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ICICI Direct alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll investing and stock trading apps

Top picks

Common reasons people leave ICICI Direct: brokerage is higher than discount brokers unless you buy a plan, and plan and fee structure is complicated to compare. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces ICICI Direct, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Zerodha Kite currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Zerodha Kite logoZerodha KiteFree plan + paid—NoWeb, Android, iOS8 of 868.8
2Groww logoGrowwFree plan + paid—NoWeb, Android, iOS7 of 764.8
3Upstox logoUpstoxFree plan + paid—NoWeb, Android, iOS7 of 761.8
4Angel One logoAngel OneFree plan + paidLower of ₹20 or 0.1% per executed equity orderNoWeb, Android, iOS9 of 959.4
5Mirae Asset Sharekhan logoMirae Asset SharekhanFree plan + paid—NoWeb, Windows, iOS +15 of 542.3
  1. Zerodha Kite logo

    1. Zerodha KiteTop pick

    Best for: Self-directed Indian investors and active traders who want low, flat fees and a clean charting app

    Free plan + paidWeb, Android, iOS

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from ICICI Direct

    Far lower flat brokerage and a clean trading app, without needing an ICICI Bank account.

    Pros

    • No brokerage on equity delivery trades or direct mutual funds
    • Flat ₹20 cap per intraday or F&O order
    • Detailed charts, 20-level market depth and GTT orders
    • Free Varsity courses and a public trading API

    Cons

    • Annual demat maintenance charge after the first year for many accounts
    • No research reports or stock recommendations
    • Mutual funds live in a separate Coin app rather than inside Kite
    Visit Zerodha Kite Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zerodha Kite a good ICICI Direct alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Equity delivery brokerage
    ₹0
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zerodha.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Intraday and F&O brokerage
    ₹20 or 0.03% per order, whichever is lower
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zerodha.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Account opening
    Free for individual accounts
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zerodha.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Market depth
    20 levels (level 3 data)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zerodha.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2010
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zerodha.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Intraday brokerage
    ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order, whichever is lower
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zerodha.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Options brokerage
    Flat ₹20 per executed order
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zerodha.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Demat AMC
    ₹300 a year + GST (non-BSDA accounts)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zerodha.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Groww logo

    2. Groww

    Best for: First-time investors in India who want mutual funds and stocks in one simple app

    Free plan + paidWeb, Android, iOS

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from ICICI Direct

    Simpler app for stocks and mutual funds with low fees, popular with first-time investors.

    Pros

    • No account opening or maintenance charges
    • Direct mutual funds and SIPs with zero commission
    • Beginner-friendly app that also covers US stocks and IPOs

    Cons

    • Equity delivery trades carry brokerage, unlike Zerodha's ₹0
    • Advanced trading tools are split into separate terminal products
    • Runs its own mutual funds alongside third-party ones
    Visit Groww Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Groww a good ICICI Direct alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Account opening
    ₹0
    Checked Nov 8, 2026groww.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Account maintenance
    ₹0
    Checked Nov 8, 2026groww.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Equity brokerage
    ₹20 or 0.1% per order, whichever is lower
    Checked Nov 8, 2026groww.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Customers
    50 million+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026groww.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Mutual funds
    Direct funds at zero charges
    Checked Nov 8, 2026groww.in(opens source in a new tab)
    MTF interest
    14.95% a year on the funded amount
    Checked Nov 8, 2026groww.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Pledge charge
    ₹20 per ISIN
    Checked Nov 8, 2026groww.in(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Upstox logo

    3. Upstox

    Best for: Indian traders who want flat-fee F&O trading with TradingView charts and API access

    Free plan + paidWeb, Android, iOS

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from ICICI Direct

    Discount broker with flat intraday fees and a capable charting app.

    Pros

    • Flat ₹20 maximum brokerage per order across segments
    • No brokerage on mutual funds and IPOs
    • TradingView charts and a trading API built in

    Cons

    • Equity delivery trades cost ₹20 per order, not free
    • Account maintenance charge applies after the first year
    • No research or stock advisory like a full-service broker
    Visit Upstox Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Upstox a good ICICI Direct alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Equity delivery brokerage
    ₹20 per executed order
    Checked Nov 8, 2026upstox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mutual funds and IPOs
    ₹0 brokerage
    Checked Nov 8, 2026upstox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Account maintenance
    ₹0 in the first year, then ₹300 + GST (non-BSDA)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026upstox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Broking licence
    2010
    Checked Nov 8, 2026upstox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    2 crore+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026upstox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Equity options brokerage
    Flat ₹20 per executed order
    Checked Nov 8, 2026upstox.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Account opening
    Free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026upstox.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Angel One logo

    4. Angel One

    Best for: Indian investors who want research and recommendations along with a low-cost trading app

    Free plan + paidWeb, Android, iOS

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from ICICI Direct

    Low-cost full-service broker with research and advisory features at discount pricing.

