ACKO vs Policybazaar: Compare claims, spam calls and app ratings

The main difference between ACKO and Policybazaar is how they sell. ACKO is a direct insurance company, while Policybazaar is a broker that shows you policies from multiple companies. Learn how they compare on phone permissions, spam call complaints, and claim troubles.

By Qrates research desk · 2026-10-27

If you are searching for ACKO vs Policybazaar, the main difference is how they sell. ACKO is a direct insurance company, while Policybazaar is a broker that shows you policies from multiple companies. You can check the latest figures on phone permissions and complaints on the Qrates directory pages for ACKO and Policybazaar.

Quick answer: ACKO vs Policybazaar

ACKO builds and sells its own insurance policies directly to you. Policybazaar operates an insurance marketplace where you compare and buy policies from different insurers. Both apps require access to your phone contacts, location and audio to function.

ACKO asks for extra permissions to read your text messages and calendar. Policybazaar does not request these permissions.

When things go wrong, Policybazaar users frequently complain about spam calls. ACKO users report trouble with claims instead.

At a glance: ACKO and Policybazaar compared

Here is how the two apps compare on ratings, licences and user complaints. The numbers come from the Qrates directory facts for each app.

Feature	ACKO	Policybazaar
Licence	We could not match one on the registers we check	We could not match one on the registers we check
Google Play rating	4.56 (3,98,262 ratings)	4.42 (6,74,432 ratings)
Recent 90-day review average	3.21	2.77
Reply rate to 1 and 2 star reviews	100%	97%
Top user complaint	Claim trouble	Nobody answers
Second top complaint	Pushed into things	Claim trouble
Third top complaint	Policy not what was sold	Data and spam calls

Direct insurer vs marketplace explained

The two platforms operate on entirely different business models. This changes who holds your premium money and who processes your claims.

Buying direct from ACKO

ACKO underwrites its own health insurance, car and bike insurance policies. This means the company collects your premium directly and pays out your claims from its own funds. You deal only with ACKO staff for renewals and claim settlements.

The company manages its own expenses to acquire customers. The regulator recently penalised ACKO for expense management issues (The Hindu, 2026). ACKO has also resisted proposed reductions to expense limits for insurers (Business Standard, 2026).

Comparing on Policybazaar

Policybazaar acts as an insurance broker. It shows you a list of policies from other companies like HDFC Ergo or Care Health. When you buy through Policybazaar, the actual insurance cover sits with the company you picked from their list.

Broker commissions affect how policies are priced across the market. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India sets strict caps on these commissions (IRDAI, 2026). Policybazaar earns its revenue through these regulated broker fees.

What each app can see on your phone

Every app asks for access to certain parts of your phone data when you install it. Both apps ask to read your contacts, record audio, see your location and read your phone identity (Qrates directory). You can compare these requirements with other insurance apps before you install them.

ACKO requests two additional permissions on Android devices. It asks to read your text messages. It also asks to read your calendar.

Policybazaar does not ask to read your text messages. It also does not ask to read your calendar.

What users complain about most

App store reviews show where users face friction. The figures below track the most common issues raised over the last 90 days. You can also read more about is ACKO safe and registered in India? to understand their regulatory standing.

ACKO app complaints

Out of 386 recent Google Play reviews read for ACKO, 13 users reported claim trouble (Qrates directory). Another 7 users felt pushed into things. A further 3 users said the policy was not what was sold.

ACKO replies to 100 percent of its one and two star reviews. On the positive side, the app is praised for being easy to use. It received 10 mentions in recent Android reviews and 8 in App Store reviews for this feature.

The ACKO app has a Google Play rating of 4.56 from 3,98,262 ratings. It has over 1 crore installs. The app was last updated 9 days ago.

Policybazaar app complaints

Out of 389 recent Google Play reviews read for Policybazaar, 13 users reported that nobody answers (Qrates directory). Another 10 users reported claim trouble. A further 8 users complained about data and spam calls.

The company replies to 97 percent of its negative reviews. Users also praise the app for its interface. There were 9 recent mentions calling it easy to use.

The Policybazaar app has a Google Play rating of 4.42 from 6,74,432 ratings. It also has over 1 crore installs. The Policybazaar app was last updated 19 days ago.

Both platforms must follow new claim rules. The regulator recently pushed for a one-hour cashless claim mandate across all health policies (IRDAI, 2026).

Who each one suits, by need

Your choice depends on how you prefer to shop for financial products.

If comparing prices across different companies matters to you, note that Policybazaar shows options from multiple insurers while ACKO only sells its own.

If avoiding spam calls matters to you, note that data and spam calls are among the top three complaints for Policybazaar users.

If keeping your text messages private matters to you, note that ACKO asks for SMS reading permissions while Policybazaar does not.

If you want to view policies side by side, you can check our guide to compare money apps for more details.

FAQs

What is the difference between Acko and Policybazaar?

ACKO is a direct insurance company that sells its own policies to customers. Policybazaar is an aggregator marketplace that lets you compare and buy policies from multiple different insurance companies.

Acko se insurance lena safe hai kya?

ACKO requires phone permissions like reading your text messages, contacts and calendar to use the app. For its licence, we could not match one on the registers we check (Qrates directory).

Does Policybazaar charge extra commission?

Insurance brokers earn a commission from the insurance companies for selling their policies. This commission is already built into the premium price you see on the platform. The exact commission caps are regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI, 2026).

Which is cheaper Acko or Policybazaar?

ACKO sets its own prices as a direct insurer, which sometimes removes broker fees. Policybazaar shows prices from many insurers, allowing you to find the cheapest option among its partners. Your final price depends on your specific vehicle, age and health details.

The short version

ACKO is a direct insurer that asks for more phone permissions, including SMS and calendar access.
Policybazaar is a marketplace that lets you compare insurers but has a higher rate of complaints about spam calls.
Both apps have high overall ratings but lower averages in the last 90 days.
Claim trouble appears in the top complaints for both platforms.

Sources

Disclaimer

Qrates is an information directory. It takes no commission from any company listed and does not recommend products. Figures are taken from the sources named and dated, and they change; check the company's own page before you decide. This is not investment, credit, insurance or tax advice for your situation.