Zerodha vs Upstox For Beginners in 2025: Which is Better?
Zerodha vs Upstox For Beginners: Are you a budding investor eager to navigate the world of stocks and shares? If so, you’re probably overwhelmed by the sheer number of trading platforms available.
Two of the most popular options for beginners are Zerodha and Upstox. But how do you know which one is right for you?
In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll delve into the key features and benefits of Zerodha and Upstox, helping you make an informed decision based on your investment goals and preferences.
We’ll cover everything from account opening fees and brokerage charges to trading platforms and customer support. By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the platform that will empower your financial journey.
So, whether you’re a passive investor seeking long-term growth or a day trader chasing short-term profits, this guide will help you find the perfect trading partner. Get ready to unlock the potential of the stock market with Zerodha or Upstox!
Zerodha vs Upstox: About
Zerodha
Zerodha reigns as India’s top stockbroker, renowned for its extensive online flat fee discount brokerage services.
Investors can delve into a diverse range of investment opportunities, including equity, currency, commodity, IPO, futures & options, bonds, government securities, and direct mutual funds.
Zerodha eliminates brokerage fees for equity delivery trades and direct mutual fund transactions.
For intraday and futures trades, a flat fee of Rs 20 or 0.03%, whichever is lower, applies per trade.
Additionally, options trades incur a flat fee of Rs 20 per executed order…….read more
Upstox
Upstox is a cutting-edge discount brokerage firm in India that offers trading opportunities at incredibly competitive rates.
The company provides trading across various segments, including equities, commodities, currency, futures, and options, accessible through its Upstox Pro Web and Upstox Pro Mobile trading platforms.
Backed by a group of prominent investors like Kalaari Capital, Ratan Tata, and GVK Davix, Upstox’s trading platform boasts a comprehensive suite of trading, analysis, charting, and other advanced trading features.
This platform caters to a wide range of investors, from beginners to experienced traders….read more
Zerodha vs Upstox: Overview
| Details | Upstox | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Type of broker | Discount | Discount |
| Exchange membership | BSE, NSE,MCX | NSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX |
| Founded in | 2012 | 2010 |
| Founded by | Maheswaran Mohan Rao, Shrinivas Viswanathan, Raghu Ram KG, Ravi Kumar Chari | Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath |
| CEO | Ravi Kumar | Nithin Kamath |
| Headquarter | Mumbai, India | Bengaluru, India, at 153/154, 4th Cross, J.P Nagar 4th Phase, Opp. Clarence Public School, Bengaluru – 560078. |
| Users | Over 5 million+ users in India | 15 million+ (9.5 Active users) |
| Download on Playstore | 10M+ | 10M+ |
| Rating on Playstore | ⭐ 4.4 Out of ⭐ 5.0 (Based on 250K Votes) | ⭐ 4.0 Out of ⭐ 5.0 (Based on 326K Votes) |
| Number of branches | 50+ branches across India | 75+ Branches |
| Website | upstox.com | zerodha.com |
Zerodha vs Upstox: Features
| Feature | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms | Kite Web, Kite Mobile for Android/iOS, and Coin | Upstox Pro Web, Dartstock, NEST Trader, Fox Trader, iOS and Android Algola trading software |
| 3-in-1 Account | No | No |
| Charting | Advanced charting with over 100 indicators | Advanced charting with over 100 indicators |
| Automated Trading | Yes, through API | Yes, through API |
| SMS Alerts | No | No |
| Online Demo | Yes | Yes |
| Online Portfolio | No | No |
| Margin Trading | No | Yes |
| Funding | Instant bank transfer, UPI, NEFT, RTGS | Instant bank transfer, UPI, NEFT, RTGS |
| Margin Against Shares (Equity Cash) | Up to 50% | No |
| Margin Against Shares (Equity F&O) | Up to 95% | Up to 95% |
| Intraday Square-off Time | Eq Cash: 3:15 PM | Eq F&O: 3:25 PM |
| Trading In SME Shares Allowed? | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Program | Yes | Yes |
| Other Features | Direct Mutual Funds, APIs for Algo Trading, Option strategy builder | Direct Mutual Funds, APIs for Algo Trading, Option strategy builder |
Zerodha vs Upstox: Charges
Account Opening and AMC Charges: Zerodha vs Upstox
| Charge | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Account Opening Charges | ₹200 | ₹0 (Free) |
| Trading Account AMC Charges | ₹0 (Free) | ₹0 (Free) |
| Demat Account Opening Charges | ₹0 | ₹0 (Free) |
| Demat Account AMC Charges | ₹300 | ₹150 |
Brokerage Charges: Zerodha vs Upstox
| Segment | Zerodha Brokerage | Upstox Brokerage |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Free | Rs 20 per executed order or 2.5% whichever is lower |
| Equity Intraday | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% whichever is lower | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.05% whichever is lower |
