Brokers With The Best Customer Service

In today’s fast-paced financial markets, brokers need to offer fast, responsive and helpful customer support. This review ranks the brokers with the best customer service, based on our expert’s tests. We also unpack the contact options available at leading brokers, alongside UK opening hours.

Top Brokers For Customer Service

  1. rating empty
    rating full

    Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
  2. rating empty
    rating full

    Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC, SCA, Bappebti xStation
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30
  3. rating empty
    rating full

    Founded in 1989, CMC Markets is a reputable broker publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange. It holds authorisation from top-tier regulators such as the FCA, ASIC, and CIRO. The brokerage, which has received multiple awards, boasts a global membership exceeding one million traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Treasuries, Custom Indices, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, MAS, CIRO, BaFin, FMA, DFSA Web, MT4, TradingView
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
  4. rating empty
    rating full

    FXCC, a well-established brokerage since 2010, offers cost-effective online trading. Registered in Nevis and regulated by CySEC, it is distinguished by its ECN conditions and absence of a minimum deposit requirement. The account opening process is efficient, taking under five minutes.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CySEC MT4, MT5
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:500

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Brokers With The Best Customer Service are and what features they offer to protect traders.

Safety Comparison
Broker Trust Rating FCA Regulated Negative Balance Protection Guaranteed Stop Loss Segregated Accounts
Pepperstone 4.6
XTB 4.6
CMC Markets 4.8
FXCC 3.3

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the Brokers With The Best Customer Service support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).

Payments Comparison
Broker GBP Account Debit Card Credit Card Neteller Skrill Apple Pay
Pepperstone
XTB
CMC Markets
FXCC

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the Brokers With The Best Customer Service at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.

Mobile Trading Comparison
Broker Mobile Apps iOS Rating Android Rating Smart Watch App
Pepperstone iOS & Android 4.4 4.1
XTB iOS & Android 4.7 4.1
CMC Markets iOS & Android 4.1 3.7
FXCC iOS & Android 4.8 4.4

Beginners Comparison

Are the Brokers With The Best Customer Service good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?

Beginners Comparison
Broker Demo Account Minimum Deposit Minimum Trade Support Rating Education Rating
Pepperstone $0 0.01 Lots 4.6 4
XTB $0 0.01 Lots 4.3 3.8
CMC Markets $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 4.3
FXCC $0 0.01 Lots 4.3 2.5

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the Brokers With The Best Customer Service offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?

Advanced Trading Comparison
Broker Automated Trading Pro Account Leverage VPS AI Low Latency Extended Hours
Pepperstone Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
XTB Open API 1:30
CMC Markets Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
FXCC Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:500

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Brokers With The Best Customer Service.

Detailed Rating Comparison
Broker Trust Platforms Mobile Assets Fees Accounts Support Research Education
Pepperstone 4.6 4.4 4.3 3.8 4.5 4 4.6 4.3 4
XTB 4.6 4 4.4 4 4.3 4 4.3 4.1 3.8
CMC Markets 4.8 4.3 3.9 4.6 4.3 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.3
FXCC 3.3 3.3 4.6 3 4 3.5 4.3 2 2.5

Our Take On Pepperstone

"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • Pepperstone offers rapid execution speeds of approximately 30ms, enabling swift order processing and execution, making it ideal for traders.
  • Support for top-tier charting platforms such as MT4, MT5, TradingView, and cTrader. These tools accommodate different short-term trading methods, including algorithmic trading.
  • Pepperstone now offers spread betting via TradingView, delivering a streamlined and tax-efficient trading experience with sophisticated analytical tools.

Cons

  • Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
  • Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.
  • Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.

Our Take On XTB

"XTB emerges as an ideal option for novice traders, offering the impressive xStation platform, zero commission pricing, no required minimum deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are conveniently integrated into the platform."

Pros

  • XTB ensures swift access to funds, providing fast withdrawals with same-day payments for requests made before 1 pm.
  • XTB offers a superb array of educational resources, such as training videos and articles, embedded within the platform to assist traders of all experience levels.
  • Top-notch customer support, available 24/5, includes a welcoming live chat with response times under two minutes during tests.

