Lemonn and ICICI Direct are two stockbrokers that investors often compare for brokerage charges, products, trading platforms, and account costs. Lemonn is listed as a Private Discount Broker , established in 2020 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 Lemonn or ICICI Direct is a better fit for your investment style, platform preference, and budget.
Lemonn is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2020 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Ashish Singhal, Govind Soni, & Vimal Sagar Tiwari. The broker highlights access to equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options and mutual funds 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 customised recommendations. It follows a Standard 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.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — A Comprehensive Company Overview
| Company Overview | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Private | Public |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Mumbai | Mumbai |
| Founder | Ashish Singhal, Govind Soni, & Vimal Sagar Tiwari | Vjay Chandok |
| Establishment Year | 2020 | 1994 |
| Brokerage Plan | Standard | Neo Plan |
Brokerage is the primary cost to compare when choosing a broker. Below is a segment-by-segment breakdown for Lemonn and ICICI Direct.
Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Lemonn charges Rs 20 per executed order while ICICI Direct charges 0.27% of Total Transaction.
Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Lemonn charges Rs 20 per executed order while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Lemonn charges Rs 20 per executed order while ICICI Direct charges Free.
Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Lemonn charges Rs 20 per executed order while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Lemonn charges N/A ; ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Lemonn charges N/A ; ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Lemonn charges N/A ; ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Lemonn charges N/A ; ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Standard | Neo Plan |
| Subscription Charges | Zero | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | Rs 20 per executed order | 0.27% of Total Transaction |
| Equity Intraday | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Equity Future | Rs 20 per executed order | Free |
| Equity Option | Rs 20 per executed order | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Future | Not Available | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Option | Not Available | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Future | Not Available | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Option | Not Available | Rs.20 per Trade |
Lemonn 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: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list an Android trading app.
iOS app: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list an iOS trading app.
Web trading platform: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list a web trading platform.
Desktop trading terminal: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list a desktop trading terminal.
Algo trading: ICICI Direct lists algo trading support, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Basket trading: ICICI Direct lists basket trading, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Foreign stocks platform: Neither broker currently highlights foreign stocks access.
Mutual fund platform: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list a mutual fund investment platform.
Digital gold platform: ICICI Direct lists digital gold investing, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Bonds platform: ICICI Direct lists a bonds investment platform, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Complete Comparison of Trading Platforms
| Trading Platform | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Download | ICICI Direct Android App Link |
| iOS App | Download | ICICI Direct iOS App Link |
| Web Trading Platform | Lemonn Trade | ICICI Direct Web Trading Link |
| Trading Terminal | Available | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | Not Available | Available |
| Foreign Stocks Platform | Not Available | NA |
| Basket Trading Platform | Not Available | Available |
| Mutual Fund Platform | Available | Available |
| Digital Gold Platform | Not Available | Available |
| Bonds Platform | Not Available | Available |
Lemonn highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and customised recommendations, 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 Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Real time updates: Get timely updates on market trends, stock prices, and other market data. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Portfolio details: A detailed snapshot of all investments — stocks, bonds, and commodities — in one place. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Online mf buy: Buy or sell mutual funds directly from the trading platform or mobile application. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Global indices: Real-time data on leading global stock market indices. ICICI Direct offers this; Lemonn does not currently highlight it.
Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Stock tips: Valuable tips on stocks to buy, hold, or sell based on market trends. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Interactive charts: Visual price movement charts to help analyse when to buy or sell. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Multi profile management: Manage multiple trading profiles from a single account. Lemonn offers this; ICICI Direct does not currently highlight it.
Secure platform: A secure trading environment with next-generation security controls. Both Lemonn and ICICI Direct offer this feature.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Features
| Trading Feature | Lemonn | 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 | No | Yes |
| Customised Recommendations | Yes | Yes |
| Stock Tips | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive Charts | Yes | Yes |
| Live Market | Yes | Yes |
| Multi Profile Management | Yes | 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 Lemonn and ICICI Direct.
