In recent years, India has seen a surge in discount brokers and new-age trading platforms. Among these, Dhan has quickly gained popularity for its modern trading tools, low brokerage, and seamless user experience. Launched in 2021 by Pravin Jadhav (ex-Paytm Money CEO), Dhan positions itself as a tech-first, trader-friendly platform built for both investors and active traders.
But is Dhan really better than established players like Zerodha, Upstox, and Angel One? To answer this, let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of Dhan in 2025.
What is Dhan?
Dhan is a discount brokerage platform registered with SEBI, NSE, BSE, and MCX. It offers stock investing, intraday trading, derivatives (F&O), ETFs, commodities, currencies, and IPO investments at very competitive rates.
Unlike traditional brokers, Dhan’s biggest strength is its focus on technology and trader-oriented features such as:
- TradingView & ChartIQ integration for advanced charting.
- Direct TradingView login (trade directly from TradingView charts).
- Customizable Option Chain & Strategy Builder.
- Fast execution & real-time analytics.
Advantages of Dhan
Here are the key advantages of using Dhan for trading and investing:
1. Low & Transparent Brokerage Charges
Dhan offers one of the simplest and most competitive pricing models:
- Equity Delivery – Zero brokerage (free).
- Equity Intraday, F&O, Commodities, Currency – Flat ₹20/order.
- No hidden charges, making it cost-efficient for active traders.
This makes Dhan cheaper than full-service brokers and equally competitive with Zerodha, Upstox, and Angel One.
2. TradingView Integration (Unique Advantage)
Dhan is the first broker in India to allow traders to:
- Directly trade from TradingView without switching platforms.
- Use advanced charts, indicators, and strategies from TradingView.
- Access Dhan Web + TradingView premium-like features for free.
For serious intraday and F&O traders, this is a game-changing advantage.
3. Options Trading Made Easy
Dhan is extremely popular among F&O traders because of its:
- Advanced Option Chain (with Greeks like Delta, Theta, Vega).
- Strategy Builder (create multi-leg option strategies easily).
- One-click execution of option strategies.
- Real-time margin & payoff analysis.
This makes it one of the best brokers for options trading in India.
4. Superfast & Modern Trading Platforms
Dhan provides three key platforms:
- Dhan App (Mobile) – Clean UI, fast execution, advanced order types.
- Dhan Web – For investors & traders with professional dashboards.
- Dhan Trader’s Platform – Aimed at active traders with features like TradingView integration, APIs, and algo support.
All platforms are lightweight, fast, and beginner-friendly, unlike some legacy brokers whose apps often lag.
5. Zero Account Opening & AMC Charges
- Free Demat & Trading account opening.
- Zero AMC (Annual Maintenance Charges).
This makes Dhan cost-effective for beginners and long-term investors who want to invest without worrying about extra charges.
6. Innovative Features for Traders
Dhan focuses heavily on trader-oriented tools such as:
- Instant Pledge Margin Benefit (pledge stocks for collateral within minutes).
- Advanced Order Types – GTT (Good Till Triggered), Bracket Orders, Iceberg Orders.
- API Access – For algo traders & developers.
- Portfolio Insights – Smart analytics for long-term investors.
These features make it one of the most advanced brokers for tech-savvy traders.
7. Excellent Customer Support & Community Engagement
Dhan has an active community forum, where product updates, feature requests, and user feedback are addressed transparently.
It also provides 24×7 customer support via chat, email, and call, which is faster than many established brokers.
8. Beginner-Friendly Yet Pro-Trader Focused
Unlike some platforms that only cater to one segment, Dhan balances both:
- Beginners → Easy UI, free delivery, zero AMC.
- Pro Traders → Advanced charting, option chain, APIs.
This dual advantage makes it appealing to a wide range of users.
Disadvantages of Dhan
While Dhan is impressive, it does have some limitations that you must consider:
1. New Player in the Market
- Dhan was launched in 2021, making it a relatively new entrant compared to Zerodha (2010) or Motilal Oswal (1987).
- It lacks the legacy and proven track record of older brokers.
- Some investors may hesitate to trust large funds with a newer platform.
2. Limited Offline Presence
- Dhan is a fully digital broker with no physical branches or franchise offices.
- Traditional investors who prefer in-person service may find this limiting.
3. No Research & Advisory Services
- Unlike full-service brokers (e.g., Angel One, Motilal Oswal), Dhan does not provide:
- Stock recommendations
- Research reports
- Personalized advisory
- This makes it less attractive for long-term investors who need guidance.
4. Fewer Investment Products Compared to Full-Service Brokers
While Dhan covers equities, F&O, ETFs, IPOs, and commodities, it does not offer:
- Insurance
- Bonds & NCDs
- Portfolio Management Services (PMS)
- Wealth management solutions
For investors seeking a one-stop financial supermarket, full-service brokers may be better.
5. Occasional App Performance Issues
- Some users report minor lags during high-volume market hours.
- Though Dhan is improving, it’s not as battle-tested as Zerodha or Upstox during extreme volatility.
6. No Free Mutual Funds
- Unlike Groww or Zerodha Coin, Dhan does not allow direct mutual fund investments without commission.
- Mutual fund investors may prefer platforms dedicated to SIPs & funds.
Dhan Advantages and Disadvantages in a Nutshell
| Aspect | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Brokerage | Free delivery, ₹20/order for F&O | None major (competitive with peers) |
| Technology | TradingView integration, advanced tools | Minor app lags during peak hours |
| Products | Equity, F&O, Commodities, IPOs, ETFs | No bonds, PMS, or insurance |
| Support | Active community, fast support | No offline presence |
| Investor Services | Free Demat, zero AMC | No research/advisory |
| Trust Factor | Modern, transparent, trader-first | New entrant (since 2021) |
Who Should Use Dhan?
Best For:
- Active intraday & F&O traders (TradingView, Option Chain, APIs).
- DIY investors who prefer self-research.
- Tech-savvy beginners who want low-cost trading.
- Traders who want modern, fast, and innovative tools.
Not Ideal For:
- Investors who need research/advisory services.
- Traditional clients who prefer offline support & relationship managers.
- HNIs looking for wealth management or PMS.
Final Verdict
Dhan has quickly emerged as one of India’s most promising new-age brokers, combining low costs, advanced technology, and trader-focused features. Its TradingView integration, option chain, and algo-friendly setup make it a serious competitor to Zerodha and Upstox.
However, being a new entrant, it lacks legacy trust, offline presence, and advisory services.
Verdict:
- ✅ Choose Dhan if you’re a tech-driven trader who values modern tools and low costs.
- ❌ Avoid if you’re a long-term investor needing advisory or wealth management.
