Raise Financial's Pluto Insurance appoints Abhishek Singh as CEO. 27 Aug 2026 Insurance broker Pluto Insurance has appointed Abhishek Singh as CEO, with around 23 years of experience in the insurance industry. Singh joins from Upstox, where he worked on its insurance business, and previously spent over 11 years at OneInsure, according to his LinkedIn post. Pluto is being built under Raise Financial Services, the parent of stockbroking platform Dhan, which acquired GreenLife Insurance Broking earlier this year and rebranded it as Pluto Insurance. Singh has also held senior roles at Edelweiss Life Insurance and PNB MetLife, with experience across insurance distribution, broking, bancassurance and business partnerships. At Pluto, Singh will focus on building a technology- and AI-led insurance platform aimed at simplifying insurance buying and servicing. The company plans to reduce complexity, limit unnecessary sales communication and improve customer support around claims, as per his LinkedIn post. Ranjeet Walunj, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Pluto, will lead the product and technology side of the platform, the post added. Last month, Raise Financial Services rebranded GreenLife Insurance Broking Pvt Ltd (GIBL), the insurance broker it acquired in May, as Pluto Insurance. Entrackr had exclusively reported the development. Raise also plans to invest Rs 100 crore in the new entity. Disclaimer: Bareback Media has recently raised funding from a group of investors. Some of the investors may directly or indirectly be involved in a competing business or might be associated with other companies we might write about. This shall, however, not influence our reporting or coverage in any manner whatsoever. You may find a list of our investors here.

Features that make Kotak Neo stand out among Trading Apps. For a long time, Indian trading apps competed mainly on brokerage rates. That comparison still matters, but traders now look at several other factors before choosing a platform. Execution quality, charting tools, margin access, APIs, order types, and platform stability have become part of the decision-making process. At the same time, most major brokers now offer fairly similar basic features. Nearly every platform provides mobile trading, market watchlists, F&O access, and investment options across multiple segments. Because of that, users increasingly compare how practical the overall experience feels during actual market activity rather than looking at pricing tables alone. Kotak Neo competes in a busy market alongside Zerodha, Upstox, Dhan, and Groww. Its positioning is targeted at active traders who require more than entry-level investing features, like derivatives access, chart-based execution, API connectivity and banking integration in the same ecosystem. What To Look For In A Trading App Brokerage is usually the first thing traders compare, but it is rarely the only factor that matters. Order execution, app stability, charting tools, and ease of fund transfers often make a bigger difference during live market sessions. Active traders tend to prioritise speed, TradingView compatibility, advanced order types, and API access. Long-term investors usually want something simpler, a clean interface that makes buying and holding straightforward. Most brokers cover the basics at this point, so the real decision comes down to your trading style, how often you trade, and how comfortable the platform feels in everyday use. How Kotak Neo Compares With Other Trading Apps All competitor data referenced here is accurate as of 29 May 2026. Pricing is subject to change, so it is advisable to verify the latest details on official broker pages before opening an account. | Feature | Kotak Neo | Zerodha | Upstox | Dhan | Groww | | Account Opening | ₹0 to ₹99 depending on plan | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 | | Equity Delivery Brokerage | ₹0 on select plan; 0.20% on standard plan | ₹0 | ₹20 | ₹0 | ₹20 or 0.1% | | Intraday Brokerage (whichever is lower) | ₹10 or 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% | ₹20 | ₹20 or 0.03% | ₹20 or 0.1% | | F&O Brokerage | ₹10 per order | ₹20 per order | ₹20 per order | ₹20 per order | ₹20 per order | | API Access | Available with ₹0 API brokerage on eligible plans | ₹500 per month subscription for Data API | Free with brokerage of ₹10 per order | ₹499 per month for Data APIs | ₹2000 per month subscription for all APIs | | TradingView Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Algo Trading Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Banking Integration | Integrated with Kotak ecosystem | Limited | / | Limited | Limited | | Margin Trading Facility | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available | | Best Suited For | Active traders and frequent F&O users | Active traders | Mixed users | Derivatives-focused traders | Beginner to intermediate investors | Most