Zerodha vs Groww in 2025: The Best Trading App for Indian Investors?

Introduction

In the last several years, Indians’ investing habits have undergone a major shift. With online financial services rising and more people realizing the benefits of wealth creation, individuals are choosing to handle their investments online. Investing in stocks once required significant efforts and specialized skills, but that is no longer the case. Now, Zerodha and Groww allow users to start investing in the stock market quickly, simply by using their phones and having a bank account.

However, there are additional elements investors check before investing. Now that there are so many online brokers and investment apps available due to the fintech revolution, the hard part is picking one that fits your personal goals, skill level, and how well you handle market tools. When it comes to low-cost platforms, Zerodha and Groww are usually the first names to be mentioned due to how much of Indian customer trusts them.

This blog compares the different aspects of these platforms, such as their usability, available tools, features, and money involved. If you are a first-timer or an expert, this comparison will help you pick which option will work better for you when you invest.

A Quick Overview

Let’s begin with what each platform is known for.

• Zerodha: Launched in 2010, it became India’s largest discount brokerage firm. Zerodha’s rise can be credited to its transparent pricing model, advanced tools, and consistent innovation. It appeals primarily to experienced traders and those who value deep technical features.
• Groww: Originally started as a mutual fund investing platform in 2017, Groww quickly evolved into a full-service investment app. Its strength lies in its simplicity, zero clutter, clean design, and a mobile-first experience. It’s hugely popular among millennials and first-time investors.

At the core, Zerodha is the go-to for traders who want control and insights, while Groww is a hit among those who value ease and long-term investing.

Account Opening & Onboarding

Both platforms allow paperless onboarding, making it simple to open a demat and trading account from your phone or laptop.

• Groww shines in speed. The onboarding flow is short, visually guided, and friendly, with minimal financial jargon. From uploading documents to setting up a bank account, everything is designed to get users started in minutes.

• Zerodha takes a bit more time, and intentionally so. The process involves detailed verification and a few extra checks, especially if you’re looking to trade in derivatives or commodities. While this might feel like a slowdown, it offers an added layer of safety and ensures regulatory compliance.

If your goal is to just start investing without friction, Groww’s speed is unbeatable. But if you’re looking for a powerful trading setup, Zerodha’s diligence pays off.

User Interface & Experience

When it comes to usability, both platforms cater to distinct audiences.

Groww takes a minimalist approach. Its mobile app and web interface are streamlined, with neatly categorized sections for mutual funds, stocks, and portfolios. A new investor can figure out how to place an order or review holdings with zero external help.

Zerodha’s Kite, meanwhile, is built for depth. The layout is more information-heavy, with customizable widgets, advanced charting tools, and data overlays. It’s not immediately intuitive if you’re just starting, but once you get the hang of it, the platform becomes a power user’s playground.

In short, while Groww is user friendly, Zerodha focuses on functionality. Choose based on whether you want a light experience or a detailed one.

Investment Options

Your platform choice should reflect what kind of investor you are.

Zerodha offers a comprehensive suite of investment avenues:

• Equity (delivery and intraday)
• Futures & Options
• Commodities
• Currency
• Mutual Funds
• Government bonds and Treasury bills
• IPO participation

Groww, on the other hand, focuses on a leaner offering:

• Direct equity (delivery and intraday)
• Mutual funds (direct plans)
• IPOs
• Digital gold

If you’re planning to explore market depth, trade derivatives, or diversify into commodities or bonds, Zerodha is your platform. If your investing is centered around equity and mutual funds for long-term wealth creation, Groww covers all you need.

Charges & Brokerage Structure

Let’s talk numbers, because they matter—especially if you’re trading frequently.

Zerodha’s model is simple and predictable:

• Equity Delivery: ₹0
• Intraday and F&O: ₹20 per executed order or 0.03%, whichever is lower
• Mutual Funds: ₹0 for direct plans
• AMC (Annual Maintenance Charges): ₹300

Groww, while offering free equity delivery and mutual fund investments, applies similar intraday/F&O charges:

• • Equity Delivery: ₹0

• Intraday and F&O: ₹20 per order
• Mutual Funds: ₹0 (only direct plans)
• AMC: Currently ₹0

At face value, both offer low-cost investing. The absence of AMC on Groww is a plus for low-frequency investors, while Zerodha’s pricing works better for high-volume traders due to its precise fee structure.

Tools & Research Support

One of the most important differences lies in the depth of trading tools and resources offered.

Zerodha is unmatched in this department. It gives you access to:

• TradingView and ChartIQ for real-time charting
• Market screeners and custom alerts
• Backtesting tools via Streak
• Basket orders, GTT (Good Till Triggered) orders
• Varsity – a detailed, jargon-free learning portal for all levels

Partner tools like Sensibull (options trading), Smallcase (theme-based investing), and TickerTape (fundamental analysis)

Groww provides only the essentials. It offers:

• Company financial snapshots
• Simple ratio analysis
• Educational blogs and content
• Mutual fund filters based on performance, risk, and tenure

Zerodha’s ecosystem is built for users who want to go deep into markets, build strategies, and take a hands-on approach. Groww is best for those who want to invest without digging too far into analytics.

Customer Support & Community

When it comes to support, both platforms take different routes.

Groww has built a reputation for quick in-app support. Most queries are resolved through live chat, and the interface guides you to FAQs based on your actions. For newer investors who need quick reassurance, this model works well.

Zerodha, with its larger user base, operates a more structured support system. It offers:

• A comprehensive knowledge base
• Ticket-based resolution
• Community forums (TradingQnA) where users and moderators engage actively
• Occasional response delays during peak times, which is expected with its scale

So, if you prefer fast replies and mobile-based help, Groww wins. If you’re looking for detailed documentation and community-driven discussions, Zerodha is more reliable.

Security & Trust

Both platforms operate under strict SEBI regulations and ensure industry-standard security protocols. Here’s what they have in common:

• Two-factor authentication for login and trades
• 256-bit encryption
• Periodic compliance audits
• Segregation of client funds from broker funds
• Direct pay-in/pay-out mechanisms to your linked bank account

Zerodha has the benefit of a longer market presence and a larger user base, which naturally builds more institutional trust. Groww, despite being newer, has been consistent in maintaining compliance and has won user confidence steadily.

There’s no significant gap here—you can trust either platform with your capital.

Who Should Use Which Platform?

To make it easier, here’s a breakdown based on your investing behavior:

• Trade frequently (daily or weekly)
• Want access to derivatives, commodities, or G-Secs
• Need advanced tools and data visualization
• Prefer building and testing trading strategies
• Appreciate a learning-centric platform

Choose for Groww if you:

• Are new to investing and need a clean, supportive UI
• Focus on mutual funds or passive stock investing
• Want minimal overhead costs
• Value simplicity over features

Prefer investing from your phone without too many steps

In Closing: Find What Fits You Best

Choosing between Zerodha and Groww isn’t a matter of one being better than the other—it’s about alignment. Your ideal platform should match your investment goals, learning curve, and the kind of experience you want.

If you’re just getting started, Groww provides a gentle, intuitive entry point. For those aiming to actively trade or grow into professional-level tools, Zerodha offers everything you need and more.

Still unsure? Try both. You don’t need to go all in—create small positions, test each platform’s feel, and track which one makes you more confident. After all, the best investing platform isn’t just about features; it’s about how well it empowers you to make smarter financial decisions.