A comprehensive comparison between Zerodha and TradeSmart, analyzing their brokerage fees, trading platforms, investment options, and more to help traders choose the best platform for their needs.
About Zerodha
Zerodha is India’s leading discount broker, offering zero brokerage on equity delivery and mutual funds. It provides a user-friendly trading platform, Kite, and charges a flat Rs 20 per trade for intraday and derivatives. Known for its transparent pricing and innovative features, Zerodha is a preferred choice for traders and investors.
Zerodha is India’s leading stockbroker, renowned for its discount brokerage services. It offers trading across Equity, Currency, Commodity, IPO, Futures & Options, Bonds, Government Securities, and Direct Mutual Funds. Zerodha’s competitive pricing structure includes Rs 0 brokerage for equity delivery trades and direct mutual funds. For intraday and futures trading, it charges flat Rs 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per trade, while options trading costs flat Rs 20 per executed order.
About TradeSmart
TradeSmart is a Mumbai-based discount brokerage firm offering services in stock, commodity, and currency trading. Operated by TradeSmartFintech Securities Ltd, formerly known as VNS Finance & Capital Services Ltd, it has been active in the stock market since 1994. TradeSmart provides trading services across NSE Cash, NSE F&O, NSE Currency derivatives, BSE Cash, and MCX Commodity markets. It offers competitive pricing with Rs 15 per executed order for equity, intraday, and futures trading.
Zerodha Vs TradeSmart: Company Overview
| Feature | Zerodha | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Broker | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Exchange Membership | NSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX | BSE, NSE, MCX |
| Year of Incorporation | 2010 | 1994 |
| Number of Branches | 22 | 1 |
Zerodha Vs TradeSmart: Account Opening Charges & AMC
| Service | Zerodha | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Account Opening Charges | Rs 0 | Free |
| Trading Account AMC Charges | Rs 0 (Free) | Rs 0 |
| Demat Account Opening Charges | Rs 0 | Free |
| Demat Account AMC Charges | Rs 300 | Rs 300 (1st Year Free) |
Zerodha Vs TradeSmart: Brokerage Comparison
| Account Type | Zerodha | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Rs 0 (Free) | Rs 15 per order |
| Equity Intraday | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Rs 15 per order |
| Equity Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Rs 15 per order |
| Equity Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 15 per order |
| Currency Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Rs 15 per order |
| Currency Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 15 per order |
| Commodity Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower) | Rs 15 per order |
| Commodity Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 15 per order |
Zerodha Vs TradeSmart: Leverage (Margin)
| Trading Type | Zerodha | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (1x leverage) | 100% of NRML margin (1x leverage) |
Zerodha Vs TradeSmart: Trading Platforms
| Feature | Zerodha | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platform | Kite Web, Kite Mobile, Coin | Mobile trading app, Desktop trading app, Browser, APIs |
| Charting | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Online Demo | Yes | Yes |
| Margin Trading Funding | Yes | No |
| Trading In SME Shares | Yes | No |
| Referral Program | Yes | Yes |
Zerodha Vs TradeSmart: Investment Options
| Investment Option | Zerodha | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Stock/Equity | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity | Yes | Yes |
| Currency | Yes | Yes |
| IPO | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bond/NCD | No | Yes |
| Debt | No | No |
Zerodha Vs TradeSmart: Order Types
| Order Type | Zerodha | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Bracket Order | No | Yes |
| Cover Order | Yes | Yes |
| Buy Today Sell Tomorrow (BTST) | No | No |
| Sell Today Buy Tomorrow (STBT) | No | No |
| After Market Order (AMO) | Yes | Yes |
| Good Till Cancelled (GTC) | Yes | Yes |
Zerodha Vs TradeSmart: Pros and Cons
Zerodha Pros
- Free account opening for individuals under 25.
- India’s largest broker in terms of active clients, exchange volume, and revenue.
- Simple flat fee brokerage.
- Free equity delivery trades.
- Excellent trading platform (Kite).
- Direct Mutual Fund Investment available.
- Good Till Triggered (GTT) orders available.
- NRI trading account option.
Zerodha Cons
- No stock tips, research, or recommendations.
- High call & trade charges (Rs 50 per order).
- No monthly unlimited trading plans.
- AMC charges for Demat account.
TradeSmart Pros
- Two flexible brokerage plans.
- Invest in Mutual Funds, Bonds, and OFS.
- Excellent referral benefits.
- No minimum deposit required.
- 24+ years in stock broking.
- Extensive online knowledge base.
TradeSmart Cons
- No 3-in-1 account option.
- No free research reports, tips, or news alerts.
- Call & Trade costs extra (Rs 20 per executed order).
- Intraday positions squared off by RMS charged Rs 20 per order.
Conclusion
Both Zerodha and TradeSmart offer competitive brokerage services. Zerodha is best for casual investors, long-term equity delivery traders, and those preferring an advanced trading platform. On the other hand, TradeSmart is ideal for active traders looking for lower per-trade costs, flexible brokerage plans, and additional investment options like Bonds/NCDs.
