When I first logged into Zerodha’s Kite platform back in 2015, I was clueless but determined. I had ₹50,000 saved from a salary that barely covered my rent in Bengaluru. The markets were booming, but my understanding was limited to random tips and WhatsApp forwards. Over the years, I learned (often the hard way) to stop chasing fads, trust my own research, and use the tools that Zerodha offered to craft a systematic plan. Today, my portfolio stands at ₹1 Crore.
This isn’t a “get-rich-quick” myth. It took 9 years, countless mistakes, and learning how to really use Zerodha as more than just an app. In this article, I want to help investors who want to build a portfolio with the best brokerage app understand exactly how I did it—step by step.
I’ll share the positives and negatives of using Zerodha, the real features that helped me, the strategies that worked, and the things that tripped me up. This is a real account—not just a glowing testimonial. And I hope it can guide you on your own journey.
Table of Contents
Why Choose Zerodha as Your Brokerage Partner?
Zerodha Broking Ltd is a Bengaluru-based Indian brokerage and financial services firm. It offers an electronic trading platform for stocks, derivatives, currencies, commodities, mutual funds, and bonds. It’s a member of NSE, BSE, and MCX—giving investors access to almost every financial instrument they need.
Key Stats (source: Zerodha official site and press releases):
- 1.6+ crore customers
- Handles ~₹6 lakh crores in equity investments
- Contributes to 15% of India’s daily retail exchange volumes
- Investments in 30+ fintech startups for tailored services
- No delivery charges
- Flat fee of ₹20 per executed order in intraday trades
Features | Zerodha |
---|---|
Preview | ![]() |
User Base | 1.6 Cr+ |
Established Year | 2010 |
App Downloads | 1.5 Cr+ |
Brokerage | Rs. 20 or 0.03% (whichever lower) |
Mutual Fund Investment | Via Coin |
Research Reports | No |
Advisory Services | Limited |
Ease of Use | Very High |
App Ratings | 4.2/5 (Google Play) |
Ideal For | Advanced investors |
Broker App Link |
Step 1: Setting Up and Learning the Platform
I began by opening a Zerodha account online—paperless, easy KYC, and fast approvals. But what helped most was their Varsity platform, a true goldmine for self-learners. I spent weeks understanding candlestick charts, market depth, and order types. Without this foundation, I’d have made costlier mistakes. Zerodha’s Kite platform was intuitive—even for a non-techie like me.
→ Positive: Free, in-depth learning resources.
→ Negative: No hand-holding. If you’re lazy about learning, you’ll struggle.
Step 2: Crafting My Investment Strategy
I didn’t throw my entire capital at one stock. I used SIPs for mutual funds, bought large-cap blue chips, and used market dips to average down. Zerodha made it easy to set up systematic investments and monitor portfolio allocation in real time.
→ Positive: Seamless tracking of portfolio, easy to diversify.
→ Negative: No personalized advisory—DIY research is essential.
Step 3: Managing Costs for Long-Term Growth
Zerodha’s pricing was a major draw:
- No delivery charges.
- ₹20 flat fee per executed intraday trade.
Over 8 years, this saved me thousands in fees compared to full-service brokers. I reinvested the savings—small snowballs that compounded big.
→ Positive: Transparent, low costs.
→ Negative: Intraday traders still pay fees per order.
Step 4: Surviving Market Volatility
In 2020, during the pandemic crash, my portfolio dipped 35%. Zerodha didn’t sugarcoat it. Charts showed brutal reality. But Varsity reminded me corrections aren’t crashes. I stayed invested, averaged down. By 2021, I’d not only recovered losses but also booked profits.
→ Positive: Rich charting, market-depth data for decision-making.
→ Negative: No “fear protection”—you have to master emotions.
Step 5: Building to ₹1 Crore
I didn’t get there overnight.
- ~40% in mutual funds via Coin (Zerodha’s direct MF platform)
- ~30% in blue-chip stocks
- ~15% in swing trading (using Kite’s charts)
- ~15% parked in debt instruments for stability
Zerodha gave me one platform to manage everything.
→ Positive: Unified view of all asset classes.
→ Negative: No advanced derivatives strategies for beginners.
What Helped Me Most in Zerodha?
- Varsity – for education.
- Kite – for intuitive, fast trades.
- Market Depth – for real-time data.
- Low Cost – flat ₹20 intraday trades.
- No Delivery Charges – ideal for long-term investing.
But It Wasn’t Perfect
- Customer service can be slow during peak times.
- No personalized advisory.
- Best for investors willing to do homework.
I want to be clear: Zerodha didn’t make me ₹1 crore—it enabled me to build that portfolio. The real work was mine.
Why This Article Can Help You
At Indiainvesthub, we see so many investors confused about “which app is best.” They read only marketing hype, ignore costs, or expect guaranteed profits. This guide is for serious investors who want truth, not sales pitches.
With Zerodha, you get tools and low costs, but you need to learn, plan, and act. That’s what helps you build a massive portfolio—not empty promises.
Zerodha Best Features for Investing
- No delivery charges.
- Flat ₹20 intraday fee.
- Kite app – fast, intuitive, with advanced charting.
- Varsity – free investing education.
- Direct Mutual Fund investing via Coin.
- Seamless tracking across asset classes.
- Real-time market depth data.
Zerodha helped me build a ₹1 crore portfolio—not because it’s magical, but because it empowers investors with low costs, advanced tools, and a solid platform to learn and act. If you’re serious about investing, prepared to learn, and want to take charge of your wealth-building journey, could this be the best brokerage app for you too?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Zerodha 100% safe?
It is regulated by SEBI and exchanges, making it safe, but market risks and account security remain investor responsibilities.
Q2: How much SIP for 1 crore?
To build ₹1 crore in 20 years with 12% returns, invest around ₹10,000 monthly through SIP in mutual funds.
Q3: What is the maximum brokerage in Zerodha?
It charges a maximum brokerage of ₹20 per executed intraday or F&O order, with zero brokerage on delivery trades.