Zerodha Makes Algo Trading Free: Your Easy Path to Automated Strategies with Stratzy
Zerodha makes algo trading free (API access). Regular trading fees still apply. Use Stratzy.in for easy, no-code automated strategies.

More and more regular investors in India are using algorithmic trading, or algo trading. Zerodha sees this trend and wants to make it easier for everyone. Their API is right now free for all users.
This is a big step forward. It lets traders create, test, and use advanced trading programs without paying any extra fees to access the platform. Before, using algo trading through Zerodha often meant paying for a subscription or using other services. Now, direct access to their tools is free for individual traders. This opens up many new ways to automate your trading.
However, even though the platform itself is free, you still need to know about the usual trading fees. Let's look at what's now free and what costs you'll still have, plus how you can easily use Zerodha's tools with Stratzy.in.
What Does "Free Algo Trading" Really Mean?
When Zerodha says "free algo trading," it means you can now use their automated trading platform and the tools behind it (called Kite Connect API) without any extra platform-specific fees. You can build, test, and run your automated trading plans without paying Zerodha any subscription or access fees for the algo platform.
Understanding the Charges That Still Apply
Even though the algo trading platform is free, the regular fees for trading on Zerodha will still apply. Here's a simple breakdown of these costs:
Brokerage Fees: Zerodha is known for its low brokerage fees, and these will still be in place for all trades, whether you do them yourself or use an automated program:
- Equity Delivery: ₹0 (No brokerage fees)
- Equity Intraday: 0.03% or ₹20 per order (whichever is lower)
- Equity Futures: 0.03% or ₹20 per order (whichever is lower)
- Equity Options: Flat ₹20 per order
- Currency Futures: 0.03% or ₹20 per order (whichever is lower)
- Currency Options: Flat ₹20 per order
- Commodity Futures: 0.03% or ₹20 per order (whichever is lower)
- Commodity Options: Flat ₹20 per order
Depository Participant (DP) Charges: You pay these fees when you sell stocks from your Demat account, no matter how you placed the sell order:
- ₹13.50 per company each day (for example, if you sell stocks of two different companies on the same day, you'll pay ₹27).
Call and Trade Charges: If you use Zerodha's phone service to place orders, you'll be charged:
- ₹50 plus 18% GST per order.
Auto Square-Off Charges: To help manage risk, Zerodha automatically closes your same-day trades if you don't do it yourself by a certain time. This comes with a fee:
- ₹50 plus 18% GST per order.
- Important Times:
- Stocks: 3:20 PM
- Equity F&O: 3:25 PM
- Currency: 4:45 PM
- Commodity: 25 minutes before the market closes
Fund Transfer & Withdrawal Charges: There are standard fees for adding money in some ways:
- Adding Funds: Free if you use UPI, ₹9 per transaction for net banking.
- Withdrawing Funds: No fees.
Regulatory Charges: These are fees set by the government and stock exchanges, and they apply to everyone:
- Securities Transaction Tax (STT):
- Equity Delivery: 0.1% when you buy and when you sell.
- Equity Intraday: 0.025% when you sell.
- Equity Futures: 0.02% when you sell.
- Equity Options: 0.1% when you sell (if you don't use the option); 0.125% on the actual value (if you use the option).
How to Start Algo Trading with Zerodha API on Stratzy.in
Now that Zerodha's tools are free to use for algo trading, it's a great time to try it out. Stratzy.in is a simple and easy-to-use platform that works directly with Zerodha's tools. This makes algo trading available to everyone, even if you don't know how to code.
Here's a simple guide to get started:
- Open a Zerodha Account: If you don't have one yet, sign up on the Zerodha website.
- Enable API Access: Since the API is now free for individual traders, you might need to ask Zerodha to turn it on for your account. Check Zerodha's website for the exact steps.
- Connect with Stratzy.in: Sign up on Stratzy.in and connect your Zerodha API. Stratzy has a simple way to do this.
- Test Your Strategy: Before you trade with real money, use Stratzy's tools to see how your trading plan would have done in the past. This helps you understand if it's a good plan.
- Trade with Automation: Once you feel good about your strategy, you can use Stratzy to let it trade automatically in your Zerodha account based on the rules you set.
Why Choose Stratzy.in for Your Algo Trading with Zerodha?
Stratzy.in offers some great benefits for traders who want to use Zerodha's free API for algo trading:
- No Coding Needed: You don't have to write any code. Stratzy has easy-to-use tools where you can create your own automated trading plans.
- Test and Go Live Easily: You can test your trading plans with past data and then easily start using them for real trading when you are ready.
- Works Perfectly with Zerodha: Stratzy is designed to work smoothly with Zerodha's Kite Connect API, so you have a reliable trading experience.
- Safe and Reliable: Stratzy takes security seriously, so you can trade with confidence knowing your data and trades are protected.
Conclusion
Zerodha making algo trading free from April 1st, 2025, is a big win for regular traders. Remember that while the platform is free, you'll still need to pay the usual trading fees. By using the power of Zerodha's free API along with the easy-to-use platform of Stratzy.in, you can now easily start your journey into the world of automated trading.
Get started with automated trading today on stratzy.in!