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Best prepaid plans for January 2021

Get into a 2021 saving pattern with our picks of the best prepaid mobile plans this month.

Alex Kidman
Alex Kidman

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Best prepaid plans for January 2021

Each month, we compare a wide range of prepaid deals available on our Mobile Plan Finder™ to find the very best prepaid plans. Because you're paying for service upfront, prepaid has long been the arena where you get the most value for money. You could stand to save a good chunk of money by keeping on top of the latest offers on the market.

  1. Best value prepaid plan: TPG Extra Large $20 Plan (55GB)
  2. Best cheap prepaid plan: amaysim Prepaid Plan (50GB)
  3. Best prepaid plan for data: amaysim $50 Plan (80GB)
  4. Best long expiry prepaid plan: Catch Connect 365 Days $120 Plan (60GB)
  5. Best prepaid plan for international calls: Lycamobile Small $30 Plan (45GB)

Why trust our picks?

152

Prepaid plans compared

19

Prepaid providers

5

Expert picks

As a technology writer with more than 20 years experience writing about the Australian telco scene, Alex Kidman has extensive experience in the mobile plans space. We've considered every factor for each winning plan, and this is updated on a monthly basis to ensure that we're not recommending plans that don't present the very best value. This is particularly important for prepaid plans, because their upfront, no-contract nature means that it's very easy to switch providers to maximise your value.

Keep in mind: Our best picks may not always be the best for you. We encourage you to compare your options and choose the one that best suits what you're looking for.

How did we choose the best prepaid plans?

Each month, we look at all the prepaid plans available on our Mobile Plan Finder™ and find the best prepaid plans that fit our five categories. Not a single one of these best picks is sponsored, which means that we also take into account mobile providers that we aren't partnered with. We level the playing field and make sure our choices for the best plans are done so without any bias.

We take these factors into account when choosing our monthly winners:

  • Price per month (and whether promotional pricing is involved)
  • Monthly data allowance (and if this is reliant on limited-time bonus data offers)
  • Plan length
  • Other notable features such as data banking, network coverage and international inclusions

Best prepaid plan

TPG Super Value Extra Large 55GB $39.99 1 Month

SIM-only - Prepaid

TPG's plan brings the value with 55GB of data for as little as $20 per recharge. It's a straightforward deal: Get 55GB each month for $20 for your first 3 months, before paying $39.99 from your 4th month onwards. You'll also get 100 international calling minutes included too.

There's no extra bells and whistles with this plan, but if you're just looking for a good value plan with decent data at an affordable price, TPG's got your back for the new year.

  • 55GB per month
  • Unlimited calls & texts
    Vodafone network
  • $20 per month
Go to site

Here are our runners-up for the best prepaid plan:

Data indicated here is updated daily
Name Product Features Data Price
amaysim 4G Prepaid SIM-only 30GB $30 28 Days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Save $21: Pay $9 instead of $30 for the first renewal. T&Cs apply. Ends 31 January 2021
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
View details
50GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
View details
Boost Prepaid 20GB $30 28 days
Finder Award
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
Go to siteView details
40GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
Go to site
View details
Lebara 4G Medium 30GB $29.90 30 Days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Pay $9 instead of $29.90. Ends 31 January 2021
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50GB
Data
$29.90
per 30 days expiry
View details
50GB
Data
$29.90
per 30 days expiry
View details
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

What's good about these plans?

amaysim's deal is actually cheaper than TPG's – it's only $9 for the first recharge – but that's a time limited deal rather than a 3 month offer, which reduces its value just a little.

If you're also after international calls, Lebara's Medium plan is good value with unlimited calls to 30 countries on offer.

Boost Mobile benefits from its close ties to Telstra, so if it's your network of choice, its $30 plan, which typically only comes with 20GB of data could appeal to you, with a double data deal available for the first 3 recharges right now.

Best cheap prepaid plan

amaysim 4G Prepaid SIM-only 30GB $30 28 Days

SIM-only - Prepaid

amaysim's 30GB plan is currently on special right now, with bonus data too. Until January 31, you get 20GB bonus data (for your first 3 months) and pay only $9 for your first recharge. That means you get a total of 50GB for your first 3 months on the plan.

Keep in mind that the plan reverts to its original price of $30/month after your first month, so if you're not happy to pay the full $30 from your second month onwards, you'll need to look elsewhere.

  • 50GB per 28 days
  • Unlimited calls & texts
    Optus network
  • $30 per 28 days
Learn more

What are the runners-up for the best cheap deal?

Data indicated here is updated daily
Name Product Features Data Price
TPG Super Value Small 8GB $19.99 1 Month
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • New customers pay $10/month for the first 3 months, then $19.99/month.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
8GB
Data
$10
per 1 months
Go to siteView details
8GB
Data
$10
per 1 months
Go to site
View details
iiNet 4G $29.99 SIM Only Plan
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Pay $15 for the first 6 months, then $29.99/month. T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
25GB
Data
$15
per 1 months
View details
25GB
Data
$15
per 1 months
View details
Internode Mobile 6GB $19.99 1 Month
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Pay $10 for the first 6 months, then $19.99/month. T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
6GB
Data
$10
per 1 months
View details
6GB
Data
$10
per 1 months
View details
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

What's good about these plans?

