Choosing the right stockbroker is a critical step in your investing and trading journey. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a transparent, side-by-side comparison of the charges and features of Flattrade alongside other major brokers in India.
Below is a detailed breakdown of account opening fees, maintenance charges, and brokerage across various segments.
| Feature / Charge | Flattrade ⭐ | Broker A | Broker B | Broker C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Full Service Broker | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Account Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Rs 0 NIL | Rs 240/year | Free (Rs 0) | Rs 300/year |
| Equity Delivery Brokerage | Rs 0 NIL | Rs 0 (Free) | Rs 20 or 0.01% (lower) | Rs 0 (Free) |
| Equity Intraday Brokerage | Rs 0 NIL | Flat Rs 20 or 0.3% (lower) | Flat Rs 20 or 0.01% (lower) | Flat Rs 20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Equity F&O Brokerage | Rs 0 NIL | Flat Rs 20/trade | Flat Rs 20/trade | Flat Rs 20/trade |
| Commodity & Currency Brokerage | Rs 0 NIL | Flat Rs 20/trade | Max Rs 20/order | Flat Rs 20/executed order |
| API Access | Free | Available | Paid | Rs 500/month |
| Direct Mutual Funds | Free (zero commission) via Novo App | Free | Free | Free |
| DP Charges (Per Debit Transaction) | Rs 20 + GST | Rs 20 | Not disclosed | Rs 13.50 + GST |
| Intraday Margin / Leverage | 20% upfront margin (cash market) | Up to 20% of trade value (max 5x) | Up to 20% of trade value (max 5x) | Up to 20% of trade value (max 5x) |
All fee information is based on publicly available data as of 2026. Charges are subject to change; please verify on each broker’s official website before making a decision.
Why consider Flattrade?
Flattrade stands out by offering a completely zero-brokerage model across all trading segments — including Equity Delivery, Intraday, Futures, Options, Commodities, and Currencies. Furthermore, Flattrade provides zero Account Maintenance Charges (AMC) for both Broking and DP accounts, ensuring that your recurring costs remain minimal while you trade or invest.
Who is Flattrade best suited for?
Flattrade’s zero-brokerage, zero-AMC model is designed to benefit a broad range of market participants. Here is a look at who stands to gain the most.
High-frequency & intraday traders
Traders who execute multiple orders per day accumulate significant brokerage costs over time. With Rs 0 intraday brokerage, every rupee saved on fees goes directly back into your trading capital.
Biggest cost savingF&O & derivatives traders
Options and futures traders who place frequent orders benefit substantially from zero per-trade charges. A flat Rs 20/trade fee from peers can add up to thousands of rupees a month.
Zero per-trade feeAlgo & quantitative traders
Developers and quant traders who rely on API-based automated strategies benefit from Flattrade’s free API access — eliminating an additional monthly overhead that other platforms charge separately.
Free API accessLong-term investors
Investors who hold stocks for the long term and rarely sell benefit from zero AMC on both Broking and DP accounts, meaning your portfolio incurs no annual holding cost.
Zero AMC for lifeNew & beginner investors
Those just starting out can open an account and begin investing without worrying about recurring charges eating into small initial portfolios. Zero brokerage on equity delivery means full returns from day one.
Low-cost startCommodity & currency traders
Traders active in MCX commodities or currency futures benefit from the same zero-brokerage structure extended across these segments — a relatively rare offering among major brokers.
All segments coveredStatutory & regulatory charges — applicable to all brokers
Beyond brokerage, every trade in India attracts mandatory statutory charges levied by the government, exchanges, and SEBI. These are not broker fees — they apply uniformly regardless of which broker you use. Understanding them helps you calculate your true cost per trade
STT / CTT
Securities Transaction Tax
Levied by the Government of India on every purchase or sale of securities traded on recognized exchanges. CTT applies to commodity trades.
Govt. taxGST
Goods & Services Tax
18% GST is charged on brokerage and transaction charges. On zero-brokerage trades, GST applies only to exchange transaction charges.
18% standard rateExchange
Exchange Transaction Charges
Charged by NSE/BSE/MCX for executing trades on their platforms. Rates vary by segment and exchange.
Varies by segmentSEBI
SEBI Turnover Charges
A regulatory fee charged by SEBI on total turnover. Currently Rs 10 per crore of turnover across all segments.
Regulatory feeStamp Duty
Stamp Duty
Levied by the state government on the buy side of trades. Rates differ by instrument type — equity delivery, intraday, futures, and options each have different rates.
Buy-side onlyDP Charge
Depository Participant Charge
Charged per debit transaction when shares are sold from your demat account. Flattrade charges Rs 20 + GST per debit.
Per debit fee
