Groww vs Zerodha: Which one is Better?

The rise of discount brokers and fintech apps has reshaped the way Indians invest. Today, investors no longer need to rely on high-cost traditional brokers—they can open a Demat account in minutes and start trading at the tap of a button. Two of the biggest names in this space are Groww and Zerodha.

Both platforms are hugely popular but serve slightly different audiences. While Zerodha is known as the pioneer of discount broking in India, Groww has emerged as a modern, beginner-friendly investment app.

So, when it comes to Groww vs Zerodha—Which is better in 2025? Let’s explore this in detail.

A Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Groww	Zerodha
Founded	2016 (Bengaluru startup)	2010 (Bengaluru-based pioneer)
Users (2025 est.)	30+ million	12+ million
Brokerage	Flat ₹20 per order	Flat ₹20 per order
Account Opening	Free	₹200–300 (depending on segments)
AMC (Annual Maintenance)	Free	₹300/year
Investment Options	Stocks, MFs, IPOs, ETFs, US Stocks, F&O, Digital Gold	Stocks, MFs, IPOs, ETFs, F&O, Bonds, Govt. Securities
Trading Platform	Groww App (mobile-first, simple UI)	Kite (advanced trading platform)
Research Tools	Basic info, blogs, education	Advanced charts, option chains, APIs
Best For	Beginners, long-term investors	Traders, advanced investors

Advantages of Groww

1. Beginner-Friendly Interface

• Designed with simplicity in mind.
• Easy navigation for first-time investors.
• Minimal clutter compared to traditional brokers.

2. Zero-Commission Mutual Funds

• Offers direct mutual fund plans at zero commission.
• Investors save 1–1.5% annually in expense ratios.

3. US Stock Investing

• Groww allows Indians to invest in US stocks like Apple, Tesla, Amazon.
• Fractional shares available, making it affordable for retail investors.
• Great for global diversification.

4. Free Account Opening & AMC

• No account opening charges.
• No annual maintenance fees (AMC).
• Very cost-effective for beginners.

5. IPO Application Made Easy

• Seamless IPO applications via UPI.
• Simple process for new retail investors.

6. Wide Investment Options

• Stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, US stocks, F&O, and even digital gold.
• One of the most comprehensive retail investment apps in India.

7. Huge User Base

• With 30+ million users, Groww is among the fastest-growing platforms.
• Strong network effect ensures innovation and reliability.

Disadvantages of Groww

1. Limited Advanced Trading Tools – Not built for intraday traders or F&O strategists.
2. No Bonds or Govt. Securities – Unlike Zerodha, Groww lacks these fixed-income products.
3. Customer Support Complaints – Many users report delayed query resolution.
4. US Stock Taxation Complexity – US investments involve forex charges & double taxation.
5. New in Stockbroking – Entered equities in 2020, so has a shorter track record compared to Zerodha.

Advantages of Zerodha

1. Pioneer of Discount Broking

• Founded in 2010, Zerodha is the largest discount broker by active clients.
• Has built a reputation for trust, transparency, and innovation.

2. Advanced Trading Platform – Kite

• Powerful charting tools with 100+ indicators.
• Fast and reliable order execution.
• Suitable for pro traders, F&O players, and algo traders.

3. Wide Investment Options

• Equity, derivatives, ETFs, IPOs.
• Government securities, treasury bills, and bonds (via Coin & Console).
• Mutual funds (direct, zero commission).

4. Zerodha Coin – Mutual Funds

• Commission-free direct mutual funds.
• Integrated with Zerodha Console for portfolio insights.

5. Educational Initiatives (Varsity)

• Zerodha Varsity is India’s most comprehensive free stock market education platform.
• Helps beginners and advanced investors alike.

6. APIs & Algo Trading

• Zerodha offers Kite Connect APIs for developers.
• Supports algo trading, making it attractive for tech-savvy traders.

7. Strong Customer Trust

• Over 12 million users with high daily turnover.
• Considered a safe, reliable, and stable platform.

Disadvantages of Zerodha

1. Account Opening Fees – ₹200–300 (unlike Groww’s free onboarding).
2. AMC Charges – ₹300 per year for Demat.
3. No US Stock Investing – Limited to Indian markets only.
4. No Direct Advisory Services – Zerodha provides tools but no personalized investment advice.
5. Platform Complexity for Beginners – Kite may feel overwhelming for new investors.

Groww vs Zerodha: Detailed Comparison

1. Ease of Use

• Groww: Simple, mobile-first design for beginners.
• Zerodha: Feature-rich but may overwhelm first-time investors.

👉 Winner: Groww for beginners.

2. Brokerage & Charges

• Both charge flat ₹20 per order.
• Groww has free account opening & AMC, while Zerodha charges fees.

👉 Winner: Groww (cost advantage).

3. Investment Options

• Groww: Adds US Stocks & Digital Gold.
• Zerodha: Adds Bonds, Govt. Securities, Algo APIs.

👉 Winner: Tie (depends on whether you want US/global exposure or fixed-income options).

4. Trading Platforms

• Groww: Mobile app only, basic tools.
• Zerodha: Kite & Console with advanced features.

👉 Winner: Zerodha (for traders).

5. Educational Resources

• Groww: Blogs, Groww Academy (basic).
• Zerodha: Varsity (in-depth, industry-leading).

👉 Winner: Zerodha.

6. Customer Support

• Both platforms face user complaints about delayed responses.
• Slightly better structured support system in Zerodha.

👉 Winner: Zerodha (slightly).

🏆 Who Should Choose Groww?

• Beginners & first-time investors.
• Those who want US stock exposure.
• Mutual fund investors who value zero-commission direct plans.
• Investors who prefer simplicity over complexity.

🏆 Who Should Choose Zerodha?

• Traders, F&O players, and advanced investors.
• Those needing robust charting & algo trading tools.
• Investors interested in bonds, G-Secs, and fixed-income options.
• Users who want industry-leading educational content.

Final Verdict: Groww vs Zerodha

Both Groww and Zerodha are excellent platforms, but they cater to different investor profiles:

• ✅ Groww is better for beginners who want an easy-to-use platform, zero-cost onboarding, and access to US stocks.
• ✅ Zerodha is better for serious traders and long-term Indian market investors who need advanced tools, bonds, and algo trading support.