ICICIdirect Vs Kotak Securities NRI Account Comparison

1x margin means Full SPAN + Exposure margins defined by the exchange across Equity and Derivatives (Equity F&O, currency and commodity) segments. This means the broker does not offer any additional leverage.

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. Offers integrated 3-in-1 Trinity account for fast and smooth trading experience.
2. Part of the reputed Kotak group
3. Branch offices in New York, London, Dubai, Singapore, and Mauritius.
4. AMO and GTC order types make it easy for NRIs to place orders at any time.
5. A dedicated research team for expert advice and recommendations
6. Offers a range of advanced online trading platforms and tools.
7. Offers online mutual fund, IPO and NCD investment facility.

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. The brokerage charges are higher in comparison to discount stock brokers like Zerodha and Prostocks. Kotak brokerage charges for equity delivery us 1% whereas Prostocks charges fixed Rs 100 per order. So, if your trade value is Rs 1 lakh, you pay a brokerage of Rs 1000 with Kotak whereas Prostocks will charge you just Rs 100.

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.

Kotak Securities is a full-service broker. It offers convenient stock trading and investment to NRI's through its 3-in-1 account. In addition, you get advanced trading software, researched advice and dedicated RM assistance. Kotak Sec brokerage charges are on the higher side. Kotak Sec has offices in New York, London, Dubai, Singapore, and Mauritius which makes it easy for NRIs based in these locations to avail services or get grievances redressed locally.