Compare Zerodha vs SAMCO to find the best discount broker in India. Zerodha offers free equity delivery, flat Rs 20 brokerage on intraday & F&O, and a powerful Kite trading platform. SAMCO provides low-cost trading, high leverage, and unique margin products like StockBasket. Explore their brokerage charges, account opening fees, trading platforms, margins, and features to make an informed choice. Find out which broker suits investors, traders, and margin seekers best. Read our detailed comparison and choose the right broker for your trading needs. 🚀 Start investing with Zerodha or SAMCO today!
About Zerodha
Zerodha is India’s leading stockbroker, renowned for its flat-fee discount brokerage services. It offers online trading and investment options across Equity, Currency, Commodities, IPOs, Futures & Options, Bonds, Government Securities, and Direct Mutual Funds. Zerodha charges Rs 0 brokerage for equity delivery trades and direct mutual funds. For intraday and Futures, the brokerage fee is flat Rs 20 or 0.03% per trade (whichever is lower). Similarly, for Options trading, it charges a flat Rs 20 per executed order.
About SAMCO
SAMCO Securities is a leading investment technology company in India, offering a diverse range of securities, including stocks, equity derivatives, currency derivatives, commodities, mutual funds, and IPOs. Established in 2015, SAMCO is well-known for its low brokerage fees, unique margin products, and feature-rich trading software. One of its standout offerings is StockBasket, which allows investors to choose expert-selected stock portfolios based on 25+ rating parameters.
Zerodha vs SAMCO – Key Comparison
| Feature | Zerodha | SAMCO |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Broker | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Exchange Membership | NSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX | NSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX |
| Year of Incorporation | 2010 | 2015 |
| Number of Branches | 22 | No Branches |
Zerodha vs SAMCO – Account Opening & AMC Charges
| Account Type | Zerodha | SAMCO |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Account Opening Charges | Rs 0 (Free) | Rs 0 (Free) |
| Trading Account AMC Charges | Rs 0 (Free) | Rs 0 (Free) |
| Demat Account Opening Charges | Rs 0 | Rs 0 (Free) |
| Demat Account AMC Charges | Rs 300 per year | Rs 400 per year |
Zerodha vs SAMCO – Brokerage Charges
| Segment | Zerodha | SAMCO |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Rs 0 (Free) | Rs 20 per trade or 0.50% (whichever is lower) |
| Equity Intraday | Rs 20 per trade or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Rs 20 per trade or 0.05% (whichever is lower) |
| Equity Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% | Rs 20 per trade or 0.05% |
| Equity Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 20 per trade |
| Currency Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% | Rs 20 per trade or 0.05% |
| Currency Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 20 per trade |
| Commodity Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% | Rs 20 per trade or 0.05% |
| Commodity Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Not Available |
Zerodha vs SAMCO – Margin & Leverage
| Segment | Zerodha | SAMCO |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 100% of trade value (1x leverage) | 100% of trade value (1x leverage) |
| Equity Intraday | Up to 20% of trade value (5x leverage) | Up to 20% of trade value (5x leverage) |
| F&O (Equity, Currency, Commodity) | 100% of NRML margin (Span + Exposure) | 100% of NRML margin (Span + Exposure) |
Zerodha vs SAMCO – Trading Platforms
| Feature | Zerodha | SAMCO |
|---|---|---|
| Web & Mobile Trading | Kite Web, Kite Mobile | Samco Mobile App, Nest Trader |
| API Trading | Yes | Yes (Samco Trade API) |
| Stock Basket Investment | No | Yes (StockBasket) |
| Intraday Square-off Time | 3:15 PM (Equity), 3:25 PM (F&O) | 3:15 PM |
Zerodha vs SAMCO – Research & Reports
| Feature | Zerodha | SAMCO |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Reports | No | No |
| Stock Tips & Recommendations | No | No |
| Quarterly Result Analysis | No | No |
| News Alerts | No | No |
Pros & Cons
| Broker | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Zerodha | ✅ India’s largest broker by active clients & volume. ✅ No brokerage on equity delivery. ✅ Flat Rs 20 per trade on all segments. ✅ Advanced trading platforms (Kite). ✅ Direct Mutual Fund Investment. | ❌ No stock tips or research reports. ❌ Call & Trade is charged at Rs 50 per order. ❌ No unlimited trading plans. |
| SAMCO | ✅ Flat Rs 20 per trade across segments. ✅ Unique margin products like CashPlus, StockPlus. ✅ Free ‘NEST Trader’ software for traders. ✅ Bracket & Cover orders available. ✅ 100% brokerage cashback for new users. | ❌ No branches for offline support. ❌ No Mutual Fund Investment platform. ❌ No research reports or trading recommendations. |
Final Verdict: Which Broker is Right for You?
- Choose Zerodha if you are looking for a low-cost, technology-driven broker with a user-friendly interface, free direct mutual funds, and seamless trading experience. It is ideal for long-term investors and active traders who prefer a discount brokerage model.
- Choose SAMCO if you need advanced margin products, high-leverage trading, and personalized stock baskets. It is more suitable for traders who rely on leverage and bracket orders.
