Just spent way too much time comparing share trading platforms in Australia and figured I'd share what I found since this stuff matters more than people think. Turns out where you trade actually shapes what you pay and what you can even access, which isn't obvious until you dig in.

So I looked at six platforms and honestly they're pretty different from each other. Mitrade caught my attention first - it's a CFD broker with zero commission, which is wild if you're trading frequently. You get access to shares, forex, indices, crypto, all that stuff from one account. Demo account with 50k virtual cash is solid for testing before going live. The trade-off is you don't technically own the shares, but if you're just trying to make moves without getting killed on fees, it's worth considering as a best share trading platform for beginners.

CommSec is the opposite approach - you actually own the shares directly through CHESS sponsorship, which matters if that's important to you. Goldman Sachs research built in, access to 25 exchanges. But yeah, fees are higher ($5-30 per trade depending on size). Better for buy-and-hold types who aren't constantly trading.

CMC Invest split the difference somehow - direct ownership for ASX trades but also CFD access. First buy of the day is free up to $1,000, then $11 after. Access to 45,000+ stocks across 16 exchanges. Probably the best share trading platform if you want flexibility without going full CFD.

Stake is super clean if you just want ASX and US stocks. $3 flat fee up to $30k, CHESS-sponsored, fractional US shares available. No crypto or forex though. Feels mobile-focused but honestly works great.

eToro brings the social angle - copy trading where you can mirror other traders' positions, which is either genius or dangerous depending on who you follow. Broader asset range, low barrier to entry. Withdrawal fees though.

Interactive Brokers is basically the power user option. 170+ markets, institutional tools, steep learning curve. For people managing serious portfolios.

If I'm being honest, picking the best share trading platform really comes down to whether you want to own shares directly or just get price exposure, how much you're trading, and what markets matter to you. CommSec if you want traditional ownership, Mitrade if you want flexibility and lower costs, Stake if you want simplicity. That's the real difference.