ICICIDirect Vs Kotak Securities Vs TradeSmart: Which one is better?
Last updated August 26, 2026
This IPO News reference page covers “ICICIDirect Vs Kotak Securities Vs TradeSmart: Which one is better?”. The page is organized around compare stock brokers side-by-side, compare icicidirect vs kotak securities vs tradesmart on service, account opening charges and amc, compare icicidirect vs kotak securities vs tradesmart 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 Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Service
- Account Opening Charges and AMC
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Trading & Demat Account Opening Charges
- About Brokerage Plans
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Plan Options
- Account Opening
- Share Broker's Transaction Charges
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Transaction Charges
- Account Features
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Account Features
- Trading Platform
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Trading Platform
- Broker Ratings by Users
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on User Rating
- Investment Offerings
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Investment Offerings
- Margin Trading Facility
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on MTF
- API
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on API Details
- Customer Service Offered
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Customer Service
- Tips/Research/Reports Published
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Research Reports, Tips
- Demat Account
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Demat Account
- Special Offers, Advantages, Disadvantages
- Compare ICICIDirect vs Kotak Securities vs TradeSmart on Special Offers and Promotion
- Ready to start trading?
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.
- Lowest brokerage: Trade at 15 flat brokerage fees.
- Online Direct mutual fund investment at Rs.0 brokerage.
- 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.
- Its Trade free youth plan is only available for upto 30 years of age and that too is valid for 2 years only.
- High brokerage in dealer-assisted plan (Delivery: 0.39%, Equity and commodity options: Rs 39 per lot)
- Delivery trading is not free as charged with 0.25% brokerage.
- Commodity and Currency Trading at Rs 20/order flat brokerage
- transfer funds in just 5 minutes
- 💹 Flat ₹10 per Trade Brokerage on Intraday & F&O
- 💹 Lowest Brokerage – Flat ₹15 per Order or 0.007%
- Last Updated on Fri, May 8, 2026
Data Tables
| Segment | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 600 PA | Rs 300 PA (Free for 1st year) |
| Provide DP Service | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Plan Types | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Plans | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Plans | No | No | No |
| Yearly Plans | No | No | No |
| ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Request | Link to open account |
| Transaction Charges Compare | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 kotak-securities | Complete Brokerage Plans for trade-smart-online |
| Account Features Compare | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Margin Trading Funding Available | Yes | Yes | No |
| Combined Ledger for Equity and Commodity | No | No | Yes |
| Intraday Square-off Time | 3:15PM | 3:15PM | 3:15PM |
| NRI Trading | Yes | Yes | No |
| Other Features | NIL | NIL |
| Trading Platform Compare | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web Trading Detail | https://www.icicidirect.com | https://www.kotaksecurities.com/itrade/user/welcome.exe?action=chk_seckey_stat | https://web.tradesmartonline.in/login |
| Web Trading Demo | Web Trading Demo | Web Trading Demo | Web Trading Demo |
| Mobile Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading App | ICICI direct Mobile | Kotak Neo | TradeSmart 2.0 |
| Mobile Trading App Demo | ICICI direct Mobile | Kotak Neo | TradeSmart 2.0 |
| Android Mobile App | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android App Download | Android ICICI direct Mobile Download | Android Kotak Neo Download | Android TradeSmart 2.0 Download |
| iPhone Mobile App (IOS) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App Download | iOS ICICI direct Mobile Download | iOS Kotak Neo Download | iOS TradeSmart 2.0 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 Kotak Securities | Equity Intraday and Delivery Brokerage Calculator for TradeSmart |
| Futures Brokerage Calculator | Futures Brokerage Calculator for ICICIDirect | Futures Brokerage Calculator for Kotak Securities | Futures Brokerage Calculator for TradeSmart |
| Options Brokerage Calculator | Option Brokerage Calculator for ICICIDirect | Option Brokerage Calculator for Kotak Securities | Option Brokerage Calculator for TradeSmart |
| Detail | Detail on Trading Platforms for ICICIDirect | Detail on Trading Platforms for Kotak Securities | Detail on Trading Platforms for TradeSmart |
| ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 267 Customer reviews Rate | 83 Customer reviews Rate | 35 Customer reviews Rate | |
| Fees Ratings | 2.4 | 2.6 | 3.8 |
| Trading Brokerage Rating | 1.8 | 2.7 | 4.3 |
| Trading Platform Usability | 3.3 | 3.2 | 3.7 |
| Customer Service Ratings | 2.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 |
| Overall Rating | 2.5 | 2.8 | 3.9 |
| Broker Rating | ICICIDirect is Rated 2.5 / 5 based on 267 customer reviews | Kotak Securities is Rated 2.8 / 5 based on 83 customer reviews | TradeSmart is Rated 3.94 / 5 based on 35 customer reviews |
| Investment Offerings Compare | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | No |
| Forex | No | No | No |
| MF SIP Investment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Equity SIP Investment | Yes | Yes | No |
| PMS Service | Yes | Yes | No |
| Other Investment Options | NIL | NIL | NIL |
