SKY charges Rs.20 per Order or 0.01% (whichever is low).

Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is low) while HDFC SKY charges Rs.20 per Order or 0.01% (whichever is low).

Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade while HDFC SKY charges Rs.20 per Order.

Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is Low) while HDFC SKY charges Rs.20 per Order or 0.01% (whichever is low).

Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade while HDFC SKY charges Rs.20 per Order.

Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.03% (whichever is Low) while HDFC SKY charges Rs.20 per Order or 0.01% (whichever is low).

Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade while HDFC SKY charges Rs.20 per order.

Trading platforms comparison — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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

• Android app: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list an Android trading app.

• iOS app: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list an iOS trading app.

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

• Desktop trading terminal: Neither broker currently highlights a desktop trading terminal.

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

• Basket trading: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list basket trading.

• Foreign stocks platform: HDFC SKY lists foreign stocks access, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

• Mutual fund platform: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list a mutual fund investment platform.

• Digital gold platform: Neither broker currently highlights digital gold investing.

• Bonds platform: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list a bonds investment platform.

Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY — Comparison of trading features

Zerodha highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking, while HDFC SKY 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 Zerodha and HDFC SKY offer this feature.

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

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

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

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

• Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. HDFC SKY offers this; Zerodha does not currently highlight it.

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

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

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

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

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

Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY — 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 Zerodha and HDFC SKY.

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

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

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

• Flat brokerage: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list flat brokerage pricing.

• Flexible brokerage plans: Neither broker currently highlights flexible brokerage plans.

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

• Free delivery trading: Zerodha lists free delivery trading, while HDFC SKY 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: HDFC SKY lists free research reports, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

• Free trading calls: HDFC SKY 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: Zerodha offers 10% + 300 Points per Client while HDFC SKY offers Rs.200 per Client for referrals.

Offered products comparison — HDFC SKY vs. Zerodha

Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. Zerodha highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures, while HDFC SKY 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, bonds, foreign stocks, banking services and insurance.

• Demat services: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list Demat services.

• Trading services: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list trading services.

• Intraday services: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list intraday trading services.

• F&O services: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list F&O services.

• IPO services: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list IPO services.

• 3-in-1 account: HDFC SKY lists 3-in-1 account support, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

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

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

• Trading education: Zerodha lists trading education, while HDFC SKY does not currently mention it.

• Share pledging: Zerodha and HDFC SKY both list share pledging.

• PMS or PCG: HDFC SKY lists PMS or PCG support, while Zerodha does not currently mention it.

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

Offered services comparison — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

Zerodha provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and trading education, while HDFC SKY offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support.

Stock advisory service comparison — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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

Exposure comparison — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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

Comparison of programs — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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

Customer support comparison — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

Zerodha provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. HDFC SKY provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support.

Ratings — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Zerodha carries an overall rating of 9.85 / 10, while HDFC SKY carries an overall rating of 9.10 / 10.

Complaints — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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 — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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

Pledge charges comparison — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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 — Zerodha vs. HDFC SKY

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 — Zerodha vs HDFC SKY

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

Zerodha vs HDFC SKY — 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 — Zerodha and HDFC SKY

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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