I discovered Groww in 2019.
Two years after moving back to India from California.
I was sitting in a Starbucks in Bangalore. Scrolling through my phone. Saw an ad for commission free mutual fund investing.
Downloaded the app. Created an account in 5 minutes. Did my first SIP that evening.
₹10,000 into a Nifty 50 index fund.
The experience was shockingly smooth.
Back in San Jose, I used Vanguard and Fidelity. Great platforms. But the onboarding took days.
Groww felt like the Indian Robinhood. Clean. Simple. Fast.
Then in 2021, someone in our Back to India community asked about Scripbox.
I had heard of them. Direct mutual funds with advisory. Started in 2012.
Older than Groww. More focused on goals and planning.
I tried them too. Different experience. More hand holding. Less DIY.
Today in 2024, both apps are fighting for the same users.
Let me tell you which one works better for whom.
My Background with Both Platforms
I have used Groww since 2019. Five years now.
Started with one SIP. Now I have 12 active SIPs running through Groww.
Total investment through the platform? About ₹18 lakhs.
Current value? Around ₹24 lakhs.
The app has been solid. No major issues. A few glitches here and there. But nothing deal breaking.
I tried Scripbox in 2021. Invested ₹5 lakhs across four recommended funds.
Their advisory team called me. Asked about my goals. Retirement planning. Kids education.
They suggested a portfolio mix. 70% equity. 30% debt.
I followed their advice for a year. The returns were decent. 11% to 12%.
But I felt constrained. I like picking my own funds. Scripbox limits your choices.
So I stuck with Groww for most of my investing. Kept Scripbox for a small portion.
Both have their place. Different philosophies. Different users.
For more on investment options in India, I have a detailed guide covering everything from mutual funds to stocks.
“The best investment platform is the one you will actually use consistently. Fancy features mean nothing if you do not invest.”
The Core Difference: DIY vs Guided
This is the fundamental split.
Groww is a do it yourself platform. You pick funds. You decide allocation. You manage everything.
Scripbox is advisory driven. They recommend funds. They rebalance your portfolio. They hold your hand.
Think of it like this.
Groww is like cooking your own meal. You pick ingredients. You decide the recipe. Full control.
Scripbox is like a meal kit service. They send you pre selected ingredients. They give you a recipe. You just follow.
Neither is wrong. It depends on your style.
When I was at Citrix in San Jose, I managed my 401k myself. Picked my own funds. Tracked performance. Rebalanced quarterly.
That experience made me comfortable with DIY investing.
So Groww fit naturally.
But my wife? She has zero interest in fund selection. She just wants someone to tell her where to invest.
For her, Scripbox makes more sense.
Your comfort with financial decisions determines which platform suits you.
Quick Take: If you like control and research, Groww wins. If you want guidance and simplicity, Scripbox wins.
Platform Comparison: Features and Offerings
| Feature | Scripbox | Groww |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds | 20 to 25 curated funds | 3,000+ funds available |
| Stocks | Not available | Available |
| ETFs | Not available | Available |
| Gold | Digital gold via partnership | Digital gold available |
| IPO | Not available | Available |
| US Stocks | Not available | Not available |
| Advisory | Included free | Not available |
| Goal Planning | Built in with recommendations | Basic goal tracking |
| Minimum Investment | ₹500 per SIP | ₹100 per SIP |
| Account Opening | 10 to 15 minutes | 5 to 10 minutes |
The difference is stark.
Groww gives you access to everything. Every mutual fund registered in India. Stocks. ETFs. IPOs. Gold.
You can build a complete portfolio on Groww.
Scripbox gives you 20 to 25 mutual funds. That is it.
They curate the list. Only funds that meet their quality criteria.
Sounds limiting. And it is.
But here is the thing. Most people do not need 3,000 fund options.
Analysis paralysis is real. Too many choices leads to decision fatigue.
Scripbox solves that by pre filtering. You get a shortlist of solid funds.
Pick based on your goal. They guide the allocation.
I use Groww when I want to invest in specific funds I have researched. Like small cap funds or sector funds.
I would use Scripbox if I was advising my mom. She does not want to research. She wants simplicity.
For understanding how to set up SIPs and mutual funds, both platforms work well. The process is similar.
Cost Comparison: Where Does Your Money Go
Both platforms claim to be commission free.
