5Paisa and ICICI Direct are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. 5Paisa is listed as a Public Discount Broker , established in 2016 and headquartered in Mumbai, while ICICI Direct is listed as a Public Discount Broker , established in 1994 and headquartered in Mumbai.
This comparison reviews brokerage, Demat charges, product availability, platforms, features, support, ratings, and complaints. Use the side-by-side tables below to see whether 5Paisa or ICICI Direct is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
5Paisa is listed as a Public Discount Broker established in 2016 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Nirmal Jain. The broker highlights access to equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures through mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support and promotes features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices tracking. It follows a Regular Account brokerage structure.
ICICI Direct is listed as a Public Discount Broker established in 1994 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Vjay Chandok. It offers equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures using mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support and supports traders with features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices tracking. Its brokerage model is structured as Neo Plan.
Both brokers use technology-driven platforms to attract active traders and investors, but the better option depends on the combination of pricing, products, services, and support that matters most to you.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Public | Public |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Mumbai | Mumbai |
| Founder | Nirmal Jain | Vjay Chandok |
| Establishment Year | 2016 | 1994 |
| Brokerage Plan | Regular Account | Neo Plan |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for 5Paisa and ICICI Direct.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. 5Paisa charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges 0.27% of Total Transaction.
Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. 5Paisa charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. 5Paisa charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges Free.
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. 5Paisa charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. 5Paisa charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. 5Paisa charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. 5Paisa charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. 5Paisa charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Regular Account | Neo Plan |
| Subscription Charges | Zero | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | Rs.20 per Trade | 0.27% of Total Transaction |
| Equity Intraday | Rs.20 per Trade | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Equity Future | Rs.20 per Trade | Free |
| Equity Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Future | Rs.20 per Trade | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Future | Rs.20 per Trade | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Rs.20 per Trade |
5Paisa provides mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support for order placement, portfolio tracking, and market monitoring. ICICI Direct provides mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support for its users.
Android app: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list a desktop trading terminal.
Algo trading: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list algo trading support.
Basket trading: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list basket trading.
Foreign stocks platform: 5Paisa lists foreign stocks access, while ICICI Direct does not currently mention it.
Mutual fund platform: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list a mutual fund investment platform.
Digital gold platform: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list digital gold investing.
Bonds platform: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list a bonds investment platform.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | 5Paisa Android App Link | ICICI Direct Android App Link |
| iOS App | 5Paisa iOS App Link | ICICI Direct iOS App Link |
| Web Trading Platform | 5Paisa Web Trading Link | ICICI Direct Web Trading Link |
| Trading Terminal | Available | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | Available | Available |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | Available | NA |
| Basket Trading Platform | Available | Available |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Available | Available |
| Digital Gold Platform | Available | Available |
| Bonds Platform | Available | Available |
5Paisa highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices tracking, while ICICI Direct promotes watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices tracking. The table below shows the full feature set for both brokers side by side.
Wishlist: Monitor specific stocks or assets by adding them to a watchlist for close tracking. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. ICICI Direct offers this; 5Paisa does not currently highlight it.
Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. ICICI Direct offers this; 5Paisa does not currently highlight it.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both 5Paisa and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Wishlist | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Details | Yes | Yes |
| Online MF Buy | Yes | Yes |
| Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Global Indices | Yes | Yes |
| Customised Recommendations | No | Yes |
| Stock Tips | No | Yes |
| Interactive Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Live Market | Yes | Yes |
| Multi Profile Management | No | No |
| Robust & Secure Platform | Yes | Yes |
Stockbrokers use promotional offers to attract and retain clients. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the offers currently listed by 5Paisa and ICICI Direct.
Free account opening: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list free account opening.
Free AMC: Neither broker currently highlights free Demat AMC.
Free brokerage: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list free brokerage.
Flat brokerage: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list flat brokerage pricing.
Flexible brokerage plans: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list flexible brokerage plans.
Happy trading hours: ICICI Direct lists happy trading hours, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
Free delivery trading: Neither broker currently highlights free delivery trading.
Free intraday trading: Neither broker currently highlights free intraday trading.
Free F&O trading: ICICI Direct lists free F&O trading, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
Free research reports: ICICI Direct lists free research reports, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
Free trading calls: ICICI Direct lists free trading calls, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
Zero brokerage for loss trades: Neither broker currently highlights zero brokerage for loss-making trades.