It probably says something about the very low cost prepaid space that every single one of our picks is actually just a TPG brand or TPG sub-brand, although their deals are slightly different.

iiNet's deal cuts the price of its 25GB plan in half for six months, costing you just $15. TPG's own Super Value Medium is marginally cheaper at just $12.50 per month, but you only get 16GB of data. Finally, Internode's deal will give you 6GB of data for just $10 per month, but that's a deal you can score for a full six months.

Looking for more cheap plans? Consider these other low-cost deals

Best prepaid plan for data

amaysim 4G Prepaid SIM-only 80GB $50 28 Days

SIM-only - Prepaid

If your data needs are large, amaysim's deal brings excellent value. While its 30GB plan has a pretty decent data allowance already, a lot of its offers aren't permanent. Its pricing only lasts for the first month and your bonus data doesn't last for the life of your plan either. If you want bigger data and more long-term value, check out amaysim's 80GB plan instead.

It's $50/month but it's a fixed price so you won't have to worry about your monthly bill bumping up at any point.

  • 80GB per 28 days
  • Unlimited calls & texts
    Optus network
  • $50 per 28 days
Learn more

Here are some other good prepaid plans for big data:

Data indicated here is updated daily
Name Product Features Data Price
Boost Prepaid 40GB $50 28 days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Get 30GB bonus data on first 3 recharges. Ends 01 February 2021
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
70GB
Data
$50
per 28 days expiry
Go to siteView details
70GB
Data
$50
per 28 days expiry
Go to site
View details
Lebara 4G Extra Large 60GB $49.90 30 Days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
80GB
Data
$49.90
per 30 days expiry
View details
80GB
Data
$49.90
per 30 days expiry
View details
Accord Mobile Extra Large 70GB $50 1 Month
SIM-Only - Postpaid
No contract
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
70GB
Data
$50
per month
View details
70GB
Data
$50
per month
View details
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

What's good about these plans?

Nipping at the heels of amaysim's deal are three plans with just a little less data. We like Boost Mobile's plan for its data rollover feature and 30GB bonus data for the first 3 recharges on the Telstra network, while Accord's plan offers Optus 4G with a fixed 70GB inclusion.

Finally Lebara's plan offers just a little less data, but includes data banking and generous international calling inclusions.

Best 365-day prepaid plan

Catch Connect 4G 60GB $120 365 Days

SIM-only - Prepaid

Catch Connect's long expiry plan benefits from a significant price cut this month. Its 60GB plan is particularly appealing with a $31 price cut bringing it down to just $89 for the year.

That scores you 60GB to use, so you'd need to portion that out over your 365 day period, but you'd only be paying $7.41 per month for the privilege. Definitely a good way to save for the new year.

  • 60GB per 365 days
  • Unlimited calls & texts
    Optus network
  • $89 per 365 days
Go to site

We've got more options for the best long expiry plans here

Best prepaid plan for international calls

Lycamobile Prepaid S 30GB $30 28 Days

SIM-only - Prepaid

Lycamobile's focus on international calls makes it particularly attractive, especially given its promotional $7 pricing on its Small plan. You'll get unlimited calls to 29 countries with 45GB of data each month, though if you're buying this plan to call overseas, make sure you check the country you're calling to is covered in its list.

For a limited time, you'll pay only $7 for your first recharge, before the plan reverts back to its original price of $30/month from your second recharge onwards.

  • 45GB per 28 days
  • Unlimited calls & texts
    Telstra network
  • $30 per 28 days
Learn more

Looking for other prepaid international calling plans? Consider these options:

Data indicated here is updated daily
Name Product Features Data Price
amaysim 4G Prepaid SIM-only 30GB $30 28 Days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Save $21: Pay $9 instead of $30 for the first renewal. T&Cs apply. Ends 31 January 2021
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
View details
50GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
View details
Boost Prepaid 5GB $20 28 days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
5GB
Data
$20
per 28 days expiry
Go to siteView details
5GB
Data
$20
per 28 days expiry
Go to site
View details
Lebara 4G Medium 30GB $29.90 30 Days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Pay $9 instead of $29.90. Ends 31 January 2021
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50GB
Data
$29.90
per 30 days expiry
View details
50GB
Data
$29.90
per 30 days expiry
View details
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

What's good about these plans?
As always with international calling plans, make sure you check with the provider that the country you're calling to is covered under its list of unlimited international calls.

We'll sound like a broken record by now, but amaysim's deal for a single month is pretty darned good if you're happy enough to switch telcos after that first $9 month.

