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If you’re planning to start investing in stocks or mutual funds, two names will come up immediately: Zerodha and Groww.
Both are popular. Both are beginner-friendly. But which one is actually better for a first-time investor in India?
In this article, I’ll compare Zerodha vs Groww based on ease of use, charges, account opening experience, real beginner scenarios, and which platform suits you.
Short answer:
Now let’s break it down properly.
| Feature | Zerodha | Groww |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | ₹0 (free as of 2026) | ₹0 |
| Equity Delivery | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Intraday/F&O Charges | ₹20/order or 0.03%, whichever is lower | ₹20/order or 0.03%, whichever is lower |
| Annual Maintenance (AMC) | ₹300/year (free 1st year on new accounts) | ₹0 — no AMC |
| Mutual Funds | Yes (via Coin) | Yes (direct MF) |
| App Interface | Advanced | Very simple |
| Best For | Serious/active investors | Absolute beginners |
A correction worth flagging: Zerodha’s account opening is free (₹0) as of 2026 — it isn’t the ₹200 one-time fee it used to charge in earlier years. The real ongoing cost difference between the two is actually the AMC: Zerodha charges ₹300/year (waived in year one), while Groww charges no AMC at all.
Best choice: Groww
Why? Very simple app, easy mutual fund investing, no account opening fee, no AMC, and less confusing for a first-time investor.
Best choice: Zerodha
Why? Powerful tools like Kite & Console, better suited for long-term equity investing, and a large learning ecosystem (Varsity) for anyone who wants to go deeper over time.
Beginners usually feel comfortable with Groww first.
Both are cheap for basic trading — zero brokerage on equity delivery, ₹20 per intraday/F&O order, no hidden charges on either platform. The real difference is the AMC: Groww charges none, while Zerodha charges ₹300/year after the first free year. Over several years, that’s a small but real cost gap in Groww’s favor if AMC is your main concern.
| Factor | Zerodha Coin | Groww |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Demat MF | Direct MF |
| Ease | Moderate | Very easy |
| SIP Setup | Yes | Yes |
| Ideal For | Existing Zerodha users | New investors |
If mutual funds are your main goal, Groww is easier to use.
Both are SEBI-registered and trusted by millions of Indian investors.
Pros: Excellent trading platform, strong learning resources (Varsity), trusted brand with the largest active client base in India.
Cons: ₹300/year AMC after year one, slightly steeper learning curve for absolute beginners.
Pros: Free account opening, zero AMC, simple app, best for absolute beginners and mutual-fund-first investors.
Cons: Fewer advanced charting and analysis tools compared to Zerodha’s Kite platform.
Choose Groww if: you’re a complete beginner, want to start with mutual funds, and want zero setup and maintenance cost.
Choose Zerodha if: you want to invest long-term in stocks, plan to learn trading gradually, and want access to more powerful tools as you grow.
There is no wrong choice — only what suits your current stage. In fact, many investors eventually use both.
Is Groww safe for beginners?
Yes. Groww is SEBI-registered and widely used by first-time investors in India.
Is Zerodha good for long-term investing?
Yes. Zerodha is well-regarded for long-term equity and ETF investing, backed by its Kite platform and Varsity learning resources.
Does Zerodha still charge ₹200 to open an account?
No — as of 2026, Zerodha account opening is free. The ₹200 fee some older articles still mention no longer applies.
Can I open both accounts?
Yes. Many users start with Groww and later add a Zerodha account once they want more advanced trading tools — there’s no restriction on holding accounts with multiple brokers.
See our full comparison of the best demat accounts in India, including options for NRIs, IPO applications, and active options trading — or check out the best credit cards for first-time users next.
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