SIP vs FD – Which is Better?

Deciding between SIPs vs. FDs is important for your money. SIP investment in India helps you to invest regularly, while a Fixed Deposit (FD) scheme keeps your money secure but offers fixed FD interest rates. Let us explore the benefits difference between SIP and Fixed Deposit to determine which might be the better option for your financial needs.

SIP Plan Benefits

Start SIP with as low as ₹1000

No hidden charges

Save upto ₹46,800 in Taxunder section 80C^{^}

Zero LTCG Tax^¶

Disciplined & worry-free investing

Insurance Companies
Mutual Funds

Fund Name	5 Years	7 Years	10 Years
	Returns
High Growth Fund Max Life Rating	33.56%	19.72%	16.82% View Plan
Top 200 Fund Tata AIA Rating	33.06%	20.69%	16.57% View Plan
Accelerator Mid-Cap Fund II Bajaj Allianz Rating	26.11%	11.93%	13.25% View Plan
Opportunities Fund HDFC Standard Rating	26.28%	13.34%	13.43% View Plan
Growth Plus Fund Canara HSBC Oriental Bank Rating	18.66%	9.86%	9.13% View Plan
Grow Money Plus Fund Bharti AXA Rating	23.24%	13.96%	12.71% View Plan
Multiplier Birla Sun Life Rating	27.71%	12.46%	14.1% View Plan
Opportunities Fund ICICI Prudential Rating	24.94%	12.68%	10.91% View Plan
Flexi Growth Fund LIC Rating	-	-	- View Plan
Virtue II PNB Metlife Rating	23.2%	17.21%	15.2% View Plan

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Last updated: Feb 2025

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Fund Name	3 Years	5 Years	10 Years
	Returns
Active Fund QUANT	23.92%	31.48%	21.87%
Flexi Cap Fund PARAG PARIKH	20.69%	26.41%	19.28%
Large and Mid-Cap Fund EDELWEISS	22.34%	24.29%	17.94%
Equity Opportunities Fund KOTAK	24.64%	25.01%	19.45%
Large and Midcap Fund MIRAE ASSET	19.74%	24.32%	22.50%
Flexi Cap Fund PGIM INDIA	14.75%	23.39%	-
Flexi Cap Fund DSP	18.41%	22.33%	16.91%
Emerging Equities Fund CANARA ROBECO	20.05%	21.80%	15.92%
Focused fund SUNDARAM	18.27%	18.22%	16.55%

Last updated: Feb 2025

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˜Top 5 plans based on annualized premium, for bookings made in the first 6 months of FY 24-25. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For a complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website, www.irdai.gov.in

What is SIP?

A SIP, or Systematic Investment Plan, is a way to invest money in market-linked funds regularly. Instead of putting in a lump sum, you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, like monthly or quarterly.

A best SIP plan in India offers the benefits like disciplined investing, rupee cost averaging, and the power of compounding over time. You can estimate your returns from your chosen best investment plan in India through SIP by using an online SIP Calculator.

SIP Calculator

I know my investment amount I know my goal amount

Monthly SIP Yearly SIP Lumpsum

I want to invest Pro Tip

Financial experts suggest that a person should invest 10-15% of their monthly income for long-term financial growth

/Month

I want to invest for Pro Tip

Financial experts suggest that individuals should ideally invest for a period of 5 to 10 years, or even longer, to maximize the benefits of compounding and navigate market fluctuations effectively

Years

Expected return Pro Tip

Top 25% of investors consistently generate more than 12% return

% Annually

Total Wealth ₹22.4 L

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I want to save

I want to invest for Pro Tip

Financial experts suggest that individuals should ideally invest for a period of 5 to 10 years, or even longer, to maximize the benefits of compounding and navigate market fluctuations effectively

Years

Expected return Pro Tip

Top 25% of investors consistently generate more than 12% return

% Annually

Monthly Investment ₹22.4 L

View Plans

Top Funds with High Returns (Past 7 Years)

Cost of Delay Calculator

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Monthly SIP Amount

/Month

Invest For (in Years)

Years

Stay Invested For (in Years)

Years

Expected return

% Annually

If you start SIP after (in Months)

Months

Due to the delay of 10 Months

Your Target Wealth will reduce by 13.3%.

With loss of ₹13,87,249

Start TodayDelayed Start

Invest Now

What is an FD?

A Fixed Deposit (FD) is a type of best investment option offered by banks where you deposit a certain amount of money for a fixed period. In return, the bank pays you a fixed FD interest rate on your deposit, which is usually higher than a regular savings account.

