Investing in trading apps has been evolving with each passing day, and there are numerous trading apps that are coming up in the market. Two of the most prominent and major ones among them are Dhan vs Zerodha. But, to choose between them can be a challenging task.
Each of the trading apps offers its unique and best features to investors for trading, but the question that surrounds here is – which one is better among the two of them? To cater this question we’ll delve into some factors that’ll help you get a clear image for choosing the right platform for your trading activities.
Dhan Vs Zerodha: Company Overview
These two trading platforms have been in the limelight in the financial market for their investment plans, stock prices, account features, to name a few. While the foremost similarity and the feature that gets the most of the attention is that they don’t charge a single rupee for opening a demat account. Interesting, right!.
Well, before getting into the detailed comparison of these trading names, let’s gain some insights about their company profile.
Let’s get started with it!
| PARAMETER | DHAN | ZERODHA |
| Founded | 2021 | 2010 |
| Founders | Pravin Jadhav, Alok Pandey & Jay Gupta | Nithin Kamath & Nikhil Kamath |
| Headquarter | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Type of platform | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Offers trading in | NSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX | BSE, NSE, MCX |
| No. of branches | Zero | 75+ branches & partner offices |
| Active customer base (2023) | 2.5 lakhs | 6.3 million |
The above table clearly depicts the clear image that Zerodha is serving a more active customer base as of 2023. However, the thing to keep in mind is that the numbers can change overtime.
Note: We have thoroughly covered Zerodha comparison with other trading platforms too. To know more about it and gain more knowledge of it do visit our article – mStock vs Zerodha.
Detailed Comparison of Dhan Vs Zerodha
Account Opening Charges
Below table will help you find out the prices of both the platforms dhan vs zerodha charge for opening an account on their trading app or the platform.
| PARAMETER | DHAN | ZERODHA |
| Trading account opening charges | Free | Rs.200 |
| Trading annual account maintenance charges | Zero | Zero |
| Demat account opening charges | Zero | Zero |
| Annual maintenance charges for demat account | Zero (lifetime) | Rs.300 (Lifetime / per annum) |
Brokerage Charges Comparison
Brokerage charges are one of the basic things that any investor looks for before investing in any of the plans, stocks, etc. These charges vary according to the brokerage rates, investment plans, and the platform.
To have a clear picture and understanding of these charges is a must to do as it directly affects the investment and the trading. These charges help both the budding and already rooted investor for investing, so that you can get the best results or your investment.
| CHARGES | PARAMETERS | DHAN | ZERODHA |
| EQUITY | Delivery | Free | Free |
| Intraday | Rs.20 or the 0.03% | Rs.20 or 0.3%, the lower among the two | |
| Futures | Rs.20 or 0.03% | Rs.20 or 0.03% | |
| Options | Rs.20 (flat) for every transaction | Rs.20 (flat) per execution of order | |
| COMMODITY | Futures | Rs. 20 or 0.03% (lower one between the two) | Rs.20 or 0.03% (lower one between the two) |
| Options | Rs.20 | Rs.20 | |
| Trading | Flat fee of Rs.20 | Flat fee of Rs.20 | |
| CURRENCY | Futures | Rs.20 or 0.03% | Rs.20 or 0.03% |
| Options | Rs.20 (flat fee) | Rs.20 (flat fee) | |
| CALL & TRADE CHARGES | Per order | GST + Rs.50 | Rs.50 |
| HIDDEN CHARGES | – | NIL | NIL |
| CHARGES FOR MINIMUM BROKERAGE (if any) | – | NIL | NIL |
| BROKERAGE CALCULATOR | – | Dhan | Zerodha |
The above table reflects the different charges these trading apps have set for different parameters while conveying the brokerage charges. For equity delivery, both the trading platforms charge zero, that sets the similarity base for them. While the other parameters charges are somewhat similar to what both Dhan and Zerodha imposes.
While for call and trade dhan charges Rs.50 + GST, whereas zerodha charges only Rs.50 per executed order, that makes one of the major differences between the two.
Both dhan and zerodha, take NIL for hidden charges and for minimum brokerage too. These brokerage charges are essential to consider before investing in any of these platforms, as it’ll help you get the best result for your interest.
Transaction Charges
| CHARGES | PARAMETER | DHAN | ZERODHA |
| EQUITY | Delivery | NSE – 325 per Cr i.e. 0.00325% BSE – 375 per Cr i.e. 0.00375 per Cr | NSE – 335 per Cr i.e. 0.00335% BSE – 375 per Cr i.e. 0.00375 |
| Intraday | NSE – 325 per Cr i.e. 0.00325% BSE – 375 per Cr i.e. 0.00375% | NSE – 335 per Cr i.e. 0.00335% BSE – 375 per Cr i.e. 0.00375% | |
| Futures | NSE – 190 per Cr | NSE – 200 per Cr | |
| Options | NSE – 5000 per Cr | NSE – 5050 per Cr | |
| CURRENCY | Futures | Rs.110 per Cr | Rs.90 per Cr |
| Options | Rs.4000 per Cr | Rs.3500 per Cr | |
| COMMODITY | Not Available | 0.0026% |
The above table represents the different transaction charges imposed by these trading platforms on various parameters. These charges vary according to the NSE and BSE sets. These may evolve or change during the course of time or according to the financial market.
The above table may help you guide through the different charges and parameters on these platforms.
Pros & Cons of Dhan & Zerodha
| PLATFORM | PROS | CONS |
| Dhan | Provide seamless brokerage services across exchanges BSE, NSE, MCX. | Charges extra for call and trade services for every order (Rs.50) |
Open free account | Doesn’t allow the facility of 3-in-1 account | |
Free AMC of demat account | Does not provide the facility of research, recommendations, & stock tips. | |
For all other segments trade brokerages, charges Rs.20 | No monthly unlimited trading plans are provided | |
Zerodha | Offer free equity trades, and charges no amount for brokerage for cash-n-carry orders | Does not provide tips for stocks, research and recommendations |
Provides brokerage services across exchanges BSE, NSE, MCX | Charges extra for call and trade services (Rs.50) | |
Provides facility of direct mutual funds | No 3-in-1 account facility is provided | |
Provides facility to use Kite trading platform for free | No monthly unlimited trading plans are provided | |
For all other segments trade brokerages, charges Rs.20 | ||
NRI trading is available |
Which one is better for Trading: Summing Up
As we come to the end of the discussion of dhan vs zerodha, both of these trading platforms have evolved with time and are prominent contenders of each other. On one hand, Zerodha is ahead in the list than Dhan in terms of active customer base, while on the other hand Dhan comes at the other top by charging zero as the account opening fee, while Zerodha charges Rs.200.
Zerodha has been in this industry since 2010, while Dhan has been since 2021. There are other factors too that are considered while making a difference between both the platforms.
Ultimately, the choice of choosing between both of these comes down to personal requirements and preferences. The decision of choosing the right platform should come in alignment according to your financial requirements, budget, the way you want to invest, and most importantly the preference.
However, the thing to note down here is that, these figures might change or evolve in due course of time with variants in the financial market, it is important to remain updated about the changes in the financial sphere.
