Broker Comparison
Compare brokerage charges, account fees, trading platforms, products, MTF, advantages and limitations before choosing a broker.
Data verified: 2026-07-31
Key charges and account features side by side.
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| Feature | ICICI Direct | Dhan |
|---|---|---|
| Broker type | Bank Broker | Discount Broker |
| Account opening | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Annual maintenance | ₹700 per annum | ₹0 |
| Equity delivery | Around 0.29% of the trade value | ₹0 brokerage |
| Equity intraday | Around 0.027% to 0.029% or flat ₹20 per order if using specific prepaid plans like Prime/iValue. | ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower |
| Futures | Flat ₹20 per order (Standard Plan) | ₹20 per executed order |
| Options | Flat ₹20 per order (Standard Plan) | ₹20 per executed order |
| Commodity | ₹20 per order | ₹20 per executed order |
| Currency | ₹20 per order | ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower |
| DP charges | total ₹23.60 | ₹12.50 per ISIN + GST |
| Auto Square Off | ₹50 per order (plus GST) standard I-Value pla | ₹20 per order plus GST |
| Call & trade | ₹50 per executed order | ₹50 per executed order plus 18% GST |
| Customer support | Official app/web help centre, ticket, email and/or phone support. | Official app/web help centre, ticket, email and/or phone support. |
| Active Users | 2.12 million active stock exchange clients as of June 2026 | Check official tariff |
ICICI Direct is a full-service stockbroker and investment platform operated by ICICI Securities Limited. It allows users to invest and trade across multiple financial products through its website and mobile app.
The platform offers equity, intraday trading, futures and options, commodities, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds, ETFs and other investment products. It also provides research reports, trading tools and market insights for investors and traders.
ICICI Direct is known for its 3-in-1 account facility, which connects a bank account, Demat account and trading account. This makes fund transfers, investing and portfolio management more convenient for ICICI Bank customers.
Founded in 2021, Dhan is a Mumbai-based, technology-driven stockbroking platform serving investors and traders across India. It is registered with SEBI as a stockbroker and is also associated with CDSL, NSE, BSE and MCX.
Dhan allows users to invest and trade in stocks, ETFs, futures, options and commodities. Its platform suite includes the Dhan App, Dhan Web, Options Trader App, TradingView integration and tv.dhan.co for advanced chart-based trading.
Dhan offers competitive brokerage, including zero brokerage on equity delivery and ₹20 or 0.03%, whichever is lower, on intraday trades. With zero account-opening and maintenance charges, user-friendly platforms and a 50% brokerage discount for women, Dhan is suitable for both beginners and active traders.
Choose based on the segment you trade, total account cost, platform requirements, research needs and support preference. Verify the latest tariff and product availability on the brokers’ official websites before opening an account.
The ICICI Direct 3-in-1 account combines an ICICI Bank savings account, Demat account and trading account. It enables faster fund allocation and a more convenient investing experience.
Yes. ICICI Securities Limited is registered with SEBI under registration number INZ000183631.
ICICI Direct currently offers zero account-opening charges for its online 3-in-1 account. Demat AMC, brokerage and other transaction-related charges may still apply.
ICICI Direct brokerage depends on the selected pricing plan and trading segment. Its iVALUE plan offers ₹20-per-order brokerage for equity intraday, futures, options and commodity trades.
The regular Demat annual maintenance charge may be up to ₹700, while selected subscription plans may offer a reduced AMC.
ICICI Direct offers stocks, intraday trading, futures and options, commodities, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, bonds, fixed deposits and other investment products.
ICICI Direct can be suitable for beginners who prefer an integrated bank, Demat and trading account, research support and access to multiple products. However, its charges can be higher than those of some discount brokers.
An ICICI Bank savings account is required to receive the complete benefits of the ICICI Direct 3-in-1 account. The bank account allows direct fund allocation without manually transferring money to the trading account.
ICICI Direct is a full-service stockbroking and investment platform operated by ICICI Securities Limited. It offers online trading, investing, research reports and access to multiple financial products.
Yes. Dhan operates under Raise Securities Private Limited, which is registered with SEBI as a stockbroker. It is also a member of NSE, BSE and MCX and a depository participant with CDSL.
Yes. Dhan currently charges ₹0 for account opening and does not charge an annual maintenance or platform fee.
Dhan charges zero brokerage on equity delivery, ETFs, IPOs and mutual funds. Equity intraday and ETF intraday trades are charged at ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower.
Dhan charges ₹20 per executed order for equity and commodity futures and options. Statutory taxes, exchange charges and other applicable fees are charged separately.
Dhan offers stocks, ETFs, futures, options, commodities, IPOs, mutual funds and the Securities Lending and Borrowing Mechanism, or SLBM.
Yes. Options Trader by Dhan is a dedicated platform for F&O traders, offering real-time options data, strategy-building features and analytical tools.
Yes. Dhan allows users to connect their account with TradingView and trade eligible stocks, futures and commodities directly through TradingView charts.
Yes. Dhan states that all features available on its Options Trader platform are free for Dhan users.
Users generally need PAN, Aadhaar-linked mobile details and bank information. Income proof may also be required to activate futures, options or commodity trading.
Dhan can be used by beginners for stocks, ETFs, IPOs and mutual funds. However, some of its advanced charting, API and options-trading tools may require additional learning before use.
