E
Exness
3.8 / 5Score: 3 / 5
Tier-1 FCA regulation meets ultra-low entry costs, making Exness the most accessible well-regulated broker in this comparison.
- Min deposit
- $10
- Max leverage
- 1:2000
- Spread from
- 0.1 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, CySEC, FSCA
Reviewed by Experts Updated 10/10/2026
Exness vs Pacific Union: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Exness and Pacific Union both cater to forex and CFD traders, but they differ sharply on regulation, fees, and accessibility. Our research gives Exness the edge overall, though Pacific Union counters with tighter headline spreads.
PU
Pacific Union
3.2 / 5Score: 2 / 5
Pacific Union sharpens its edge with razor-thin 0.0 pip spreads for cost-focused active traders.
- Min deposit
- $20
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FSCA, FSA
Overall Winner
Exness
Best for Beginners
Exness
Lowest Fees
Pacific Union
Top Regulation
Exness
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | E Exness | PU Pacific Union |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.8 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 2008 | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Mahé, Seychelles |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC, FSCA | FSCA, FSA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $10 | $20 |
| Spreads From | 0.1 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $3.5/lot | $3/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:500 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Proprietary Mobile | MT4, MT5 |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, Commodities | Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Exness
$10
Pacific Union
$20
Spreads From
Exness
0.1 pips
Pacific Union
0 pips
Commission
Exness
$3.5/lot
Pacific Union
$3/lot
Deposit Fees
Exness
None
Pacific Union
None
Withdrawal Fees
Exness
None
Pacific Union
None
Pros & cons
E
Exness
Pros
- Holds a genuine tier-1 FCA licence alongside CySEC and FSCA oversight
- Extremely low $10 minimum deposit lowers the barrier to entry
- Industry-leading leverage ceiling of up to 1:2000 for flexible position sizing
- Three distinct trading platforms including a proprietary mobile app
- Wider instrument range that includes stocks alongside core CFD markets
- Longer operating history dating back to 2008
- Zero deposit and withdrawal fees
Cons
- Spreads from 0.1 pips are marginally wider than Pacific Union's headline 0.0 pips
- Slightly higher per-lot commission at $3.5 versus competitors
- Very high leverage options may encourage excessive risk-taking for inexperienced traders
- Cyprus headquarters may feel less familiar to traders used to onshore brokers
PU
Pacific Union
Pros
- Tightest headline spreads in this comparison, starting from 0.0 pips
- Slightly lower commission at $3 per lot versus Exness
- Straightforward MT4/MT5 platform lineup familiar to most traders
- No deposit or withdrawal fees on transactions
- Solid multi-asset market coverage across five asset classes
Cons
- Lower overall rating of 3.2/5 compared to Exness's 3.8/5
- Regulated only by FSCA and FSA, lacking tier-1 oversight
- Higher minimum deposit requirement of $20
- Maximum leverage capped at 1:500, far below Exness's 1:2000
- No proprietary mobile platform beyond standard MetaTrader apps
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Exness
Lowest fees Pacific Union
Best regulation Exness
Better for beginners Exness
Exness is the stronger overall broker in this matchup, earning a 3.8/5 on our independent rating compared to Pacific Union's 3.2/5. Exness wins on regulatory strength with its FCA licence, accessibility via a $10 minimum deposit, and leverage flexibility up to 1:2000. Pacific Union does hold one notable advantage — spreads advertised from 0.0 pips versus Exness's 0.1 pips — making it worth a look for ultra-cost-sensitive scalpers. For the vast majority of traders, however, Exness delivers the more complete and secure package.
Regulation & Safety
Regulatory strength is often the single most important factor when choosing a broker, and this is where Exness clearly separates itself from Pacific Union. Exness is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA — a combination that includes a true tier-1 regulator in the UK's Financial Conduct Authority.
Pacific Union, by contrast, is overseen only by the FSCA and FSA, both of which are considered lower-tier regulatory bodies with less stringent capital and client-protection requirements. Traders prioritizing fund safety and oversight should weigh this difference heavily.
Exness was also founded in 2008, giving it 17 years of operating history versus Pacific Union's founding in 2015. Longevity isn't everything, but it does suggest a longer track record of navigating market cycles and regulatory scrutiny.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
This is the one category where Pacific Union pulls ahead. Pacific Union advertises spreads starting from 0.0 pips, undercutting Exness's headline spread of 0.1 pips, albeit by a very thin margin.
