Category | Provider | Speed | Price From |
---|---|---|---|
Best NBN 50 plan | Buddy Telco | 49Mbps | $63/mth |
Best NBN 100 plan | SpinTel | 100Mbps | $65/mth |
Best NBN 250 plan | Dodo | 250Mbps | $83.90/mth |
Best NBN 1000 plan | SpinTel | 750Mbps | $90/mth |
Best NBN 25 plan | SpinTel | 25Mbps | $47/mth |
Pricing refers to the minimum total cost for the first month.
If you’re looking for a new NBN plan, you're in the right spot. Each month we pick out the best NBN plans on the market to help you find the best internet deal.
Our picks on this page are split out into speed tiers. We'll look at NBN 50 plans, NBN 100, NBN 250, NBN 1000, and even NBN 25 if you're after something a little cheaper.
NBN 50 plans are still fast enough for most households, but in many cases, you can upgrade to NBN 100 for as little as $5 per month. In some cases, promos can make NBN 100 and NBN 50 plans the same price, in which case we'd always recommend the fastest option. As such, its worth considering both.
When making our monthly picks for the best NBN plans, we look at criteria including the cost of a plan over a year, typical evening speeds, support options, and other perks. We only consider NBN plans with unlimited data, so you won't have to worry about running out or paying excess fees.
Best NBN 50 plan (Standard)
How we chose this plan: When picking the best NBN 50 plan, we look at the first-year cost, plan
features, typical evening speeds, and support channels
Annual cost: $828 for first year, $900 per year thereafter
NBN 50 plans - also known as NBN Standard - are a comfortable option for most households of between two and four people. You can expect download speeds as fast as 50Mbps on an NBN 50 plan.
Buddy Telco takes the throne for April with its new promo on its NBN 50 plan. You'll pay just $63 per month for your first six months, and $85 per month thereafter. This offer runs until May 18.
Buddy Telco reports typical evening speeds of 49Mbps on its NBN 50 plan, so you shouldn't experience any congestion on this plan - even during peak hours.
- 49Mbps typical evening speed
- Unlimited data
- Save $12 per month for the first 6 months
- No contract so you're free to switch away
If this plan doesn't suit your needs, there are plenty more to choose from. Check out how it compares to the most popular NBN 50 plans from our database of 33 providers. Popularity is measured over the last seven days.
Best NBN 100 plan (Fast)
How we chose this plan: When picking the best NBN 100 plan, we look at the first-year cost, plan features, typical evening speeds, and support channels
Annual cost: $881.76 for first year, $983.40 per year thereafter
NBN 100 plans - also known as NBN Fast - are great for internet lovers, larger households, and anyone with plenty of connected devices. They can be especially useful when everyone tends to be online at the same time. You can expect download speeds as fast as 100Mbps, but these might be slower during peak hours.
SpinTel takes the crown for the best NBN 100 plan for April. With its current discount promo, you'll pay $65 per month for your first six months, and $81.95 per month thereafter. This is especially great given the provider reports typical evening speeds of 100Mbps. As such, the plan should effectively be congestion-free. This offer is available until withdrawn.
- 100Mbps typical evening speed
- Unlimited data
- Save $16.95 per month for the first 6 months
- No contract so you're free to switch whenever
Or if this plan isn't the one for you, see how it compares to these other NBN 100 plans from our database of 33 providers popular with WhistleOut readers in the last seven days:
Best NBN 250 plan (Superfast)
How we chose this plan: When picking the best NBN 250 plan, we look at the first-year cost, plan features, typical evening speeds, and support channels
Annual cost: $1006.80 for first year, $1,186.80 per year thereafter
If you're looking for something even faster, consider a NBN 250 plan from Dodo. NBN 250 plans - also known as NBN Superfast - can reach download speeds as fast as 250Mbps, making them great for internet lovers.
This Dodo plan is currently one of the most affordable options around, and has zippy typical evening speeds of 250Mbps. Just note that NBN 250 plans are only available to those with HFC or FTTP NBN connection types.
With Dodo's current promotion, you'll pay just $83.90 per month for your first 12 months (including a $15 discount for the first 12 months) on this NBN 250 plan, and $98.90 per month thereafter. This offer runs until April 29.
