L
Longbridge
3.4 / 5Score: 3 / 3
Zero-commission access to global stock markets with no minimum deposit barrier.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SFC, MAS
Reviewed by Experts Updated 11/3/2026
Longbridge vs Pacific Union: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
Longbridge and Pacific Union serve very different trading styles, one favoring commission-free equities and the other favoring leveraged forex and CFDs. Here's how they compare across fees, regulation, platforms, and more.
PU
Pacific Union
3.2 / 5Score: 0 / 3
High-leverage multi-asset trading built on the industry-standard MT4 and MT5 platforms.
- Min deposit
- $20
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- FSCA, FSA
Our #1 Pick Right Now: AvaTrade
Same category, top-tier regulation, and it's currently accepting new traders.
See What Makes It Different Overall Winner
Longbridge
Best for Beginners
Longbridge
Lowest Fees
Longbridge
Top Regulation
Longbridge
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | L Longbridge | PU Pacific Union |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 2019 | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | Mahé, Seychelles |
| Regulation | SFC, MAS | FSCA, FSA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $0 | $20 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | $3/lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:5 | 1:500 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile | MT4, MT5 |
| Markets Offered | Stocks, Etf, Options, Indices | Forex, Cfd, Indices, Commodities, Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
Longbridge
$0
Pacific Union
$20
Spreads From
Longbridge
0 pips
Pacific Union
0 pips
Commission
Longbridge
None
Pacific Union
$3/lot
Deposit Fees
Longbridge
None
Pacific Union
None
Withdrawal Fees
Longbridge
None
Pacific Union
None
Pros & cons
L
Longbridge
Pros
- Carries a stronger overall rating of 3.4/5 compared to its rival's 3.2/5
- Eliminates per-trade commission charges entirely, reducing total trading costs
- No minimum deposit required, making it highly accessible to first-time investors
- Backed by two tier-1 regulators (SFC and MAS), offering robust client protection
- Clean fee structure with no hidden deposit or withdrawal charges
- Proprietary platforms designed specifically around equities, ETFs, and options trading
- Strong reputation for regulatory compliance within Hong Kong and Singapore jurisdictions
Cons
- Maximum leverage capped at just 1:5, far lower than many forex-focused competitors
- No support for third-party platforms like MT4 or MT5, limiting flexibility for algorithmic traders
- Narrower market range with no direct access to forex, commodities, or crypto CFDs
- Relatively newer brand, founded in 2019, with a shorter operating track record
- Proprietary-only platform ecosystem may not suit traders who rely on custom EAs or scripts
PU
Pacific Union
Pros
- Offers substantially higher leverage of up to 1:500 for experienced traders
- Covers five distinct market categories, including crypto and commodities
- Longer market presence since 2015 builds a more extensive track record
- Full MT4 and MT5 compatibility supports automated trading and custom indicators
- Zero fees on deposits and withdrawals keeps funding transactions cost-free
- Appeals to traders wanting a broader multi-asset CFD portfolio in one account
Cons
- Lower overall rating of 3.2/5 compared to its higher-rated rival
- Charges a per-lot commission of $3, adding to the cost of active trading
- Requires a $20 minimum deposit, a small but notable barrier versus a zero-deposit rival
- Regulated only by FSCA and FSA, which are generally viewed as less stringent than tier-1 regulators
- High leverage of 1:500 increases risk exposure, particularly for inexperienced traders
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner Longbridge
Lowest fees Longbridge
Best regulation Longbridge
Better for beginners Longbridge
Longbridge is our recommended pick overall, earning a 3.4/5 rating versus Pacific Union's 3.2/5, thanks to its tier-1 regulatory backing, zero-commission pricing, and accessible $0 minimum deposit. Pacific Union remains a credible alternative for forex-focused traders who want higher leverage and MT4/MT5 compatibility.
Regulation & Safety
Longbridge holds licences from the SFC in Hong Kong and the MAS in Singapore, two regulatory bodies widely recognized as tier-1 authorities with rigorous capital adequacy and conduct standards.
Pacific Union, by contrast, is regulated by the FSCA and FSA, jurisdictions generally viewed as offering lighter oversight compared to tier-1 regulators.
For traders prioritizing fund safety and regulatory accountability, Longbridge's dual tier-1 licensing gives it a clear and meaningful edge in this category.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, putting them on equal footing at the headline level. The real differentiator emerges in commission structure.
Longbridge charges no per-trade commission at all, creating a genuinely low-cost environment for equity and ETF investors.