An FD is considered a safe investment option because they offer guaranteed returns and are protected by the government up to a certain limit. However, you cannot withdraw your money before the fixed period ends without incurring a penalty.

You can use an FD Calculator to estimate your interest earned as per the predetermined FD interest rates.

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Difference Between SIP and Fixed Deposit

A SIP investment in India and a Fixed Deposit scheme are both ways to save and invest money, but they differ in many ways. Let us learn the key difference between SIP and Fixed Deposit from the table mentioned below:

Feature	SIP (Systematic Investment Plan)	Fixed Deposit
Type of Investment	Mutual Fund	Bank Deposit
Returns	Market-linked	Fixed
Risk	Moderate	Low
Liquidity	High	Low
Investment Period	Flexible	Fixed
Minimum Investment	Relatively low	Relatively high
Taxation	Subject to capital gains tax	Interest is taxed as per income tax slab
Flexibility	Can increase or decrease investment amount	Cannot withdraw before maturity without penalty

start-an-sip-today-watch-your-money-grow

Which is Better: FD or SIP?

It is difficult to decide which is better, FD or SIP. It completely depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment timeframe. Following is a breakdown for SIP vs. FD to help you decide:

Fixed Deposit (FD):
- Guaranteed Returns: FDs offer a fixed interest rate for the chosen tenure.
- Low Risk: Considered a safe investment with minimal risk of principal loss.
- Suitable for: Short-term goals and risk-averse investors seeking capital preservation.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):
- Potential for Higher Returns: SIP invests in mutual funds, which have historically offered higher returns than FDs. However, returns are not guaranteed and fluctuate with the market.
- Rupee Cost Averaging: SIP allows you to invest a fixed amount regularly, averaging out the cost per unit purchased.
- Compounding: Reinvesting your earnings allows your money to grow exponentially over time.
- Suitable for: Long-term goals and investors comfortable with moderate risk.

In Conclusion:

Consider FDs for guaranteed returns, short-term goals, and low-risk tolerance.
Choose SIPs for potentially higher returns, rupee-cost averaging, compounding, and long-term goals with moderate risk tolerance.
You can use a SIP vs. FD Calculator to make a comparison between the final returns offered by both at the end of your FD and SIP investment plan in India.

Benefits of Investment Diversification

Diversification is a cornerstone concept in investing, and for good reason. It offers a number of advantages to investors:

Minimizes Risk: Diversification spreads investments across different assets, reducing the impact of a single investment's poor performance.
Enhanced Returns: By investing in various assets, you have the opportunity to benefit from the growth of different sectors or markets.
Smoothes Out Volatility: Diversification can help cushion the impact of market fluctuations on your overall portfolio.
Provides Opportunity for Growth: Investing in diverse assets allows you to tap into various opportunities that may arise in different sectors or regions.
Increases Flexibility: Diversification gives you the flexibility to adjust your portfolio according to changing market conditions or investment goals.

start-small-&-build-your-wealth-for-a-brighter-tomorrow

Sum It Up

Both SIP vs FD serves the best investment options with distinct features. SIP offers the advantage of rupee cost averaging and potential for higher returns over the long term, while FD provides stability and guaranteed returns. The choice between SIP vs. FD depends on individual financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

FAQs

Is SIP better than FD?

The suitability of SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) vs. FD (Fixed Deposit) depends on your financial goals and risk tolerance. SIP is generally considered better for long-term wealth creation due to potential higher returns from investing in mutual funds, but it comes with market risk. FD, on the other hand, offers guaranteed returns but tends to have lower returns compared to equity investments over the long term.
Which is better, mutual fund or FD?

The right investment plan between a mutual fund scheme and an FD depends on your financial objectives and risk appetite. Mutual funds offer diversification across various asset classes and potentially higher returns, but they come with market risk. FDs provide safety and guaranteed returns but typically offer lower returns compared to mutual funds, especially over a longer investment horizon.
Does SIP give better returns?

SIP can potentially provide better returns compared to traditional investment options like FDs over the long term. By investing regularly over time, SIP allows investors to benefit from the power of compounding and rupee cost averaging. However, returns from SIPs are subject to market fluctuations and may vary based on the performance of the underlying mutual fund scheme.
Which is best: RD, FD or SIP?

The best option among RD (Recurring Deposit), FD, and SIP depends on your financial goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. RD and FD are suitable for investors seeking safety and guaranteed returns, while SIP is preferable for those willing to take on market risk in exchange for potentially higher returns over the long term. It's essential to assess your financial situation and consult with a financial advisor to determine the most suitable investment option for you.