Groww vs Zerodha Charges (2026): Which Is Cheaper? + Hidden Fees You Must Know

By PaisaTech Editorial Team β€’ March 20, 2026

Groww vs Zerodha Charges (2026): Which Is Cheaper? + Hidden Fees You Must Know

Let’s be honest.

Most beginners choose a broker by looking at one thing:

πŸ‘‰ β€œβ‚Ή0 brokerage” or β€œβ‚Ή20 per trade”

And that’s where the mistake happens.

Because the real cost is hidden in small charges β€” and over time, these small charges can quietly eat your profits.

So if you’re confused between Groww and Zerodha, this guide will give you a clear answer:

πŸ‘‰ Not just which is cheaper β€” but which is cheaper for YOU


πŸ† Quick Answer (Don’t Overthink)

  • Beginner β†’ Groww is cheaper (No AMC)
  • Long-term investor β†’ Zerodha is cheaper (β‚Ή0 delivery)
  • Trader β†’ Zerodha is clearly better

But the real answer depends on your usage.

Let’s break it down properly πŸ‘‡

πŸ“Š Groww vs Zerodha Charges (Complete Comparison)

ChargesZerodhaGroww
Account Openingβ‚Ή200Free
AMCβ‚Ή300/yearFree
Delivery Chargesβ‚Ή0β‚Ή20/order
Intradayβ‚Ή20/orderβ‚Ή20/order
F&Oβ‚Ή20/orderβ‚Ή20/order
DP Charges~β‚Ή13~β‚Ή20

πŸ’Έ Brokerage Charges (Where People Get Confused)

At first glance, both look identical.

But the difference is hidden in percentage:

  • Zerodha β†’ β‚Ή20 or 0.03%
  • Groww β†’ β‚Ή20 or 0.1%

πŸ‘‰ That’s more than 3x difference in percentage.

πŸ“Š Example (Real Understanding)

If you trade β‚Ή1,00,000:

  • Zerodha β†’ lower cost
  • Groww β†’ slightly higher

πŸ‘‰ You can calculate exact difference using:
πŸ‘‰ Brokerage Calculator
πŸ‘‰ Brokerage Comparison Calculator India

πŸ“‰ Delivery Charges (THIS DECIDES LONG-TERM COST)

Delivery charges are the fees you pay when you buy and sell stocks for long-term holding (not intraday).

In simple terms:

πŸ‘‰ If you buy a stock today and sell it after a few days, weeks, or months β€” that’s called a delivery trade, and brokers may charge a fee on it.

  • Zerodha β†’ β‚Ή0 delivery
  • Groww β†’ β‚Ή20 per order

πŸ“Š Real Scenario

If you invest monthly:

  • 12 trades Γ— β‚Ή20 = β‚Ή240/year

πŸ‘‰ That’s almost equal to Zerodha AMC

πŸ’‘ Insight

If you’re doing SIP-style investing:

πŸ‘‰ Use:
πŸ‘‰ SIP Calculator – Calculate Your Mutual Fund Returns Online
πŸ‘‰ Lumpsum Calculator

You’ll realize:

πŸ‘‰ Charges matter more over time than you think.

πŸ’° AMC Charges (Where Groww Wins)

AMC is a yearly fee charged by brokers to maintain your demat account. Even if you don’t trade, this fee is applied. Zerodha charges around β‚Ή300 per year, while Groww offers zero AMC. For beginners or small investors, avoiding AMC can help save money in the early stages.

  • Zerodha β†’ β‚Ή300/year
  • Groww β†’ β‚Ή0

🧠 Who benefits?

  • Small investor β†’ Groww
  • Serious investor β†’ Zerodha

If confused:
πŸ‘‰ Best Demat Account for Small Investors in India (2026 Guide)

⚠️ Hidden Charges Most People Ignore

This is where real difference comes.

1️⃣ DP Charges (Biggest Hidden Cost)

  • Groww β†’ ~β‚Ή20 per sell
  • Zerodha β†’ lower (~β‚Ή13)

πŸ‘‰ Every time you sell, you pay this.

πŸ“Š Example

Sell 50 stocks/month:

πŸ‘‰ You pay β‚Ή1000+ yearly just in DP charges

If you want to understand impact:
πŸ‘‰ Hidden Charges in Demat Accounts Most Investors Ignore

2️⃣ Intraday Cost Difference

  • Zerodha β†’ 0.03%
  • Groww β†’ 0.1%

πŸ‘‰ Traders pay significantly more on Groww

If you’re exploring trading:
πŸ‘‰ Best Broker for Intraday Trading in India
πŸ‘‰ Intraday Trading vs Long-Term Investing – Which is Better?

3️⃣ Tax & Other Charges (Same for Both)

Both charge:

  • STT
  • GST
  • Exchange charges

πŸ‘‰ You can calculate using:
πŸ‘‰ Intraday Profit Calculator – Equity (India)
πŸ‘‰ Capital Gains Tax Calculator for Stocks in India (STCG & LTCG)

🧠 Which Broker Is Actually Cheaper for YOU?

Let’s simplify this.

πŸ‘‰ Choose Groww if:

  • You are just starting
  • You invest small amounts (β‚Ή500–₹5000)
  • You want simplicity

Also read:
πŸ‘‰ How to Start Investing in Stock Market with β‚Ή1000
πŸ‘‰ Minimum Amount Required to Start SIP in India

πŸ‘‰ Choose Zerodha if:

  • You invest regularly
  • You want to save on delivery charges
  • You are serious about investing

Also explore:
πŸ‘‰ Zerodha Brokerage Charges Explained
πŸ‘‰ Zerodha vs Groww for Beginners

πŸ’‘ Real-Life Scenarios (This Will Help You Decide)

Scenario 1: Beginner (β‚Ή1000/month SIP)

πŸ‘‰ Groww is better

  • No AMC
  • Easy to use

Scenario 2: Long-Term Investor

πŸ‘‰ Zerodha is better

  • No delivery charges
  • Better cost efficiency

Scenario 3: Active Trader

πŸ‘‰ Zerodha wins clearly

If confused between options:
πŸ‘‰ Zerodha vs Angel One vs Groww
πŸ‘‰ Zerodha vs Groww vs Upstox

πŸ”— Important Guides You Should Read

To make the right decision:

🧠 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Before choosing broker:

πŸ‘‰ Don’t:

  • Focus only on brokerage
  • Ignore hidden charges
  • Delay investing

Instead:

πŸ‘‰ Start simple β†’ then optimize later

πŸ† Final Verdict From Paisatech (Simple & Honest)

Let’s make it crystal clear:

  • Beginner β†’ Groww
  • Long-term β†’ Zerodha
  • Trader β†’ Zerodha

πŸ‘‰ There is no β€œperfect broker”

πŸ‘‰ Only what fits your style

❓ FAQs

Which is cheaper: Groww or Zerodha?

Groww is cheaper for beginners, Zerodha is cheaper long-term.

Is Groww really free?

No β€” it charges β‚Ή20 per order and DP charges.

Is Zerodha better than Groww?

For trading and long-term investing β€” yes.