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

Overview — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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.

Sharekhan is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2000 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Mukesh meena Dayalpura. 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 customised recommendations. Its brokerage model is structured as Freedom Pricing.

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. Sharekhan

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

Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Zerodha charges Free while Sharekhan charges 0.30% of Transaction Value or 1 paisa per share (whichever is higher).

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 Sharekhan charges 0.02% of Transaction Value or 1 paisa per share (whichever is higher).

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 Sharekhan charges 0.03% of Transaction Value.

Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Zerodha charges Rs.20 per Trade while Sharekhan charges Rs.30 per Lot.

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 Sharekhan charges 0.03% of Transaction Value.

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

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 Sharekhan charges 0.03% of Transaction Value.

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

Trading platforms comparison — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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

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

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

• Web trading platform: Zerodha and Sharekhan 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: Zerodha and Sharekhan both list basket trading.

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

• Mutual fund platform: Zerodha and Sharekhan 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.

Zerodha vs. Sharekhan — 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 Sharekhan promotes watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and customised recommendations. 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 Sharekhan offer this feature.

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

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

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

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

Zerodha vs. Sharekhan — 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 Sharekhan.

• 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: Zerodha offers 10% + 300 Points per Client while Sharekhan offers Upto Rs.400 per Client for referrals.

Offered products comparison — Sharekhan 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 Sharekhan 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: Zerodha and Sharekhan both list Demat services.

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

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

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

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

• Share pledging: Zerodha and Sharekhan 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 — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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

Stock advisory service comparison — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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 Sharekhan.

Exposure comparison — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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

Comparison of programs — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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

Customer support comparison — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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

Ratings — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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 Sharekhan carries an overall rating of 9.06 / 10.

Complaints — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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. Sharekhan

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

Pledge charges comparison — Zerodha vs. Sharekhan

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. Sharekhan

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 Sharekhan

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

Zerodha vs Sharekhan — 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 Sharekhan

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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