Zerodha vs Upstox- A Detailed Comparison [2024]

“The investor of today does not profit from yesterday’s growth.” – Warren Buffett

In recent years, investing in the stock market has become more popular, and many people want to take advantage of the potential for big returns. 

Choosing the right brokerage platform can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available in the market.

Two of the most popular platforms currently are Zerodha and Upstox.

Zerodha is one of India’s largest and most popular discount brokers. It is known for having low brokerage fees and a trading platform that is easy to use. Founded in 2010, Zerodha has revolutionized the Indian brokerage industry, making trading accessible to the masses.

Upstox, on the other hand, is a relatively new player in the market, founded in 2012. It offers competitive brokerage rates and an advanced trading platform, making it a popular choice among traders and investors.

The purpose of this article is to provide a detailed comparison between Zerodha and Upstox on the basis of various parameters, which would enable readers to make an informed decision based on their requirements and preferences.

Two of the most popular online trading platforms in India are Zerodha and Upstox, and both platforms offer a range of products and services that cater to the needs of investors and traders. 

There are several factors that investors and traders should consider before choosing a platform that suits their needs. Here is an overview of the parameters that will be discussed further in this blog.

Zerodha vs Upstox – Comparison Parameters

1. Product and Services Offered:

Investors and traders need to know that a trading platform has a wide range of products and services.

The comparison will include a range of products and services, including equity, commodities, currency and derivatives, IPOs, mutual funds, bonds, ETFs, banking, and insurance.

2. Brokerage Charges:

Brokerage fees are one of the most important things for investors and traders to consider because they directly affect how much money they make

.Zerodha and Upstox both have competitive brokerage fees for a variety of products, such as commodity options brokerage, transaction brokerage fees, call and trade fees, equity intraday, commodity futures, currency futures, equity futures, equity options, and currency options.

3. Account Opening Charges:

Account opening charges include trading account opening, trading account maintenance, demat account opening, demat account maintenance, margin money, and offline to online charges.

4. Statutory Charges:

Statutory charges, such as STT, SEBI turnover, and GST, are important for investors and traders to think about because they have a direct effect on their profits.

5. Customer Support:

The points in this parameter include customer service offered through a relationship manager, 24*7 support, email support, chat support, and a toll-free number, making it easy for investors and traders to reach out for help whenever needed.

Zerodha vs Upstox – Product and Services Offered

Zerodha and Upstox provide a range of products and services to their customers. There are some differences between the two in terms of the quality of their services and the scope of their offerings.

1. When it comes to trading stocks, both companies offer a smooth experience with an easy-to-use interface and advanced trading tools. Zerodha offers a wide range of stocks with easy-to-use trading platforms, while Upstox provides a mobile-based trading platform with advanced charting tools.

2. When it comes to commodities trading, Upstox offers a better platform with a higher number of commodities compared to Zerodha.

3. Both Zerodha and Upstox offer currency and derivatives trading facilities to their customers. 

Zerodha provides its customers with advanced trading tools such as Kite 3.0, Sensibull, and Streak, which make currency and derivatives trading easier. 

On the other hand, Upstox’s mobile-based platform provides a user-friendly trading experience with real-time market data and advanced charting tools.

4. When it comes to IPO investments, Zerodha provides an easy-to-use platform for investors to apply for IPOs, while Upstox offers a mobile-based platform for the same.

5. Mutual funds, bonds, and ETFs are also taken into consideration. Zerodha offers a wide range of mutual funds to its customers, while Upstox provides a diversified portfolio of mutual funds, bonds, and ETFs for investment. Upstox offers more choices and has a broader range of options available in these categories.

7. Both do not have a comprehensive insurance service.

8. Zerodha offers more options for NRI investments.

Below is a table for a detailed overview of the products and services offered by Zerodha and Upstox:

Product/Service	Zerodha	Upstox
Equity Trading	Yes	Yes
Commodity Trading	Yes	Yes
Currency and Derivatives Trading	Yes	Yes
IPO	Through UPI	Through ASBA
Mutual Funds	Yes	Yes
Bonds	Yes	No
ETF	Yes	Yes
Banking	No	No
Insurance	No	No
NRI Account	Supported	Not supported

Zerodha vs Upstox –Brokerage charges

When it comes to brokerage charges, both companies offer competitive rates that are significantly lower than those of traditional full-service brokers.

Clients should consider their trading preferences, such as the frequency of call and trade orders and the types of instruments they trade, to make an informed decision about which broker to choose.