- 250Mbps typical evening speed
- Unlimited data
- Save $15 per month for the first 12 months
- No contract so you're free to switch away
If this plan doesn't suit you, see how it compares to other NBN 250 plans popular with WhistleOut readers over the last seven days.
Best NBN 1000 plan (Ultrafast)
How we chose this plan: When picking the best NBN 1000 plan, we look at the first-year cost, plan features, typical evening speeds, and support channels
Annual cost: $1,080 for first year, $1,080 per year thereafter
NBN 1000 plans - also known as NBN Ultrafast - are the fastest around, and SpinTel has an excellent deal this April. The plan is one of the best value options you can get, priced at $90 for the life of your plan.
SpinTel's NBN plans are all contract-free. If you need a modem, SpinTel will sell you one for $139.95 upfront at checkout.
Just note that NBN 1000 plans are only available to those with HFC or FTTP NBN connection types.
- 750Mbps typical evening speed
- Unlimited data
- Save $10.95 per month for the first six months
If this plan doesn't suit you, see how it compares to other NBN 1000 plans popular with WhistleOut readers over the last seven days:
Best NBN 25 plan (Basic II)
How we chose this plan: When picking the best NBN 25 plan, we look at the first-year cost, plan features, typical evening speeds, and support channels
Annual cost: $641.70 for first year, $719.40 per year thereafter
NBN 25 plans - also known as NBN Basic II - are best for smaller households, a maximum of two people. You can expect download speeds as fast as 25Mbps, but these might be slower during peak hours.
If you are looking for an NBN 25 plan, SpinTel is a great choice. You'll pay $47 per month for your first six months, and $59.95 per month thereafter.
SpinTel reports typical evening download speeds of 25Mbps on this plan, and typical evening upload speeds of 8Mbps. The faster upload speeds are worth noting, as there are plenty of NBN 25 plans with upload speeds under 5Mbps.
- 25Mbps typical evening speed
- Unlimited data
- Save $12.95 per month for the first six months
- No contract
Or if this plan doesn't look right for you, see how it compares to these other NBN 25 plans popular with WhistleOut readers in the last seven days:
“If you're looking to get the best price on a NBN plan possible, your best option is swapping plans every six months.
Many NBN providers - like the ones we've highlighted in this guide - offer a honeymoon discount to new customers for the first six months. After those six months are up, customers need to pay full price. These plans are contract-free, however, so you're able to leave after your discount runs out, and swap to a new provider that has the same kind of offer.
While this is a bit of work, it's the simplest way to keep your NBN bill as low as possible."
Alex Choros, Managing Editor WhistleOut
How we choose the best NBN plans each month
In this guide, we're specifically looking at the best fixed-line NBN plans, and consider speed, price, and perks when making our monthly picks.
Fixed-line NBN plans are offered on six different speed tiers. There’s the bare-bones NBN 12, the entry-level NBN 25, the most popular NBN 50 and the fastest speed for most fixed-line technologies, NBN 100. Homes connected via FTTP or HFC can also tap into NBN 250 and NBN 1000 speeds.
We focus on NBN 50, NBN 100, and NBN 250 as our "core" Editor's Picks. Across this spread of speed tiers, we consider plans with a good mix of value and performance. NBN 50 and NBN 100 should be available to most homes, but thanks to NBN Co's free FTTP upgrade program, more and more homes are becoming eligible for faster speeds.
NBN 50 plans are the most popular picks in Australia, and with good reason: they’re a great mix of speeds—download up to 50Mbps and upload up to 20Mbps—and reasonable monthly pricing.
Next up, NBN 100 plans. These are a little more expensive, but double the maximum potential download speed limit to 100Mbps. Over the last few years, the gap in pricing between NBN 50 and NBN 100 has shrunk, meaning you might only pay a few dollars more per month for much faster speeds.
And finally, NBN 250. These are more expensive yet again, but offer download speeds as fast as 250Mbps, making them a great pick for internet lovers or anyone regularly downloading large files.