That is true. But let me break down the actual costs.
| Cost Factor | Scripbox | Groww |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | Free | Free |
| Fund Type | Direct plans only | Direct plans only |
| Expense Ratio | 0.5% to 1.5% (fund level) | 0.5% to 1.5% (fund level) |
| Advisory Fee | Free (included) | Not applicable |
| Transaction Charges | Zero | Zero |
| Exit Load | Fund specific | Fund specific |
Both platforms offer direct mutual funds.
Direct funds have lower expense ratios than regular funds. About 0.5% to 1% lower.
Over 20 years, that difference compounds to significant savings.
The expense ratio is charged by the fund house. Not by Scripbox or Groww.
So your actual cost is the same on both platforms for the same fund.
Where Scripbox adds value is free advisory.
If you hired a financial advisor separately, you would pay 0.5% to 1.5% of assets under management per year.
Scripbox gives you that for free. They make money from the fund houses. Not from you directly.
Groww does not provide advisory. You are on your own.
But you have complete freedom to pick any fund.
The math: ₹10 lakh invested for 10 years at 12% returns.
Direct plan (Groww or Scripbox): Final value ₹31.06 lakhs.
Regular plan through traditional agent: Final value ₹28.95 lakhs.
You save ₹2.11 lakhs by using direct plans.
Both platforms deliver this benefit equally.
For more on choosing between mutual funds or stocks, I have written a detailed comparison.
User Experience: Apps and Interface
I use both apps regularly. Let me compare the experience.
Groww:
The app is fast. Opens in 2 seconds. Navigation is intuitive.
Home screen shows your portfolio. Gains. Losses. Everything at a glance.
Searching for funds is easy. You can filter by category, performance, expense ratio.
Starting a SIP takes 3 clicks. Fund selection. Amount. Date. Done.
The stock trading interface is also clean. Real time prices. Easy order placement.
I have never faced any major bugs. Maybe some slow loading during market hours.
Their website is equally good. I often use the desktop version for detailed analysis.
Scripbox:
The app feels more educational. Less cluttered.
Home screen shows your goals. Each goal has progress bars.
You cannot browse all funds. You see only recommended funds based on your profile.
Starting a SIP involves answering questions. What is your goal? What is your time horizon?
Then they recommend funds. You approve. SIP starts.
The experience is more guided. Less overwhelming.
Their website is simpler. Less features. But adequate for most users.
My wife prefers Scripbox. She finds Groww too noisy. Too many options.
I prefer Groww. I like seeing everything. I like control.
Interface winner: Tie. Depends on your preference.
📊 Data Point: Groww has 10+ crore users as of 2024. Scripbox has about 10 lakh users. Groww is mass market. Scripbox is premium and curated.
Investment Philosophy: Active vs Passive
Scripbox has a clear investment philosophy.
They believe in goal based investing. They favor large cap and index funds. They minimize risk.
Their recommended portfolios are conservative. Even aggressive portfolios have 20% to 30% in debt.
Groww has no philosophy. They are a platform. You bring your own philosophy.
Want to go 100% small cap? Go ahead.
Want to invest in thematic funds like EV or pharma? Your choice.
Groww will not stop you. Or guide you.
When I was at Optima Tax Relief in LA, I learned about risk profiling.
Different people have different risk appetites. Different time horizons.
A 25 year old can afford aggressive portfolios. A 55 year old cannot.
Scripbox factors this in. They adjust recommendations based on age and goals.
Groww leaves it to you. You need to know your risk appetite.
I made mistakes on Groww early on. Invested too much in small cap funds in 2019.
The crash in 2020 hurt. Lost 35% in some funds.
But I held on. Recovered by 2021. Now those funds are up 80%.
Would Scripbox have prevented that mistake? Maybe. They would have limited my small cap exposure.
Would I have learned? No. I needed to experience the volatility.
Experience matters: If you are new to investing, Scripbox guides you. If you have experience, Groww liberates you.
For understanding whether to keep money abroad or bring it to India, similar risk considerations apply.
Tax Reporting: Who Makes It Easier
This matters for NRIs and returning residents.
You need capital gains statements. You need to report to income tax department.
Groww:
Download capital gains statement anytime. PDF format.
Shows short term capital gains. Long term capital gains. Separately.
Works for both mutual funds and stocks.
