Zerodha Brokerage Charges 2026 — Full Breakdown
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Zerodha is the pioneer of discount brokerage in India, currently serving millions of active traders. While Zerodha's simple pricing model—₹0 for delivery and ₹20 for intraday—is well known, the actual math hidden behind statutory charges often surprises new traders. In 2026, understanding these fees is the difference between a profitable trade and a losing one.
Zerodha Quick Charges Table (2026)
| Segment | Brokerage | STT | Exchange Charges (NSE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | ₹0 (Free) | 0.1% (Buy & Sell) | 0.00322% |
| Equity Intraday | ₹20 or 0.03% | 0.025% (Sell only) | 0.00322% |
| Equity Futures | ₹20 or 0.03% | 0.0125% (Sell only) | 0.00188% |
| Equity Options | ₹20 per order | 0.0625% (on Sell Premium) | 0.0495% (on Premium) |
Calculate Your Exact Zerodha Net Profit
Use our dedicated Zerodha-synced calculator below to see your net P&L after ALL charges.
Why Zerodha Charges ₹0 for Delivery But You Still Lose Money?
Even when Zerodha charges ₹0 brokerage for delivery, you still pay STT (Securities Transaction Tax). STT is a massive 0.1% on both the buy and sell values. For a ₹1 Lakh delivery trade, you pay ₹100 while buying and another ₹100 while selling. Add to this the DP (Depository Participant) charges of ₹13.5 + GST per scrip per day when you sell.
The ₹20 Trap: Small vs Large Orders
Zerodha charges ₹20 flat. This is great for large orders but punitive for small ones.
- If you trade ₹1 Lakh: ₹20 brokerage is only 0.02%.
- If you trade ₹1,000: ₹20 brokerage is 2%.
Rule of Thumb: For intraday trades on Zerodha, ensure your order size is at least ₹70,000 for the ₹20 fee to be mathematically efficient.
Zerodha vs Groww vs Upstox (Charges Comparison)
| Feature | Zerodha | Groww | Upstox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | ₹0 | ₹20 or 0.05% | ₹20 or 2.5% |
| Equity Intraday | ₹20 or 0.03% | ₹20 or 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.05% |
| F&O Brokerage | ₹20 | ₹20 | ₹20 |
| Maintenance (AMC) | ₹300/year | ₹0 | ₹0 |
While Groww and Upstox offer zero AMC, Zerodha's Kite platform and Console reporting tools are widely considered superior for professional-grade analysis. If you trade more than 10 times a month, the ₹300 AMC is a minor cost for better execution.
Other Hidden Costs: GST and Stamp Duty
Don't forget that on top of brokerage, you pay 18% GST on the combined total of brokerage and exchange transaction charges. Additionally, a Stamp Duty of 0.015% is levied on the buy-side value of your delivery trades.
Conclusion: Is Zerodha Still the Best?
For serious traders who value platform stability and advanced trailing stop-loss features, Zerodha remains the top choice in 2026. However, for casual investors making small monthly purchases, the AMC-free models of Groww might be more cost-effective.
Always use a Brokerage Calculator before entering a trade to know your exact breakeven price. Happy trading!
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StockCalc Team
A dedicated financial analyst focused on empowering Indian investors through rigorous technical analysis and wealth preservation strategies.
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