Samco and Zerodha are both discount brokers with Rs. 20 brokerage charges for intraday trading, Equity derivatives, Currency F&O, and Commodity futures trading.
Zerodha has zero delivery charges whereas Samco charges Rs. 20 for delivery trades.
However, one can invest in bonds, NCDs, and ETFs through Samco as well as Zerodha but traders benefit from higher margins available with Samco.
Let’s dig deep to understand which broker is ideal for you.
Zerodha Demat Account Overview
Zerodha introduced the discount broking model in India in 2010 at a flat brokerage of Rs. 20. Zerodha currently is the largest stockbroker with 6+ million clients across India.
Zerodha has improved its trading platform a lot making them more smooth and snappy for day traders.
You don’t feel isolated as Zerodha has a quick and efficient customer support system. You can raise a ticket on their support page. They are even highly active on Twitter @zerodhaonline, and quickly respond to your tweets.
Samco Demat Account Overview
SAMCO Securities Limited started operation in 2015 by acquiring Samruddhi Stock Brokers Limited.
Samco is a discount broker known for low brokerages and high exposure, margin products.
Samco Vs Zerodha – Quick Comparison
Both the discount brokers offer a range of trading facilities. If you are in a hurry, then you can quickly go through the comparison below.
| Benefits | Samco | Zerodha |
| Brokerage Charges | Lower of 0.2% or Rs. 20 per executed order | Lower of 0.03% or Rs. 20 per order |
| Account Opening and Maintenance Charges | Equity – Rs.0 Commodity – Rs. 0 AMC – Rs. 400 per year | Equity – Rs. 200 Commodity – Rs. 100 AMC – Rs. 300 per year (Rs. 75 per quarter) |
| Margin Leverage | 3x to 15x | 3 to 12.5 times depending on the scrip |
| 3-in-1 Account Facility | Not available | No streamlined process to get a 3-in-1 account facility. |
| Mutual Funds | Yes, through RankMF | Yes, through Coin App |
| Additional features | Stock Basket – for theme based investing | Smartcase – for theme based investing Sensibull – for options trading strategy building Streak – for Algo trading GoldenPi – for bonds and debentures investment |
Also read – Zerodha Vs Upstox
Samco Vs Zerodha Account Opening Charges
| Charges Details | Zerodha | Samco |
| Trading and Demat account opening charges | Rs. 200 | Rs. 0 |
| Commodity Account | Rs. 100 | Rs. 0 |
| Trading account annual maintenance charges | Rs. 0 | Rs. 0 |
| Demat account annual maintenance charges | Rs. 300 (Rs. 75 per quarter) | Rs. 400 |
The offline account opening charges are double which is Rs. 400 for the Equity account and Rs. 200 for the Commodity trading, a total of Rs. 600.
If you already hold an account with IDFC First Bank then go for the Zerodha IDFC First Bank 3-in-1 account which is not available in Samco Securities.
Samco Vs Zerodha Brokerage Charges
You can trade large volumes thanks to the low brokerage fee of Rs. 20. The brokerage charge details are as under –
| Brokerage Charges | Samco | Zerodha |
| Equity Delivery | Lower of 0.20% or Rs. 20 per executed order | Rs. 0 |
| Equity Intraday | Lower of 0.02% or Rs. 20 per executed order | Lower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03% |
| Equity Futures | Lower of 0.02% or Rs. 20 per executed order | Lower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03% |
| Equity Options | Lower of 0.02% or Rs. 20 per executed order | Rs. 20 per executed order |
| Currency Futures and Options | Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.02% of gross turnover whichever is lower | Lower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03% |
| Commodity F&O | Lower of 0.02% or Rs. 20 per executed order | Lower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03% |
But you have to pay a dedicated fee to use value-added services like SmallCase in Zerodha or StockBasket in Samco.
However, Samco charges Rs. 20 per executed order for the “Call and Trade” facility. The “Call and Trade” charges include RMS (Risk Management System) Square off charges while Zerodha charges Rs. 50 per order for call and trade facility.
