Updated September 2026. Two apps keep showing up whenever someone asks which Indian broker to open first: Groww and Zerodha. Both are SEBI-registered. Both do stocks, mutual funds, IPOs, and F&O. Both look “cheap” on the surface. So which one should you actually pick?
If you’re unsure, let’s fix that.
This is a practical Groww vs Zerodha comparison for 2026: brokerage, AMC, products, app feel, and who each platform suits. Broker fees and account rules change. Confirm the live numbers on Groww’s pricing page and Zerodha’s charges page before you open or fund an account.
Disclosure: Some links on this site may be affiliate links (see deals). That never changes how we compare platforms. This is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Markets can lose money. Never risk capital you can’t afford to lose. Confirm fees, eligibility, and product availability on each broker (and with a SEBI-registered advisor or CA if you need personal advice) before you act.
Quick verdict: Groww vs Zerodha in 2026
- Pick Groww if you want one simple app for mutual funds, SIPs, IPOs, and basic stock investing, with ₹0 AMC and a beginner-friendly interface.
- Pick Zerodha if you care about equity delivery at ₹0 brokerage, deeper trading tools (Kite), learning content (Varsity), and you don’t mind a small demat AMC after year one on many accounts.
- Don’t pick on brand noise alone. Delivery investors, SIP-only users, and active F&O traders will score these apps differently. Match the product to how you actually invest.
If you’re still shopping around, also see free demat account apps in India, cheapest demat accounts, and flat-fee trading accounts.
Groww overview
Groww started as a mutual fund app and grew into a full broker. Today you can do stocks, ETFs, IPOs, F&O, commodities-related products, and direct mutual funds from one account. The pitch is simple: open fast, pay transparent fees, don’t get lost in a terminal.
For a deeper product walkthrough, I’ve covered the app separately in the Groww app review.
What it’s good at: clean onboarding, MF + SIP discovery, IPO flows, and “I just want to invest without learning a trading terminal” users.
Where it feels thinner: power-user charting, advanced order workflows, and the kind of ecosystem Zerodha built around Kite, Console, Coin, and Varsity.
Zerodha overview
Zerodha is still the default name active traders and serious DIY investors mention first. Kite is the trading front-end. Console handles reports and taxes. Coin is for direct mutual funds. Varsity is free market education. That stack is a big reason people stay even when a shinier app launches.
You can also compare Zerodha against a more “wealth app” style broker in Zerodha vs INDmoney.
What it’s good at: ₹0 equity delivery brokerage, strong trading tools, API/ecosystem options, and education for people who want to learn the market properly.
Where it feels thinner: the UI can feel denser for absolute beginners, and demat AMC after the first year is not free for many resident accounts (details below).
Side-by-side comparison (confirm live fees)
Figures below are from each broker’s public pricing pages as of late September 2026 research. Statutory charges (STT, exchange fees, stamp duty, SEBI charges, GST) apply on top for both. Always re-check before you trade.
| Factor | Groww | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Best for (2026) | Beginners, MF/SIP + simple investing | Active traders, delivery investors who want tools |
| Account opening (resident individual, online) | ₹0 | ₹0 (free for individual / minor online) |
| Demat AMC | ₹0 (Groww lists zero maintenance) | Free first year for new resident individuals; then BSDA tiers or ₹300/year + GST for non-BSDA |
| Equity delivery brokerage | Lower of ₹20 or 0.1% per executed order (min ₹5) | ₹0 |
| Equity intraday | Lower of ₹20 or 0.1% (min ₹5) | Lower of ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order |
| F&O | Flat ₹20 per executed order (as Groww marketing/pricing materials state) | Futures: lower of ₹20 or 0.03%; Options: flat ₹20 |
| Direct mutual funds | Available; Groww markets zero commission on direct MF investing | Free via Coin (₹0 commissions & DP on direct MF, per Zerodha) |
| IPO | Yes, in-app | Yes |
| Main apps / tools | Groww app (all-in-one) | Kite, Console, Coin, Varsity; optional Tickertape / Smallcase / Kite Connect |
| Customer support reputation | In-app / ticket heavy; mixed reviews on wait times for complex issues (anecdotal) | Ticket + support portal; Varsity/community help a lot; call-and-trade is paid |
Uncertain / easy to get wrong: some third-party comparison sites still show older Groww equity slabs (for example 0.05%). Groww’s live pricing page currently shows ₹20 or 0.1%, minimum ₹5. Zerodha AMC depends on BSDA vs non-BSDA and holdings value. Don’t copy a random blog table into your decision.
Brokerage and AMC: where the money actually goes
Here’s the deal most people miss. Headline brokerage is only one line on the contract note. STT, exchange charges, stamp duty, SEBI fees, GST, and DP charges still hit both platforms.
Equity delivery
Zerodha’s big edge for buy-and-hold investors is simple: ₹0 brokerage on equity delivery. Groww still charges the lower of ₹20 or 0.1% (minimum ₹5) on executed equity orders. If you buy stocks often and hold them, Zerodha usually wins on pure brokerage. If you barely trade and care more about ₹0 AMC plus a simpler app, Groww can still feel cheaper overall. Run your own monthly trade count.
Intraday and F&O
Both sit in the familiar discount-broker band around ₹20 per order. Zerodha’s intraday/futures formula is ₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower). Groww’s equity formula is ₹20 or 0.1% with a ₹5 floor, and F&O is marketed as flat ₹20. On small orders, the percentage cap and minimums matter more than the “flat ₹20” marketing line. Use each broker’s brokerage calculator before you size up.
