Kotak Neo
Kotak Neo is the digital brokerage and distribution arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank, serving 5M+ retail and HNW customers in India with stocks, mutual funds, F&O, IPO, ETF, and commodity trading via mobile, web, and API platforms under a hybrid transaction-fee and subscription revenue model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersMumbai, India
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kotak Neo does
Kotak Neo is the digital brokerage and investment distribution arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank, operating under the legal entity Kotak Securities Limited from its Mumbai headquarters. The platform serves 5M+ retail and high-net-worth customers across 145+ branches, 1,000+ franchises, and 100+ Indian cities, anchored by the Kotak Neo mobile and web app (10M+ downloads, 4.4 rating) and the NEST Trading Terminal for active traders. Product breadth spans equities, mutual funds, futures and options, IPOs, ETFs, commodities, specialized investment funds, margin trading facility (up to 4X leverage on 1,300+ stocks), systematic stock SIPs, and expert-curated stock baskets, with NEO Trade APIs supporting algorithmic strategies and Kotak Neo MCP (Model Context Protocol) exposing the platform to external AI agents.
The business monetizes through a hybrid transaction-fee and subscription model: zero-to-0.20% delivery brokerage, ₹10 or 0.05% intraday/F&O brokerage, MTF interest at 9.69% p.a., and tiered subscriptions (Trade Free Youth at ₹99, Trade Free Pro at ₹249/month). The franchise also operates an investment-banking arm booking book-running lead-manager mandates on marquee Indian IPOs including Reliance Jio Platforms, Manipal Hospitals, Razorpay, HCCB, and SBI Mutual Fund, providing episodic high-margin fee income alongside the recurring retail brokerage engine. Complementary surfaces include the Private Client Group for HNW advisory, NRI/H-1B services, the Stockshaala education platform, and the recently launched Kotak Neo MCP for AI-agent integration, all leveraging the Kotak Group's regulated entity structure and capital base.
Kotak Neo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kotak Neo
- Legal name
- Kotak Securities Limited
- Website
- https://kotakneo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Kotak Neo is the digital brokerage and distribution arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank, serving 5M+ retail and HNW customers in India with stocks, mutual funds, F&O, IPO, ETF, and commodity trading via mobile, web, and API platforms under a hybrid transaction-fee and subscription revenue model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kotak Neo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retail Brokerage
- NAICS
- Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231), Investment Banking and Securities Intermediation (523150)
- SIC
- Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Agency Equity Execution (Cash Equities) (FSACAFAA)
Keywords
Where Kotak Neo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mumbai
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Kotak Neo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Brokerage - Equity Delivery: Brokerage charges on equity delivery trades, with pricing tiers ranging from ₹0 to 0.20% depending on plan
- Brokerage - Intraday and F&O: Brokerage on intraday and futures & options trades at ₹10 or 0.05% per trade
- MTF Interest: Margin Trading Facility interest at 9.69% p.a. for Pro plan users
- Subscription Plans: Monthly subscription revenue from Trade Free Youth (₹99) and Trade Free Pro (₹249) plans
- IPO Distribution: Revenue from acting as book-running lead manager for IPOs
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time | Trade Free Youth - For investors under 30 years old |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Trade Free Plan - For active traders, lifetime free |
| Subscription | Monthly | Trade Free Pro Plan - For pro MTF traders |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels8 records
Kotak Neo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kotak Neo is the digital-first stock broking and distribution arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank, offering retail and HNW investors a multi-asset trading platform covering equities, derivatives (futures and options), mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, commodities, and specialized investment funds. It delivers execution through mobile app, web, NEST terminal, and NEO Trade APIs, supported by in-house research, Margin Trading Facility, and AI-assisted trading tools. The platform serves 5 million+ customers across India, drawing on the 30+ year legacy of the Kotak Mahindra Group.
