Compare Zerodha and SAS Online, two of India’s leading discount brokers, across key factors such as brokerage charges, account opening fees, trading platforms, margin offerings, and pros & cons. Zerodha stands out for its zero brokerage on equity delivery and mutual funds, while SAS Online appeals to high-frequency traders with affordable unlimited trading plans. Find out which broker best suits your trading needs.
About Zerodha
Zerodha is India’s leading stockbroker, offering online flat-fee discount brokerage services for trading in Equity, Currency, Commodity, IPO, 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, it charges flat Rs 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per trade. Options trades are charged at a flat Rs 20 per executed order.
About SAS Online
SAS Online, a prominent discount broker in India, introduced its Rs 999 monthly unlimited trading plan a decade ago. It now offers a Pro Plan at Rs 1999/month, allowing 199 orders per day, after which Rs 0.99 per order is charged. SAS Online has grown through referrals, with 55,000+ traders, Rs 1 Lac Cr+ daily turnover, and 3 Lac+ executed orders daily. The broker provides services in stocks, futures & options, currency, and commodities.
Zerodha Vs SAS Online – Company Overview
| Feature | Zerodha | SAS Online |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Broker | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Exchange Membership | NSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX | NSE, BSE, MCX |
| Year of Incorporation | 2010 | 2013 |
| Number of Branches | 22 | 1 |
Zerodha Vs SAS Online – Account Opening & AMC Charges
| Charge Type | Zerodha | SAS Online |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Account Opening Charges | Rs 0 | Rs 200 |
| Trading Account AMC Charges | Rs 0 (Free) | Rs 0 |
| Demat Account Opening Charges | Rs 0 | Rs 0 |
| Demat Account AMC Charges | Rs 300 | Rs 200 (Free for 1st year) for Individuals, Rs 1000 for Non-Individuals |
Zerodha Vs SAS Online – Brokerage Comparison
| Account Type | Zerodha (Flat Brokerage Plan) | SAS Online (Rs 9 per trade) |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Rs 0 (Free) | Rs 9 |
| Equity Intraday | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Rs 9 |
| Equity Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Rs 9 |
| Equity Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 9 |
| Currency Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Rs 9 |
| Currency Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 9 |
| Commodity Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | NA |
| Commodity Options | Rs 20 per executed order | NA |
Zerodha Vs SAS Online – Margin (Leverage)
| Feature | Zerodha | SAS Online |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Eq, Curr, Comm) | 100% of NRML margin (Span + Exposure) (1x leverage) | 100% of NRML margin (Span + Exposure) (1x leverage) |
Zerodha Vs SAS Online – Trading Platforms
| Feature | Zerodha | SAS Online |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | Kite Web, Kite Mobile, Coin | ALPHA Web, ALPHA Trader, ALPHA Mobile (Omnesys NEST) |
| 3-in-1 Account | No | No |
| Charting | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Trading | Yes | Yes |
| SMS Alerts | No | Yes |
| Online Demo | Yes | Yes |
| Margin Trading Funding | Yes | Yes |
| Trading in SME Shares Allowed? | Yes | No |
Zerodha Vs SAS Online – Pros and Cons
Zerodha Pros & Cons
- ✅ Free account opening for individuals under 25 years
- ✅ India’s leading broker in terms of active clients and volume
- ✅ Reliable and technologically advanced trading platforms
- ✅ Zero brokerage on equity delivery and direct mutual funds
- ✅ Flat Rs 20 per trade for all segments
- ✅ Good Till Triggered (GTT) orders available
- ✅ NRI trading account available
- ❌ No stock tips or research recommendations
- ❌ Call & Trade charged at Rs 50 per order
- ❌ No monthly unlimited trading plans
SAS Online Pros & Cons
- ✅ Affordable monthly unlimited trading plans
- ✅ Trading software for Mac and Linux available
- ✅ No minimum brokerage charges
- ✅ Referral program with commission benefits
- ✅ Deep ITM/OTM option strikes available for trading
- ✅ Dedicated call, email & live chat support
- ❌ No direct mutual fund investments
- ❌ No Good Till Cancelled (GTC) orders for equity
- ❌ No research or stock recommendations
Final Verdict: Which One is Better for You?
- Choose Zerodha if you are an investor looking for a cost-effective, technologically advanced, and reliable platform with zero brokerage on equity delivery and mutual funds.
- Choose SAS Online if you are a high-frequency trader who wants unlimited trading plans and low-cost per-trade brokerage options.
