Best 14 Zerodha Competitors and Alternatives for 2024

Introduction

A brief overview of Zerodha

Founded in 2010, Zerodha is surely one of the best stock trading apps, websites, and platforms in India, with millions of users leveraging its power to trade in equities and derivatives and invest their money in mutual funds.

The company was founded by two brothers, namely, Nitin and Nikhil Kamath, who are also top traders and investors in India. The company’s main goal is to help retail investors and traders in India by giving them an online platform that charges less brokerage as compared to agents and stock brokers.

There are three major revenue sources for this company, which are as follows:

 1)  Brokerage fees

The company charges a certain commission on every trade done via its platform. The commission depends on the type of instrument a particular user is trading into and the volume of it.

 2)  Maintenance fees

They also charge an annual maintenance fee to manage and maintain trading and demat accounts in India.

 3) Other charges

Besides, Zerodha may also charge you for other services like account opening, account closure, and investing in commodities, mutual funds, and a lot more assets.

Why look for alternatives?

While Zerodha has been a pioneering force in the Indian stock market with its innovative approach to discount brokerage, it’s crucial for seasoned traders and investors to consider alternatives for several reasons.

Firstly, Zerodha’s focus on simplicity and cost-effectiveness can sometimes lead to limitations in terms of the range of services offered. Advanced traders often require sophisticated tools, research, and data analytics that might not be readily available on Zerodha’s platform.

Secondly, the reliability of any trading platform is a paramount concern. Even though Zerodha has a commendable track record, technical glitches or outages can occur. Having an alternative brokerage ensures you can seamlessly switch when such issues arise, preventing potential losses.

Limitations and drawbacks of Zerodha

Despite being a popular choice among Indian traders, Zerodha does come with its limitations and drawbacks that traders and investors should be aware of:

Limited Research: Zerodha’s research and analysis tools are relatively basic compared to full-service brokers. This can be a drawback for traders who heavily rely on in-depth market research and stock analysis.

No Offline Branches: Zerodha operates as an online-only platform, which means there are no physical branches for in-person support. This can be a drawback for investors who prefer face-to-face interactions or need immediate assistance.

Margin Policies: Zerodha has strict margin policies, and they don’t offer high intraday exposure compared to some other brokers. This can limit the trading strategies of those who require higher leverage.

Competitors and Alternatives to Zerodha

1) Upstox [Best Zerodha Competitor]

When speaking about the best alternatives for Zerodha, Upstox has to be at the top of my list. Upstox is known for its low cost and commission, which sets it apart from Zerodha in India. It offers a trading platform and services at an unbeatable price, making it one of the cheapest and most affordable stock trading apps in India. It offers trading and investment facilities on various instruments, namely currencies, futures, options, stocks, and investment in mutual funds as well.

Mr. Ratan Tata has personally invested in this app. Therefore, you can trust its reliability and safety. Upstox is a 100% safe and easy-to-use trading platform with an awesome customer support team to help you at every step in trading and investing.

At Upstock, you can also get amazing trading tools and software, like charting tools and analysis software, that will help you get the best trade for the day. The platform is 100% mobile-responsive, and you can use it hassle-free on any device.

Top Features

 1) Free Demand Account

Upstox is registered with CDSL and offers free demat account openings for its customers. You can open a demat account at Upstox free of charge and start trading online directly on BSE, NSE, and MCX.

 2) 3-in-1 account

Upstox has partnered with IndusInd Bank to offer 3-in-1 account opening facilities. Once you open an account with Upstox, you will be getting a demand + trading + Indusland bank account bundle. You can now enjoy a seamless trading and investment experience with bank security and a free fund transfer process.

 3) Trading platforms

Upstox has the best trading platform in India in both web and app versions, built with Omnesys Nest order management system and risk management system, which makes it one of a kind.

There are two trading platforms: mobile apps and Pro Web. The Pro app is an all-in-one mobile trading application where you can order across equities, futures and options, currencies, and a lot more. The Pro Web is an HTML trading platform that runs on a browser.