Their annual statement consolidates everything. Makes ITR filing easier.
I use their statement directly when filing taxes. No manual calculation needed.
Scripbox:
Similar functionality. Download capital gains report.
They also send tax harvesting suggestions. If you have losses, they recommend booking them to offset gains.
This is advisory adding value.
Groww does not send such suggestions. You need to track yourself.
When I filed my taxes in 2023, I had capital gains from both platforms.
Groww gave me raw data. Scripbox gave me data plus suggestions.
I saved about ₹15,000 in taxes by following Scripbox’s harvesting advice.
That advisory paid for itself.
For detailed guidance on filing ITR in India after moving back, I have a step by step guide.
Customer Support: When Things Go Wrong
You will need support. Payments fail. KYC issues. Redemption delays.
Groww:
Email support responds in 24 to 48 hours. Adequate but not great.
Phone support is hit or miss. Long wait times during market hours.
Chat support is better. Usually get response in 10 to 15 minutes.
Their help center has detailed articles. Most common issues are covered.
I faced a redemption delay once in 2022. Money did not hit my account for 5 days.
Contacted support via chat. They escalated. Money arrived next day.
Scripbox:
Phone support is excellent. Dedicated relationship manager assigned.
My relationship manager calls every quarter. Reviews portfolio. Suggests changes.
Email support responds within 12 hours. Faster than Groww.
Their support feels premium. Because their user base is smaller.
When my wife had a KYC issue with Scripbox, they resolved it in 2 hours.
The relationship manager coordinated with CAMS directly. Got it fixed.
Support winner: Scripbox. More personalized. Faster resolution.
Real Scenarios: Which One Should You Pick
Let me give you actual use cases.
Scenario 1: Fresh graduate, age 24, first job, wants to start investing
Recommendation: Groww
Why? Low minimum SIP (₹100). Access to everything. Learn by doing. Make mistakes. Recover.
Scenario 2: Mid career professional, age 38, two kids, no time for research
Recommendation: Scripbox
Why? Goal based planning. Advisory included. Set it and forget it. Focus on career.
Scenario 3: Experienced investor, age 45, comfortable with markets
Recommendation: Groww
Why? Access to all funds. Stock trading. IPOs. Complete control. No limitations.
Scenario 4: NRI planning to return, age 50, building retirement corpus
Recommendation: Scripbox
Why? Conservative recommendations. Tax optimization. Relationship manager support. Less risky.
Scenario 5: Tech savvy 30 year old, loves tracking markets, reads financial news
Recommendation: Groww
Why? Real time data. Stock trading. Multiple asset classes. DIY freedom.
My personal setup is 80% Groww, 20% Scripbox.
Groww for my active portfolios. Stock investments. Aggressive funds.
Scripbox for my wife’s investments. Conservative. Stable. Managed.
If I had to pick one? Groww. Because I like control.
But I recommend Scripbox to my mom. She is 70. She wants simple. She wants safe.
For more on planning your finances in India after years abroad, using the right platform is just one piece of the puzzle.
Limitations: What Each Platform Cannot Do
Groww cannot:
Provide personalized advice. You need to know what you are doing.
Rebalance automatically. You track and rebalance manually.
Optimize taxes proactively. You need to plan tax harvesting yourself.
Scripbox cannot:
Give you access to all funds. Only their curated list.
Let you invest in stocks. Mutual funds only.
Let you participate in IPOs. Not available.
I wanted to invest in a specific small cap fund in 2023. Not available on Scripbox.
Had to use Groww.
My friend wanted goal based planning for his daughter’s education. Groww did not help.
He used Scripbox.
No platform is perfect. Use the right tool for the right job.
My Final Take: Who Wins
If you forced me to recommend one to an NRI or returning resident, I would say Groww.
Here is why.
Flexibility matters. Your needs change over time. You start with mutual funds. Then want stocks. Then ETFs.
Groww grows with you. Scripbox stays limited.
Learning matters. You cannot outsource financial education forever. You need to understand your money.
Groww forces you to learn. Scripbox shelters you from learning.
Cost stays the same. Both offer direct plans. Your returns are identical for the same fund.
Scripbox advisory is nice to have. But not essential if you do basic research.
That said, Scripbox is not bad. It serves a specific audience.
If you want someone to manage your investments, Scripbox delivers.
