Zerodha
India's largest stockbroker by client base
4.6/ 5
Best for: Cost-conscious DIY investors who mainly buy-and-hold stocks or trade F&O occasionally.
Compare Zerodha with others →Broker review
ICICI Direct review
Bank-backed 3-in-1 broker with Prime slab pricing
3.9/ 5App: 4.0/5
- Since 2000
- Delivery 0.07%–0.22% (Prime slabs)
- AMC ₹300 (iValue subscribers)
Open an account with ICICI DirectCompare ICICI Direct →SEBI-registered stockbroker | Member: NSE, BSE, MCX
Reviewed by LetsInvest Research DeskUpdated 14 Sept 2026Pricing verified 14 Sept 2026How we test
Fees & pricing3.6
Trading platforms4.3
Customer support4.2
Research & education4.5
Ease of opening3.8
Overview
ICICI Direct is ICICI Securities' full-service 3-in-1 (bank + trading + demat) offering, pairing deep research and branch support with Prime one-time-fee slabs and a flat-₹20 iValue plan for active traders.
Best for: Existing ICICI Bank customers who will buy a Prime slab for lower rates.
Pros & cons
What we like
- True 3-in-1 integration with ICICI Bank accounts
- Prime slabs go as low as 0.07% delivery and ₹9/lot options
- Strong research plus MTF and one-click equity baskets
Watch out for
- Standard (non-Prime) brokerage is high and opaque
- One-time Prime fees up to ₹9,999 + GST
- Prime vs iValue vs standard plans confuse cost comparison
Fees & charges
Account charges
- Account openingOne-time charge to open your demat + trading account. Many discount brokers have made this free.
- Plans vary — verify before openingConfirming
- Annual maintenance (AMC)Yearly demat maintenance, charged by the broker (separate from CDSL/NSDL custodian fees). Often free for the first year.
- ₹300 (iValue subscribers)✓ Verified 14/9/2026
Equity
- Equity deliveryBrokerage when you buy shares and hold them overnight or longer. This is the charge long-term investors should minimise.
- 0.07%–0.22% (Prime slabs)✓ Verified 14/9/2026
- IntradayBrokerage on same-day buy-sell trades. Percentage caps (e.g. 0.03%) protect small orders from the flat fee.
- 0.007%–0.022% (Prime slabs)✓ Verified 14/9/2026
- DP charge (sell)Charged when shares leave your demat on a sell (delivery). Goes mostly to the depository, not the broker.
- ₹20 + GST per scrip✓ Verified 14/9/2026
Derivatives (F&O)
- OptionsPer-order charge for options buying/selling. Excludes STT, exchange and SEBI charges, which apply equally everywhere.
- ₹9–₹49 per lot (Prime slabs)✓ Verified 14/9/2026
- FuturesPer-order charge for futures trades. Same statutory extras as options apply on top.
- 0.007%–0.022% (Prime slabs)✓ Verified 14/9/2026
Sources: official broker pricing pages. Figures marked “Confirming” are being re-verified — always confirm before trading.
What you can invest in
- Stocks (delivery)
- ✓ Yes
- Intraday
- ✓ Yes
- Futures & options
- ✓ Yes
- Mutual funds
- ✓ Yes
- IPO3-in-1 IPO applications
- ✓ Yes
- US stocks
- —
- Trading API
- —
Platforms & features
platforms
- Mobile app✓ · ICICIdirect Markets app (Android + iOS)
investing
- IPO investing✓ · 3-in-1 IPO applications
research
- Research & advisory✓ · Handpicked research + advisory
support
- Customer support✓ · Call & Trade + branches
Support & company
Customer support
Call & Trade + branches
Company facts
- Founded
- 2000
- Regulation
- SEBI-registered stockbroker | Member: NSE, BSE, MCX
A solid premium bank broker if you commit to Prime or iValue; expensive and opaque without one. Confirm the standard-plan tariff before opening.
How to open a ICICI Direct account
Start your application
Open the ICICI Direct signup with your mobile number and email — it takes about 10 minutes.
Complete e-KYC
Verify with PAN, Aadhaar-based OTP, a live selfie and your bank proof (cancelled cheque or statement).
E-sign documents
Digitally sign the account-opening form and nomination details via Aadhaar e-sign.
Get your client ID
Activation usually takes 24–48 hours. Your login credentials arrive by email and SMS.
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Groww
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4.5/ 5
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Upstox
Low-cost broker with fast trading tools
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Best for: Mobile-first traders and developers who use trading APIs.
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How we research. Every fee on this site carries a source and a verification date. Data is re-checked against official broker pages; read our editorial methodology. LetsInvest is a research publication, not a financial adviser — see our terms.