Cons

  • Trading fees are competitive, with average EUR/USD spreads of about 1 pip. However, they are not as low as the most affordable brokers, such as IC Markets. Additionally, an inactivity fee applies after a year.
  • XTB lacks a raw spread account, a feature increasingly offered by competitors such as Pepperstone. This omission might not satisfy traders seeking the most competitive spreads.
  • It is frustrating that XTB products do not allow traders to modify the default leverage level. Manually adjusting leverage can greatly reduce risk in forex and CFD trading.

Our Take On CMC Markets

"Equipped with advanced charts and a broad array of tradable CFDs, including an unmatched selection of currencies and bespoke indices, CMC Markets offers an excellent online platform for traders at any level."

Pros

  • We've upgraded the 'Assets & Markets' rating due to frequent product enhancements in early 2025. These include extended trading hours for US stocks and the introduction of new share CFDs.
  • The CMC web platform offers an exceptional user experience with sophisticated charting tools for trading and customisable options, suitable for both novice and seasoned traders. It supports MT4 but not MT5, and TradingView will be available from 2025.
  • CMC provides competitive pricing with narrow spreads and low trading fees, except for stock CFDs. The Alpha and Price+ programmes offer additional benefits for active traders, including discounts on spreads of up to 40%.

Cons

  • Trading stock CFDs comes with a relatively high commission, particularly when compared to low-cost brokers such as IC Markets.
  • The CMC Markets app provides a comprehensive trading package; however, its design and user experience lag behind market leaders such as eToro.
  • A monthly inactivity charge of $10 is imposed after a year's inactivity, potentially discouraging occasional traders.

Our Take On FXCC

"FXCC remains a top choice for forex traders, offering over 70 currency pairs, very tight spreads from 0.0 pips in tests, and high leverage up to 1:500 with the ECN XL account."

Pros

  • FXCC offers competitive and transparent ECN spreads starting from 0.0 pips, with no commissions. This makes it one of the most cost-effective forex brokers available.
  • There are no deposit fees other than standard cryptocurrency mining charges, which benefits active traders.
  • The complimentary education section, featuring the 'Traders Corner' blog, provides a wide array of resources suitable for traders of all experience levels.

Cons

  • The variety of currency pairs surpasses most options, but the choice of other assets is limited. Notably, stocks are absent.
  • Unaware traders might face steep withdrawal fees, such as a notable $45 for bank transfers.
  • The range of research tools, such as Trading Central and Autochartist, is quite limited. Leading platforms in this category, like IG, offer more advanced features.

Test Results - Best Customer Support Brokers (*response time based on live chat)
Broker Opening Hours *Response Time Live Chat UK Telephone Email Social Media
Pepperstone 24/7 <2 Minutes Yes Yes Yes No
XTB 24/5 <2 Minutes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CMC Markets 24/5 <2 Minutes Yes Yes Yes Yes
AvaTrade 24/5 <2 Minutes Yes Yes Yes No
FXCC 24/5 <1 Minutes Yes Yes No No

The Importance Of Customer Service

Online trading can be a complex process with many steps to consider at each stage from signing up to placing a trade. Investors may need to provide certain documentation and convert currency while opening an account or trying to trade assets on a foreign exchange. Equally, traders may need to go through a special process to access leverage or analysis tools.

The most effective customer service is fast and responsive, with a knowledgeable human assistant available if the issue requires it. It is especially important to have a quick response time since trading is a time-sensitive endeavour and delays can lead to lost money.

The best brokers for customer support also provide automated support options such as chatbots as well as FAQ sections or dedicated help pages on their websites, allowing traders to quickly look up the answer to simple queries.

As well as good customer service options, some brokers provide educational resources to improve customers’ trading skills, and help them understand the financial markets while building trust and loyalty.

When Is Good Customer Service Needed?

Online traders can be involved in trades at any time of day or night, and if an issue arises they need to be assured of a quick response from their broker’s support team.

