ICICIdirect Vs Zerodha NRI Account Comparison

1. India's leading stockbroker. Part of the prestigious ICICI group, a financial services conglomerate.
2. ICICI 3-in-1 NRI Account offers the easiest online trading experience.
3. It offers an online trading facility with automatic fund transfer and PIS reporting.
4. Invest online in Mutual Fund, NCD, FD, IPO, etc.
5. GTC (or GTD, VTD) and AMO order types are available for placing orders in non-trading hours.
6. It has a very stable trading platform.

1. Discount stock broker offer trading at a low brokerage charges. Zerodha charges Rs 200 per trade (PIS Account) and Rs 100 per trade (Non-PIS account) whereas full-service stock brokers charge on an average 0.75% of the order value. So, if you trade for Rs 1 lakh, you pay Rs 750 with a full-service stock broker whereas Zerodha will charge you Rs 200.
2. India's largest stock broker in terms of active customers.
3. Offers access to best-in-industry trading software and tools.
4. Supports HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank, IDFC FIRST Bank and Axis Bank NRI Bank Account.

1. While ICICI trading platform gets the job done, it is very old trading software with poor user experience in comparison to the next generation online brokers like Zerodha, upstox, and 5paisa.
2. The equity delivery brokerage is higher in comparison to discount brokers like Zerodha. With ICICI, a buy order or Rs 1 lakhs will cost Rs 1250 (1.25%) in brokerage. The same order at Zerodha cost Rs 200 in brokerage.
3. NRIs from the UK (United Kingdom) cannot invest in IPO and Mutual Fund through ICICIDirect.com
4. ICICI Bank doesn't offer online account opening to NRIs apart from customers from the US. Online account opening is also not available to Minor NRIs from the US.

1. Doesn't offer 3-in-1 accounts. Only offer trading and demat accounts. So, you have to first transfer funds from your PIS account to Zerodha trading account before trading.
2. Doesn't offer Mutual Funds to NRI customers.
3. Doesn't provide research reports or analysis.

ICICI is a highly recommended trading account for NRIs who are looking for investing in the stock market and mutual funds in India. It offers a convenient way to invest with competitive brokerage charges. It offers a range of investment options along with a dedicated RM, NRI support desk, free research, and tips. GTC and AMO order helps NRI customers to place an order in their own convenient timings.

Zerodha comes across as a decent choice for NRIs looking to invest in stock markets in India and want to save on brokerage. The company offers best-in-the-industry trading platforms and tools. However, NRIs have to open bank accounts with HDFC Bank, IndusInd Bank, IDFC FIRST Bank and Axis Bank to open a Zerodha NRI account. It also doesn't offer mutual fund investment services to NRIs. It charges a low flat-fee brokerage which makes it an attractive choice for NRIs.