Cheap NBN plans

How do I find a cheap NBN plan?

Finding the cheapest NBN plan is pretty straightforward. Look for offers that fit your budget and speed requirements, and remember to check for any special sign-up offers or discounts.

Some other helpful tips include:

• Switching around can help you grab sign-up discounts, typically lasting 6 months.
• Alternatively, a plan with a higher initial cost might offer great long-term value, especially if you don't like switching providers frequently.
• Most NBN plans now include unlimited data, no lock-in contracts, and the option to BYO modem.
• If you do need to buy a modem, see if the provider you're signing up to offers a reasonably priced one or not. The average cost of a modem in our database is roughly $170. You can use this as a benchmark to compare.

Who are the cheapest NBN providers in Australia?

The cheapest NBN providers can change from month to month, depending on the deals available and what speed you need.

Traditionally, NBN 12 plans are the most affordable but are best suited for very light internet users in single-person households.

However, faster speeds have recently become more budget-friendly - just make sure to shop around for the best deals.

Here’s a rundown of the cheapest NBN plans/providers in our database for each speed tier:

Can your location help you score a cheaper NBN deal?

NBN prices tend to be pretty similar across different states.

But some providers only operate in certain areas, and they might have better deals than the big nationwide ones.

So, when you’re comparing NBN plans, make sure to enter your address to see what’s available in your area.

Are data-capped NBN plans cheaper?

Since unlimited data plans have now become the norm, there's really no need to even think about data-capped alternatives.

In fact, out of the 43 NBN providers in our database, only 2 offer data-capped NBN plans: Active8me and Alphacall.

Is there a catch to cheap NBN plans?

Opting for a cheap NBN plan is only ever a good option if the plan matches your internet needs.

Consider the following before hitting the sign-up button:

Promotions might only last for the first 3–12 months.

Sign-up discounts are popular with NBN providers, but just keep in mind that the price will increase after the promotional period. Luckily, most NBN plans come with no lock-in contracts these days so you can usually switch to another plan if you're unhappy paying full price.

Look for a BYO modem option to keep upfront costs low.

Most providers will let you BYO modem but watch out for those that charge you extra for a new modem as you'll need to factor that into the price.

Don't expect any fancy extras.

While premium providers like Telstra and Optus may throw in modems with 4G backup or entertainment add-ons like Fetch TV, cheap NBN plans will often just come with just unlimited data.

"My wife and I work from home regularly (and also rely on Google Suite daily!) so having access to good quality internet is essential. When we first moved into our apartment we opted for a small, independent internet provider at the recommendation of a friend -- but unfortunately, the owner died! TPG ended up taking on his customers, and we've been with them ever since. No complaints -- they give us the speed we need for work, streaming and a bit of play in the mix too."

Tom Goodwin

Editor

Frequently asked questions

• What is the cheapest NBN service?

  Telsim offers the cheapest unlimited NBN plan on Finder with a monthly cost of $39.90.

  We've rounded up the cheapest NBN plans with unlimited data on each speed tier to give you a wider selection to choose from:

  • Cheapest NBN 12 plan: Telsim NBN Home Basic $39.90/month
  • Cheapest NBN 25 plan: Arctel Cruisy Lite NBN 25 $48.99/month
  • Cheapest NBN 50 plan: Arctel Cruisy NBN 50 $60/month (for the first 6 months)
  • Cheapest NBN 100 plan: Arctel Fast NBN 100 $59.99/month (for the first 6 months)
  • Cheapest NBN 500 plan: Arctel Super Fast NBN 500 $59.99/month (for the first 6 months)
  • Cheapest NBN 750 plan: Kogan NBN Platinum $84.99/month (for the first 12 months)
  • Cheapest NBN 1000 plan: Arctel Hyper Sonic NBN 1000 $80/month (for the first 6 months)
  • Cheapest NBN 2000 plan: MATE NBN Scorchin' Fast 2000/100 $141/month (for the first 6 months)

• What is the monthly cost of NBN internet?

  Monthly NBN costs will vary depending on which speed tier and provider you're with.

  Since most Australians are on either an NBN 50 or an NBN 100 plan, you can expect to pay around $88 to $98 a month on average excluding any promotional discounts.

  It's always worth comparing your options to find the best deal for your budget.

  Remember that most NBN plans come with no lock-in contract so you can always switch providers once any promotions expire.

• Who has the best NBN deal?

  The best deals can change from month to month, as NBN providers love to toss out sign-up offers to grab our attention.

  Check out our roundup of the best NBN plans in Australia where we list our top picks based on price and more.

• Which NBN provider is the cheapest?

  One of the cheapest NBN providers on Finder is Flip. It offers simple plans at pocket-friendly prices as well as seniors discounts. Other budget NBN providers include SpinTel, Kogan, Dodo, Southern Phone and Tangerine.

• Are all NBN plans unlimited?

  The majority of providers in Australia now offer unlimited data NBN plans. Out of 43 NBN providers in our database, only 2 offer data-capped plans.

• What is Telstra's cheapest NBN plan?

  Telstra's cheapest plan is on the NBN 25 speed tier and costs $85 a month.

  While Telstra is Australia's largest NBN provider, it might not always be the best for your budget. Read our review on Telstra's internet plans and how they fare for more information.

• How much is the NBN 500 plan?

  NBN 500 plans typically cost around $80-$175/month, depending on the provider and inclusions like unlimited data.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Michelle Kwong as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

Mariam's expertise

Mariam has written 532 Finder guides across topics including:

• Energy
• Mobile
• Broadband
• Consumer tech