Axis Direct vs Kotak Neo
A full side-by-side comparison of brokerage charges, demat AMC, margin, platforms, features and user ratings — updated for 2026.
Axis Direct
VS
Kotak Neo
Axis Direct vs Kotak Neo — quick verdict
Choose Axis Direct if
You want research and offline support
Invest Right. Invest Now.
Choose Kotak Neo if
You want research and offline support
One of India's oldest stock broking companies, offering full-fledged investment services across asset classes through a single-login platform.
Company overview
Axis Direct is a full-service broker incorporated in 2006; Kotak Neo is a full-service broker incorporated in 1994.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Type of broker | Full-Service Broker | Full-Service Broker |
| Exchange membership | NSE · BSE · MCX · MSEI | NSE · BSE · MCX |
| Year of incorporation | 2006 | 1994 older |
| Number of branches | 4,800+ wider | 1,500+ Branches & Customer Touchpoints |
| Active clients | 14 Lakh+ | 15+ Lakh (Approx.) larger |
Charges & AMC
Account-opening and maintenance charges for Axis Direct and Kotak Neo compared side by side.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Trading a/c opening | ₹0 (Online) | ₹0 (Online) |
| Trading a/c AMC | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Demat a/c opening | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Demat a/c AMC | ₹0 (1st Year), ₹750 + GST per year thereafter | As per applicable tariff plan |
| DP charges (per ISIN, sell) | ₹15.93 per debit transaction (including GST) | ₹13.5 + GST per debit lower |
Brokerage charges
How Axis Direct and Kotak Neo price each trading segment, per executed order.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | 0.50% | ₹0 (Free) |
| Equity Intraday | 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Equity Futures | 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Equity Options | ₹20 per executed order | ₹20/order |
| Currency F&O | 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Commodity F&O | 0.05% | ₹20 or 0.03% (lower) |
| Call & Trade | ₹20 per executed order | +₹50/order |
Transaction charges (exchange turnover)
Exchange turnover and clearing charges passed through by Axis Direct and Kotak Neo, per segment.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Equity Delivery | NSE: 0.00297% • BSE: 0.00375% | NSE ₹297 per Crore (0.00297%) | BSE ₹297 per Crore (0.00297%) |
| Equity Intraday | NSE: 0.00297% • BSE: 0.00375% | NSE ₹297 per Crore (0.00297%) | BSE ₹297 per Crore (0.00297%) |
| Equity Futures | NSE: 0.00173% | NSE ₹173 per Crore (0.00173%) | BSE ₹173 per Crore (0.00173%) |
| Equity Options | NSE: 0.03503% (on premium) | NSE ₹3,503 per Crore of premium (0.03503%) | BSE ₹3,250 per Crore of premium (0.0325%) |
| Currency Futures | NSE: 0.00035% | NSE ₹35 per Crore (0.00035%) | BSE ₹35 per Crore (0.00035%) |
| Currency Options | NSE: 0.03110% (on premium) | NSE ₹3,100 per Crore of premium (0.0311%) | BSE ₹1,000 per Crore of premium (0.01%) |
| Commodity Futures | MCX: 0.00210% | MCX ₹260 per Crore (0.00260%) |
| Commodity Options | MCX: 0.04180% (on premium) | MCX ₹5,000 per Crore of premium (0.05%) |
Demat & DP charges
Depository (demat) charges for Axis Direct and Kotak Neo — AMC, debit transactions, pledging and remat.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Demat Account Opening | ₹0 | — |
| Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | ₹0 (1st Year), ₹750 + GST per year thereafter | — |
| 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 | — |
| Demat Opening | — | ₹0 |
| Transaction Charges | — | ₹13.5 + GST |
| AMC | — | ₹300 + GST |
| Pledge | — | ₹30 + GST |
| Remat | — | ₹150 + GST |
| Nil | — | Nil |
Margin & leverage (MTF)
Intraday and delivery margin / leverage offered by Axis Direct and Kotak Neo.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (eligible stocks)) |
| 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 Kotak Neo.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| 3-in-1 account | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Automated / API trading | ✕ No | ✓ Yes better |
| Margin Trading (MTF) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Trading in SME shares | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Trading platforms | Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade | Kotak Neo Web, Kotak Neo App, Kotak Stock Trader (Nest), Kotak Neo API |
| 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 | Advanced charting, basket orders, option chain, Trading API, research reports, Smart Orders, eMargin, MTF, IPO and mutual fund investments. |
Trading platforms & apps
Trading terminals, web platforms and mobile apps offered by Axis Direct and Kotak Neo.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Trading platforms offered | Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade | Kotak Neo Web, Kotak Neo App, Kotak Stock Trader (Nest), Kotak Neo API |
| Number of platforms | 3 | 4 more choice |
| Platforms (summary) | Axis Direct Web, Axis Direct Mobile App, Fast Trade | Kotak Neo Web, Kotak Neo App, Kotak Stock Trader (Nest), Kotak Neo API |
| Mobile / desktop apps | Web Trading Platform, Mobile Trading App, Desktop Trading Software | Web, Android & iOS, Desktop, API |
User ratings
User ratings for Axis Direct and Kotak Neo across the key parameters.
| Rated on | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | 4 | 4.4 better |
| Brokerage | 4.1 | 4.5 better |
| Trading platform | 4.6 | 4.7 better |
| Customer service | 4.5 better | 4.3 |
| Research | 4.8 better | 4.4 |
| Overall | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Investment options
Which investment products Axis Direct and Kotak Neo let you access.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Kotak Neo.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Kotak Neo.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| SEBI registration | INZ000250138 | INZ000200137 |
| NSE member code | 12798 | 08081 |
| Year of incorporation | 2006 | 1994 longer track record |
| Net worth | ₹1,639.08 Cr | ₹5,000+ Crore (Approx.) stronger |
| Exchange memberships | NSE · BSE · MCX · MSEI | NSE · BSE · MCX |
| Latest complaint ratio | 0.002% fewer complaints | 0.034% |
Complaints record
Exchange complaint data for Axis Direct and Kotak Neo — the ratio matters more than the raw count.
| Parameter | Axis Direct | Kotak Neo |
|---|---|---|
| Latest financial year | 2025–26 | 2025-26 |
| Exchange | NSE | NSE |
| Active clients | 14,18,214 | 15,40,000+ larger base |
| Complaints filed | 22 | 520 |
| Complaint ratio | 0.002% fewer complaints | 0.034% |
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.
Kotak Neo
▲ Pros
- ✓ Trusted full-service broker backed by Kotak Mahindra Bank.
- ✓ Low brokerage plans for active traders.
- ✓ Advanced Kotak Neo web and mobile trading platforms.
- ✓ Investment in Stocks, IPOs, Mutual Funds, ETFs and Bonds from one account.
- ✓ Research reports, market insights and investment recommendations.
- ✓ API support for algo trading.
- ✓ Easy online account opening with Aadhaar-based eKYC.
- ✓ Multiple order types with advanced charting tools.
▼ Cons
- ✕ Demat AMC may apply depending on the selected plan.
- ✕ Call & Trade service is chargeable.
- ✕ Margin Trading Facility (MTF) is available only for eligible stocks.
- ✕ Some advanced features are available only under specific plans.
- ✕ Research and advisory offerings may vary across customer plans.
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