Axis Direct vs HDFC Securities

A full side-by-side comparison of brokerage charges, demat AMC, margin, platforms, features and user ratings — updated for 2026.

Axis Direct
Axis Direct
Full-Service Broker · since 2006
VS
HDFC Securities
Full-Service Broker · since 2000
HDFC Securities

Axis Direct vs HDFC Securities — quick verdict

Choose Axis Direct if

You want research and offline support

Invest Right. Invest Now.

Choose HDFC Securities if

You want research and offline support

Invest Right. Invest Now.

Company overview

Axis Direct is a full-service broker incorporated in 2006; HDFC Securities is a full-service broker incorporated in 2000.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Type of broker Full-Service Broker Full-Service Broker
Exchange membership NSE · BSE · MCX · MSEI NSE · BSE · MCX
Year of incorporation 2006 2000 older
Number of branches 4,800+ wider 200+
Active clients 14 Lakh+ ~14.6 Lakh larger

Charges & AMC

Account-opening and maintenance charges for Axis Direct and HDFC Securities compared side by side.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Trading a/c opening ₹0 (Online) ₹999 + GST
Trading a/c AMC ₹0 ₹0 (Free)
Demat a/c opening ₹0 ₹0 (Free)
Demat a/c AMC ₹0 (1st Year), ₹750 + GST per year thereafter ₹750 per year* lower
DP charges (per ISIN, sell) ₹15.93 per debit transaction (including GST) lower ₹18.50 + GST per debit transaction

Brokerage charges

How Axis Direct and HDFC Securities price each trading segment, per executed order.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Equity Delivery 0.50% 0.10%
Equity Intraday 0.05% 0.03%
Equity Futures 0.05% ₹20 per executed order or 0.03% (whichever is lower)
Equity Options ₹20 per executed order ₹20 per executed order
Currency F&O 0.05% ₹20 per executed order
Commodity F&O 0.05% ₹20 per executed order
Call & Trade ₹20 per executed order ₹20 per executed order

Transaction charges (exchange turnover)

Exchange turnover and clearing charges passed through by Axis Direct and HDFC Securities, per segment.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Equity Delivery NSE: 0.00297% • BSE: 0.00375% NSE ₹297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE ₹297 per Cr (0.00297%)
Equity Intraday NSE: 0.00297% • BSE: 0.00375% NSE ₹297 per Cr (0.00297%) | BSE ₹297 per Cr (0.00297%)
Equity Futures NSE: 0.00173% NSE ₹173 per Cr (0.00173%) | BSE ₹173 per Cr (0.00173%)
Equity Options NSE: 0.03503% (on premium) NSE ₹3,503 per Cr (0.03503%) | BSE ₹3,250 per Cr (0.0325%)
Currency Futures NSE: 0.00035% NSE ₹35 per Cr (0.00035%) | BSE ₹35 per Cr (0.00035%)
Currency Options NSE: 0.03110% (on premium) NSE ₹3,100 per Cr (0.0311%) | BSE ₹1,000 per Cr (0.01%)
Commodity Futures MCX: 0.00210% MCX ₹260 per Cr (0.00260%)
Commodity Options MCX: 0.04180% (on premium) MCX ₹5,000 per Cr (0.05%)

Demat & DP charges

Depository (demat) charges for Axis Direct and HDFC Securities — AMC, debit transactions, pledging and remat.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Demat Account Opening ₹0 ₹0 (Free)
Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) ₹0 (1st Year), ₹750 + GST per year thereafter ₹750 per year*
Debit Transaction Charges ₹15.93 per debit transaction (including GST)
Pledge / Unpledge Charges ₹50 + GST per request
Dematerialisation (Demat) ₹50 per certificate + GST
Rematerialisation (Remat) ₹50 per certificate + GST
Failed Transactions Nil Nil
Transaction Charges (Sell) ₹18.50 + GST per debit transaction
Pledge Creation / Invocation ₹25 + GST per request
Remat ₹25 per certificate + applicable charges

Margin & leverage (MTF)

Intraday and delivery margin / leverage offered by Axis Direct and HDFC Securities.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Equity Delivery 100% of trade value (1x) 100% of trade value (1x)
Equity Intraday VAR + ELM Margin (Up to 5x*) As per SEBI peak margin norms (Up to 5x)
Equity Futures SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per available margin) SPAN + Exposure Margin (1x)
Equity Options (Sell) Premium Value (Not Applicable)
Currency Futures & Options SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per available margin)
Currency Futures & Options SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per available margin)
Commodity Futures & Options SPAN + Exposure Margin (As per available margin)

Features & account

Account type and feature availability across Axis Direct and HDFC Securities.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
3-in-1 account ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Automated / API trading ✕ No ✕ No
Margin Trading (MTF) ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Trading in SME shares ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Trading platforms Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade HDFC SKY, HDFC Securities Mobile App, ProTerminal, InvestRight
Intraday square-off 3:15 PM 3:15 PM
Other Research Recommendations, Smart Edge Reports, Basket Orders, Price Alerts, Advanced Charting, Option Chain, Margin Trading Facility (MTF), Portfolio Tracker, Watchlists 3-in-1 account, MTF, research reports, IPO investment, basket orders, option chain, mutual funds, ETFs and bonds.

