Axiom vs Photon: Solana Trading Bot Comparison

Last updated: August 2026

Axiom and Photon are two leading Solana trading bots with different approaches to custody, fees, and features. This comparison uses official documentation and published fee schedules as of August 2026.

FeatureAxiomPhoton
Trading Fee1.0% per swap (0.9% with referral)1.0% per swap (0.9% with referral)
Custody ModelWallet Connect (non-custodial)Generated wallet, you keep private key (non-custodial)
InterfaceWeb terminal (axiom.trade)Web terminal (photon-sol.tinyastro.io)
Wallet SetupConnect existing wallet (Phantom, Solflare, etc.)Generates dedicated trading wallet, reveals private key once
Limit OrdersYesYes
Stop Loss / Take ProfitYesYes
Round-Trip Cost (no referral)~2.0% (buy 1% + sell 1%)~2.0% (buy 1% + sell 1%)
Referral Discount10% off (0.9% per swap)10% off (0.9% per swap)

Key Differences

Custody: Connect Existing vs. Generate New

Axiom uses Wallet Connect. You keep your private keys in your own wallet (Phantom, Solflare, etc.) and approve transactions or set spending limits. Fully non-custodial.

Photon generates a dedicated trading wallet when you first sign up. The platform reveals your private key exactly once (behind a reveal slider), and you are responsible for saving it. Photon is non-custodial — you control the key — but the generated-wallet model eliminates external wallet confirmation popups, which speeds up execution.

Interface: Both Are Web Terminals

Axiom runs at axiom.trade. Browser-based terminal with charts, order book, and trade history in one screen.

Photon runs at photon-sol.tinyastro.io. Also a browser-based terminal with TradingView charts, token streams, and one-click execution. Both are web-only; neither platform has a native Telegram bot.

Fees

Both charge 1.0% per swap as of Aug 2026. Both offer a 10% referral discount(0.9% per swap when you sign up via a referral link).

A round-trip trade (buy then sell) costs ~2.0% total without a referral, or ~1.8% with referral on either platform.

Who Should Use Which?

  • Use Axiom if: You prefer connecting your existing wallet (no new key to manage) and want Wallet Connect's approval flow for added control.
  • Use Photon if: You want faster execution without wallet popups and don’t mind managing a separate trading wallet private key.

Sources