Free account opening: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list free account opening.
Free AMC: Lemonn lists free Demat AMC, while ICICI Direct does not currently mention it.
Free brokerage: ICICI Direct lists free brokerage, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Flat brokerage: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list flat brokerage pricing.
Flexible brokerage plans: ICICI Direct lists flexible brokerage plans, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Happy trading hours: ICICI Direct lists happy trading hours, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Free delivery trading: Lemonn lists free delivery trading, while ICICI Direct does not currently mention it.
Free intraday trading: Neither broker currently highlights free intraday trading.
Free F&O trading: ICICI Direct lists free F&O trading, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Free research reports: ICICI Direct lists free research reports, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Free trading calls: ICICI Direct lists free trading calls, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
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; Lemonn does not currently list a referral offer.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Comparison of Latest Offers
| Offer | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | Yes | Yes |
| Free AMC | Free for 1st Year, Rs 250+ Gst afterwards | No |
| Free Brokerage | No | Yes |
| Flat Brokerage | Yes | Yes, Limited |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | No | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | No | Yes |
| Free Delivery Trading | Yes | No |
| Free Intraday Trading | No | No |
| Free F&O Trading | No | Yes |
| Free Research Reports | No | Yes |
| Free Trading Calls | No | Yes |
| Referral Offers | No | Rs.500 per Client |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | No | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | No | Yes |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss-Making Trades | No | No |
Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. Lemonn highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity 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, mutual funds, commodity futures, commodity options, currency futures, currency options, banking services, insurance, corporate bonds, government bonds, digital gold and bonds.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Complete Comparison of Products
| Product | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Intraday | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Option | Yes | Yes |
| Equity Future | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity Option | No | Yes |
| Commodity Future | No | Yes |
| Currency Option | No | Yes |
| Currency Future | No | Yes |
| Foreign Stocks | No | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | No | Yes |
| Insurance | No | Yes |
| Corporate Bonds | No | Yes |
| Government Bonds | No | Yes |
| Digital Gold | No | No |
Demat services: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list Demat services.
Trading services: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list trading services.
Intraday services: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list intraday trading services.
F&O services: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list F&O services.
IPO services: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list IPO services.
3-in-1 account: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list 3-in-1 account support.
Stock research: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list stock research.
Stock recommendations: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list stock recommendations.
Trading education: ICICI Direct lists trading education, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Share pledging: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list share pledging.
PMS or PCG: Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list PMS or PCG support.
NRI services: ICICI Direct lists NRI services, while Lemonn does not currently mention it.
Lemonn 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.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — In-Depth Comparison of Services
| Service | Lemonn | 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 | 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 Lemonn and ICICI Direct.
Lemonn and ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Advisory Services
| Advisory | Lemonn | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Robo Advisory | Yes | No |
Margin exposure allows traders to manage larger positions with less capital. Below is a comparison of the margin available from Lemonn and ICICI Direct across different segments.
Lemonn and ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Trading Exposure
| Exposure | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 1x | 1x |
| Equity Intraday | 2x | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) |
| Equity F&O Carry Forward | 1x | 1x |
| Equity F&O Intraday | 2x | 1.3x |
| Commodity F&O Carry Forward | N/A | 1x |
| Commodity F&O Intraday | N/A | 1.3x |
| Currency F&O | N/A | 1x |
Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list a sub-broker program. Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list a partner program. Lemonn and ICICI Direct both list a referral program.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Comparative Analysis of Programs
| Program | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Broker Program | Yes | Yes |
| Partner Program | Yes | Yes |
| Referral Program | Yes | Yes |
Lemonn provides support through trading desk support, call support, email support, website support and Facebook support. ICICI Direct provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. ICICI Direct operates Available branches.
