Groww vs Vested for US stocks: which is better? (2026)
Groww: 0.1% or $1 min, GIFT City route. Vested: 0.25% Basic / 0.15% Premium, LRS route. Real cost comparison, different routes, different tax docs. Who should use which.
Arnav GroverCo-Founder & Chief Product Officer, RoviaGroww and Vested are both established names in India's retail investing market but came to US stocks very differently: Vested has focused on US stock investing since 2019; Groww added US stocks in October 2026 as an extension of its broader investing app. The comparison matters for both existing Groww users considering US stocks and existing Vested users wondering if they should switch.
Quick answer
| You are... | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| A Groww user wanting US stocks (trades >$1K) | Groww — same app, lower brokerage |
| An existing Vested user with Schedule FA history | Stay on Vested unless cost difference is compelling |
| An investor making regular SIP trades of ₹85K+ | Groww (0.1% vs 0.25%) |
| An investor wanting Schedule FA tooling and LRS support | Vested |
| An RSU holder | Neither — use Rovia |
Fee comparison
| Fee | Groww | Vested Basic | Vested Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹4,500 |
| Brokerage | 0.1% or $1 min | 0.25%, capped $35 | 0.15%, capped $35 |
| FX markup | 0.5–3.5% (dynamic) | ≈75–100p/$ | ≈75–100p/$ |
| Withdrawal fee | ₹0 | $5 per withdrawal | 2 free/year; $5 after |
| Route | GIFT City IFSC | LRS | LRS |
| Schedule FA helper | Basic | Yes | Yes |
Brokerage
| Trade size | Groww | Vested Basic | Vested Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 (≈₹17K) | $1.00 (min) | $0.50 | $0.30 |
| $1,000 (≈₹85K) | $1.00 | $2.50 | $1.50 |
| $5,000 (≈₹4.25L) | $5.00 | $12.50 | $7.50 |
| $14,000 | $14.00 | $35.00 (cap) | $21.00 |
| $23,000+ | $23.00 | $35.00 (cap) | $35.00 (cap) |
Above ₹85,000 per trade, Groww beats Vested Basic significantly. Above ₹85K, Groww is also cheaper than Vested Premium — though the gap narrows. Vested Premium's cap ($35 at $23,333+) equals Groww's uncapped 0.1% at very large trades.
FX markup
Groww's 0.5–3.5% dynamic range is wide and harder to predict than Vested's ~75–100 paise per USD fixed markup. At Groww's low end (0.5%), it is cheaper than Vested. At Groww's high end (3.5%), it is dramatically more expensive.
| Transfer | Groww low (0.5%) | Groww high (3.5%) | Vested (0.9%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹10 lakh | ≈₹5,000 | ≈₹35,000 | ≈₹9,000 |
Check the in-app Groww rate before every transfer. If the rate is above ~1%, Vested may actually be cheaper on FX for that specific transfer.
Withdrawal fees
Groww charges no withdrawal fee. Vested Basic charges $5 per repatriation. For investors repatriating 2–4 times per year, this saves ₹850–₹1,700/year vs Vested Basic.
Route difference: GIFT City (Groww) vs LRS (Vested)
Both routes are LRS-compliant with the same TCS rates. The operational difference: Groww uses NEFT/IMPS (same day, no SWIFT docs), Vested uses SWIFT.
The structural difference: Groww's GIFT City route may qualify for Section 10(4D) capital gains exemption; Vested's LRS route does not. Verify with a CA whether your specific situation qualifies.
Schedule FA treatment: Vested's LRS route has established Schedule FA disclosure requirements. Groww's GIFT City treatment is evolving — currently unclear whether GIFT City holdings are "foreign assets" requiring Schedule FA. Consult a CA before filing.
Decision
Choose Groww if:
- You are already a Groww user (no extra KYC)
- Your trades are ₹85,000+ where 0.1% materially beats 0.25%
- You want zero withdrawal fees
- NEFT convenience matters over SWIFT
Choose Vested if:
- You are already on Vested with Schedule FA history
- You rely on Vested's Schedule FA helper and LRS tools
- You value 7+ years of operating history
- You want a focused US-investing product rather than a feature inside a broader app
Related reading
- Groww US stocks: full charges guide
- Vested charges explained in full
- Best US stock platform for Indians 2026
Vested.blog is the editorial publication of Rovia.
Run your own numbers
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Groww cheaper than Vested for US stocks? ▾
- On brokerage for trades above $1,000: Groww's 0.1% beats Vested Basic's 0.25% and ties with Vested Premium's 0.15% at high trade sizes. Below $1,000, Groww's $1 minimum makes it more expensive than both Vested plans. FX is broadly similar. Vested Premium (₹4,500/yr) is cheaper on brokerage than Groww above $14,000 per trade, but the plan fee needs justification.
- Should I move from Vested to Groww? ▾
- If you're already on Vested with holdings and active Schedule FA history, switching has friction. The cost saving is real but moderate — Groww's GIFT City route also has different (and still evolving) Schedule FA treatment. For a fresh account, Groww is cheaper on brokerage above ₹85,000 per trade. For RSU holders or investors who rely on Vested's Schedule FA tooling, staying on Vested makes sense.
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About the author
Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Rovia
IIT Bombay + IIM Calcutta. Founding PM at Aspora (largest NRI fintech). 6+ years covering Indian-resident US investing, LRS compliance, Schedule FA, and ITR-2 filing for AY 2026-27.
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