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 Upstox: Which is Better?
Both brokers offer competitive brokerage charges and easy account opening.
Zerodha is better for active traders, beginners, and advanced chart users.
Upstox is better for investors who want a simple platform.
Still Confused? Compare More Brokers
Final Verdict: Zerodha vs Upstox
Both Zerodha and Upstox are among the leading discount brokers in India, offering competitive pricing and modern trading platforms. However, they cater to slightly different types of investors based on experience and trading needs.
| Zerodha stands out for its well-established ecosystem, highly stable platforms like Kite, and advanced charting tools. It has built strong credibility among active traders, long-term investors, and professionals who rely on detailed analytics, third-party integrations, and consistent performance. Its educational initiatives and transparency further strengthen its position as a reliable, long-term brokerage choice. | Upstox, on the other hand, focuses on speed, simplicity, and a modern user interface. It offers a clean and intuitive experience, making it appealing for beginners and casual investors who want quick access to stock markets without dealing with complex tools. Recent platform improvements and competitive pricing have made Upstox a strong contender in the discount broking space. |
For users planning to evolve from basic investing to active trading, Zerodha offers a more scalable and feature-rich environment and remains a solid choice for those who prefer a simple, fast, and beginner-friendly trading experience.
Zerodha vs Groww - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Both Zerodha and Upstox are reliable brokers. Zerodha is generally preferred by active traders due to its advanced tools and stable ecosystem, while Upstox is popular among beginners for its fast and user-friendly interface.
Zerodha is known for its strong trading platform (Kite), advanced charting tools, and consistent performance. Traders who rely on technical analysis and detailed market data often find Zerodha more suitable.
Yes, Zerodha can be used by beginners, especially those willing to learn. It also provides educational content through Varsity, but its interface may feel slightly advanced compared to Upstox.
Zerodha generally offers more mature and feature-rich tools, especially for charting and analysis. Upstox has improved significantly but still focuses more on simplicity than depth.
Both platforms are good for long-term investing. However, Zerodha’s reliability, transparency, and ecosystem make it a slightly stronger choice for serious long-term investors.
Yes, both brokers are registered with SEBI and are considered safe for trading and investing in India.
Both Zerodha and Upstox follow a similar discount brokerage model with competitive pricing. The difference in cost is minimal for most users.
Zerodha is generally better for active traders due to its stable performance, advanced charting tools, and wide ecosystem. Upstox is improving but is still more beginner-focused.