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Key takeaways
- The internet available to you depends on your address - whether that’s NBN, 5G home wireless or private fibre - and that affects the speeds you can get.
- Many providers give big intro discounts for the first 6 to 12 months, so switching plans now and then can help keep your monthly bill low.
- Choosing a plan with a speed that fits your household’s actual usage and number of users is the best way to avoid paying for more bandwidth than you need.
How to compare internet plans: a step-by-step guide
Here's a rapid-fire list of five questions to ask yourself before you start comparing internet plans.
If anything feels a bit fuzzy, don't worry - we'll unpack it all just after.
What type of internet plan are you after? In Australia, you'll generally have access to one or more of these: NBN (including fixed-line, fixed wireless or satellite), home wireless broadband or mobile broadband. What's available depends on where you live.
What's your budget? Our research shows the average broadband bill in Australia is $81 a month, but your cost will depend on the speed you need and which provider you go with. Finder compares 40+ providers, so there's plenty of choice when it comes to price.
What internet speeds do you want? It comes down to how many people are in your home and what you're using the internet for. More users and heavier activities (streaming in 4K, uploading or downloading large files regularly or gaming) usually mean you'll want faster speeds.
How much data do you need? Most internet plans these days come with unlimited data, providing peace of mind. But with mobile broadband or NBN satellite, data caps are more common, so it's important to check that the allowance suits your internet use. Take a look at our guide to get a better idea of how much data you might need.
Contracts or no contracts? Most providers these days offer no lock-in contracts. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up.
The price gap between the cheapest and priciest broadband providers can top $600 a year, but with so many broadband plans and speed tiers out there, it can be hard to know which one's right for you, especially if all the jargon sounds confusing.
Hi, I'm Mariam, Finder’s tech and utilities expert, and I'm here to help you figure out how to compare internet plans and pick the one that works best for your home and won't break the bank.
Let's start with the basics. In Australia, there are a few main ways to get internet at home. Most people use the NBN, which is the National Broadband Network. That includes fixed line NBN, which most of us have, plus satellite and fixed wireless NBN, which are mainly used in regional and rural areas.
If you can't get NBN, you might have access to a private fibre network like those offered by TPG or GigaComm. Another option is home wireless or mobile broadband, which run on 4G or 5G mobile networks. What's actually available to you will depend on where you live. So, it's worth checking which options are available at your address before comparing. You can use the address tracker on Finder to see what plans you can get. If it's not NBN, we'll show you alternatives.
Once you know the type of connection you can get, the next step is to look at speed. For fixed line NBN, speeds are grouped into tiers like NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100 and higher. These help you work out what suits your household.
For example, NBN 25 can be fine for light users or smaller households, while NBN 100 is better for busier homes with three or four people online at once. Your address also determines the type of fixed line NBN connection you have, which will in turn affect what speeds you can get. Some connection types can't go beyond NBN 100, while fibre to the premises, for example, can reach the fastest speeds available all the way up to NBN 2000.
If you're not happy with your NBN connection or you just can't get access to it, home wireless broadband plans have become a really popular alternative, especially on the 5G network as it can hit speeds similar to some NBN plans. The main catch is that not every provider offers it yet and coverage still depends on where you live.
If you want something more portable or your internet needs are pretty light, you could go for a mobile broadband plan. It works similar to your phone plan minus the calls and texts.
Once you've decided on the type of plan, the next thing to look at is data and price. Most internet plans now come with unlimited data, which gives you peace of mind, but with mobile broadband or NBN satellite, data caps are more common. So, make sure your allowance actually fits how you use the internet.
And finally, price. Always, always look out for a deal. Most broadband providers have sign-up offers, think six or even 12-month discounts. Plus, most plans don't have lock-in contracts anymore, so it's easy to switch when a better deal comes along.
And remember to factor in modem costs, too. If you can't bring your own modem or don't already have a compatible one, you might need to get it from your provider. Some will even give you one for free if you stay connected for a certain period or return it after cancelling your plan.
And that's a wrap. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how to compare internet plans. Check out the link in the description to shop around for a deal or leave a comment if you have any questions. Bye.
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Compare the best deals for home internet
Best for Provider Data Typical evening speed Min. monthly cost Cheap NBN Plan Arctel Cruisy Lite NBN 25 Unlimited 25Mbps $48.99 per month Everyday use Dodo NBN Value Unlimited 50Mbps $57.99 for first 6 months then $87.99 per month Fast speeds (NBN 100) Dodo NBN Fast Unlimited 100Mbps $62.99 for first 6 months then $92.99 per month Fast speeds (NBN 500) TPG NBN 500 Unlimited 500Mbps $74.99 for first 12 months then $94.99 per month Superfast speeds Superloop NBN Megaspeed Unlimited 750Mbps $79 for first 6 months then $104 per month Ultrafast speeds Swoop NBN Home Ultrafast Unlimited 890Mbps $85 for first 6 months then $109 per month 5G home internet plan for everyday speeds TPG 5G Home Broadband Plus Unlimited 50Mbps $29.99 for first 6 months then $59.99 per month 5G home internet plan for fast speeds TPG 5G Home Broadband Premium Unlimited 100Mbps $39.99 for first 6 months then $69.99 per month 5G home internet plan for power users Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G Unlimited 230Mbps $84 for first 12 months then $99 per month
Table: Updated as of 4 September 2026
What type of internet plans are available?
When it comes to picking an internet plan in Australia, you'll usually be looking at one of three main types.
NBN
The NBN (National Broadband Network) is what most of us use to get online in Australia.
It's a government-owned network, built and maintained by NBN Co, with plans sold through a range of internet providers.
Since the NBN uses a mix of technologies like fixed-line (available to around 90% of Aussies), fixed wireless, and satellite, your connection type will depend on where you live.
That's why your address plays such a big role when signing up for an NBN plan.
- Widespread coverage
- Flexible speed tiers, with options up to 2Gbps (NBN 2000) on FTTP and HFC connections
- Plenty of plans to choose from based on your budget
- Performance can vary depending on the NBN technology at your address

