Upstox vs Zerodha: A Comprehensive Comparison in 2025
The primary question one would have in their mind will be: Which is better, Upstox, or Zerodha? Zerodha is a good option when you appreciate and demand low costs, simplicity, and long-term investing. It suits well with simple investors and mutual fund investors, with an eye on long-term wealth accumulation. Zerodha is also ideal for users who want to have a stable, no-frills experience backed by trusted tools, such as Kite and Coin, along with top-notch educational content made available through Varsity.
Conversely, when you are a fast-paced trader, tech-savvy, or a starter wanting to experience a sleek interface and an accelerated onboarding process, Upstox will be your favourite. Its mobile app is highly featured, it offers bonuses (can open an account at no cost), and international stocks are accessible, so it is perfect for active users who want more flexibility and growth opportunities. Read to know more:
Company Background
Here is what to know about Zerodha vs Upstox comparison:
Zerodha
Nithin and Nikhil Kamath began Zerodha in 2010 with a focus on its zero commission model and its affordable investing and accessible investing mission. It owes its success to its robust in-house systems such as Kite (trading), Console (back-office), and Coin (mutual funds). Zerodha has emphasised simplicity, openness, and education, providing such tools as Varsity to enable users to develop. However, even with remaining bootstrapped, the company is a leader in the industry, trusted for good innovation and a robust community of casual and professional traders.
Upstox
Upstox was started in the year 2009 by Ravi Kumar and Shrinivas Viswanath and has the support of big names like Ratan Tata and Tiger Global. Started with processes dealing with higher-frequency trading technologies, Upstox shifted to retail brokerage and rapidly expanded, owing to low pricing and seamless user experience. It has a user base of more than 10 million users as of 2025, establishing itself as a tech-forward platform best suited to high-volume traders. The growth of the Upstox Pro app is driven by constant improvements, onboarding experience, and strong analytics possibilities. Upstox also focuses on education and data-driven investing, with a vision to merge speed, intelligence, and simplicity among next-gen investors.
Upstox vs Zerodha charges comparison & onboarding
| Feature | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | ₹0 | ₹0 (Offers Ongoing) |
| Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC) | ₹300/year | ₹0 charged for the 1st year and later ₹300/year will be charged |
| Online Account Opening | Fully Online | Fully Online |
| KYC Process | Aadhaar, PAN, Bank Proof | |
| Onboarding Time | 24–48 hours | Same Day or Within 24 hours |
| KYC Automation | AI-Based Doc Validation | Video KYC, Real-Time Checks |
Both Upstox vs Zerodha have fully online, paperless experiences to open a demat as well as a trading account by 2025 that are both speed-focused as well as convenient. The onboarding process is very easy, just Aadhaar, PAN and bank proof are required. Most of the accounts are ready for use within 24-48 hours. The KYC process is also smooth and requires an Aadhaar-linked mobile, PAN, and bank-account-related details. Upstox has a more modern and lively onboarding interface with guided steps and video KYC options implemented in 2025 and used to verify customers even quicker. The two platforms also expanded their automation of the KYC process using AI checks and real-time document verification, which has simplified opening an account like never before.
Zerodha vs Upstox brokerage charges
| Type | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Segment | Zerodha Charges (Per Order) | Upstox Charges (Per Order) |
| Equity Delivery | No brokerage, i.e., Rs 0 | Rs 20 per executed order |
| Equity Intraday | ₹20/0.03% | ₹20/ 0.05% |
| Equity Futures | ₹20/ 0.03% | ₹20/ 0.05% |
| Equity Options | Flat ₹20 | Flat ₹20 |
| Currency F&O | ₹20/0.03% | ₹20/ 0.05% |
| Commodities | ₹20 or 0.03% | ₹20 or 0.05% |
| Mutual Funds | Free of cost via the Coin platform | Free of cost through Upstox MF platform |
Regarding Upstox vs Zerodha delivery charges, both Zerodha and Upstox adhere to a discounted model of brokerage, but differ slightly when it comes to intraday and F&O fees. Both platforms are cheap, especially to a casual investor. However, trading in intraday or derivative products, Zerodha will save some extra on higher volume trades in terms of the percentage cap being lower.
