Kotak Securities Demat Account Review 2023

Kotak Securities is a broking arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank with over 2.5 million customer accounts and daily trades of over 7 lakhs. 

Kotak Securities is a full-service broker where one can invest in stocks, equity derivatives, currency F&O, Mutual funds, IPOs, bonds, ETFs, and IRF (Interest Rate Futures). 

The other services include research advisory, dealer-assisted trading, and portfolio management services. 

Kotak Securities Brokerage Charges

Kotak Securities offers 2 brokerage plans, namely a Trade-free brokerage plan and a Dealer-assisted brokerage plan.

#1. Trade Free Brokerage Plan

Segment Brokerage
Equity & Commodities DeliveryRs. 20 per executed order or 0.25% of transaction value whichever is higher with a ceiling of 2.5%
Intraday (both sides)Zero brokerage 
F&O (both sides)Rs. 20 per executed order(Pay Rs. 20 per order to carry forward your trades to the next day)

#2. Kotak Securities Dealer Assisted Plan

Segment Brokerage
Equity & Commodities Delivery0.39% of transaction value 
Intraday (both sides)0.039% of transaction value
Equity & Commodity Futures0.39% of transaction value 
Equity & Commodity OptionsRs. 39 per Lot
Currency FuturesRs. 9 per Lot
Currency OptionsRs. 5 per Lot

Other Charges

DescriptionInterest Rates
(Charged on monthly basis)
Stock used as Margin for Derivative Trades0.025% per day
Outstanding Debit Balance on Margin Trading Facility (MTF)0.04% per day
Other Debit Balance0.05% per day

Kotak Securities Margin Leverage

SegmentMargin Leverage
Equity Delivery1x (100% of trade value)
Equity Intraday5x (Up to 20% of trade value)
F&O (Equity, Currency, and Commodities)1x (100% of NRML margin)

Kotak Securities Demat Account Opening & Annual Charges

Trading Account opening feesTrade-free plan – Rs. 0

Dealer-assisted plan – Rs. 499 (one-time) 
Demat Account opening feesRs. 0
Trading account AMC chargesNil
Demat Account AMC Charges 
(For BSDA Clients)
Holding <50K = No AMC
Holding >50K & <2 lakh = Rs. 100 AMC
Demat Account AMC Charges 
(For Non-BSDA Clients)
Holding <10K = No AMC
Holding >10K = Rs. 50 per month (Rs. 600 yearly)

Also read – Best investment options in India

Kotak Securities Account Opening Process

One can open a “Trinity” 3-in-1 (Demat + trading + bank) account. You need to have an existing account or open new savings account with Kotak Mahindra Bank. 

If you already have an account with any of the following banks then you can go for a 2-in-1 (Demat + trading) account opening. 

  • Axis Bank
  • HDFC Bank
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank
  • ICICI Bank
  • IndusInd Bank
  • State Bank of India

You can link your existing bank account with your Kotak Trading and Demat account for online trading. 

The new account opening process is online. The Demat and trading account lies with Kotak Securities and the savings account with Kotak Mahindra Bank. 

Let’s go through the step-by-step online account opening process.

Step 1: Visit the Kotak securities website. Click on “open demat account” and fill in your details. Now click on the “Open demat account” button as shown below.

kotak securities

An OTP will be sent to your mobile number. Fill in the OTP and click on “Next”.

Step 2: Select products in which you want to trade and click on “Next”.

kotak select product

Step 3: After product selection, click on “I agree” button

kotak declaration

Step 4: Enter your PAN number, DOB details, and click on “Next”.

kotak proof of identity

Step 5: Click your “Selfie”. You need a working webcam to capture “Selfie”.

Enter your personal details like father name, mother name, marital status, and click on “Next”.

kotak selfie

Step 6: Enter your bank details and click on “Next”.

Kotak bank details

Step 7: Upload your “signatures”. 

kotak signature

Step 8: And enter your address details. Click on “Next”.

kotak address details

Step 9: Click on “esign and submit form” and you’ll be taken to the NSDL website for Aadhaar number verification.

kotak esign

Step 10: Enter your Aadhaar number for verification and you’ll receive an OTP on your Aadhaar registered mobile number. Click on “Verify OTP”.

kotak aadhar verification

It’s done. You’ll get a congratulations message that your application has been successfully submitted.

Kotak congrats

However, Kotak Securities takes 2 to 3 days to activate your account from the date of receipt of the completed application form. 

Check out – ICICI Direct Review

Kotak Securities Demat & Trading Account Features

#1. High Brokerage

Kotak Securities brokerage charges are as high as 0.39% per trade under the dealer-assisted plans for delivery trades. 

The charges come down to 0.25% for delivery trades and Zero brokerage for intraday trades under the Trade free plan but you don’t get a dedicated relationship manager.

Kotak launched Trade-free brokerage plan to compete with discount brokers like Zerodha and Upstox.

#2. Wide Products and Service Offerings

Kotak Securities is a full-service stockbroker with research and advisory services. 

