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Angel One vs Dhan: which demat account is better in 2026

Bundled research versus zero-AMC trader tooling. Cost-first, disclosed, and informational, not a recommendation to open any specific account.

The verdict

Angel One and Dhan both charge zero delivery brokerage and a flat 20 rupees per executed order on F&O, so the deciding factor is guided full-service heritage versus pure trader tooling: Angel One suits the investor who wants bundled research and advisory despite a conditional AMC that can become a recurring monthly charge, while Dhan suits the self-directed options and intraday trader who wants zero AMC and a derivatives-first platform.
Moat Score
81/ 100
High conviction
Deciding factorBundled research versus zero-AMC trader tooling
Moat Score (Dhan)81/100
Angel One cost-fit72/100
Dhan cost-fit81/100

BazaarBaaziSource & method

Which suits whomAngel One 72 · Dhan 81

The fast read on who each account fits. The cost-fit score is a BazaarBaazi 0 to 100 number for the lens of this matchup (bundled research versus zero-amc trader tooling); the factor breakdown below shows exactly how it is built.

Best for

Angel One

Investors who want bundled research, advisory and a branch network behind their discount account.

Cost-fit score

72 / 100

Strengths

  • Bundled research, smart-money advisory and ready-made baskets, useful for guided investors.
  • Flat-fee pricing on intraday and F&O despite a full-service heritage.
  • Long-established listed broker with a wide branch and support footprint.

Trade-offs

  • AMC structure is conditional and can become a recurring monthly charge after the first year.
  • More cross-sell and advisory prompts in the app than the lean discount brokers.

Best for

Dhan

Active options and intraday traders who want zero AMC and a fast, derivatives-first platform.

Cost-fit score

81 / 100

Strengths

  • Zero AMC and a derivatives-first interface built for active options traders.
  • Fast order placement, options chain analytics, and TradingView charting.
  • No clutter or heavy cross-sell, a lean platform aimed at serious traders.

Trade-offs

  • Newer and smaller than the incumbents, with a shorter public track record.
  • Best suited to traders; a pure long-term investor gains less from the trader tooling.

The comparison, side by sideIndicative 2026

Charges are the published flat-fee structures of Angel One and Dhan as of 2026. Statutory charges (STT, exchange transaction, GST, SEBI and stamp) are the same across brokers and sit on top of the brokerage below.

 Angel OneDhan
Account openingFreeFree
Annual maintenance (AMC)The recurring cost of simply holding the demat account.Conditional AMC (first year often free, then a monthly charge)Zero AMC
Equity deliveryBrokerage on buy-and-hold equity. Statutory charges still apply.Zero brokerage on deliveryZero brokerage
Equity intraday20 per order or 0.03 percent, whichever is lower20 per order or 0.03 percent, whichever is lower
Futures and optionsPer executed order. Statutory charges (STT, exchange, GST) are the same across brokers.20 per executed order20 per executed order

Verify the live rate card on each broker site before opening an account. How BazaarBaazi sources this.

How the cost-fit score is builtBase 50, clamped 0 to 100

The score is deterministic: base 50, adjusted by the factors below and clamped to 0 to 100. It is a transparent cost-and-fit signal for this matchup, not a SEBI-registered rating.

Angel One · 72 / 100

Research bundleSmart-money advisory, baskets and research for guided investors.+14
Branch supportWide branch and support footprint as a listed full-service broker.+10
Holding costConditional AMC can become a recurring monthly charge after the first year.-12
Cross-sellMore advisory prompts in the app than a lean trader platform.-6

Dhan · 81 / 100

Trader toolingOptions chain analytics, TradingView charts and a lean, trader-focused interface.+17
Holding costZero AMC, a clear and permanent zero versus the rival's conditional structure.+14
Track recordNewer and smaller than Angel One, with a shorter listed history.-9
F&O costFlat 20 per executed order on derivatives.+9

Both accounts charge zero delivery brokerage and a flat 20 rupees per executed order on F&O, so the score turns on holding cost, tooling and fit rather than on trade brokerage.

Prefer Dhan?

If the Dhan side of this matchup fits you better, here is the disclosed sign-up. The cost-first comparison above does not change either way.

FAQ3 reader questions · AEO-eligible

The Angel One versus Dhan call, distilled and schema-marked for AI Overview, Perplexity, and reader search.

Is Angel One or Dhan cheaper to hold?

Dhan charges zero AMC, a permanent unconditional zero. Angel One uses a conditional AMC that is often free in the first year and can then become a recurring monthly charge. For ongoing holding cost Dhan is clearly cheaper; verify Angel One's current AMC terms if you plan to hold the account long term.

Which is better for F&O, Angel One or Dhan?

Both charge a flat 20 rupees per executed order on F&O, so the brokerage is identical. Dhan is built specifically for derivatives traders with an options chain and TradingView charts. Angel One offers flat-fee F&O pricing alongside bundled research, which suits a trader who also wants advisory support.

Does Angel One offer research that Dhan does not?

Yes. Angel One bundles research, smart-money advisory and ready-made baskets aimed at guided investors. Dhan is deliberately lean and aimed at self-directed traders who want fast execution and analytics rather than curated advice. Choose Angel One for guidance and Dhan for independence at a zero AMC.

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