HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. HDFC Securities is listed as a Private Discount Broker , established in 2000 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 HDFC Securities or ICICI Direct is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
HDFC Securities is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2000 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Dhiraj Relli. 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 and desktop terminal access and promotes features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices tracking. It follows a Starter Pack – Lite 199 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.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Private | Public |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Mumbai | Mumbai |
| Founder | Dhiraj Relli | Vjay Chandok |
| Establishment Year | 2000 | 1994 |
| Brokerage Plan | Starter Pack – Lite 199 | Neo Plan |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. HDFC Securities charges 0.32% 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. HDFC Securities charges 0.032% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. HDFC Securities charges Rs.20 per Trade while ICICI Direct charges Free.
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. HDFC Securities 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. HDFC Securities charges 0.025% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. HDFC Securities charges Rs.20 per Lot while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. HDFC Securities charges 0.025% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. HDFC Securities charges Rs.25 per Lot while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Starter Pack – Lite 199 | Neo Plan |
| Subscription Charges | Zero | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | 0.32% of Transaction Value | 0.27% of Total Transaction |
| Equity Intraday | 0.032% of Transaction Value | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Equity Future | Rs.20 per Trade | Free |
| Equity Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Future | 0.025% of Transaction Value | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Option | Rs.20 per Lot | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Future | 0.025% of Transaction Value | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Option | Rs.25 per Lot | Rs.20 per Trade |
HDFC Securities provides mobile app access, web trading and desktop terminal access 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: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list a desktop trading terminal.
Algo trading: ICICI Direct lists algo trading support, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Basket trading: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list basket trading.
Foreign stocks platform: HDFC Securities lists foreign stocks access, while ICICI Direct does not currently mention it.
Mutual fund platform: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list a mutual fund investment platform.
Digital gold platform: ICICI Direct lists digital gold investing, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Bonds platform: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list a bonds investment platform.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | HDFC Securities Android App Link | ICICI Direct Android App Link |
| iOS App | HDFC Securities iOS App Link | ICICI Direct iOS App Link |
| Web Trading Platform | HDFC Securities Web Trading Link | ICICI Direct Web Trading Link |
| Trading Terminal | Available | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | NA | Available |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | Available | NA |
| Basket Trading Platform | Available | Available |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Available | Available |
| Digital Gold Platform | NA | Available |
| Bonds Platform | Available | Available |
HDFC Securities 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 HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. Both HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. ICICI Direct offers this; HDFC Securities does not currently highlight it.
Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. ICICI Direct offers this; HDFC Securities does not currently highlight it.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | HDFC Securities | 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 HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct.
Free account opening: ICICI Direct lists free account opening, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Free AMC: Neither broker currently highlights free Demat AMC.
Free brokerage: ICICI Direct lists free brokerage, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Flat brokerage: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list flat brokerage pricing.
Flexible brokerage plans: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list flexible brokerage plans.
Happy trading hours: ICICI Direct lists happy trading hours, while HDFC Securities 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 HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Free research reports: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list free research reports.
Free trading calls: HDFC Securities 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: HDFC Securities offers Rs.200 per Client while ICICI Direct offers Rs.500 per Client for referrals.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | No | Yes |
| Free AMC | No | No |
| Free Brokerage | No | Yes |
| Flat Brokerage | Yes, Limited | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trading Calls | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Offers | Rs.200 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. HDFC Securities 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, banking services, insurance, corporate bonds, government bonds, bonds and digital gold.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | HDFC Securities | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Government Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Gold | No | No |
Demat services: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list Demat services.
Trading services: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list trading services.
Intraday services: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list F&O services.
IPO services: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list IPO services.
3-in-1 account: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list 3-in-1 account support.
Stock research: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list stock research.
Stock recommendations: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list stock recommendations.
Trading education: ICICI Direct lists trading education, while HDFC Securities does not currently mention it.
Share pledging: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list share pledging.
