Best Brokers for NRI Trading Services
Who is NRI and POI?
Non-Resident Indian (NRI) An Indian Citizen who stays abroad for employment/carrying on business or vocation outside India or stays abroad under circumstances indicating an intention for an uncertain duration of stay abroad is a non-resident.
As per Income Tax act to qualify to become NRI the person should stay out for >180days in a financial year or 365 days spread out over four consecutive years AND at least 60 days in that year.
A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) means a foreign citizen (except a national of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and/or Nepal), who:
- at any time held an Indian passport OR
- or either of their parents/ grandparents/ great-grandparents were born and permanently resident in India as defined in Government of India Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the aforesaid countries (as referred above). OR
- is a spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO
NRI's and PIO's can invest in equity shares, debt funds, mutual funds and IPO's in India. NRIs can also trade in Equity F&O at the exchanges like BSE, NSE and MCX. NRI's are permitted by RBI to invest and trade in the India Stock Market through the PIS route and CP route.
To trade in stock market in India, NRI investor has to open 3 different accounts and link them together.
The NRI Equity Trading account includes:
- A Bank Account, also known as NRI Account is to keep the money for trading. This account is opened with a bank. NRI needs approval by the RBI for open this account though the PIS route. Banks whom which you are opening the account usually takes care of it. Once you get the necessary approvals through the bank, you will be given the PIS (Portfolio Investment Scheme) Letter. This PIS letter is required to open the trading and demat account.
- A Demat Account to hold shares. This account is opened with Depository Participant (DP).
- A Trading Account,an account with the share broker which enables the NRI investor to execute the trade in the stock exchanges.
- A Custody Account,if NRI is planning to trade in Equity Derivatives (F&O) segment. This account is to manage the settlements of all security transactions undertaken by the clients. This has to open with Custodial Participant i.e. IL&FS.
Here we come with "Best brokers for NRI Trading in India:

Zerodha started offering NRI Services @ Rs 200 per executable order for Equity and F&O.Zerodha NRI account. As of now they are only servicing clients having PIS account with Axis or HDFC bank. Accounts in other banks will be served shortly. Intraday equity trading, currency trading and Commodity trading is not allowed for NRI's.>

ProStocks NRI Investment Services include trading in equities, futures, and options on NSE and BSE at the cheapest brokerage of Rs 100 per executed order.
ProStocks NRI Account features include.
- Trading and Demat Account Opening charges: Free
- AMC for Trading Account : Nil (Zero)
- Demat account AMC : Free with Rs 1000 refundable one time deposit.
- Brokerage Charges: Rs 100 per trade (all segments).
- Online EKYC, fill your form online.

Sharekhan offers NRI Investment Services to trade online on NSE, BSE,trade in mutual Funds on any of the trading platforms Sharekhan offered.:
FOR HDFC BANK(IN RS.) | FOR AXIS/INDUSIND/IDBI BANK(IN RS.) | |
---|---|---|
Account Service Charge (Normal KYC) | 2000 | 1000 |
Account Service Charge (For downloaded & Printed KYCs) | 3000 | 2000 |
BROKERAGE:
- Equity Transactions: 0.50%
- Futures: 0.1% on first leg and 0.02% on second leg if squared off on the same day or 0.1% if square off on any other day.
- Options: Rs.250 per contract note.

ICICI offers a 3-in-1 account for NRI's to invest in India. This includes the seamlessly integrated Bank Account, Demat Account and Share Broking Account. This online account allows you to invest in Stocks, Mutual Funds, IPOs, Bonds, EFTs and trade in equity derivatives (futures and options) in India Stock Market.
strong>ICICI NRI Account Charges:
- ICICI NRI 3-in-1 Account Opening Charges: Rs 4000
- ICICI NRI 3-in-1 Account Annual Maintenance Charges: Rs 1000 per year
ICICI NRI Brokerage Charges:
Segment | Brokerage Charges |
---|---|
Equity Delivery | 1.25% to 0.50% |
Equity Future | 0.05% to 0.03% |
Equity Options | Rs 95 to Rs 75 |

Kotak securities offers NRI 3-in-1 Account (known as Trinity Account), a combination of Bank, Demat and Trading Account to provide you a seamless platform to trade and invest in India Stock Market.
