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
| User Type | Best Choice | Why |
| Stock market traders | Zerodha | Access to equities, F&O, IPOs, bonds. |
| Mutual fund investors (SIP) | Both | Both offer direct plans at zero cost. |
| New investors | ET Money | Guided, goal-based investing + easy interface. |
| DIY investors & learners | Zerodha | Varsity + advanced platforms for self-research. |
| Long-term retirement planners | ET Money | NPS, insurance, SIP calculators built in. |
| Active intraday/F&O traders | Zerodha | Low-cost trading with Kite’s execution speed. |
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.