Zerodha Vs Samco Margin Comparison
#1. Zerodha Margin Facility
| Segment | Margin Provided |
| Equity Delivery | No Margin |
| Intraday Equity | 3 to 12.5 times depending on the scrip |
| Index Futures | Margin required is 35% of the normal margin (NRML) |
| Equity Futures | Margin required is 45% of the normal margin (NRML) |
| Index Option Writing | Margin required is 35% of the normal margin (NRML) |
| Stock Option Writing | Margin required is 45% of the normal margin (NRML) |
| Currency Futures & Option Writing | 50% of the normal margin (NRML) |
| Commodity Futures & Option Writing | 50% of the normal margin (NRML) |
You can also calculate the exact scrip-wise intraday margin using Zerodha’s Margin Calculator.
Margins, in respect of BO & CO order types, are not disclosed upfront. So you can use the BO&CO margin calculators before you place an order.
#2. Samco Margin Facility
| Segment | Margin |
| Equity Delivery | Up to 4x (only on Cash Plus product) |
| Equity Intraday MIS | 3x to 15x |
| Equity Cover Order/ Bracket Order | Up to 33x |
| Equity Futures (MIS) | For Indices = 30% of NRML margins For Stocks = 40% of NRML margins |
| Equity Futures (CO/BO) | Up to 33x |
| Currency Futures (MIS) | 40% of NRML margins |
| Currency Futures (CO/BO) | Up to 100x |
| Commodity Futures | 40% of the NRML margin |
| Purchasing Options | No leverage |
| Selling Equity Index Options (MIS) | 40% of the NRML margin |
| Selling Equity Stock Options (MIS) | 60% of the NRML margin |
| Selling Currency Options (MIS) | 50% of the NRML margin |
(NRML = Normal margin)
Similar to Zerodha, Samco has also introduced multiple calculators like Samco’s brokerage calculator, or margin calculator to help you make a trading decision.
Samco Vs Zerodha Trading Platforms
#1. Samco StockNote Web Vs Zerodha Kite 3.0
A. Samco StockNote Web
StockNote Web is a browser-based trading platform powered by AI-based “Giga Trading Engine”. The platform requires more than 512 kbps of internet speed.
One can access StockNote Web from all web browsers across devices be it PC, tablets, or mobile phones.
Best For
High volume traders looking for higher margins and margin on the stock facility.
Pros
- Low Rs. 20 brokerage charges for all segments
- High 100x margins for Currency Futures (CO/BO)
- No account opening charges
Cons
- Rs. 20 for delivery trades
- Low performing trading platform
- Average customer service
B. Zerodha Kite (Web-based)
Zerodha Kite is a browser-based, simple-to-use trading platform that provides access to 90,000+ stocks for investing or trading.
You can utilize 100+ technical indicators like Bollinger bands, or Standard deviation available in Kite to analyze the market movements for better analysis.
Pros
- Easy to use platform
- In-depth market analysis
- Fast and snappy performance
- 100 plus technical indicators for stock analysis
Cons
- Sluggish performance sometimes
#2. Samco Stock Note Vs Zerodha Kite App
A. Samco Stock Note
StockNote is Samco’s mobile-based trading platform powered by Samco’s proprietary Giga Trading Engine.
StockNote combines AI (Artificial Intelligence) and advanced analytics that help you identify trading opportunities, trends & patterns.
The app is compatible with iOS and Android-based smartphones.
A. Zerodha Kite App
Kite app is a minimalist app that is highly efficient to let you trade on the go with real-time price movement update. You can trade in stocks, F&Os, commodities, and apply for IPOs through the Kite app.
Though the IPOs application option is in the Console platform it is interconnected with Kite for easy access to the user.
You can also open the Console platform within the Kite app to generate contract notes, reports and analyze past trades.
Kite has now introduced an integrated in-built fingerprint scanner for enhanced security.
Pros
- Sleek app interface
- Snappy performance
- Integrated Console platform for reports generation and applying for IPOs.
- Enhanced fingerprint security
Cons
- Need separate app for mutual funds investment
Conclusion
Go for Zerodha if you are looking for delivery trades, a technologically superior trading platform, and a better customer experience.
If you are interested in higher margins (4x delivery margin) at par brokerages and have stock in demat for collaterals then Samco is the best out there.