ICICI Direct is among India’s top full-service stock brokers owned by ICICI Securities, which belongs to ICICI Bank. It has a full trading and investment platform for equities, derivatives, mutual funds, IPOs, bonds, and insurance. It has previously established itself as one of the most recognized brokers for professional investors with its current offering of a 3-in-1 account that integrates savings, trading, and demat accounts and provides ease of fund transfers. The trading platform also has advanced research reports, has the ability to analyze all portfolio transactions, and incorporates wealth management tools with a style that is easy to follow for beginner and professional investors alike. The brokerage charges are higher than discount brokers, but the combination of strong brand trust, research support, and technology and security preference is reliable for long-term investors.
Explore the in-depth ICICI Direct review; brokerage fees, trading platforms, research, customer service, pros & cons — everything retail investors need to know.
| Services Rating | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ |
| Brokerage Charges | ★★★★★ |
| Trading Platform | ★★★★★ |
| Investments Offering | ★★★★★ |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ |
| Broker Type | Full Service Broker |
| Exchanges Supported | NSE, BSE |
| Active Clients | 99 Lakhs |
| Broker Overview | ICICI Direct Review |
Account Opening Charges and AMC
ICICI Direct offers a free trading account and demat account opening and charges an Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC) of ₹300 per year.
| Charges | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Trading Account Opening | 0 |
| Trading AMC | ₹300 per year |
| Demat Account Opening | 0 |
| Demat AMC | ₹300 per year |
| Provide DP Service | Yes |
Brokerage Plans
ICICI Direct does not offer subscription-based brokerage options with a monthly or yearly plan.
| Plan Types | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Multiple Plans | |
| Monthly Plans | |
| Yearly Plans |
| Plan | Delivery % | Intraday % | Futures % | Options (Per lot) | Commodity (Futures and options) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 299 | 0.25% | 0.025% | 0.025% | Rs 49/order | Rs 20/order |
| Rs 999 | 0.22% | 0.022% | 0.022% | Rs 49/order | Rs 20/order |
| Rs 2,999 | 0.15% | 0.015% | 0.015% | Rs 29/order | Rs 20/order |
| Rs 4,999 | 0.10% | 0.010% | 0.01% | Rs 19/order | Rs 20/order |
| Rs 9,999 | 0.07% | 0.007% | 0.007% | Rs 9/order | Rs 20/order |
Brokerage Charges
ICICI Direct charges Rs 0.29% for equity delivery, Rs 0.022% or 0.007% for intraday, Rs 0.022%/0.007% for Prime plans for futures, Rs ₹49 per lot or ₹9 per lot for the Prime 9,999 plan for options, and Rs ₹20 per order for commodity trading. This provides a complete and balanced brokerage structure across all segments.
| Brokerage Charges | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Plan Name | |
| Equity Delivery | 0.29% |
| Equity Intraday | 0.022% or 0.007% |
| Equity Futures | 0.022%/0.007% for Prime plans |
| Equity Options | ₹49 per lot or ₹9 per lot for the Prime 9,999 plan |
| Currency Futures | ₹20 per order |
| Currency Options | ₹20 per order |
| Commodity Futures | |
| Commodity Options | |
| Hidden Charges | Zero |
| Call & Trade Charges | ₹50 per order |
| Auto Square off Charges | ₹50 per order |
| Brokerage Calculator | ICICI Direct Brokerage Calculator |
Transactions Charges
| Transactions Charges | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE: 0.00307% | BSE: 0.00375% |
| Equity Intraday | NSE: 0.00307% | BSE: 0.00375% |
| Equity Futures | NSE: 0.00183% | BSE: 0 |
| Equity Options | NSE: 0.03553% (on premium) | BSE: 0.0325% (on premium) |
| Currency Futures | |
| Currency Options | |
| Commodity | 0.0418% on Premium |
Account Features
ICICI Direct provides advanced account features including easy 3-in-1 account setup, advanced charting and analysis tools, algo trading support for automation, instant SMS alerts for market updates, online demo sessions and video tutorials, an online portfolio accessible anytime, NRI trading and investment access, making it a complete trading and investment platform suitable for both beginners and professionals. Overall, ICICI Direct provides advanced account features including easy account setup, smart trading tools, interactive charts, algo trading, online demo guidance, and a personalized online portfolio, making it a complete trading and investment platform for all users.
| Compare Account Features | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| 3-in-1 Account | Yes |
| Charting | Yes |
| Algo Trading | Yes |
| SMS Alerts | Yes |
| Online Demo | Yes |
| Online Portfolio | Yes |
| Margin Trading Funding Available | Yes |
| Combined Ledger for Equity and Commodity | Yes |
| Intraday Square-off Time | 3:20 PM |
| NRI Trading | Yes |
Trading Platforms
ICICI Direct provides a seamless trading experience across multiple platforms including a modern web-based trading platform, a mobile-friendly trading interface, an Android trading app, an iPhone trading app, an Android tablet app, an iPad trading app. Traders can access their accounts anytime, whether on web or mobile devices. The software ensures fast execution, stability, and real-time performance for all users.