Kotak Securities NRI Account Charges:
- Kotak Securities NRI 3-in-1 Account opening charges: Rs 3750
- Kotak Securities NRI 3-in-1 Account annual maintenance Charges: Rs 1000 per year
- Kotak Securities NRI Demat Accounts maintenance Charges : Rs. 75 per month
Kotak Securities NRI Brokerage Charges:
- 1% of the turnover or 10 Paise per share, whichever is higher
- Zerodha
- ICICI Direct
- Sharekhan
- Kotak Securities
- ProStocks
(Comparison of all 5 to be shown)
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Zerodha |
ICICI Direct |
Sharekhan |
Kotak Securities |
ProStocks |
Zerodha | ICICI Direct | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities | ProStocks |
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About The Brokers |
Zerodha : |
ICICI Direct : |
Sharekhan : |
Kotak Securities : |
ProStocks : |
Find More Information about the Broker : |
Zerodha :OVERVIEW BROKERAGE PRODUCTS & SERVICES TRADING PLATFORM & TOOLS RATING |
ICICI Direct :OVERVIEW BROKERAGE PRODUCTS & SERVICES TRADING PLATFORM & TOOLS RATING |
Sharekhan :OVERVIEW BROKERAGE PRODUCTS & SERVICES TRADING PLATFORM & TOOLS RATING |
Kotak Securities :OVERVIEW BROKERAGE PRODUCTS & SERVICES TRADING PLATFORM & TOOLS RATING |
ProStocks :OVERVIEW BROKERAGE PRODUCTS & SERVICES TRADING PLATFORM & TOOLS RATING |
Type of Broker |
Zerodha : |
ICICI Direct : |
Sharekhan : |
Kotak Securities : |
ProStocks : |
Promo/offers |
Zerodha :Special Offer: Brokerage free equity delivery trading + Flat ₹20 Intra-day and F&O trades. Get the offer
Special Offers: Brokerage free equity delivery trading + Flat ₹20 Intra-day and F&O trades. Get the offer
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ICICI Direct :Special Offer: Free Futures Trading + Intraday Trading charges at Flat ₹20 + Commodity & Currency Derivative at Flat ₹20. Get the offer
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Sharekhan :Special Offer: Free Account opening+ No AMC charged on Demat account for the first year + Free Dial n Trade + Customised Pricing.Get the offer
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Kotak Securities :Special Offer: Free Account opening + Free Intraday Trades -All Segments + Flat fee of ₹20 per executed order all for other F&O, MIS & Super Multiple (Cover Order) + Equity & Commodity Delivery at just 0.25% of the transaction value.Get th e offer
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ProStocks :Special Offer: Unlimited Equity Trading- Rs 899/PM, 8999/PY or Brokerage free equity delivery trading + Flat ₹15 Intra-day and F&O trades. Get the offer
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Advantage |
Zerodha :
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ICICI Direct :
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Sharekhan :
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Kotak Securities :
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ProStocks :
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Disadvantage |
Zerodha :
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ICICI Direct :
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Sharekhan :
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Kotak Securities :
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ProStocks :
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Why This |
Zerodha :
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ICICI Direct :
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Sharekhan :
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Kotak Securities :
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ProStocks :
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Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Account Opening & AMC Charges
Zerodha Trading Account Opening Fee is ₹200 and ICICI Direct Trading Account Opening Fee is ₹975 and Sharekhan Trading Account Opening Fee is ₹0 and Kotak Securities Trading Account Opening Fee is ₹499 (Now Free) and ProStocks Trading Account Opening Fee is ₹0 . Zerodha Demat Account AMC is ₹300 and ICICI Direct Demat Account AMC is ₹700 and Sharekhan Demat Account AMC is ₹400 (Free for 1st year) and Kotak Securities Demat Account AMC is ₹600 and ProStocks Demat Account AMC is ₹0 (Lifetime Zero AMC) .
