5paisa vs ICICI Direct
How 5paisa and ICICI Direct compare on brokerage, demat AMC and DP charges — verified as of Jun 2026.
By NexMaxo Editorial Team · Charges verified Jun 2026
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Quick take
5paisa charges ₹20 flat per order and ICICI Direct charges 0.29% (no cap) on delivery — so intraday/F&O fees, the DP charge and AMC decide it.
5paisa — cost-conscious traders who want flat ₹20 across all segments in one no-frills app, and don't need free delivery.
ICICI Direct — existing icici bank customers who value a seamless 3-in-1 account and full-service research, and don't mind high percentage brokerage on the default plan.
Charges side by side
| 5paisaOpen | ICICI DirectOpen | |
|---|---|---|
| Equity delivery | ₹20 flat per order | 0.29% (no cap) |
| Intraday | ₹20 flat per order | 0.029%/side (no cap) |
| DP sell / scrip | ₹14.75 | ₹23.6 |
| Account opening | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Demat AMC | ₹300/yr (₹75/quarter) | ₹700/yr standard (₹300/yr on opt-in iValue/Neo plans) |
| Type | Discount | Full-service |
Standard published equity plans, verified Jun 2026. Statutory STT, exchange, SEBI, stamp duty & GST are identical across brokers.
5paisa
- Flat ₹20 per order on equity delivery, intraday, F&O, commodity and currency — simple and low
- Zero account-opening fee; mutual-fund (direct/regular) and IPO applications are free
- Broad segment coverage on one platform (equity, F&O, MCX, currency, MF, IPOs) plus an Xstream API
- Equity delivery is NOT free on the default plan — ₹20 per order
- Demat AMC of ₹300/yr (₹75/quarter) on the standard plan
ICICI Direct
- Seamless 3-in-1 account integrating ICICI Bank savings, demat and trading for instant fund transfers
- Full-service: extensive in-house research, advisory, IPOs, mutual funds, bonds, NCDs across segments
- Free account opening and the backing/scale of one of India's largest, most established brokers
- Default MoneySaver plan is expensive: 0.29% delivery and 0.029%/side intraday vs discount brokers' flat ₹20 / free delivery
- Percentage brokerage with no cap means large-value delivery orders incur very high charges
5paisa vs ICICI Direct — FAQs
5paisa charges ₹20 flat per order and ICICI Direct charges 0.29% (no cap) on delivery — so intraday/F&O fees, the DP charge and AMC decide it. On intraday, 5paisa charges ₹20 flat per order and ICICI Direct 0.029%/side (no cap). The DP sell charge is ₹14.75 (5paisa) vs ₹23.6 (ICICI Direct). Statutory charges are identical across brokers.
5paisa is a discount broker — cost-conscious traders who want flat ₹20 across all segments in one no-frills app, and don't need free delivery. ICICI Direct is a full-service broker — existing icici bank customers who value a seamless 3-in-1 account and full-service research, and don't mind high percentage brokerage on the default plan.
Either works to start. Look at the demat AMC (5paisa: ₹300/yr (₹75/quarter); ICICI Direct: ₹700/yr standard (₹300/yr on opt-in iValue/Neo plans)), whether delivery is free, and which app you find simpler. Both hold your shares safely with CDSL/NSDL. This is information, not advice.
This is an informational comparison of published charges, not investment advice. Brokers change pricing and run promotions — confirm current rates on each broker's official charges page before opening. Investing carries market risk.