Anand Rathi vs ICICI Direct – Compare Charges, Trading Features, Offers & More

Overview — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Anand Rathi is listed as a Public Discount Broker established in 1994 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Anand Rathi. 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 stock tips. It follows a Standard Plan 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.

Brokerage charges comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct.

Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Anand Rathi charges 0.30% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges 0.27% of Total Transaction.

Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Anand Rathi charges 0.30% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Anand Rathi charges 0.30% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges Free.

Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Anand Rathi charges Rs.50 per Lot while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Anand Rathi charges 0.03% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Anand Rathi charges Rs.25 per Lot while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Anand Rathi charges 0.03% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Anand Rathi charges Rs.25 per Lot while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Trading platforms comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Anand Rathi 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: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list an Android trading app.

• iOS app: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list an iOS trading app.

• Web trading platform: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list a web trading platform.

• Desktop trading terminal: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list a desktop trading terminal.

• Algo trading: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list algo trading support.

• Basket trading: ICICI Direct lists basket trading, while Anand Rathi does not currently mention it.

• Foreign stocks platform: Neither broker currently highlights foreign stocks access.

• Mutual fund platform: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list a mutual fund investment platform.

• Digital gold platform: ICICI Direct lists digital gold investing, while Anand Rathi does not currently mention it.

• Bonds platform: ICICI Direct lists a bonds investment platform, while Anand Rathi does not currently mention it.

Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct — Comparison of trading features

Anand Rathi highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and stock tips, 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 Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

• Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

• Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

• Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

• Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

• Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. ICICI Direct offers this; Anand Rathi does not currently highlight it.

• Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. ICICI Direct offers this; Anand Rathi does not currently highlight it.

• Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. Both Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

• Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

• Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

• Multi profile management: Manage multiple trading profiles from a single account. Anand Rathi offers this; ICICI Direct does not currently highlight it.

• Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct — Comparison of offers

Stockbrokers use promotional offers to attract and retain clients. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the offers currently listed by Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct.

• Free account opening: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list free account opening.

• Free AMC: Anand Rathi lists free Demat AMC, while ICICI Direct does not currently mention it.

• Free brokerage: ICICI Direct lists free brokerage, while Anand Rathi does not currently mention it.

• Flat brokerage: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list flat brokerage pricing.

• Flexible brokerage plans: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list flexible brokerage plans.

• Happy trading hours: ICICI Direct lists happy trading hours, while Anand Rathi 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 Anand Rathi does not currently mention it.

• Free research reports: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list free research reports.

• Free trading calls: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list free trading calls.

• Zero brokerage for loss trades: Neither broker currently highlights zero brokerage for loss-making trades.

• Referral offers: Anand Rathi offers Rs.250 per Client while ICICI Direct offers Rs.500 per Client for referrals.

Offered products comparison — ICICI Direct vs. Anand Rathi

Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. Anand Rathi 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, insurance, corporate bonds, government bonds, banking services, digital gold and bonds.

• Demat services: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list Demat services.

• Trading services: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list trading services.

• Intraday services: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list intraday trading services.

• F&O services: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list F&O services.

• IPO services: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list IPO services.

• 3-in-1 account: ICICI Direct lists 3-in-1 account support, while Anand Rathi does not currently mention it.

• Stock research: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list stock research.

• Stock recommendations: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list stock recommendations.

• Trading education: ICICI Direct lists trading education, while Anand Rathi does not currently mention it.

• Share pledging: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list share pledging.

• PMS or PCG: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list PMS or PCG support.

• NRI services: Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list NRI services.

Offered services comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Anand Rathi provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and stock research, while ICICI Direct offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support.

Stock advisory service comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Stock advisory helps investors choose appropriate stocks through research reports, tips, and market reviews. The table below shows which advisory products are available from Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct.

Exposure comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct across different segments.

Comparison of programs — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list a sub-broker program. Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list a partner program. Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct both list a referral program.

Customer support comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Anand Rathi 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. Anand Rathi operates Available branches. ICICI Direct operates Available branches.

Ratings — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Anand Rathi carries an overall rating of 7.90 / 10, while ICICI Direct carries an overall rating of 9.65 / 10.

Complaints — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

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.

Transaction charges comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct.

Pledge charges comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

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.

Hidden charges comparison — Anand Rathi vs. ICICI Direct

Beyond brokerage, several statutory and operational charges apply. These include SEBI turnover fees, DP charges, GST, account closure, reactivation, dematerialisation, and call & trade charges.

Compare Demat charges — Anand Rathi vs ICICI Direct

Anand Rathi lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.450 per Year (1st Year Free). ICICI Direct lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.

Anand Rathi vs ICICI Direct — Compare STT & CTT

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.

Compare stamp duty — Anand Rathi and ICICI Direct

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.

User experience: buying stocks