ICICI Direct is one of the prominent stockbrokers in India. It offers a complete range of services including equity trading, mutual funds, commodities, and more. It also provides a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to beginners and experienced traders.
In this review, we will delve into the various features of ICICI Direct. We will examine its account opening charges, brokerage charges, features, and other offerings. Through this review, we will provide you with a thorough understanding of what ICICI Direct has to offer.
ICICI Direct is a well-established Public company in the financial services sector, known for its comprehensive brokerage services. As a Public broker, Angel One offers numerous investment options, including stock trading, futures and options, mutual funds, currencies and commodities.
Headquartered in Mumbai, Angel One has been a significant player in the Indian stock market since its inception in 1994. The company was founded by Vjay Chandok, who envisioned creating a platform that democratizes investing for all.
Over the years, ICICI Direct has built a reputation for its user-friendly platform, competitive pricing, and extensive research tools. The company is committed to providing reliable customer support and educational resources, making it a preferred choice for traders and investors.
| Company Overview | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Company Type | Public |
| Broker Type | Discount Broker |
| Headquarters | Mumbai |
| Founder | Vjay Chandok |
| Establishment Year | 1994 |
Opening an account with ICICI Direct is Free, making it accessible to new investors. Once the account is set up, users will incur ongoing charges such as an annual maintenance charge (AMC) of Rs.300 per Year and a broker commission of ₹Zero, Securities Transaction Tax (STT), and other regulatory charges.
ICICI Direct straightforward pricing and comprehensive services make it a popular choice among investors. The combination of free account opening and competitive ongoing charges provides a cost-effective investment management solution.
| Broker | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Trading Account Opening Charges | Free |
| Demat AMC (Annual Maintenance Charges) | Rs.300 per Year |
| Depository |
Your stockbroker charges a certain brokerage fee for every order you place. The brokerage charges of Angel One are as follows:
| Brokerage | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Brokerage Plan | Neo Plan |
| Subscription Charges | Zero |
| Equity Delivery | 0.27% of Total Transaction |
| Equity Intraday | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Equity Future | Free |
| Equity Option | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Future | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Commodity Option | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Future | Rs.20 per Trade |
| Currency Option | Rs.20 per Trade |
ICICI Direct provides margin exposure to help traders and investors trade with margin money. With margin money, you can control larger positions with smaller amounts of funds. With this offering, you can amplify your trading potential and take advantage of market opportunities.
| Exposure | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 1x |
| Equity Intraday | Upto 5x (Depends on Stocks) |
| Equity F&O Carry Forward | 1x |
| Equity F&O Intraday | 1.3x |
| Commodity F&O Carry Forward | 1x |
| Commodity F&O Intraday | 1.3x |
| Currency F&O | 1x |
Apart from brokerage charges, you also need to be aware of other charges charged by a broker. These are:
| Charges | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| STT Equity Delivery | 0.1% on buy & sell |
| Stamp Duty Equity Delivery | 0.015% on buy |
| Transaction Charges Equity Intraday | 0.00325% (NSE) & As per Stock (BSE) |
| STT Equity Intraday | 0.025% on sell |
| Stamp Duty Equity Intraday | 0.003% on buy |
| Transaction Charges Equity Futures | 0.0019% (NSE & BSE) |
| STT Equity Future | 0.0125% on sell |
| Stamp Duty Equity Future | 0.002% on buy |
| Transaction Charges Equity Options | 0.053% (on premium) |
| STT Equity Options | 0.0625% on sell (on premium) |
| Stamp Duty Equity Options | 0.003% on buy |
| SEBI Turnover Charges | Rs.10/ Crore (All Segment) |
| GST | 18% on (Brokerage + SEBI + Transaction charges) |
ICICI Direct offers multiple trading platforms for traders and investors. With an easy user interface and advanced features, Angel One simplifies the trading process for beginners. Each of the following platforms offers unique and useful features for trading purposes.