    Pros

    • Free account opening and no maintenance charge in year one
    • Research reports and stock recommendations included
    • No commission on mutual funds and IPO applications

    Cons

    • Free brokerage lasts only 30 days, then per-order fees apply
    • Recommendations and promotions can be pushy for self-directed investors
    • Maintenance charge applies after the first year
    Visit Angel One Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Angel One a good ICICI Direct alternative?

    Verified facts

    9 of 9 verified
    Account opening
    ₹0
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Introductory brokerage
    ₹0 for the first 30 days, up to ₹500
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Mutual funds and IPOs
    ₹0 commission
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Registered users
    3.8 crore+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Digital since
    2019
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    Lower of ₹20 or 0.1% per executed equity order
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
    F&O brokerage
    ₹20 per executed order
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
    Introductory offer
    ₹0 brokerage up to ₹500 for the first 30 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
    AMC
    ₹0 for the first year
    Checked Nov 8, 2026angelone.in(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Mirae Asset Sharekhan logo

    5. Mirae Asset Sharekhan

    Best for: Indian investors who want research, a relationship manager and branch support with their account

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, iOS, Android

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from ICICI Direct

    Similar full-service broking with research, branches and the TradeTiger desktop terminal.

    Pros

    • TradeTiger desktop terminal for active traders
    • Research recommendations across equity, F&O, currency and commodities
    • Large network of branches and partner outlets across India
    • Trading API for building automated strategies

    Cons

    • Brokerage is higher than at discount brokers, as the company itself acknowledges
    • Several separate apps and platforms can be confusing to start with
    • TradeTiger runs on Windows only
    Visit Mirae Asset Sharekhan Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Mirae Asset Sharekhan a good ICICI Direct alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Founded
    2000
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sharekhan.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Mirae Asset
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sharekhan.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop platform
    TradeTiger
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sharekhan.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Branches and outlets
    4,000+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sharekhan.com(opens source in a new tab)
    US stocks
    Yes, via GIFT City
    Checked Nov 8, 2026sharekhan.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best ICICI Direct alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Zerodha Kite logo

Best ICICI Direct alternative for most people

Zerodha Kite

Far lower flat brokerage and a clean trading app, without needing an ICICI Bank account.

Groww logo

Best ICICI Direct alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Groww

Simpler app for stocks and mutual funds with low fees, popular with first-time investors.

Mirae Asset Sharekhan logo

Best ICICI Direct alternative for Windows

Mirae Asset Sharekhan

Similar full-service broking with research, branches and the TradeTiger desktop terminal.

Upstox logo

Best ICICI Direct alternative for iPhone and Android

Upstox

Discount broker with flat intraday fees and a capable charting app.

Angel One logo

Best ICICI Direct alternative for working in the browser

Angel One

Low-cost full-service broker with research and advisory features at discount pricing.

ICICI Direct alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to ICICI Direct?

Zerodha Kite ranks first right now. Far lower flat brokerage and a clean trading app, without needing an ICICI Bank account. Groww and Upstox follow it in our ranking.

ICICI Direct vs Zerodha Kite: what's the difference?

ICICI Direct is a paid product; Zerodha Kite is free with paid plans. Both run on Web, iOS and Android.

Is ICICI Direct free?

ICICI Direct is a paid product. Mutual fund SIP: From ₹100; Starting price: ₹999 one-time fee (Prime 999), 0.22% delivery brokerage; Prime 9999 plan: ₹9,999 one-time fee, 0.07% delivery brokerage; Prime 4999 plan: ₹4,999 one-time fee, 0.10% delivery brokerage. Checked on ICICI Direct's own site, November 2026.

Is there a free alternative to ICICI Direct?

Yes. Zerodha Kite (free plan + paid), Groww (free plan + paid), Upstox (free plan + paid) and Angel One (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to ICICI Direct?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from ICICI Direct?

The complaints we hear most: brokerage is higher than discount brokers unless you buy a plan; plan and fee structure is complicated to compare; full 3-in-1 benefits need an ICICI Bank account.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces ICICI Direct, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.