Zerodha vs Paytm Money: which is better? Both are SEBI-regulated discount brokers in India. Zerodha suits active and high-volume traders who want a powerful platform and the widest market access, while Paytm Money suits beginners and mutual fund investors who want a simple, mobile-first app with zero Demat AMC. This comparison covers fees, platforms, tools, and who each broker fits.
At a glance
| Segment | Zerodha | Paytm Money |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Stocks, direct mutual funds, F&O, IPOs, gift stocks, fixed income | Stocks, F&O, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, NPS, Pay Later |
| Platforms | Kite, Coin, Kite Connect API | Mobile, web, TradingView, trading APIs |
| Tools | Console, Varsity | Open interest analysis, market scanner, market radar, strategy builder |
Brokerage charges
| Fees | Zerodha | Paytm Money |
|---|---|---|
| Equity delivery | Free | 2.5% or ₹20 per order, whichever is lower |
| Equity intraday | 0.03% or ₹20 per order | 0.05% or ₹20 per order |
| Options | Flat ₹20 per order | Flat ₹20 per order |
| Futures | 0.03% or ₹20 per order | 0.02% or ₹20 per order |
| Currency & commodity | 0.03% or ₹20 per order | Not available |
| Account opening | Free (NRI/corporate: ₹500) | Free |
| Demat AMC | Up to ₹4 lakh free; ₹4-10 lakh ₹100/yr; above ₹10 lakh ₹300/yr | Free |
The main pricing differences are AMC and equity delivery: Zerodha offers free delivery, while Paytm Money offers free AMC. Flat brokerage is identical across most other segments.
Platforms and user experience
Zerodha runs on Kite (streaming data, advanced charts, elegant UI), Coin for direct mutual funds, and Kite Connect API for building tools. Paytm Money offers a mobile app, a feature-rich web app, TradingView integration, and trading APIs.
The trade-off is power versus simplicity. Zerodha requires some learning but is trader-focused and suits active traders and long-term equity investors. Paytm Money is simple, modern, and easy to use, suiting beginners and mutual fund investors. Zerodha supports complex order management and advanced tools, while Paytm Money provides simpler charts for long-term tracking. Zerodha also offers deeper education through Varsity.
Investment options and tools
Both offer a wide set of order types (GTT, OCO, basket orders and more) and TradingView/ChartIQ integration. Zerodha adds Console reporting, Kite Connect API for algo trading, and research through partners like Tijori, plus Sensibull and Streak. Paytm Money adds an advanced option chain, heatmap and market radar, a strategy builder, Option Geeks, voice trading, and a Pay Later margin facility.
Zerodha covers more instruments overall, including currencies and commodities, while Paytm Money focuses on stocks, F&O, mutual funds, ETFs, and NPS.
Which broker suits you?
- Active and high-volume traders: Zerodha, for speed, stability, and the widest market access.
- Advanced users: Zerodha, for its broader range of assets and flexibility.
- Beginners: Paytm Money, for its simple, mobile-first, intuitive platform.
- Mutual fund and long-term investors: Paytm Money, for free AMC and slightly lower overall transaction charges.
- Research-focused investors: Zerodha, for its integrations, Varsity, and Trading Q&A.
Conclusion
If you are a high-volume or active investor, Zerodha is the stronger choice, with free equity delivery and a best-in-class platform in Kite. If you are a beginner or mutual fund-focused investor, Paytm Money is a strong option thanks to its zero Demat AMC and simple interface. Both are SEBI-regulated discount brokers, so the right pick depends on your priorities.
For more comparisons, see Groww vs Zerodha and Zerodha vs Alice Blue.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zerodha’s brokerage? Equity delivery is free. Intraday and futures are 0.03% or ₹20 per order, whichever is lower, and options are ₹20 per order. Currency and commodity follow the same ₹20/0.03% structure.
What does Paytm Money charge for stocks? 2.5% or ₹20 per order (whichever is lower) for equity delivery, and 0.05% or ₹20 per order for intraday.
What is the minimum investment for Paytm Money? There is no minimum, but equity delivery requires 100% funds in cash, and intraday requires 50% in cash with the rest in collateral.
Is Zerodha better than Paytm Money for beginners? Paytm Money is simpler with zero AMC, which suits beginners. For long-term beginner investors, Zerodha’s free delivery trading can be more cost-effective.
Does Paytm Money offer free mutual fund investing? Yes, with no AMC and no transaction fees.


