Axis Direct vs Zerodha
A full side-by-side comparison of brokerage charges, demat AMC, margin, platforms, features and user ratings — updated for 2026.
Axis Direct
VS
Zerodha
Axis Direct vs Zerodha — quick verdict
Choose Axis Direct if
You want research and offline support
Invest Right. Invest Now.
Choose Zerodha if
You want low-cost, self-directed trading
India's largest discount broker — ₹0 equity delivery, flat ₹20 intraday/F&O and the clean, reliable Kite platform.
Company overview
Axis Direct is a full-service broker incorporated in 2006; Zerodha is a discount broker incorporated in 2010.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Type of broker | Full-Service Broker | Discount Broker |
| Exchange membership | NSE · BSE · MCX · MSEI | NSE · BSE · MCX |
| Year of incorporation | 2006 older | 2010 |
| Number of branches | 4,800+ wider | 0 |
| Active clients | 14 Lakh+ | ~1.6 crore larger |
Charges & AMC
Account-opening and maintenance charges for Axis Direct and Zerodha compared side by side.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Trading a/c opening | ₹0 (Online) | ₹200 (Online) |
| Trading a/c AMC | ₹0 | ₹0 (Free) |
| Demat a/c opening | ₹0 | ₹0 (Free) |
| Demat a/c AMC | ₹0 (1st Year), ₹750 + GST per year thereafter | ₹300 lower |
| DP charges (per ISIN, sell) | ₹15.93 per debit transaction (including GST) | ₹13.5 + GST per debit lower |
Brokerage charges
How Axis Direct and Zerodha price each trading segment, per executed order.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.50% | ₹0 (Free) |
| Equity Intraday | 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Equity Futures | 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Equity Options | ₹20 per executed order | ₹20 / order |
| Currency F&O | 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Commodity F&O | 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Call & Trade | ₹20 per executed order | +₹50/order |
Transaction charges (exchange turnover)
Exchange turnover and clearing charges passed through by Axis Direct and Zerodha, per segment.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE: 0.00297% • BSE: 0.00375% | NSE Rs 325 per Cr (0.00325%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) |
| Equity Intraday | NSE: 0.00297% • BSE: 0.00375% | NSE Rs 325 per Cr (0.00325%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) |
| Equity Futures | NSE: 0.00173% | NSE Rs 190 per Cr (0.0019%) | BSE Rs 0 |
| Equity Options | NSE: 0.03503% (on premium) | NSE Rs 3503 per Cr (0.03503%) | BSE Rs 275 per Cr (on premium) |
| Currency Futures | NSE: 0.00035% | NSE Rs 90 per Cr (0.0009%) | BSE Rs 45 per Cr |
| Currency Options | NSE: 0.03110% (on premium) | — |
| Commodity Futures | MCX: 0.00210% | — |
| Commodity Options | MCX: 0.04180% (on premium) | — |
Demat & DP charges
Depository (demat) charges for Axis Direct and Zerodha — AMC, debit transactions, pledging and remat.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Demat Account Opening | ₹0 | — |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | ₹0 (1st Year), ₹750 + GST per year thereafter | Rs 300 + GST per year (Rs 75 + GST per quarter) |
| Debit Transaction Charges | ₹15.93 per debit transaction (including GST) | — |
| Pledge / Unpledge Charges | ₹50 + GST per request | — |
| Dematerialisation (Demat) | ₹50 per certificate + GST | — |
| Rematerialisation (Remat) | ₹50 per certificate + GST | — |
| Failed Transactions | Nil | Nil |
| Demat Account Opening Charges | — | Rs 0 (Free) |
| Transaction Charges (Sell) | — | Rs 13.5 + GST per scrip (per day) |
| Pledge Creation / Invocation | — | Rs 30 + GST per request |
| Remat | — | Rs 150 + GST per certificate + CDSL charges |
Margin & leverage (MTF)
Intraday and delivery margin / leverage offered by Axis Direct and Zerodha.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 100% of trade value (1x) | 100% of trade value (1x) |
| Equity Intraday | VAR + ELM Margin (Up to 5x*) | Up to 20% of trade value (Up to 5x) |
| Equity Futures | SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per available margin) | 100% NRML (Span + Exposure) (1x) |
| Equity Options (Sell) | Premium Value (Not Applicable) | — |
| Currency Futures & Options | SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per available margin) | — |
| Currency Futures & Options | SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per available margin) | — |
| Commodity Futures & Options | SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per available margin) | — |
Features & account
Account type and feature availability across Axis Direct and Zerodha.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| 3-in-1 account | ✓ Yes better | ✕ No |
| Automated / API trading | ✕ No | ✓ Yes better |
| Margin Trading (MTF) | ✓ Yes better | ✕ No |
| Trading in SME shares | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Trading platforms | Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade | Kite, Console, Coin, Kite Connect |
| Intraday square-off | 3:15 PM | 3:20 PM |
| Other | Research Recommendations, Smart Edge Reports, Basket Orders, Price Alerts, Advanced Charting, Option Chain, Margin Trading Facility (MTF), Portfolio Tracker, Watchlists | GTT orders, Coin (free direct mutual funds), Varsity education. No MTF, Bracket or Cover orders. |
Trading platforms & apps
Trading terminals, web platforms and mobile apps offered by Axis Direct and Zerodha.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Trading platforms offered | Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade | Kite, Console, Coin |
| Number of platforms | 3 | 3 |
| Platforms (summary) | Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade | Kite, Console, Coin, Kite Connect |
| Mobile / desktop apps | Web Trading Platform, Mobile Trading App, Desktop Trading Software | Web + Mobile, Web, Mobile |
User ratings
User ratings for Axis Direct and Zerodha across the key parameters.