| Equity Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% whichever is lower | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.05% whichever is lower |
| Equity Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 20 per executed order |
| Currency Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% whichever is lower | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.05% whichever is lower |
| Currency Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 20 per executed order |
| Commodity Futures | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.03% whichever is lower | Rs 20 per executed order or 0.05% whichever is lower |
| Commodity Options | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs 20 per executed order |
Other Brokerage charges:Zerodha vs Upstox
| Charge | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Brokerage | 0.03% for Intraday and F&O | 0.05% |
| Other Charges | Physical contact notes: Rs 20, Trade SMS Alerts: Rs 1 per SMS, Auto Square-off Charges: Rs 50 | Call & Trade Charges: Rs 50 per executed order |
Transaction Charges: Zerodha vs Upstox
| Segment | Zerodha Transaction Charges | Upstox Transaction Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE: ₹325 per Cr (0.00325%) | NSE: ₹325 per Cr (0.00325%) |
| Equity Intraday | NSE: ₹325 per Cr (0.00325%) | NSE: ₹325 per Cr (0.00325%) |
| Equity Futures | NSE: ₹190 per Cr (0.0019%) | NSE: ₹190 per Cr (0.0019%) |
| Equity Options | NSE: ₹6250 per Cr (0.0625%) (on premium) | NSE: ₹5000 per Cr (0.050%) (on premium) |
| Currency Futures | NSE: ₹90 per Cr (0.0009%) | NSE: ₹90 per Cr (0.0009%) |
| Currency Options | NSE: ₹3500 per Cr (0.035%) | NSE: ₹3500 per Cr (0.035%) |
| Commodity | Group A – ₹260 per Cr (0.0026%) | Group A – ₹290 per Cr (0.0029%) |
Zerodha vs Upstox: Margin
| Segment | Zerodha Leverage | Upstox Leverage |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 100% of trade value (1x leverage) | 100% of trade value (1x leverage) |
| Equity Intraday | Up to 20% of trade value (5x leverage) | Up to 20% of trade value (5x leverage) |
| F&O (Eq, Curr, Comm) | 100% of NRML margin (Span + Exposure) (1x leverage) | 100% of NRML margin (Span + Exposure) (1x leverage) |
Zerodha vs Upstox: Investment Options
| Investment Option | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Stock/Equity | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity | Yes | Yes |
| Currency | Yes | Yes |
| IPO | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Bond/NCD | Yes | Yes |
| Debt | Yes | Yes |
| Other Investment Options | Direct Mutual Funds | Direct Mutual Funds |
Zerodha vs Upstox For Beginners: Trading Plateforms
Key features of Zerodha’s and Upstox’s trading platforms:
| Feature | Zerodha Kite | Zerodha Pi | Upstox Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform type | Web-based, mobile | Desktop | Web-based, mobile |
| Brokerage-free equity delivery trades | Yes | No | No |
| Flat fee brokerage for other segments | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced charting tools | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Backtesting | Yes | No | No |
| Margin funding for intraday trades | Yes | No | No |
| Margin funding for delivery trades | No | No | Yes |
| User-friendliness | Easy to use | More complex | Easy to use |
How to Choose the Right Trading Platform?
The best trading platform for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are a beginner trader, then Zerodha Kite or Upstox Pro may be a good option for you. If you are a more experienced trader, then you may want to consider Zerodha Pi for its more powerful tools.
Some questions to consider when choosing a trading platform:
- What type of trading do you do? (Equity delivery, intraday, futures, options)
- What level of experience do you have?
- What features are important to you?
- Do you need margin funding?
- Do you prefer a web-based or desktop-based platform?
Once you have considered these questions, you can start to narrow down your options and choose the trading platform that is right for you.
Zerodha vs Upstox: Customer Support
Both Zerodha and Upstox provide customer support through various channels, including phone, chat, and email.
However, there are some key differences in their customer support offerings.
Zerodha’s Customer Support:
Zerodha offers customer support through the following channels:
- Phone: Zerodha’s customer support number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Chat: Zerodha offers live chat support during market hours.
- Email: Zerodha has a dedicated email address for customer support inquiries.
Upstox’s Customer Support:
Upstox offers customer support through the following channels:
- Phone: Upstox’s customer support number is available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM IST, Monday through Friday.
- Chat: Upstox offers live chat support during market hours.
- Email: Upstox has a dedicated email address for customer support inquiries.
