Zerodha vs Vested for US stocks: which is better? (2026)
Zerodha: 0.1% brokerage, max $10 + GST, GIFT City route. Vested: 0.25% Basic / 0.15% Premium, LRS route, Schedule FA helper, full NYSE/NASDAQ. Real cost comparison and which to choose.
Arnav GroverCo-Founder & Chief Product Officer, RoviaZerodha entered US stocks in September 2026 — the same month millions of existing Zerodha users got access to US markets within Kite. Vested has operated since 2019 as the most established India-focused US stock platform. Both operate on different routes (Zerodha: GIFT City IFSC; Vested: LRS), at different brokerage rates, with different tax tooling.
Quick answer
| You are... | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| A Zerodha user wanting lowest brokerage | Zerodha |
| An existing Vested user with active account and holdings | Stay on Vested unless cost difference justifies switching |
| An investor wanting Schedule FA helper and LRS calculator | Vested |
| An investor wanting GIFT City route (NEFT vs SWIFT) | Zerodha |
| An RSU holder needing inbound ACATS | Neither — use Rovia |
| An investor wanting high-frequency SIP (₹10K–₹1L/trade) | Zerodha (brokerage is 2.5× lower) |
Fee comparison
| Fee | Zerodha | Vested Basic | Vested Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account opening | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Annual fee | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹4,500 |
| Brokerage | 0.1%, max $10 + 18% GST | 0.25%, capped $35 | 0.15%, capped $35 |
| FX markup | ≈0.5% above RBI ref | ≈75–100p/$ | ≈75–100p/$ |
| Withdrawal fee | TBC | $5 per withdrawal | 2 free/year; $5 thereafter |
| Route | GIFT City IFSC | LRS | LRS |
| Schedule FA helper | Basic | Yes | Yes |
| TCS | Standard LRS rates | Standard LRS rates | Standard LRS rates |
Brokerage comparison
| Trade size | Zerodha | Vested Basic | Vested Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $0.59 (0.1% + GST) | $1.25 | $0.75 |
| $2,000 | $2.36 | $5.00 | $3.00 |
| $10,000 | $11.80 (capped) | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| $14,000+ | $11.80 (capped) | $35.00 (capped) | $21.00 (capped) |
Zerodha is cheaper than Vested Basic at every trade size. Zerodha is cheaper than Vested Premium at trades below $14,000, and comparable above the $35 cap.
FX markup comparison
Zerodha's ~0.5% FX markup is tighter than Vested's ~75–100 paise per USD (approximately 0.9–1.2% at ₹85/$).
| Transfer | Zerodha (0.5%) | Vested (0.9%) | Zerodha saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹5 lakh | ≈₹2,500 | ≈₹4,500 | ≈₹2,000 |
| ₹10 lakh | ≈₹5,000 | ≈₹9,000 | ≈₹4,000 |
| ₹25 lakh | ≈₹12,500 | ≈₹22,500 | ≈₹10,000 |
The FX difference is meaningful — larger than the brokerage difference for typical investment patterns.
Route difference: GIFT City (Zerodha) vs LRS (Vested)
This is the structural difference that matters beyond fees:
| Zerodha (GIFT City) | Vested (LRS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer type | NEFT/IMPS, same-day | SWIFT (2–5 days) |
| A2 form / 15CA/15CB | Not required | May be required |
| Section 10(4D) potential | Yes (verify with CA) | No |
| Schedule FA requirement | Evolving — consult CA | Yes |
| Track record | Beta since Sep 2026 | 7 years operating |
For investors who want Schedule FA certainty: Vested's LRS route has well-established compliance documentation. The GIFT City route's Schedule FA treatment is still evolving — some CAs advise filing Schedule FA for GIFT City holdings anyway until guidance solidifies.
For investors who want faster transfers and no SWIFT hassle: Zerodha's NEFT/IMPS transfer is operationally superior.
Tax documentation: Vested leads currently
| Zerodha | Vested Basic | Vested Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| INR capital gains statement | Standard | Yes | Yes |
| Schedule FA helper | Basic | Yes | Yes |
| LRS calculator | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lot-level breakdown | Partial | No | No |
Vested's Schedule FA helper and LRS documentation tools are more developed than Zerodha's current offering. If Schedule FA is a concern (it should be — it's mandatory for LRS holdings), Vested's tooling saves CA time.
For GIFT City-routed investments (Zerodha), Schedule FA may not apply in the same way — but the guidance is unsettled. Don't assume either way without a CA.
Total cost: ₹10L/year for 3 years
Pattern: ₹10L/year, 4 buys of ₹2.5L each, 1 repatriation at Year 3.
| Cost item | Zerodha | Vested Basic | Vested Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year brokerage | ≈₹3,000 | ≈₹7,500 | ≈₹4,500 |
| 3-year plan fee | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹13,500 |
| 3-year FX (₹10L/yr × 3) | ≈₹15,000 | ≈₹27,000 | ≈₹27,000 |
| Year-3 withdrawal fee | TBC | ₹425 ($5) | ₹0 (within free) |
| Total | ≈₹18,000 | ≈₹34,925 | ≈₹45,000 |
Zerodha saves approximately ₹17,000 over 3 years vs Vested Basic at ₹10L/year — primarily from FX and brokerage.
When to choose each
Choose Zerodha if:
- You are already a Zerodha user — no friction, same app, same KYC
- Lower brokerage (0.1%) and tighter FX are your priorities
- You are comfortable with a newer product (beta since Sep 2026)
- NEFT/IMPS convenience matters to you over SWIFT
Choose Vested (Basic or Premium) if:
- You are already on Vested with holdings you don't want to move
- You need the Schedule FA helper and established tax documentation
- LRS route certainty matters over GIFT City route uncertainty
- You value 7+ years of operating history and established support
Choose Rovia over both if:
- You hold RSUs — it's the only platform with inbound ACATS
Related reading
- Zerodha US stocks: full charges guide
- Vested charges explained in full
- Zerodha vs INDmoney for US stocks
- Best US stock platform for Indians 2026
Vested.blog is the editorial publication of Rovia.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Zerodha cheaper than Vested for US stocks? ▾
- On brokerage, Zerodha (0.1%, max $10 + GST) is cheaper than both Vested Basic (0.25%, capped $35) and Vested Premium (0.15%, capped $35, ₹4,500/year). On FX, Zerodha's ~0.5% markup is tighter than Vested's ~75–100 paise per USD (~0.9–1.2%). Zerodha is cheaper on both dimensions for most investors. Vested Premium's 0.15% rate is competitive but the ₹4,500/year fee needs to be justified by turnover.
- Should I switch from Vested to Zerodha? ▾
- If you are already on Vested with an active account and holdings, switching has friction (transfer costs, timing risk). The cost savings from Zerodha are real but not dramatic — at ₹10L/year, perhaps ₹5,000–₹8,000 in combined brokerage + FX savings. If you are starting fresh, Zerodha is cheaper for most investors. If you hold RSUs or want Schedule FA tooling, Vested's tools may justify staying.
- Does Zerodha or Vested have better tax support for US stocks? ▾
- Vested has a longer track record on Indian tax documentation — Schedule FA helper, LRS calculator, INR P&L statements. Zerodha's US tax reporting is new (September 2026 beta) and the depth is not yet at Vested's level. For investors who need Schedule FA help or detailed INR gain statements, Vested's tooling is currently better.
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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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