Referral offers: 5Paisa offers 12.5% + Rs.100 Referral Credit per Client while ICICI Direct offers Rs.500 per Client for referrals.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | Yes | Yes |
| Free AMC | No | No |
| Free Brokerage | Yes, Limited | Yes |
| Flat Brokerage | Yes | Yes, Limited |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | No | Yes |
| Free Delivery Trading | No | No |
| Free Intraday Trading | No | No |
| Free F&O Trading | No | Yes |
| Free Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Free Trading Calls | No | Yes |
| Referral Offers | 12.5% + Rs.100 Referral Credit per Client | Rs.500 per Client |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | No | Yes |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss-Making Trades | No | No |
Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. 5Paisa highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures, while ICICI Direct highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures.
The table below compares the full product lineup side by side across equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options, currency futures, currency options, foreign stocks, mutual funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, digital gold, bonds, banking services and insurance.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Intraday | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Option | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Future | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity Option | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity Future | Yes | Yes |
| Currency Option | Yes | Yes |
| Currency Future | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign Stocks | Yes | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | No | Yes |
| Insurance | No | Yes |
| Corporate Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Government Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Gold | Yes | No |
Demat services: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list Demat services.
Trading services: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list trading services.
Intraday services: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list F&O services.
IPO services: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list IPO services.
3-in-1 account: ICICI Direct lists 3-in-1 account support, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
Stock research: ICICI Direct lists stock research, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
Stock recommendations: ICICI Direct lists stock recommendations, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
Trading education: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list trading education.
Share pledging: 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list share pledging.
PMS or PCG: ICICI Direct lists PMS or PCG support, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
NRI services: ICICI Direct lists NRI services, while 5Paisa does not currently mention it.
5Paisa provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and trading education, while ICICI Direct offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Demat Services | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Services | Yes | Yes |
| Intraday Services | Yes | Yes |
| F&O Services | Yes | Yes |
| IPO Services | Yes | Yes |
| 3-in-1 Account | No | Yes |
| Stock Research | No | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | No | Yes |
| Trading Education | Yes, FinSchool | Yes, iLearn |
| Share Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| PMS or PCG | No | Yes |
| NRI Services | No | Yes |
Stock advisory helps investors choose appropriate stocks through research reports, tips, and market reviews. The table below shows which advisory products are available from 5Paisa and ICICI Direct.
5Paisa and ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Reports | No | Yes |
| Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Company Reports | No | Yes |
| Annual Reports | No | Yes |
| IPO Reports | No | Yes |
| Technical Reports | No | Yes |
| Stock Tips | No | Yes |
| Daily Top Stock Picks | No | Yes |
| Daily Market Review | No | Yes |
| Monthly Review | No | Yes |
| Weekly Review | No | Yes |
| Relationship Manager | No | Yes |
| Robo Advisory | No | No |
Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from 5Paisa and ICICI Direct across different segments.
5Paisa and ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 1x | 1x |
| Equity Intraday | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) |
| Equity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x |
| Equity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.3x |
| Commodity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x |
| Commodity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.3x |
| Currency F&O | 1x | 1x |
5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list a sub-broker program. 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list a partner program. 5Paisa and ICICI Direct both list a referral program.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | Yes, Limited | Yes |
| Partner Program | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Program | Yes | Yes |
5Paisa provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. ICICI Direct provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. ICICI Direct operates Available branches.
5Paisa and ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | Available, Chargeable | Available, Free |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Chargeable | Available, Free |
| Call Support | 8976689766 | 1860-123-1122 |
| Email Support | [email protected] | [email protected] |
| WhatsApp Support | NA | NA |
| Website Support | Website Link | Website Link |
| Facebook Support | Facebook Support Link | Facebook Support Link |
| Twitter / X Support | Twitter Support Link | Twitter Support Link |
| Telegram Support | Telegram Support Link | Telegram Support Link |
| Branches / Offices | NA | Available |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. 5Paisa carries an overall rating of 9.60 / 10, while ICICI Direct carries an overall rating of 9.65 / 10.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.60 / 10 | 9.65 / 10 |
| Customer Support | 9.57 / 10 | 9.61 / 10 |
| Technology | 9.72 / 10 | 9.77 / 10 |
| Charges | 9.64 / 10 | 9.69 / 10 |
| Products & Services | 9.55 / 10 | 9.60 / 10 |
| Experience | 9.53 / 10 | 9.58 / 10 |
SEBI, BSE, and NSE regularly publish broker complaint data as part of investor protection oversight. The table below shows the complaint records for both brokers.
