The rise of digital platforms has transformed how Indians invest in mutual funds, equities, and other financial products. Among the leading names in this transformation are ET Money, a personal finance app specializing in mutual funds and wealth management, and Zerodha, India’s largest discount stockbroker that redefined trading and investing.

Both cater to retail investors but in different ways:

• ET Money positions itself as a wealth management and mutual fund investment app, simplifying financial planning.
• Zerodha, on the other hand, is a stockbroker offering direct equity, F&O, mutual funds, IPOs, and bonds at industry-low costs.

So, when it comes to ET Money vs Zerodha – which one is better? The answer depends on your financial goals, risk appetite, and whether you prefer a hands-on DIY approach (Zerodha) or a guided personal finance solution (ET Money). Let’s explore in detail.

Business Model & Focus

Zerodha:

Founded in 2010, Zerodha is India’s largest retail broker with 1.5+ crore clients. Its core offering is low-cost trading in equities, derivatives, commodities, and mutual funds via platforms like Kite and Coin. Zerodha focuses on execution and cost efficiency, not advisory.

ET Money:

Launched in 2015 as part of Times Internet, ET Money is a personal finance app. Its offerings include direct mutual funds, insurance, loans, credit cards, NPS, SIPs, and expense tracking. It focuses more on financial planning, advisory, and goal-based investing rather than active trading.

 Verdict: Zerodha is a brokerage and trading platform, while ET Money is a wealth management app.

Investment Products

Zerodha:

• Equities (delivery + intraday)
• Futures & Options
• Commodities & Currency
• Mutual Funds (via Coin – direct plans only)
• Bonds & IPOs
• G-Secs & T-Bills

ET Money:

• Mutual Funds (direct plans)
• National Pension System (NPS)
• Health & Term Insurance
• Fixed Deposits & Loans
• Expense Tracking & Credit Score Monitoring

Verdict: Zerodha is broader for market-linked investments (stocks, F&O, IPOs), while ET Money covers personal finance products (MFs, NPS, insurance, loans).

Brokerage & Costs

Zerodha:

• Equity Delivery: ₹0 brokerage
• Intraday & F&O: ₹20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever lower)
• Mutual Funds: ₹0 (only direct plans available on Coin)
• Demat AMC: ₹300 per year

ET Money:

• Mutual Funds: ₹0 (direct plans only, no commissions)
• Other Products: Free to use for NPS, insurance, loans, etc.
• No Demat account required

Verdict: For mutual funds, both are equally cost-effective. For trading & equity investing, ET Money isn’t relevant, and Zerodha is the clear winner.

Trading Platforms & Technology

Zerodha:

• Kite (Web + App): Intuitive, lightweight, fast order execution.
• Console: Back-office for reports, P&L, taxation.
• Coin: Direct mutual funds platform.
• Varsity: Free stock market education modules.

ET Money:

• ET Money App: User-friendly, designed for beginners. Features include goal-based SIP planning, expense tracking, smart recommendations, and one-click NPS/insurance purchase.
• No dedicated trading terminal since it’s not a broker.

Verdict: Zerodha wins for active traders, ET Money wins for beginners seeking simplicity.

Research & Advisory

• Zerodha:
  • Does not offer stock tips or advisory to maintain neutrality.
  • Instead, it focuses on education (Varsity, Z-Connect blog, community discussions).
• ET Money:
  • Provides portfolio insights, fund recommendations, robo-advisory, and expense analysis.
  • Uses AI to suggest funds based on goals (retirement, child education, wealth creation).

Verdict: ET Money is better for guided investors, Zerodha is better for self-directed learners.

Market Reputation & Trust

• Zerodha:
  • India’s most trusted broker with top market share.
  • Strong compliance record with SEBI.
  • Known for transparency.
• ET Money:
  • Backed by Times Internet (Times Group).
  • Trusted in the fintech ecosystem, especially in mutual funds and NPS.
  • No brokerage since it’s not a trading platform.

Verdict: Both are trustworthy, but Zerodha leads in trading credibility, ET Money in personal finance reliability.

Customer Support

• Zerodha: Ticket-based support, help center, and community forums. Due to scale, resolution may take longer.
• ET Money: In-app chat, email support, and customer-friendly interface. Resolution is generally faster for MF/NPS-related issues.

Verdict: ET Money has better personalized support, while Zerodha’s self-help resources are vast.

Ideal User Profiles

Pros & Cons

Zerodha Pros

• India’s largest and most trusted broker.
• Zero brokerage on equity delivery & MFs.
• Advanced trading tools (Kite, Console, Coin).
• Varsity for free market education.

Zerodha Cons

• No advisory or guided investment recommendations.
• Customer support sometimes slow.
• Focuses mainly on markets, not overall personal finance.

ET Money Pros

• All-in-one personal finance app.
• Free direct mutual funds (no commission).
• NPS, insurance, loans, credit card integration.
• Goal-based and guided investing features.
• Easy for beginners to adopt.

ET Money Cons

• No equity or F&O trading.
• Limited to mutual funds and financial planning.
• Not suitable for active traders.

Conclusion

The choice between ET Money and Zerodha depends entirely on your financial objectives:

• Choose Zerodha if you are a trader or market-savvy investor who wants access to equities, F&O, IPOs, and bonds at the lowest cost. Zerodha empowers you with tools but expects you to make your own investment decisions.
• Choose ET Money if you are a beginner, mutual fund SIP investor, or someone focused on long-term financial planning. With its simple interface, robo-advisory, and personal finance features like NPS and insurance, it’s a better fit for guided wealth creation.