Top Vested Alternatives for US Investing (2025 Update)

Vested is a simple tool to start with U.S. stocks and ETFs but as your need and corpus grows, Vested starts to hit its limits.

You may want to:

Expand beyond the U.S. into markets like China, Europe or the UK, or explore multi-asset strategies
Increase your corpus allocation beyond ₹20 lakh, ₹30 lakh, which brings FEMA disclosures into play
Move from doing tax and compliance work yourself to having it managed for you
Keep a closer watch on INR-based gains, money transfers, and tax details

In this blog, we compare the best Vested alternatives for 2025 so you can get more control, reach more markets, and remove friction as you grow.

Quick Comparison Table

Platform	Ideal For	Access	Managed Portfolios	FEMA Advisory	Tax & Analytics
Vested	Retail investors getting started	US only	✅	❌	❌
INDmoney	Retail investors getting started	US only	❌	❌	❌
Kristal	Mass Affluent HNIs	US, China, UK, Europe & more	✅	❌	❌
Interactive Brokers	Traders (power users)	US, China, UK, Europe & more	✅	❌	❌
Paasa	HNIs Family Offices Institutions	US, China, UK, Europe & more	✅	✅	✅

NOTE: Most platforms here primarily offer direct access to U.S. stocks and ETFs. If your needs include multi‑market access or derivatives, focus on IBKR and Paasa.

Vested

Pro	Cons
Simple UI to buy U.S. stocks and ETFs Curated portfolios for hands‑off users Good customer support	U.S. centric offering with limited market depth No support for advanced traders or large-ticket remitters FEMA, LRS, and TCS handling is basic, which can be limiting at higher corpus sizes

INDmoney

Pro	Cons
Personal finance super app where U.S. investing is one tab Ideally best if you want to start investing in U.S. equities with ₹10K–₹5L Easy onboarding and simple purchase flows	Need multi-country investing or more product choices (e.g. global ETFs, options) Want deeper control over reporting, FEMA disclosures, or INR-based P&L Scaling beyond a few lakhs and need structured tax support

Kristal

Pro	Cons
Offers curated global portfolios across geographies Provides RM access, curation, and advisory	Not DIY, not ideal for users wanting full control Not built for Indian family offices running complex global flows

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)

Pro	Cons
Access to 150+ markets, with Lowest execution costs globally Ideal for traders	Steep learning curve, not beginner-friendly Not India-aware (no LRS remittance help, no FEMA guidance, no tax layer)

Paasa

Pro	Cons
Global investing with LRS + FEMA + CA compliance Ideal for HNIs, Family offices and Institutional Investors	Designed for larger, multi‑market portfolios rather than casual U.S. only investing Requires minimum capital thresholds to access certain features or strategies

FAQs About Vested

Can I move my U.S. holdings from Vested to another broker without selling?

Yes. You can request a broker‑to‑broker transfer so positions move as is. Learn more about the process for moving from Vested to Paasa here.

Does Vested support FEMA or LRS compliance?

No. You will get basic documentation support. If you remit larger amounts or need corpus‑level tracking, consider a setup that automates LRS, TCS, and audit‑ready records.

How good is Vested’s exchange rate for funding U.S. investments?

Users frequently report 2-4% markup above interbank forex rates during remittance, along with GST on forex margin. While convenient, these hidden costs can significantly reduce your invested capital.

Will Vested give me tax-ready reports in INR for my CA?

No. Vested provides basic transaction statements in USD, but does not calculate capital gains in INR, nor adjust for holding periods or tax slabs. You’ll likely need to engage a CA to manually translate USD data into ITR-ready reports.

Can I use Vested for investing more than ₹20–30 lakh abroad?

Technically yes, but Vested doesn’t help you structure large-ticket flows. It lacks capital control tracking, regulatory disclosures, and FX hedging tools.

Is my money safe with Vested? Who is the actual broker or custodian?

Vested is not a broker. It partners with DriveWealth (a U.S.-based custodian) but you don’t hold a direct account with DriveWealth.

Can I invest beyond U.S. stocks with Vested?

No. Vested only offers access to U.S. equities and ETFs. There’s no global diversification, fixed income, or thematic exposure.

Summary

Picking the right platform starts with understanding your stage in global investing. Vested is built for beginners in U.S. markets, but scaling, cross-border compliance, or portfolio complexity might steer you elsewhere. This breakdown helps you see where each option stands. This comparison aims to help you make that evaluation clearly.

Explore More

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.

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.