Zerodha vs Upstox – Demat Charges
| Fee Category | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Demat of Physical Shares | Each physical share conversion is billed at ₹150 per unit, with a separate ₹100 fee for logistics and courier handling. | Charges ₹2 per individual certificate, plus a fixed ₹35 per demat transaction to cover delivery and processing. |
| Buy-Side Transaction Fee | No charges on credit transactions | No charges on credit transactions |
| Remat of Shares | Rs. 150/certificate, along with applicable CDSL fees and an additional ₹100 for shipping and dispatch services | Rs. 25 for every certificate |
| DP charges | ₹13 for men ₹12.75 for women | ₹20 |
| Pledge Creation | ₹30 per request GST extra | 0.02% of deal value + applicable depository (NSDL/CDSL) fees |
| Pledge Confirmation | No cost | 0.02% of transaction value (minimum ₹50) + NSDL/CDSL fees |
| Pledge Closure/Invocation | ₹20 per request | 0.05% of transaction value (minimum ₹50) |
| Failed Instructions | ₹50 for each ISIN failure | ₹50 for every failed instruction |
| Miscellaneous Fees | – Cheque return: ₹350 – Printed statement: ₹50 + courier charges – CML update: ₹25 – KRA upload/download: ₹50 – Interest on unpaid dues: 18% annually | – Demat rejection penalty: ₹35 per 500g – Ad hoc statement: ₹25 (₹500 for international addresses) – Extra pages: ₹10 for every 5 pages + postage – Bounced cheque: As per bank’s rate |
Upstox vs Zerodha– Platform Features Comparison
| Feature | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| 3- in-1 Account | Yes (with IDFC First Bank partnership) | YES (with partner banks such as IndusInd) |
| Algo Trading Support | Yes (via Kite Connect API and Streak integration) | Yes (via Upstox Developer API, Algo Lab, and Tradetron) |
| Charting Tools Provided | Advanced charting via TradingView and ChartIQ with 100+ indicators | TradingView and ChartIQ integration with drawing tools and overlays |
| Trading Platforms | Kite WebCoinKite Mobile (Android/iOS) Console | Upstox Pro WebFox TraderUpstox AppDartstockNEST Trader |
| SMS & Push Alerts | No SMS alerts; email and in-app notifications only | Yes – offers SMS, email, and app push notifications |
| Live Demos & Tutorials | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Tracking | Yes – via Console with tax P&L reports and trade history | Yes – full tracking in-app with portfolio overview and order history |
| Margin Trading Facility (MTF) | Yes – up to 4x margin available on eligible stocks | Yes – available on select stocks with flexible options |
| Margin Against Shares (Cash Segment) | Yes – provides collateral margin on pledged shares | Yes – margin available against approved securities |
| Margin Against Shares (F&O Segment) | Yes – can be used for margin in F&O trading | Yes – F&O margin allowed after haircut |
| Intraday Square-off Timings | 3:20 PM | 3:15 PM |
| NRI Trading Support | Yes – supports NRI accounts, PIS, and related services | No – not available for NRI clients |
| Direct Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Option Strategy Tools | Not built-in; third-party tools like Sensibull are available | Yes – in-app option strategy builder for multi-leg planning |
| Referral Program | Yes – earn brokerage credits on successful referrals | Yes – offers cash rewards and points |
| APIs for Developers | Yes – Kite Connect API for building custom strategies and tools | Yes – Developer API and integrations with third-party platforms |
| International Investing | No – currently limited to domestic assets | Yes – beta access to US stocks through partnered platforms |
| Educational Content | Vast- encompasses Varsity, in-depth blogs, webinars and investor guides. | Moderate – includes blogs, FAQs, videos, and help articles. |
| Third-Party Tool Integration | Yes | Yes |
Upstox vs Zerodha– Investment Options in 2025
| Investment Type | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks (Equity) | Full access to ALL big-name stocks on NSE & BSE — dive in, no charges! | Trade ANY listed stock on NSE/BSE, no extra cost, just tap and go! |
