Kotak Neo is the modern trading app from Kotak Securities. It stands out because of its “Trade Free” model, where intraday trading is completely free—something very few brokers offer.
But as always, don’t just look at “free.” The real cost includes brokerage + AMC + DP charges + taxes.
Here’s a you go.
What is Kotak Neo?
Kotak Neo is a bank-backed trading platform offering:
- Equity investing & trading
- Futures & Options (F&O)
- Mutual funds (direct)
- 3-in-1 account (bank + Demat + trading)
It is best known for free intraday trading and strong banking integration.
1. Account Opening & AMC Charges
Kotak Neo removes entry barriers but has higher AMC later.
Account Opening:
- ₹0 (Free)
Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC):
- 1st Year: ₹0 (Free)
- 2nd Year onwards: ~₹600/year
- (≈ ₹50/month + GST)
BSDA (Basic Services Demat Account):
- Holdings up to ₹4 lakh → AMC free or reduced
Key Insight:
- Not free long-term (unlike Groww/Dhan/Fyers)
- AMC is on the higher side compared to discount brokers
2. Kotak Neo Brokerage Charges (Plans)
Kotak Neo offers two main plans:
- Trade Free Plan (standard)
- Youth Plan (under 30)
(A) Trade Free Plan
| Segment | Brokerage |
| Equity Delivery | 0.25% or ₹20 (whichever is higher) |
| Equity Intraday | ₹0 |
| Futures | ₹20 per order |
| Options | ₹20 per order |
| Mutual Funds | ₹0 |
Key Highlights:
- Intraday trading → completely free
- Delivery → percentage-based (can be expensive)
- F&O → ₹20 flat
(B) Youth Plan (Under 30)
| Segment | Brokerage |
| Equity Delivery | ₹0 |
| Intraday | ₹0 |
| Futures | ₹0 |
| Options | ₹0 |
| Mutual Funds | ₹0 |
Key Insight:
This is one of the cheapest plans in India if you qualify
- Full zero brokerage
- Covers delivery + intraday + F&O
Important Note
- In Trade Free Plan:
- Intraday is free
- Only carry-forward F&O trades incur ₹20
3. Depository Participant (DP) Charges
DP charges apply when you sell delivery shares.
Standard DP Charges:
- ₹20 + GST per stock (per scrip per day)
Additional Notes:
- Applies only on sell side
- Not applicable for intraday/F&O
- Physical DIS slip → extra charges possible
4. Statutory Taxes & Regulatory Charges (2026)
These are fixed across brokers.
(A) STT – Securities Transaction Tax
| Segment | STT |
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% (Buy & Sell) |
| Intraday | 0.025% (Sell only) |
| Futures | 0.05% (Sell only) |
| Options | 0.15% (On premium) |
2026 Update:
F&O STT increased significantly
(B) Exchange Transaction Charges
- Equity: ~0.00297%
- Futures: ~0.00173%
- Options: ~0.03503%
(C) GST
- 18% on:
- Brokerage
- DP charges
- Transaction charges
(D) SEBI Charges
- ₹10 per crore turnover (0.0001%)
(E) Stamp Duty
| Segment | Stamp Duty |
| Delivery | 0.015% (Buy only) |
| Intraday | 0.003% |
| Futures | 0.002% |
| Options | 0.003% |
5. Other Service Charges
- Call & Trade: ₹50 per order
- Auto Square-off: ₹50 + GST
- Payment Gateway:
- Kotak Bank / UPI → Free
- Other banks → ~₹9
- Pledge/Unpledge: ₹20 + GST
6. Real Cost Example
(A) Delivery Trade ₹1,00,000 (Trade Free Plan)
- Brokerage → ₹250 (0.25%)
- DP → ₹20
- STT → 0.1% buy + sell
👉 Total ≈ ₹250–₹350 (expensive)
(B) Intraday Trade
- Brokerage → ₹0
- Taxes only
👉 Very low cost
Pros of Kotak Neo Charges
- Free intraday trading
- Youth plan offers zero brokerage
- Strong bank integration
- Trusted brand
Cons (Reality Check)
- Delivery brokerage (0.25%) is high
- AMC higher than discount brokers
- Not ideal for long-term investors (standard plan)
Final Verdict
Kotak Neo is a specialized broker—not for everyone.
- Intraday traders → excellent (₹0 brokerage)
- Youth (<30) → one of the best deals in India
- Long-term investors → expensive vs Groww/Dhan
If your goal is free intraday + bank-level reliability, Kotak Neo is a strong option. But for pure low-cost investing, other brokers are cheaper.