PMS or PCG: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list PMS or PCG support.
NRI services: HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list NRI services.
HDFC Securities provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support, while ICICI Direct offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | HDFC Securities | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Research | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Education | No | 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 HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct.
HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Company Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Annual Reports | Yes | Yes |
| IPO Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Technical Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Top Stock Picks | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Market Review | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Review | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Review | Yes | 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 HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct across different segments.
HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | HDFC Securities | 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 |
HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list a sub-broker program. HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list a partner program. HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct both list a referral program.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | Yes, Limited | Yes |
| Partner Program | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Program | Yes | Yes |
HDFC Securities provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, website support and Facebook support. ICICI Direct provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. HDFC Securities operates Available branches. ICICI Direct operates Available branches.
HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | Available, Free | Available, Free |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Free | Available, Free |
| Call Support | 022-39019400 | 1860-123-1122 |
| Email Support | NA | [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 | Available | Available |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. HDFC Securities carries an overall rating of 9.50 / 10, while ICICI Direct carries an overall rating of 9.65 / 10.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.50 / 10 | 9.65 / 10 |
| Customer Support | 9.46 / 10 | 9.61 / 10 |
| Technology | 9.61 / 10 | 9.77 / 10 |
| Charges | 9.53 / 10 | 9.69 / 10 |
| Products & Services | 9.44 / 10 | 9.60 / 10 |
| Experience | 9.42 / 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.
HDFC Securities & ICICI Direct — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 129 | 402 |
| Total Complaints Resolved | 104 | 337 |
| % of Resolved Complaints | 80.62% | 83.83% |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | 8 | 16 |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | 6.20% | 3.98% |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE Rs 297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) (each side) | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Intraday | NSE Rs 297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE Rs 375 per Cr (0.00375%) (sell side) | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Future | NSE Rs 173 per Cr (0.00173%) | BSE Rs 0 | 0.0019% (NSE & BSE) |
| Equity Option | NSE Rs 3503 per Cr (0.03503%) | BSE Rs 325 per Cr (0.00325%) (on premium) | 0.053% (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.0021% (Non-Agri) / 0.006% (Agri) / 0.0005% (Special) | |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% (Non Agri) | |
| Currency Future | NSE Rs 35 per Cr (0.00035%) | BSE Rs 45 per Cr (0.00045%) | 0.0009% (NSE) & 0.00022% (BSE) |
| Currency Option | NSE Rs 3110 per Cr (0.0311%) | BSE Rs 100 per Cr (0.001%) (on premium) | 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.
HDFC Securities & ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | 0.02% of Value | |
| Pledge Invocation Charges | 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.
HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | 0.0001% (₹10/Crore) of the turnover | Rs.10/ Crore (All Segment) |
| DP Charges | Rs.13.5 per Scrip only on Sell | |
| GST | 18% on (Brokerage + Transaction Charge + SEBI Fee) | 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 |
HDFC Securities lists account opening charges of Rs.199 and Demat AMC of Rs.750 per Year. ICICI Direct lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | Rs.199 | Free |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Rs.750 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.
HDFC Securities vs ICICI Direct — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% of total transaction value | 0.1% on buy & sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% of turnover | 0.025% on sell |
| Equity Future | 0.01% of turnover | 0.0125% on sell |
| Equity Option | 0.05% | 0.0625% on sell (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | 0.01% | 0.01% on sell (Non-Agri) |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% | 0.05% on sell |
| Currency Future | - | Nil |
| Currency Option | - | 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.
HDFC Securities and ICICI Direct — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | HDFC Securities | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.015% | 0.015% on buy |
| Equity Intraday | 0.003% | 0.003% on buy |
| Equity Future | 0.002% | 0.002% on buy |
| Equity Option | 0.003% | 0.003% on buy |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% | 0.002% on buy |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% (MCX) | 0.003% on buy |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% | 0.0001% on buy |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% | 0.0001% on buy |