ICICI Direct vs Zerodha Comparison: 2024
About ICICI Direct
ICICI Direct is a retail broking branch of the ICICI group: India's top financial services provider. It is a full-time stockbroking company with a presence in 87 locations across the country with more 200 offices serving over 20 lakh customers every day. It is the 2nd largest stock broking company in India succeeded by Zerodha Ltd. This retail trading and investment platform offers a wide range of services to invest in stocks and other financial instruments.
ICICI Direct: Overview
The online share trading platform provides a complete investing and trading solution via products like equity trading, derivative trading, mutual funds, bonds, IPOs, NCD, loans, Fixed deposits , insurance etc all in one platform.From complete financial goal based planning to intraday trading in the stock market, ICICI direct is a one-stop solution.
The USP of this firm is the 3-in-1 account service which includes ICICI bank account, trading account and Demat account for
About Zerodha
Zerodha, a Bangalore based company, a pioneer in stock broking, is the biggest and one of the best and most popular stock brokers in India. The one of its kind, discount broking model was introduced by this leading broker few years back. And, now there's no looking back! It's online flat fee discount brokerage model has set an example to be followed by various other trading platforms across India. Ranked amongst the Top Discount Brokers in India, Zerodha holds a very strong position in terms of trading volumes and a massive and growing customer base. 
Zerodha: Overview
Incorporated in the year 2010 by Nitin Kamath, an engineer turned stock broker cum budding entrepreneur who nurtured the company with his ideas and innovation, Zerodha gained huge popularity within a short span. It has turned to be the leading stock broker in India, may it be
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha Account Opening Charges: 2024
| Charge | ICICI Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Demat Account Opening Charges | ₹0 | ₹0 (Free) |
| Trading Acc Opening Charges | ₹975 (One-time) | ₹200 (Equity) + Rs.100 (Commodity) |
| Trading Account AMC | ₹0 | ₹0 (Free) |
| Demat Account AMC | ₹700 per year | ₹300 per year |
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha Brokerage Charges and Plans : 2024
| Charge | ICICI Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Name | I-Secure Plan | Flat Brokerage Plan |
| Equity Delivery | 0.55% | ₹0 (Free) |
| Equity Intraday | 0.275% | Flat ₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per executed order |
| Equity Futures | 0.050% | Flat ₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per executed order |
| Equity Options | ₹95 per lot and Option (Intraday) ₹50 per lot | Flat ₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per executed order (on Turnover) |
| Currency Futures | 0.050% and Currency Futures(Intraday) ₹50 | Flat ₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per executed order |
| Currency Options | ₹25 per lot and Currency Options (Intraday) ₹10 per lot | Flat ₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per executed order |
| Commodity Options | N/A | Flat ₹20 or 0.03% (whichever is lower) per executed order |
| Mutual Fund | N/A | ₹0 (Free Unlimited Direct MF) |
ICICI Direct vs Zerodha Margin / Exposure: 2024
| Segment | ICICI Direct | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 5x | 1x (no margin) |
| Equity Intraday | Upto 25x | Up to 20x (based on the stock) |
| Equity Future | 4x | Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Total margin (Span+ Exposure) |
| Equity Options | 2x for shorting | Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Total margin (Span+ Exposure) |
| Currency Future | N/A | Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Total margin (Span+ Exposure) |
| Currency Options | N/A | Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Total margin (Span+ Exposure) |
| Commodity Future | N/A | Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Span |
| Commodity Options | N/A | N/A |