ICICI Direct
Bank BrokerAccount opening₹0
AMC₹700 per annum
IntradayAround 0.027% to 0.029% or flat ₹20 per order if using specific prepaid plans like Prime/iValue.
Broker Comparison
ICICI Direct vs Paytm Money
Compare brokerage charges, account fees, trading platforms, products, MTF, advantages and limitations before choosing a broker.
Data verified: 2026-07-31
Paytm Money
Discount / Investment PlatformAccount opening₹0 (Free)
AMC₹0 AMC
IntradayRs 20 or 0.05% of turnover (whichever is lower)
ICICI Direct vs Paytm Money: Quick comparison
Key charges and account features side by side.
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| Feature | ICICI Direct | Paytm Money |
|---|---|---|
| Broker type | Bank Broker | Discount / Investment Platform |
| Account opening | ₹0 | ₹0 (Free) |
| Annual maintenance | ₹700 per annum | ₹0 AMC |
| Equity delivery | Around 0.29% of the trade value | Rs 20 or 2.5% of turnover (whichever is lower) |
| Equity intraday | Around 0.027% to 0.029% or flat ₹20 per order if using specific prepaid plans like Prime/iValue. | Rs 20 or 0.05% of turnover (whichever is lower) |
| Futures | Flat ₹20 per order (Standard Plan) | 0.02% of turnover or upto Rs 20 per Executed Order (whichever is lower) |
| Options | Flat ₹20 per order (Standard Plan) | Rs 20 per order |
| Commodity | ₹20 per order | ₹20 per executed order |
| Currency | ₹20 per order | ₹20 per executed order |
| DP charges | total ₹23.60 | ₹13.5 |
| Auto Square Off | ₹50 per order (plus GST) standard I-Value pla | ₹50 + GST |
| Call & trade | ₹50 per executed order | ₹100 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 | 7.65 lakh active clients as of March 2026, according to NSE data. |
About ICICI Direct
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.
About Paytm Money
Paytm Money, established in 2017, is a digital investment and stockbroking platform in India offering access to equities, F&O, mutual funds, SIPs, IPOs, ETFs, NPS, bonds, and other investment products. It is a SEBI-registered stockbroker and operates as a depository participant with CDSL and a member of NSE and BSE.
The platform provides web and mobile trading applications with features such as Stock SIP, GTT orders, Basket Orders, advanced option chains, screeners, portfolio insights, market heatmaps, and strategy-building tools. Paytm Money is also known for offering zero-commission investments in direct mutual funds and a fully digital account-opening experience.
Paytm Money caters to both investors and active traders with low-cost brokerage, multiple investment options, research tools, and advanced trading features. It also provides access to IPOs, ETFs, bonds, NPS, margin-related facilities, and educational content to help users make more informed investment decisions.
Trading Platforms & Tools
- ICICI Direct Web Platform: The browser-based platform allows users to invest and trade in equities, derivatives, commodities, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds and ETFs. It includes watchlists, research reports, market data and portfolio tracking.
- ICICI Direct Mobile App: The mobile app enables users to place orders, track investments and manage their portfolios from anywhere. It also provides live market updates, advanced charts and investment insights.
- Advanced Trading Tools: ICICI Direct offers tools such as GTT orders, basket orders, stock screeners, live charts, i-Track, payoff analyser, option chain, strategy builder and API-based trading.
Products Offered
- ICICI Direct offers equity, intraday trading, futures and options, commodities, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, bonds, fixed deposits, NPS and insurance products. It also provides research reports, investment tools and margin trading facilities.
Platforms and Tools
- Paytm Money offers web and mobile trading platforms designed for both investors and active traders. Its tools include advanced option chains, Stock SIP, GTT and Basket Orders, portfolio insights, market heatmaps, advanced screeners, and a strategy builder for options trading.
Products Offered
- Paytm Money provides access to Equity Stocks, Futures & Options (F&O), Mutual Funds, SIPs, IPOs, ETFs, Bonds, NPS, and other debt investment products through its digital investment platform.
ICICI Direct pros and cons
Pros
- Convenient 3-in-1 bank, Demat and trading account.
- Provides research reports and investment recommendations.
- Offers a wide range of trading and investment products.
Cons
- Brokerage charges can be higher than discount brokers.
- Multiple pricing plans can be confusing for beginners.
Paytm Money pros and cons
Pros
- ₹0 Account Opening & AMC: No account opening or annual maintenance charges.
- Easy Digital Investing: Fully online account opening with a user-friendly web and mobile platform.
- Multiple Investment Options: Access to stocks, F&O, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, NPS, and bonds.
Cons
- Limited Offline Support: No physical branch network for in-person customer assistance.
- No 3-in-1 Account: Paytm Money does not provide an integrated bank, trading, and Demat account.
Which broker should you choose?
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.
Broker Rating
ICICI Direct
4.5/5
Paytm Money
4.4/5
Read complete broker reviews
Frequently asked questions
What is the ICICI Direct 3-in-1 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.
Is ICICI Direct a safe and SEBI-registered broker?
Yes. ICICI Securities Limited is registered with SEBI under registration number INZ000183631.
Is ICICI Direct account opening free?
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.
What are the brokerage charges in ICICI Direct?
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.
What is the ICICI Direct Demat AMC?
The regular Demat annual maintenance charge may be up to ₹700, while selected subscription plans may offer a reduced AMC.
Which products are available on ICICI Direct?
ICICI Direct offers stocks, intraday trading, futures and options, commodities, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, bonds, fixed deposits and other investment products.
Is ICICI Direct suitable for beginners?
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.
Is an ICICI Bank account required for ICICI Direct?
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.
What is ICICI Direct?
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.
Is Paytm Money safe to use?
Yes, Paytm Money is a SEBI-registered stockbroker and CDSL depository participant.
Is Paytm Money account opening free?
Yes, Paytm Money offers ₹0 account opening charges.
Does Paytm Money charge Demat AMC?
Paytm Money currently offers ₹0 annual maintenance charges.
What is Paytm Money brokerage for equity delivery?
Paytm Money charges up to ₹20 per executed equity delivery order.
What is Paytm Money brokerage for intraday trading?
Intraday brokerage is up to ₹20 per executed order.
Does Paytm Money offer F&O trading?
Yes, Paytm Money supports Futures and Options trading.
Can I invest in mutual funds through Paytm Money?
Yes, users can invest in direct mutual funds and SIPs through Paytm Money.
Can I apply for IPOs using Paytm Money?
Yes, Paytm Money allows users to apply for IPOs online.
Does Paytm Money offer commodity and currency trading?
Yes, Paytm Money is registered with exchanges including MCX, NCDEX, and MSEI; however, its current public product pages mainly highlight Stocks and F&O, so commodity/currency availability may depend on the enabled segment.
What investment products are available on Paytm Money?
Paytm Money offers stocks, F&O, mutual funds, SIPs, IPOs, ETFs, bonds, and NPS.