Direct vs Regular Mutual Fund Plans: Which Should You Pick?

Every mutual fund comes in two variants: Direct and Regular. They hold the same portfolio — the only difference is cost.

The difference - Regular plan: includes a distributor/agent commission, baked into a higher expense ratio. - Direct plan: you invest directly with the AMC, so there's no commission and the expense ratio is lower (often 0.5–1% less per year).

Why it matters more than it looks That "small" 0.75% difference compounds. On a ₹10,000/month SIP over 20 years, choosing Direct over Regular can leave you several lakh rupees richer — for the exact same fund.

The catch Direct plans mean you research and invest yourself (no agent hand-holding). That's exactly what tools like MF Scanner are for — we rank and explain funds so you can go Direct with confidence.

MF Scanner focuses on Direct-Growth plans throughout. Compare expense ratios on any fund page or in the comparison tool.