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
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 contact@paasa.com 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.