| Rated on | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | 4 | 4.5 better |
| Brokerage | 4.1 | 4.6 better |
| Trading platform | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Customer service | 4.5 better | 3.8 |
| Research | 4.8 better | 3.6 |
| Overall | 4.4 | 4.5 better |
Investment options
Which investment products Axis Direct and Zerodha let you access.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks / Equity | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Commodity | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| IPO | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Mutual Funds | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bonds / NCD | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Order types offered
Advanced order types supported by Axis Direct and Zerodha.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Bracket Order | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Cover Order | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| BTST | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| After Market (AMO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| GTC / GTT | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Safety & credibility
SEBI registration, financial strength and complaint record for Axis Direct and Zerodha.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI registration | INZ000250138 | INZ000031633 |
| NSE member code | 12798 | 13179 |
| Year of incorporation | 2006 longer track record | 2010 |
| Net worth | ₹1,639.08 Cr | ₹13,000+ Cr stronger |
| Exchange memberships | NSE · BSE · MCX · MSEI | NSE · BSE · MCX |
| Latest complaint ratio | 0.002% fewer complaints | 0.030% |
Complaints record
Exchange complaint data for Axis Direct and Zerodha — the ratio matters more than the raw count.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Latest financial year | 2025–26 | 2025-26 |
| Exchange | NSE | NSE |
| Active clients | 14,18,214 | 80,12,000 larger base |
| Complaints filed | 22 | 2,400 |
| Complaint ratio | 0.002% fewer complaints | 0.030% |
Pros & cons
The main advantages and drawbacks of each broker.
Axis Direct
▲ Pros
- ✓ Backed by Axis Bank, one of India's leading private sector banks.
- ✓ Convenient 3-in-1 Account for seamless banking and investing.
- ✓ Comprehensive research reports and expert investment recommendations.
- ✓ Supports stocks, F&O, commodities, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, bonds, and more.
- ✓ Advanced web and mobile trading platforms.
- ✓ Strong customer support with a nationwide branch network.
▼ Cons
- ✕ Brokerage charges are higher than most discount brokers.
- ✕ Annual Demat AMC is applicable after the introductory period.
- ✕ Premium research and advisory services may be suited more for long-term investors.
- ✕ Some brokerage plans vary based on customer profile and relationship.
- ✕ Call & Trade charges are applicable.
- ✕ Budget-conscious traders may find discount brokers more economical.
Zerodha
▲ Pros
- ✓ Free (₹0) equity delivery investing.
- ✓ Clean, fast and reliable Kite web & mobile platform.
- ✓ GTT (Good Till Triggered) orders and Coin for free direct mutual funds.
- ✓ Strong educational content through Varsity.
- ✓ India's largest retail broker — bootstrapped, profitable and debt-free.
- ✓ Transparent flat pricing with no hidden charges.
▼ Cons
- ✕ No MTF / margin funding (pay-later) facility.
- ✕ No 3-in-1 account and no Bracket or Cover orders.
- ✕ No in-house stock research, tips or relationship manager.
- ✕ Support is largely ticket-based; no branch network.
- ✕ ₹200 account opening charge and ₹50 Call & Trade fee.
- ✕ Occasional load on the platform during high-volatility sessions.
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