To differentiate NBN plans, we look at typical evening speeds. Typical evening speeds are the download speeds you can actually expect during busy hours - between 7pm and 11pm. Most NBN 50 plans now promise typical evening speeds of 50Mbps during busy hours, so you shouldn't experience congestion.
There's more variance on NBN 100 plans, but providers typically promise at least 90Mbps during peak hours. Naturally, the highest the typical evening speeds an NBN plan has, the better.
It's the same situation with NBN 250. Providers tend to offer at least 200Mbps during peak hours, but if you shop around, you'll find some promise the full 250Mbps.
Because we don’t want you to worry about tracking your usage each month, all of our winners and runners-up are unlimited NBN plans. This means you’re only restricted by a provider’s fair-use policy.
The other big trend with NBN providers is promotional pricing for the first few months. You can typically get a honeymoon discount for the first six months of many NBN plans. In some instances, this helps offer unbeatable first-year pricing; in other cases, a cheap NBN plan can become more expensive in the long run.
While cost and download speed are the two key considerations when we pick the best NBN plans, there are provider perks that can help elevate an NBN plan from recommended to a runner-up or monthly winner.
We like providers that offer local support and zero-risk trials, as well as the flexibility to bundle home phone plans and networking gear. Some NBN providers let you bring your own compatible router or modem router, while others offer a $0 upfront device that may have to be returned or partially paid off if you leave before a specified period. We also keep an eye out for providers that offer limited-time free upgrades across NBN speed tiers and other value-added deals.
If you don't have fixed-line NBN, we have separate pages for the best Fixed Wireless NBN and best satellite NBN plans.
Picking an NBN plan: What you need to know
Determine your technology type
The NBN is just one type of internet plan. When you're picking an NBN plan, there are a couple of important things to consider. The biggest is your technology type. How you connect to the NBN will determine what plans and speeds are available to you. Here are the maximum speeds available for each fixed-line NBN connection type:
NBN technology | Speed tier | Downloads | Uploads |
---|---|---|---|
Fibre to the Premises | NBN 1000 | 970Mbps | 400Mbps |
Hybrid Fibre Coaxial | NBN 1000 | 970Mbps | 50Mbps |
Fibre to the Curb | NBN 100 | 100Mbps | 20-40Mbps |
Fibre to the Building | NBN 100 | 100Mbps | 5-40Mbps |
Fibre to the Node | NBN 100 | 100Mbps | 40Mbps |
Fixed Wireless | Fixed Wireless Superfast | 400Mbps^ | 40Mbps |
Sky Muster Satellite | 'High-tier plan' | 100Mbps† | 5Mbps |
^Fixed Wireless' maximum wholesale speed is 400Mbps, but expect 120Mbps or less during busy hours, depending on the provider and plan.
†The maximum plan for Sky Muster satellite is 100/5Mbps, this is very unlikely to be consistent. Expect busy period speeds to be around 50Mbps for downloads.
If you're unsure of what technology type you have, enter your address when looking for a plan via the WhistleOut NBN search tool, or alternatively, you can follow these steps to check your NBN technology type.
These can't really be changed, it's pure luck of the draw of where you live and what technology NBN used. Some households with FTTN and FTTC are eligible for a free upgrade to FTTP. In addition, some
What NBN speed do you need?
NBN plans are primarily defined by the speed of the service you choose. There are six speed tiers to choose from. The faster your plan, the more you'll pay. For most, we'd recommend an NBN 50 plan, as these provide a good balance between speed and value. 50Mbps is fast enough for most families, and typically the price of an NBN 50 plan won't break the bank.
Recent pricing changes have however seen NBN 50 plans get more expensive, and NBN 100 plans get cheaper. In some cases, there might only be a $5 per month difference between NBN 50 and NBN 100. If you can make your budget stretch, the added speed is worth it - especially if you've got three or more people in your household.
Of course, NBN 50 and NBN 100 won't be the right option for everyone, so we've written more about picking the right NBN plan for your family.
In addition to the speed tier, a plan is configured, providers must report evening speeds. These are indicators of how fast your plan is during the busiest hours of the day. The higher the evening speed, the more reliable your plan's performance.
