Head-to-head
Zerodha vs Upstox: Stability vs Speed
Zerodha is the steady benchmark; Upstox pitches faster execution and free APIs. Both charge flat fees, so the choice comes down to platform feel, API needs, and how much you value a decade-long track record.
Pricing last verified 13 Sept 2026 against official sources.
4.6/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cost-conscious DIY investors who mainly buy-and-hold stocks or trade F&O occasionally. | Mobile-first traders and developers who use trading APIs. |
| Account opening | ₹0 (free)source | ₹0 (free)source |
| Annual maintenance (AMC) | ₹0 first year, then ₹300/yearsource | ₹0 first year, then ₹300/yearsource |
| Equity delivery | ₹0source | ₹20 per ordersource |
| Intraday | ₹20 or 0.03% per ordersource | ₹20 or 0.1% per ordersource |
| Options | ₹20 per ordersource | ₹20 per ordersource |
| Futures | ₹20 or 0.03% per ordersource | ₹20 or 0.05% per ordersource |
| Research & advisory | — | — |
| Charting | ✓ ChartIQ + TradingViewsource | — |
| Mobile app | ✓ Kite (Android + iOS)source | ✓ Upstox Prosource |
| Web platform | ✓ Kite Websource | ✓ Upstox Pro Websource |
| US stocks | — | — |
| Customer support | ✓ Ticket + call-and-tradesource | — |
| Trading API | — | ✓ Free historical + websocket APIssource |
| IPO investing | — | ✓ UPI-based IPO applicationssource |
| Mutual funds | ✓ Supported | ✓ Supported |
| IPO | ✓ Supported | ✓ Supported |
| US stocks | — | — |
| Fees & pricing score | 4.8/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Trading platforms score | 4.7/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Customer support score | 3.9/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Research & education score | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Ease of opening score | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
Highlighted rows differ. “Confirming” means we haven't re-verified that figure yet — check the official pricing page.
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A star rating and one detail is enough. Human-moderated, no account needed.
Pick Zerodha if you want proven stability, Varsity education, and ₹0 delivery with the deepest community support.
Pick Upstox if you want a snappier app, free trading APIs, and zero opening cost — and you'll verify the current AMC plan first.
Investors and learners: Zerodha. Active app-traders and developers: Upstox.
Zerodha: strengths & weaknesses
What we like
- ₹0 equity delivery brokerage
- Simple flat ₹20 intraday/F&O pricing
- Mature Kite web + mobile platform
- Strong Varsity investor-education library
- Free account opening
Watch out for
- ₹300/year AMC after free first year
- No research-advisory for beginners
- Support can be slow on volatile days
Upstox: strengths & weaknesses
What we like
- Free account opening
- Fast Pro web + mobile platforms
- Good API for algo traders
- Competitive flat pricing
Watch out for
- AMC and platform nuances change often — verify
- Support quality is inconsistent
- Margin-trading funding costs add up
FAQs
Which is cheaper: Zerodha or Upstox?
Both charge flat ~₹20/order for intraday and F&O. Zerodha charges ₹0 for delivery with free opening and ₹300/year AMC after a free first year; Upstox charges ₹20/order delivery with a similar free-first-year then ₹300/year AMC. Your order pattern decides — run it through our brokerage calculator.
Is Upstox as safe as Zerodha?
Both are SEBI-registered brokers; your securities sit in your own demat account either way. Zerodha's edge is a longer track record and scale, not custody safety.