Product overview
Kotak Neo is a comprehensive digital-first investment platform formerly known as Kotak Securities, offering a multi-product suite across stocks, mutual funds, futures & options, IPO, ETFs, commodities, and specialized investment products. The platform architecture consists of three core trading channels (Kotak Neo App & Web, NEST Trading Terminal, and NEO Trade APIs), supported by advanced AI-powered tools including Strategy Bot for automated trading, Trade From Charts for real-time execution, Options Chain analysis, Screeners for stock discovery, and Price Alerts. Additional features include MTF (Margin Trading Facility) with up to 4X leverage, SipIt for systematic stock investing, Stockcase for expert-curated stock baskets, and the Kotak Neo MCP for AI agent integration. The platform provides comprehensive market research, research recommendations, and investor education through Stockshaala, targeting both retail and high net worth investors through 5 million+ customers across 30+ years of legacy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kotak Neo App and Web Primary digital trading platform offering stocks, mutual funds, futures and options, IPOs, ETFs, and commodities trading through mobile and web applications for retail investors and traders in India.
- NEST Trading Terminal Advanced desktop trading terminal powered by the NEST platform, designed for active traders requiring professional-grade tools, advanced charting, and multi-screen execution.
- NEO Trade APIs API platform enabling traders to automate and scale trades programmatically for algorithmic and quantitative trading strategies, including the Kotak Neo MCP for AI agent integration.
- Stocks (Equity Trading) Equity trading service covering NSE and BSE listed stocks with research recommendations, screeners, and market analysis tools for retail and active investors.
- Mutual Funds Investment service offering equity, debt, hybrid, and commodity mutual funds with SIP and combo basket features for individual investors.
- Futures and Options Derivatives trading service covering index and stock options chains, futures contracts, and derivatives research calls for active traders.
- IPO (Initial Public Offerings) IPO investment service covering mainboard and SME IPOs with subscription and allotment status tracking for retail investors; Kotak Neo also acts as a book-running lead manager for marquee Indian IPOs.
- Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) Investment service in equity, debt, commodity, gold, and silver ETFs, including index tracking funds and smart beta strategies.
- Commodities Trading service in commodity futures including precious metals like gold and silver on the MCX exchange.
- Stockcase (Stock Baskets) Expert-curated baskets of stocks allowing investors to invest in themed or sectoral groupings through a single investment.
- 3-in-1 Account Integrated banking, trading, and demat account combining Kotak Mahindra Bank, securities trading, and demat holdings for seamless fund transfers.
- Private Client Group Premium wealth management and personalized investment advisory service for high net worth individuals, including portfolio strategy and dedicated relationship management.
- Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) Alternative investment fund products for sophisticated investors seeking specialized investment strategies beyond conventional mutual funds and equities.
- Research Calls and Research Reports Daily trading calls including long-term, short-term, intraday recommendations, and derivatives calls, plus fundamental, technical, derivative, and commodities research reports from Kotak's in-house research team covering 300+ stocks.
- Stockshaala (Investor Education) Learning ecosystem offering structured courses on stock market basics, fundamental and technical analysis, derivatives, and personal finance for new and existing investors.
- MTF (Margin Trading Facility) Margin trading facility providing up to 4X leverage for over 1,300 stocks at 9.69% p.a. interest (Pro plan), with MTF calculator and stock recommendations for active traders.
- SipIt (Systematic Investing in Stocks and ETFs) Systematic Investment Plan service enabling periodic investments in stocks and ETFs through SIP mode for long-term retail investors.
Quantifiable outcome
- Trusted by 5 million+ customers
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Kotak Neo
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Kotak Neo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature11 records
Kotak Neo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Ashish Nanda (Chief Digital Business Officer)minorKotak Neo Chief Digital Business Officer Ashish Nanda discussed algo trading trends and platform accessibility with market experts.
- Kotak Securities - Vice President Sumit PokharnaminorKotak Securities VP Sumit Pokharna providing market analysis on India's energy security vulnerabilities and crude oil supply chain risks.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kotak Neo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- 5paisa Capital: Discount stockbroker offering equities, derivatives, MFs, and IPO subscription at low-cost pricing tiers. Competes with Kotak Neo in the value-conscious retail and trader segments, with similar subscription-plan and digital-platform structure.
