Kotak Neo
Bank BrokerAccount opening₹99 under Trade Free Youth plan
AMC₹0, For BSDA account with holding ₹4L
IntradayLower of ₹10 or 0.05% under Trade Free Youth
Broker Comparison
Kotak Neo vs HDFC Securities
Compare brokerage charges, account fees, trading platforms, products, MTF, advantages and limitations before choosing a broker.
Data verified: 2026-08-02
HDFC Securities
Bank BrokerAccount openingFree
AMC₹750 per year
Intraday0.05%
Kotak Neo vs HDFC Securities: Quick comparison
Key charges and account features side by side.
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| Feature | Kotak Neo | HDFC Securities |
|---|---|---|
| Broker type | Bank Broker | Bank Broker |
| Account opening | ₹99 under Trade Free Youth plan | Free |
| Annual maintenance | ₹0, For BSDA account with holding ₹4L | ₹750 per year |
| Equity delivery | ₹0 (Free) under Trade Free Youth | 0.50% |
| Equity intraday | Lower of ₹10 or 0.05% under Trade Free Youth | 0.05% |
| Futures | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth | 0.05% |
| Options | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth | ₹100 per lot |
| Commodity | ₹0 (Completely Free) under Trade Free Youth | 0.02% for Intraday / 0.025% for Carry Forward (or ₹20 minimum) |
| Currency | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth | ₹20 flat per contract |
| DP charges | ₹20 + GST | ₹20 + GST |
| Auto Square Off | ₹50 + 18% GST | ₹50 + GST per executed order |
| Call & trade | ₹70 + 18% GST per executed order | ₹0 (Free) |
| Customer support | Official app/web help centre, ticket, email and/or phone support. | Official app/web help centre, ticket, email and/or phone support. |
| Active Users | As of June 2026, Kotak Neo had approximately 1.4 million active clients. | HDFC Securities has approximately 1.65 million active clients. |
About Kotak Neo
Kotak Neo is a full-service stockbroking platform operated by Kotak Securities, which was incorporated in 1994. It is a subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank and offers a convenient 3-in-1 account combining banking, trading, and Demat services.
The platform allows investors to trade and invest in equities, equity derivatives, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, and selected US stocks. It also provides research support, margin trading facilities, depository services, insurance products, and other investment solutions.
Kotak Securities has an extensive offline presence with more than 145 branches and around 1,000 franchise locations across over 310 Indian cities. Since Kotak Neo is primarily a digital-first platform, physical documentation and branch-level account support are generally handled through designated Kotak Securities branches.
About HDFC Securities
HDFC Securities, incorporated in 2000, is a leading full-service stockbroker backed by HDFC Bank. It is a SEBI-registered intermediary and a member of major exchanges, including NSE, BSE, MSEI and MCX, while offering depository services through CDSL and NSDL.
The company allows customers to invest and trade in equity, derivatives, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, bonds, commodities, currencies and other financial products. Customers can access these services through HDFC Securities’ online platforms, mobile applications and assisted investment services.
HDFC Securities also offers a convenient 3-in-1 account that links an HDFC Bank savings account with a trading and Demat account. This enables automatic fund transfers and provides customers with a seamless way to manage their banking, investments and securities from an integrated account. Brokerage charges vary depending on the chosen plan, trading segment and applicable offer.
Trading Platforms & Tools
- Kotak Neo offers a mobile app, web trading platform, and Trade API. Key tools include TradingView charts, basket orders, option-chain analytics, MTF, smart orders, GTT, and real-time portfolio tracking.
Products Offered
- Kotak Neo offers equities, IPOs, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, commodities, currencies, futures and options, margin trading, insurance products, and access to selected US stocks.
Trading Platforms & Tools
- HDFC Securities offers the InvestRight mobile app and Trader’s Web platform for investing and trading in equities, derivatives, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs and other financial products. These platforms include real-time market data, watchlists, portfolio tracking, advanced charts and research insights.
- HDFC SKY is its digital discount-broking platform, available through a mobile app and web platform. It provides TradingView-powered charts, technical indicators, multiple order types, portfolio tracking, watchlists, research reports and multi-asset trading facilities.