 4) Commodity and mutual funds

Besides investing in equities and shares, Upstox will also allow you to invest in mutual funds and commodities via its trading platform. If you want to trade in the commodities market, you can register at MCX and start trading in commodities with Uptox. You can also directly invest in mutual funds, either in lump sum or by starting an SIP.

Also Check: What is Upstox & How Does It Work

2) Grow App [Zerodha Competitor for Mutual Funds]

The next Zerodha competitor is Growapp, which is based in Bangalore and offers online free brokerage services to retail investors who are keen on investing in IPOs, equities, direct mutual funds, shares, and many other trading instruments. Groww App is a subsidiary of NextBillion Technology Private Limited, which is a SEBI-registered broker in India.

Groww App started its operations in 2016 with a sole focus on making investment in mutual funds easy in India. Later on, the company expanded its product line and verticals by offering investment opportunities in shares, IPOs, equities, and a lot more.

The company makes the commission by charging a certain fee on trades, which is as low as Rs 20 or 0.05% of the trade. This means you have to pay a maximum of Rs 20 only, irrespective of the amount and quantity you trade. Investing in mutual funds via the Groww app is free and easy. There is no commission on mutual fund investments with Groww APP.

Top Features

1) User-friendly interface

The user interface of the Grwoo App is very simple and easy to use. Even if you are a newbie or a beginner in the trading or investing world, you can use the app and get to know everything about it in a day. The navigation is kept easy with multiple tabs, allowing you to enjoy a seamless trading and investment experience.

2) Best for mutual funds

Groww APP is best suited for mutual fund investment in India. It has a portfolio of more than 200 mutual funds and AMCs that you can choose to invest in. You can open your mutual fund account and get started with your first SIP in less than a minute. There is a 0% commission on investment in mutual funds via Groww Aap.

3 )Safe and secure 

The Groww app is 100% safe and secure. It follows industry-regulated standards and protocols to safeguard and protect your personal and financial information. Your money is always safe with the Groww app.

4) Real-time market news

This is the best part of the Groww app. It gives real-time market updates and trends. You can follow their blogs, news, and updates to keep an eagle’s eye on the market and invest in the best shares and equities. This feature is useful for day traders.

Also Check: What is Groww App & How Does it Work

3) Angle one [Zerodha Alternative for Trading]

Now here comes the best alternative to Zerodha for trading in the equities market. Angle One, formerly known as Angle Broking, is one of the oldest stock brokerage firms in India and was established in 1996. I can personally say on record that AngleOne is surely the most reliable, trustworthy, and secure platform to invest in the market. It is a registered member of BSE, NSE, and CDSL. After 25 years of sheer hard work and commitment, the company now has more than 1 million customers.

The aim of the company is to charge less so that customers can trade more. With that in mind, Angle One charges zero commission on equity delivery, zero brokerage for 30 days if you are trading in stocks, futures, options, and commodities, and zero charges for account maintenance for the first year. That’s the main reason why I recommend Angle One over Zerodha.

The best thing about Angle One is their knowledge portal, Smart Money, which is an excellent platform to learn about finance, money management tips, stock trading, investment, and a lot more about trading and investing.

At Smart Money, you will find various short-term and long-term courses by experts and geeks in finance and investment. Some of the courses are free, and some are paid. There are a few certification courses as well, through which you can kick-start your career in finance.

Top Features

1) Angle One mobile app

The Angle One mobile app is a pocket-friendly mobile application portal from which you can trade in equities and stocks and invest your money in mutual funds. It is very simple and easy to use without any complexities in the market. The app covers the Indian stock market, US stocks, IPOs, mutual funds, commodities, futures and options, and a lot more.

2) Angle one trade

If you are a professional trader, then you must be equipped with all the necessary trading tools and software. With the Angle One Web trading portal, you will have access to the latest tools and trading software to help you make money in the day trading space. It comes with various charting tools, a margin trading facility, a smart order facility, and an advanced option chain, which no other platform offers in India.

3 )Knowledge Centre

The knowledge center at Angle One is the best in India, especially if you want to learn anything about trading, investment, and finance. From how to invest your money to how to trade, they have courses for all these topics and more. Blogs, webinars, video lectures, and opinion advice are some other aspects of Angle One.