If you're looking at an NBN 50 plan, you'll want to go for a plan with evening speeds close to 50Mbps. Before you
begin your search, try running an NBN speed
test to see how the price and speed of your current service compare with our
picks for the best NBN plans for the month.
How do you switch to the NBN?
The process for signing up for a new NBN plan can differ depending on whether you're already on the NBN or if it's your first time connecting. If you're already on the NBN, the process of switching to a new NBN plan is very simple. In most cases, you'll have your new NBN plan within minutes. If it's your first time connecting, you'll almost certainly need to have a technician visit to get you up and running.
If you need more information, check out our complete guide to the NBN. And if you still can't work out which provider to go with, read our guide on the best NBN providers based on the WhistleOut Awards.
Of course, the NBN might not be a great fit for everyone. If you're not happy with your service, you may want to consider an NBN alternative like 4G home wireless broadband or 5G home internet.
Best NBN plans FAQ
Who is the best NBN provider?
Tangerine won internet provider of the year in the 2024 WhistleOut Awards.
Which NBN provider has the best customer satisfaction?
WhistleOut has started running its own customer satisfaction surveys to find out how Australians feel about their telcos. In the below table, we've got the average scores for how everyday Aussies rated their NBN provider on speed, reliability, customer service, and an overall score. We've only included data for NBN providers where we've had at least 50 respondents.
Overall satisfaction | Speed | Reliability | Price | Customer service | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Telstra | 4.32 | 4.08 | 4.08 | 3.46 | 3.55 |
Optus | 4.1 | 3.96 | 4.04 | 3.54 | 3.08 |
Vodafone | 4.03 | 3.94 | 3.88 | 3.64 | 3.5 |
TPG | 4.16 | 3.82 | 3.86 | 3.66 | 3.58 |
iiNet | 4.16 | 4 | 4.04 | 3.4 | 4 |
Aussie Broadband | 4.24 | 4.08 | 4.1 | 3.52 | 4.12 |
Belong | 4.14 | 3.78 | 3.94 | 3.26 | 2.9 |
Dodo | 4.28 | 4.16 | 4.06 | 3.72 | 3.79 |
All scores are out of five
And in the below bar graph, we've got data on what percentage of a telco's customers would "strongly recommend" the provider to a friend or family member.
NBN provider | Percentage of customers that would "strongly recommend" the provider |
---|---|
Telstra | 30 |
Optus | 26 |
Vodafone | 30 |
TPG | 46 |
iiNet | 26 |
Aussie Broadband | 48 |
Belong | 18 |
Dodo | 28 |
Aren't all NBN providers the same?
All NBN providers resell access to the NBN, but there are many factors controlled be each individual provider. While part of your connection will be the same with each NBN provider, your provider also has their own infrastructure that can impact your experience. There are also other factors, like customer support, perks, and extras that help distinguish providers.
Is it worth spending more money on an expensive NBN provider like Aussie Broadband?
More expensive providers like Aussie Broadband tend to differentiate on factors like customer support. Our team members have had great experiences with Aussie Broadband when calling up for service, and the telco has also won awards from organisations like Roy Morgan. If customer service is important to you, Aussie Broadband is definitely worth considering.
Our Editor's Picks awards are selected by our team of data experts. We may earn a commission if you click on one of the products listed, but a service provider isn't required to have a commercial relationship with us to be eligible for consideration. See here for more information about how we work.
WhistleOut is Australia's telco comparison website, founded to help everyday Aussies find a phone and internet plan that's right for them. As part of our service promise, we're committed to listing plans from at least the top ten providers of internet plans in the market, but we're currently tracking 33. When we have a commercial relationship with a provider, you'll see a "Go To Site" button that takes you straight to that plan.
We still compare plans from providers we don't have a commercial relationship with, but these don't have a button. To keep our listings up to date, we have a dedicated product team that makes around 400 changes to our database each month.
Related Articles
Sign up for telco news, money-saving deals and more.
Internet Plans by State
- Internet Plans in ACT
- Internet Plans in NSW
- Internet Plans in NT
- Internet Plans in QLD
- Internet Plans in SA
- Internet Plans in TAS
- Internet Plans in VIC
- Internet Plans in WA