ICICIDirect Vs HDFC Sky Vs Zerodha: Which one is better?
Last updated August 24, 2026
This IPO News reference page covers “ICICIDirect Vs HDFC Sky Vs Zerodha: Which one is better?”. The page is organized around compare stock brokers side-by-side, compare icicidirect vs hdfc sky vs zerodha on service, account opening charges and amc, compare icicidirect vs hdfc sky vs zerodha on trading & demat account opening charges, about brokerage plans. IPO News presents the structured facts and tables in its own layout and wording.
Topics Covered
- Compare Stock Brokers Side-by-Side
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Service
- Account Opening Charges and AMC
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Trading & Demat Account Opening Charges
- About Brokerage Plans
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Plan Options
- Account Opening
- Share Broker's Transaction Charges
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Transaction Charges
- Account Features
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Account Features
- Trading Platform
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Trading Platform
- Broker Ratings by Users
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on User Rating
- Investment Offerings
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Investment Offerings
- Margin Trading Facility
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on MTF
- API
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on API Details
- Customer Service Offered
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Customer Service
- Tips/Research/Reports Published
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Research Reports, Tips
- Demat Account
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Demat Account
- Special Offers, Advantages, Disadvantages
- Compare ICICIDirect vs HDFC Sky vs Zerodha on Special Offers and Promotion
- ✅ Pros
Key Facts
- India's trusted financial research platform since 2015. Live IPO GMP, subscription data, allotment status, Rights Issues, NCDs and unbiased stock broker reviews.
- 100% digital and paperless 3-in-1 account opening facility.
- Trade on the BSE, NSE, MCX, and invest in other products.
- Place Valid Till Cancelled (VTC) order, valid for 45 days.
- Mutual fund investment with ICICIDirect is not free, as it charges a lower of Rs. 30 or 1.5% on SIP transaction and Rs. 100 fees on lumpsum investment.
- Commodity and Currency Trading at Rs 20/order flat brokerage
- transfer funds in just 5 minutes
- 💹 Max ₹20 per Order Brokerage on Intraday, F&O, Commodities & Currency
- 📱 Kite & Coin – #1 Trading Platform & Mobile App
- Last Updated on Fri, May 8, 2026
Data Tables
| Segment | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Account Opening Fees | Free | Free | Free |
| Trading AMC | Free | Free | Free |
| Demat Account Opening Fees | Free | Free | Free |
| Demat AMC | Rs 700 p.a. [Free for 1st year] | Rs 240 PA (Free for 1st year) | Rs 300 PA (Free for 1st year) |
| Provide DP Service | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Plan Types | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Plans | Yes | No | No |
| Monthly Plans | No | No | No |
| Yearly Plans | No | No | No |
| ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Request | Link to open account |
| Transaction Charges Compare | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE:297 | BSE:375 Per Cr | NSE:297 | BSE:375 Per Cr | NSE:297 | BSE:375 Per Cr |
| Equity Intraday | NSE:297 | BSE:375 Per Cr | NSE:297 | BSE:375 Per Cr | NSE:297 | BSE:375 Per Cr |
| Equity Futures | NSE:173 | BSE:0 Per Cr | NSE:173 | BSE:0 Per Cr | NSE:173 | BSE:0 Per Cr |
| Equity Options | NSE:3503 | BSE:3250 Per Cr on premium | NSE:3503 | BSE:3250 Per Cr on premium | NSE:3503 | BSE:3250 Per Cr on premium |
| Currency Futures | NSE:35 | BSE:45 Per Cr | NSE:35 | BSE:45 Per Cr | NSE:35 | BSE:45 Per Cr |
| Currency Options | NSE:3110 | BSE:100 Per Cr | NSE:3110 | BSE:100 Per Cr | NSE:3110 | BSE:100 Per Cr |
| Commodity | MCX: 4180| NSE: 100 Per Cr | MCX: 4180| NSE: 100 Per Cr | MCX: 4180| NSE: 100 Per Cr |
| Brokerage Charges | Complete Brokerage Plans for icicidirect | Complete Brokerage Plans for hdfc-sky | Complete Brokerage Plans for zerodha |
| Account Features Compare | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 in 1 Account | Yes | Yes | No |
| Charting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Algo Trading | No | No | Yes |
| SMS Alerts | Yes | Yes | No |
| Online Demo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online Portfolio | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Margin Trading Funding Available | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Combined Ledger for Equity and Commodity | No | Yes | Yes |