4) Customer support 

Speaking about the customer support at Angle One, let me tell you that each of their customer support team members is calm, patient, and polite, with loads of experience in the finance sector to help you resolve your query and doubt. Also, they have a physical office presence, which is a major benefit of Angle One. If anything goes wrong, you can reach out to their office.

3) Kotak Securities

When it comes to the best alternatives to Zerodha, how can I forget about Kotak Securities? With more than 25 years of legacy, 4 million customers, 175+ branches, and 1300+ franchisees, Kotak Security is surely the best way to invest and trade. Kotak Securities is the safest option for trading and investing, with its many accolades and accreditations.

It has multiple products and platforms to make your investment fast and simple. With Kotak Securities, you can invest in futures and options, mutual funds, gold bonds, tax-free bonds, exchange-traded funds, and a lot more. You can also invest in foreign companies with its Global Investment platform.

To help you make wise and sound investment decisions, Kotak has published research reports on the market and trends. You can go through its top monthly picks report, fundamental call and technical call report, pick of the week, and a lot more documents that will guide you throughout your investment journey.

Top Features

 1) Stock trading app

If you want to trade and invest with your fingertips, then this app is just for you. Kotak stock trading app is highly safe, 100% secured, and uses fingerprint and face ID to log in. The app empowers you to tap and trade or tap and invest with a high level of security that ensures all your personal data is safe. You can have complete control over your investment and cancel orders even when you are not trading at the terminal.

 2) Kotak neo

Kotak Neo is a cutting-edge trading platform offered by Kotak Securities, designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern traders. With a decade of experience in the financial markets, I can attest to its user-friendly interface and robust features that make trading seamless and efficient.

3) Neotrade API

The Neo Trade API provided by Kotak Securities is a powerful tool that empowers traders with the ability to automate their strategies, access real-time market data, and execute trades programmatically. This API opens up endless possibilities for algorithmic trading and allows traders to harness the full potential of Kotak Securities’ services, making it a valuable asset in the world of online trading.

4) 5 Paisa

When speaking about the best alternatives to Zerodha, 5Paisa has to be on this list. This platform is known for creating the best investment and trading ecosystem by leveraging the latest technologies and software. It comes with a 100% collateral benefit, and you also don’t need to maintain a 50% cash margin. Intraday rates are also 0% on all segments. However, an overnight rate might be charged for futures and options trading.

The 5Paisa team knows about the importance of money. So, they make sure that each of your hard-earned cash is invested carefully to get maximum returns. They make this possible by harnessing the power of technology and simple solutions that enable you to invest your money wisely and safely.

The best thing about 5Paisa is their collaboration with Algobazar, an algo trading platform in India. This platform will give you an edge in trading market research, trading speed, and risk management in general. So what are you waiting for? Hop on to the 5Paisa website right now and kick-start your investing or trading journey.

Top Features

 1) Free Demat account

Do you want to open a free Demat account? If yes, then the 5Paisa app is here to help you out. With 33 lakh customers, 4.3 app ratings, and 1.3 crore app users, 5Paisa offers free demat account opening with zero charges on account maintenance.

Also, the account opening process is very quick and simple. You just need to have a number, PAN and bank details, an Addhar number, a selfie, and E-sign the form, and you are good to go.

 2) Derivatives trading

Trust me, trading in the derivatives market will become a lot easier with 5Paisa as compared to the other Zerodha competitors mentioned on this list. In order to trade in derivative marketing via 5Pisa, you need to submit your income proof and other relevant details that may be asked.

Even if you don’t know trading in derivatives marketing, you can still give it a hand. That’s because 5Paisa has a free video series of lectures on derivatives trading to make you the best at it. You can enroll in this course and kick-start your derivatives trading journey right now.

3) Forex trading 

Forex trading is another feature of this platform, through which you can invest and trade in currencies and make money.

4) Trade station 

As the name says, a trade station is for those who are actively trading and involved in the buying and selling of stocks on a day-to-day basis.

It comes with multiple features, charts, trading tools, and software that will allow you to trade at the next level. It is 100% safe and secure and built over a super-fast terminal that allows trading at lightning-fast speed. The only drawback of this feature is that you cannot use it on your app. You can only use it on desktop computers or systems.

