Longbridge Securities Review 2026: Zero-Commission HK & US Stocks
Contents
TL;DR
Longbridge offers lifetime zero-commission trading on HK and US stocks, supports HK IPO grey market (ζη) trading, and has no minimum deposit. It is SFC-regulated in Hong Kong. The main trade-off: smaller user base than moomoo or Tiger, lighter research tools, and a newer platform still building its track record. Solid choice for cost-focused investors who mainly buy HK and US equities.
Longbridge Securities Review 2026: Zero-Commission HK & US Stocks
Zero-commission brokers have become the norm in the fintech brokerage space, but Longbridge goes a step further than most: the platform markets itself on "lifetime zero-commission" (η»θΊ«ε δ½£) for HK and US stocks -- not a six-month promo, not a limited-trades offer, but an ongoing structural commitment to $0 commissions on standard equity trades.
We spent time evaluating Longbridge against the other main platforms competing for the same investor pool: moomoo (Futu), Tiger Brokers, and Interactive Brokers. Here is what we found.
How We Evaluated Longbridge
Our review covers the following dimensions:
- Fees and actual costs -- beyond commissions, including platform fees, FX spreads, and IPO-related charges
- Platform quality -- app usability, charting tools, order types on both mobile and desktop
- IPO support -- HK IPO application process, grey market access, and allotment notifications
- Account setup -- how long it actually takes and what documents you need
- Regulation and safety -- which authority oversees the broker and how client assets are protected
- Downsides -- things the broker does not tell you in its marketing
Key Features
Lifetime Zero Commission on HK and US Stocks
This is Longbridge's headline differentiator. Unlike some brokers that run zero-commission periods as acquisition promotions, Longbridge frames this as a permanent policy for HK and US equity trading. No commission on buys, no commission on sells.
Standard exchange-related fees still apply on every trade -- Hong Kong stamp duty (0.13% per side), HKEX trading fee (0.00565%), SFC transaction levy (0.0027%), and CCASS settlement charges. These are universal and imposed by the exchange, not the broker. But the broker-side commission on HK and US stocks is genuinely zero.
For US stocks, the SEC regulatory fee (a tiny amount -- around $0.0008 per $1,000 of sale value) may apply on sells, which is standard across all platforms.
HK IPO Support Including Grey Market (ζη)
This matters significantly for investors focused on Hong Kong IPOs. Longbridge supports:
- Standard IPO subscription (η³θ΄) through the platform
- Grey market trading (ζη/ζεΈ) in the period before official listing
Grey market trading is where a new stock starts trading informally, typically the evening before the official HKEX listing date. Not all brokers support this -- and for IPO investors who want to gauge demand before the market opens, or lock in gains before the first-day volatility, grey market access is genuinely useful.
Longbridge routes grey market trades through Futu's clearing infrastructure in the background, which provides reasonable execution quality, though it is worth knowing grey market spreads can be wide and liquidity thinner than regular hours.
Account Opening: Online, 1-3 Business Days, No Minimum
The account opening process is fully online. You will need:
- A valid HK, mainland China, Singapore, or other supported ID
- Proof of address (bank statement or utility bill within three months)
- Mobile number and email
Most applicants see approval within one to three business days. No minimum deposit is required to open or maintain an account, and there is no inactivity fee.
For investors based outside Hong Kong -- including Australians, Singaporeans, or overseas Chinese -- Longbridge accepts applications with overseas identification documents, though the exact supported documents vary by nationality. Check the current eligibility list on their website before applying.
SFC Regulated (Hong Kong)
Longbridge is operated by Longbridge HK Limited, which holds a Type 1 licence (Dealing in Securities) and Type 4 licence (Advising on Securities) from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The SFC also administers the Investor Compensation Fund, which covers up to HK$500,000 per investor against broker default.
Client securities are held in segregated accounts at CCASS, the central clearing and settlement system operated by HKEX. This is the same structure used by all licensed HK brokers.
Current Promotion (as of early 2026)
Longbridge runs periodic promotions for new account holders. The standard offer around early 2026 is along the lines of: open an account and deposit HK$10,000 within the promotional window to receive rewards including approximately HK$100 in cash rebates and a period of free trading.
Promotional terms change frequently -- check directly with Longbridge for current offers before signing up, as these promotions typically have expiry dates and transaction conditions attached.
Fees: What You Actually Pay
| Fee Type | Longbridge | moomoo (HK) | Tiger Brokers (HK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HK Stock Commission | $0 | 0.03% (min HK$3) | 0.06% (min HK$15) |
| Platform Fee (HK) | HK$15/order | HK$15/order | HK$15/order |
| US Stock Commission | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| HK IPO Grey Market | Supported | Supported | Supported |
| Minimum Deposit | None | None | None |
| Inactivity Fee | None | None | None |
A note on the platform fee: even though Longbridge charges zero commission on HK stocks, the HK$15 platform fee per order is still present. This is standard across most fintech HK brokers and is separate from commission. On a HK$50,000 HK stock trade, your broker cost is HK$15 (platform fee only), compared to HK$30 on moomoo (HK$15 commission + HK$15 platform fee).
