Groww vs ICICIdirect
A full side-by-side comparison of brokerage charges, demat AMC, margin, platforms, features and user ratings — updated for 2026.
Groww
VS
ICICIdirect
Groww vs ICICIdirect — quick verdict
Choose Groww if
You want low-cost, self-directed trading
Investing Made Simple
Choose ICICIdirect if
You want research and offline support
One Account. Infinite Opportunities.
Company overview
Groww is a discount broker incorporated in 2016; ICICIdirect is a full-service broker incorporated in 1995.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Type of broker | Discount Broker | Full-Service Broker |
| Exchange membership | NSE · BSE · MCX | NSE · BSE · MCX · NCDEX |
| Year of incorporation | 2016 | 1995 older |
| Number of branches | Not Disclosed | 3,000+ ICICI Bank Branches & Customer To |
| Active clients | ~1.29 Crore larger | ~19.80 Lakh+ |
Charges & AMC
Account-opening and maintenance charges for Groww and ICICIdirect compared side by side.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Trading a/c opening | ₹0 (Free) | ₹0 (Online) |
| Trading a/c AMC | ₹0 (Free) | ₹0 |
| Demat a/c opening | ₹0 (Free) | ₹0 |
| Demat a/c AMC | ₹0 (Free) lower | ₹300 + GST per year |
| DP charges (per ISIN, sell) | Depository ₹3.50 (Male) / ₹3.25 (Female) + Groww ₹16.50 per debit transaction (₹0 for debit value below ₹100) lower | NSDL – ₹20 + GST (first debit), ₹4 + GST (subsequent same-day debit); CDSL – ₹20 + GST per scrip sold per day |
Brokerage charges
How Groww and ICICIdirect price each trading segment, per executed order.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | ₹20 or 0.1% per executed order (whichever is lower, minimum ₹5) | ₹20 per order (or plan-specific rate) |
| Equity Intraday | ₹20 or 0.1% per executed order (whichever is lower, minimum ₹5) | ₹20 per order |
| Equity Futures | ₹20 per executed order | ₹20 per order |
| Equity Options | ₹20 per executed order | ₹20 per order |
| Currency F&O | ₹20 per executed order | ₹20 per order |
| Commodity F&O | ₹20 per executed order | ₹20 per order |
| Call & Trade | Not Available | ₹50 per order |
Transaction charges (exchange turnover)
Exchange turnover and clearing charges passed through by Groww and ICICIdirect, per segment.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE: 0.00297% | BSE: 0.00375% | NSE: 0.00297% + IPFT 0.00010% • BSE: 0.00375% |
| Equity Intraday | NSE: 0.00297% | BSE: 0.00375% | NSE: 0.00297% + IPFT 0.00010% • BSE: 0.00375% |
| Equity Futures | NSE: 0.00173% | BSE: 0.00% | NSE: 0.00173% + IPFT 0.00010% • BSE: 0.00000% |
| Equity Options | NSE: 0.03503% (on premium) | BSE: 0.0325% (on premium) | NSE: 0.03503% (on Premium) + IPFT 0.00050% • BSE: 0.03250% (on Premium) |
| Currency Futures | NSE: 0.00012% | BSE: 0.00005% | NSE: 0.00012% • BSE: 0.00005% |
| Currency Options | NSE: 0.0325% (on premium) | BSE: 0.001% (on premium) | NSE: 0.03250% (on Premium) • BSE: 0.00100% (on Premium) |
| Commodity Futures | MCX: 0.00210% | — |
| Commodity Options | MCX: 0.04180% (on premium) | — |
| Commodity Futures (MCX) | — | 0.00210% |
| Commodity Options (MCX) | — | 0.04180% (on Premium) |
Demat & DP charges
Depository (demat) charges for Groww and ICICIdirect — AMC, debit transactions, pledging and remat.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Demat Account Opening | ₹0 (Free) | ₹0 (Online) |
| Transaction Charges (Sell) | Depository ₹3.50 (Male) / ₹3.25 (Female) + Groww ₹16.50 per debit transaction (₹0 for debit value below ₹100) | — |
| Transaction Charges Demat Account Opening ₹0 (Free) Transaction Charges (Sell) Depository ₹3.50 (Male) / ₹3.25 (Female) + Groww ₹16.50 per debit transaction (₹0 for debit value below ₹100) Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | ₹0 | — |
| Pledge / Unpledge | ₹20 per ISIN | — |
| Remat | ₹150 per certificate + courier charges | — |
| Failed Demat Transaction | ₹50 per ISIN | — |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | — | ₹300 + GST per year |
| DP Charges (NSDL) | — | ₹20 + GST per scrip for the first debit instruction and ₹4 + GST for subsequent debit instructions in the same scrip on the same day |
| DP Charges (CDSL) | — | ₹20 + GST per scrip sold per day (includes depository charges) |
| Call & Trade (Equity & Derivatives) | — | ₹50 per order |
| Call & Trade (Commodity) | — | ₹50 per order |
| Pledge Charges (MTF) | — | ₹25 + GST per pledge instruction |
| Pledge Charges (Shares as Margin - SAM) | — | ₹29 + GST per pledge instruction |
| Pledge Charges (CUSPA) | — | ₹29 + GST per pledge instruction |
Margin & leverage (MTF)
Intraday and delivery margin / leverage offered by Groww and ICICIdirect.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 100% of trade value (1x) | Up to 100% of trade value (1x) |
| Equity Intraday | As per SEBI peak margin rules (Up to 5x*) | As per SEBI Peak Margin Rules (Up to 5x*) |
| F&O (Equity/Currency/Commodity) | SPAN + Exposure Margin (1x) | SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per Exchange) |
| Equity Options | — | Premium + Applicable Margin (As per Exchange) |
| Currency Futures & Options | — | Exchange Prescribed Margin (As per Exchange) |
| Commodity Futures & Options | — | Exchange Prescribed Margin (As per Exchange) |
Features & account
