When it comes to selecting an online stock brokerage platform in India, two of the most prominent names are Angel One (formerly Angel Broking) and Sharekhan. Both brokers are well-established and widely trusted by traders and investors. However, they differ in various aspects such as trading platforms, pricing structure, customer service, and investment options. This article aims to offer a detailed comparison between Angel One and Sharekhan, breaking down key features and helping you make an informed decision.
Overview of Angel One and Sharekhan
Angel One: Background and Key Features
Angel One, formerly known as Angel Broking, is one of India’s leading stockbrokers. Established in 1987, the company has undergone a transformation in recent years, particularly in terms of its technology, user experience, and service offerings. Angel One offers a comprehensive range of services, including trading in equities, commodities, derivatives, and mutual funds.
One of the key differentiators for Angel One is its focus on providing a seamless, technology-driven experience. The company offers a range of trading platforms designed to cater to different types of investors, from beginners to advanced traders. The introduction of Angel One’s advanced trading platforms, like Angel SpeedPro, has attracted a large number of tech-savvy users.
Sharekhan: Background and Key Features
Sharekhan, a part of the BNP Paribas Group, was founded in 2000. Over the years, it has developed a reputation for offering high-quality research, comprehensive customer support, and easy-to-use trading platforms. Sharekhan offers a full range of investment products, including equity, commodities, derivatives, and mutual funds, making it a one-stop shop for traders.
Sharekhan is well-known for its strong presence in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. With an emphasis on customer education and a robust online platform, it has catered to a wide range of investor profiles. Additionally, Sharekhan has built a reputation for its customer service, which has played a significant role in its popularity among Indian traders.
Trading Platforms and Tools
Angel One’s Trading Platforms
Angel One offers multiple trading platforms, designed for traders at different levels of experience. These include:
- Angel One Mobile App: A feature-rich, user-friendly mobile app for trading on the go. It offers advanced charting tools, live market updates, order placements, and portfolio tracking.
- Angel SpeedPro: A desktop trading platform designed for high-speed traders. It offers a range of technical tools and advanced charting features. Angel SpeedPro is ideal for active traders who require real-time data and fast execution speeds.
- Angel One Web: A browser-based trading platform offering a simplified trading experience. It’s ideal for beginners who want to access the stock market without downloading a heavy application.
These platforms come with a wide variety of charting tools, real-time data, and technical indicators. Angel One also integrates third-party applications like TradingView, providing a seamless trading experience for professional traders.
Sharekhan’s Trading Platforms
Sharekhan offers a range of trading platforms aimed at different user profiles:
- Sharekhan Trade Tiger: A powerful desktop-based trading platform, Trade Tiger is designed for active traders. It comes with a wide array of charting tools, real-time data, and a customizable interface. Trade Tiger is renowned for its speed and reliability, making it a popular choice among frequent traders.
- Sharekhan Mobile App: Sharekhan’s mobile application provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, catering to both beginners and experienced traders. The app features live market updates, research, and charting tools, enabling traders to make informed decisions on the move.
- Sharekhan Web: This platform is ideal for investors who prefer to trade from their browser without installing additional software. While not as feature-rich as the desktop platform, it provides a solid user experience for casual traders and beginners.
Comparison of Platforms
When comparing Angel One and Sharekhan’s platforms, Sharekhan has a slight edge in terms of robustness, especially with Trade Tiger, which is more feature-rich than Angel One’s SpeedPro in certain areas. However, Angel One’s mobile app and web platform are relatively simpler and more user-friendly, making them a good option for beginners. For active traders, Sharekhan’s Trade Tiger may be the better option, while Angel One’s SpeedPro suits professional traders who need high-speed execution and advanced features.
Summary: Angel One excels in mobile trading and offers advanced tools for high-speed traders, while Sharekhan provides a more comprehensive desktop trading experience.