| Trading Platforms | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes |
| Web Trading Detail | ICICI Direct |
| Mobile Trading | Yes |
| Mobile Trading App | Yes |
| Android Mobile App | Yes |
| Android App Download | |
| iPhone Mobile App (IOS) | Yes |
| iOS App Download | |
| Android Tablet App | Yes |
| iPad App (IOS) | Yes |
| Trading Software Charges | Nil |
Broker Ratings
ICICI Direct maintains impressive ratings with fees rated 4.3, brokerage rated 4.4, platform usability rated 4.4, and customer service rated 4.3. The broker’s overall rating stands at 4.3 out of 5, reflecting its balanced performance across key areas. Overall, ICICI Direct is recognized for offering dependable service, fair pricing, and a user-friendly trading experience.
| Broker Ratings | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Fees Ratings | 4.3 |
| Trading Brokerage Rating | 4.4 |
| Trading Platform Usability | 4.4 |
| Customer Service Ratings | 4.3 |
| Overall Ratings | 4.3 |
Investment Offerings
ICICI Direct offers a wide range of investment options including equity cash and F&O, currency derivatives, commodity trading, online IPO applications, mutual funds, bonds and NCDs, and more — giving investors complete portfolio diversification across equity, debt, and alternative products. Overall, ICICI Direct ensures a comprehensive investment experience — from IPOs and mutual funds to derivatives and commodities — enabling investors to diversify effortlessly.
| Investment Offerings | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Equity Cash and F&O | Yes |
| Currency Derivatives | Yes |
| Commodity | Yes |
| Online IPO Application | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes |
| Bond / NCD | Yes |
| ETF | Yes |
| Banking | Yes |
| Insurance | Yes |
| Forex | Yes |
| MF SIP Investment | Yes |
| Equity SIP Investment | Yes |
| PMS Service | Yes |
| Other Investment Options | Yes |
Customer Support Offered
Explore the range of customer support services offered by ICICI Direct.
| Customer Support | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| 24/7 Customer Service | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes |
| Online Live Chat | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes |
| Toll Free Number | |
| Through Branches | |
| Customer Care Number | 022 3355 1122 |
| Account Opening Process | Online/Offline |
| Customer Support Email | [email protected] |
| Knowledge Center/Education | |
| Head Office Address | ICICI Venture House, |
| Website | https://www.icicidirect.com/ |
Research and Reports
| Research | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Research Mutual Funds | Yes |
| Research Equity Reports | Yes |
| Research ETF | Yes |
| Daily Market Report | Yes |
| Free Tips | No |
| Quarterly Result Analysis | Yes |
| News Alerts | Yes |
Demat Account Charges
ICICI Direct offers a Demat account with NSDL & CDSL as DP source. The annual maintenance charge (AMC) is Rs 700, and transaction charges per ISIN are . Services like demat, remat, and pledge creation are available for seamless securities management. ICICI Direct provides a full-featured Demat account with DP source as NSDL & CDSL, AMC of Rs 700 per year, pledge creation charge of ₹25 + GST, demat charge of ₹50, remat charge of ₹25 + CDSL charges, offering a complete and transparent experience for investors.
| Demat Charges | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| DP Source | NSDL & CDSL |
| DP ID | |
| Demat Account Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Rs 700 |
| Advance Deposit | No |
| Transaction Charges on Debit (Per ISIN) | |
| Demat | ₹50 |
| Remat | ₹25 + CDSL charges |
| Pledge Creation | ₹25 + GST |
| Pledge Creation Confirmation | ₹25 + GST |
| Pledge Closure | ₹25 + GST |
| Pledge Closure Confirmation | ₹25 + GST |
| Pledge Invocation | ₹25 + GST |
| Failed Instruction Charges | NA |
| Other Charges | NA |
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Broker | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Direct |
|
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User Experience with ICICI Direct
Account Opening Experience: ICICI Direct offers a seamless 3-in-1 account structure, making fund transfers and settlement smooth. The digital KYC process is simple and typically gets activated within 24–48 hours.
Brokerage & Cost Transparency: ICICI Direct offers free equity delivery which is ideal for long-term investors. Intraday brokerage is 0.022% or 0.007%, making it competitive for active traders. Charges are displayed clearly before order confirmation, reducing confusion around hidden costs.
Trading Platform Experience: The mobile trading platform of ICICI Direct allows real-time execution, advanced charting, and instant portfolio tracking.
Advanced Features: ICICI Direct provides algorithmic trading support, margin trading facilities, detailed research reports, making it suitable for serious traders.
Customer Support Experience: With a customer service rating of 4.3/5, ICICI Direct offers support through multiple channels. Response time may vary during peak market hours.
Popularity & Trust: ICICI Direct serves approximately 99 Lakhs active clients, reflecting strong market presence and investor trust.
Overall Verdict: Based on user feedback and platform usability, ICICI Direct holds an overall rating of 4.3/5. It is best suited for long-term equity investors.
FAQs on ICICI Direct Review
Yes, ICICI Direct is considered one of the safest brokers in India. It is a SEBI-registered stockbroker, a member of NSE and BSE and has a strong track record of transparency and compliance.
ICICI Direct offers competitive brokerage charges. Typically, it charges 0.29% for equity delivery and intraday trades and ₹Yes for F&O trades, making it one of the most affordable brokers in India.
ICICI Direct provides multiple platforms for trading and investing including mobile and web platforms, offering a smooth, reliable, and user-friendly experience.
You can open an account with ICICI Direct online through an eKYC process. Online/Offline Generally, the account gets activated within 24–48 hours once the documents are verified.
Yes, you can invest in direct mutual funds via ICICI Direct platform. It allows you to buy and manage all your mutual funds online without paying commissions.