Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Best internet providers in Australia
We haven’t just rounded up the list of the top 10 internet providers. We’ve done you one better by highlighting their most popular plans on Finder too.
iiNet is another household name in the internet space and it's especially becoming popular for its cheap home wireless broadband plan, which can be a good alternative to NBN for some households.
You're keen to try home wireless broadband without paying a hefty price tag or lock-in contract.
Your location guarantees 5G coverage and Vodafone's network isn't an issue for you. When you start the sign-up process and pop in your address, iiNet will inform you if you can get this plan.
You want a modem for $0. If you leave before 36 months, simply return the modem in good working condition within 21 days to avoid a non-return fee.
Keep in mind: You will need to use iiNet's modem for its home wireless broadband plans.
2. TPG - Cheaper than other big telcos
TPG offers fast internet, usually $5 to $20 per month cheaper than other big brands like Telstra and Optus.
You're looking to sign up with one of the bigger internet providers that offers good value for money. It's why TPG won Finder's 2024 Award for Best NBN Provider - Everyday Use.
You want to bundle your internet with a home phone line and mobile plan.
You want multiple customer support options. You can call any time and any day of the week, use the live chat feature on its website, or contact TPG via Facebook.
Keep in mind: TPG plans come with no lock-in contract, but if you'd like to switch to another provider, you'll need to provide written notice 30 days in advance.
3. Dodo - Discounts across most NBN plans
Dodo's a solid option for budget-conscious Aussies who can advantage of frequent promotional offers to save on their internet bills.
You want the option to bundle internet and energy and save up to $10 a month on your NBN bill.
You're looking to buy a modem. The cost of Dodo's modem works out cheaper than many other providers on Finder. You'll pay $79 instead of $99 if you sign up before 27 August 2024.
You want reliable speeds. In March 2024, Dodo shared fourth position with iPrimus (out of 12 providers), in the ACCC's quarterly Broadband Performance Report for download speeds during busy hours of the day (7pm–11pm). It delivered maximum speeds 100.2% of the time.
Keep in mind: Dodo no longer offers a home phone line if that's an important feature for you.
4. Kogan - Get Qantas Frequent Flyer points on your NBN
Outside of shopping deals, Kogan also offers a set of budget-friendly NBN plans that allow you to earn a Qantas Frequent Flyer point for every $2 spent.
All you care about is fast speeds and cheap prices. Even after Kogan's sign-up discount runs its course, its prices remain favourable.
You want to purchase a cheap modem. It costs $69 and is one of the cheapest modems available from NBN providers on Finder. The average cost tends to hover around the $130 mark.
You want to sign up with a provider that was highly commended in the 2024 Finder Awards for 'NBN Provider - Everyday Use'.
Keep in mind: Kogan's customer support options are bare bones. There's no online account management so you'll need to ring its customer support team for everything.
5. Tangerine - Juicy discounts and prices across the board
Tangerine keeps its NBN plans juicy thanks to 6-month discounts and fairly steady prices even after these discounts expire.
That's why it won the 2024 Finder Award for Best NBN Provider of the Year.
You're happy to sign up with a smaller provider and keep your internet bills low.
You want multiple customer support options such as giving them a call or live chatting through its website or via WhatsApp.
You'd like to pay an additional $10 a month for a home phone line.
Keep in mind: Tangerine doesn't offer any bundling discounts if you sign up for its mobile plan.
6. Optus - A solid option for streaming perks
Optus's plans are generally more expensive than other providers on Finder, but they come with extra bells and whistles plus fast speeds.
For example, you'll get access to discount Optus Sport ($6.99 a month instead of $24.99), and up to 10% off your streaming bills if you bundle 3 or more eligible subscriptions via Optus SubHub.
Some plans also feature a standard Netflix subscription, valued at $16.99 a month.
You want fast and reliable internet. In June 2024, Optus ranked 3rd out of 12 providers for reliable download speeds in the ACCC's quarterly Broadband Performance Report. It delivered maximum typical evening speeds 101.7% of the time during the busy hours of the day (7-11pm).
You want a modem with 4G backup. This can be handy during an NBN outage.
Optus Sport is important to you given it has a lock on Premier League until 2028.
