ICICI Direct vs Zerodha: In the dynamic world of online trading, selecting the right brokerage firm is crucial for maximizing your investment returns. ICICI Direct and Zerodha, two of India’s leading brokerage houses, have consistently captured the attention of both seasoned and novice investors.
Each platform boasts unique features, charges, and trading platforms, making the choice between them a matter of careful consideration. This comprehensive guide delves into an in-depth comparison of ICICI Direct and Zerodha, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your trading goals and preferences.
About: ICICI Direct vs Zerodha
ICICI Direct Markets App
ICICIdirect, a prominent retail stockbroker in India, caters to over 50 lakh customers with a comprehensive suite of online trading and investment solutions. The platform facilitates equity, commodity, and currency trading across BSE, NSE, and MCX, empowering traders to navigate diverse market segments.
ICICIdirect’s offerings extend beyond trading, encompassing mutual funds, IPOs, fixed deposits, bonds, non-convertible debentures (NCDs), wealth management products, home loans, loans against securities, and more. The company’s flagship 3-in-1 account seamlessly integrates an ICICI Bank account, an ICICI Trading account….read more
Zerodha Trading App
Zerodha reigns as India’s top stockbroker, renowned for its groundbreaking flat-fee discount brokerage model. Catering to a diverse range of investment needs, Zerodha empowers traders to delve into equity, currency, commodity, IPO, futures & options, bonds, government securities, and direct mutual funds.
A hallmark of Zerodha’s service is its zero brokerage charge for equity delivery trades and direct mutual funds, fostering a cost-effective trading experience. For intraday and futures trades, a nominal flat fee of Rs 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) applies per trade, while options trades incur a flat fee of Rs 20 per executed order…….read more
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha App: Overview
| Discription | ICICI Direct Market App | Zerodha App |
|---|---|---|
| Type of broker | Full-service broker | Discount broker |
| Exchange membership | BSE, NSE | NSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX |
| Year of incorporation | 2000 | 2010 |
| Number of branches | 250+ | 75+ |
| CEO | Vijay Chandok | Nithin Kamath |
| Market Cap | ₹81,539.04 crore | ₹1.5 trillion (US$18.5 billion) |
| Website | https://www.icicidirect.com/ | https://zerodha.com/ |
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha: Features
| Feature | ICICI Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| 3-in-1 account | Yes | No |
| Charting | Yes | Yes |
| Automated trading | No | Yes |
| SMS alerts | No | No |
| Online demo | Yes | Yes |
| Online portfolio | Yes | No |
| Margin trading | Yes | No |
| Funding options | Yes | No |
| Margin against shares (equity cash) | Yes | Yes |
| Margin against shares (equity F&O) | Yes | Yes |
| Trading platforms | ICICIdirect.com, Trade Racer, ICICIDirect Mobile App | Kite Web, Kite Mobile, Coin |
| Intraday square-off time | 3:30 PM | Eq Cash: 3:15 PM |
| SME shares trading | – | Yes |
| Referral program | – | Yes |
| Other features | Bullet trading, Saxo Trader for 32 exchanges access | Direct mutual funds, algo trading APIs |
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha: Charges
Account Opening Charges or AMC Charges:
| Charges | ICICIdirect | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Trading account opening charges | Free | ₹200 |
| Trading account AMC charges | Free | Free |
| Demat account opening charges | Free | Free |
| Demat account AMC charges | ₹300 (from 2nd year) | ₹300 |
Brokerage Charges:
| Charges | ICICIdirect (ICICI Neo Plan) | Zerodha (Flat Brokerage Plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed charges | None | None |
| Equity delivery | 0.55% | Free |
| Equity intraday | ₹20 per order | 20 per executed order or 0.03%, whichever is lower |
| Equity futures | Free | 20 per executed order or 0.03%, whichever is lower |
| Equity options | ₹20 per order | 20 per executed order |
| Currency futures | ₹20 per order | 20 per executed order or 0.03%, whichever is lower |
| Currency options | ₹20 per order | 20 per executed order |
| Commodity futures | ₹20 per order | 20 per executed order or 0.03%, whichever is lower |
| Commodity options | ₹20 per order | 20 per executed order |
| Charges | ICICIdirect (I-Secure Plan) | Zerodha (Flat Brokerage Plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum brokerage | ₹35 per trade | None |
| Intraday and F&O brokerage | 0.03% | 0.03% or ₹20 per executed order, whichever is lower |
| Margin trading interest | 0.025% per day | N/A |
| Physical contact notes | ₹20 | Not applicable |
| Trade SMS alerts | ₹1 per SMS | N/A |
| Call & trade charges | ₹50 per trade | ₹50 per executed order |
Transaction Charges:
| Charges | ICICIdirect | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Equity delivery NSE | 0.00345% | 0.00325% |
| Equity delivery BSE | 0.003% | 0.00375% |
| Equity intraday NSE | 0.00345% | 0.00325% |
| Equity intraday BSE | 0.003% | 0.00375% (sell side) |
| Equity futures | 0.002% | 0.0019% |
| Equity options | 0.053% (on premium) | 0.0625% (on premium) |
| Currency futures NSE | 0.0009% | 0.0009% |
| Currency futures BSE | 0.00022% | 0.00025% |
| Currency options NSE | 0.035% (on premium) | 0.035% (on premium) |
| Currency options BSE | 0.001% (on premium) | 0.001% (on premium) |
| Commodity Group A | 0.0026% | 0.0026% |
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha: Trading Plateforms
Both ICICI Direct and Zerodha offer trading platforms, namely ICICIdirect.com (website), Trade Racer, ICICIDirect Mobile App and Zerodha Kite Web, Kite Mobile for Android/iOS and Coin, respectively. Both platforms are user-friendly and offer a variety of features to help you trade effectively. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms.