Here is a table with a summary of the brokerage fees charged by Zerodha and Upstox for each segment: 

Brokerage Charges	Zerodha	Upstox
Equity delivery	Zero	Zero
Transaction	0.00325% of Total Turnover	0.00275% of Total Turnover
Call and Trade	Rs. 50 per trade	Rs. 20 per trade
Equity Intraday	Rs. 20	Rs. 20
Commodity Futures	Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03%(Whichever is lower)	Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03%(Whichever is lower)
Currency Futures	Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03%(Whichever is lower)	Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03%(Whichever is lower)
Equity Futures	Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03%(Whichever is lower)	Rs. 20 per executed order or 0.03%(Whichever is lower)
Equity Options	Rs. 20 per executed order	Rs. 20 per executed order
Currency Options	Rs. 20 per executed order	Rs. 20 per executed order

Read – Best Mutual Fund Apps in India

Zerodha vs Upstox – Account Opening Charges

The trading account and demat account opening fees are slightly higher for Zerodha.

Both companies do not charge any trading account maintenance fees for their trading accounts, while the charges for demat account maintenance are higher at Zerodha than at Upstox.

Both companies do not charge any margin money as well.

When moving shares from a physical certificate to a demat account, neither Zerodha nor Upstox will charge you for going from offline to online.

Here is a table for a quick comparison between Zerodha and Upstox:

Account Opening Charges	Zerodha	Upstox
Trading Account Opening	Rs. 300	Rs. 150
Trading Account Maintenance	None	None
Demat Account Opening	Rs. 150	Rs. 100
Demat Account Maintenance	Rs. 300 (per annum)	Rs. 150 (per annum)
Margin Money	Zero	Zero
Offline to Online Charges	Not applicable	Not applicable

Zerodha vs Upstox – Statutory Charges

The fees that brokerage firms charge their clients for helping them make trades are called “statutory charges.” 

When comparing Zerodha and Upstox, it is essential to consider the statutory charges that they levy on their clients. 

These charges include Securities Transaction Tax (STT), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) turnover fees, and Goods and Services Tax (GST).

STT is a tax that is levied on the purchase or sale of securities. Both Zerodha and Upstox charge this fee, which is calculated based on the transaction value. 

The SEBI turnover fee is another statutory charge that is levied on the total turnover generated by the client’s trades. This fee is charged by SEBI and is uniform across all brokerage firms. 

Zerodha and Upstox both levy this fee on their clients.

GST is a tax that is levied on the total brokerage fee charged by the brokerage firm. 

Both Zerodha and Upstox charge this fee, which is calculated based on the brokerage fee charged. It is essential to note that while the statutory charges are uniform across all brokerage firms, the brokerage fees charged by the firms can differ.

Charges	Zerodha	Upstox
STT	0.0126% of total turnover	0.0126% of total turnover
SEBI Turnover	0.0002% of total turnover	0.0002% of total turnover
GST	Charged (18%)	Charged (18%)

Read – How to invest in US stocks from India

Zerodha vs Upstox – Customer Support

When it comes to customer support, Zerodha and Upstox have several similarities, but there are also some differences that could impact a user’s experience. 

Both companies do not offer relationship managers. 

Zerodha has a reputation for providing more prompt and efficient customer support, with 24*7 support, email support, and chat support. On the other hand, Upstox’s lack of 24*7 support could be a drawback for some users.

Zerodha’s chat support stands out because it lets users get their questions answered quickly and without having to wait for a long time.

Email support is also a good option for users who prefer to have a written record of their communication with the company.

Customer Support Features	Zerodha	Upstox
Relationship Manager	No	No
24*7 Support	Yes	No
Email Support	Yes	Yes
Chat Support	Yes	Yes
Toll-free number	No	No

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Zerodha and Upstox are well-known and trustworthy online trading platforms that give their users a lot of features and benefits. 

Choosing the right trading platform depends on your individual needs and preferences as a trader, such as the types of securities you wish to trade, your investment goals, and your level of experience.

As the famous quote by Warren Buffet goes, “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” 

It is important to exercise patience and caution when selecting a trading platform as well as when making investment decisions. 

Some tips for selecting a platform for trading include the following:

1. Evaluate the features and fees of different platforms to find the one that best fits your needs and budget.
   
2. Look for a platform that has an easy-to-use interface, good customer service, and a lot of investment options.
   
3. To make sure you are safe and secure, you should think about the platform’s reputation, track record, and compliance with regulations.
   
4. Take advantage of the educational resources and tools offered by the platform to improve your knowledge and skills as a trader.
   

Ultimately, the key to successful trading lies in thorough research, careful analysis, and disciplined decision-making. 

By choosing the right trading platform, you can increase your chances of reaching your investment goals and building long-term wealth. 

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