
FROM OUR BLOG
FROM OUR BLOG
FROM OUR BLOG
LIQUID FUNDS VS FD
Jun 19, 2025



uppose you have ₹1 lakh, and you won’t need this money for the next 20–30 days. You want to park it somewhere safe but still earn a little extra instead of letting it sit idle in your savings account.
Your friend, on the other hand, also has ₹1 lakh but is thinking long-term — they want to invest this money for 3–5 years to grow their wealth, even if it means taking on a bit of risk.
Your best option? A liquid fund — designed for short-term parking, offering slightly better returns than a savings account with very low risk.
Your friend’s best option? An equity or hybrid mutual fund — built for long-term growth, with higher risk but also higher potential returns.
Now, let’s dive deeper to understand the key differences between the two.
What are Liquid Funds ?
Imagine you have some extra cash sitting in your savings account. Instead of letting it earn just 2-3% interest, you put it in a Liquid Fund—a type of mutual fund that gives you better returns (5-7%) while keeping your money easily accessible.
What if FD ?
A Fixed Deposit (FD) is like a piggy bank where you lock in your money for a fixed period and get a guaranteed return at a higher interest rate than a savings account.
Both of them has different use cases , but lets see how they are different and which is better
Difference between Liquid Funds and FD ?
Feature | Liquid Funds | Fixed Deposit (FD) | Winner |
Liquidity (Ease of Withdrawal) | Can withdraw anytime, money credited in 24 hours (some funds offer instant redemption). | Early withdrawal allowed, but with a penalty (0.5%-1% lower interest). | Liquid Funds |
Returns (How Much You Earn?) | 5-7% per year, varies with market conditions. | 5-7% per year, fixed and guaranteed. | Tie (FD is predictable, Liquid Funds can give slightly better returns) |
Risk (Safety of Your Money) | Very low risk, but returns are not 100% guaranteed. | Zero risk returns are guaranteed (up to ₹5 lakh insured by DICGC). | FD |
Taxation (How Much Tax You Pay?) | - Held for <3 years → Taxed as per income slab. - Held for >3 years → Taxed at 20% with indexation benefits (lowers tax). | Interest is fully taxable as per your income slab. No tax benefits. | Liquid Funds (More tax-efficient for long-term investors) |
Lock-in Period | No lock-in, free to withdraw anytime. | Locked for a fixed tenure (from 7 days to 10 years). Early withdrawal penalty applies. | Liquid Funds |
Interest Payout | No fixed payout, returns fluctuate daily. | Option to get interest monthly, quarterly, or annually. | FD |
Best for | Emergency funds, short-term money parking. | Long-term savings, fixed returns, risk-free investment. | Depends on goal |
Investment Horizon | Ideal for 1 day to 3 years. | Ideal for 1 year to 10 years. | Depends on duration |
Suitability | Suitable for people looking for flexibility & quick access to cash. | Suitable for those who want guaranteed, risk-free returns. | Depends on risk appetite |
Who Should Invest? | Investors looking for better returns than a savings account but with easy access. | Investors who do not want risk and prefer fixed, predictable returns. | Depends on investor |
Conclusion
If you can use the combination of both , then its best for you . choose Liquid Funds if you need quick access to money, better returns than a savings account, and lower tax on long-term gains. They are ideal for emergency funds and short-term goals. On the other hand, Fixed Deposits (FDs) are best if you want 100% safety, guaranteed returns, and predictable earnings with zero risk. Avoid Liquid Funds if you need fixed returns, and avoid FDs if you may need the money early, as withdrawals come with penalties.
uppose you have ₹1 lakh, and you won’t need this money for the next 20–30 days. You want to park it somewhere safe but still earn a little extra instead of letting it sit idle in your savings account.
Your friend, on the other hand, also has ₹1 lakh but is thinking long-term — they want to invest this money for 3–5 years to grow their wealth, even if it means taking on a bit of risk.
Your best option? A liquid fund — designed for short-term parking, offering slightly better returns than a savings account with very low risk.
Your friend’s best option? An equity or hybrid mutual fund — built for long-term growth, with higher risk but also higher potential returns.
Now, let’s dive deeper to understand the key differences between the two.
What are Liquid Funds ?
Imagine you have some extra cash sitting in your savings account. Instead of letting it earn just 2-3% interest, you put it in a Liquid Fund—a type of mutual fund that gives you better returns (5-7%) while keeping your money easily accessible.
What if FD ?
A Fixed Deposit (FD) is like a piggy bank where you lock in your money for a fixed period and get a guaranteed return at a higher interest rate than a savings account.
Both of them has different use cases , but lets see how they are different and which is better
Difference between Liquid Funds and FD ?
Feature | Liquid Funds | Fixed Deposit (FD) | Winner |
Liquidity (Ease of Withdrawal) | Can withdraw anytime, money credited in 24 hours (some funds offer instant redemption). | Early withdrawal allowed, but with a penalty (0.5%-1% lower interest). | Liquid Funds |
Returns (How Much You Earn?) | 5-7% per year, varies with market conditions. | 5-7% per year, fixed and guaranteed. | Tie (FD is predictable, Liquid Funds can give slightly better returns) |
Risk (Safety of Your Money) | Very low risk, but returns are not 100% guaranteed. | Zero risk returns are guaranteed (up to ₹5 lakh insured by DICGC). | FD |
Taxation (How Much Tax You Pay?) | - Held for <3 years → Taxed as per income slab. - Held for >3 years → Taxed at 20% with indexation benefits (lowers tax). | Interest is fully taxable as per your income slab. No tax benefits. | Liquid Funds (More tax-efficient for long-term investors) |
Lock-in Period | No lock-in, free to withdraw anytime. | Locked for a fixed tenure (from 7 days to 10 years). Early withdrawal penalty applies. | Liquid Funds |
Interest Payout | No fixed payout, returns fluctuate daily. | Option to get interest monthly, quarterly, or annually. | FD |
Best for | Emergency funds, short-term money parking. | Long-term savings, fixed returns, risk-free investment. | Depends on goal |
Investment Horizon | Ideal for 1 day to 3 years. | Ideal for 1 year to 10 years. | Depends on duration |
Suitability | Suitable for people looking for flexibility & quick access to cash. | Suitable for those who want guaranteed, risk-free returns. | Depends on risk appetite |
Who Should Invest? | Investors looking for better returns than a savings account but with easy access. | Investors who do not want risk and prefer fixed, predictable returns. | Depends on investor |
Conclusion
If you can use the combination of both , then its best for you . choose Liquid Funds if you need quick access to money, better returns than a savings account, and lower tax on long-term gains. They are ideal for emergency funds and short-term goals. On the other hand, Fixed Deposits (FDs) are best if you want 100% safety, guaranteed returns, and predictable earnings with zero risk. Avoid Liquid Funds if you need fixed returns, and avoid FDs if you may need the money early, as withdrawals come with penalties.

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Unlock your financial potential with Zomint. We provide personalized tools and insights to elevate your financial journey.