ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. ICICI Direct is listed as a Public Discount Broker , established in 1994 and headquartered in Mumbai, while Bajaj Broking is listed as a Public Discount Broker , established in 2010 and headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra.
This comparison reviews brokerage, Demat charges, product availability, platforms, features, support, ratings, and complaints. Use the side-by-side tables below to see whether ICICI Direct or Bajaj Broking is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
ICICI Direct is listed as a Public Discount Broker established in 1994 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Vjay Chandok. 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 Neo Plan brokerage structure.
Bajaj Broking is listed as a Public Discount Broker established in 2010 with headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra and founded by Jamnalal Bajaj. It offers equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and mutual funds 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 stock tips. Its brokerage model is structured as Freedom Pack, Professional Pack, Signature Pack.
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.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Public | Public |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Mumbai | Pune, Maharashtra |
| Founder | Vjay Chandok | Jamnalal Bajaj |
| Establishment Year | 1994 | 2010 |
| Brokerage Plan | Neo Plan | Freedom Pack, Professional Pack, Signature Pack |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. ICICI Direct charges 0.27% of Total Transaction while Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20).
Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade while Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20).
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. ICICI Direct charges Free while Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20).
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade while Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20).
Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade while Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20).
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade while Bajaj Broking charges Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20).
Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade . Bajaj Broking does not currently list a charge for this segment.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade . Bajaj Broking does not currently list a charge for this segment.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Neo Plan | Freedom Pack, Professional Pack, Signature Pack |
| Subscription Charges | Zero | Freedom: free for 1st year, then ₹431 per year | Professional: ₹2,500 per year |
| Equity Delivery | 0.27% of Total Transaction | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) |
| Equity Intraday | Rs.20 per Trade | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) |
| Equity Future | Free | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) |
| Equity Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) |
| Commodity Future | Rs.20 per Trade | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) |
| Commodity Option | Rs.20 per Trade | Starting ₹10 per order (Freedom Pack ₹20) |
| Currency Future | Rs.20 per Trade | N/A |
| Currency Option | Rs.20 per Trade | N/A |
ICICI Direct provides mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support for order placement, portfolio tracking, and market monitoring. Bajaj Broking provides mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support for its users.
Android app: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list a desktop trading terminal.
Algo trading: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list a bonds investment platform.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | ICICI Direct Android App Link | Yes |
| iOS App | ICICI Direct iOS App Link | Yes |
| Web Trading Platform | ICICI Direct Web Trading Link | Yes |
| Trading Terminal | Available | Yes |
| Algo Trading Platform | Available | Yes |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | NA | N/A |
| Basket Trading Platform | Available | N/A |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Available | Yes |
| Digital Gold Platform | Available | N/A |
| Bonds Platform | Available | Yes |
ICICI Direct highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and global indices tracking, while Bajaj Broking promotes watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and stock tips. 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 ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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 ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking offer this feature.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Wishlist | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Details | Yes | Yes |
| Online MF Buy | Yes | Yes |
| Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Global Indices | Yes | N/A |
| Customised Recommendations | Yes | N/A |
| Stock Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Live Market | Yes | Yes |
| Multi Profile Management | No | N/A |
| Robust & Secure Platform | Yes | N/A |
Stockbrokers use promotional offers to attract and retain clients. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the offers currently listed by ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking.
Free account opening: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list flat brokerage pricing.
Flexible brokerage plans: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | Yes | Yes |
| Free AMC | No | Yes |
| Free Brokerage | Yes | No |
| Flat Brokerage | Yes, Limited | Yes |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | Yes | N/A |
| Free Delivery Trading | No | N/A |
| Free Intraday Trading | No | No |
| Free F&O Trading | Yes | No |
| Free Research Reports | Yes | N/A |
| Free Trading Calls | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Offers | Rs.500 per Client | N/A |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | Yes | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | Yes | N/A |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss-Making Trades | No | N/A |
Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. ICICI Direct highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures, while Bajaj Broking highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and mutual funds.
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, mutual funds, banking services, insurance, corporate bonds, government bonds, digital gold and bonds.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | N/A |
| Currency Future | Yes | N/A |
| Foreign Stocks | No | N/A |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Yes | No |
| Insurance | Yes | No |
| Corporate Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Government Bonds | Yes | N/A |
| Digital Gold | No | N/A |
Demat services: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list Demat services.
Trading services: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list trading services.
Intraday services: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list F&O services.
IPO services: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking 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: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list share pledging.
PMS or PCG: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list PMS or PCG support.
NRI services: ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking both list NRI services.
ICICI Direct provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support, while Bajaj Broking offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and stock research.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Stock Research | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | Yes | N/A |
| Trading Education | Yes, iLearn | N/A |
| 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 ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking.
ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Reports | Yes | N/A |
| Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Company Reports | Yes | N/A |
| Annual Reports | Yes | N/A |
| IPO Reports | Yes | N/A |
| Technical Reports | Yes | N/A |
| Stock Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Top Stock Picks | Yes | N/A |
| Daily Market Review | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Review | Yes | N/A |
| Weekly Review | Yes | N/A |
| Relationship Manager | Yes | N/A |
| Robo Advisory | No | N/A |
Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking across different segments.
ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 1x | 1x (MTF up to 3.5x in selected stocks) |
| Equity Intraday | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) | Up to 5x |
| Equity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x (no additional margin) |
| Equity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.3x |
| Commodity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x (no additional margin) |
| Commodity F&O Intraday | 1.3x | 1.3x |
| Currency F&O | 1x | N/A |
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.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | Yes | N/A |
| Partner Program | Yes | N/A |
| Referral Program | Yes | N/A |
ICICI Direct provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. Bajaj Broking provides support through trading desk support, call support, email support and website support. ICICI Direct operates Available branches. Bajaj Broking operates Head office: 4th Floor, Bajaj Finserv House, Off Pune–Ahmednagar Road, Viman Nagar, Pune – 411014, Maharashtra branches.
ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | Available, Free | Yes |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Free | N/A |
| Call Support | 1860-123-1122 | Yes (1800-833-8888) |
| Email Support | [email protected] | Yes ([email protected]) |
| WhatsApp Support | NA | N/A |
| Website Support | Website Link | Yes (https://www.bajajbroking.in/knowledge-center) |
| Facebook Support | Facebook Support Link | — |
| Twitter / X Support | Twitter Support Link | — |
| Telegram Support | Telegram Support Link | — |
| Branches / Offices | Available | Head office: 4th Floor, Bajaj Finserv House, Off Pune–Ahmednagar Road, Viman Nagar, Pune – 411014, Maharashtra |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. ICICI Direct carries an overall rating of 9.65 / 10, while Bajaj Broking carries an overall rating of 3.6 / 5.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.65 / 10 | 3.6 / 5 |
| Customer Support | 9.61 / 10 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Technology | 9.77 / 10 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Charges | 9.69 / 10 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Products & Services | 9.60 / 10 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Experience | 9.58 / 10 | N/A |
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.
ICICI Direct & Bajaj Broking — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 402 | 34 (NSE, FY 2026-27, against 65,587 active clients) |
| Total Complaints Resolved | 337 | N/A |
| % of Resolved Complaints | 83.83% | N/A |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | 16 | N/A |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | 3.98% | N/A |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) | NSE 0.00345% | BSE varies by scrip group |
| Equity Intraday | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) | NSE 0.00345% | BSE varies by scrip group |
| Equity Future | 0.0019% (NSE & BSE) | NSE 0.002% | BSE Nil or 0.05% of traded value |
| Equity Option | 0.053% (on premium) | NSE 0.053% on premium | BSE Nil or 0.05% of traded value |
| Commodity Future | 0.0021% (Non-Agri) / 0.006% (Agri) / 0.0005% (Special) | N/A |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% (Non Agri) | N/A |
| Currency Future | 0.0009% (NSE) & 0.00022% (BSE) | N/A |
| Currency Option | 0.035% (NSE) & 0.001% (BSE) | N/A |
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.
ICICI Direct & Bajaj Broking — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | 0.02% of Value | ₹40 + GST |
| Pledge Invocation Charges | 0.02% of Value | ₹50 + GST per ISIN |
| Margin Trading Interest | 0.07% per day | 14.99% p.a. (Freedom) | 11.99% p.a. (Professional) |
Beyond brokerage, several statutory and operational charges apply. These include SEBI turnover fees, DP charges, GST, account closure, reactivation, dematerialisation, and call & trade charges.
ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | Rs.10/ Crore (All Segment) | ₹10 per crore (0.0001%) |
| DP Charges | Rs.13.5 per Scrip only on Sell | ₹30 per ISIN per debit transaction |
| GST | 18% on (Brokerage + SEBI + Transaction charges) | 18% on brokerage, transaction charges and SEBI fees |
| Account Closure Charges | Free | N/A |
| Reactivation Charges | Free | N/A |
| Dematerialisation Charges | Rs.50 per Certificate | ₹100 per request + ₹100 per certificate + GST |
| Call & Trade Charges | Free – 1st 20 Calls per Month | ₹20 + GST per executed order |
ICICI Direct lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year. Bajaj Broking lists account opening charges of ₹0 and Demat AMC of ₹0.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | Free | ₹0 |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Rs.300 per Year | ₹0 |
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.
ICICI Direct vs Bajaj Broking — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% on buy & sell | 0.1% on both buy and sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% on sell | 0.025% on sell side |
| Equity Future | 0.0125% on sell | 0.05% on sell side |
| Equity Option | 0.0625% on sell (on premium) | 0.15% of premium on sell side |
| Commodity Future | 0.01% on sell (Non-Agri) | 0.01% on sell side (non-agri) |
| Commodity Option | 0.05% on sell | 0.01% on sell side (non-agri) |
| Currency Future | Nil | No STT |
| Currency Option | Nil | No STT |
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.
ICICI Direct and Bajaj Broking — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | ICICI Direct | Bajaj Broking |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.015% on buy | 0.015% (buy side) |
| Equity Intraday | 0.003% on buy | 0.003% (buy side) |
| Equity Future | 0.002% on buy | 0.002% (buy side) |
| Equity Option | 0.003% on buy | 0.003% (buy side) |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% on buy | 0.002% (buy side) |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% on buy | 0.003% (buy side) |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% on buy | 0.0001% (buy side) |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% on buy | 0.0001% (buy side) |