Broker Comparison
Compare brokerage charges, account fees, trading platforms, products, MTF, advantages and limitations before choosing a broker.
Data verified: 2026-08-02
Key charges and account features side by side.
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| Feature | ICICI Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Broker type | Bank Broker | Bank Broker |
| Account opening | ₹0 | ₹99 under Trade Free Youth plan |
| Annual maintenance | ₹700 per annum | ₹0, For BSDA account with holding ₹4L |
| Equity delivery | Around 0.29% of the trade value | ₹0 (Free) under Trade Free Youth |
| Equity intraday | Around 0.027% to 0.029% or flat ₹20 per order if using specific prepaid plans like Prime/iValue. | Lower of ₹10 or 0.05% under Trade Free Youth |
| Futures | Flat ₹20 per order (Standard Plan) | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth |
| Options | Flat ₹20 per order (Standard Plan) | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth |
| Commodity | ₹20 per order | ₹0 (Completely Free) under Trade Free Youth |
| Currency | ₹20 per order | ₹10 per executed order under Trade Free Youth |
| DP charges | total ₹23.60 | ₹20 + GST |
| Auto Square Off | ₹50 per order (plus GST) standard I-Value pla | ₹50 + 18% GST |
| Call & trade | ₹50 per executed order | ₹70 + 18% GST per executed order |
| 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 | As of June 2026, Kotak Neo had approximately 1.4 million active clients. |
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.
Kotak Neo is a full-service stockbroking platform operated by Kotak Securities, which was incorporated in 1994. It is a subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank and offers a convenient 3-in-1 account combining banking, trading, and Demat services.
The platform allows investors to trade and invest in equities, equity derivatives, commodities, currencies, mutual funds, and selected US stocks. It also provides research support, margin trading facilities, depository services, insurance products, and other investment solutions.
Kotak Securities has an extensive offline presence with more than 145 branches and around 1,000 franchise locations across over 310 Indian cities. Since Kotak Neo is primarily a digital-first platform, physical documentation and branch-level account support are generally handled through designated Kotak Securities branches.
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.
Kotak Neo is an online investment and trading platform operated by Kotak Securities Limited.
Yes, Kotak Securities Limited is a SEBI-registered stockbroker and depository participant.
Account opening is free under the standard Trade Free Plan. Charges may differ for other plans.
Under the Trade Free Plan, equity intraday costs ₹10 or 0.05% per executed order, whichever is lower, while F&O trades cost ₹10 per executed order.
Yes. Selected plans provide zero brokerage for the first 30 days and zero brokerage on Trade API orders. Terms depend on the chosen plan.
Yes, customers can combine a Kotak bank account with Kotak Securities trading and Demat accounts.
Kotak Neo provides access to stocks, IPOs, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, commodities, currencies, futures and options.
Yes, the Kotak Neo app is available for mobile trading, portfolio tracking, research and order placement.
Yes, Kotak Neo offers Trade APIs for automated and algorithmic trading strategies.
Applicants generally need a PAN card, Aadhaar card, mobile number, email address, bank details and completed e-KYC verification.