Pacific Union applies a $3 per lot commission on top of its spreads, which can meaningfully increase costs for active or high-volume traders.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, so funding your account remains free regardless of which platform you choose.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
Longbridge requires no minimum deposit, making it one of the most accessible brokers for traders just starting out or testing a new strategy with minimal capital.
Pacific Union requires a modest $20 minimum deposit, still low by industry standards but a notable difference when compared directly to a zero-deposit competitor.
For cost-conscious beginners, this accessibility gap reinforces Longbridge's position as the easier broker to get started with.
Trading Platforms & Tools
Longbridge relies entirely on its own proprietary web and mobile applications, purpose-built around its stock, ETF, and options offering.
Pacific Union instead supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the two most widely adopted platforms in the retail forex and CFD industry.
Traders who depend on expert advisors, custom indicators, or algorithmic strategies will likely find Pacific Union's MT4/MT5 support more functional for their needs.
Market Range & Leverage
Pacific Union offers a noticeably broader market selection, spanning forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto across five total categories.
Longbridge focuses more narrowly on stocks, ETFs, options, and indices, making it better suited to equity-oriented investors rather than leveraged multi-asset traders.
On leverage, Pacific Union offers up to 1:500, dramatically higher than Longbridge's capped 1:5 maximum, which will be decisive for traders built around leveraged forex strategies.
Our Verdict
Longbridge earns our recommendation overall, scoring 3.4/5 against Pacific Union's 3.2/5, driven primarily by stronger regulation, zero commissions, and a lower barrier to entry.
Pacific Union still holds genuine appeal for traders who specifically want high leverage, a broader multi-asset market range, or native MT4/MT5 support.
Ultimately, your decision should hinge on trading style: equity-focused beginners should lean toward Longbridge, while leveraged forex and CFD traders may find Pacific Union's toolset more aligned with their needs.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
Longbridge wins overall
Longbridge edges out Pacific Union overall based on our expert rating score.
L
Highest Rated
Longbridge
3.4 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.4/5).
LongbridgeBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
LongbridgeLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
LongbridgeStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
Longbridge
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, Longbridge comes out ahead with a 3.4/5 score compared to Pacific Union's 3.2/5. Longbridge's advantage stems largely from its tier-1 regulatory backing, zero-commission structure, and lower entry barrier. That said, Pacific Union remains a viable alternative for traders who specifically want higher leverage or MT4/MT5 compatibility, so your ideal choice depends on what you value most in a trading relationship.
Both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, but the real cost difference lies in commissions. Longbridge charges no per-trade commission at all, while Pacific Union applies a $3 per lot commission on top of its spreads. For frequent traders, this difference can add up meaningfully over time, giving Longbridge the edge on overall trading costs.
Longbridge requires no minimum deposit whatsoever, making it one of the more accessible options for new investors testing the waters. Pacific Union, by comparison, requires a $20 minimum deposit to open and fund an account. While $20 is still a modest sum, Longbridge's zero-deposit policy removes even that small barrier to entry.
Longbridge is regulated by the SFC in Hong Kong and the MAS in Singapore, both of which are widely regarded as tier-1 financial regulators with strict capital and conduct requirements. Pacific Union is regulated by the FSCA and FSA, authorities generally considered less stringent than tier-1 bodies. On regulatory strength alone, Longbridge offers a more robust safety profile for client funds.
Longbridge operates on its own proprietary web and mobile trading applications, built specifically around its stock, ETF, and options offering. Pacific Union instead supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are favored by forex and CFD traders who rely on automated strategies, custom indicators, and expert advisors. Your platform preference may heavily influence which broker suits you better.
Yes, nothing prevents you from opening accounts with both brokers simultaneously. In fact, many traders deliberately diversify across platforms, using Longbridge for commission-free stock and ETF investing while using Pacific Union for leveraged forex and CFD trading through MT4/MT5. This dual approach lets you access the strengths of each platform without being locked into a single ecosystem.
Pacific Union offers significantly higher leverage, up to 1:500, compared to Longbridge's maximum of 1:5. This makes Pacific Union the more natural choice for forex and CFD traders who want amplified exposure, though higher leverage also carries increased risk and requires disciplined risk management.
Pacific Union supports a broader market range, covering forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, and crypto across five total categories. Longbridge focuses more narrowly on stocks, ETFs, options, and indices. Traders wanting exposure to crypto or commodities will find Pacific Union's offering more comprehensive.
Yes, Longbridge is particularly well-suited to beginners thanks to its zero minimum deposit, commission-free structure, and tier-1 regulatory oversight from the SFC and MAS. These factors combine to create a lower-risk, lower-cost entry point for those new to investing, especially those primarily interested in stocks and ETFs rather than leveraged forex trading.
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.