Published Jun 25, 2026 4 Min Read

Introduction

When comparing monthly vs quarterly SIP, monthly SIPs generally suit salaried individuals because investments happen every month. Quarterly SIPs may work better if your income comes in larger intervals or you prefer fewer transactions.

  • Monthly SIP: Investment is made once every month into your chosen mutual fund scheme.
  • Quarterly SIP: Investment is made once every three months into your chosen mutual fund scheme.
  • Minimum SIP amount: SIPs can start from Rs. 100 per month on the Bajaj Broking website.
  • Fund choice: You can choose from 4,000+ mutual fund schemes across equity, debt, hybrid, ELSS, thematic, and NFO categories.
  • Returns: SIP frequency may create small differences in investment timing, but long-term fund performance remains the bigger factor.
  • Investment modes: Both SIP and lumpsum investment options are available for most schemes.

You can start your mutual fund journey on the Bajaj Broking website after completing mandatory KYC, compare fund categories, and begin investing with SIPs from Rs. 100 per month.

What is SIP frequency?

SIP frequency refers to how often money is invested into a mutual fund scheme through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). SIP is an investment method, not a mutual fund type.

The most common SIP frequencies are daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly. Your chosen frequency decides how often units are allotted based on the applicable NAV of the scheme.

SIP frequencyInvestment intervalSuitable for
DailyEvery business dayInvestors wanting frequent investments
WeeklyOnce a weekInvestors with weekly cash inflows
MonthlyOnce a monthSalaried individuals
QuarterlyOnce every 3 monthsSeasonal or irregular income earners

How does a monthly SIP work?

A monthly SIP invests a fixed amount in your chosen mutual fund scheme every month. This frequency is popular because it matches monthly salary cycles.

Every month, units are allotted based on the scheme's NAV on the investment date. Over time, this can help average purchase costs across different market levels.

Benefits of a monthly SIP

  • Matches monthly income patterns.
  • Encourages regular investing habits.
  • Provides more investment dates during the year.
  • Easy to track through Dashboard, Portfolio, Orders, and MF Profile tools available on the Bajaj Broking website.

How does a quarterly SIP work?

A quarterly SIP invests a fixed amount once every three months into a selected mutual fund scheme. It follows the same SIP process but with fewer instalments during the year.

This frequency may suit people who receive income through commissions, business cycles, bonuses, or seasonal earnings.

Benefits of a quarterly SIP

  • Fewer transactions to manage.
  • Suitable for uneven income patterns.
  • Can be easier for investors who receive larger periodic cash inflows.

Monthly vs Quarterly SIP: Key differences

The difference between monthly and quarterly SIP lies mainly in investment timing and cash flow management. Both methods invest in the same mutual fund schemes and are managed by the respective AMC.

FeatureMonthly SIPQuarterly SIP
Investment frequencyEvery monthEvery 3 months
Instalments per year124
Cash flow requirementSmaller regular amountsLarger periodic amounts
Suitable forSalaried individualsSeasonal or irregular income earners
Investment disciplineHigher frequencyLower frequency
Fund availabilityAvailable across most schemesAvailable across many schemes

Does SIP frequency affect returns?

SIP frequency can influence the timing of investments, but it does not guarantee higher or lower returns. Mutual fund returns remain market-linked and depend largely on the performance of the underlying fund scheme.

A monthly SIP creates 12 investment opportunities each year, while a quarterly SIP creates 4. This can result in slightly different unit accumulation patterns over time.

The larger impact usually comes from:

  • Fund category selection.
  • Investment duration.
  • Market conditions.
  • Consistency of investments.
  • Risk level shown on the SEBI-mandated Riskometer.

SEBI requires mutual funds to display risk levels as Low, Low to Moderate, Moderate, Moderately High, High, or Very High, helping you assess risk before investing.

Daily vs monthly SIP and weekly SIP comparison

FeatureDaily SIPWeekly SIPMonthly SIP
FrequencyDailyWeeklyMonthly
Number of transactionsHighestModerateLower
Tracking effortHigherModerateEasy
PopularityLowerModerateHighest

For most investors, the difference between daily, weekly, and monthly SIP frequencies is often smaller than factors such as fund quality, asset allocation, and investment tenure.

How do you choose the right SIP frequency?

The right SIP frequency depends on your income pattern, budgeting style, and investment behaviour. The process is simple and can be completed online.

