Welcome, fellow investors! If you are new to the Indian stock market, you may be wondering which online trading platform to choose. Two of the most popular options are Zerodha and Sharekhan. In this blog post, we will compare these two platforms in terms of their charges, services, features, customer support, user interface, and more. We will also answer some frequently asked questions and provide our final verdict. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the comparison of Zerodha vs Sharekhan.
Background Information (Zerodha and Sharekhan):
Before we compare the two platforms, let’s first learn more about them. Zerodha is a Bangalore-based discount broker founded in 2010 by Nithin Kamath. It is known for its low brokerage charges and user-friendly trading platform, Kite. Zerodha offers trading and demat accounts, as well as investment options in stocks, derivatives, currencies, mutual funds, and bonds. It also provides tools like trading APIs, Sentinel for alerts, and Varsity for education.
On the other hand, Sharekhan is a Mumbai-based full-service broker founded in 2000 by Shripal Morakhia. It has a pan-India presence with over 1,800 branches and franchises. Sharekhan offers trading and demat accounts, as well as investment options in stocks, derivatives, currencies, mutual funds, IPOs, and bonds. It also provides research reports, trading tips, portfolio management services, and mobile trading apps.
Zerodha Vs Sharekhan Common FAQ
Both Zerodha and Sharekhan have their strengths and weaknesses, and which platform is better for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Zerodha is known for its low brokerage charges and user-friendly trading platform, while Sharekhan is a full-service broker with a pan-India presence and offers a wide range of investment options and personalized customer support. You should consider factors such as brokerage charges, investment options, trading platform features, customer support, and safety before choosing between the two.
There are several other online brokers in India that offer similar services to Zerodha, including Upstox, Angel Broking, and 5Paisa. Each broker has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and it’s essential to research and compare them before choosing the right broker for you.
Zerodha charges a flat fee of Rs. 20 per trade or 0.03% (whichever is lower) for equity delivery, and Rs. 20 or 0.03% for other segments. For intraday trades in the equity and commodity segments, Zerodha offers a flat fee of Rs. 20. Sharekhan, on the other hand, has higher brokerage charges, which are 0.50% for equity delivery and 0.10% for intraday and other segments. Sharekhan also has a minimum brokerage of Rs. 16 per trade.
As a registered member of the major stock exchanges in India and a SEBI-regulated broker, Zerodha is a safe and trustworthy online trading platform. The company follows stringent security protocols to ensure the safety of its users’ data and funds. Zerodha also offers two-factor authentication and SSL encryption to protect its users’ accounts from unauthorized access. However, like any other financial service provider, there is always a risk in trading in the stock market. Therefore, we advise users to exercise caution and do their due diligence before investing.
Comparison of Zerodha vs Sharekhan:
Now that we know the basics of each platform, let’s compare them based on some important factors:
Brokerage Charges:
We know Zerodha for its low brokerage charges, which are Rs. 20 per trade or 0.03% (whichever is lower) for equity delivery, and Rs. 20 or 0.03% for other segments. Zerodha also offers a flat fee of Rs. 20 for intraday trades in the equity and commodity segments. In contrast, Sharekhan has higher brokerage charges, which are 0.50% for equity delivery and 0.10% for intraday and other segments. Sharekhan also has a minimum brokerage of Rs. 16 per trade.
Customer Support:
Zerodha offers customer support via phone, email, live chat, and ticket system. It also has a knowledge base, community forum, and YouTube channel for self-help. Zerodha’s customer support is known to be responsive and helpful, but some users have complained about delays and technical glitches. Sharekhan offers customer support via phone, email, branch visits, and mobile apps. It also has a chatbot and an online trading academy. Sharekhan’s customer support is known to be comprehensive and personalized, but some users have complained about miscommunication and hidden charges.
User Interface:
We know Zerodha’s trading platform, Kite, for its simple and intuitive design. It has advanced charting, order types, and trading view integration. Kite is available on desktop, web, and mobile app. Zerodha also has a mutual fund platform called Coin, which allows users to buy and sell direct mutual funds at no cost. Sharekhan’s trading platform, Trade Tiger, is known for its feature-rich and customizable interface. It has charting, scanning, and backtesting tools, as well as options strategies and real-time news. Trade Tiger is available on desktop, web, and mobile app. Sharekhan also has a mutual fund platform called InstaMF, which allows users to buy and sell mutual funds online.
Investment Options:
Both Zerodha and Sharekhan offer a range of investment options, including stocks, derivatives, currencies, mutual funds, and bonds. However, Sharekhan also offers IPOs, which Zerodha currently does not. Sharekhan also provides research reports, trading tips, and portfolio management services to help investors make informed decisions.
Trading Tools:
Zerodha offers a variety of trading tools, such as trading APIs, Sentinel for alerts, and Varsity for education. It also has a platform called Streak, which allows users to create and backtest trading strategies. Sharekhan offers similar trading tools, such as research reports, trading tips, and mobile trading apps. It also has a platform called MarketShastra, which provides trading education and analysis.
Check the image above for the ShareMobile chart of Sharekhan. Only some basic line charts are available which makes it impossible to analyze professionally. Now take a look at the Zerodha Kite android app chart below where we can clearly see Zerodha mobile charting is way ahead of Sharekhan.
Account Opening Process:
Zerodha offers a paperless account opening process, which can be done online in a few minutes. It also offers instant account activation and free equity delivery trades forever. Sharekhan’s account opening process is also online but requires physical documents to be submitted. The account activation may take a few days, and there is no free trial period.
Verdict:
In conclusion, Zerodha and Sharekhan are both good options for online trading in India, but they cater to different types of investors. Zerodha is more suitable for cost-conscious traders who prioritize low brokerage charges and user-friendly trading platforms. Sharekhan, on the other hand, is more suitable for investors who want personalized customer support, research reports, and a wide range of investment options, including IPOs. In mobile trading, Zerodha is the clear winner in comparing Zerodha vs Sharekhan. Ultimately, the choice depends on your investment goals and preferences. We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision. Happy investing!
Respected sir
Here I want to know which full service broker is good for research platform and their recommendation among the Sharekhan, Motilal Oswal and Angle
I am not day trader i am planning for long horizon . Kindly suggest right of above three broker for reserch and their recommendation.
Thanks
Rather don’t rely on a specific broker for research calls. We do send the best of broker’s calls to our Zerodha clients. For more details, you can check Zero Brokerage Club.