Zerodha
Discount BrokerAccount opening₹0
AMC₹300 + 18% GST per year
IntradayFlat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower)
Broker Comparison
Zerodha vs Kotak Neo
Compare brokerage charges, account fees, trading platforms, products, MTF, advantages and limitations before choosing a broker.
Data verified: 2026-08-02
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
Zerodha vs Kotak Neo: Quick comparison
Key charges and account features side by side.
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| Feature | Zerodha | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Broker type | Discount Broker | Bank Broker |
| Account Opening Charges | ₹0 | ₹99 under Trade Free Youth plan |
| Annual Maintenance Charges | ₹300 + 18% GST per year | ₹0, For BSDA account with holding ₹4L |
| Equity delivery | ₹0 brokerage | ₹0 (Free) under Trade Free Youth |
| Equity intraday | Flat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Lower of ₹10 or 0.05% under Trade Free Youth |
| Futures | Flat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth |
| Options | Flat ₹ 20 per executed order | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth |
| Commodity | Flat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | ₹0 (Completely Free) under Trade Free Youth |
| Currency | Flat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth |
| DP charges | ₹15.34 per scrip (₹3.5 CDSL fee + ₹9.5 Zerodha fee + ₹2.34 GST) | ₹20 + GST |
| Auto Square Off | ₹50 plus 18% GST | ₹50 + 18% GST |
| Call & trade Charge | ₹50 plus 18% GST | ₹70 + 18% GST per executed order |
| Customer support | Yes, Official app/web help centre, ticket, email and/or phone support | Official app/web help centre, ticket, email and/or phone support. |
| Active Users | 6.8 million NSE-active clients as of May 2026 | As of June 2026, Kotak Neo had approximately 1.4 million active clients. |
About Zerodha
Zerodha is one of India’s leading discount stockbrokers, offering online investing and trading in equities, currencies, commodities, IPOs, futures and options, bonds, government securities, and direct mutual funds.
It charges ₹0 brokerage on equity delivery and direct mutual fund investments. Equity intraday and futures trades are charged at ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower, while options trades cost a flat ₹20 per executed order.
Zerodha is known for its low-cost pricing, transparent services, user-friendly Kite trading platform, and strong focus on technology and investor education.
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.
Trading Platforms & Tools
- Zerodha offers a modern trading and investment ecosystem through Kite Web and Mobile, Coin, Console, Kite Connect API, and Varsity. These platforms provide advanced charts, live market data, portfolio analytics, direct mutual fund investing, IPO applications, alerts, GTT orders, and educational resources.
Products Offered
- Zerodha offers a wide range of investment and trading products, including equity delivery, intraday trading, futures and options, commodities, currencies, ETFs, IPOs, direct mutual funds, bonds, and government securities. These products can be accessed through Zerodha’s online platforms, including Kite and Coin.
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.
Zerodha pros and cons
Pros
- ₹0 brokerage on equity delivery and direct mutual funds.
- Low flat brokerage for intraday and F&O trades.
- User-friendly Kite platform with advanced trading tools.
Cons
- No stock tips or advisory services.
- Call-and-trade and some additional services may incur extra charges.
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.
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
Zerodha
4.4/5
Kotak Neo
4.4/5
Read complete broker reviews
Frequently asked questions
Is Zerodha a good stockbroker for beginners?
Yes, Zerodha is suitable for beginners because it offers a user-friendly Kite trading platform, educational resources through Varsity, and low brokerage charges.
What is the Zerodha account opening charge?
Zerodha currently offers free account opening for resident individual trading and demat accounts.
What brokerage does Zerodha charge?
Zerodha charges ₹0 brokerage on equity delivery. For equity intraday and futures, the charge is ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower. Options trades are charged at ₹20 per executed order.
Does Zerodha charge an annual maintenance fee?
Yes, Zerodha charges an Account Maintenance Charge (AMC) of ₹300 per year plus 18% GST for standard resident individual accounts, though it is free for the first year. Instead of billing annually, Zerodha deducts this fee quarterly (every 91 days) directly from your trading balance.
Which trading platforms does Zerodha offer?
Zerodha offers Kite for trading and investing, Coin for direct mutual funds and other investments, and Console for portfolio reports and account statements.
Can I invest in mutual funds through Zerodha?
Yes, investors can use Zerodha Coin to invest in direct mutual funds without paying distributor commissions.
Does Zerodha provide stock tips or advisory services?
No, Zerodha does not provide stock tips, portfolio management, or personalised investment advisory services.
Is there any minimum balance requirement in Zerodha?
No, Zerodha does not require users to maintain a minimum account balance to keep their account active.
Can I apply for IPOs through Zerodha?
Yes, Zerodha users can apply for IPOs online through the Kite platform using a supported UPI ID.
Is Zerodha safe and SEBI registered?
Yes, Zerodha Broking Limited is registered with SEBI and is a member of major Indian stock exchanges, including NSE, BSE, and MCX. However, all stock market investments are subject to market risks.
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.