Dhan vs Zerodha
How Dhan and Zerodha compare on brokerage, demat AMC and DP charges — verified as of Jun 2026.
By NexMaxo Editorial Team · Charges verified Jun 2026
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Quick take
Both offer ₹0 equity-delivery brokerage, so for buy-and-hold investing the brokerage cost is the same — the demat AMC, DP charge and platform decide it.
Dhan — active f&o and intraday traders who want flat ₹20 pricing, free delivery, and free trading apis.
Zerodha — long-term, diy investors who want free equity delivery, a clean fast app, and low flat-fee intraday/f&o without cross-selling.
Charges side by side
| DhanOpen | ZerodhaOpen | |
|---|---|---|
| Equity delivery | ₹0 brokerage | ₹0 brokerage |
| Intraday | ₹20 or 0.03%, lower | ₹20 or 0.03%, lower |
| DP sell / scrip | ₹14.75 | ₹15.34 |
| Account opening | ₹0 | ₹0 (online individual) |
| Demat AMC | ₹0 lifetime (individuals/HUFs) | ₹0 first year, then ₹300 + GST (₹354)/yr |
| Type | Discount | Discount |
Standard published equity plans, verified Jun 2026. Statutory STT, exchange, SEBI, stamp duty & GST are identical across brokers.
Dhan
- Free equity delivery brokerage, ₹0 account opening, and ₹0 lifetime AMC for individuals/HUFs
- Flat ₹20 (or 0.03%, lower) intraday and ₹20 per order F&O — among the cheapest for active traders
- Free DhanHQ trading APIs and TradingView integration at no extra charge, plus advanced options tools
- DP/demat debit charge of ₹14.75 per scrip on every delivery sell
- Call-and-trade (₹50/order + GST) and auto square-off (₹20/order + GST) carry extra fees
Zerodha
- Zero brokerage on equity delivery + flat ₹20-or-lower intraday/F&O — among the cheapest, fully transparent pricing
- Largest retail broker by active clients, with the well-regarded, stable Kite platform
- First-year demat AMC free and ₹0 online account opening; no pushy in-app cross-selling or relationship managers
- No 3-in-1 account (no in-house bank); funds move via UPI/payment gateway rather than a linked savings account
- Kite Connect API is paid (≈₹500/mo); no built-in research, stock tips or analyst recommendations
Dhan vs Zerodha — FAQs
Both offer ₹0 equity-delivery brokerage, so for buy-and-hold investing the brokerage cost is the same — the demat AMC, DP charge and platform decide it. On intraday, Dhan charges ₹20 or 0.03%, lower and Zerodha ₹20 or 0.03%, lower. The DP sell charge is ₹14.75 (Dhan) vs ₹15.34 (Zerodha). Statutory charges are identical across brokers.
Dhan is a discount broker — active f&o and intraday traders who want flat ₹20 pricing, free delivery, and free trading apis. Zerodha is a discount broker — long-term, diy investors who want free equity delivery, a clean fast app, and low flat-fee intraday/f&o without cross-selling.
Either works to start. Look at the demat AMC (Dhan: ₹0 lifetime (individuals/HUFs); Zerodha: ₹0 first year, then ₹300 + GST (₹354)/yr), whether delivery is free, and which app you find simpler. Both hold your shares safely with CDSL/NSDL. This is information, not advice.
This is an informational comparison of published charges, not investment advice. Brokers change pricing and run promotions — confirm current rates on each broker's official charges page before opening. Investing carries market risk.