of these platforms overlap in terms of basic capabilities. The real differentiation usually comes from how well their systems handle active trading requirements, order execution, and workflow convenience. Flat Fee Brokerage Structure and Cost Visibility One noticeable industry-wide shift has been the move away from percentage-based brokerage. When brokerage was percentage-based, trading more simply meant paying more. Flat fees flipped that logic. Now you know what each order costs before you place it, which matters when you are moving in and out of positions quickly during a volatile session. Kotak Neo runs on this model, charging fixed fees across most segments. Delivery trades can cost nothing whatsoever on eligible plans. It's worth noting, however, that flat-free brokerage is no longer a differentiator. Zerodha, Dhan, Upstox, and most other mainstream brokers have moved the same way. Banking Integration And Fund Transfers One aspect traders usually notice only during volatile markets is fund movement. Delays while adding margin or transferring capital can become frustrating during active sessions. Kotak Neo benefits from being connected to the larger Kotak banking ecosystem. Users already operating within that network can manage banking and trading activities through a more connected structure. Most brokers today support UPI transfers and online fund additions, so integrated banking is not exclusive to one platform. Still, some traders prefer keeping banking and trading functions within the same ecosystem because it simplifies routine account activity and reduces transfer lag. API Access And Automated Trading Retail participation in algorithmic trading has increased steadily over the past few years. As a result, API infrastructure has become an important feature for many active traders. Kotak Neo provides APIs that support order placement, portfolio access, live market data, and automated trading workflows. The platform also supports multiple order varieties, including stop-loss, cover, bracket, and after-market orders. Competing brokers such as Zerodha and Dhan already have strong recognition among retail algo traders, especially because of their developer communities and ecosystem maturity. Kotak Neo's approach appears slightly broader. Instead of positioning itself purely around APIs, it combines automated trading support with a larger brokerage and banking framework. TradingView Integration And Chart-Based Trading Many active traders now prefer executing trades directly from charts rather than switching between separate analysis and trading windows. Kotak Neo supports TradingView integration, allowing connected users to place trades directly through TradingView charts. Features such as Trade From Charts and advanced order management tools are also part of the platform's broader trading setup. This reflects a larger trend across India's trading ecosystem. More brokers are narrowing the gap between chart analysis and execution as traders increasingly rely on real-time chart monitoring and technical setups. TradingView integration is now available across most major platforms, as the comparison table shows. Focus On Active Market Participants Some trading apps are designed mainly for first-time investors and long-term SIP users. Others are structured more around derivatives trading and active market participation. Kotak Neo appears more aligned with the second category. Along with equities, the platform supports F&O, commodities, currencies, ETFs, IPOs, bonds, and margin trading facilities within one ecosystem. Rather than standing out because of one single feature, its positioning comes from combining multiple active-trading tools within a connected setup. Platform Experience And Reliability No major Indian broker has completely avoided technical complaints during periods of heavy market activity. Platform slowdowns, delayed order execution, and temporary outages have affected nearly every large trading app at some stage. Ultimately user preference is a function of trading style. Long-term investors usually look at an intuitive interface, whereas active traders care more about execution speed and order management. It's only through consistent use that the reliability of the platform during high-volume sessions is revealed, and feature comparisons alone are not enough to determine the outcome. Can IPO applications be made through Kotak Neo Trading App? Yes, you can apply for IPOs directly on the platform using ASBA, UPI, or net banking. Can I trade commodities on Kotak Neo Trading App? Yes, the platform covers equities, derivatives, commodities, and currency segments all in one place. Are APIs only for professional traders? No, if you're a retail trader with a Kotak Neo account, you can plug into APIs just like the pros. It completely equalises the conditions for algorithmic and automated trading. Does Kotak Neo support advanced order types? Yes, you