Broker profile
Zerodha Review (2026): Brokerage, Platforms, API & Execution - The Published Facts
Zerodha is a Bengaluru-based discount broker and, by published NSE active-client counts, the largest retail stockbroker in India. Its pricing model - free equity delivery and a flat fee of up to ₹20 per executed order for intraday and derivatives - set the template most Indian discount brokers now follow. Its Kite platform and the Kite Connect API are frequently cited in third-party comparisons for reliability and developer support.
At a glance
Zerodha brokerage calculator · Compare Zerodha with other brokers
- Type
- Discount broker
- Official website
- https://zerodha.com
- Delivery brokerage
- ₹0 (free)
- Intraday brokerage
- ₹20 or 0.03% per order (whichever is lower)
- F&O brokerage
- ₹20 per order (flat, options)
- Account opening
- ₹200 (online)
- AMC
- ₹300 per year
- Platforms
- Kite (web), Kite (mobile), Console, Coin
- Trading API
- Kite Connect - See official Kite Connect pricing page (docs)
- Products
- Equity, F&O, Currency, Commodity, Mutual funds, Bonds/G-secs
- Exchanges
- NSE, BSE, MCX
- Algo support
- Yes - via Kite Connect API
- Reported execution speed
- ≈ 80 ms (median)
- Margin
- Intraday leverage per SEBI peak-margin rules
- Research
- No advisory; free learning platform (Varsity)
Strengths (published)
- Free equity delivery and low flat-fee derivatives pricing
- Kite is widely regarded as a stable, minimal trading platform
- Mature developer ecosystem around Kite Connect
- Largest retail broker in India by active clients (per NSE data)
Limitations
- No research or advisory desk
- Call-and-trade and physical services cost extra
- Server load issues have been reported on high-volatility days in the past
Who is it best for?
Self-directed investors and traders who want low, predictable costs and a stable platform.
This profile is compiled only from the sources listed below. Fields marked Not Disclosed mean no verifiable published figure existed at review time - we never estimate or infer. This is information, not investment advice, and this site has no relationship with Zerodha.
Frequently asked questions
What brokerage does Zerodha charge?
Per its official pricing at our last review: delivery ₹0 (free); intraday ₹20 or 0.03% per order (whichever is lower); F&O ₹20 per order (flat, options). Statutory charges apply on top. Verify the current schedule on the official pricing page, as rates change without notice.
Does Zerodha offer a trading API?
Yes - Kite Connect. Published pricing: See official Kite Connect pricing page. See the official documentation for rate limits and terms.
How fast is Zerodha's order execution?
The published figure is ≈ 80 ms (median), from a published third-party comparison. It is approximate, not independently audited, and varies with device, network and market conditions.
Who is Zerodha best suited for?
Self-directed investors and traders who want low, predictable costs and a stable platform.
Related brokers
- Upstox
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- Groww
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- Angel One
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- Dhan
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- Fyers
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- ICICI Direct
Full-service broker (bank-backed)
Head-to-head comparisons
- Zerodha vs Upstox
- Zerodha vs Groww
- Zerodha vs Angel One
- Zerodha vs Dhan
- Zerodha vs Fyers
- Zerodha vs ICICI Direct
- Zerodha vs Kotak Neo (Kotak Securities)
- Zerodha vs 5paisa
Sources
- Zerodha - official website - https://zerodha.com
- Zerodha - official pricing page - https://zerodha.com/charges/
- Zerodha - official API page - https://kite.trade
- AlgoTest Broker Speedtest - https://openbroker.in/ (Independent, live place-order latency measured by AlgoTest and refreshed every 15 minutes during market hours. The figure shown is the median of AlgoTest’s 15-minute measurement windows; latency varies with network path and market conditions.)