Keep in mind: The cost of a modem from Optus will be $0 if you stay connected for 36 months. If you leave early, you'll need to pay off the remaining cost of the modem.
7. Swoop - Competitive NBN plans, plus fixed wireless internet
Swoop might not be super well known, but its been in the internet biz for decades now.
It started as a fixed wireless network operator in regional Victoria, and now offers home NBN at very reasonable prices.
You're looking to stick with the same provider for at least 6 months - Southern Phone has a great sign-up offer on its most popular plan.
You want to sign up for a carbon neutral NBN plan.
Keep in mind: Southern Phone keeps its plans simple, there are no extra perks if you're looking for something other than low prices and fast speeds.
9. AGL - Bundle NBN with electricity and gas to get a discount
AGL's a solid option if you're looking to bundle energy and internet for a discount.
You can get $15 to $25 a month off your NBN plan when you bundle. Sometimes there's a separate promo running on its internet which can reduce your costs even further.
You want the convenience of being with the same provider for internet and energy.
You're after multiple customer support options and a user-friendly mobile app.
Having access to AGL's rewards store for retail discounts sounds appealing.
Keep in mind: It's best to avoid buying your modem from AGL if you need one as it's quite expensive compared to costs from other providers in our database.
10. iPrimus - Long-standing internet provider slinging discounts
iPrimus has been serving Australian internet customers for over 25 years. It offers reasonably priced NBN plans that include a home phone if that's important to you.
You want reliable speeds. In June 2024, iPrimus shared fourth position with Dodo (out of 12 providers), in the ACCC's quarterly Broadband Performance Report for download speeds during busy hours of the day (7pm–11pm). It delivered maximum speeds 101.1% of the time.
You want a free modem and are willing to stay connected for 18 months. You can leave early, but the catch is you'll need to pay off the remaining cost of the device.
You want a bundling discount by signing up with iPrimus for both mobile and internet.
Keep in mind: iPrimus doesn't allow the option to BYO modem, unlike many of the other NBN providers.
How do I find the best internet provider in my area?
With the NBN being the most popular type of internet connection in Australia, it's likely that if you live in a major city like Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, the best service provider in your area will be one that offers NBN plans.
To find the best internet provider in your area, simply enter your address on our Broadband Plan Finder™ and see all the relevant plans that pop up. You can filter the results to find a price and speed that fit your needs best.
Or, take a look at the best internet plans as picked by our experts. We select 5 of the internet plans that we believe are the best each month in order to make your decision a little easier.
2024 Finder Award winners
Still unsure about which internet provider is best? Take a look at the broadband winners of our 2024 Finder Awards.
2024 Finder Awards
Winner: Provider of the Year
Tangerine shone across the most popular speed tiers for price and speed. It's always slinging 6-month signup offers and has multiple ways for people to get in touch which is handy, especially if you don't want to get on the phone directly. You can also BYO modem or bundle a home phone line for an additional $10 a month.
TPG knocked it out of the park for its competitive pricing and 50Mbps typical evening speed, which is the maximum speed available in this category. You can also sign up for its 6-month NBN 50 plan if you want a modem for $0 and use the live chat feature for support.
SpinTel's NBN 100 plan is one of the cheapest around and offers a typical speed of 100Mbps (the maximum available on this speed tier). Together with its well-priced plan, you'll get access to multiple support channels including phone, live chat and WhatsApp or Messenger.
Superloop offers Superfast speeds for just under $100 a month and close to the maximum speed available on an NBN 250 plan. It often runs 6-month signup discounts which makes it stack up extremely well on price vs typical download speed. It also offers the option to boost your internet speed 5 times a month at no extra cost.
Exetel came out on top for value. Its NBN 25 plan, also known as Exetel NBN Everyday, is the cheapest one on offer from the provider and comes with 25Mbps typical evening speeds, the maximum you can get on this speed tier. Plus, we've already established it's one of the more reliable providers around so you know you're getting your money's worth.
How do you compare internet providers in Australia?
There are a bunch of factors to consider before signing up for a new provider, including the following:
Price
If you're new to a provider, see if you can score any introductory deals. Common deals with NBN plans are a discounted price for 3–6 months, while home wireless plans often come with the first month for free.