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Brokerage Charges
Zerodha Brokerage Charges Equity Delivery is ₹0 (Free) and Equity Intraday is ₹20 per executed order or .03% whichever is lower and Equity Options is ₹20 per executed order . ICICI Direct Brokerage Charges Equity Delivery is 0.55% and Equity Intraday is 0.275% and Equity Options is ₹95 to ₹35 per lot . Sharekhan Brokerage Charges Equity Delivery is 0.50% and Equity Intraday is 0.10% and Equity Options is ₹50 per lot . Kotak Securities Brokerage Charges Equity Delivery is 0.49% and Equity Intraday is 0.049% and Equity Options is ₹300 . ProStocks Brokerage Charges Equity Delivery is ₹0 and Equity Intraday is ₹15 and Equity Options is ₹15 . Equity Delivery is NA and Equity Intraday is NA and Equity Options is NA .
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Transaction Charges (Per Crore)
Zerodha Transaction Charges (Per Crore) Equity Future is NSE ₹190 per Cr (0.0019%) and Equity Options is NSE ₹5000 per Cr (0.05%) (on premium) . ICICI Direct Transaction Charges (Per Crore) Equity Future is ₹180 per Cr (0.0018%) and Equity Options is ₹5000 per Cr (0.05%) (on premium) . Sharekhan Transaction Charges (Per Crore) Equity Future is NSE ₹190 per Cr (0.0019%) | BSE ₹50 per Cr (0.00035) (each side) and Equity Options is NSE ₹5000 per Cr (0.05%) | BSE ₹50 per Cr (0.0005%) (on premium) . Kotak Securities Transaction Charges (Per Crore) Equity Future is NSE: 0.0019% and Equity Options is NSE: 0.05% on Premium . ProStocks Transaction Charges (Per Crore) Equity Future is NSE: 0.0019% | BSE: 0.0005% and Equity Options is NSE: 0.050% | BSE: 0.0025% .
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Other Charges
Zerodha Minimum Brokerage is 0.03% in Intraday and F&O and Call & Trade is ₹50 per executed order . ICICI Direct Minimum Brokerage is ₹35 per trade and Call & Trade is ₹25 per call after first 20 free calls per month . Sharekhan Minimum Brokerage is Intraday: 5 paisa per share | Delivery: 10 paisa per share | Future ₹0.001 per share and Call & Trade is Rs 20 . Kotak Securities Minimum Brokerage is ₹20 per executed order and Call & Trade is ₹20 per call . ProStocks Minimum Brokerage is ₹0 and Call & Trade is Intraday and F&O: ₹10 per trade. Delivery: ₹25 per .
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Features
Zerodha and ICICI Direct and Sharekhan and Kotak Securities and ProStocks all offer a host of features, trading tools & platforms to their clients. Their comparative analysis is in the below table:
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Demat Account Charges
A comparative table of various demat account charges between Zerodha and ICICI Direct and Sharekhan and Kotak Securities and ProStocks is below:
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Basic Details
Zerodha Year of Incorporation is 2010 and Total Number of Clients is 2,720,797+ and Total Number of Branches is 22 . ICICI Direct Year of Incorporation is 2000 and Total Number of Clients is 8,78,884 and Total Number of Branches is 154 . Sharekhan Year of Incorporation is 2000 and Total Number of Clients is 6,18,867+ and Total Number of Branches is 2800 . Kotak Securities Year of Incorporation is 1994 and Total Number of Clients is 4,43,400+ and Total Number of Branches is 1128+ . ProStocks Year of Incorporation is 2016 and Total Number of Clients is 3,562 and Total Number of Branches is 1 .