Also Check: What is 5paisa

5) Alice Blue

Alice Blue is an award-winning alternative to Zerodha, which was started in 2006 with only 5 employees and an MCX membership. Today, this company has more than 400 full-time working employees, 12000 partners, 5 lakh customers onboard, and a presence in 20 major cities, which makes them a long-standing competitor of Zerodha.

Their flagship product is the Freedom 15 Brokerage Plan, which is designed to create competitive pricing in the market. They charge Rs 15 for intraday, futures, and option trading, along with free equities.

Their vision is to become the number one app in the eyes of all the traders and investors in India. However, their pricing is slightly higher as compared to other platforms and applications mentioned on this list.

Top Features

1) ANT Web

As the name says, ANT Web is a web-based trading and investment platform. The application is very simple and easy to use, with ample trading charts and tools. It also has position analytics that will allow you to dive deep into the analysis of profit and loss for every futures and option trade. The best part is its future and option strategy builder, which comes free of charge.

2) ANT Mobi

Do you want trade at your fingertips? If yes, then the ANT mobile application is something you would surely love.

Just like the ANT web-based trading platform, you can use the ANT mobile app if you want to trade from your mobile phone or small devices. It also comes with app news that will keep you abreast of the latest market news, stocks to pick, and a lot of news related to finance and investments. There is a finger-print login system so that you can be assured of your safety and personal information.

3) ANT Plus

If you ever wanted to create your own trading platform or terminal, now is the time to do it with the Alice Blue ANT API. It is completely free and compatible with multiple coding languages. Orders are placed within 50 milliseconds, which is quite a good time as compared to other trading APIs. Startups who want to build innovative trading products as traders and finance companies can surely leverage this API and skyrocket their finance businesses.

6) Paytm Money

Founded in 2017, Paytm Money is yet another top competitor to Zerodha. Founded in 2017, Paytm Money is yet another top competitor to Zerodha. Right from day one, Paytm Money is focused on giving digital investing experiences to their users, which are over a million. They offer 100% direct benefit in mutual fund investments with zero or no hidden commissions.

The company is registered with SEBI as an investment advisor and offers a broad range of investment and financial advisory services. Their user experience is also seamless, allowing you to invest your money without facing any technical glitches and with zero paperwork.

To use PaytmMoney, you need to complete a digital KYC, submit your PAN card and addhar details, and then you are good to go.

Top Features: 

 1) Mutual funds

The best and top-rated feature of Paytm Money is its mutual application portal. Through this, you can directly invest in mutual funds and get 1% higher returns by saving the commission amount. There are a wide variety of mutual funds available on Paytm Money, ranging from small-cap, mid-cap, large-cap, hybrid, and a lot more.

You can check the past performance of each fund, asset allocation, fund manager, calculate the ROI, start the SIP, and do so much more within a few clicks. You can get deep insights into your portfolio, such as its performance, returns generated, amount allocation, and much more.

You can also find some ELSS and tax-saving funds on which you can earn more returns and save your taxes as well.

2) Stocks

As the name says, Paytm Stocks is the place where you can directly invest in the companies you love and buy their stocks. This platform is designed for both traders and investors. So, if you are looking for a day trading app like Zerodha, then Paytm Money has got your back covered too. However, it does not come with advanced trading tools, software, or charting systems. It is great for value investors who are looking for wealth creation by holding shares.

3) NPS

If you are not interested in investing in stocks and mutual funds, then you can start a NPS account and enjoy your retirement life. This feature of the NPS, which is a national pension scheme, is for those who want to create a retirement corpus and enjoy their life after retirement.

Paytm Money’s NPS offers great benefits, such as saving on additional tax on investments up to Rs 50,000, a wide variety of NPS schemes to choose from, and a simple account opening procedure.

4) Open API

Do you want to create your own trading platform? If yes, start using Paytm Money’s API, which will help you integrate live market updates, execute orders in quick time, and manage your portfolio much more easily. You can also use the API to create your own trading and investment platform at no cost.

