Groww Demat & Trading Account vs ICICI Direct Demat & Trading Account— Detailed Comparison 2026
Choosing between Groww Demat & Trading Account and ICICI Direct Demat & Trading Account? Both are popular options in the demat account space in India, but they differ in pricing, features, and target audience. In this 2026 comparison, we break down every detail side by side — from fees and benefits to user ratings — so you can make an informed decision.
Groww Demat & Trading Account
Groww
First-time investors and mutual fund SIP beginners
ICICI Direct Demat & Trading Account
ICICI Direct
Long-term investors who value research, advisory, and bank integration
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Groww Demat & Trading Account | ICICI Direct Demat & Trading Account | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account Opening Charge | Free | Free | Tie |
| Annual Maintenance (AMC) | Free | ₹750 | Groww |
| Equity Delivery Brokerage | Zero (free) | 0.55% of trade value | Tie |
| Equity Intraday Brokerage | Rs 20 per order or 0.05%, whichever is lower | 0.275% of trade value | Tie |
| Futures Brokerage | Rs 20 per order or 0.05%, whichever is lower | 0.05% of trade value or Rs 20/lot, whichever is higher | Tie |
| Options Brokerage | Rs 20 per order (flat) | Rs 95 per lot | Tie |
| Mutual Fund Commission | Zero — direct mutual funds | Zero on direct funds; regular funds available | Tie |
| Research Reports | ✘ | ✔ | ICICI Direct |
| Margin Trading | ✔ | ✔ | Tie |
| IPO Access | ✔ | ✔ | Tie |
| Mutual Funds | ✔ | ✔ | Tie |
| NFO Access | ✔ | ✔ | Tie |
| Best For | First-time investors and mutual fund SIP beginners | Long-term investors who value research, advisory, and bank integration | Tie |
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★★4.5 | ★★★★★4.2 | Groww |
Pros & Cons
Groww Demat & Trading Account
+Advantages
- ✔Most user-friendly app for beginners
- ✔Zero account opening charges
- ✔Zero brokerage on equity delivery
- ✔Excellent mutual fund and SIP interface
- ✔Fastest growing broker in India
−Disadvantages
- ✘Limited advanced charting tools
- ✘No desktop trading terminal
- ✘F&O tools less mature than Zerodha
- ✘No commodity trading
ICICI Direct Demat & Trading Account
+Advantages
- ✔3-in-1 account (savings + demat + trading) with ICICI Bank
- ✔Excellent research and advisory
- ✔Robust and stable trading platform
- ✔Wide range of investment products
- ✔Strong customer support via ICICI branches
−Disadvantages
- ✘Higher brokerage — 0.55% on delivery trades
- ✘AMC of Rs 750/year
- ✘Not competitive for active F&O traders
- ✘Account opening charge of Rs 0 but AMC is high
Our Verdict: Groww Demat & Trading Account vs ICICI Direct Demat & Trading Account
Based on our analysis, Groww Demat & Trading Account edges ahead with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to ICICI Direct Demat & Trading Account's 4.2/5. With a difference of 0.3 points, Groww Demat & Trading Account offers a stronger overall package. However, ICICI Direct Demat & Trading Account may be better suited for specific use cases — review the feature-by-feature comparison above to decide what works best for your needs.