Understanding smallcase Charges: Subscription and Transaction Fees Explained (2024)
This article discusses the various charges associated with investing in smallcases.
For those of you who are new to smallcase, here’s a brief intro:
A smallcase is a portfolio (or basket) of stocks or ETFs that tracks a theme, strategy, or objective. In order to invest in a smallcase, you need to log in with your phone number and connect your broking or demat account. When you invest in a smallcase, the funds are deducted from your trading account, and the stocks and/or ETFs are credited to your demat account.
There are two types of charges on smallcases: subscription fees and transaction fees.
smallcase Subscription Charges
smallcase subscription charges only apply to fee-based smallcases. The respective smallcase manager and the plan duration determine the subscription cost.
Check out our primer on smallcase subscriptions to learn about fee-based smallcases and their associated subscription charges.
smallcase Transaction Charges
smallcase transaction fees help us deliver a top-notch investment experience to our users.
Transaction fees apply when you buy a new smallcase, invest a lump sum, or initiate a SIP in an existing smallcase. They are not applicable when you rebalance or exit a smallcase.
The smallcase transaction charges are deducted from your demat/trading account’s funds, and are reflected on your broker’s ledger.
Furthermore, smallcase transaction fees are different from smallcase subscription fees. The transaction fees apply to both fee-based and non-fee-based smallcases.
It is important to note that the smallcase transaction fees depend on your connected broker. Please refer to our help article for the most up-to-date information on the smallcase transaction fees for your respective broker.
Finally, all statutory charges such as GST, STT, brokerage fee (respective to each broker), etc, are applicable as usual.
Let’s dive deeper into how different types of smallcase transaction fees work:
1. smallcase “BUY Order” Transaction Charges
When you invest in a new smallcase for the first time, a BUY order is placed.
For most brokers, a transaction fee of Rs 100 (capped at 1.5% of the investment amount) + GST for all BUY transactions.
Let’s understand this with an example:
Case 1:
- You invest Rs 50,000 in a new smallcase (i.e. you place a BUY order of Rs 50,000)
- 1.5% capped fee: Rs. 750 (1.5% of 50,000)
- The maximum applicable smallcase transaction fee is Rs 100
- Since your 1.5% capped fee (Rs 750) is greater than the maximum applicable transaction fee (Rs 100), the final applicable smallcase transaction fee for this BUY order is Rs 100
Case 2:
- You invest Rs 1,000 in a new smallcase (i.e. you’ve placed a BUY order of Rs 1,000)
- 1.5% capped fee: Rs. 15 (1.5% of 1,000)
- The maximum applicable smallcase transaction fee is Rs 100
- Since your 1.5% capped fee (Rs 1) is lower than the maximum applicable transaction fee (Rs 100), the final applicable smallcase transaction fee for this BUY order is Rs 15
Here’s a table for quick reference:
| Case | Invested Amount (BUY Order) | 1.5% Fee | Max BUY Order Transaction Fee | Is “1.5% Fee” > Max Fee? | Final Applicable Transaction Fee (BUY Order) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case 1 | 50,000 | 750 | 100 | Yes | 100 |
| Case 2 | 1,000 | 15 | 100 | No | 15 |
Note: GST is applicable on the final transaction fee
2. smallcase “Lump Sum Order” Transaction Charges on Existing smallcases
When you invest a lump sum amount on an existing (i.e. currently invested) smallcase, an Invest More order is placed.
For most brokers, a transaction fee of Rs 100 (capped at 1.5% of the investment amount) + GST for all Invest More transactions.
Let’s understand this with an example:
Case 1:
- You invest a lump sum amount of Rs 20,000 in an existing (i.e. currently invested) smallcase (i.e. you place an Invest More order of Rs 20,000)
- 1.5% capped fee: Rs. 300 (1.5% of 20,000)
- The maximum applicable smallcase transaction fee is Rs 100
- Since your 1.5% capped fee (Rs 300) is greater than the maximum applicable transaction fee (Rs 100), the final applicable smallcase transaction fee for this Invest More order is Rs 100
Case 2:
- You make a lump sum investment of Rs 3,000 in an existing smallcase (i.e. you’ve placed an Invest More order for Rs 3,000)
- 1.5% capped fee: Rs. 45 (1.5% of 3,000)
- The maximum applicable smallcase transaction fee is Rs 100
- Since your 1.5% capped fee (Rs 45) is lower than the maximum applicable transaction fee (Rs 100), the final applicable smallcase transaction fee for this Invest More order is Rs 45
Here’s a table for quick reference:
| Case | Invested Amount (Invest More Order) | 1.5% Fee | Max Invest More Order Transaction Fee | Is “1.5% Fee” > Max Fee? | Final Applicable Transaction Fee (Invest More Order) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case 1 | 20,000 | 450 | 100 | Yes | 100 |
| Case 2 | 3,000 | 45 | 100 | No | 45 |
Note: GST is applicable on the final transaction fee
3. smallcase “SIP Order” Transaction Charges on Existing smallcases
A SIP transaction fee of Rs 10 + GST applies to all SIP transactions on smallcases. This fee is also capped at 1.5% of the SIP amount, and whichever amount is lower is selected.
Here’s an example to illustrate this better:
Case 1:
- You make a SIP investment of Rs 500 in an existing (i.e. currently invested) smallcase
- 1.5% capped fee: Rs. 7.5 (1.5% of 500)
- The maximum applicable smallcase transaction fee is Rs 10
- Since your 1.5% capped fee (Rs 7.5) is lesser than the maximum applicable transaction fee (Rs 10), the final applicable smallcase transaction fee for this SIP order is Rs 7.5
Case 2:
- You make an SIP investment of Rs 1,000 in an existing smallcase
- 1.5% capped fee: Rs. 15 (1.5% of 1,000)
- The maximum applicable smallcase transaction fee is Rs 10
- Since your 1.5% capped fee (Rs 15) is greater than the maximum applicable transaction fee (Rs 10), the final applicable smallcase transaction fee for this SIP order is Rs 10
Here’s a table for quick reference:
| Case | Invested Amount (SIP Order) | 1.5% Fee | Max SIP Order Transaction Fee | Is “1.5% Fee” > Max Fee? | Final Applicable Transaction Fee (SIP Order) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case 1 | 500 | 7.5 | 10 | No | 17.5 |
| Case 2 | 1,000 | 15 | 10 | Yes | 10 |
Note: GST is applicable on the final transaction fee
smallcase Transaction Charges for Various Brokers
As we’ve mentioned at the beginning of this article, the smallcase transaction fees levied upon you will depend on your connected broker.
For the most up-to-date information on the transaction fees, we recommend referring to the help article for your respective broker.
Please note that apart from smallcase charges, all statutory charges such as GST, STT, brokerage fee (respective to each broker), etc., are applicable as usual.
Frequently Asked Questions on smallcase Charges
Yes. Transaction charges of Rs 100 + GST will apply for BUY and Invest More orders and Rs 10 + GST for SIP orders. Additionally, all statutory charges such as GST, STT, brokerage fees (respective to each broker), etc., will apply. Please refer to this help article for the latest transaction fees.
Yes. Transaction charges apply to both fee-based and non-fee-based smallcases.
Transaction fees are levied on transactions carried out on smallcase, including BUY, Invest More and SIP orders. They are applicable to both fee-based and non-fee-based smallcases. Subscription fees are charged by the smallcase manager only for fee-based smallcases.