7) Share Khan

Next on my list is Share Khan, which is bigger, more reliable, and safer to use as compared to Zerdoha. Share Khan is one of the pioneers in starting the boom of online trading in India. It was one of the five largest stock broker firms in India, with more than 16 lakh customers. It was founded in the early 2000s by Mumbai-based entrepreneur Shripal Morakhia.

The intelligent human network of ShareKhan sets them apart from others. They have 650+ service managers who will guide you at each step of your trading or investing journey; they have 3000+ Share Khan centers; and they have a presence in 600+ cities in India.

Top Features: 

1) Research Portal

If you do not have time to research which stock is best to invest in, which high-performing mutual fund, and which are the best IPOs, then you should use the research portal by Share Khan. They have various research reports, guides, and notes available for traders, investors, and mutual fund investors as well.

2) Educational resources

If you don’t know anything about trading and investing, then you should learn about it first, then start your investing journey. To make you financially sound and well-versed in all the terminologies used in trading and investment, Share Khan has a bunch of useful resources and video lectures to guide you on your way to wealth creation.

They also have various certification courses in finance and related fields.

3) New-to-market guides

New-to-market guides are similar to lectures and video courses available at Share Khan. However, these are more in-depth guides and blog posts that will help newbies tackle the market’s ups and downs and everything in between.

8) IndMoney’

INDmoney is your gateway to financial freedom, especially if you are an expert trader and investor. This is a one-of-a-kind app that will help you invest not only in Indian companies but also in foreign companies by purchasing their shares.

Top Features: 

1) Track your money.

You can track your money, profit and loss, portfolio, and investment on one single dashboard and keep an eye on your money.

2) Zero commission

It charges zero commission on investments in mutual funds.

3) Pro calculators

You will find some calculator tools and software with which you can calculate the SIP ROI, profit and loss, EMI, interest, and a lot more.

4) Insurance 

At INDmoney, you can also buy health and life insurance and secure your life from unforeseen events.

9) Motilal Oswal

Motilal Oswal is a prominent name in the Indian financial industry. Founded in 1987 by Motilal Oswal and Raamdeo Agrawal, it has grown into a leading financial services firm. Motilal Oswal offers a wide range of services, including equity and commodity trading, wealth management, investment banking, and asset management.

Known for its research-driven approach, the company provides valuable insights and recommendations to investors. It has earned a reputation for transparency and customer-centricity, making it a trusted choice for many in the Indian market. Motilal Oswal’s commitment to innovation and excellence has solidified its position as a key player in India’s financial landscape.

Top Features: 

1) Traders Corner

Traders Corner is for those who are looking to make money from intra-day trading activities and those involved in buying and selling stocks on a daily basis. It has a desktop app as well as a mobile app that will allow you to do day trading anytime and from anywhere in the world.

Apart from this, it has all the latest tools, software, and technologies that a trader needs to make successful trades and money from the stock market in India.

2) Tools and platforms

Motilal Oswal has a bunch of platforms and tools that will help you calculate your SIPs, ROI, profits, NPS, EMI, and a lot more. These are free-to-use tools, and anyone can use them.

3) Resources

Resources are the game-changing feature of Motilal Oswal, which sets them apart from others on the list. They offer market overview research, which gives a complete view of what is happening in the market. From new companies to the best-performing stocks, this section has it all.

10) IIFL market app

IIFL Market App is yet another top alternative and competitor of Zerodha in the mobile app trading and investing sector. It is one of the best-rated apps in the country and comes with live access to share prices, an advanced dashboard, and lots of cool features and benefits to help both traders and value investors.

Top Features:

 1) Watchlist

You can create your own personalized watchlist of stocks, currencies, commodities, futures, and options in one place and keep an eye on all your investments.

2) Research reports

The research team at IIFL does complete research on 500+ companies listed on the NSE and BSE to give you an overview of the market. This will help you choose your stocks wisely, and you can earn profits. These reports are 100% free to access.

3) Multiple indices

There are multiple indices from BSE and NSE on the IIFL dashboard. You can also get instant access to various intraday charts and lists of companies within a second.

4) Place trades

Once you become a full-time user of the IIFL Market app, you can place trades with a few taps. You can buy and sell stocks, shares, currencies, futures and options, mutual funds, and commodities.

