Vested, Interactive Brokers (IBKR), and Paasa all enable global investing, but the way they do it and who they’re built for, is fundamentally different.
- Vested is built as a simple alternative investment tool for Indian retail investors to access U.S. equities. It’s ideal for those moving beyond domestic mutual funds into curated US portfolios, Indian bonds and solar projects.
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR), on the other hand, is a global brokerage infrastructure. It offers unmatched market depth, low-cost execution, and access to 150+ markets but expects users to handle compliance, remittance, and reporting on their own.
- Paasa sits in between. It is an ecosystem tailored to Indian HNIs and family offices: combining IBKR’s global access with FEMA, tax, and scale-specific support.
Table of Contents
- Infrastructure Overview
- Feature Comparison
- FEMA Compliance
- Tax Reporting
- Technology Features
- Investor Fit
- Client Support
Infrastructure Overview
Note: Vested is built for small-ticket investing, whereas IBKR is pure infrastructure, fast and global, but leaves LRS and tax work to the investor. Paasa combines IBKR’s depth with the India-facing structure needed at a larger scale.
Feature Comparison
| Withdraw money to US bank account | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | |
Note: UCITS portfolios are preferred by many Indian investors for US estate tax protection and global diversification.
FEMA Compliance
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.
Note: Vested’s compliance support is generic and better suited for small-ticket flows. For HNIs or family offices wiring larger sums, Paasa provides the deeper documentation and structured setup these allocations typically require.
Tax Reporting
Technology Features
Note: Vested is known for its ease of use, IBKR for its pro-level depth, while Paasa is valued for both its depth and its ability to accommodate custom feature requests often essential for large-ticket investors.
Investor Fit
Client Support
Conclusion
These platforms are not competing for the same investor, they are built around different needs.
If your goal is to simply access U.S. stocks with ease, Vested offers a retail-friendly entry point.
If you're a pro trader who wants raw access and low execution costs across markets, IBKR delivers but without the India-facing layers you may need.
And if you're managing serious capital and want the control, compliance, and reporting built for Indian HNIs, family offices, and institutions, Paasa gives you the infrastructure stack to invest globally without the chaos.
Choosing the right platform is less about features and more about alignment, between your capital, your context, and your long-term approach to global investing.
About Paasa
Paasa is a global investing platform built specifically for Indian HNIs, family offices, and institutional investors, helping them invest across the US, UK, Europe, and China 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.
