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Brokers · Zerodha vs Angel One

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

Self-directed clarity versus bundled research. Cost-first, disclosed, and informational, not a recommendation to open any specific account.

The verdict

Zerodha and Angel One both charge zero delivery brokerage and a flat 20 rupees per order on F&O, so the deciding factor is do-it-yourself versus guided: Zerodha suits the self-directed investor with a clean 300 rupees yearly AMC and deep tooling, while Angel One suits the investor who wants bundled research despite a conditional, often recurring AMC.
Moat Score
83/ 100
High conviction
Deciding factorSelf-directed clarity versus bundled research
Moat Score (Zerodha)83/100
Zerodha cost-fit83/100
Angel One cost-fit74/100

BazaarBaaziSource & method

Which suits whomZerodha 83 · Angel One 74

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 (self-directed clarity versus bundled research); the factor breakdown below shows exactly how it is built.

Best for

Zerodha

Self-directed investors and traders who want clean pricing and the deepest tooling.

Cost-fit score

83 / 100

Strengths

  • Free equity delivery and a mature, stable platform (Kite) trusted at scale.
  • Deepest ecosystem: Console reporting, Coin for direct mutual funds, Sentinel alerts, Varsity learning.
  • Largest active client base in India, which signals long-run reliability and liquidity of support.

Trade-offs

  • Charges a 300 per year AMC, where some newer rivals advertise a lower or zero maintenance plan.
  • Onboarding and support can feel slower at peak times given the sheer client volume.

Best for

Angel One

Investors who want bundled research, advisory and ready-made baskets in one app.

Cost-fit score

74 / 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.

The comparison, side by sideIndicative 2026

Charges are the published flat-fee structures of Zerodha and Angel One 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.

 ZerodhaAngel One
Account openingFree (online equity)Free
Annual maintenance (AMC)The recurring cost of simply holding the demat account.300 per yearConditional AMC (first year often free, then a monthly charge)
Equity deliveryBrokerage on buy-and-hold equity. Statutory charges still apply.Zero brokerageZero brokerage on delivery
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.

Zerodha · 83 / 100

Tooling depthWidest self-directed ecosystem in India.+18
Pricing clarityA single 300 per year AMC, no conditional monthly charge.+12
Cross-sellLean app with minimal advisory prompts.+8
F&O costFlat 20 per order on derivatives.+9

Angel One · 74 / 100

Research bundleSmart-money advisory and baskets 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.-10
Cross-sellMore advisory and cross-sell prompts in the app.-6

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 Angel One?

If the Angel One 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 Zerodha versus Angel One call, distilled and schema-marked for AI Overview, Perplexity, and reader search.

Is Zerodha or Angel One cheaper to hold?

Zerodha charges a flat 300 rupees per year AMC that does not change. Angel One uses a conditional AMC that is often free in the first year and can then become a recurring monthly charge. For predictable holding cost Zerodha is usually the clearer choice; check Angel One's current AMC terms before deciding.

Does Angel One give research that Zerodha does not?

Yes. Angel One bundles research notes, smart-money advisory and ready-made baskets aimed at guided investors. Zerodha is deliberately self-directed and provides tooling and education (Varsity) rather than buy or sell calls. Choose based on whether you want guidance or independence.

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

Both charge a flat 20 rupees per executed order on F&O, so the brokerage is the same. Active derivatives traders often prefer Zerodha's Kite platform for charting and reporting, while the statutory charges are identical on both.

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