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Groww vs Dhan: which demat account is better in 2026

Beginner simplicity versus derivatives-first tooling. Cost-first, disclosed, and informational, not a recommendation to open any specific account.

The verdict

Groww and Dhan both charge zero AMC and zero delivery brokerage, and both charge a flat 20 rupees per executed order on F&O, so the deciding factor is beginner simplicity versus trader tooling: Groww suits the new investor with its clean mutual-funds-and-stocks app, while Dhan suits the active options trader with its derivatives-first interface and TradingView charts.
Moat Score
81/ 100
High conviction
Deciding factorBeginner simplicity versus derivatives-first tooling
Moat Score (Dhan)81/100
Groww cost-fit79/100
Dhan cost-fit81/100

BazaarBaaziSource & method

Which suits whomGroww 79 · Dhan 81

The fast read on who each account fits. The cost-fit score is a BazaarBaazi 0 to 100 number for the lens of this matchup (beginner simplicity versus derivatives-first tooling); the factor breakdown below shows exactly how it is built.

Best for

Groww

First-time investors who want a simple app covering stocks and mutual funds with zero holding cost.

Cost-fit score

79 / 100

Strengths

  • Zero annual maintenance charge, so simply holding a few shares costs nothing.
  • The simplest app for a first-time investor, with mutual funds and stocks in one clean flow.
  • Fast, fully paperless Aadhaar onboarding.

Trade-offs

  • Lighter advanced charting and derivatives tooling than the trader-focused platforms.
  • Fewer deep reporting and automation features for high-frequency or professional setups.

Best for

Dhan

Active options and intraday traders who want a zero-AMC, derivatives-first platform with deep analytics.

Cost-fit score

81 / 100

Strengths

  • Zero AMC and a derivatives-first interface built for active options traders.
  • Fast order placement, options chain analytics, and TradingView charting.
  • No clutter or heavy cross-sell, a lean platform aimed at serious traders.

Trade-offs

  • Newer and smaller than the incumbents, with a shorter public track record.
  • Best suited to traders; a pure long-term investor gains less from the trader tooling.

The comparison, side by sideIndicative 2026

Charges are the published flat-fee structures of Groww and Dhan as of 2026. Statutory charges (STT, exchange transaction, GST, SEBI and stamp) are the same across brokers and sit on top of the brokerage below.

 GrowwDhan
Account openingFreeFree
Annual maintenance (AMC)The recurring cost of simply holding the demat account.Zero AMCZero AMC
Equity deliveryBrokerage on buy-and-hold equity. Statutory charges still apply.Zero brokerageZero brokerage
Equity intraday20 per order or 0.1 percent, whichever is lower20 per order or 0.03 percent, whichever is lower
Futures and optionsPer executed order. Statutory charges (STT, exchange, GST) are the same across brokers.20 per executed order20 per executed order

Verify the live rate card on each broker site before opening an account. How BazaarBaazi sources this.

How the cost-fit score is builtBase 50, clamped 0 to 100

The score is deterministic: base 50, adjusted by the factors below and clamped to 0 to 100. It is a transparent cost-and-fit signal for this matchup, not a SEBI-registered rating.

Groww · 79 / 100

SimplicityThe cleanest beginner flow, with stocks and funds in one tap.+16
Holding costZero AMC, a small portfolio is free to hold indefinitely.+13
Derivatives toolingLighter F&O charting and analytics than a trader-built platform.-9
Delivery costZero delivery brokerage, same as the rival.+9

Dhan · 81 / 100

Trader toolingOptions chain analytics, TradingView charting and fast order placement.+17
Holding costZero AMC, equally free to hold as the rival.+13
Track recordNewer and smaller, with a shorter public history than Groww.-8
F&O costFlat 20 per executed order on derivatives.+9

Both accounts charge zero delivery brokerage and a flat 20 rupees per executed order on F&O, so the score turns on holding cost, tooling and fit rather than on trade brokerage.

Prefer Dhan?

If the Dhan side of this matchup fits you better, here is the disclosed sign-up. The cost-first comparison above does not change either way.

FAQ3 reader questions · AEO-eligible

The Groww versus Dhan call, distilled and schema-marked for AI Overview, Perplexity, and reader search.

Is Groww or Dhan cheaper to hold?

They are equally cheap to hold: both charge zero AMC and zero delivery brokerage. On trades both charge a flat 20 rupees per executed order on intraday and F&O. There is no holding-cost difference; the choice comes down to app purpose rather than price.

Which is better for options trading, Groww or Dhan?

Dhan is built derivatives-first with an options chain, TradingView charts and fast order placement, making it the stronger choice for active options traders. Both charge a flat 20 rupees per executed order on F&O, so the brokerage is identical; the edge is tooling.

Which is better for a beginner, Groww or Dhan?

Groww is generally the simpler start for a beginner, with a clean mutual-funds-and-stocks app, zero AMC and a one-flow paperless onboarding. Dhan is better suited to someone who already understands derivatives and wants a trader-focused interface.

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