5) IPO

Do you want to stay updated about the upcoming IPOs? The IIFL Market App will give you complete and updated information about the upcoming IPOs for various startups and companies.

11) ICICI Direct Market App

Here’s introducing an app with a better user interface and experience to help traders invest in stocks, futures and options, commodities, and currencies. That’s not all; you can also invest in IPOs via ICICI Direct and mutual funds as well. The app comes with live streaming charts and OI graphics on the option chains to help traders trade their money easily and smoothly.

Top Features:

 1) Learning resources

There are some good learning materials at ICICI Direct that will allow you to widen your knowledge in finance, investment, and trading fields. You can walk through their articles and guide posts, listen to the expert podcasts, or watch a video series and lectures.

2) Tools and platforms

You will also be getting various kinds of tools and software with ICICI Direct. One such popular tool is basket orders, which allows you to place more than one order with a single click. This is especially helpful for futures and option traders, who can now place multiple multi-legged strategy orders with a click.

3) Professional services 

ICICI Direct also offers some professional services such as NRI investing, financial advice, insurance, retirement plans, and a lot more to help you invest your money in the right channel with a free mind.

12) HDFC Securities

If you personally ask me which is the best competitor to Zerodha, then I would say it is HDFC Securities. They have been in this business for more than two decades now. So you can blindly trust them with your money and investments. As a stock broking company, they have a diverse range of services to offer for different customer bases, including retail investors as well as institutional investors.

Top Features:

 1) Multiple platforms 

HDFC Securities provides multiple platforms, like trading apps, call facilities, online websites, and any of their branches, to help you with trading and investment. You can even place your orders online via your trading account or with the help of their customer executives at their office.

2) Transparency

One of the best features of HDFC securities is their transparency. Even if you place a single order or make an SIP of Rs 500 per month, you will have direct access to all your investments. You can check their performance at any time and make decisions accordingly.

3) Portfolio tracking 

You can use our portfolio tracker to monitor your entire financial portfolio, which encompasses various asset classes. You can also make a watchlist of stocks, which will help you track the markets closely and make timely investment decisions.

13) Samco Securities

Incorporated in 2015 and awarded as the best equity broking house in 2019, Samco is on its mission to help every individual ace the index and achieve their best financial performance in the stock market, trading, and investment. They empower their users with the tools, resources, software, and knowledge that are required to succeed in the market. The best part of their application is that they show unseen insights into the market called “Andekha Sach” and the financial performance of each trader. This will surely help you trade better and make amazing financial decisions.

Top Features: 

1)  3-in-1 account

With Samco, you will be getting a 3-in-1 account facility. Trading accounts, demat accounts, and mutual funds are what you can get under one roof. Account opening is almost free. They charge zero commission for account maintenance during the first year only.

2) Smart notifications

For your intraday trading activities, you can get smart notifications on the Samco App that will help you grab opportunities in the market. You can also set the intelligent trigger to alert for price movement for a 6-month period.

3) Tools and software

Last but not least, Samco has some amazing tools and software like advanced trading terminals, APIs, AI margin calculators, and a lot more to help you with trading and investment.

14) FYERS

Last on my list of top competitors of Zerodha is FYERS, which is your one-stop shop for all your investing needs. Founded in 2015, FYERS is here to empower you with the best-in-class products, software, and tools to make your stock market, trading, and investment journey easy and profitable.

It was founded by Tejas Khoday, who is its co-founder and CEO. The other two co-founders of FYERS are Shreyas Khoday and Yashas Khoday.

Top Features: 

 1) Amazing user interface

Trust me, the user interface of their app is so smooth and neat that you will surely fall in love with it. Even a newbie or 10th-grade student can get familiar with it within a day or two. The navigation is kept simple, which will allow you to place your trades with just two to three taps.

2) Trading view

Now this is something that really sets them apart from all the Zerodha alternatives mentioned on this list. Trading is a feature that comes with supercharged charts that will help you look up the latest price of shares, analyze the pattern, study the trend, and so much more. There are 15+ chart types, 8 charts per tab, a command search option, and a custom time interval.

FAQs about Zerodha Competitors & alternatives