Kristal vs Paasa

A detailed breakdown for Indian HNIs, family offices, and institutional investors evaluating their global exposure platforms.

Prafull Kumar

Prafull Kumar


Kristal vs Paasa

Global Indian investors, whether they’re HNIs, family offices, or institutional investors, are actively diversifying their wealth beyond India. To support this shift, two platforms are often discussed: Kristal and Paasa. Both are designed for Indian investors but are built on very different philosophies.

Kristal is an investment tool, ideal for those seeking a guided, curated experience with advisory support. In contrast, Paasa operates as a complete investment ecosystem, enabling investors to either execute their own strategies or opt for Paasa’s advisory services, while also handling FEMA, tax reporting, and more.

Let’s explore how Kristal and Paasa compare, and how each aligns with different types of Indian global investors.

Table of Contents

  • Feature Comparison
  • FEMA Compliance
  • Tax Reporting
  • Technology Features
  • Client Support

Explore a side-by-side comparison of Paasa, Kristal, and Interactive Brokers (IBKR).

Feature Comparison

Attribute

Kristal

Paasa

Direct trading

Real-time execution

Brokerage fee

High

Low

Global Exchange Access

100+ Exchanges

150+ Exchanges

Product Universe

Stocks

ETFs

Managed Portfolios

UCITS portfolios

AIFs

Auto-rebalanced UCITS portfolios

Interest on uninvested cash

Custody of assets under client's name

Note: UCITS portfolios are preferred by many Indian investors for US estate tax protection and global diversification. 

FEMA Compliance

Attribute

Kristal

Paasa

Digital remittance under LRS

Self-declaration templates for Indian banks

Remittance support at low rates

Bank formalities & Holding Declaration

Tracking and Confirmation

Compliance queries

Note: FEMA compliance is critical when sending money abroad under LRS. Many Indian investors unknowingly use incorrect purpose codes during remittance which can lead to reporting issues, delays, or tax scrutiny later.

Tax Reporting

Attribute

Kristal

Paasa

Tax Analytics

Dividend Tax Tracking

Capital Gains Tax Calculation (STCG/LTCG)

Accumulating ETFs

Tax Loss Harvesting

Year-End Tax Statement for Indian Investors

UCITS portfolios for tax savings

Note: Global investing comes with added tax responsibilities for Indian investors, and platforms approach this differently. Paasa includes tools designed to support Indian tax reporting. 

Technology Features

Attribute

Kristal

Paasa

Mobile App & Web View

Market and Limit

Stop loss, Trailing stop loss

Withdraw funds to any bank account

Mutual funds tracking & comparison

XIRR calculation for position

Benchmarking & Backtesting

INR gain/loss computation (blended FX)

Web dashboard for reporting

Note: While Kristal is known for its advisory-led experience, Paasa stands out for its robust, tech-driven platform built to support deeper visibility, control, and automation.

Client Support

Attribute

Kristal

Paasa

Dedicated relationship manager

Expert concierge (FEMA, Tax)

Customize features on request

Conclusion

Kristal and Paasa are both designed to help Indian investors go global, but they serve different mindsets.

Kristal works well if you're looking for a guided, advisory-led experience with a defined set of investment options. It's a reliable tool to help you get started.

Paasa, on the other hand, is built as a complete ecosystem, one that supports not just what you invest in, but how you invest, track, manage compliance, and evolve over time.

The right choice depends on your investing style, comfort with complexity, and long-term needs.

Explore a side-by-side comparison of Paasa, Kristal, and Interactive Brokers (IBKR).

About Paasa

Paasa is a global investing platform built specifically for Indian HNIs, family offices and institutional investors, helping them invest over the US, UK, Europe and China markets with tools that simplify LRS, remittance, tax reporting, and cross-border complexity.

Reach out at [email protected] to learn more.

Disclaimer

This content is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or professional advice from Paasa. While we strive for accuracy, the information may change over time. Paasa makes no representations, warranties, or guarantees, whether express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. The comparison is based on publicly available data and is intended to assist users in making informed decisions. It is not a substitute for professional advice or consultation with financial experts. Please review the terms of use and product availability for your region, or visit the service provider's website for the latest pricing and service information.

Sources

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