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Brokers · Zerodha vs Groww

Zerodha vs Groww: which demat account is better in 2026

Zero AMC simplicity versus platform depth. Cost-first, disclosed, and informational, not a recommendation to open any specific account.

The verdict

Both Zerodha and Groww charge zero delivery brokerage and a flat 20 rupees per order on F&O, so the deciding factor is cost of holding versus depth of tooling: Groww wins for a beginner with its zero AMC, while Zerodha wins for an active trader with its deeper platform despite a 300 rupees yearly AMC.
Moat Score
82/ 100
High conviction
Deciding factorZero AMC simplicity versus platform depth
Moat Score (Zerodha)82/100
Zerodha cost-fit82/100
Groww cost-fit78/100

BazaarBaaziSource & method

Which suits whomZerodha 82 · 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 (zero amc simplicity versus platform depth); the factor breakdown below shows exactly how it is built.

Best for

Zerodha

Active traders and long-term investors who want the deepest tooling and ecosystem.

Cost-fit score

82 / 100

Strengths

  • Free equity delivery and a mature, stable platform (Kite) trusted at scale.
  • Deepest ecosystem: Console reporting, Coin for direct mutual funds, Sentinel alerts, Varsity learning.
  • Largest active client base in India, which signals long-run reliability and liquidity of support.

Trade-offs

  • Charges a 300 per year AMC, where some newer rivals advertise a lower or zero maintenance plan.
  • Onboarding and support can feel slower at peak times given the sheer client volume.

Best for

Groww

First-time investors who want the simplest app and the lowest cost of holding.

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 Zerodha 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.

 ZerodhaGroww
Account openingFree (online equity)Free
Annual maintenance (AMC)The recurring cost of simply holding the demat account.300 per yearZero AMC
Equity deliveryBrokerage on buy-and-hold equity. Statutory charges still apply.Zero brokerageZero brokerage
Equity intraday20 per order or 0.03 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.

Zerodha · 82 / 100

Tooling depthKite, Console, Coin and Varsity form the widest ecosystem.+18
ReliabilityLargest active base and a long, stable track record.+14
Holding cost300 per year AMC sits above the zero-AMC challengers.-10
F&O costFlat 20 per order, the cost floor for derivatives.+10

Groww · 78 / 100

Holding costZero AMC, so a small portfolio costs nothing to hold.+16
SimplicityThe cleanest beginner flow, stocks and funds in one app.+14
Tooling depthLighter advanced charting and derivatives tooling.-10
Delivery costZero delivery brokerage, same as the leader.+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 Zerodha versus Groww call, distilled and schema-marked for AI Overview, Perplexity, and reader search.

Is Zerodha or Groww cheaper?

On trades they are level: both charge zero brokerage on equity delivery and a flat 20 rupees per executed order on intraday and F&O. The difference is the holding cost. Groww charges zero annual maintenance, while Zerodha charges 300 rupees per year, so for simply holding a small portfolio Groww is cheaper.

Which is better for a beginner, Zerodha or Groww?

Groww is usually the easier start for a complete beginner thanks to its simple app, zero AMC and one-flow stocks-and-funds experience. Zerodha suits a beginner who expects to become an active trader and wants room to grow into deeper tooling.

Which is better for F&O, Zerodha or Groww?

Both charge the same flat 20 rupees per executed order on F&O, so the brokerage is identical. Zerodha is generally preferred by active options traders for its deeper charting, reporting and alerts, while the statutory charges (STT, exchange, GST) are the same on either platform.

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