| MTF Compare | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTF Leverage | – | 4-5x leverage on 1500+ stocks | Up to 4x leverage |
| MTF Interest Rate | – | 9.69% p.a. | 0.049% per day |
| MTF Segment | – | Equity Delivery | Equity Delivery |
| MTF Pledge Charges | – | ₹20 per ISIN | ₹12 per scrip |
| MTF Unpledged Charges | – | ₹20 per ISIN | ₹12 per scrip |
| Maximum MTF Funding | – | ₹20 crore per account | ₹50 Lakh per account |
| API Compare | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| API Type | – | Neo Trade API (Quote, order, positions, reports, etc.) WebSocket API ( real-time data) | Trading API Market Data API WebSocket API Webhook API Advanced order API |
| API Charges | – | Free | Free |
| Customer Service Compare | ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Customer Service | No | No | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online Live Chat | No | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Toll Free Number | No | Yes | No |
| Through Branches | Yes | Yes | No |
| Customer Care Number | 1860 123 1122 | 1800 209 9191 | 022 61208000 |
| 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://www.kotaksecurities.com/ksweb/Research/Knowledge-Bank/Investment-Knowlegde-Bank | https://help.tradesmartonline.in/ |
| Head Office Address | ICICI Centre,H.T. Parekh Marg,Churchgate,Mumbai – 400020 | 27 BKC, C 27, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (E), Mumbai 400051 | Trade Smart Online, A-401, Mangalya, Marol Maroshi Road, Andheri East, Gamdevi, Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai, MH 400059 |
| Website | https://www.icicidirect.com | https://www.kotaksecurities.com | https://tradesmartonline.in/ |
| ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP Source | CDSL | CDSL | CDSL |
| DP ID | 14301 | 25100 | 30400 |
| Demat Account Annual Maintenance Charges(AMC) | ₹700 pa | ₹780 pa | ₹300 pa (1st Year Free) |
| Advance Deposit | Rs. 7500/- , If the client is not having ICICI BANK Account | NA | NIL |
| Statutory charges | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Transaction Charges on Debit (Per ISIN) | 0.04% (Min ₹30 and Max ₹25,000) + ₹5.50 (CDSL Charges) | 0.04% (Min ₹27) + CDSL charges | ₹15 |
| Demat | ₹50 per set up | ₹3 per certificate + ₹50 courier charges | ₹500 per certificate (Min ₹500 per request) |
| Remat | ₹25 for 100 securities upto max fee of Rs 3 lakh, MF Reconversion ₹25 per transaction | ₹10 for every hundred securities (Min ₹15) | ₹500 per certificate (Min ₹500 per request) |
| Pledge Creation | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | 0.05% of transaction value (Min ₹30) | ₹15 per script |
| Pledge Creation Confirmation | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | 0.05% of transaction value (Min ₹30) | Nil |
| Pledge Closure | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | 0.05% of transaction value (Min ₹30) | ₹15 per script |
| Pledge Closure Confirmation | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | 0.05% of transaction value (Min ₹30) | Nil |
| Pledge Invocation | 0.02% (Min ₹35 and Max ₹25,000) | 0.05% of transaction value (Min ₹30) | Nil |
| Failed Instruction Charges | ₹30 per transaction | Nil | Nil |
| Other Charges | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| ICICIDirect | Kotak Securities | TradeSmart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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… | Wide range of products from equity to F&O, IPO, debt, mutual funds, SGBs, etc. Minimal account opening charges No brokerage intraday trading Low-cost brokerage trading Multiple platforms to trade on web, app, and desktop StockCase: Experts recommended basket of stocks Tools like equity screeners, TradingView charts, and Payoff analyzer BNST: Buy Now Sell Tomorrow order Bracket order, cover order, GTT, and aftermarket order Intraday trading tips, short-term and long-term calls, derivative calls, equity investment ideas, and quarterly research reports from experts are available. Margin trading facility (MTF) with dealer assisted trading Kotak Traders Academy for beginners Detail Review… | Check out the key advantages, reasons, or benefits on Why Choose TradeSmart For Stock Trading? Trade in stocks, derivatives, currencies, and commodities. Lowest brokerage: Trade at 15 flat brokerage fees. Multiple trading platforms:TradeSmart Mobile App, Desktop and web. Super-efficient Trade Smart Box integrated back office portal. Tradetron Algo Trading with TradeSmart. No minimum balance is required. Instant UPI fund transfer. Free of cost Swing API. Apply for IPOs online using UPI. Online Direct mutual fund investment at Rs.0 brokerage. Online brokerage calculator to calculate trading cost upfront. TradeSmart blogs, newsroom, and Knowledge hub for beginners to experts. Advanced orders like bracket order (BO), cover order (CO), and after-market order (AMO). Margin against shares (MAS) in your Demat account. No Hidden charges. 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… | Its Trade free youth plan is only available for upto 30 years of age and that too is valid for 2 years only. High brokerage in dealer-assisted plan (Delivery: 0.39%, Equity and commodity options: Rs 39 per lot) Delivery trading is not free as charged with 0.25% brokerage. Detail Review… | There are several disadvantages or limitations as well of trading with TradeSmart such as follows; You cannot invest in SME IPOs. NRIs cannot open a Demat and Trading account at Trade smart. It does not provide trading tips, research, and portfolio management services. 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 | 💼 Kotak Securities Trade Free Plan 🆓 Free Account Opening 💹 Flat ₹10 per Trade Brokerage on Intraday & F&O Open Instant Account Now | 🔴 Current Promotion from TradeSmart for InvestorGain Visitors: 🆓 Free Account Opening 📭 Zero Demat AMC for the 1st Year 💹 Lowest Brokerage – Flat ₹15 per Order or 0.007% 🚀 Open Instant TradeSmart Account |
| Open Kotak Securities Account Now |
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