Home wireless broadband
Home wireless broadband has quickly become a popular alternative for those who aren't happy with their NBN connection or can't get access to it.
It runs on the same 4G or 5G mobile networks as your phone, but instead of using a portable device, your provider sends you a modem designed specifically for home use. Just plug it in and you're good to go.
5G home wireless broadband - or 5G home internet for short - can offer speeds similar to some NBN connections.
The main caveat is that fewer providers offer home wireless broadband plans, and availability will depend on your address.
- Easy setup - no installation required
- Good alternative to the NBN for speed and price
- Reliability can be an issue depending on signal strength and network congestion

Mobile broadband
Mobile broadband works similarly to your mobile phone plan, just without the calls and texts.
You can use a data-only SIM in a tablet or phone, or insert it into a Wi-Fi dongle that plugs into a USB port.
Alternatively, you can use a portable Wi-Fi modem (also known as pocket Wi-Fi), which can be handy if you want to create a hotspot for multiple devices.
- Internet on the go. Can be used anywhere you get phone signal.
- Great backup option if your home internet goes down.
- Your connection might drop out in bad weather or areas with patchy signal.

How much can you save by comparing broadband plans?
We calculated potential savings by comparing the prices of the cheapest and most expensive broadband plans in our database over a 12-month period.
| Internet type | Cheapest Plan (provider) | Most expensive plan (provider) | Savings over 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 12 | $49.90 per month (Telsim) | $77 per month (Aussie Broadband) | $325 |
| NBN 25 | $48 per month for 12 months, then $65.90 per month (Flip) | $48.50 per month for 2 months, then $97 per month (Telstra) | $491 |
| NBN 50 | $45 per month for 6 months, then $85 per month (amaysim) | $56.50 per month for 2 months, then $113 per month (Telstra) | $463 |
| NBN 100 | $69.90 per month for 12 months, then $85.90 per month (Kogan Internet) | $110 per month (AGL) | $481 |
| NBN 500 | $69.90 per month for 12 months, then $85.90 per month (Kogan Internet) | $110 per month (AGL) | $481 |
| NBN 750 | $89.99 per month for 24 months, then $99.99 per month (Arctel) | $119 per month (Aussie Broadband) | $468 |
| NBN 1000 | $99.99 per month for 24 months, then $112.99 per month (Arctel) | $134 per month (AGL) | $564 |
| NBN 2000 | $141 per month for 6 months, then $166 per month (MATE) | $195 per month (E.tel) | $498 |
| 4G Home wireless | $44 per month for 12 months, then $59 per month (Optus) | $59.90 per month (Yomojo) | $142.80 |
| 5G home wireless (50Mbps) | $29.99 per month for 6 months, then $59.99 per month (TPG) | $80 per month (Telstra) | $420 |
| 5G home wireless (100Mbps) | $39.99 per month for 6 months, then $69.99 per month (TPG) | $84.90 per month (Yomojo) | $251 |
| Mobile broadband | $19 per month (JB Hi-Fi) | $45 per month (Escapenet) | $312 |
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We chose a slightly different method for each of the three technology types:
- NBN: We looked at unlimited data NBN plans with no lock-in contracts across the 8 main speed tiers.
- Home wireless broadband: We looked at all 4G plans, and for 5G, we focused on the most common speed tiers: 50Mbps and 100Mbps.
- Mobile broadband: We used 20GB - 30GB of data per month as an example to show the potential savings. That's based on the ACCC's Internet Activity Report, which found Aussies on post-paid mobile plans use an average of 18GB per month (14.5GB/month across all mobile users, as of the Dec 2024 report) - 20GB gives a bit of extra buffer.
What internet speed do I need?
People often zone out when it comes to internet speeds because really, who cares about megabits per second (Mbps)? Most of us just want to know if it's good enough for our internet needs.
