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Broker profile

Zerodha Review (2026): Brokerage, Platforms, API & Execution - The Published Facts

Zerodha is a Bengaluru-based discount broker and one of the largest retail stockbrokers 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.

By the Indian Broker Test editorial desk · Published 8 July 2026 · Data last reviewed 14 November 2026 · Independent

At a glance

Zerodha charges & worked examples · 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 (options); ₹20 or 0.03% per order for futures (whichever is lower)
Account opening
Free (resident individuals); ₹500 for NRI
AMC
Free first year, then ₹300 + 18% GST per year, billed quarterly (non-BSDA; ₹0 for BSDA holdings under ₹4 lakh)
Platforms
Kite (web), Kite (mobile), Console, Coin
Trading API
Kite Connect - Personal API free; Connect (live data + historical) ₹500/month (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

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 (options); ₹20 or 0.03% per order for futures (whichever is lower). 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: Personal API free; Connect (live data + historical) ₹500/month. 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.

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Sources

  1. Zerodha - official website - https://zerodha.com
  2. Zerodha - official pricing page - https://zerodha.com/charges/
  3. Zerodha - official API page - https://zerodha.com/products/api/
  4. 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.)