Pricing and Brokerage Plans
Angel One’s Pricing Model
Angel One has adopted a straightforward pricing structure. The company follows a discount brokerage model, which charges a flat fee of ₹20 per trade, regardless of the trade size. This makes Angel One one of the most cost-effective brokers in the market, particularly for retail traders who don’t trade in high volumes.
Additionally, Angel One offers zero brokerage on equity delivery trades, making it a strong option for long-term investors who buy and hold stocks. The brokerage fee on intraday and derivatives trading is capped at ₹20 per order, which means you pay the same fee whether you trade ₹1,000 worth of stocks or ₹1 lakh worth.
Sharekhan’s Pricing Model
Sharekhan follows a percentage-based brokerage model for trading in equities, which can vary depending on the plan you choose. The typical brokerage rates range from 0.1% to 0.5% per trade, depending on the type of trade and the market conditions. For intraday trading, the brokerage charges are usually higher, and for long-term investors (equity delivery), the fees are lower.
Sharekhan also offers customized plans for heavy traders and institutional clients, which can significantly reduce the per-trade costs. For frequent traders, Sharekhan’s pricing can become expensive compared to Angel One’s flat fee model.
Comparison of Brokerage Fees
Angel One’s flat ₹20 per trade is highly competitive and more affordable for casual traders and investors. Sharekhan’s pricing, which is percentage-based, could be costlier for active traders, especially for those executing large volumes of trades.
Summary: Angel One is more cost-effective for casual traders and those who engage in low-frequency trading, while Sharekhan’s pricing structure might be more beneficial for high-volume traders who can negotiate lower fees.
Customer Support and Education
Angel One’s Customer Service
Angel One offers customer support through multiple channels, including phone, email, and live chat. However, their support system can sometimes be slow, especially during peak trading hours, and response times can be inconsistent. Nonetheless, Angel One’s help desk is well-equipped to address queries related to trading, account management, and technical issues.
Sharekhan’s Customer Service
Sharekhan’s customer support is considered to be one of the best in the industry. The company provides support through phone, email, and live chat, with a reputation for fast response times and quality service. Sharekhan also offers a comprehensive knowledge base, FAQs, and educational resources to help beginners and experienced traders alike.
Educational Resources
Both Angel One and Sharekhan provide extensive educational materials, including webinars, articles, and tutorials. Sharekhan stands out for its Sharekhan Academy, which offers structured courses on trading and investing. The academy is particularly useful for new traders looking to understand market fundamentals.
Summary: While Angel One provides solid customer service, Sharekhan excels in educational resources and customer support. Sharekhan’s customer service is faster and more responsive compared to Angel One.
Research and Analysis
Angel One’s Research Tools
Angel One offers a variety of research tools, including market news, stock recommendations, and expert views. The research is provided through the platform and mobile app, and traders can access reports on stocks, sectors, and commodities. However, some users find that the research is not as in-depth as what is offered by other brokers.
Sharekhan’s Research Tools
Sharekhan is widely known for its comprehensive research and analysis tools. It provides in-depth reports on stocks, technical analysis, and market trends. Sharekhan offers daily market updates, expert recommendations, and reports on sector performance. The company also offers personalized investment advisory services for those looking for a more tailored investment strategy.
Summary: Sharekhan offers superior research and analysis tools, making it the better option for traders who rely heavily on in-depth research for decision-making.
Final Verdict
When comparing Angel One and Sharekhan, both brokers offer compelling features, but they cater to different types of traders and investors.
- For cost-conscious traders: Angel One is the more affordable option due to its flat ₹20 brokerage fee. It’s ideal for beginners and casual traders who don’t want to pay high fees.
- For active and institutional traders: Sharekhan offers a robust desktop platform with advanced features, making it the go-to choice for high-frequency traders. Sharekhan also shines with its research, analysis, and educational resources.
In conclusion, if you are someone who trades frequently and values a range of research tools and educational support, Sharekhan could be the better choice. On the other hand, if you are just starting out or prefer a simple, cost-effective trading experience, Angel One offers a compelling solution.
