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 vs HDFC Securities — quick verdict
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Company overview
Axis Direct is a full-service broker incorporated in 2006; HDFC Securities is a full-service broker incorporated in 2000.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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 on | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | HDFC 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.
▲ 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.
▲ 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.