Updated September 28, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Vanguard vs Zerodha
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Vanguard |  Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | $0 | ₹0 |
| Account fee | $20 | ₹300 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Bonds, ETFs, Funds, Futures, Options, StocksCovers more |
| Options contract fee | $1 | ₹20 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | Free withdrawals |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | Coin, Console, Kite |
| Account types | IRA, Roth IRA, Joint | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Markets: only Zerodha offers Futures.
- Pricing model: only Zerodha offers Low fees.
Our verdict on each
Vanguard
Vanguard suits beginner US investors who want straightforward retirement investing without a trading bill, with stock trades at $0 and a minimum deposit of $0. The catch is an account fee of $20, plus $1 for every options contract traded.
Zerodha
Zerodha suits Indian investors who place their own orders and want trading costs kept down. The stock trade fee is INR 0 and the account fee is INR 300, so the bill lands on holding an account and on derivatives rather than on the shares. Platforms for placing orders are Coin, Console and Kite.
Score breakdown
| Area | Vanguard | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Stock trades cost $0 and the minimum deposit is $0, but the account itself carries an account fee of $20. | 9.1HigherEquity orders cost INR 0 in brokerage, but the account fee of INR 300 and INR 20 on an options contract add up. |
| Offer | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.8 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Vanguard | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| India | Not confirmed | Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) INZ000031633 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Vanguard | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 128 of 471 | 132 of 471 |
| Options trading platforms | 46 of 103 | 48 of 103 |
What each covers
| Markets | Vanguard | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | Yes |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Vanguard | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free, Low feesCovers more |
| Audience | Beginners | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | The Vanguard Group, Inc. | Zerodha Broking Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2010 |
Robo-advisors
| Fact | Vanguard | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio types | ETF | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Vanguard | Zerodha | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Vanguard
Pros
- Stock trades cost $0 and the account opens at $0, so entry costs nothing
- stocks, etfs and options covers the range most long term investors need in one place
- Account types include ira, roth ira and joint, which suits retirement saving
Cons
- An account fee of $20 applies to the account whatever the trade volume
- Options cost $1 per contract against $0 for stock trades
- Forex, crypto and CFDs are not among its stocks, etfs and options
Zerodha
Pros
- One account covers bonds, etfs and funds, so shares, funds, bonds, options and futures sit with a single provider.
- Oversight comes from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in India, with Zerodha Broking Limited as the named legal entity.
- Withdrawals carry no charge, and demo account and mobile app includes a demo account and a mobile app, so a new user can practise before funding.
Cons
- The account fee of INR 300 ranks 107 of 138 brands on that measure, above the site median of €0.
- Options contracts are charged INR 20, so the low equity cost does not carry over to derivatives.
- Crypto is not among its markets (bonds, etfs and funds), so digital asset traders need a second provider.
Who each suits
Vanguard
Who it suits
- Beginners building a retirement pot in the US
- Investors holding funds and ETFs alongside individual stocks
- Anyone who accepts an account fee to keep trading costs low
Who should look elsewhere
- Day traders who want no account fee, since eToro charges $0
- Traders wanting forex, crypto or CFDs alongside shares, which CFI lists in stocks, etfs and forex
- Anyone put off by an opening balance, since Vantage requires $5 where Vanguard asks $0
Zerodha
Who it suits
- Indian investors placing their own share, fund and bond orders, with Coin, Console and Kite available to trade on.
- Newcomers who want to try a demo account and a mobile app, both listed in demo account and mobile app.
- Derivatives traders who can absorb INR 20 on an options contract and want funds, bonds and equities in one place.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, for readers who want forex, CFDs and crypto in one account, since stocks, etfs and forex covers that wider asset list.
- Vantage, for light traders who would rather pay an account fee of $0 than INR 300.
- eToro, for readers who only compare the equity charge, since its stock trade fee is also $0.
Country by country
| Country | Vanguard | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| India | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Vanguard
What does it cost to buy shares at Vanguard?+
Buying shares costs $0, and the account opens at a minimum deposit of $0. The running cost is an account fee of $20 rather than a charge on each trade, so frequent trading does not add commission.
Is there an account fee?+
There is. The account fee is $20, and it is the main ongoing cost here. Investors who expect to hold rather than trade repeatedly can absorb it, while active traders would feel it more on smaller balances.
Zerodha
What does Zerodha charge to buy and sell shares?+
The stock trade fee is INR 0, and Zerodha ranks 1 of 161 brands on that measure, so equity dealing sits at the cheap end of the table. Derivatives are priced apart from equities, with an options contract charged INR 20, so the headline equity cost is not the whole bill.
Is there an account fee, and how does it compare?+
Yes. The account fee is INR 300, which places Zerodha at 107 of 138 on the account fee table, well below its stock trade fee ranking of 1 of 161. Withdrawals, by contrast, cost nothing. Holding the account open is the pricier side of this cost profile, while dealing through it ranks well.
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