Zerodha vs Upstox
Zerodha vs Upstox – Which Stock Broker is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Zerodha and Upstox in 2026 can be confusing, especially when both brokers offer low-cost trading, advanced platforms, and a strong user base. While Zerodha is known for its reliability, powerful tools, and market leadership, Upstox stands out with its modern interface, fast performance, and competitive pricing. In this detailed comparison, we break down brokerage charges, features, trading platforms, and overall usability to help you decide which stock broker truly fits your investment or trading needs.
Quick Broker Comparison Table
| Feature | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
|
Founded |
2010 |
2015 |
|
Founder |
Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath |
Ravi Kumar |
|
Account Opening |
₹ 0, Free AO Charges |
₹ 0, No AO Charges |
|
Demat AMC |
Up to ₹4 lakh — Free and Above ₹10 lakh–₹ 300 per year |
(No AMC for first year)AMC of ₹ 300 + GST |
|
Equity Delivery Brokerage |
₹0 |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Intraday and F&O Brokerage |
₹20 or 0.03% per order |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Trading Platforms |
Kite Web, Kite App |
Upstox App .Web |
|
Advanced Trading Tools |
Extensive |
Limited |
|
3 in 1 Demat Account |
Yes |
No |
|
Technology and Data Centres |
Own Inhouse Team |
Based On vendors |
|
Best For |
Active Traders, Beginners and Investors |
Investors |
|
Overall Rating |
4.7/5 |
3.6/5 |
Broker Overview
| Zerodha Overview | Upstox Overview |
|---|---|
|
Zerodha is the leading discount broker in India, widely recognized for its transparent fee structure and robust trading platform, Kite. It provides zero brokerage on equity delivery trades, while intraday and F&O transactions are charged at a flat ₹20 per order. |
Upstox is one of India’s fastest-growing discount brokers, offering a balance of affordability and performance-driven trading tools. Backed by modern technology, Upstox provides a seamless trading experience across equities, derivatives, commodities, and currencies. |
Pros
| Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|
|
✔ Professional-grade trading platform (Kite) |
✔ Free AMC for 1st Year |
|
✔ Zero brokerage on equity delivery |
✔ Simple and useable |
|
✔ Advanced charting with TradingView integration |
✔ Easy account opening process |
|
✔ Free Direct Mutual Funds & Large educational ecosystem (Varsity) |
✔ Free Direct Mutual Funds |
|
✔ Reliable risk management system |
✔ Poor Risk Management System |
|
✔ Very Lowest Complaint on exchanges |
✔ Complaints on NSE |
|
✔ India’s First Discount Brokerage and Valuable Stock Broker |
✔ Normal Stock Broker |
|
✔ India’s safest stockbroker with Excellent cybersecurity |
✔ Good with cybersecurity |
Cons
| Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|
|
Majorly for Active Traders |
✘ High Brokerage Charges |
|
Advanced technology-based Trading APP |
✘ The user interface on app is very poor |
|
— |
✘ Risk management is poor |
Brokerage Charges Comparison
| Brokerage Charges Comparison | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
|
Equity Delivery |
₹0 |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Equity Intraday |
0.03% or Rs. 20/executed order whichever is lower |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Futures |
0.03% or Rs. 20/executed order whichever is lower |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Options |
₹20 per order |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Direct Mutual Funds |
Free via Coin |
Free |
|
HUFs Demat |
0.1% or ₹20 (whichever is less) for All Segments |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Companies, Partnerships, Trusts Demat |
0.1% or ₹20 (whichever is less) for All Segments |
Not Available |
Hidden Charges Comparison
| Hidden Charges Comparison | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
|
DP Charges |
DP charges once per stock per day, no matter how many times you sell, only ₹13+ 18% GST |
DP charges once per stock per day, no matter how many times you sell, only ₹13+ 18% GST |
|
Call & trade |
Call & trade facility (~₹50/order) |
₹50 + 18% GST per executed order |
|
Payment Gateway Charges |
Free |
₹7 + GST per transaction |
|
Corporate action order charges to OFS, buyback, takeover, and delisting orders |
A fee of ₹20 plus GST will apply |
free |
|
Margin Trading Facility (MTF) |
Brokerage is ₹20 or 0.3% per order. Interest = 14.60% per Annum |
Brokerage=0.1 % Per order Interest Charges=₹20 per day |
|
HUFs Demat |
0.1% or ₹20 (whichever is less) for All Segments |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Pledging charges |
A fee of ₹30 + GST |
₹20 + GST per scrip |
|
UPI Mandate balance charges |
No Charges |
No Charges |
Trading Tools and Market Intelligence
 |  |
|---|
| Trading Tools and Market Intelligence | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
|
Advanced Charting |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Market Depth (Level 3 Data) |
Yes |
No |
|
Custom Watchlists |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Stock Screener |
Yes |
No |
|
Trade from Charts |
Yes |
Yes |
|
HUFs Demat |
0.1% or ₹20 (whichever is less) for All Segments |
flat fee of ₹20 per order |
|
Pledging charges |
A fee of ₹30 + GST |
₹20 + GST per scrip |
|
UPI Mandate balance charges |
No Charges |
No Charges |
Groww works well for long-term investors and beginners, but it does not provide the same depth of trading tools as Zerodha.
Zerodha vs Groww: Which is Better?
Both brokers offer competitive brokerage charges and easy account opening.
Zerodha is better for active traders, beginners, and advanced chart users.
Groww is better for new investors who want a simple platform.
 |  |
For most traders, Zerodha remains the preferred choice due to its powerful trading ecosystem.
Still Confused? Compare More Brokers
Final Verdict: Zerodha vs Groww
Both Zerodha and Groww are among the most popular stock brokers in India, but they serve slightly different types of investors.
| Zerodha stands out for its powerful trading ecosystem, advanced charting tools, and reliable order execution through its Kite by Zerodha platform. Active traders, technical analysts, and investors who rely on detailed charts and market tools generally find Zerodha more suitable. | Groww, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity. Its clean interface and easy account setup make it attractive for first-time investors who want a straightforward way to buy stocks or mutual funds without navigating complex trading features. |
For users planning to grow from beginner investing to active trading over time, Zerodha can offer a more scalable trading environment, while Groww remains a solid option for simple investing needs.
Zerodha vs Groww - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Both Zerodha and Groww are reliable brokers. Zerodha is generally preferred by active traders because of its advanced trading tools, while Groww is popular among beginners for its simple interface.
Many traders prefer Zerodha because of its powerful trading ecosystem, advanced charting tools, and the Kite by Zerodha platform, which provides fast order execution and detailed market analysis tools.
Yes. Even though Zerodha is known for advanced trading tools, beginners can still use it comfortably. The platform is clean, and investors can start with simple delivery trades while gradually learning more features.
Does Zerodha offer better trading tools than Groww?
Which broker is better for long-term investors?
Are Zerodha and Groww safe to use?
Both brokers follow a similar pricing model. Delivery trades are free, and intraday or F&O trades usually cost up to ₹20 per executed order.
Active traders generally prefer Zerodha because its trading platform provides better charting tools, faster order execution, and more customization options.
Yes. Zerodha allows investors to buy direct mutual funds through its dedicated platform called Coin, which helps investors avoid distributor commissions.
Yes. Investors can open a Zerodha account anytime and transfer their shares through the depository system managed by National Securities Depository Limited or Central Depository Services Limited.