can execute everything from standard stop-losses to bracket orders, cover orders, and after-market orders (AMOs) straight from the platform. Is TradingView only useful for short-term traders? Active traders use TradingView the most, but long-term investors can still use the charts to track price action and pick better entries. Conclusion Most trading apps offer similar features these days. Your choice really depends on your specific style, what you trade, and how the platform holds up under heavy market hours. Kotak Neo is ideal for active traders who need speed, solid charting, and API access in one place. Pick the tool that actually fits your workflow. (The views, opinions, and claims in this article are solely those of the author's and do not represent the editorial stance of The Assam Tribune) [email protected]

Zerodha, SAMCO, and Dhan face challenge from Upstox, Fyers, and Rupeezy as Indian traders look for platform features and trading tools. India's brokerage war in 2026 is no longer about who is cheapest. It is now about who offers the deepest ecosystem, the smartest tools, and the clearest fit for different kinds of traders. This report rewrites the source material into a sharper narrative around three distinct challengers - Upstox, Fyers, and Rupeezy - each trying to carve out space against the market's most established names: Zerodha, SAMCO, and Dhan. The core story is one of specialization. Upstox is the mainstream scale play, Fyers is the precision tool for technical traders, and Rupeezy is the ambitious newcomer trying to earn trust through design, indicators, and leverage-friendly pricing. The competitive map. India's discount broking market has matured into a segmented battlefield rather than a single race for market share. Zerodha remains the benchmark for reliability, ecosystem depth, and brand trust, with its broad product suite still unmatched by newer rivals. SAMCO has defined a niche around AI-style personalized recommendations, while Dhan has become the reference point for F&O-heavy traders who want serious derivatives tooling. Against that backdrop, Upstox, Fyers, and Rupeezy are not trying to win the same customer in the same way. Each platform is pushing a different value proposition, and that matters because Indian investors are increasingly choosing platforms based on workflow, not just brokerage rates. The result is a market where product design, analytics, mobile experience, and specialization now matter as much as flat-fee pricing. Upstox: the familiar challenger. Upstox has long been one of the most recognizable names in India's discount brokerage segment, backed by prominent investors including the Ratan Tata family and Tiger Global. As of April 2026, it reported about 2.7 million active NSE clients, giving it real scale, even if it still trails Zerodha by a wide margin. Its strongest advantage is brand familiarity among first-time digital investors, many of whom encounter Upstox through aggressive marketing and a polished app experience. The firm's flagship interface, Upstox Pro, offers live data, charting through ChartIQ, more than 100 technical indicators, customizable watchlists, and access to equity, derivatives, commodities, currency, mutual funds, and IPOs. It also includes options-chain analytics, including PCR and implied volatility data, though the toolkit remains lighter than Dhan's more specialized derivatives stack. For developers and algorithmic traders, Upstox API 2.0 provides a free path to custom strategy building, while Smallcase integration widens its appeal for thematic investors. Why Upstox still matters. Upstox's core pitch is straightforward: it offers a modern interface, competitive pricing, and a broad enough feature set for most retail users. Like Zerodha and Dhan, it charges zero brokerage on equity delivery and a flat Rs. 20 per executed order for intraday and F&O trades. That puts it squarely in the mainstream discount-broker model, with no meaningful cost penalty for switching in or out. Still, Upstox has not fully escaped a recurring reputational issue: platform instability during volatile markets. Users have also complained about customer-service responsiveness when volumes surge. These weaknesses do not make the platform unusable, but they matter in a market where traders increasingly judge brokers by execution reliability under stress. For mainstream users, Upstox remains credible; for advanced traders, it is competent but not dominant. Fyers: built for traders who think in charts. Fyers occupies a very different lane. Rather than chasing mass-market scale, the Bengaluru-based broker has built its identity around technical analysis, charting precision, and developer-friendly infrastructure. That strategy has won it a loyal audience among intermediate and advanced traders who care less about brand visibility and more about how the platform performs in real trading workflows. Its