What Is Zerodha and Its Commission Structure?

Learn about Zerodha and its commission structure. Understand the key features of Zerodha and why it is a popular choice among Indian investors and traders.


Zerodha is a leading Indian financial service company, primarily known as a discount brokerage firm. Established in 2010 by Nithin Kamath, Zerodha kickstarted a revolution in the Indian brokerage market by introducing the concept of discount brokerage in India. Based in Bangalore, it has quickly risen to become one of the largest and most popular trading platforms in the country, catering to millions of customers.

Zerodha's Commission Structure:

Zerodha's commission structure can be summarized as follows:

  • Equity Delivery: ₹0 (Free)
  • Equity Intraday Trades and Futures: ₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per executed order
  • Options: ₹20 per executed order

Example of Zerodha's Commission:

Equity Delivery Trade:

  • If you buy 100 shares of Infosys at ₹1,500 per share, and hold them for more than one day, your commission cost would be ₹0 because Zerodha offers free equity delivery trades.

Equity Intraday Trade:

  • If you buy 100 shares of HDFC Bank at ₹1,500 per share and sell them on the same day:
    • The purchase transaction cost = ₹20 (since ₹20 < 0.03% of [100 * ₹1,500])
    • The selling transaction cost = ₹20
    • Total commission for the round trip = ₹40

Options Trade:

  • If you buy 1 lot of Nifty options (assuming the lot size is 75):
    • The commission for entering the trade = ₹20
    • Assuming you sell the lot on the same day, the commission for exiting = ₹20
    • Total commission for the round trip trade = ₹40

Key Features of Zerodha:

1. Low Brokerage Fees:

Zerodha is renowned for its low-cost brokerage model. It charges zero brokerage for equity delivery trades and a nominal flat rate for intraday trades, futures & options, which significantly lowers the trading costs for investors.

2. Cutting-edge Technology:

The firm offers a robust and user-friendly trading platform called "Kite," which is available on both web and mobile. Kite provides advanced charting, data analytics, and a seamless trading experience.

3. Wide Range of Instruments:

Investors can trade a variety of instruments through Zerodha, including stocks, derivatives (futures & options), commodities, bonds, and currency. It also provides facilities for mutual funds investments via its platform - "Coin."

4. Educational Initiatives:

Zerodha has a strong focus on investor education and financial literacy. Through its initiative "Varsity," it offers comprehensive, free tutorials on trading and investments. There's also "Trading Q&A," a community forum where users can ask questions and share knowledge.

5. Transparent and Simple Pricing:

Zerodha's pricing structure is straightforward with no hidden charges, aligning with its philosophy of transparency and fairness.

Why Choose Zerodha?

Cost-Effective Trading:

Its discount brokerage model makes it an attractive choice for investors looking to minimize their trading costs.

Reliable Platform:

Kite, Zerodha’s trading platform, is acclaimed for its reliability, speed, and range of features, catering to both beginners and experienced traders.

Investor Education:

The emphasis on education and financial literacy helps traders and investors make informed decisions, which is particularly beneficial for newcomers.

Customer Support:

Zerodha offers customer support through various channels, including phone, email, and a ticket-based system on its website.

Shareholding Pattern of Zerodha:

ShareholderOwnership Percentage
Nithin Kamath30.9%
Nikhil Kamath28.9%
Seema Patil10%
Austin Global Ventures0.1%
Straddle Capital0.1%
Udyavara Raghuram Kamath0.1%
Revathi Kamath0.1%
Other Shareholders Combined29.9%

Conclusion:

Zerodha has been a game-changer in the Indian stock market, democratizing access to equity and commodities trading with its innovative, technology-driven approach and low-cost model. It continues to grow and expand its offerings, making it a go-to platform for a large segment of Indian investors and traders looking for cost-effective and efficient trading solutions.


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