Groww vs ET Money: Which Is Better for Mutual Funds in 2026?

The two most-installed money apps in India

Groww has 11+ crore registered users; ET Money is the go-to for NPS and ELSS-focused Indians. Both are free, both offer direct mutual funds, both are SEBI-aligned. So which actually deserves the SIP from your next salary credit?

This guide compares Groww vs ET Money on mutual funds, SIPs, NPS, tax saving, charges and user experience — with India-specific numbers for 2026.

Quick comparison table

Detailed comparison

1. Mutual fund discovery and SIPs

Groww has the cleaner UI for beginners — search a fund, see star rating, hit invest. ET Money goes deeper with risk-based filters, fund manager history and "Right SIP amount" suggestions.

For a first SIP, Groww is friendlier. For someone choosing between 3 equity funds based on rolling returns and volatility, ET Money's data depth is better.

2. NPS

Clear winner: ET Money. You can open a PRAN, contribute monthly and claim 80CCD(1B) inside the app. Groww does not offer NPS account opening at this time.

3. Stocks and F&O

Clear winner: Groww. Equity delivery is free, intraday and F&O at ₹20/order. ET Money is mutual-fund-first and does not compete here.

4. Tax saving (FY 2025-26)

Both apps focus on 80C ELSS. Neither runs a proper Old vs New regime comparison that considers your full salary structure (HRA, NPS, home loan). For that, use a dedicated planner like FundGenie's Tax Calculator alongside whichever app you choose for execution.

5. Charges and transparency

Both apps are free for direct mutual funds. Groww charges brokerage on equity (₹20/order or 0.05% intraday, whichever is lower). ET Money's Genius portfolios are a paid subscription.

6. App experience

Groww feels like a modern fintech — fast, minimal. ET Money packs more in (NPS, insurance, loans) but can feel cluttered. Pick based on which you'll actually open weekly.

Calculation method: SIP step-up

Both apps support flat SIPs. Step-up SIP — increasing your SIP each year as salary grows — is what actually builds wealth. Formula:

For each year y in 1..N:
  monthly amount in year y = P × (1 + step)^(y−1)
  corpus at end of year y = previous corpus × (1+r)^12 + that year's contributions compounded

Example: ₹10,000/month SIP at 12% returns, stepped up by 10% per year over 20 years:

You double the corpus without ever feeling the pinch — because the increase tracks your salary hike. Try this in the FundGenie SIP Calculator — neither Groww nor ET Money's basic SIP calculator captures it as cleanly.

Common mistakes Indians make

• Comparing apps on UI alone — both deliver direct plans, so net cost is identical.
• Buying ELSS in the New regime — no tax benefit, money still locked for 3 years.
• Picking funds by 1-year top performers — momentum reverses, rolling 5-year returns are the truth.
• Holding 8+ schemes — overlap rises, alpha falls.
• Never stepping up SIPs — flat ₹5,000 SIP since 2020 is the silent crorepati-killer.

Action plan

Try on FundGenie

Use the FundGenie calculators free, then execute on the app you prefer.

FAQs

Is Groww or ET Money better for SIPs?

Both offer direct plans with zero commission. Groww is friendlier for first-timers; ET Money has richer fund data and curated portfolios. For planning the SIP, use FundGenie's calculator and execute wherever.

Which app is best for NPS in India?

ET Money — Groww does not offer NPS account opening at present.

Is Groww safe in India?

Groww is operated by Nextbillion Technology and is SEBI-registered for stockbroking via Groww Invest Tech. Mutual fund holdings sit with the AMC / RTAs, not with Groww.

Is ET Money safe?

ET Money is part of Times Internet, working with SEBI-registered intermediaries and PFRDA for NPS. Holdings are with AMCs and CRAs, not the app.

Can I transfer mutual funds from Groww to ET Money?

You don't need to. Direct mutual funds are held with the AMC / CAMS / KFintech — both apps can view the same folios with your PAN. You can stop SIPs in one and start in another any time.

Which has cheaper charges?

Both are free for direct mutual funds. Groww charges ₹20/order on equity; ET Money's Genius portfolios are a paid subscription. Apples vs oranges — depends on what you actually use.

Which app is best for tax saving in 2026?

Neither runs a full Old vs New regime calculator that includes HRA + home loan + NPS. Use FundGenie's free Tax Calculator for the decision, then buy ELSS via Groww or ET Money if Old regime wins.

Can I use both Groww and ET Money?

Yes — many Indians do. Use ET Money for NPS, Groww for stocks, and a planner like FundGenie to tie it all into one strategy.