For US stocks, Longbridge's zero commission is genuinely no-additional-fee on the equity trade itself.
How Longbridge Compares to moomoo
If you are deciding between Longbridge and moomoo for HK/US stock investing, here is the honest breakdown:
Where Longbridge is stronger:
- Lower headline cost on HK stocks (zero commission vs. moomoo's 0.03% minimum HK$3)
- Slightly simpler app interface -- less overwhelming for new users
Where moomoo is stronger:
- Free Level 2 market depth data (Longbridge charges for this, or limits it to basic tier)
- Larger active user community and social features
- More mature research tools, screeners, and analyst coverage
- Longer operating history and larger asset base (Futu Holdings manages ~US$80 billion globally)
- Australian-specific entity for investors in Australia (moomoo AU holds an AFSL licence)
For investors who prioritise absolute lowest cost on HK equity commissions and do not need institutional-grade research tools, Longbridge edges ahead on fees. For those who want the full research and data package, moomoo remains the more capable platform overall.
Downsides Worth Knowing
Smaller User Base and Community
Longbridge's platform community is significantly smaller than moomoo or Tiger Brokers. The in-app social features and discussion forums have less activity, which means fewer user-generated trading ideas, less sentiment data, and a less developed knowledge base. For investors who rely on community insights as part of their process, this gap matters.
Lighter Research Tools
Longbridge's research offering is functional but leaner than moomoo's. Level 2 market depth data for HK stocks is available but typically on a paid add-on basis for standard accounts. Analyst coverage and screeners are present but less comprehensive. If you are making active trading decisions that rely on deep market data, budget for the data subscription costs or consider whether moomoo's free Level 2 inclusion is worth the slightly higher commission. For charting and technical analysis, most HK and US stock investors pair their broker with TradingView β its free tier covers candlestick charts, key indicators, and multi-market watchlists that Longbridge's native tools do not match.
Newer Platform
Longbridge's HK entity has been operating for a few years but is younger than the established players. The platform has fewer user reviews, less publicly available independent analysis, and a shorter track record to evaluate reliability during extreme market conditions. This is not necessarily a problem, but it is worth factoring into your risk assessment alongside the SFC regulation and ICF protection.
FX Spread on US Stocks
Like all HK-based brokers trading US stocks in USD, Longbridge charges a currency conversion spread when you fund in HKD and buy USD-denominated stocks. The spread is around 0.3-0.5% depending on current market conditions and account tier -- similar to industry standard but not negligible on large trades.
Who Should Consider Longbridge
Good fit:
- Investors focused primarily on HK stocks who want to pay the absolute minimum on commissions
- IPO investors who want grey market access from a low-cost broker
- Those who want a cleaner, less feature-crowded interface than moomoo
- Cost-conscious traders who do not need premium research tools and are happy to pay separately if they need Level 2 data
Less suitable:
- Investors who rely heavily on technical analysis tools, screeners, and Level 2 data (moomoo is better value on data)
- Investors in Australia who want a locally licensed broker (use moomoo AU or IBKR with their Australian entities)
- High-frequency traders or those managing large portfolios who want deeper liquidity analytics and institutional tools
FAQ
Is Longbridge Securities regulated and safe?
Yes. Longbridge HK Limited holds a Type 1 SFC licence (dealing in securities) in Hong Kong. Client securities are held in segregated CCASS accounts, and the SFC's Investor Compensation Fund covers up to HK$500,000 per investor against broker default. This is the same regulatory framework that governs Futu and Tiger Brokers in Hong Kong.
Is the lifetime zero-commission policy genuinely permanent?
Longbridge markets this as a long-term structural policy rather than a promotion. However, no broker can guarantee fee structures will never change -- terms are always subject to revision. Read the current fee schedule on the Longbridge website before making decisions based on current pricing, and check for any footnotes around specific order types or account tiers.
Does Longbridge support mainland Chinese investors?
Longbridge's current account opening availability varies by jurisdiction and has shifted over time alongside broader regulatory changes affecting mainland residents opening overseas brokerage accounts. As of early 2026, account opening requirements have become stricter across most HK brokers for mainland residents. Check directly with Longbridge for current eligibility criteria.
How does Longbridge make money if commission is zero?
The main revenue sources are: the HK$15 platform fee per HK stock order, FX conversion spreads on USD/HKD trades, interest on client cash held in the account, margin lending interest, and paid data subscriptions for premium market data. The zero-commission model is a customer acquisition tool; the platform fee and FX spread are where the economics sit.
Can I apply the Longbridge welcome promo with an existing account?
Typically no -- promotional offers are for new account holders meeting specific terms. If you already hold a Longbridge account and missed the promotion window, contact their support to check if any retention offers are available.
Related Reading
- Hong Kong Stock Broker Comparison: Futu vs IBKR vs Tiger vs More
- Tiger Brokers HK Review
- moomoo Australia Review
- How to Open a HK Stock Account with Zero Barriers
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Broker fees, features, and promotional terms change frequently -- always verify current conditions directly with the broker before opening an account. Investing in securities involves risk. The authors receive no compensation from Longbridge.