Been digging into brokers here in Australia lately and honestly, the options have gotten pretty wild compared to a few years back. Everyone's got different needs depending on whether you're just dabbling or actually serious about trading, so let me break down what I've found.

If you're starting out and don't have much capital, Mitrade keeps popping up for good reason. Zero commission structure, spreads as tight as 0.01, and you can trade US stocks with leverage starting from like 50 to 100 bucks. The interface is clean, nothing confusing, and they've been around since 2011 so they've got solid backing. One thing though—their demo account only lasts 3 months, so you gotta move quick if you're testing it out.

eToro's the social trading angle if you want to basically copy what experienced traders are doing. Commission-free on stocks (with conditions), and the community aspect is actually useful for learning. Downside is the currency conversion fees add up and you don't get the advanced tools serious traders need.

Stake is pure simplicity—zero commission on US stocks, super low barrier to entry. But that's it, really. You're locked into US markets, no leverage, no CFDs. If that's your whole game though, it's hard to beat the cost.

For people thinking long-term, SelfWealth charges a flat 9.50 per trade instead of percentages, which actually works out better if you're moving decent amounts. No flashy features, but for buy-and-hold portfolio building it's straightforward.

CommSec is the safe play if you want that trusted, established name. Higher fees, integrates seamlessly with Commonwealth Bank, solid research tools. Not for active traders, but the reliability matters to some people.

Honestly, picking the best stock broker in Australia really depends on your style. Day trading? Mitrade probably wins. Long-term holding? SelfWealth or CommSec. Just want US exposure cheap? Stake. The best brokers in Australia all have their thing—just gotta match it to what you actually do. What's your main market focus anyway?