AMC and DP charges
Groww currently advertises ₹0 AMC. Zerodha gives the first year free for new resident individual accounts, then charges based on BSDA eligibility or ₹300/year + GST for non-BSDA accounts. DP (sell-side demat debit) charges differ too. Groww’s pricing table breaks out depository + Groww fees; Zerodha publishes an all-in style DP figure around ₹15.34 per scrip including GST components. These change. Check the live page.
MTF (margin trading facility)
Both offer MTF, but interest and brokerage formulas are different. Groww’s pricing page lists MTF brokerage at 0.1% of order value and interest around 14.95% p.a. on the funded amount. Zerodha lists MTF interest around 0.04% per day on the funded amount (roughly mid-teens annualised), plus its own MTF brokerage slab. MTF is leverage. It’s not free money. If you don’t understand the interest clock, skip it.
Products: stocks, F&O, mutual funds, IPO
- Stocks & ETFs: Both cover NSE/BSE listed investing. Zerodha usually feels better if you live inside charts and order types. Groww feels better if you mostly want search, buy, hold.
- F&O: Both support equity derivatives. Active options traders often prefer Zerodha’s tooling and ecosystem. Beginners should treat F&O as high risk either way.
- Mutual funds: Both push direct plans. Groww’s MF UX is a major reason people open Groww in the first place. Zerodha Coin is free for direct MF and works well if you’re already in the Zerodha stack. For more MF app options, see best mutual fund apps in India.
- IPO: Both let you apply from the account. Convenience is similar; allotment still depends on the issue, not the broker brand.
If you’re buying your first stock ever, start with basics first: buying your first stock in India.
App, UI, and learning curve
Groww wins the “open the app and don’t panic” test for most new investors. Menus are obvious. MF, stocks, and IPOs sit in one place. That matters if you’re coming from a savings app mindset, not a trading desk.
Zerodha’s Kite is more of a trading workstation. Once you learn it, it’s fast. Until then, it can feel like too many panels. Console reports are excellent for tax season. Varsity is still one of the best free learning libraries in Indian markets. If you want to become a better investor over 12 months, Zerodha’s education stack is hard to ignore.
Neither app replaces your own process. Fancy UI will not save a bad position size.
Customer support: what people usually mean
Support quality is noisy on every discount broker. What users usually complain about is not “no phone number on the homepage.” It’s how long KYC, withdrawal, or corporate-action tickets take when something breaks.
Groww leans on in-app help and tickets. Fine for routine questions. Mixed word-of-mouth when issues get messy.
Zerodha leans on a support portal, detailed help docs, and community knowledge. Call-and-trade exists but is charged (Zerodha lists additional charges for dealer-placed orders). If you need hand-holding every trade, neither platform is a full-service relationship manager.
Treat support reputation as anecdotal unless you’ve experienced it yourself. For day-trading style needs, also skim best day trading apps in India.
Who should pick Groww?
- You’re new to investing and want mutual funds + stocks in one clean app.
- You mostly do SIPs, occasional stock buys, and IPO applications.
- You want ₹0 AMC and don’t want to think about BSDA vs non-BSDA.
- You care more about simplicity than advanced charts or APIs.
Who should pick Zerodha?
- You buy equities for delivery often and want ₹0 delivery brokerage.
- You trade intraday/F&O and want a mature trading interface.
- You like learning (Varsity) and ecosystem tools (Console, Coin, optional APIs).
- You’re okay with demat AMC rules after year one in exchange for the tools stack.
Can you use both?
Yes. SEBI allows multiple demat/trading accounts. Some people keep Groww for SIPs/IPOs and Zerodha for trading. Just remember: two accounts means two sets of AMC/DP rules, two tax report exports, and more admin. Don’t open a second account only because a YouTube thumbnail told you to.
FAQ: Groww vs Zerodha
Is Groww cheaper than Zerodha?
It depends what you do. Groww looks cheaper on AMC (₹0). Zerodha looks cheaper on equity delivery brokerage (₹0). For a SIP-heavy beginner, Groww often feels simpler and “low friction.” For a frequent delivery investor, Zerodha often wins on brokerage math. Check both pricing pages with your real monthly trade pattern.
Which is better for beginners in 2026?
Groww, for most absolute beginners who mainly want MFs and simple stock investing. Zerodha, if the beginner is willing to learn Kite and wants stronger trading/education tools from day one.
Which is better for F&O traders?
Many active traders still prefer Zerodha for tooling and workflow. Groww can work if you only need basic F&O access. F&O can wipe capital quickly on either app. Broker choice won’t fix bad risk management.
Do both offer free mutual funds?
Both offer direct mutual fund investing with a zero-commission style pitch. Confirm plan type (direct vs regular) inside the app before you start a SIP.
Is account opening free on both?
For typical resident individual online accounts, both currently advertise free opening. NRI/HUF/corporate flows can differ, especially on Zerodha. Check eligibility on the broker site.
Are Groww and Zerodha safe?
Both are SEBI-registered brokers with standard demat custody via depositories. That is regulation, not a return guarantee. Your market risk remains yours. Enable 2FA, use strong passwords, and treat MTF/F&O leverage carefully.
Final take
Groww vs Zerodha in 2026 is not a mystery once you stop comparing Instagram ads.
Want simple investing, MF/SIP first, ₹0 AMC, and a friendly app? Groww fits.
Want ₹0 delivery brokerage, deeper trading tools, and a mature DIY ecosystem? Zerodha fits.
That’s it. Open one account you will actually use, keep position sizes sane, and re-check fees on the official pages before every “I heard they changed charges” rumour cycle.