We get it. So here's a simple breakdown of how to choose between NBN and home wireless broadband speeds.
NBN speeds
Selecting the right NBN speed tier comes down to how many people are in your household and what you want to do.
1 person or light users
- Stream shows in high definition or even 4K
- Browse the web and scroll social media
- Take video calls
- Download small files or apps
2-3 people or moderate users
- Stream high definition content on multiple devices at once
- Join video calls while others game or stream
- Download large files faster
- Good option if you have multiple smart devices (lights, speakers)
3-5 people or moderate users
- Stream HD and 4K video on multiple screens
- Play online games smoothly
- Upload medium-sized work files or videos quickly
- Work from home while others stream or game
4–6 people or heavy users
- Stream 4K or even 8K content across multiple screens
- Online gaming with smooth performance
- Upload videos or large work files in minutes
- Keep lots of smart home devices running without slowing the network
7+ people or very heavy users
- Stream 4K or 8K content on multiple screens
- Support multiple simultaneous video calls and gaming sessions
- Upload large work files or media projects within seconds
- Connect multiple smart home devices without slowing down
Don't forget, your NBN connection will determine what speeds you can get.
Only those on a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) NBN connection, will be able to get speeds faster than NBN 100.
Read our detailed guide on NBN speed tiers.
Home wireless broadband speeds
Your speeds on a 4G home wireless broadband plan will normally cap out at 25Mbps.
For 5G home internet, providers tend to lean towards plans with either a maximum of 50Mbps or 100Mbps speeds.
Some providers, like Telstra and Optus offer faster or even uncapped speeds.
Winners of the 2026 Finder Broadband Awards
Awards are a great way to narrow down the best of the best. See which providers topped this year's broadband awards.

Congratulations, TPG!
TPG was a big winner in the 2026 Finder Awards.
- Highly Commended, Best Everyday Use NBN Provider: TPG
- Highly Commended, Best Fast Speeds NBN Provider (NBN 100): TPG
- Highly Commended, Best Fast Speeds NBN Provider (NBN 500): TPG
- Winner, Best Wireless Broadband Provider: TPG
- Highly Commended, Best Superfast Speeds NBN Provider: TPG
Full list of 2026 broadband winners

Congratulations, Dodo!
Dodo was a big winner in the 2026 Finder Awards.
- Winner, Best Budget NBN Provider: Dodo
- Winner, Best Everyday Use NBN Provider: Dodo
- Winner, Best Fast Speeds NBN Provider (NBN 100): Dodo
- Winner, Best Fast Speeds NBN Provider (NBN 500): Dodo
- Winner, Best Superfast Speeds NBN Provider: Dodo
Full list of 2026 broadband winners

Congratulations, SpinTel!
SpinTel was a big winner in the 2026 Finder Awards.
- Highly Commended, Best Budget NBN Provider: SpinTel
- Winner, Best Ultrafast Speeds NBN Provider: SpinTel
- Highly Commended, Best Wireless Broadband Provider: SpinTel
Full list of 2026 broadband winners

Congratulations, Tangerine!
Tangerine was a big winner in the 2026 Finder Awards.
- Highly Commended, Best Budget NBN Provider: Tangerine
- Highly Commended, Best Everyday Use NBN Provider: Tangerine
- Highly Commended, Best Fast Speeds NBN Provider (NBN 100): Tangerine
- Highly Commended, Best Fast Speeds NBN Provider (NBN 500): Tangerine
Full list of 2026 broadband winners

Congratulations, Superloop!
Superloop was a big winner in the 2026 Finder Awards.
- Highly Commended, Best Budget NBN Provider: Superloop
- Winner, Best Hyperfast Speeds NBN Provider: Superloop
- Highly Commended, Best Ultrafast Speeds NBN Provider: Superloop
- Highly Commended, Best Superfast Speeds NBN Provider: Superloop
- Provider of the Year, Best NBN: Superloop
Full list of 2026 broadband winners

