Broker Comparison

Zerodha vs ICICI Direct

Compare brokerage charges, account fees, trading platforms, products, MTF, advantages and limitations before choosing a broker.

Data verified: 2026-07-31

Zerodha

Discount Broker

★★★★☆ 4.4/5

Account opening₹0

AMC₹300 + 18% GST per year

IntradayFlat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower)

View Zerodha Review

ICICI Direct

Bank Broker

Account 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.

View ICICI Direct Review

Zerodha vs ICICI Direct: Quick comparison

Key charges and account features side by side.

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Feature	Zerodha	ICICI Direct
Broker type	Discount Broker	Bank Broker
Account Opening Charges	₹0	₹0
Annual Maintenance Charges	₹300 + 18% GST per year	₹700 per annum
Equity delivery	₹0 brokerage	Around 0.29% of the trade value
Equity intraday	Flat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower)	Around 0.027% to 0.029% or flat ₹20 per order if using specific prepaid plans like Prime/iValue.
Futures	Flat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower)	Flat ₹20 per order (Standard Plan)
Options	Flat ₹ 20 per executed order	Flat ₹20 per order (Standard Plan)
Commodity	Flat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower)	₹20 per order
Currency	Flat ₹ 20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower)	₹20 per order
DP charges	₹15.34 per scrip (₹3.5 CDSL fee + ₹9.5 Zerodha fee + ₹2.34 GST)	total ₹23.60
Auto Square Off	₹50 plus 18% GST	₹50 per order (plus GST) standard I-Value pla
Call & trade Charge	₹50 plus 18% GST	₹50 per executed order
Customer support	Yes, Official app/web help centre, ticket, email and/or phone support	Official app/web help centre, ticket, email and/or phone support.
Active Users	6.8 million NSE-active clients as of May 2026	2.12 million active stock exchange clients as of June 2026

About Zerodha

Zerodha is one of India’s leading discount stockbrokers, offering online investing and trading in equities, currencies, commodities, IPOs, futures and options, bonds, government securities, and direct mutual funds.

It charges ₹0 brokerage on equity delivery and direct mutual fund investments. Equity intraday and futures trades are charged at ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower, while options trades cost a flat ₹20 per executed order.

Zerodha is known for its low-cost pricing, transparent services, user-friendly Kite trading platform, and strong focus on technology and investor education.

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.

Trading Platforms & Tools

Zerodha offers a modern trading and investment ecosystem through Kite Web and Mobile, Coin, Console, Kite Connect API, and Varsity. These platforms provide advanced charts, live market data, portfolio analytics, direct mutual fund investing, IPO applications, alerts, GTT orders, and educational resources.

Products Offered

Zerodha offers a wide range of investment and trading products, including equity delivery, intraday trading, futures and options, commodities, currencies, ETFs, IPOs, direct mutual funds, bonds, and government securities. These products can be accessed through Zerodha’s online platforms, including Kite and Coin.

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.

Zerodha pros and cons

Pros

₹0 brokerage on equity delivery and direct mutual funds.
Low flat brokerage for intraday and F&O trades.
User-friendly Kite platform with advanced trading tools.

Cons

No stock tips or advisory services.
Call-and-trade and some additional services may incur extra charges.

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.

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

Zerodha

★★★★☆

4.4/5

3.9L+ Google Play store Reviews

ICICI Direct

Rating not added

Read complete broker reviews

Zerodha Review ICICI Direct Review

Frequently asked questions

Is Zerodha a good stockbroker for beginners?

Yes, Zerodha is suitable for beginners because it offers a user-friendly Kite trading platform, educational resources through Varsity, and low brokerage charges.

What is the Zerodha account opening charge?

Zerodha currently offers free account opening for resident individual trading and demat accounts.

What brokerage does Zerodha charge?

Zerodha charges ₹0 brokerage on equity delivery. For equity intraday and futures, the charge is ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower. Options trades are charged at ₹20 per executed order.

Does Zerodha charge an annual maintenance fee?

Yes, Zerodha charges an Account Maintenance Charge (AMC) of ₹300 per year plus 18% GST for standard resident individual accounts, though it is free for the first year. Instead of billing annually, Zerodha deducts this fee quarterly (every 91 days) directly from your trading balance.

Which trading platforms does Zerodha offer?

Zerodha offers Kite for trading and investing, Coin for direct mutual funds and other investments, and Console for portfolio reports and account statements.

Can I invest in mutual funds through Zerodha?

Yes, investors can use Zerodha Coin to invest in direct mutual funds without paying distributor commissions.

Does Zerodha provide stock tips or advisory services?

No, Zerodha does not provide stock tips, portfolio management, or personalised investment advisory services.

Is there any minimum balance requirement in Zerodha?

No, Zerodha does not require users to maintain a minimum account balance to keep their account active.

Can I apply for IPOs through Zerodha?

Yes, Zerodha users can apply for IPOs online through the Kite platform using a supported UPI ID.

Is Zerodha safe and SEBI registered?

Yes, Zerodha Broking Limited is registered with SEBI and is a member of major Indian stock exchanges, including NSE, BSE, and MCX. However, all stock market investments are subject to market risks.

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.