  1. Assess your income cycle and identify whether you receive money monthly, quarterly, or irregularly.
  2. Calculate the amount you can comfortably invest without affecting essential expenses.
  3. Compare monthly and quarterly SIP options based on your cash flow needs.
  4. Review the scheme's SEBI riskometer before making an investment decision.
  5. Complete your KYC, which is mandatory under SEBI regulations.
  6. Select a mutual fund scheme from 4,000+ available options on the Bajaj Broking website.
  7. Start an SIP from Rs. 100 per month or choose another suitable investment amount.
  8. Track your investments through the Dashboard, Portfolio, Orders, and MF Profile tools.

Conclusion

When evaluating which SIP frequency is best, monthly SIPs are often suitable for investors with regular monthly income. Quarterly SIPs may be a practical choice if your income arrives less frequently.

The choice should match your cash flow and investing discipline rather than focusing only on potential return differences. On the Bajaj Broking website, you can compare 4,000+ mutual fund schemes, complete KYC online, use the SIP calculator to estimate future corpus, and begin investing with SIPs starting from Rs. 100 per month.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between monthly and quarterly SIP?

The main difference between monthly vs quarterly SIP is the investment interval. A monthly SIP invests money every month, while a quarterly SIP invests every three months. Both are SIP methods used to invest in mutual fund schemes. On the Bajaj Broking website, investors can choose SIP frequencies based on their income pattern and financial planning needs.

Does SIP frequency affect returns?

SIP frequency can create minor differences in investment timing because units are allotted at different NAVs. However, long-term returns are usually influenced more by fund performance, investment duration, and market conditions. Before investing, you should also review the SEBI-mandated riskometer, which classifies schemes from Low to Very High risk.

Which is better, monthly or quarterly SIP?

Neither frequency is universally better. A monthly SIP may suit salaried individuals because it aligns with monthly income and budgeting. A quarterly SIP may suit business owners or investors with seasonal cash inflows. The Bajaj Broking website offers access to 4,000+ mutual fund schemes, allowing you to select an SIP frequency that matches your financial situation and investment goals.

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Disclaimer

Bajaj Finance Limited (“BFL”) is an NBFC offering loans, deposits and third-party wealth management products.

The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute any financial advice. The content herein has been prepared by BFL on the basis of publicly available information, internal sources and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. However, BFL cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, assure its completeness, or warrant such information will not be changed.

This information should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any investment decisions. Hence, User is advised to independently exercise diligence by verifying complete information, including by consulting independent financial experts, if any, and the investor shall be the sole owner of the decision taken, if any, about suitability of the same.

Disclaimer

Bajaj Finance Limited ("BFL") is registered with the Association of Mutual Funds in India ("AMFI") as a distributor of third party Mutual Funds (shortly referred as 'Mutual Funds) with ARN No. 90319

BFL does NOT:

(i) provide investment advisory services in any manner or form.

(ii) carry customized/personalized suitability assessment.

(iii) carry independent research or analysis, including on any Mutual Fund schemes or other investments; and provide any guarantee of return on investment.

In addition to displaying the Mutual fund products of Asset Management Companies, some general information is sourced from third parties, is also displayed on As-is basis, which should NOT be construed as any solicitation or attempt to effect transactions in securities or the rendering any investment advice. Mutual Funds are subject to market risks, including loss of principal amount and Investor should read all Scheme/Offer related documents carefully. The NAV of units issued under the Schemes of mutual funds can go up or down depending on the factors and forces affecting capital markets and may also be affected by changes in the general level of interest rates. The NAV of the units issued under the scheme may be affected, inter-alia by changes in the interest rates, trading volumes, settlement periods, transfer procedures and performance of individual securities forming part of the Mutual Fund. The NAV will inter-alia be exposed to Price/Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk. Past performance of any scheme of the Mutual fund do not indicate the future performance of the Schemes of the Mutual Fund. BFL shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or shortfall incurred by the investors. There may be other/better alternatives to the investment avenues displayed by BFL. Hence, the final investment decision shall at all times exclusively remain with the investor alone and BFL shall not be liable or responsible for any consequences thereof.

Investment by a person residing outside the territorial jurisdiction of India is not acceptable nor permitted.

Disclaimer on Risk-O-Meter:

Investors are advised before investing to evaluate a scheme not only on the basis of the Product labeling (including the Riskometer) but also on other quantitative and qualitative factors such as performance, portfolio, fund managers, asset manager, etc, and shall also consult their Professional advisors, if they are unsure about the suitability of the scheme before investing.


Disclosure
: Bajaj Finance Limited (BFL) is a distributor of Mutual Funds with ARN - 90319 and distributes mutual funds of Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited (BFSAMC). BFL receives commission towards distribution of mutual fund products. BFSAMC is a group company of BFL, carrying business on arm’s length basis without any conflict of interest and in accordance with the prevailing law / regulation.