Lebara has some pretty great credentials too, with unlimited calls and texts to 30 selected countries, and a whopping 50GB of data each month.

Boost's international calling inclusions cover 20 countries for unlimited calls, plus 100 minutes to 35 further countries, which gives it a nice wide spread of coverage.

Find the best prepaid plan for you

Data indicated here is updated daily
Name Product Features Data Price
felix Subscription $35 1 month
SIM-Only - Subscription
No contract
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
No download limit
Speeds limited to 20Mbps
$35
per 1 months
Go to siteView details
No download limit
Speeds limited to 20Mbps
$35
per 1 months
Go to site
View details
gomo 4G Subscription $25 18GB 30 Days
SIM-Only - Subscription
No contract
  • Buy 3 months, get 3 months free. T&Cs apply. Ends 28 February 2021
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
18GB
Data
$25
per 30 days expiry
Go to siteView details
18GB
Data
$25
per 30 days expiry
Go to site
View details
TPG Super Value Small 8GB $19.99 1 Month
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • New customers pay $10/month for the first 3 months, then $19.99/month.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
8GB
Data
$10
per 1 months
Go to siteView details
8GB
Data
$10
per 1 months
Go to site
View details
TPG Super Value Large 40GB $29.99 1 Month
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • New customers pay $15/month for the first 3 months, then $29.99/month.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40GB
Data
$15
per 1 months
Go to siteView details
40GB
Data
$15
per 1 months
Go to site
View details
Boost Prepaid 20GB $30 28 days
Finder Award
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
Go to siteView details
40GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
Go to site
View details
Catch Connect 4G 120GB $150 365 Days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Save $30 - Pay $120 instead of $150. New customers only.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
120GB
Data
$120
per 365 days expiry
Go to siteView details
120GB
Data
$120
per 365 days expiry
Go to site
View details
TPG Super Value Medium 16GB $24.99 1 Month
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • New customers pay $12.50/month for the first 3 months, then $24.99/month.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
16GB
Data
$12.50
per 1 months
Go to siteView details
16GB
Data
$12.50
per 1 months
Go to site
View details
Boost Prepaid 5GB $20 28 days
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
5GB
Data
$20
per 28 days expiry
Go to siteView details
5GB
Data
$20
per 28 days expiry
Go to site
View details
Moose 22 20GB 12 Month
SIM-Only - Postpaid
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
20GB
Data
$22
month contract
Min. total cost over months: $0
Go to siteView details
20GB
Data
$22/mth
Min. total cost over months: $0
month contract
Go to site
View details
TPG 4G PAYG 50MB SIM-Only 1 Month
SIM-Only - Prepaid
No contract
  • Standard national calls $0.10/minute, $0.10 per sms
0.05GB
Data
$1
per 1 months
+ $30 upfront
Go to siteView details
0.05GB
Data
$1
+ $30 upfront
per 1 months
Go to site
View details
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

Here is a list of the prepaid mobile providers you can review and/or compare on Finder:

How to find the best prepaid mobile plan

The classic benefit for a prepaid plan is that it allows you absolute budget control. You pay your money upfront and that's all you have to pay for as long as your expiry period lasts, unless you choose to buy additional features like data top-ups. You're also not tied to any provider for any serious length of time, excluding long expiry plans.

However, while phone companies will happily take your money upfront, they've historically nearly always offered less value to prepaid customers, precisely because they couldn't grab quite as much money as repeatedly as they could from postpaid consumers. That has made finding a good value prepaid plan tricky.

We've come up with five things to consider when you're trying to find the best prepaid mobile plan for your needs:


What's the actual cost?
Prepaid plans can come with as few as 7 days' expiry or as many as 365, which can make comparison tricky. An easy way to compare is to divide up the cost of the plan by the expiry period to get an effective daily rate. That helps you dodge the issue of 28-day plans, because over a year's usage on those, you end up effectively paying for an extra "month" compared to full 30-day plans.


How much data do you need?
The vast majority of plans include unlimited calls to standard numbers anyway, so data is now the key battleground. Some plans will let you bank unused data if you recharge regularly, but if that's you, you might be spending too much on your plan in the first place.


Do you need international calls included?
Think about whether having international calls included is necessary for you. These days, you can use alternative calling methods such as WhatsApp and Viber to call friends and family overseas. But if you find yourself needing to call international landline numbers, make sure that your plan of choice covers the countries you want to call.


Where do you need network coverage?
Despite the many companies, there are still only three networks operating across Australia, with somewhat varying coverage. A plan that's great value on paper on a network that has lousy coverage in your area won't be great value to you. Telstra has the widest coverage, but if you're just using your phone in metro areas, you could stand to save by choosing a plan on the Optus or Vodafone network instead.


Are there any data-free activities?
It's becoming less common, but some prepaid plans will allow select activities to run without using up your mobile data. If those match up with your favourite or most frequent online activities, they could be a good match for your needs.

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