For Indian investors exploring global diversification, Vested and Paasa may appear similar at first glance. Both enable US equity investing and support INR remittance flows. But they’re designed for very different investing mindsets.
Vested is built as an alternative investment platform. It helps Indian retail investors go beyond domestic mutual funds and FDs, offering access to US stocks and ETFs, along with Indian bonds and solar infra.
Paasa, on the other hand, supports a broader geographic universe including the U.S., UK, Europe, and China. It is structured around the needs of larger portfolios typically managed by HNIs, family offices, and institutional investors.
This blog breaks down where each platform fits.
Table of Contents
- Infrastructure Overview
- Feature Comparison
- FEMA Compliance
- Tax Reporting
- Technology Features
- Investor Fit
- Client Support
Infrastructure Overview
Attribute | Vested | Paasa |
Account Setup | ₹250 (one-time) | Free |
Trading infrastructure | DriveWealth | Interactive Brokers |
Market Access | US only | US, Europe, UK, China and more |
Custody of assets under client's name | ✅ | ✅ |
FEMA & LRS Support | Basic | Advance |
Tax Reporting (India) | Basic | Advance |
INR-based Returns & Analytics | ❌ | ✅ |
Human Advisory | ✅ | ✅ |
Onboarding Support | ✅ | ✅ |
Remittance Integration | ✅ | ✅ |
SIPC Insurance | ✅ | ✅ |
Note: Vested is ideal for small-ticket US investing, whereas Paasa is structured for HNIs, family offices, and compliance-heavy mandates.
Feature Comparison
Attribute | Vested | Paasa | |
Direct trading | ✅ | ✅ | |
Real-time execution | ✅ | ✅ | |
Product Universe | US Stocks & ETFs | ✅ | ✅ |
Other markets (China, UK, Europe, etc) | ❌ | ✅ | |
Managed Portfolios | ✅ | ✅ | |
UCITS portfolios | ❌ | ✅ | |
AIFs | ❌ | ❌ | |
Fractional Shares | ✅ | ✅ | |
Auto-rebalanced UCITS portfolios | ❌ | ✅ | |
Interest on uninvested cash | ❌ | ✅ | |
| Withdraw money to US bank account | ✅ | ✅ | |
Note: Both platforms work well for casual U.S. investing. But if you're looking beyond that into other markets, advanced tools, managed portfolios, or interest on idle funds only Paasa delivers, offering up to 3.83% on uninvested cash over $10,000.
FEMA Compliance
Attribute | Vested | Paasa | |
Digital remittance under LRS | Self-declaration templates for Indian banks | ✅ | ✅ |
Remittance support at low rates | Limited visibility, fixed margin | Bank-rate negotiation per investor | |
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 | Vested | 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 | ❌ | ✅ | |
Technology Features
Attribute | Vested | Paasa |
Mobile App & Web View | ✅ | ✅ |
Market and Limit | ✅ | ✅ |
Stop loss | ✅ | ✅ |
Trailing stop loss | ❌ | ✅ |
Withdraw funds to any bank account | ✅ | ✅ |
Mutual funds tracking | ❌ | ✅ |
XIRR calculation for position | ✅ | ✅ |
Benchmarking & Backtesting | ❌ | ✅ |
INR gain/loss computation (blended FX) | ❌ | ✅ |
Web dashboard for reporting | ✅ | ✅ |
Trader Workstation (TWS) for advanced traders | ❌ | ❌ |
Custom features (family offices, institutional needs) | ❌ | ✅ |
Note: Vested is known for its ease of use among small-ticket retail investors, while Paasa is valued for its depth and ability to accommodate custom feature requests often essential for large-ticket investors.
Investor Fit
Investor Type | Vested | Paasa |
First-time US investor | ✅ | ✅ |
SIP-style Retail Investor | ❌ | ✅ |
HNIs | Requires technical know-how | Built for scale and customization |
Family Offices | No reporting or structuring tools | Concierge, entity-level control |
Institutional Investors | Not built for complex needs | Concierge, entity-level control |
Client Support
Attribute | Vested | Paasa |
Onboarding Support | ✅ | ✅ |
Dedicated relationship manager | ✅ | ✅ |
Expert concierge (FEMA, Tax) | ❌ | ✅ |
Custom Portfolio Structuring | ❌ | ✅ |
Customize features on request | ❌ | ✅ |
Exit or Migration Support | ❌ | ✅ |
Conclusion
Vested is a great starting point for Indian investors who want a smooth, guided entry into U.S. equities with optional curated portfolios. It’s retail-friendly, simple, and ideal for small to medium allocations.
But if your goals go beyond one geography or if you’re managing larger sums and care about remittance, tax visibility, or compliance, Paasa offers the infrastructure you need. It brings global access, documentation depth, and concierge support together in one stack.
Both are valuable. The difference is in the depth and the scale they’re built for.
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.
