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

Overview — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

Sharekhan is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2000 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Mukesh meena Dayalpura. 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 customised recommendations. It follows a Freedom Pricing 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 — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

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

Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Sharekhan charges 0.30% of Transaction Value or 1 paisa per share (whichever is higher) while ICICI Direct charges 0.27% of Total Transaction.

Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Sharekhan charges 0.02% of Transaction Value or 1 paisa per share (whichever is higher) while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Sharekhan charges 0.03% of Transaction Value while ICICI Direct charges Free.

Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Sharekhan charges Rs.30 per Lot while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Sharekhan 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. Sharekhan charges Rs.75 per Lot while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Sharekhan 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. Sharekhan charges Rs.20 per Lot while ICICI Direct charges Rs.20 per Trade.

Trading platforms comparison — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

Sharekhan 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: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list an Android trading app.

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

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

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

• Algo trading: ICICI Direct lists algo trading support, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.

• Basket trading: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list basket trading.

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

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

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

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

Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct — Comparison of trading features

Sharekhan 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 Sharekhan and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

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

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

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

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

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

• Customised recommendations: Personalised investment suggestions based on your objectives and behaviour patterns. Both Sharekhan and ICICI Direct offer this feature.

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

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

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

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

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

Sharekhan 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 Sharekhan and ICICI Direct.

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

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

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

• Flat brokerage: ICICI Direct lists flat brokerage pricing, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.

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

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

• Free research reports: ICICI Direct lists free research reports, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.

• Free trading calls: Sharekhan 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: Sharekhan offers Upto Rs.400 per Client while ICICI Direct offers Rs.500 per Client for referrals.

Offered products comparison — ICICI Direct vs. Sharekhan

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

• Demat services: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list Demat services.

• Trading services: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list trading services.

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

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

• IPO services: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list IPO services.

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

• Stock research: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list stock research.

• Stock recommendations: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list stock recommendations.

• Trading education: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list trading education.

• Share pledging: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list share pledging.

• PMS or PCG: ICICI Direct lists PMS or PCG support, while Sharekhan does not currently mention it.

• NRI services: Sharekhan and ICICI Direct both list NRI services.

Offered services comparison — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan 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 Sharekhan and ICICI Direct.

Exposure comparison — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

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

Comparison of programs — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

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

Customer support comparison — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

Sharekhan provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and WhatsApp support. ICICI Direct provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. Sharekhan operates - branches. ICICI Direct operates Available branches.

Ratings — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Sharekhan carries an overall rating of 9.06 / 10, while ICICI Direct carries an overall rating of 9.65 / 10.

Complaints — Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan vs. ICICI Direct

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

Pledge charges comparison — Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan vs ICICI Direct

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

Sharekhan 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 — Sharekhan 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.

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