- HDFC Securities: Bank-affiliated broker subsidiary of HDFC Bank, offering retail equities, derivatives, IPO, and wealth management services. Directly comparable to Kotak Neo in distribution strength, parent-bank cross-sell potential, and full-service-plus-discount hybrid positioning.
- Upstox: Discount stockbroker offering equities, F&O, commodities and IPO distribution through mobile and web platforms. Competes head-to-head with Kotak Neo on transparent pricing, API-based algo trading, and active trader tools.
- Angel One: Listed Indian full-service-to-discount broker offering equities, derivatives, MFs, and IPOs. Closely comparable business mix and customer segments to Kotak Neo, with similar research-led, mobile-first positioning and aggressive subscription pricing.
- Zerodha: India's largest discount stockbroker by active clients. Direct competitor on retail equity and F&O brokerage, with comparable product breadth (Kite platform, Streak algo, Coin for MFs) and an aggressive zero-brokerage value proposition that sets the pricing floor Kotak Neo must respond to.
- Groww: Leading Indian retail broker with the largest active user base among young investors. Direct competitor targeting the same under-30 and first-time investor segments Kotak Neo addresses via Trade Free Youth, with a similar self-serve mobile-first product motion.
- Axis Direct: Bank-affiliated brokerage arm of Axis Bank offering equities, derivatives, MFs, IPOs, and investment banking. Directly comparable to Kotak Neo as a private-banking-group retail brokerage with cross-sell from the parent's customer base.
- Sharekhan (BNP Paribas subsidiary): Full-service Indian retail broker with a strong branch-led advisory model. Comparable to Kotak Neo's Private Client Group and traditional advisory offerings, targeting similar mass-affluent and retail segments.
- Motilal Oswal Financial Services: Indian full-service broker with strong equity research franchise, retail broking, and investment banking. Comparable to Kotak Neo on research-led value proposition, MTF-style product offerings, and institutional/retail investment banking activities.
- ICICI Direct: Bank-affiliated (ICICI Bank) retail brokerage platform — the most direct structural analog to Kotak Neo as a Kotak Mahindra Bank subsidiary. Competes across equities, F&O, MFs, IPO distribution, and wealth advisory with a similar hybrid digital-plus-branch model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kotak Neo social profiles
Digital presenceKotak Neo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kotak Neo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Kotak Neo subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Kotak Neo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kotak Neo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments8 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kotak Neo
What does Kotak Neo do?
Kotak Neo is the digital-first stock broking and distribution arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank, offering retail and HNW investors a multi-asset trading platform covering equities, derivatives (futures and options), mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, commodities, and specialized investment funds. It delivers execution through mobile app, web, NEST terminal, and NEO Trade APIs, supported by in-house research, Margin Trading Facility, and AI-assisted trading tools. The platform serves 5 million+ customers across India, drawing on the 30+ year legacy of the Kotak Mahindra Group.
Is Kotak Neo a public or private company?
Kotak Neo is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Kotak Neo founded?
Kotak Neo was founded in 1994. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Kotak Neo based?
Kotak Neo is headquartered in Mumbai, India, in the Asia region.
How does Kotak Neo make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Brokerage - Equity Delivery is the primary driver. The others are brokerage - Intraday and F&O, MTF Interest, subscription Plans and IPO Distribution.
Who are Kotak Neo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are 5paisa Capital, HDFC Securities, Upstox, Angel One, Zerodha, Groww, Axis Direct, Sharekhan (BNP Paribas subsidiary), Motilal Oswal Financial Services and ICICI Direct.
Does Kotak Neo have an API?
Yes. Kotak Neo Trade APIs allow users to automate and scale trades. The platform offers algorithmic trading capabilities through APIs, enabling traders to automate entry and exit strategies, control risk across portfolios, and create automated trading bots. Ashish Nanda, Chief Digital Business Officer at Kotak Neo, discussed how APIs, no-code platforms, and AI tools have made algo trading more accessible to traders. Developer documentation is at www.kotakneo.com/platform/kotak-neo-trade-api.
What industry is Kotak Neo in?
Kotak Neo's product category is Retail Brokerage. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSACAFAA, Agency Equity Execution (Cash Equities). Its NAICS code is 5231 and its SIC code is 6211.