- Experienced traders and market researchers can use ProTerminal for advanced market analysis, real-time information, research tools and derivative strategies. HDFC Securities also provides assisted trading services for customers who prefer placing orders through its dealing desk.
Products Offered
- HDFC Securities offers equities, futures and options, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, ETFs and IPOs. It also provides bonds, government securities, fixed deposits, insurance and NPS investment options.
Kotak Neo pros and cons
Pros
- 3-in-1 bank, trading, and Demat account.
- Advanced trading platforms and tools.
- Wide range of investment products.
Cons
- Pricing plans may feel confusing.
- Some services carry extra charges.
HDFC Securities pros and cons
Pros
- Offers a convenient 3-in-1 bank, trading and Demat account.
- Provides a wide range of investment and trading products.
- Backed by HDFC Bank with strong research and customer support.
Cons
- Brokerage charges can be higher than discount brokers.
- Some advanced trading tools may feel complex for beginners.
Which broker should you choose?
Choose based on the segment you trade, total account cost, platform requirements, research needs and support preference. Verify the latest tariff and product availability on the brokers’ official websites before opening an account.
Broker Rating
Kotak Neo
4.4/5
HDFC Securities
4.6/5
Read complete broker reviews
Frequently asked questions
What is Kotak Neo?
Kotak Neo is an online investment and trading platform operated by Kotak Securities Limited.
Is Kotak Neo a SEBI-registered broker?
Yes, Kotak Securities Limited is a SEBI-registered stockbroker and depository participant.
What are the Kotak Neo account-opening charges?
Account opening is free under the standard Trade Free Plan. Charges may differ for other plans.
What is the brokerage charged by Kotak Neo?
Under the Trade Free Plan, equity intraday costs ₹10 or 0.05% per executed order, whichever is lower, while F&O trades cost ₹10 per executed order.
Does Kotak Neo offer zero brokerage?
Yes. Selected plans provide zero brokerage for the first 30 days and zero brokerage on Trade API orders. Terms depend on the chosen plan.
Does Kotak Neo offer a 3-in-1 account?
Yes, customers can combine a Kotak bank account with Kotak Securities trading and Demat accounts.
Which investment products are available on Kotak Neo?
Kotak Neo provides access to stocks, IPOs, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, commodities, currencies, futures and options.
Does Kotak Neo have a mobile trading app?
Yes, the Kotak Neo app is available for mobile trading, portfolio tracking, research and order placement.
Does Kotak Neo provide an API for algo trading?
Yes, Kotak Neo offers Trade APIs for automated and algorithmic trading strategies.
What documents are required to open a Kotak Neo account?
Applicants generally need a PAN card, Aadhaar card, mobile number, email address, bank details and completed e-KYC verification.
Is HDFC Securities a trusted stockbroker?
Yes. HDFC Securities is a SEBI-registered full-service stockbroker backed by HDFC Bank and has operated for more than 20 years.
Does HDFC Securities offer a 3-in-1 account?
Yes. Its 3-in-1 account connects an HDFC Bank savings account with a Demat and trading account for convenient fund transfers and investments.
What products can I invest in through HDFC Securities?
Customers can invest in equities, futures and options, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds, ETFs, commodities, currencies and other financial products.
What is the difference between HDFC Securities and HDFC SKY?
HDFC Securities is a full-service brokerage platform offering research and assisted services, while HDFC SKY is its digital discount-broking platform with flat-fee pricing.
What brokerage does HDFC SKY charge?
HDFC SKY generally charges ₹20 per order or the applicable percentage-based limit, whichever is lower. Charges vary by trading segment and order type.
Is HDFC SKY account opening free?
Yes. HDFC SKY currently offers zero account-opening charges through a completely digital application process.
Does HDFC SKY charge Demat AMC?
Demat AMC is waived for the first year. After that, the published charge is ₹20 per month.
Which documents are required to open an account?
Applicants generally need a PAN card, identity and address proof, bank details and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for online KYC.
Can I invest in mutual funds without a trading account?
Yes. HDFC Securities’ Digify platform allows eligible investors to invest in mutual funds without opening a Demat or trading account.
Can an existing HDFC Securities customer switch to HDFC SKY?
Yes, but the existing HDFC Securities account may need to be closed before switching. The account must have no open positions, pending orders, negative balance or remaining securities.