Upstox vs IDBI Direct – Compare Charges, Trading Features, Offers & More

Overview — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

Upstox is listed as a Private Discount Broker established in 2011 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Raghu Kumar, Ravi Kumar & Shrinivas Vishvanath. 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 algo trading support and promotes features such as watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking. It follows a Standard Plan brokerage structure.

IDBI Direct is listed as a Public Discount Broker established in 1993 with headquarters in Mumbai and founded by Nagaraj Garla. 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 interactive charts. Its brokerage model is structured as Standard 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 — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

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

Equity delivery: This charge applies to buy-and-hold stock positions held beyond one trading session. Upstox charges Rs.20 per Trade or 2.5%, whichever is low while IDBI Direct charges 0.50% of Transaction Value.

Equity intraday: This charge applies to buy-sell positions closed within the same trading day. Upstox charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.05% (whichever is low) while IDBI Direct charges 0.50% of Transaction Value.

Equity futures: This charge applies to futures contracts on stocks and indices. Upstox charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.05% (whichever is low) while IDBI Direct charges 0.50% of Transaction Value.

Equity options: This charge applies to equity option contracts. Upstox charges Rs.20 per Trade while IDBI Direct charges Rs.50 per Lot.

Commodity futures: This charge covers commodities such as gold, silver, and crude oil. Upstox charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.05% (whichever is low) while IDBI Direct charges 0.05% of Transaction Value.

Commodity options: This charge applies to option contracts on commodity instruments. Upstox charges Rs.20 per Trade while IDBI Direct charges Rs.50 per Lot.

Currency futures: This charge allows participation in forex price movements on the exchange. Upstox charges Rs.20 per Trade or 0.05% (whichever is low) while IDBI Direct charges 0.05% of Transaction Value.

Currency options: This charge enables traders to hedge or speculate on currency fluctuations. Upstox charges Rs.20 per Trade while IDBI Direct charges Rs.50 per Lot.

Trading platforms comparison — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

Upstox provides mobile app access, web trading and algo trading support for order placement, portfolio tracking, and market monitoring. IDBI Direct provides mobile app access, web trading, desktop terminal access and algo trading support for its users.

• Android app: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list an Android trading app.

• iOS app: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list an iOS trading app.

• Web trading platform: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list a web trading platform.

• Desktop trading terminal: IDBI Direct lists a desktop trading terminal, while Upstox does not currently mention it.

• Algo trading: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list algo trading support.

• Basket trading: Upstox lists basket trading, while IDBI Direct does not currently mention it.

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

• Mutual fund platform: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list a mutual fund investment platform.

• Digital gold platform: Neither broker currently highlights digital gold investing.

• Bonds platform: Neither broker currently highlights a bonds investment platform.

Upstox vs. IDBI Direct — Comparison of trading features

Upstox highlights trading features including watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, interactive charts and live market tracking, while IDBI Direct promotes watchlists, real-time updates, portfolio tracking, online mutual fund access, research reports and interactive charts. 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 Upstox and IDBI Direct offer this feature.

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

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

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

• Research reports: A comprehensive overview of different stocks and sectors in the stock market. IDBI Direct offers this; Upstox does not currently highlight it.

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

• Live market: Live updates on market movements and trends. Both Upstox and IDBI Direct offer this feature.

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

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

Upstox vs. IDBI 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 Upstox and IDBI Direct.

• Free account opening: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list free account opening.

• Free AMC: Neither broker currently highlights free Demat AMC.

• Free brokerage: Neither broker currently highlights free brokerage.

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

• Flexible brokerage plans: IDBI Direct lists flexible brokerage plans, while Upstox does not currently mention it.

• Happy trading hours: Neither broker currently highlights happy trading hours.

• Free delivery trading: Neither broker currently highlights free delivery trading.

• Free intraday trading: Neither broker currently highlights free intraday trading.

• Free F&O trading: Neither broker currently highlights free F&O trading.

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

• Free trading calls: IDBI Direct lists free trading calls, while Upstox does not currently mention it.

• Zero brokerage for loss trades: Neither broker currently highlights zero brokerage for loss-making trades.

• Referral offers: Upstox offers Upto Rs.700 per Client while IDBI Direct offers Upto Rs.500 per Client for referrals.

Offered products comparison — IDBI Direct vs. Upstox

Product availability determines whether a broker can support your preferred markets. Upstox highlights equity delivery, equity intraday, equity futures, equity options, commodity futures, commodity options and currency futures, while IDBI 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 and government bonds.

• Demat services: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list Demat services.

• Trading services: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list trading services.

• Intraday services: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list intraday trading services.

• F&O services: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list F&O services.

• IPO services: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list IPO services.

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

• Stock research: IDBI Direct lists stock research, while Upstox does not currently mention it.

• Stock recommendations: IDBI Direct lists stock recommendations, while Upstox does not currently mention it.

• Trading education: Upstox lists trading education, while IDBI Direct does not currently mention it.

• Share pledging: Upstox and IDBI Direct both list share pledging.

• PMS or PCG: Neither broker currently highlights PMS or PCG support.

• NRI services: Neither broker currently highlights NRI services.

Offered services comparison — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

Upstox provides Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and trading education, while IDBI Direct offers Demat services, trading services, intraday trading, F&O trading, IPO access and 3-in-1 account support.

Stock advisory service comparison — Upstox vs. IDBI 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 Upstox and IDBI Direct.

Exposure comparison — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

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

Comparison of programs — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

Upstox and IDBI Direct both list a sub-broker program. Upstox and IDBI Direct both list a partner program. Upstox and IDBI Direct both list a referral program.

Customer support comparison — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

Upstox provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. IDBI Direct provides support through trading desk support, dedicated dealer assistance, call support, email support and website support. IDBI Direct operates Available branches.

Ratings — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

Both brokers have been evaluated across key parameters to help investors make an informed comparison. Upstox carries an overall rating of 9.80 / 10, while IDBI Direct carries an overall rating of 7.60 / 10.

Complaints — Upstox vs. IDBI 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 — Upstox vs. IDBI Direct

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

Pledge charges comparison — Upstox vs. IDBI 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 — Upstox vs. IDBI 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 — Upstox vs IDBI Direct

Upstox lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.150 per Year + GST. IDBI Direct lists account opening charges of Free and Demat AMC of Rs.350 per Year.

Upstox vs IDBI 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 — Upstox and IDBI 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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