ICICIdirect Vs Trustline 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.

• Offers web and mobile app-based NRI trading and investment platform.
• Charges lower brokerage for investing in equity and equity derivatives.
• Doesn't have a minimum brokerage charge which is good for small investors.
• Offers research-based fundamental and technical analysis which helps in taking a better investment decision.
• Allows US and Canada based NRIs to trade and invest in the stock market through Trustline trading forms.
• Trustline works as a clearing and settlement member which reduces the overall cost for investors.
• Facilitates IPO bidding for resident and non-resident Indian investors.

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.

• Doesn't offer a 3-in-1 account which means NRIs cannot open all the accounts at a single platform. It also means NRIs have to first transfer funds to PIS account before placing orders.
• Doesn't offer Bracket Order facility.
• Doesn't offer AMO (After Market Order) and GTC (Good' Till Cancelled) orders for investors.
• Allows only Axis bank to open NRI bank account.

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.

Trustline Securities is a good choice for both casual and frequent traders. The full-service broker offers depository services and research tips for NRIs. It also allows US and Canada based NRIs after filling FATCA and FEMA declaration form. The brokerage charges are quite low as compared to other full-service brokers in India. The broker also offers good web and mobile trading platforms in addition to a dedicated mobile app for mutual fund investments. Call n Trade facility and IPO application services are other features that make Trustline a good choice as an NRI stockbroker. The only major disadvantage with the broker is that it only allows Axis Bank accounts to be linked with its trading account. So, if you have Axis NRI bank accounts then its an excellent choice else you have to transfer your bank accounts to trade with Trustline.