Explore / Business banking / HDFC Bank vs ICICI Bank
Compared · prices checked 10 November 2026
HDFC Bank vs ICICI Bank
Pick HDFC Bank if you are a startup opening your first current account, want a large private bank's branches, and may use collateral-free loans for DPIIT-recognised startups under the credit guarantee scheme. Pick ICICI Bank if you want plain cashback on a business credit card, or its iStartup accounts for startups. Both ask for a ₹50,000 quarterly average balance on a current account, which HDFC Bank waives for the first 4 quarters, and ICICI Bank's Business Advantage Black card costs ₹1,500 to join and ₹1,000 a year plus GST.
HDFC Bank
A large Indian private bank with a StartUp Current Account and business credit cards.
Pick it when
You want a large private bank's branches
For
An Indian startup opening its first current account or business card.
What it costs
StartUp Current Account: average quarterly balance of Rs 50,000, waived for the first 4 quarters
Read from hdfc.bank.in on 10 November 2026
In India
Collateral-free loans under the credit guarantee scheme for DPIIT-recognised startups
Founders on eChai
10 of 38 named it for “Which bank do you use and recommend for your startup?”
ICICI Bank
A large Indian private bank with current accounts and Business Advantage credit cards.
Pick it when
Plain cashback on a business credit card
For
An Indian business opening a current account or a business card.
What it costs
Current account: quarterly average balance of ₹50,000; Business Advantage Black card ₹1,500 joining and ₹1,000 annual fee plus GST
Read from icici.bank.in on 10 November 2026
In India
Indian bank; iStartup accounts for startups
Founders on eChai
16 of 38 named it for “Which bank do you use and recommend for your startup?”
