Last updated: August 2026
Axiom is a non-custodial web terminal. GMGN is a hybrid platform (Telegram bot + web interface) with custodial wallets. This comparison uses official documentation as of August 2026.
| Feature | Axiom | GMGN | Photon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Fee | 1.0% (0.9% with referral) | 1.0% | 1.0% (0.9% with referral) |
| Custody | Non-custodial (Wallet Connect) | Custodial (no key export) | Non-custodial (save your own key) |
| Interface | Web (axiom.trade) | Telegram + Web (gmgn.ai) | Web (photon-sol.tinyastro.io) |
| Feature | Axiom | GMGN |
|---|---|---|
| Trading Fee | 1.0% per swap (0.9% with referral) | 1.0% per swap |
| Custody Model | Non-custodial (Wallet Connect) | Custodial (no key export) |
| Interface | Web terminal (axiom.trade) | Telegram bot + web (gmgn.ai) |
| Private Key Access | You keep keys in your wallet | No export (prohibited on all chains) |
| Wallet Setup | Connect existing wallet (Phantom, Solflare, etc.) | GMGN generates wallet bound to Telegram account |
| Withdrawals | Direct from your wallet | Web-only, requires 2FA + whitelist |
| Round-Trip Cost (no referral) | ~2.0% (buy 1% + sell 1%) | ~2.0% (buy 1% + sell 1%) |
| Referral Discount | 10% off (0.9% per swap) | Not documented |
Axiom is non-custodial. You connect your own wallet (Phantom, Solflare, etc.) via Wallet Connect. Your private keys never leave your wallet. You approve transactions or set spending limits.
GMGN is custodial. GMGN generates a wallet bound to your Telegram account. According to GMGN’s documentation (August 2026), private key export is prohibited on all chains, including wallets you imported. There is no seed phrase and no way to move a GMGN wallet into Phantom or a hardware device. Assets can only exit through GMGN’s withdrawal flow (web-only, 2FA required).
Note: GMGN’s Terms of Service state you “retain control over your private keys,” but their documentation explicitly prohibits key export. Treat GMGN as a hot trading account, not long-term storage.
Axiom runs at axiom.trade as a browser-based terminal. Charts, order book, and trade history in one screen.
GMGN offers both a Telegram bot (primary trading interface) and a web dashboard at gmgn.ai. The bot handles trades via commands. The web interface handles withdrawals, settings, and portfolio overview.
Both charge 1.0% per swap as of August 2026. Axiom offers a 10% referral discount (0.9% per swap). GMGN’s fee schedule does not document a referral discount program.
A round-trip trade (buy then sell) costs ~2.0% total without referral, or ~1.8% on Axiom with referral. Both platforms charge additional network fees (gas, priority fees) paid to validators, not the platform.
No. GMGN’s documentation (August 2026) states that private key export is prohibited on all chains, including Solana. There is no seed phrase. Your wallet is bound to your Telegram account and can only be accessed through GMGN.
For large amounts, Axiom is safer because it’s non-custodial. You keep your keys in your own wallet (Phantom, Ledger, etc.). GMGN is custodial with no key export—if you lose Telegram access or GMGN ends service, recovery may be impossible. Only keep trading capital in GMGN.
Both charge 1.0% per swap as of August 2026. Axiom offers a 10% discount (0.9% per swap) via referral links. GMGN does not document a referral discount. Both also charge network fees (gas, priority) paid to validators.
No. GMGN wallets are bound to your Telegram account. The web interface at gmgn.ai is for viewing portfolios and withdrawals, but trading happens through the Telegram bot. You must have an active Telegram account.