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Brokers · Upstox vs Groww

Upstox vs Groww: which demat account is better in 2026

Trading speed versus beginner simplicity. Cost-first, disclosed, and informational, not a recommendation to open any specific account.

The verdict

Upstox and Groww both charge zero delivery brokerage and a flat 20 rupees per order on F&O, so the choice is execution versus simplicity: Upstox suits the active trader who wants speed and stronger charts, while Groww suits the beginner who wants the simplest app and a guaranteed zero AMC.
Moat Score
80/ 100
High conviction
Deciding factorTrading speed versus beginner simplicity
Moat Score (Upstox)80/100
Upstox cost-fit80/100
Groww cost-fit78/100

BazaarBaaziSource & method

Which suits whomUpstox 80 · Groww 78

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 (trading speed versus beginner simplicity); the factor breakdown below shows exactly how it is built.

Best for

Upstox

Active and intraday traders who want fast fills and stronger charting.

Cost-fit score

80 / 100

Strengths

  • Fast, responsive mobile and web order flow that holds up in volatile sessions.
  • Low annual maintenance with promotional first-year waivers common through the year.
  • Solid charting for an app-first trader, plus options tooling.

Trade-offs

  • Ecosystem and learning resources are narrower than the market leader's.
  • Promotional pricing means the headline AMC can change, so verify the current rate card.

Best for

Groww

Beginners who want the simplest app and zero cost to hold.

Cost-fit score

78 / 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.

The comparison, side by sideIndicative 2026

Charges are the published flat-fee structures of Upstox and Groww 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.

 UpstoxGroww
Account openingFreeFree
Annual maintenance (AMC)The recurring cost of simply holding the demat account.Low AMC (often waived first year)Zero AMC
Equity deliveryBrokerage on buy-and-hold equity. Statutory charges still apply.Zero brokerageZero brokerage
Equity intraday20 per order or 0.05 percent, whichever is lower20 per order or 0.1 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.

Upstox · 80 / 100

Execution speedFast order flow that holds up in volatile sessions.+16
ChartingStronger charts and derivatives tooling than a beginner app.+12
Holding costLow AMC, often waived the first year, not always zero.-8
F&O costFlat 20 per order on derivatives.+9

Groww · 78 / 100

SimplicityThe cleanest first-time investor flow.+15
Holding costZero AMC, a small portfolio is free to hold.+14
Execution depthLighter advanced order and charting tools.-9
Delivery costZero delivery brokerage.+8

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 Groww?

If the Groww 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 Upstox versus Groww call, distilled and schema-marked for AI Overview, Perplexity, and reader search.

Is Upstox or Groww better for beginners?

Groww is generally the simpler start for a beginner, with the cleanest app and a guaranteed zero AMC. Upstox suits a beginner who plans to trade actively and wants faster execution and stronger charts from the outset.

Which is cheaper, Upstox or Groww?

On trades they are identical: zero delivery brokerage and a flat 20 rupees per executed order on intraday and F&O. On holding cost Groww has a clear zero AMC, while Upstox charges a low AMC that is frequently waived in the first year, so confirm the current Upstox rate.

Which has the better app, Upstox or Groww?

It depends on intent. Groww's app is the simplest for first-time investing, while Upstox's app is built for faster order placement and more detailed charts. Traders tend to prefer Upstox; new long-term investors tend to prefer Groww.

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