Account type and feature availability across Groww and ICICIdirect.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| 3-in-1 account | ✕ No | ✓ Yes better |
| Automated / API trading | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Margin Trading (MTF) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Trading in SME shares | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Trading platforms | Groww Web, Groww Mobile App, Groww API | ICICIdirect Web, ICICIdirect Mobile App, Trade Racer, Breeze API |
| Intraday square-off | 3:20 PM | 3:15 PM |
| Other | Stock SIP, Option Chain, Price Alerts, Advanced Charts, Watchlists, Portfolio Tracking, Margin Trading Facility (MTF), IPO Investment, Direct Mutual Funds. | 3-in-1 Account, Research Reports, Stock SIP, Basket Orders, MTF, Loan Against Securities |
Trading platforms & apps
Trading terminals, web platforms and mobile apps offered by Groww and ICICIdirect.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Trading platforms offered | Groww Web, Groww App | ICICIdirect Web, ICICIdirect Mobile App, ICICI Direct Markets App, Trade Racer |
| Number of platforms | 2 | 4 more choice |
| Platforms (summary) | Groww Web, Groww Mobile App, Groww API | ICICIdirect Web, ICICIdirect Mobile App, Trade Racer, Breeze API |
| Mobile / desktop apps | Web, Mobile | Web, Mobile, Desktop |
User ratings
User ratings for Groww and ICICIdirect across the key parameters.
| Rated on | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | 4.7 better | 4.1 |
| Brokerage | 4.6 better | 4.2 |
| Trading platform | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Customer service | 4.3 | 4.7 better |
| Research | 4.1 | 4.9 better |
| Overall | 4.6 | 4.6 |
Investment options
Which investment products Groww and ICICIdirect let you access.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks / Equity | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Commodity | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| IPO | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Mutual Funds | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bonds / NCD | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Order types offered
Advanced order types supported by Groww and ICICIdirect.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Bracket Order | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Cover Order | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| BTST | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| After Market (AMO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| GTC / GTT | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Safety & credibility
SEBI registration, financial strength and complaint record for Groww and ICICIdirect.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI registration | INZ000301838 | INZ000183631 |
| NSE member code | 90187 | 07730 |
| Year of incorporation | 2016 | 1995 longer track record |
| Net worth | Not Publicly Disclosed | Not Separately Disclosed (Subsidiary of ICICI Bank Limited) |
| Exchange memberships | NSE · BSE · MCX | NSE · BSE · MCX · NCDEX |
| Latest complaint ratio | 0.009% | 0.0031% fewer complaints |
Complaints record
Exchange complaint data for Groww and ICICIdirect — the ratio matters more than the raw count.
| Parameter | Groww | ICICIdirect |
|---|---|---|
| Latest financial year | 2023–24 | Latest Available |
| Exchange | NSE | NSE |
| Active clients | 95,38,609 larger base | 19,60,293 |
| Complaints filed | 834 | 61 (Pending SCORES 2.0) |
| Complaint ratio | 0.009% | 0.0031% fewer complaints |
Pros & cons
The main advantages and drawbacks of each broker.
Groww
▲ Pros
- ✓ Simple and beginner-friendly trading platform.
- ✓ Fully digital and paperless account opening process.
- ✓ Supports investment in stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, IPOs and F&O.
- ✓ Available on both web and mobile platforms.
- ✓ Transparent brokerage structure.
- ✓ Easy portfolio tracking and fund management.
- ✓ Supports multiple exchanges including NSE, BSE and MCX.
- ✓ Secure online investment platform with modern trading tools.
▼ Cons
- ✕ Limited physical branch network.
- ✕ Research and advisory services are comparatively limited.
- ✕ Call & Trade facility is not available.
- ✕ Advanced trading features may be fewer than some full-service brokers.
- ✕ Customer support response time may vary during peak market hours.
- ✕ Margin funding and premium research offerings are limited compared to some competitors.
ICICIdirect
▲ Pros
- ✓ Integrated 3-in-1 Account with ICICI Bank.
- ✓ Access to Equity, F&O, Currency and Commodity trading.
- ✓ Strong in-house research and investment recommendations.
- ✓ Multiple trading platforms for beginners and active traders.
- ✓ Wide range of investment products under one account.
- ✓ Backed by the trusted ICICI Group.
- ✓ Digital account opening with online KYC.
- ✓ Extensive customer support network across India.
▼ Cons
- ✕ Brokerage charges may be higher than discount brokers.
- ✕ Some advanced features are available only under specific brokerage plans.
- ✕ Annual Demat AMC is applicable.
- ✕ Certain services attract additional transaction charges.
- ✕ Trading costs may vary depending on the selected brokerage plan.
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