charting stack is one of the strongest in the Indian retail market, with TradingView integration, a clean proprietary terminal in Fyers One, and tools that support multi-leg options execution and real-time Greeks. The API deserves special mention: among Indian brokers, it is widely regarded as one of the most accessible and well-documented for traders building automated systems. Fyers also connects with Streak, Sensibull, and Smallcase, which makes it easier for users to assemble a customized trading environment around the broker account. The Fyers advantage. For technically sophisticated traders, the appeal is not just the interface but the logic behind it. Fyers offers zero brokerage on equity delivery and a flat Rs. 20 per order for intraday and F&O, matching the pricing norm set by major discount brokers. The economics are competitive; the difference lies in the tools. Fyers is especially attractive for traders who rely on chart structure, live market data, and scripting or automated execution. Its limitations are equally clear. Fyers has a smaller user base than Upstox or Zerodha, which means fewer community resources and less name recognition among beginners. It is also less intuitive for casual investors who want a guided, low-friction experience. In practical terms, Fyers is not trying to be everyone's broker. It is trying to be the right broker for a narrower, more demanding audience. Rupeezy: the new entrant with ambition. Rupeezy is the most interesting underdog in this report because it is not actually new in regulatory terms. The platform traces its roots back to Astha Credit & Securities Pvt Ltd, which has been operating since 2005, even though the Rupeezy brand itself is a much fresher reintroduction. That history gives it a legitimacy newer fintech entrants often lack, even if brand awareness remains limited. In 2026, Rupeezy has positioned itself as a mobile-first platform with a clean design, a strong indicator library, and an emphasis on usability. It reportedly has about 32,000 active clients, which is still small, but the platform's design language and product ambition suggest it is trying to grow fast rather than merely survive. Its support for equity, F&O, currency, and commodities trading broadens the appeal beyond beginners, while its watchlists, screener, alerts, and dashboard customization give it a more serious edge than many small brokers manage to achieve. Where Rupeezy stands out. Rupeezy's strongest near-term selling point is its combination of visual polish and leverage-friendly pricing. The platform's margin trading facility has been highlighted as competitively priced, and that matters for users who want medium-term exposure without fully paying cash upfront. It also offers more than 100 technical indicators, which gives chart-focused traders enough depth to work with, at least at the retail level. The broker also benefits from fully digital account opening through eKYC, with onboarding typically completed within 24 to 48 hours. That is a practical advantage in a market where speed and ease of sign-up can decide whether a curious user becomes an active one. But the platform still lacks the scale, integrations, and institutional polish that would make it a mainstream default. Against the benchmarks. The comparison with Zerodha is the most revealing. Zerodha still wins on ecosystem breadth, reliability, educational content, and trust. Its Varsity learning platform, Coin mutual fund system, Streak automation, and console-style reporting create a moat that competitors have not yet crossed. Upstox comes closest on brand recognition, but not on depth. SAMCO is different again. Its defining edge is not execution or charting but personalized recommendations based on user behavior and risk profile. None of the three platforms in this report matches that approach, which means SAMCO serves a fundamentally different investor mindset. Dhan, meanwhile, remains the leading destination for derivatives traders because its options-specific tools are more complete and more deliberately engineered than what Upstox or Rupeezy currently offer. A trading market that offers speed, variety of tools and remains low cost. The broader lesson is that India's trading-platform market has entered a more mature phase. Pricing has largely converged, which means differentiation now comes from product architecture, community trust, specialization, and integrations. This is good for investors because it expands choice, but it also raises the cost of being generic. The winning brokers in 2026 are the ones that solve a specific problem exceptionally well. Zerodha owns reliability and ecosystem depth. SAMCO owns personalized guidance. Dhan owns options execution. Upstox, Fyers, and Rupeezy each have something valuable to offer, but they must continue sharpening their edges if they want to shift from credible alternatives to category leaders. Business News: