Portfolio Hedging with Index Options for Mutual Fund Investors
HDFC vs ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund: Which Mutual Fund House is Better for You?
When investors in India look for trusted mutual fund houses, HDFC Mutual Fund and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund are two fund houses that investors often look into. Both Asset Management Companies (AMCs) have built strong reputations over decades and today command some of the largest Assets Under Management (AUMs) in India.
HDFC Mutual Fund, backed by the HDFC Group, has an AUM of ₹8.37 lakh crore (as of June 2025), making it one of the biggest fund houses in India.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, a joint venture between ICICI Bank and Prudential Plc (UK), is the largest AMC in India with an AUM of ₹9.8 lakh crore (as of June 2025).
Both AMCs offer a wide range of equity funds, debt funds, hybrid schemes, ELSS tax-saving funds, ETFs, and SIP options, catering to different types of investors. This makes the HDFC vs ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund debate important for anyone looking to choose the right AMC.
About the AMC
| About the AMCs | HDFC Mutual Fund | ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund |
| Promoter / Backing | Backed by the HDFC Group, India’s most trusted financial services conglomerate. | Joint venture of ICICI Bank and Prudential Plc, UK, bringing both Indian and global expertise. |
| AUM (June 2025) | ₹8.37 lakh crore | ₹9.8 lakh crore |
| Investment Focus | Known for strong debt funds and hybrid products with stable performance. | Popular for equity funds, ETFs, and balanced advantage schemes with consistent long-term growth. |
| Investor Reach | Wide distribution network across urban and rural India. | Leading AMC with a robust SIP book and strong online presence. |
Fund Categories Offered
Both AMCs provide diverse investment schemes across categories:
- Equity Mutual Funds (Large Cap, Mid Cap, Small Cap, Flexi Cap, Sectoral/Thematic).
- Debt Mutual Funds (Liquid, Short Duration, Gilt, Corporate Bond).
- Hybrid Mutual Funds (Aggressive Hybrid, Conservative Hybrid, Balanced Advantage).
- ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Schemes) for tax-saving under Section 80C.
- Index Funds & ETFs tracking Nifty 50, Sensex, and sectoral indices.
- SIPs starting from ₹500 per month, making investments accessible to retail investors.
- Portfolio Management Services (PMS) for high-net-worth individuals.
Top Mutual Funds of Each AMC
Our easy-to-use comparison tool lets you compare mutual funds and understand which is the best choice for you.
Unique Strengths of Each AMC
HDFC Mutual Fund Strengths
- Trusted Brand Value: Backed by the HDFC Group, synonymous with financial trust in India.
- Strong Debt & Hybrid Products: Known for stable and reliable HDFC Debt Funds and Hybrid Funds.
- Large Distribution Network: Wide presence across metros and smaller towns.
- Investor-Friendly SIP Options: HDFC SIP ₹500 per month makes it accessible for beginners.
- Popular in ELSS: HDFC TaxSaver Fund is one of the best HDFC ELSS funds for tax-saving.
- Best HDFC Mutual Funds 2025: HDFC Flexi Cap Fund and HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund are investor favorites.
- Steady Mutual Fund Returns: Well-suited for conservative investors seeking consistent returns.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Strengths
- Largest AMC in India: With ₹9.8 lakh crore AUM (June 2025), it has strong market dominance.
- Equity & Balanced Advantage Leadership: ICICI Prudential Equity Funds and Balanced Advantage Fund are top performers in their categories.
- Innovative Product Offerings: Known for thematic and sectoral funds like ICICI Prudential Technology Fund.
- Strong SIP Book: Large retail base actively investing through ICICI Prudential SIPs.
- Global Expertise: Backed by Prudential Plc, UK, providing international insights into portfolio management.
- Best ICICI Prudential Mutual Funds 2025: ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund and ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund are highly popular.
- Digital Presence: Easy to Buy ICICI Mutual Funds online, Invest through 5paisa, and manage SIPs digitally.
Who Should Invest?
Choosing between HDFC MF vs ICICI Prudential MF depends on your financial goals and risk profile.
Choose HDFC Mutual Fund if you:
- Prefer conservative debt funds or hybrid funds.
- Value HDFC’s trust and stability.
- Are a first-time investor looking for a balanced advantage fund.
- Want stable HDFC mutual fund returns with lower volatility.
Choose ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund if you:
- Want to focus on long-term equity wealth creation.
- Are open to dynamic allocation schemes like Balanced Advantage Funds.
- Seek exposure to sectoral and thematic funds for aggressive growth.
- Prefer strong digital platforms for SIPs and online investments.
- Both AMCs allow you to Open SIPs online, start with as little as ₹500 per month, and even Invest through 5paisa seamlessly.
Conclusion
Both HDFC Mutual Fund and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund are industry leaders with unique strengths:
HDFC MF is ideal for investors looking for stability, debt funds, hybrid funds, and brand-backed trust.
ICICI Prudential MF is better suited for those aiming at long-term equity growth, balanced advantage strategies, and sectoral opportunities.
Explore our options in mutual fund and find one that aligns with your financial goals.
The best approach for many investors may be to diversify across both AMCs depending on their risk appetite and financial goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for SIP – HDFC MF or ICICI Prudential MF?
Which AMC has lower expense ratios?
Which AMC is better for tax-saving ELSS?
- ZERO Commission
- Curated Fund Lists
- 1,300+ Direct Funds
- Start SIP with Ease
Trending on 5paisa
Mutual Funds and ETFs Related Articles
Disclaimer: Investment in securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. For detailed disclaimer please Click here.
5paisa Capital Ltd