| Intraday Square-off Time | 3:15PM | 3:15PM | 3:20 PM |
| NRI Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other Features | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| Trading Platform Compare | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web Trading Detail | https://www.icicidirect.com | https://hdfcsky.com/ | Zerodha Kite Web |
| Web Trading Demo | Web Trading Demo | Web Trading Demo | Web Trading Demo |
| Mobile Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading App | ICICI direct Mobile | HDFC Sky App | Zerodha Kite App |
| Mobile Trading App Demo | ICICI direct Mobile | HDFC Sky App | Zerodha Kite App |
| Android Mobile App | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android App Download | Android ICICI direct Mobile Download | Android HDFC Sky App Download | Android Zerodha Kite App Download |
| iPhone Mobile App (IOS) | Yes | No | Yes |
| iOS App Download | iOS ICICI direct Mobile Download | iOS HDFC Sky App Download | iOS Zerodha Kite App Download |
| Android Tablet App | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iPad App (IOS) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Software Charges | Free | Free | Free |
| Equity Brokerage Calculator | Equity Intraday and Delivery Brokerage Calculator for ICICIDirect | Equity Intraday and Delivery Brokerage Calculator for HDFC Sky | Equity Intraday and Delivery Brokerage Calculator for Zerodha |
| Futures Brokerage Calculator | Futures Brokerage Calculator for ICICIDirect | Futures Brokerage Calculator for HDFC Sky | Futures Brokerage Calculator for Zerodha |
| Options Brokerage Calculator | Option Brokerage Calculator for ICICIDirect | Option Brokerage Calculator for HDFC Sky | Option Brokerage Calculator for Zerodha |
| Detail | Detail on Trading Platforms for ICICIDirect | Detail on Trading Platforms for HDFC Sky | Detail on Trading Platforms for Zerodha |
| ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 267 Customer reviews Rate | 99 Customer reviews Rate | 162 Customer reviews Rate | |
| Fees Ratings | 2.4 | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Trading Brokerage Rating | 1.8 | 2.1 | 4.4 |
| Trading Platform Usability | 3.3 | 3.0 | 3.7 |
| Customer Service Ratings | 2.9 | 2.8 | 3.8 |
| Overall Rating | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.9 |
| Broker Rating | ICICIDirect is Rated 2.5 / 5 based on 267 customer reviews | HDFC Sky is Rated 2.5 / 5 based on 99 customer reviews | Zerodha is Rated 3.90 / 5 based on 162 customer reviews |
| Investment Offerings Compare | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity Cash and F&O | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Currency Derivatives | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online IPO Application | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds / NCD | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ETF | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Banking | Yes | Yes | No |
| Insurance | Yes | No | No |
| Forex | No | No | No |
| MF SIP Investment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Equity SIP Investment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PMS Service | Yes | No | No |
| Other Investment Options | NIL | NIL |
| MTF Compare | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTF Leverage | – | – | Upto 5x leverage on 1300+ stocks |
| MTF Interest Rate | – | – | 0.04% per day (14.6% per annum) |
| MTF Segment | – | – | Equity Delivery (NSE) |
| MTF Pledge Charges | – | – | ₹15 per ISIN |
| MTF Unpledged Charges | – | – | ₹15 per ISIN |
| Maximum MTF Funding | – | – | ₹50 crore per account |
| API Compare | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| API Type | – | – | Trading API Market Data API (Websocket API) Historical Data API Publisher API |
| Customer Service Compare | ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Customer Service | No | No | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online Live Chat | No | No | No |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Toll Free Number | No | No | No |
| Through Branches | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Care Number | 1860 123 1122 | 1800 121 2109 | "+ 91 80 4040 2020" |
| Account Opening Process | Online | Online | Online/Paperless |
| Customer Support Email | [email protected] | [email protected] | [email protected] |
| Knowledge Center/Education | https://www.icicidirect.com/knowledge-center | https://hdfcsky.com/learn | https://zerodha.com/varsity/ |
| Head Office Address | ICICI Centre,H.T. Parekh Marg,Churchgate,Mumbai – 400020 | LODHAI-I THINK TECHNO CAMPUS BLDG-ALPHA, 8 FLR, NEAR KANJURMARG RLYSTN, KANJURMARG,MUMBAI-MH-400042 | Zerodha Headquater#153/154 4th Cross Dollars Colony,Opp. Clarence Public School,J.P Nagar 4th Phase,Bangalore – 560078 |
