Whether you're connecting to the NBN for the first time or looking for a new plan, you'll want to make sure you go with a reputable...
Whether you're connecting to the NBN for the first time or looking for a new plan, you'll want to make sure you go with a reputable internet provider.
There's plenty to consider when comparing NBN plans, including the type of connection your home is capable of and the speed tier that best suits your needs, but thankfully we've done the heavy lifting in weighing up all of Australia's internet major providers and coming up with the current best options.
We've taken a look at the big names like Telstra, Optus and TPG, and compared them with smaller providers like Tangerine, Spintel and Aussie Broadband to see which of them offers the best value service.
In this guide, we'll go through the strengths and weaknesses of our choice telcos, and offer our expert opinion on which NBN provider offers the best value plans across the board.
What's the best NBN provider in Australia?
When it comes to the most popular speed tier, NBN 50 is in the lead by a long way, (with over half of all NBN connections on this tier) and for 50Mbps connections Spintel continues to beat out Tangerine as the best NBN provider around at the moment, offering great value overall and particularly excellent deals for new sign-ups.
For a little more each month, this telco's faster NBN 100 plan is also the best going at the moment, and while Spintel isn't the apex NBN 25 plan at present, it's close behind Tangerine in second place.
While each plan offers the choice of bringing your own modem, if you go with the Spintel-provided option you'll pay a total of AU$158 upfront for the ISP's standard modem (including postage and gateway fees). This is more than some other providers, but quickly comes out in the wash thanks to all the savings on plan prices.
Spintel NBN 50 plan
As you’ll notice on this page, Spintel and Tangerine are often the two telcos duking it out to claim the best NBN plans, and when it comes to the NBN 50 tier, Spintel has snatched back the title. That’s because it has a low introductory offer of AU$54 a month for the first six months, before increasing to a low ongoing rate of AU$64.95 a month. Tangerine’s offer is a smidge more at AU$54.90p/m for six months, then AU$69.90 ongoing.
Total minimum cost: AU$54 | Total cost for first year: AU$713.70
• See more: Best NBN 50 plans
Spintel's NBN 100 plan
Spintel has edged out Tangerine this month with the best (and cheapest) NBN 100 plan we can find. You’ll get a discount on your first six months with the service, so you’ll first pay AU$69 a month before the price reverts back to the standard AU$84.95. Even once the initial discount ends, it’s still one of the cheapest options you’ll find in this tier. For the price, you’ll be getting a maxed-out typical evening speed of 100Mbps.
Total minimum cost: AU$69 | Total cost for first year: AU$923.70
• See more: Best NBN 100 plans
Compare all Spintel NBN plans
What's the best high-speed NBN provider?
While Spintel is sitting pretty for the best NBN provider overall, the telco doesn't offer NBN 250 and NBN 1000 speed tiers, but thankfully, there's one telco we recommend above all others in this category.
Telstra is the best high-speed NBN provider in Australia, overtaking Aussie Broadband to offer the highest typical evening speeds available on both NBN 250 and NBN 1000 plans while also offering up decent introductory discounts.
It's worth mentioning that, even with these introductory offers, Telstra's Superfast and Ultrafast plans are the most expensive in the industry, but we wager those seeking these connections are willing to pay the extra AU$20 or so per month to secure the best speeds and go with a trusted provider.
If you don't mind slightly lower typical evening speeds and going with a smaller provider, check out Superloop's NBN 250 plan for AU$99.95p/m (for first six months, then AU$119.95p/m) or the Superloop NBN 1000 plan for AU$119.95p/m (for first six months, then AU$139.95p/m). This telco is third behind Telstra and Aussie Broadband for typical evening speeds on both tiers, but offers better pricing.
As is always the case with these faster plans, your premises will need to be able to support the connection. For NBN 250, you'll need either an FTTP (fibre to the premises) or HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial) connection, and for NBN 1000 you'll likely need FTTP, although a small percentage of HFC households can also get these gigabit speeds, but check with your telco before signing up.
Telstra NBN 250 plan
Telstra | NBN 250 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$140p/m (first month is just AU$31)
We’ve prioritised speed for our top choice here rather than price, so with that in mind, Telstra takes the title of the best NBN250 plan this month. Telstra is the only telco that reports a maxed-out typical evening speed of 250Mbps in this tier, which is a big reason why we’ve chosen it. You’ll also get a discount for your first month on the connection, with the first bill costing just AU$31 before it increases to AU$140 a month ongoing. If you stick around for 24 months, you won’t have to pay for the Telstra Smart Modem (usually AU$216).
Total minimum cost: AU$247 (includes modem) | Total cost for first year: AU$1,571
• See more: Best NBN 250 plans
Telstra NBN 1000 plan
Telstra | NBN 1000 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$180p/m (first month is just AU$71)
For the fastest NBN speed tier available, Telstra’s NBN 1000 plan offers insane typical speeds of 700Mbps, which is the fastest available with any telco at the moment. It’s far from the cheapest but when speed is the name of the game, Telstra takes the crown. Sweetening the deal is an introductory offer where you pay just AU$71 on your first bill, after which it'll return to AU$180 monthly. If you stay put for 24 months, you’ll get the Telstra Smart Modem for free (usually AU$216).
Total minimum cost: AU$287 (includes modem) | Total cost for first year: AU$2,051
• See more: Best NBN 1000 plans
Compare all Telstra NBN plans
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