Just spent way too long comparing trading platforms australia and figured I'd share what I found since a bunch of people keep asking me about this. So if you're in Australia and looking to get into trading, there's honestly more options than I thought.

Mitrade seems to be the one everyone recommends for beginners - and fair enough, the interface is pretty straightforward and they've got like 100+ assets you can trade. No commission fees which is nice, just spreads. They also do PayID transfers which is convenient. eToro's another solid option if you want to copy other traders' moves, which is actually kind of useful when you're learning. Spreads only, no commission on stocks and ETFs, but they charge for currency conversion which adds up.

If you want something super simple, Plus500 is clean and fast. Spreads instead of commissions, easy to understand. CMC Markets is more for people who want advanced tools - lots of charting features but honestly feels overwhelming if you're just starting out. Pepperstone and AvaTrade are also out there if you want more options, though Pepperstone is more for experienced traders doing scalping and that kind of stuff.

The main thing I noticed is that fees matter way more than you think when you're trading regularly. Even small spreads add up. Most of these trading platforms australia let you demo trade first which is clutch - you can practice without risking real money. Security seems solid across the board too, at least the regulated ones.

Personally I'd lean toward Mitrade or eToro if I was starting fresh, but it really depends on whether you want to copy trades or do your own thing. Anyone else using these platforms? What's your experience been?