Zerodha vs Dhan
Zerodha vs Dhan – Which Stock Broker is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Zerodha and Dhan in 2026 can be challenging, especially when both brokers offer competitive brokerage plans, modern trading platforms, and strong market features. While Zerodha remains India’s most trusted discount broker with proven reliability, advanced charting tools, and a massive investor base, Dhan has gained popularity for its trader-focused features, innovative interface, and fast-growing ecosystem. In this detailed comparison, explore brokerage charges, platform performance, investment options, trading tools, and customer experience to find out which broker better suits your investing and trading style.
Quick Broker Comparison Table
| Feature | Zerodha | Dhan |
|---|---|---|
|
Founded |
2010 |
2021 |
|
Founder |
Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath |
Pravin Jadhav |
|
Account Opening |
₹ 0, Free AO Charges |
₹ 0, |
|
Demat AMC |
Up to ₹4 lakh — Free and Above ₹10 lakh–₹ 300 per year |
₹0 (Lifetime) |
|
Equity Delivery Brokerage |
₹0 |
₹0 |
|
Intraday and F&O Brokerage |
₹20 or 0.03% per order |
₹20 or 0.03% per order |
|
Trading Platforms |
Kite Web, Kite App |
Dhan App.Web |
|
Advanced Trading Tools |
Extensive |
Limited |
|
3 in 1 Demat Account |
Yes |
No |
|
Technology and Data Centres |
Own Inhouse Team |
Based On vendors |
|
Best For |
Active Traders, Beginners and Investors |
Investors |
|
Overall Rating |
4.7/5 |
3.8/5 |
Broker Overview
| Zerodha Overview | Dhan Overview |
|---|---|
|
Zerodha is India’s largest and most trusted discount broker, known for revolutionizing the brokerage industry with its transparent pricing model and robust trading platform, Kite. It offers zero brokerage on equity delivery trades, while intraday and F&O orders are charged at a flat ₹20. Zerodha is highly preferred for its stability, advanced charting tools, educational ecosystem, and long-term investment-friendly approach. |
Dhan is a rapidly growing discount broker designed primarily for active traders and modern investors seeking advanced trading features. It provides competitive brokerage plans, fast trade execution, and trader-focused tools such as TradingView integration, option chain analytics, and custom strategies. Dhan has quickly gained popularity among younger traders for its modern interface and technology-driven trading ecosystem. |
Pros
| Zerodha | Dhan |
|---|---|
|
✔ Professional-grade trading platform (Kite) |
✔ Simple |
|
✔ Zero brokerage on equity delivery |
✔ High Brokerage Charges |
|
✔ Advanced charting with TradingView integration |
✔ Easy account opening process |
|
✔ Free Direct Mutual Funds & Large educational ecosystem (Varsity) |
✔ Free Mutual Funds and SIP |
|
✔ Reliable risk management system |
✔ Vendor-Based Risk Management System |
|
✔ Very Lowest Complaint on exchanges |
✔ Complaints on NSE |
|
✔ India’s First Discount Brokerage and Valuable Stock Broker |
✔ New Stock Broker |
|
✔ India’s safest stockbroker with Excellent cybersecurity |
— |
Cons
| Zerodha | Dhan |
|---|---|
|
Majorly for Active Traders |
✘ High Brokerage Charges |
|
Advanced technology-based Trading APP |
✘ The user interface on app is very poor |
|
— |
✘ Risk management is poor |
Brokerage Charges Comparison
| Brokerage Charges Comparison | Zerodha | Dhan |
|---|---|---|
|
Equity Delivery |
₹0 |
₹0 |
|
Equity Intraday |
0.03% or Rs. 20/executed order whichever is lower |
0.03% or Rs. 20/executed order whichever is lower |
|
Futures |
0.03% or Rs. 20/executed order whichever is lower |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Options |
₹20 per order |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Direct Mutual Funds |
Free via Coin |
Free |
|
HUFs Demat |
0.1% or ₹20 (whichever is less) for All Segments |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Companies, Partnerships, Trusts Demat |
0.1% or ₹20 (whichever is less) for All Segments |
Not Available |
Hidden Charges Comparison
| Hidden Charges Comparison | Zerodha | Dhan |
|---|---|---|
|
DP Charges |
DP charges once per stock per day, no matter how many times you sell, only ₹13+ 18% GST |
DP charge is ₹12.50 +18 % GST per company (scrip) |
|
Call & trade |
Call & trade facility (~₹50/order) |
₹50 + 18% GST per executed order |
|
Payment Gateway Charges |
Free |
— |
|
Corporate action order charges to OFS, buyback, takeover, and delisting orders |
A fee of ₹20 plus GST will apply |
free |
|
Margin Trading Facility (MTF) |
Brokerage is ₹20 or 0.3% per order. Interest = 14.60% per Annum |
Brokerage is ₹20 or 0.3% per order. Interest = 12.49% per Annum |
|
HUFs Demat |
0.1% or ₹20 (whichever is less) for All Segments |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Pledging charges |
A fee of ₹30 + GST |
₹15 + GST per scrip |
|
UPI Mandate balance charges |
No Charges |
No Charges |
Trading Tools and Market Intelligence
| Trading Tools and Market Intelligence | Zerodha | Dhan |
|---|---|---|
|
Advanced Charting |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Market Depth (Level 3 Data) |
Yes |
No |
|
Custom Watchlists |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Stock Screener |
Yes |
No |
|
Trade from Charts |
Yes |
Yes |
|
HUFs Demat |
0.1% or ₹20 (whichever is less) for All Segments |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Pledging charges |
A fee of ₹30 + GST |
₹20 + GST per scrip |
|
UPI Mandate balance charges |
No Charges |
No Charges |
Groww works well for long-term investors and beginners, but it does not provide the same depth of trading tools as Zerodha.