Lemonn and ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Customer Support
| Support Channel | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Support | +918035769929 | Available, Free |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Free | |
| Call Support | +918040011310 | 1860-123-1122 |
| Email Support | [email protected] | [email protected] |
| WhatsApp Support | NA | |
| Website Support | https://lemonn.co.in/ | Website Link |
| Facebook Support | https://www.facebook.com/lemonnhq | Facebook Support Link |
| Twitter / X Support | https://twitter.com/LemonnHQ | Twitter Support Link |
| Telegram Support | — | Telegram Support Link |
| Branches / Offices | Available |
Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Lemonn carries an overall rating of 4/5, while ICICI Direct carries an overall rating of 9.65 / 10.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Ratings Comparison
| Rating Parameter | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4/5 | 9.65 / 10 |
| Customer Support | 4/5 | 9.61 / 10 |
| Technology | 4/5 | 9.77 / 10 |
| Charges | 4/5 | 9.69 / 10 |
| Products & Services | 4/5 | 9.60 / 10 |
| Experience | 4/5 | 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.
Lemonn & ICICI Direct — Comparison of Customer Complaints
| Complaint Metric | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Total Complaints Lodged | 402 | |
| Total Complaints Resolved | 337 | |
| % of Resolved Complaints | 83.83% | |
| Non-Actionable Complaints | 16 | |
| % of Non-Actionable Complaints | 3.98% |
Transaction charges are levied by the stockbroker for executing each trade. Below is a segment-wise comparison for Lemonn and ICICI Direct.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Transaction Charges
| Transaction Charges | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | ₹1500 per crore on buy orders | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Intraday | ₹300 per crore on buy orders | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| Equity Future | ₹200 per crore on buy orders | 0.0019% (NSE & BSE) |
| Equity Option | ₹200 per crore on buy orders | 0.053% (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | - | 0.0021% (Non-Agri) / 0.006% (Agri) / 0.0005% (Special) |
| Commodity Option | - | 0.05% (Non Agri) |
| Currency Future | - | 0.0009% (NSE) & 0.00022% (BSE) |
| Currency Option | - | 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.
Lemonn & ICICI Direct — Comprehensive Comparison of Pledge Charges
| Pledge Charge | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Creation Charges | Rs 20 + GST per ISIN | 0.02% of Value |
| Pledge Invocation Charges | ₹50 per ISIN | 0.02% of Value |
| Margin Trading Interest | ₹20 | 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.
Lemonn and ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Hidden / Other Charges
| Charge | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI Turnover Charges | 0.0001% | Rs.10/ Crore (All Segment) |
| DP Charges | Rs 20 | Rs.13.5 per Scrip only on Sell |
| GST | 18% on (transaction charges) | 18% on (Brokerage + SEBI + Transaction charges) |
| Account Closure Charges | Free | |
| Reactivation Charges | Free | |
| Dematerialisation Charges | Rs.50 per Certificate | |
| Call & Trade Charges | ₹50 per ISIN | Free – 1st 20 Calls per Month |
Lemonn lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs 250+ GST. ICICI Direct lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.300 per Year.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Detailed Comparison of Demat Charges
| Demat Charges | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charges | Free | Free |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Rs 250+ GST | 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.
Lemonn vs ICICI Direct — Comparative Analysis of STT and CTT Charges
| STT & CTT | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.1% on buy & sell | 0.1% on buy & sell |
| Equity Intraday | 0.025% on the sell side | 0.025% on sell |
| Equity Future | 0.01% on the sell side | 0.0125% on sell |
| Equity Option | 0.5% on sell side | 0.0625% on sell (on premium) |
| Commodity Future | - | 0.01% on sell (Non-Agri) |
| Commodity Option | - | 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.
Lemonn and ICICI Direct — Comparison of Stamp Duty Charges
| Stamp Duty | Lemonn | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.015% on buy | |
| Equity Intraday | 0.003% on buy | |
| Equity Future | 0.002% on buy | |
| Equity Option | 0.003% on buy | |
| Commodity Future | 0.002% on buy | |
| Commodity Option | 0.003% on buy | |
| Currency Future | 0.0001% on buy | |
| Currency Option | 0.0001% on buy |