Customer Support Response Times:
In my experience, Zerodha’s customer support response times are generally faster than Upstox’s. I have typically been able to get a response to my inquiries from Zerodha within a few minutes, while Upstox’s response times can be up to a few hours.
Customer Support Satisfaction:
Overall, customer satisfaction with Zerodha’s customer support is generally higher than with Upstox’s. This is likely due to Zerodha’s longer support hours, faster response times, and wider range of support channels.
Key differences between Zerodha’s and Upstox’s customer support:
| Feature | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Support channels | Phone, chat, email | Phone, chat, email |
| Support hours | 24/7 | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM IST, Monday through Friday |
| Response times | Generally faster | Generally slower |
| Customer satisfaction | Generally higher | Generally lower |
Zerodha vs Upstox: Regulatory
Both Zerodha and Upstox are registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and adhere to all applicable regulations. They are also members of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). This means that your money is safe with both brokers.
Regulatory status: Zerodha vs Upstox:
| Feature | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI registration | Yes | Yes |
| NSE membership | Yes | Yes |
| BSE membership | Yes | Yes |
Additional Regulatory Compliance:
In addition to being registered with SEBI and being members of the NSE and BSE, Zerodha and Upstox also comply with other regulatory requirements, such as:
- Maintaining adequate capital reserves
- Segregating client funds from their own funds
- Implementing risk management systems
- Conducting regular audits
Investor Protection: Zerodha vs Upstox
Both Zerodha and Upstox are committed to protecting their investors. They offer a variety of investor protection measures, such as:
- Default protection: In the event that a broker defaults, investors are compensated by the Investor Protection Fund.
- Insurance coverage: Brokers are required to have insurance coverage to protect against losses due to theft or fraud.
- Dispute resolution mechanism: Investors can file complaints with SEBI if they have any disputes with their brokers.
Conclusion: Zerodha vs Upstox
Both Zerodha and Upstox are reputable brokers that are regulated by SEBI and adhere to all applicable regulations. They also offer a variety of investor protection measures to protect their clients.
Ultimately, the best broker for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Zerodha vs Upstox: Pros and Cons
✅ Zerodha Pros
- India’s No. 1 broker in terms of the number of active clients and exchange volume
- Safe, reliable, and most technologically advanced broker in India
- Simple flat fee brokerage services across segments and exchanges (BSE, NSE, MCX)
- Free equity delivery trades
- Flat Rs 20 per trade brokerage for all other segments
- Excellent trading platforms (Kite) available for free
- Direct Mutual Fund Investment is available
- Good Till Triggered (GTT) orders are available
- NRI Trading account is available
- Zero account opening fee
- Zero brokerage for Mutual Fund investment
✅ Upstox Pros
- Zero account opening fee
- Flat Rs 20 per trade brokerage for all other segments including equity delivery
- Offer direct mutual funds
- One app for trading in equity, currency, and commodity
- Margin Trading Facility (MTF) is available at interest rate of Rs 20/day for slabs of Rs 40,000
- Margin Against Share is available
- Online IPO, FPO, Bonds, and NCD’s are available
- Good-Till-Triggered (GTT) orders are available
❌ Zerodha Cons
- It does not provide stock tips, research, and recommendations
- Call & Trade is charged an extra Rs 50 per order
- Auto Square off is charged at an extra Rs 50 per order
- It does not offer a 3-in-1 account
- It does not offer monthly unlimited trading plans
- It does not offer an AMC Free Demat account
- No margin funding
❌ Upstox Cons
- Equity delivery brokerage fee is Rs 20 per trade
- Other brokers like Zerodha offers brokerage-free equity delivery trades
- Doesn’t offer unlimited trading plans
- Doesn’t offer margin funding for delivery trades
- Doesn’t offer stock tips or recommendations
- Doesn’t offer a 3-in-1 account
- Doesn’t offer 24/7 customer support
- Doesn’t offer API access for automated trading
- Doesn’t offer NRI Trading and Demat account
- Doesn’t offer BTST
- Doesn’t offer digital gold
- Call-and-trade fee is Rs 20 per executed order extra
- Automatic settlement charges an additional Rs 50 per executed order
- Higher Demat Debit Transaction charges (Rs 18.5 per ISIN). Zerodha charges Rs 13.5.
- Intraday square-off at 3 PM. Most other brokers do it at 3:15 PM.
FAQs about Zerodha vs Upstox
Can I use both Upstox and Zerodha?
Why do people prefer Zerodha?
1. Free equity delivery trades: No brokerage fees for buying and selling stocks.
2. Advanced charting tools: Analyze technical indicators for better trading decisions.
3. Backtesting feature: Test trading strategies before investing real money.
Which platform is better Upstox or Zerodha?
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