| F&O, Currency, Commodities | Jump into Futures, Options, Currency, and Commodities — directly, easily, freely! | Trade F&O, Currency, and Commodities — simple, smooth, no hidden fees! |
| Mutual Funds | 2,000+ direct mutual funds via Coin — SIP or lump sum, totally free! | Zero-commission |
| IPOs | Register for IPOs in seconds via Kite or Console | IPOs made super simple — apply & track right inside the app, no cost! |
| ETFs & Bonds | Invest in ETFs, Gold Bonds & Govt Securities via Coin — again, all free! | Access ETFs, SGBs & Bonds — everything you need, zero commissions! |
Zerodha vs Upstox Comparison– Pros & Cons
| Category | Zerodha | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | – Lower brokerage of this platform while comparing Zerodha vs Upstox for intraday trading – Clean, fast web trading with Kite – Strong learning support via Varsity – Trusted, stable track record | – ₹0 account opening (ongoing promos) – Fast, AI-powered onboarding with video KYC – Sleek app interface – International stock investing (beta launch) |
| Cons | – No access to global stocks – Mobile app design feels dated to some – Fewer platform upgrades in recent years | – Higher intraday brokerage (0.05%) – The app may lag on high-volume days – Analytics tools are not that deep |
| Ideal For | Cost-conscious traders, long-term investors, and mutual fund investors | Beginners, tech-savvy users, and intraday traders for speed and ease |
| Educational Content | Best-in-class | Decent but not as detailed as expected |
| Additional Offerings | NPS, SGBs, G-Secs via Kite | IPOs, Bonds, Mutual Funds, and access to U.S. markets |
FAQs about Upstox vs Zerodha
What makes Zerodha a better pick than Upstox for some traders?
Zerodha has low intraday brokerage (0.03%), a smooth and stable platform, and high-performance tools such as Kite and Varsity. It suits resourceful and old-school traders who need it to work more than to be a designer.
What makes Zerodha a better pick than Upstox for some traders?
The key draw of Upstox is its sleek app, quick account set-up with a zero-account opening scheme and access to global investments. New investors are likely to value the user-friendly design, more promotions, and easier mobile service.
Upstox vs Zerodha — who wins in 2025?
In 2025, no single winner exists. Zerodha is cheaper, and Upstox shines when it comes to speed, mobile users, and futuristic features. It is about what you want.
Which broker is more fit and good for active day traders?
Zerodha has a lower day trading brokerage (20 or 0.03%) and a more robust and speedier trading engine, which makes it slightly preferable to active day traders. Nevertheless, Upstox is also very attractive to those traders who like a sleeker UI and a quicker KYC process.
Does Upstox offer better value than Zerodha in 2025?
Yes, to some extent. Upstox has additional promotions, including zero charge for opening the account, free AMC for 1 year, and access to international stocks. However, Zerodha is economical in the long term since its brokerage costs and learning materials are affordable.
Will Zerodha remain a safe and sound trading platform in 2025?
Absolutely. The stable infrastructure of Zerodha, SEBI-compliant operation, and secure transactions make it one of the safest brokers in India in 2025.
How do Zerodha’s latest brokerage charges stack up against Upstox in 2025?
In contrast to Upstox, which has a 0.05% fee, the fee of Zerodha is 0.03%, or per order. Zerodha is a little less expensive on heavy-volume trades.
Which platform provides a better mobile trading experience – Zerodha or Upstox?
Upstox performs better in this aspect. It has a more current, attractive, and quick and simple mobile navigation app. It also has smart watchlists, complex charting, and fast trading.
Will Zerodha and Upstox give me access to invest in IPOs?
Yes, both platforms allow investing in IPOs through UPI. Zerodha allows IPO application via Console, and Upstox provides it directly within the app with a more seamless experience.