| Website | https://www.icicidirect.com | https://hdfcsky.com/ | https://zerodha.com/ |
| ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Mutual Funds | Yes | Yes | No |
| Research Equity Reports | Yes | Yes | No |
| Research ETF | Yes | Yes | No |
| Daily Market Report | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free Tips | Yes | Yes | No |
| Quarterly Result Analysis | Yes | Yes | No |
| News Alerts | Yes | Yes | No |
| ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP Source | CDSL | CDSL | CDSL |
| DP ID | 14301 | 12400 | 81600 |
| Demat Account Annual Maintenance Charges(AMC) | ₹700 pa | ₹750 pa | ₹300 pa |
| Advance Deposit | Rs. 7500/- , If the client is not having ICICI BANK Account | Customer having only Depository relationship with the Bank has to pay an advance fee of Rs.7,500/- | Nil |
| Statutory charges | Nil | Nil | ₹50 |
| Transaction Charges on Debit (Per ISIN) | 0.04% (Min ₹30 and Max ₹25,000) + ₹5.50 (CDSL Charges) | 0.04% (Min ₹20) + CDSL charges | ₹8 + ₹5.50 (CDSL Charges) per transaction |
| Demat | ₹50 per set up | ₹5 per certificate + ₹35 request charges | ₹150 per certificate + ₹100 courier charges |
| Remat | ₹25 for 100 securities upto max fee of Rs 3 lakh, MF Reconversion ₹25 per transaction | ₹30 | ₹150 per certificate + ₹100 courier charges + CDSL Charges |
| Pledge Creation | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | Nil | ₹20 + ₹12 CDSL charges |
| Pledge Creation Confirmation | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | 0.04% of transaction value (Min ₹40) | Nil |
| Pledge Closure | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | Nil | ₹20 + ₹12 CDSL charges |
| Pledge Closure Confirmation | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | 0.04% of transaction value (Min ₹40) | Nil |
| Pledge Invocation | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | 0.04% of transaction value (Min ₹40) | ₹20 |
| Failed Instruction Charges | ₹30 per transaction | Nil | ₹50 per instraction |
| Other Charges | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| ICICIDirect | HDFC Sky | Zerodha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Likes | 100% digital and paperless 3-in-1 account opening facility. Trade on the BSE, NSE, MCX, and invest in other products. Multiple brokerage plans for residents and NRI trading. All kinds of trading platforms across web, app, and desktop versions. Invest in mutual funds for free with ICICIdirect Money App. Expert research calls and recommendations. Sell stocks and get cash instantly with the e-ATM facility. Advanced orders like bracket order, cover order, after market order, and basket order. Place Valid Till Cancelled (VTC) order, valid for 45 days. Informative articles, blogs, videos, learn hub, and Investonomics learning platform for beginners. Margin funding Loans on securities. Dedicated customer services. Detail Review… | ✅ Pros Free account opening Zero AMC (1st year) Flat ₹20 brokerage Invest in US stocks Free research & daily trading calls Advanced order types (BO, CO, OCO, GTT) No minimum balance Modern mobile app Detail Review… | Enjoys a credible brand reputation Multiple products: Equity, F&O, IPO, MF, Bonds, G-secs, Cost-effective trading with flat fee and free investment in stocks, IPO, and mutual funds Hassle-free account opening Single margin account to trade in equity and commodity Zero minimum balance required in the Zerodha trading account Technologically advanced trading platforms and tools at no additional cost Add-on features like GTT order, alert trigger order, trade from charts, etc. Margin Trading Facility (MTF) Debt-free company Detail Review… |
| Dislikes | High brokerage charges. Mutual fund investment with ICICIDirect is not free, as it charges a lower of Rs. 30 or 1.5% on SIP transaction and Rs. 100 fees on lumpsum investment. Detail Review… | ❌ Cons Delivery trades not free (Zerodha offers free delivery) No desktop trading terminal Direct mutual funds are not supported Detail Review… | Zerodha does not offer trading tips, research and advisory services. Software glitches in kite happen certain times. Zero brokerage unlimited trading plan is not offered. Detail Review… |
| Special Offers/Promo | Free Account Opening Commodity and Currency Trading at Rs 20/order flat brokerage No demat AMC for the 1st year transfer funds in just 5 minutes Open Instant Account Now | 🎯 Current Promotion Offer from Zerodha for InvestorGain Visitors: 🆓 Free Account Opening 📈 Free Delivery Trading 💹 Max ₹20 per Order Brokerage on Intraday, F&O, Commodities & Currency 💰 Free Direct Mutual Funds & IPO Investment 📱 Kite & Coin – #1 Trading Platform & Mobile App 🚀 Open Instant Zerodha Account | |
| Open Zerodha Account Now |
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