Zerodha vs Paytm Money
Zerodha and Paytm Money are both discount brokers operating a flat-fee model, but they differ considerably in scale, ownership, and target use case. Zerodha is India’s market-share leader by NSE active clients. Paytm Money is a subsidiary of One 97 Communications Limited (the parent of Paytm) and was launched in 2018 initially as a direct mutual fund platform before adding equity broking in 2020.
Data reflects May 2026; verify current charges at zerodha.com/charges and paytmmoney.com before transacting.
Background
Paytm Money Limited was incorporated in 2017 and received SEBI registration as an investment adviser for mutual funds. In 2020 it received a stockbroker licence and launched equity trading, positioning itself around the Paytm app’s large user base as a distribution advantage. Paytm Money is a wholly owned subsidiary of One 97 Communications (NSE: PAYTM), which has faced significant regulatory and business challenges since 2022 including the Reserve Bank of India’s restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank in 2024. These corporate developments at the parent level are separate from Paytm Money’s SEBI-regulated broking operations; investors should nonetheless monitor any material changes in corporate structure.
NSE active client data placed Paytm Money at approximately 0.5 to 1 million active clients in late 2024, a smaller scale than the major discount brokers.
Brokerage charges
| Charge head | Zerodha | Paytm Money |
|---|---|---|
| Equity delivery | Zero | Zero |
| Equity intraday | Rs 20 or 0.03% | Rs 10-15 flat (plan-dependent) |
| Equity futures | Rs 20 or 0.03% | Rs 10-15 flat |
| Equity options | Rs 20 flat | Rs 10-15 flat |
| Account opening | Zero | Zero |
| Demat AMC | Rs 300/year | Rs 0 (waived as of recent policy) |
| Call-and-trade | Rs 50/order | Not prominently offered |
Paytm Money has periodically offered intraday brokerage at Rs 10 flat per order (below Zerodha’s Rs 20), making it one of the lowest per-order cost options available. AMC is waived entirely. For frequent intraday and derivatives traders who are sensitive to per-order costs, Paytm Money’s structure may be relevant.
Mutual fund access
Paytm Money was built as a mutual fund platform and offers direct mutual fund investments at no additional charge. The fund universe covers all AMFI-registered fund houses. SIP management, switch, and redemption are available in the app.
Zerodha’s Coin offers direct mutual funds at Rs 50 per month for active holders after year one. Paytm Money’s zero-cost MF access is a cost advantage for mutual-fund-primary investors.
Trading platform
Zerodha’s Kite is the reference retail platform. Paytm Money’s trading platform is available within the Paytm Money app (separate from the main Paytm app). It offers basic charting, watchlists, and order types. The platform is adequate for basic equity and F&O trading but lacks some of the advanced charting indicators and order management tools available in Kite. Paytm Money does not offer a desktop web trading interface with the same depth as Kite.
Corporate risk considerations
Because Paytm Money operates as a subsidiary of One 97 Communications, investors should be aware that material adverse developments at the parent entity could affect the subsidiary’s operations or strategic direction, even though SEBI-regulated assets (demat holdings, trading balances) are held in trust with CDSL and the clearing corporation respectively. In 2024, Paytm Payments Bank faced RBI restrictions; these did not directly affect Paytm Money’s SEBI-regulated broking operations, but the episode highlighted the importance of understanding corporate structure.
Summary comparison table
| Dimension | Zerodha | Paytm Money |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 | 2018 (MF); 2020 (equity) |
| Parent | Private | One 97 Communications (listed, NSE: PAYTM) |
| NSE active clients (approx.) | ~7 million | ~0.5-1 million |
| Delivery brokerage | Zero | Zero |
| Intraday brokerage | Rs 20 or 0.03% | Rs 10-15 flat |
| Options brokerage | Rs 20 flat | Rs 10-15 flat |
| Demat AMC | Rs 300/year | Zero |
| Mutual funds | Direct (Coin, Rs 50/mo after yr 1) | Direct (free) |
| Trading platform depth | High (Kite) | Basic (app only) |
| API access | Kite Connect (Rs 2,000/mo) | Limited |
See also
- Zerodha
- Zerodha vs Groww
- Zerodha vs 5paisa
- Discount brokers in India
- Full-service vs discount broker
- Indian retail brokers comparison
References
- Zerodha charge schedule. zerodha.com/charges (accessed May 2026).
- Paytm Money charge schedule. paytmmoney.com (accessed May 2026).
- NSE active client data. nseindia.com (accessed May 2026).
- SEBI SCORES grievance data, Q3 FY 2025. sebi.gov.in.
- RBI order on Paytm Payments Bank Limited (January 2024). rbi.org.in.