ICICIdirect.com:
| ✅ Pros: | ❌ Cons: |
|---|---|
| Wide range of features, including charting tools, technical indicators, and advanced order types | Can be slow and cumbersome to use |
| Ability to trade across multiple asset classes, including | May be difficult to navigate for new users |
| equity, derivatives, currency, and mutual funds | |
| Access to research reports and other market data | |
| Secure and reliable platform |
Zerodha Kite Web and Kite Mobile:
| ✅ Pros: | ❌ Cons: |
|---|---|
| Simple and intuitive interface | May not have all the features of ICICIdirect.com |
| Fast and responsive | May not be as suitable for experienced traders who need more advanced tools |
| Wide range of features, including charting tools, technical indicators, and algorithmic trading | |
| Access to market data and news | |
| Mobile app is available for Android and iOS |
Ultimately, the best trading platform for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are a new trader, you may prefer the simplicity of Kite Web or Kite Mobile. If you are an experienced trader who needs more advanced features, you may prefer ICICIdirect.com.
| Feature | ICICIdirect.com | Kite Web (Zerodha) | Kite Mobile(Zerodha) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface | Complex | Simple | Simple |
| Speed | Slow | Fast | Fast |
| Features | Wide range | Wide range | Limited |
| Mobile app | Yes | No | Yes |
| Best for | Experienced traders | New traders | New traders |
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha: Regulatory
Both ICICI Direct and Zerodha are registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and are compliant with all applicable regulations. They are also members of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). This means that your investments are safeguarded by regulatory oversight and you have recourse in case of any disputes.
Regulatory aspects of ICICI Direct vs Zerodha:
| Feature | ICICI Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory body | SEBI | SEBI |
| Exchange memberships | NSE, BSE | NSE, BSE, MCX, NCDEX |
| Investor Protection Fund | Yes | Yes |
| Depository participant | ICICI Bank | CDSL |
Both ICICI Direct and Zerodha are committed to providing a safe and secure trading environment for their clients. They have implemented robust risk management systems and employ stringent security measures to protect client data and assets.
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha App: Pros and Cons
✅ ICICI Direct Market App Pros
- Offers a 3-in-1 account for easy stock market investment
- Wide range of investment options
- Low bandwidth website for slow internet connections
- GTC and off-market order placement
- India’s No. 1 broker in terms of active clients and exchange volume
- Safe, reliable, and technologically advanced
- Simple flat fee brokerage across segments and exchanges
- Free equity delivery trades
- Flat Rs 20 per trade brokerage for all other segments
- Excellent trading platforms available for free
- Direct mutual fund investment
- Good Till Triggered (GTT) orders
- NRI trading account
✅ Zerodha Trading App Pros
- Simple flat fee brokerage across segments and exchanges
- Free equity delivery trades
- Flat Rs 20 per trade brokerage for all other segments
- Excellent trading platforms available for free
- Direct mutual fund investment
- Good Till Triggered (GTT) orders
- NRI trading account
- Cons:
❌ ICICI Direct App Cons
- Highest brokerage in comparison to most retail brokers
- High minimum brokerage of Rs 35 per trade or 2.5% of trade value
- Poor website performance during peak trading hours
- Trading terminal costs Rs 75 per month if brokerage paid in a month is less than Rs 750
- Demat account mandatory
- Call & trade costs extra Rs 50 per trade
- No stock tips, research, or recommendations
❌ Zerodha App Cons
- No 3-in-1 account
- No monthly unlimited trading plans
- No AMC-free Demat account
- No margin funding
FAQs
The choice between ICICI Direct and Zerodha depends on your individual needs and trading style. If you prefer a full-service experience with personalized guidance and a wide range of investment options, ICICI Direct might be a suitable choice. However, if you are a cost-conscious trader who values advanced trading tools and a simplified account management process, Zerodha could be a better fit.
Yes, you can transfer your shares from ICICI Direct to Zerodha through a process called ACATS (Automated Customer Account Transfer Service). This process is typically initiated by the new broker (in this case, Zerodha) and may involve some fees.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which broker suits you is to carefully consider your trading goals, preferences, and risk tolerance. It’s advisable to research both platforms thoroughly and open a demo account to test their features before making a final decision.