The various assets, products, and services available with Kotak Securities are as under:

Can trade-in 1. Shares
2. Equity F&O
3. Currency F&O
Can invest in 4. Mutual Funds
5. IPO
6. ETFs
7. Bonds
8. Interest Rate Futures
Other Products & Services9. Stock Lending and Borrowings
10. Portfolio management services
11. Smart Will12. Research & Advisory

#3. Dealer Assisted Trading

Dealer Assisted Trading is best for new traders/investors requiring help with day trading and investing. However, this service is available through Kotak Securities outlets, which are mainly in Metro and major cities. 

Just like Motilal Oswal or Angel Broking, Kotak securities has also started providing online dealers to clients called relationship managers.

One can have a dedicated dealer to manage the trading account. The dealer will help you with the right trading decisions, expert advice, and timely assistance in carrying out trade. 

Benefits of Kotak Securities Demat and Trading Account

  • Financial advisory services under dealer assisted plan
  • No account opening fee in Trade free plan
  • Low brokerage on currency F&O

Cons of Kotak Securities Demat & Trading Account

  • High (Up to 0.39%) brokerage on each trade
  • Account opening charges of Rs. 499 in dealer assisted plan
  • No free delivery

Kotak Securities Trading Platforms 

#1. Kotak Website

Kotak Securities Website

Kotak Securities Website is an HTML-based trading platform. You can access the trading platform directly from the home page of Kotak Securities, as shown above.

Once you click the “Account Login” tab you will get the trading platform login page as below:

Kotak Securities Website (1)

The platform lets you access all the trading tools and assets. 

#2. KEAT Pro X

Keat Pro X

KEAT Pro X is a desktop-based trading platform where you can trade in equities, derivatives, and currencies using a single platform. 

KEAT Pro X comes in two versions 

  • Fastlane
    Fastlane is web-based software for KEAT ProX-like trading when your office does not allow application installations.
  • Xtralite
    Xtralite is especially for trading in a slow internet environment. Xtralite provides super-fast trading even on low bandwidth connections. 

KEAT Pro X offers you live-streaming of market data, helps create customized watchlists, charting tools, and stock recommendations. 

#3. Kotak Stock Trader

Kotak Stock Trader app

Kotak Stock Trader is a mobile app-based trading platform that is compatible with Android and iOS devices. 

With Kotak Stock Trader on your smartphone, you can trade anywhere, manage the portfolio, watch the market, access charts, news & research information. 

Kotak Stock trader app has a high 4.0 rating on the Google play store, however, Kotak has tremendously improved its iOS app and its rating on the Apple AppStore has been improved from 3.0 to 4.6 rating in one year.

Comparison Between Kotak Securities and UpStox 

#1. Kotak Securities vs UpStox (Basic Details)

ParticularsUpStoxKotak Securities
Can trade-in Stocks, Equity F&O, Currency F&O, and Commodity F&O Stocks, Equity F&O, and Currency F&O, bonds, ETFs, and Interest Rate Futures
Can invest in Mutual fundsMutual FundsIPO
Other Products & ServicesNoneStock Lending and Borrowings
Portfolio management services
Smart Will
Brokerage PlanSingle planTrade free plan
Dealer assisted plan
Trading PlatformsUpstox Pro WebKEAT Pro X
Trading AppUpstox Pro AppKotak Stock Trader App
Partnered Platform/ softwareDartstock softwareFox TraderNone
Cloud Alert ToolNoneNone

#2. Kotak Securities vs UpStox (Brokerage Charges)

Brokerage ChargesDetails for Upstox Basic PlanDetails for Kotak Securities Dealer-assisted plan
Equity DeliveryRs. 00.39% of transaction value 
Equity IntradayLower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.05%0.039% of transaction value
Equity FuturesLower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.05%0.39% of transaction value 
Currency Futures Lower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.05%Rs. 9 per Lot
Commodity FuturesLower of Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.05%0.39% of transaction value 
Equity OptionsRs. 20 per executed order Rs. 39 per Lot
Currency OptionsRs. 20 per executed order Rs. 5 per Lot
Commodity OptionsRs. 20 per executed order Rs. 39 per Lot
Call and Trade Facility YesYes
Charges for Call and TradeRs. 20 per orderRs. 20 per call. 

#3. Kotak Securities vs UpStox (Account Opening & Other Charges)

Account Opening & Other ChargesUpstox Kotak Securities(Dealer assisted plan)
Demat AccountRs. 0Rs. 0
Trading AccountRs. 0Rs. 499 (one-time)
Demat AMC FeesRs. 25 per monthRs. 50 per month
3-in-1 accountIndusStox 3-in-1 account with IndusInd bankTrinity (3-in-1) account with Kotak Mahindra Bank

Conclusion (Final Review)

Kotak Securities is best if you require too many other products and services apart from trading and investing. 

You can benefit from dealer-assisted trading, Portfolio Management Services,  stock lending and borrowing, and investment in interest rate futures. 

But, all these come at a high brokerage fee that is not suitable for volume intraday trading. 

About Rajan Dhawan

Rajan has covered personal finance and investing for over 5 years. Previously, he was in the IT field for 8 years after completing his MCA but his deep interest in personal finance led him to become an investing expert. He is passionate about investing, stocks, startups, and cryptos.

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