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Charts and Data
Zerodha and ICICI Direct and Sharekhan and Kotak Securities and ProStocks all offer a host of Charts & Data for better decision making to their clients. Their comparative analysis is in the below table:
Zerodha | ICICI Direct | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities | ProStocks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Live data source |
Live data source :
Yes |
Live data source :
NSE, BSE |
Live data source :
Yes |
Live data source :
NSE, BSE, MCX |
Live data source :
BSE, NSE |
Advanced Charting tools |
Advanced Charting tools :
Yes |
Advanced Charting tools :
Yes |
Advanced Charting tools :
Yes |
Advanced Charting tools :
Yes |
Advanced Charting tools :
Yes |
Multi-Chart Setup |
Multi-Chart Setup :
Yes |
Multi-Chart Setup :
Yes |
Multi-Chart Setup :
Yes |
Multi-Chart Setup :
Yes |
Multi-Chart Setup :
Yes |
No.of indicators |
No.of indicators :
111 |
No.of indicators :
82 |
No.of indicators :
30+ |
No.of indicators :
30 |
No.of indicators :
100+ |
No.of charts can be opened |
No.of charts can be opened :
13 |
No.of charts can be opened :
6 |
No.of charts can be opened :
10 |
No.of charts can be opened :
5 |
No.of charts can be opened :
6 |
Live Scanners |
Live Scanners :
Yes |
Live Scanners :
Yes |
Live Scanners :
Yes |
Live Scanners :
Yes |
Live Scanners :
Yes |
Customizable screeners |
Customizable screeners :
Yes |
Customizable screeners :
No |
Customizable screeners :
Yes |
Customizable screeners :
No |
Customizable screeners :
Yes |
Trading from charts |
Trading from charts :
Yes |
Trading from charts :
No |
Trading from charts :
Yes |
Trading from charts :
No |
Trading from charts :
Yes |
Compare Symbol performance on Chart |
Compare Symbol performance on Chart :
No |
Compare Symbol performance on Chart :
No |
Compare Symbol performance on Chart :
No |
Compare Symbol performance on Chart :
No |
Compare Symbol performance on Chart : - |
Options charts |
Options charts :
Yes |
Options charts :
Yes |
Options charts :
Yes |
Options charts :
Yes |
Options charts : - |
Continuous futures charts |
Continuous futures charts :
Yes |
Continuous futures charts :
Yes |
Continuous futures charts :
Yes |
Continuous futures charts :
Yes |
Continuous futures charts : - |
Intraday historical data for charts |
Intraday historical data for charts :
365 days on Pi |
Intraday historical data for charts :
20 days |
Intraday historical data for charts :
30 days |
Intraday historical data for charts :
5 days |
Intraday historical data for charts :
Yes |
End of Day historical data for charts |
End of Day historical data for charts :
10 years on Pi |
End of Day historical data for charts :
10 years |
End of Day historical data for charts :
10 years |
End of Day historical data for charts :
5 days |
End of Day historical data for charts :
Yes |
Corporate action adjusted charts |
Corporate action adjusted charts :
No |
Corporate action adjusted charts :
No |
Corporate action adjusted charts :
No |
Corporate action adjusted charts :
No |
Corporate action adjusted charts : - |
Back Testing |
Back Testing :
No |
Back Testing :
No |
Back Testing :
No |
Back Testing :
No |
Back Testing : - |
Options Chain |
Options Chain :
Yes |
Options Chain :
Yes |
Options Chain :
Yes |
Options Chain :
Yes |
Options Chain : - |
Heat Maps |
Heat Maps :
Yes |
Heat Maps :
Yes |
Heat Maps :
Yes |
Heat Maps :
Yes |
Heat Maps : - |
Analytics |
Analytics :
Yes |
Analytics :
Yes |
Analytics :
No |
Analytics :
Yes |
Analytics : - |
Price Ladder |
Price Ladder :
No |
Price Ladder :
No |
Price Ladder :
No |
Price Ladder :
No |
Price Ladder : - |
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Leverage
Leverage
Zerodha | ICICI Direct | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities | ProStocks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equity Delivery |
Equity Delivery :
1x (no margin) |
Equity Delivery :
5x with Interest |
Equity Delivery :
Upto 5x with 24% interest per year |
Equity Delivery : - |
Equity Delivery :
1x (no margin) |
Equity Intraday |
Equity Intraday :
Up to 20x (based on the stock) |
Equity Intraday :
Upto 25x |
Equity Intraday :
Upto 10x |
Equity Intraday : - |
Equity Intraday :
7x (Margin intraday sq off) |
Equity Futures |
Equity Futures :
Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Total margin (Span+ Exposure) |
Equity Futures :
4x |
Equity Futures :
2x for Intraday |
Equity Futures : - |
Equity Futures :
2x |
Equity Options |
Equity Options :
Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Total margin (Span+ Exposure) |
Equity Options :
2x for shorting |
Equity Options :
Nil |
Equity Options : - |
Equity Options :
1x (no margin) |
Currency Futures |
Currency Futures :
Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Total margin (Span+ Exposure) |
Currency Futures :
NA |
Currency Futures :
Nil |
Currency Futures : - |
Currency Futures :
1.5x |
Currency Options |
Currency Options :
Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Total margin (Span+ Exposure) |
Currency Options :
NA |
Currency Options :
Nil |
Currency Options : - |
Currency Options :
1x (no margin) |
Commodity Futures |
Commodity Futures :
Intraday - 40%(2.5x), Carry forward - 100%(1x) of Span |
Commodity Futures :
NA |
Commodity Futures :
Upto 2x for Intraday |
Commodity Futures : - | Commodity Futures : - |
Commodity Options | Commodity Options : - | Commodity Options : - | Commodity Options : - | Commodity Options : - | Commodity Options : - |
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Orders
Orders
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Research and Advice / Trading Tips
Research and Advice / Trading Tips
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Franchisee / Authorized Person related information
Franchisee / Authorized Person related information
Zerodha | ICICI Direct | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities | ProStocks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Availability for franchisee / AP |
Availability for franchisee / AP :
Yes |
Availability for franchisee / AP :
Yes |
Availability for franchisee / AP :
Yes |
Availability for franchisee / AP :
Yes |
Availability for franchisee / AP :
NA |
Investment required for Franchisee / AP |
Investment required for Franchisee / AP :
Rs.11,000 |
Investment required for Franchisee / AP :
Rs.25,000 to Rs.2,00,000 |
Investment required for Franchisee / AP :
Rs.50,000 |
Investment required for Franchisee / AP :
Minimum deposit of Rs 3 lakh (negotiable) |
Investment required for Franchisee / AP :
NA |
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Product & Services
Zerodha and ICICI Direct and Sharekhan and Kotak Securities and ProStocks all offer a host of Products & Services for a better trading experience for their clients. Their comparative analysis is in the below table:
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Customer Services
Zerodha and ICICI Direct and Sharekhan and Kotak Securities and ProStocks all offer a host of Customer service options to their clients to quickly solve their queries or grievances if any. Their comparative analysis is in the below table:
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Other Investement
Zerodha and ICICI Direct and Sharekhan and Kotak Securities and ProStocks all offer a lot of investment avenues apart from Stock trading on their platforms to their clients to make a better trading experience. Their comparative analysis is in the below table:
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Trading PlatForm
Zerodha and ICICI Direct and Sharekhan and Kotak Securities and ProStocks all offer a host of Trading Platform for a better trading experience for their clients. Their comparative analysis is in the below table:
Zerodha vs ICICI Direct vs Sharekhan vs Kotak Securities vs ProStocks Company Information
Company Information
Zerodha | ICICI Direct | Sharekhan | Kotak Securities | ProStocks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Financials * |
Financials :
No |
Financials :
Yes |
Financials :
Yes |
Financials :
Yes |
Financials :
No |
News * | News : - | News : - |
News :
Yes |
News :
Yes |
News : - |
Company Analysis * |
Company Analysis :
No |
Company Analysis :
Yes |
Company Analysis :
Yes |
Company Analysis :
Yes |
Company Analysis :
No |
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