Just remember to keep note of when the promotional period runs out, so you don't end up paying more than you want to.
Speed
The NBN speed you need will depend on how many people are in your household and how intensely you use the internet. Most 2–3 person households will find NBN 50 sufficient, though larger households or those working from home may prefer NBN 100.
Customer service
Depending on your previous experiences, customer service can be a make-it or break-it factor when comparing plans. If you're sick of playing phone tag or only having the option to live chat, you might prefer an internet provider with an Australian-based call centre.
Who's the most popular provider?
Telstra is the most popular broadband provider, according to our consumer sentiment tracker data (November 2023). The top providers were Telstra (39%), Optus (19%), TPG (9%), iinet (7%), Belong (5%), Vodafone (4%), Aussie Broadband (4%) and Tangerine (2%).
What are the internet providers in Australia?
There are dozens of internet service providers offering NBN, satellite, home wireless and mobile broadband plans in Australia. While we try our best to compare as many internet providers as possible, we may not cover some of the smaller regional operators.
We compare over 60 internet providers across Australia.
Keep in mind: Some smaller providers may operate in certain states or cities only. We do not compare these providers as they aren't as accessible for those living outside of these areas.
Methodology: How we researched the best internet providers
To calculate the top 10 best internet service providers, we look at the total number of clicks by Finder users over the last month. This includes plans on multiple connection types including NBN, home wireless and mobile broadband.
Keep in mind that the providers on this list are Finder partners, which means we may be paid if you click links to partner websites. Find out more about how we make money.
We're still editorially independent, and in our breakdown of these providers and their plans, we'll be upfront about any sneaky terms and conditions we think you should know about.
Why compare broadband internet with Finder?
We know our stuff. We review every dollar, every GB, every plan, every month. Our data usage is bonkers.
You can rely on us. We update our database of plans and deals every month, and we're constantly fact-checking.
We're here to help. We've helped millions of Aussies find better broadband internet, with no plans to slow down.
Frequently asked questions
The best internet in Australia will depend on what you value most. That could be speed, extra features or price.
The best internet in Sydney will depend on your location. Because it's a large metropolitan city, home wireless could be an option. 5G home wireless can achieve faster speeds than most NBN connections, but it's only available in certain locations depending on each provider's 5G mobile network.
Similarly, the best internet in Melbourne will depend on your location. Home wireless could be an option for those in metropolitan areas. Otherwise, it's likely that the NBN is the best fixed-line option for most people.
You can use our Broadband Plan Finder™ to find which internet plans are available in your area.
Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio
Mariam's expertise
Mariam has written 251 Finder guides across topics including:
Hi John,
You can enter your address here to see if you can get the NBN and what plans are available to you: https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/nbn-tracker
From there, you can select the one that best suits your needs.
Hope this helps.
JohnOctober 19, 2023
We bought a building block which did not have the nbn connected. Can I now get it connected and how much would it cost.
Finder
MarkOctober 23, 2023Finder
Hi John,
As you don’t have the NBN connected at your block, you would likely face a $300 one-off new development fee. This would be passed on to you by the NBN provider that you choose.
You can compare NBN plans here to see what suits your needs: https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/nbn
And when you’ve contacted the provider of your choice, they will inform you if you can get the NBN connected at your block and if any additional work is required and how much this would cost on top of the regular monthly NBN plan.
Hope this helps.
Feedback
How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
need to compare opticom broadband can someone help pls?
Hi Noel, you can compare Opticomm broadband plans here: https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/what-is-opticomm. Hope this helps.
I’d like to get the nbn on
Hi John,
You can enter your address here to see if you can get the NBN and what plans are available to you: https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/nbn-tracker
From there, you can select the one that best suits your needs.
Hope this helps.
We bought a building block which did not have the nbn connected. Can I now get it connected and how much would it cost.
Hi John,
As you don’t have the NBN connected at your block, you would likely face a $300 one-off new development fee. This would be passed on to you by the NBN provider that you choose.
You can compare NBN plans here to see what suits your needs: https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/nbn
And when you’ve contacted the provider of your choice, they will inform you if you can get the NBN connected at your block and if any additional work is required and how much this would cost on top of the regular monthly NBN plan.
Hope this helps.