Times when good customer support is particularly useful include:

  • Registration: Since most UK brokers require proof of ID or address, and other verification documents, signing up can be complicated. Good customer support is useful if the system does not recognise your documentation or if any other issue arises.
  • Security: Traders must place trust in their brokers, since they may invest large amounts of cash as well as share sensitive personal information. The best brokers for customer support can reassure traders that their accounts are safe by answering questions on security.
  • Account lockout: If you forget your password or get locked out of your account for any other reason, a good customer support team can help quickly resolve the issue and prevent losses.
  • Payment issues: If you hit any snags while trying to deposit or withdraw funds, or if there’s been an unexpected charge to your account, the best trading brokers for customer support are able to resolve the issue quickly and fairly.
  • Technical issues: Trading platforms can experience technical issues at any time, such as system crashes or slow performance. Good customer support can help traders troubleshoot issues and resume trading quickly.
  • Account management: Traders may need support with managing their trading accounts, including depositing funds, withdrawing profits, converting currencies and updating personal information.

Comparing Brokers For Customer Service

  • Contact channels: Check the customer support channels offered by the trading broker, such as phone, email, live chat, and social media. Evaluate the availability and responsiveness of the channel you will use. For example, Interactive Brokers offers phone, live chat, email, image upload, FAQs and tips for best service, and a selection of channels for traders to choose from. Most importantly, phone and chat lines are available for instant help 24/7.
  • Customer service hours: Consider the hours during which customer service is available. Good brokers offer customer support outside regular business hours to cater to customers in different time zones. For example, the IG Index support team can be reached by phone, Twitter and email 24 hours a day from 8am Saturday to 10pm Friday.
  • Response time: The best brokers for customer service respond to inquiries and concerns promptly. Different methods will also generate different response times; for example, Interactive Brokers take up to 24 hours to respond via email, whereas on live chat customers are likely to get a response within minutes.
  • Knowledgeable & Professional: Brokers with good customer service should have in-depth knowledge about all the products and services offered by the brokerage and how to use them. They should be able to provide accurate and reliable information to traders and handle their queries professionally.
  • Personalisation: Brokers with good customer service should be tailored to the individual needs of the trader, offering customised solutions based on specific requirements, preferences, and investment goals.
  • Flexibility: Brokers should offer flexible solutions to customers based on their changing needs. For example, they should allow users to modify their trading accounts, adjust their investment portfolios, and access their funds easily.
  • Proactive: Great customer service should be proactive in anticipating customer needs by giving regular updates, offering educational resources, and providing trading guides as well as promptly fixing any problems that arise.
  • Empathy: Customer service representatives should show empathy towards traders, especially during stressful situations like withdrawal issues. They should be able to understand the trader’s perspective, show concern and provide support.

Bottom Line

Good customer service is a key component of a broker’s operations that helps build trust, increases client satisfaction, prevents complaints and disputes and meets compliance requirements. By prioritising customer service, trading brokers can improve their business performance and ensure they are meeting the needs of their traders.

Brokers with the best customer support are particularly important for beginners who may need help opening an account and getting started with online trading.

FAQs

What Customer Service Channels Do Trading Brokers Typically Offer?

Brokers with good customer service offer a range of customer service channels, such as phone, email, live chat, and social media like Telegram and Facebook Messenger.

What Is The Average Response Time For Customer Inquiries At Brokers?

The response time for customer service enquiries varies depending on the brokerage. However, brokers with great customer service typically respond to inquiries within minutes on live chat and several hours via email. The top brokers offer 24/7 customer support to ensure that traders can get their questions answered quickly.

Which UK Broker Has The Best Customer Support?

Our experts have compiled a list of the best brokers for customer support, based on their experiences and live testing. When comparing trading platforms, consider their reputation, contact channels, response time, knowledge and professionalism.

Article Sources

Pepperstone Customer Support

XTB Customer Support

CMC Markets Customer Support

AvaTrade Customer Support

FXCC Customer Support