| Trading Platforms | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Android App | ICICI Direct Android App Link |
| iOS App | ICICI Direct iOS App Link |
| Web Trading Platform | ICICI Direct Web Trading Link |
| Trading Terminal | Available |
| Algo Trading Platform | Available |
| Foreign Stocks Trading Platform | NA |
| Basket Trading Platform | Available |
| Mutual Fund Investment Platform | Available |
| Digital Gold Investment Platform | Available |
| Bonds Investment Platform | Available |
Many stockbrokers provide attractive offers to gain investors' attention. For example, some might offer a free account opening process and others might offer free delivery trading. These offers differentiate brokers, and they often use them as a strategy to attract new clients and retain existing ones. By highlighting such benefits, brokers make their services more appealing compared to competitors. Angel One’s offerings are as follows:
| Offers | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Free Account Opening | Yes |
| Free AMC | No |
| Free Brokerage | Yes |
| Flat Brokerage | Yes, Limited |
| Flexible Brokerage Plans | Yes |
| Happy Trading Hours | Yes |
| Free Delivery Trading | No |
| Free Intraday Trading | No |
| Free F&O Trading | Yes |
| Free Research Reports | Yes |
| Free Trading calls | Yes |
| Referral Offers | Rs.500 per Client |
| Margin Funding / Pledging | Yes |
| Brokerage Cashback | Yes |
| Zero Brokerage for Loss Making Trades | No |
ICICI Direct also offers advanced trading features for both beginner and experienced traders. These features range from basic features such as real-time market data and portfolio tracking to advanced options like investment research, personalized recommendations, and charting tools. Further, Angel One also offers research reports, custom stock recommendations, and stock tips.
| Trading Features | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Wishlist | Yes |
| Real Time Updates | Yes |
| Portfolio Details | Yes |
| Online MF Buy | Yes |
| Research Reports | Yes |
| Global indices | Yes |
| Customised Recommendations | Yes |
| Stock tips | Yes |
| Interactive charts | Yes |
| Live market | Yes |
| Multi Profile Management | No |
| Robust & Secure Platform | Yes |
The platform offers numerous financial services. Core services include trading in stocks, derivatives, and IPOs. The platform also offers in-depth market research, investment recommendations, and tools to help traders make informed decisions. For those seeking more hands-on management, Angel One provides portfolio management services as well. While it doesn't offer a traditional 3-in-1 account, it covers most other essential financial services.
| Services Provided | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Demat Services | Yes |
| Trading Services | Yes |
| Intraday Services | Yes |
| F&O Services | Yes |
| IPO Services | Yes |
| 3 in 1 Account | Yes |
| Stock Research | Yes |
| Stock Recommendations | Yes |
| Trading Institution | Yes, iLearn |
| Share Pledging | Yes |
| PMS or PCG | Yes |
| NRI Services | Yes |
ICICI Direct offers a complete set of financial products for traders and investors. You can trade in equities, options, and futures according to your preferences. It also offers trading in commodities and currencies. If you are someone interested in global markets, ICICI Direct also allows you to trade in foreign stocks. Plus, you can diversify your portfolio by investing in mutual funds. It will help you safeguard your capital from uncertain market movements. These diverse product offerings allow ICICI Direct to serve different investment strategies and preferences effectively.
| Products Provided | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | Yes |
| Equity Intraday | Yes |
| Equity Option | Yes |
| Equity Future | Yes |
| Commodity Option | Yes |
| Commodity Future | Yes |
| Currency Option | Yes |
| Currency Future | Yes |
| Foreign Stocks | No |
| Mutual Funds | Yes |
| Banking | Yes |
| Insurance | Yes |
| Corporate Bonds | Yes |
| Govt. Bonds | Yes |
| Digital Gold | No |
ICICI Direct offers robust customer support to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for its clients. Their dedicated support team is available through multiple channels, including phone, email, and live chat, to assist with any queries or issues.
| Customer Support | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|
| Trading Support | Available, Free |
| Dedicated Dealer | Available, Free |
| Call Support | 1860-123-1122 |
| Email Support | helpdesk@icicidirect.com |
| Whatsapp Support | NA |
| Website Support | Website Link |
| Facebook Support | Facebook Support Link |
| Twitter Support | Twitter Support Link |
| Telegram Support | Telegram Support Link |
| Branches / Offices | Available |
ICICI Direct is committed to addressing customer complaints promptly. Through timely responses and resolutions, it aims to give a positive experience for all users. Traders and investors can file complaints through multiple channels, including the website, mobile app, or email. Further, Angel One's structured grievance redressal mechanism ensures that each complaint is tracked, escalated if necessary, and resolved within stipulated timelines.
| Complaints | 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% |
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