Trading platforms & apps

Trading terminals, web platforms and mobile apps offered by Axis Direct and HDFC Securities.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Trading platforms offered Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade HDFC SKY, HDFC Securities Mobile App, ProTerminal, InvestRight
Number of platforms 3 4 more choice
Platforms (summary) Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade HDFC SKY, HDFC Securities Mobile App, ProTerminal, InvestRight
Mobile / desktop apps Web Trading Platform, Mobile Trading App, Desktop Trading Software Web + Mobile, Mobile, Desktop, Web

User ratings

User ratings for Axis Direct and HDFC Securities across the key parameters.

Rated onAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Fees 4 4.3 better
Brokerage 4.1 4.4 better
Trading platform 4.6 4.7 better
Customer service 4.5 better 4.3
Research 4.8 better 4.5
Overall 4.4 4.4

Investment options

Which investment products Axis Direct and HDFC Securities let you access.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Stocks / Equity ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Commodity ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
IPO ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Mutual Funds ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Bonds / NCD ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

Order types offered

Advanced order types supported by Axis Direct and HDFC Securities.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Bracket Order ✕ No ✕ No
Cover Order ✕ No ✕ No
BTST ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
After Market (AMO) ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
GTC / GTT ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

Safety & credibility

SEBI registration, financial strength and complaint record for Axis Direct and HDFC Securities.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
SEBI registration INZ000250138 INZ000186937
NSE member code 12798 06586
Year of incorporation 2006 2000 longer track record
Net worth ₹1,639.08 Cr ₹3,300+ Crore stronger
Exchange memberships NSE · BSE · MCX · MSEI NSE · BSE · MCX
Latest complaint ratio 0.002% fewer complaints 0.175%

Complaints record

Exchange complaint data for Axis Direct and HDFC Securities — the ratio matters more than the raw count.

ParameterAxis DirectHDFC Securities
Latest financial year 2025–26 2025-26
Exchange NSE NSE
Active clients 14,18,214 15,39,103 larger base
Complaints filed 22 2,690
Complaint ratio 0.002% fewer complaints 0.175%

Pros & cons

The main advantages and drawbacks of each broker.

Axis Direct

▲ Pros

  • ✓ Backed by Axis Bank, one of India's leading private sector banks.
  • ✓ Convenient 3-in-1 Account for seamless banking and investing.
  • ✓ Comprehensive research reports and expert investment recommendations.
  • ✓ Supports stocks, F&O, commodities, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, bonds, and more.
  • ✓ Advanced web and mobile trading platforms.
  • ✓ Strong customer support with a nationwide branch network.

▼ Cons

  • ✕ Brokerage charges are higher than most discount brokers.
  • ✕ Annual Demat AMC is applicable after the introductory period.
  • ✕ Premium research and advisory services may be suited more for long-term investors.
  • ✕ Some brokerage plans vary based on customer profile and relationship.
  • ✕ Call & Trade charges are applicable.
  • ✕ Budget-conscious traders may find discount brokers more economical.
HDFC Securities

▲ Pros

  • ✓ Integrated 3-in-1 account with HDFC Bank.
  • ✓ Comprehensive research reports and expert recommendations.
  • ✓ Advanced web, mobile and desktop trading platforms.
  • ✓ Investment in Stocks, F&O, IPOs, Mutual Funds, ETFs and Bonds.
  • ✓ Margin Trading Facility (MTF) available.
  • ✓ Strong brand reputation with nationwide presence.
  • ✓ Dedicated relationship manager for eligible customers.

▼ Cons

  • ✕ Brokerage charges are higher than discount brokers.
  • ✕ Annual Maintenance Charges apply for demat accounts.
  • ✕ Call & Trade service is chargeable.
  • ✕ Some advanced trading tools are available only to eligible customers.
  • ✕ Margin benefits depend on the applicable product and segment.

Explore more comparisons

Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks; read all related documents carefully before investing. This page is for information only and is not investment advice. Brokerage, AMC and other charges change frequently — always verify against the broker's official website before opening an account. Affiliate disclosure: "Open account" links are affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; this does not influence our ratings.