On commissions, Exness charges $3.5 per lot while Pacific Union charges slightly less at $3 per lot. Combined with its tighter spreads, Pacific Union could appeal to high-frequency scalpers chasing marginal cost savings.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome baseline for both platforms. That said, the overall cost difference between the two is relatively small in practical terms, and most traders will find either broker's pricing competitive.
Account Accessibility & Leverage
Exness is considerably more accessible to new or budget-conscious traders, requiring just a $10 minimum deposit compared to Pacific Union's $20. This lower barrier to entry makes Exness a natural starting point for beginners testing live markets with limited capital.
Leverage is another area where Exness pulls far ahead, offering up to 1:2000 compared to Pacific Union's 1:500. While high leverage increases risk and isn't suitable for every trading style, experienced traders running smaller accounts may value the flexibility.
Beginners in particular should note that lower deposit thresholds combined with higher leverage ceilings give Exness more room to accommodate a wider range of account sizes and risk appetites.
Trading Platforms & Markets
Exness supports MT4, MT5, and its own proprietary mobile app, giving traders an extra option beyond the industry-standard MetaTrader suite. Pacific Union sticks to the MT4 and MT5 combination only, which is reliable but less differentiated.
Market coverage is broadly similar: both brokers offer forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto. Exness additionally lists stocks as a tradable asset class, giving it a slightly broader instrument catalogue overall.
For traders who value platform variety or want a dedicated mobile-first experience, Exness's proprietary app is a meaningful added convenience that Pacific Union currently doesn't match.
Our Verdict
Weighing regulation, accessibility, leverage, and platform variety against Pacific Union's narrow fee advantage, Exness is the stronger all-round choice for most traders in 2026. Its FCA licence alone provides a meaningful trust advantage that cost-conscious traders should factor into their decision.
Pacific Union remains a credible alternative for traders laser-focused on shaving fractions of a pip off spreads, or who simply prefer its specific market lineup. But for beginners, risk-conscious traders, and anyone prioritizing regulatory assurance, Exness is our recommended pick.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Exness wins overall
Exness edges out Pacific Union overall based on our expert rating score.
E
Highest Rated
Exness
3.8 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.8/5).
ExnessBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
ExnessLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Pacific UnionStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Exness
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, Exness comes out ahead with a 3.8/5 score compared to Pacific Union's 3.2/5. Exness's advantage stems largely from its stronger regulatory profile, lower minimum deposit, and higher leverage ceiling. That said, your ideal choice depends on your personal trading priorities, so review the full head-to-head breakdown above before deciding.
Pacific Union holds a slight edge on headline spreads, advertising from 0.0 pips versus Exness's 0.1 pips. Exness does charge a marginally higher commission at $3.5 per lot compared to Pacific Union's $3 per lot. In practice, the real-world cost difference between the two brokers is relatively small for most trading styles.
Exness requires a minimum deposit of only $10, making it considerably more accessible than Pacific Union, which requires $20. For beginners or traders testing a strategy with limited capital, this lower threshold can be a meaningful advantage.
Exness is regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and FSCA, giving it a genuine tier-1 regulatory stamp through the UK's FCA. Pacific Union is regulated only by the FSCA and FSA, both considered lower-tier authorities with less stringent oversight requirements. Traders who prioritize fund safety and regulatory accountability should factor this difference heavily into their decision.
Exness offers MT4, MT5, and its own proprietary mobile trading platform, giving users an extra option beyond the standard MetaTrader suite. Pacific Union supports only MT4 and MT5. Traders who value a dedicated mobile-first experience may lean toward Exness for this reason.
Yes, there's nothing stopping you from opening accounts with both brokers simultaneously. Many traders deliberately diversify across multiple platforms to access different markets, pricing structures, or regulatory environments. Just be sure to manage your capital and risk exposure responsibly across accounts.
Exness offers substantially higher leverage, up to 1:2000, while Pacific Union caps out at 1:500. Higher leverage can amplify both gains and losses, so this feature is best suited to experienced traders who understand the associated risks. Beginners should approach high-leverage accounts cautiously regardless of which broker they choose.
Both brokers provide solid multi-asset coverage, but Exness edges ahead by including stocks alongside forex, CFDs, crypto, indices, and commodities. Pacific Union covers forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto but does not list stocks separately. For traders wanting equity exposure alongside traditional CFD markets, Exness offers a slightly wider net.
Neither Exness nor Pacific Union charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a positive baseline for traders moving funds in and out of their accounts regularly. This parity means the fee comparison between the two ultimately comes down to spreads and commissions rather than transaction costs.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.