5Paisa & ICICI Direct — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 178 | 402 |
| Total Complaints Resolved | 145 | 337 |
| % of Resolved Complaints | 81.46% | 83.83% |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | 17 | 16 |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | 9.55% | 3.98% |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for 5Paisa and ICICI Direct.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE: 0.00297% | BSE: 0.00375% | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Intraday | NSE: 0.00297% | BSE: 0.00375% | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Future | NSE: 0.00173% | BSE: 0 | 0.0019% (NSE & BSE) |
| Equity Option | NSE: 0.03503% | BSE: Sensex 50/Stock options 0.0050% | Sensex/Bankex options 0.0325% | 0.053% (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | Group A: 0.0021% | Group B: PEPPER - 0.00005% | KAPAS - 0.0026% | CASTORSEED - 0.0005% | RBDPMOLEIN - 0.001% | 0.0021% (Non-Agri) / 0.006% (Agri) / 0.0005% (Special) |
| Commodity Option | 0.0418% | 0.05% (Non Agri) |
| Currency Future | NSE: 0.00035% | BSE: 0.00045% | 0.0009% (NSE) & 0.00022% (BSE) |
| Currency Option | NSE: 0.0311% | BSE: 0.001% | 0.035% (NSE) & 0.001% (BSE) |
Pledge creation charges apply when traders borrow against their held securities. Pledge invocation charges apply if the pledged shares are sold due to a shortfall. Margin trading interest is the rate charged on borrowed funds.
5Paisa & ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | ₹20 + Applicable GST | 0.02% of Value |
| Pledge Invocation Charges | ₹20 + Applicable GST | 0.02% of Value |
| Margin Trading Interest | - | 0.07% per day |
Beyond brokerage, several statutory and operational charges apply. These include SEBI turnover fees, DP charges, GST, account closure, reactivation, dematerialisation, and call & trade charges.
5Paisa and ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | 0.0001% | Rs.10/ Crore (All Segment) |
| DP Charges | ₹20 + GST per scrip | Rs.13.5 per Scrip only on Sell |
| GST | - | 18% on (Brokerage + SEBI + Transaction charges) |
| Account Closure Charges | - | Free |
| Reactivation Charges | - | Free |
| Dematerialisation Charges | - | Rs.50 per Certificate |
| Call & Trade Charges | - | Free – 1st 20 Calls per Month |
5Paisa lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year. ICICI Direct lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | Free | Free |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Rs.300 per Year | Rs.300 per Year |
Securities Transaction Tax (STT) and Commodity Transaction Tax (CTT) are government levies — the same for all brokers in India. These are shown below for reference.
5Paisa vs ICICI Direct — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% on both Buy & Sell sides | 0.1% on buy & sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% on the Sell side only | 0.025% on sell |
| Equity Future | 0.01% on the Sell side | 0.0125% on sell |
| Equity Option | 0.0625% on the Sell side (on Premium) | 0.0625% on sell (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.01% on the Sell side | 0.01% on sell (Non-Agri) |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% on the Sell side | 0.05% on sell |
| Currency Future | 0 | Nil |
| Currency Option | 0 | Nil |
Stamp duty is a government tax charged when the broker issues, sells, or transfers a security. It is collected at the end of each trading day.
5Paisa and ICICI Direct — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | 5Paisa | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.015% or ₹1500 / crore on buy-side | 0.015% on buy |
| Equity Intraday | 0.003% or ₹300 / crore on buy-side | 0.003% on buy |
| Equity Future | 0.002% or ₹200 / crore on buy-side | 0.002% on buy |
| Equity Option | 0.003% or ₹300 / crore on buy-side | 0.003% on buy |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% or ₹200 / crore on buy-side | 0.002% on buy |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% or ₹300 / crore on buy-side | 0.003% on buy |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% or ₹10 / crore on buy-side | 0.0001% on buy |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% or ₹10 / crore on buy-side | 0.0001% on buy |