Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. Bajaj Broking is listed as a Public Discount Broker , established in 2010 and headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, 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 Bajaj Broking or ICICI Direct is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
Bajaj Broking is listed as a Public Discount Broker established in 2010 with headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra and founded by Jamnalal Bajaj. The broker highlights access to equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and mutual funds 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 Freedom Pack, Professional Pack, Signature Pack 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.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Public | Public |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Pune, Maharashtra | Mumbai |
| Founder | Jamnalal Bajaj | Vjay Chandok |
| Establishment Year | 2010 | 1994 |
| Brokerage Plan | Freedom Pack, Professional Pack, Signature Pack | Neo Plan |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) while ICICI Direct charges 0.27% of Total Transaction.
Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) while ICICI Direct charges Free.
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Bajaj Broking charges N/A ; ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Bajaj Broking charges N/A ; ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Freedom Pack, Professional Pack, Signature Pack | Neo Plan |
| Subscription Charges | Freedom: free for 1st year, then ₹431 per year | Professional: ₹2,500 per year | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) | 0.27% of Total Transaction |
| Equity Intraday | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Equity Future | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) | Free |
| Equity Option | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Future | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Option | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Future | N/A | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Option | N/A | Rs.20 per Trade |
Bajaj Broking 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: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list a desktop trading terminal.
Algo trading: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list algo trading support.
Basket trading: ICICI Direct lists basket trading, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Foreign stocks platform: Neither broker currently highlights foreign stocks access.
Mutual fund platform: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list a mutual fund investment platform.
Digital gold platform: ICICI Direct lists digital gold investing, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Bonds platform: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list a bonds investment platform.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | ICICI Direct Android App Link |
| iOS App | Yes | ICICI Direct iOS App Link |
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | ICICI Direct Web Trading Link |
| Trading Terminal | Yes | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | Yes | Available |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | N/A | NA |
| Basket Trading Platform | N/A | Available |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Yes | Available |
| Digital Gold Platform | N/A | Available |
| Bonds Platform | Yes | Available |
Bajaj Broking 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 Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. ICICI Direct offers this; Bajaj Broking does not currently highlight it.
Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. ICICI Direct offers this; Bajaj Broking does not currently highlight it.
Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. Both Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. ICICI Direct offers this; Bajaj Broking does not currently highlight it.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | Bajaj Broking | 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 | N/A | Yes |
| Customised Recommendations | N/A | Yes |
| Stock Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Live Market | Yes | Yes |
| Multi Profile Management | N/A | No |
| Robust & Secure Platform | N/A | Yes |
Stockbrokers use promotional offers to attract and retain clients. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the offers currently listed by Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct.
Free account opening: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list free account opening.
Free AMC: Bajaj Broking lists free Demat AMC, while ICICI Direct does not currently mention it.
Free brokerage: ICICI Direct lists free brokerage, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Flat brokerage: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list flat brokerage pricing.
Flexible brokerage plans: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list flexible brokerage plans.
Happy trading hours: ICICI Direct lists happy trading hours, while Bajaj Broking 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 Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Free research reports: ICICI Direct lists free research reports, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Free trading calls: Bajaj Broking 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: ICICI Direct offers Rs.500 per Client for referrals; Bajaj Broking does not currently list a referral offer.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | Yes | Yes |
| Free AMC | Yes | No |
| Free Brokerage | No | Yes |
| Flat Brokerage | Yes | Yes, Limited |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | N/A | Yes |
| Free Delivery Trading | N/A | No |
| Free Intraday Trading | No | No |
| Free F&O Trading | No | Yes |
| Free Research Reports | N/A | Yes |
| Free Trading Calls | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Offers | N/A | Rs.500 per Client |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | N/A | Yes |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss-Making Trades | N/A | No |
Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. Bajaj Broking highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and mutual funds, 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, mutual funds, corporate bonds, bonds, currency futures, currency options, banking services, insurance, government bonds and digital gold.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | Bajaj Broking | 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 | N/A | Yes |
| Currency Future | N/A | Yes |
| Foreign Stocks | N/A | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | No | Yes |
| Insurance | No | Yes |
| Corporate Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Government Bonds | N/A | Yes |
| Digital Gold | N/A | No |
Demat services: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list Demat services.
Trading services: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list trading services.
Intraday services: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list F&O services.
IPO services: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list IPO services.
3-in-1 account: ICICI Direct lists 3-in-1 account support, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Stock research: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list stock research.
Stock recommendations: ICICI Direct lists stock recommendations, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Trading education: ICICI Direct lists trading education, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Share pledging: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list share pledging.
PMS or PCG: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list PMS or PCG support.
NRI services: Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct both list NRI services.
Bajaj Broking 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.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | Bajaj Broking | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | N/A | Yes |
| Trading Education | N/A | Yes, iLearn |
| Share Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| PMS or PCG | Yes | Yes |
| NRI Services | Yes | 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 Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct.
Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Reports | N/A | Yes |
| Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Company Reports | N/A | Yes |
| Annual Reports | N/A | Yes |
| IPO Reports | N/A | Yes |
| Technical Reports | N/A | Yes |
| Stock Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Top Stock Picks | N/A | Yes |
| Daily Market Review | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Review | N/A | Yes |
| Weekly Review | N/A | Yes |
| Relationship Manager | N/A | Yes |
| Robo Advisory | N/A | No |
Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct across different segments.
Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 1x (MTF up to 3.5x in selected stocks) | 1x |
| Equity Intraday | Up to 5x | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) |
| Equity F&O Carry Forward | 1x (no additional margin) | 1x |
| Equity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.3x |
| Commodity F&O Carry Forward | 1x (no additional margin) | 1x |
| Commodity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.3x |
| Currency F&O | N/A | 1x |
ICICI Direct lists a sub-broker program, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it. ICICI Direct lists a partner program, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it. ICICI Direct lists a referral program, while Bajaj Broking does not currently mention it.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | N/A | Yes |
| Partner Program | N/A | Yes |
| Referral Program | N/A | Yes |
Bajaj Broking provides support through trading desk support, 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. Bajaj Broking operates Head office: 4th Floor, Bajaj Finserv House, Off Pune–Ahmednagar Road, Viman Nagar, Pune – 411014, Maharashtra branches. ICICI Direct operates Available branches.
Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | Yes | Available, Free |
| Dedicated Dealer | N/A | Available, Free |
| Call Support | Yes (1800-833-8888) | 1860-123-1122 |
| Email Support | Yes ([email protected]) | [email protected] |
| WhatsApp Support | N/A | NA |
| Website Support | Yes (https://www.bajajbroking.in/knowledge-center) | Website Link |
| Facebook Support | — | Facebook Support Link |
| Twitter / X Support | — | Twitter Support Link |
| Telegram Support | — | Telegram Support Link |
| Branches / Offices | Head office: 4th Floor, Bajaj Finserv House, Off Pune–Ahmednagar Road, Viman Nagar, Pune – 411014, Maharashtra | Available |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Bajaj Broking carries an overall rating of 3.6 / 5, while ICICI Direct carries an overall rating of 9.65 / 10.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.6 / 5 | 9.65 / 10 |
| Customer Support | 3.5 / 5 | 9.61 / 10 |
| Technology | 3.5 / 5 | 9.77 / 10 |
| Charges | 3.5 / 5 | 9.69 / 10 |
| Products & Services | 4.0 / 5 | 9.60 / 10 |
| Experience | N/A | 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.
Bajaj Broking & ICICI Direct — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 34 (NSE, FY 2026-27, against 65,587 active clients) | 402 |
| Total Complaints Resolved | N/A | 337 |
| % of Resolved Complaints | N/A | 83.83% |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | N/A | 16 |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | N/A | 3.98% |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE 0.00345% | BSE varies by scrip group | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Intraday | NSE 0.00345% | BSE varies by scrip group | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Future | NSE 0.002% | BSE Nil or 0.05% of traded value | 0.0019% (NSE & BSE) |
| Equity Option | NSE 0.053% on premium | BSE Nil or 0.05% of traded value | 0.053% (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | N/A | 0.0021% (Non-Agri) / 0.006% (Agri) / 0.0005% (Special) |
| Commodity Option | N/A | 0.05% (Non Agri) |
| Currency Future | N/A | 0.0009% (NSE) & 0.00022% (BSE) |
| Currency Option | N/A | 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.
Bajaj Broking & ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | ₹40 + GST | 0.02% of Value |
| Pledge Invocation Charges | ₹50 + GST per ISIN | 0.02% of Value |
| Margin Trading Interest | 14.99% p.a. (Freedom) | 11.99% p.a. (Professional) | 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.
Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | ₹10 per crore (0.0001%) | Rs.10/ Crore (All Segment) |
| DP Charges | ₹30 per ISIN per debit transaction | Rs.13.5 per Scrip only on Sell |
| GST | 18% on brokerage, transaction charges and SEBI fees | 18% on (Brokerage + SEBI + Transaction charges) |
| Account Closure Charges | N/A | Free |
| Reactivation Charges | N/A | Free |
| Dematerialisation Charges | ₹100 per request + ₹100 per certificate + GST | Rs.50 per Certificate |
| Call & Trade Charges | ₹20 + GST per executed order | Free – 1st 20 Calls per Month |
Bajaj Broking lists account opening charges of ₹0 and Demat AMC of ₹0. ICICI Direct lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | ₹0 | Free |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | ₹0 | 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.
Bajaj Broking vs ICICI Direct — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% on both buy and sell | 0.1% on buy & sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% on sell side | 0.025% on sell |
| Equity Future | 0.05% on sell side | 0.0125% on sell |
| Equity Option | 0.15% of premium on sell side | 0.0625% on sell (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.01% on sell side (non-agri) | 0.01% on sell (Non-Agri) |
| Commodity Option | 0.01% on sell side (non-agri) | 0.05% on sell |
| Currency Future | No STT | Nil |
| Currency Option | No STT | 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.
Bajaj Broking and ICICI Direct — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | Bajaj Broking | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.015% (buy side) | 0.015% on buy |
| Equity Intraday | 0.003% (buy side) | 0.003% on buy |
| Equity Future | 0.002% (buy side) | 0.002% on buy |
| Equity Option | 0.003% (buy side) | 0.003% on buy |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% (buy side) | 0.002% on buy |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% (buy side) | 0.003% on buy |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% (buy side) | 0.0001% on buy |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% (buy side) | 0.0001% on buy |