Zerodha vs Dhan: Which is Better?
While both Zerodha and Dhan offer competitive brokerage pricing and modern trading platforms, Zerodha stands out as the better overall broker for most investors and traders in 2026 due to its proven reliability, market leadership, and comprehensive investment ecosystem.
- Zerodha is ideal for investors seeking a trusted broker with stable platforms, powerful charting tools, transparent pricing, and long-term wealth-building features like Coin and Varsity.
- Dhan offers innovative tools and trader-centric features but is more suitable for niche active traders looking for specialized strategy-based functionalities.
For users prioritizing trust, platform stability, ease of use, and long-term investing support, Zerodha remains the stronger and more dependable choice.
Still Confused? Compare More Brokers
Final Verdict: Zerodha vs Groww
Both Zerodha and Dhan are highly competitive discount brokers in India, offering affordable brokerage plans and technology-driven trading platforms. However, each platform serves different types of traders and investors based on their priorities, experience level, and trading style.
| Zerodha | Dhan |
|---|---|
|
Zerodha remains the preferred choice for investors seeking long-term reliability, platform stability, and a mature trading ecosystem. Its highly trusted platform, Kite, offers a seamless trading experience backed by strong security, robust analytics, and advanced charting tools. Zerodha has built exceptional credibility among serious traders, long-term investors, and professionals due to its transparent pricing, educational resources, and consistent performance. Its wide ecosystem of products like Coin, Varsity, and Console further strengthens its position as a complete investment platform. |
Dhan has rapidly gained popularity for its feature-rich trading experience and trader-centric innovation. It offers advanced order types, powerful TradingView integration, and specialized tools designed for active traders and derivatives enthusiasts. Dhan particularly appeals to users who want modern trading features, flexibility, and deep customization in their trading setup. While still growing compared to Zerodha, Dhan has established itself as a strong option for experienced traders looking for aggressive platform innovation. |
For users planning to evolve from basic investing to active trading, Zerodha offers a more scalable and feature-rich environment and remains a solid choice for those who prefer a simple, fast, and beginner-friendly trading experience.
Zerodha vs Dhan - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Both brokers are excellent in their own areas, but Zerodha is generally considered better for investors looking for long-term reliability, platform stability, and a complete investment ecosystem. Dhan is more suited for active traders who prefer advanced trading tools and customization.
Many traders prefer Zerodha because of its trusted reputation, highly stable Kite platform, transparent pricing, and strong educational ecosystem. It has built credibility over the years among both beginners and experienced investors.
Yes, Zerodha is beginner-friendly due to its clean interface, simple account opening process, educational platform Varsity, and easy-to-understand investment tools that help new investors learn and grow.
Zerodha provides highly reliable charting, technical analysis, and market research tools. However, Dhan offers more trader-focused advanced features like additional order types and deeper customization, which may appeal to professional traders.
Zerodha is often considered better for long-term investors because of its stable ecosystem, direct mutual fund platform Coin, portfolio tracking via Console, and trusted market presence.
Yes, both Zerodha and Dhan are SEBI-registered brokers and follow regulatory compliance standards, making them safe and secure for trading and investing in India.
Both Zerodha and Dhan offer competitive brokerage charges with similar pricing models. The difference mainly lies in platform features rather than brokerage cost.
Dhan may be slightly better for active traders who need advanced order types, TradingView integration, and trading customization, while Zerodha remains preferred for traders who prioritize stability and reliability.