Hey there! As a beginner diving into PLCs, you're asking exactly the right question. Beyond just price tags and technical specs, here are the real-world trade-offs you should consider:

First, let's talk about learning curve and community support. Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) is often considered the easiest for beginners in North America because of its intuitive ladder logic and massive online community. You'll find tons of tutorials, forums like PLCTalk, and YouTube resources. Siemens has excellent documentation but can feel more complex initially, especially with TIA Portal. Mitsubishi has solid hardware but their software (GX Works) has a steeper learning curve and less English-language support.

Software costs and availability are huge factors. Siemens' TIA Portal has a free basic version, while Allen-Bradley's Studio 5000 is expensive but widely used in industry. Mitsubishi's software tends to be more affordable but less polished. Think about your future career too - Allen-Bradley dominates North American manufacturing, Siemens is strong globally, and Mitsubishi is popular in Asia and specific industries like packaging.

Local support matters more than you'd think. Can you easily get replacement parts? Are there local distributors who can help when you're stuck? Allen-Bradley has the best North American support network, Siemens is strong in Europe, and Mitsubishi varies by region.

For your first project, I'd recommend starting with what's most common in your area or industry. The platform you learn first will shape your thinking, so choose one with good learning resources. Don't stress too much though - once you understand one PLC system well, switching to another becomes much easier!