If you want to manage yourself, Groww empowers.
My recommendation breakdown:
First time investors: Scripbox for 2 years, then graduate to Groww.
Experienced investors: Groww all the way.
Risk averse people: Scripbox for peace of mind.
Risk takers: Groww for freedom.
For understanding how to invest in US stocks from India, neither platform helps yet. You need other options like Vested or INDMoney.
💡 Pro Tip: You can use both platforms simultaneously. I do. Scripbox for conservative goals. Groww for aggressive portfolios. No rule says you must pick only one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Chasing returns on Groww
You see a fund up 50% last year. You invest. Then it crashes.
Past performance does not guarantee future returns. Stick to index funds if unsure.
Mistake 2: Trusting Scripbox blindly
Their recommendations are good. But not perfect. Review quarterly. Ask questions.
Mistake 3: Not linking Aadhaar
Both platforms need Aadhaar linked PAN for KYC. Get it done early. Saves headaches later.
Mistake 4: Stopping SIPs during market crashes
Markets fell in 2020. People panicked. Stopped SIPs. Missed the recovery.
SIPs work best in down markets. Keep investing.
Mistake 5: Not reviewing annually
Set a calendar reminder. Review portfolio every year. Rebalance if needed.
I review every March. Before financial year ends. Helps with tax planning too.
For more on best apps to invest in mutual funds, I cover other platforms beyond these two.
When to Use Both Simultaneously
This is what I do. Let me explain.
Use Groww for:
- Monthly SIPs in index funds
- Stock investments for long term
- IPO applications
- Aggressive small and mid cap funds
Use Scripbox for:
- Goal based planning (kids education, house down payment)
- Debt fund allocation
- Conservative portfolios for older family members
- Tax harvesting recommendations
Cost of using both: Zero.
No penalty for splitting investments. No extra fees.
The benefit? Best of both worlds.
I get freedom on Groww. I get guidance from Scripbox.
My wife gets simplicity on Scripbox. I get complexity on Groww.
Everyone is happy.
Total portfolio across both platforms? About ₹30 lakhs now.
Started with ₹5 lakhs in 2019. Grown through SIPs and market gains.
The platform did not matter. Consistency mattered.
Investing ₹20,000 per month without fail. For 5 years.
That discipline created wealth. Not the platform choice.
The Verdict
For most returning NRIs: Groww wins.
You likely have some investment experience from abroad. You used Vanguard or Fidelity or similar platforms.
Groww feels familiar. Self directed. Low cost. Comprehensive.
For first time investors or risk averse people: Scripbox wins.
You want someone to guide you. You do not want to research funds. You want simple.
Scripbox delivers exactly that.
My setup: 80% Groww, 20% Scripbox.
Works perfectly. No complaints.
If you are still confused, post your specific situation in our Facebook group.
You will get feedback from hundreds of NRIs who use these platforms.
Use the wisdom of the crowd.
Bottom line: Both platforms are solid. Pick based on your style. Then start investing. Today.
The best investment platform is the one you actually use.
TLDR Version
Groww Strengths:
- 3,000+ mutual funds available
- Stock trading and IPO access
- ₹100 minimum SIP
- Complete DIY freedom
- 10+ crore users
- Fast, clean app
Groww Weaknesses:
- No advisory or guidance
- No automatic rebalancing
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
Scripbox Strengths:
- Free investment advisory
- Goal based planning
- Only 20 curated quality funds
- Automatic rebalancing
- Relationship manager support
- Tax optimization suggestions
Scripbox Weaknesses:
- Limited fund choices
- No stock trading
- No IPO access
- Smaller user base
For DIY investors: Groww wins
For guided investing: Scripbox wins
My recommendation: Start with Scripbox if new. Graduate to Groww after 2 years. Or use both simultaneously.
Most important: Start investing. Platform matters less than consistency.
Pick one. Set up SIPs. Stick with it for 10 years.
That is how wealth gets built.
Sources:
- Groww Official Website – Platform Features
- Scripbox Official Website – Advisory Services
- AMFI India – Mutual Fund Statistics 2024
- SEBI Guidelines on Direct Plans
- Groww User Statistics – Economic Times Report 2024
- Scripbox Company Information – Crunchbase
- Expense Ratio Comparison – Value Research Online
- Direct vs Regular Plans Impact Study – Morningstar India