Aussie Broadband scored in the Finder Awards
The Aussie Broadband was highly commended for Best Hyperfast Speeds NBN Provider in the 2026 Finder Awards.
Full list of 2026 winnersFinder Score explained
- 9+ Excellent - These plans offer outstanding value with fast speeds, generous data, and great features, making them among the best on the market.
- 7+ Great - These plans are strong performers, though they may have slightly higher prices or less competitive features.
- 5+ Satisfactory - These plans are serviceable but may come with slower speeds, limited data, or fewer features.
- Less than 5 – Basic - These are less competitive plans, often offering lower value in terms of speed, data, and included features.
Digging deeper into the Finder Score for broadband
We analyse over 300 internet plans from 40+ providers and compare them side by side to produce a straightforward score out of 10. Products are assessed for their costs over a two year period, download speeds, data limits and modem costs. We also assess providers for customer support features offered, while also assigning each provider a customer satisfaction score generated from our annual survey.
Products must be active residential NBN, 5G or 4G plans to be eligible for a score. NBN plans are grouped into speed tiers and scored within their applicable tier. The speed tiers NBN products are grouped into are NBN 25 Mbps or lower, NBN 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps, NBN 250 Mbps to 750 Mbps and NBN 1000 Mbps or higher.
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The Finder Score methodology is designed by our Insights team. Commercial partners carry no weight and all products are reviewed objectively.
Finder Score weightings - broadband
Frequently asked questions
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The best internet provider can vary depending on your needs.
For our top picks for the month and all the best deals, have a look at our guide on the best internet plans and deals.
For speed reliability, check out our roundup of the fastest NBN providers.
Or check out who's leading the way in Finder's 2026 Broadband Awards or our 2026 Broadband Customer Satisfaction Awards.
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This can vary depending on the speeds you're after and the current offers available, as prices often fluctuate. Especially with the frequent discounts internet providers offer in Australia.
Fortunately, we track plans and pricing regularly so that you're always in the loop. Check out our guide to cheap broadband plans to see which providers are offering the lowest prices.
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Around 100Mbps is usually enough for a decent gaming experience. But if you're sharing the connection with others, bumping up to at least 500-750Mbps can help avoid lag or slowdowns.
Check out our top picks for the best internet plans for gaming.
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This will depend on the type of internet plan you sign up for.
For NBN, it's common for providers to offer a BYO modem option (as long as it's compatible with their service).
However, for home wireless broadband, you will always need a new modem if you switch internet plans. Normally though, providers have some pretty good terms and conditions, such as giving you the option to rent the modem for a small monthly cost, or sometimes even providing one for $0. You'll just have to return it when you cancel your plan.
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Netflix recommends at least 3Mbps for standard definition, 5Mbps for HD, and 25Mbps for 4K Ultra HD.
But in reality, you'll want a buffer, especially if others are online too, or you have smart devices plugged in.
For smooth streaming across multiple devices, aim for at least 50–100Mbps to avoid slowdowns or buffering.
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You don't need a phone line to get connected to the NBN or any other wireless broadband connection.
However, you can choose to add a home phone line to most NBN plans, should you wish to. Check out home phone and internet bundles.
Sources
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
- Energy
- Mobile
- Broadband
- Consumer tech
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I have an existing plan with Telstra and have ADSL2, I have been getting many phone calls about NBN, I usually hang up. I’m happy with what I have. Do I have to switch over to the NBN?
Hi Edwin,
Thank you for your enquiry.
It would be advisable to migrate to NBN if NBN is already available and your ISP is advising you to do so, since they might migrate the whole connection or network to NBN and might discontinue or phase out the old connection soon. Please get in touch with your ISP for assistance in migrating to NBN.
Kind regards,
Jason
Why do some plans have download speeds of NBN 12 and others NBN 100? Is NBN 100 the fastest speed available?
Hi Val,
Thank you for your enquiry.
NBN connection has been categorized into 5 NBN speed tiers with downloads ranging from 12 Mbps to 100 Mbps. NBN tier 1 offers speeds of up to 12 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload while NBN tier 5 offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload. Compared to the other NBN tier, NBN tier 5 offers the fastest connection speed.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Jason
I currently use ADSL and it adequately meets my present and likely future needs which are quite modest.
Do I really need to update to NBN or will ADSL continue to be available for the next few years?
Hi Peter,
Thank you for your enquiry.
It would be advisable to migrate to an NBN connection if your Internet service provider (ISP) informed you that you should. The current copper wires that your ADSL is using will eventually be discontinued and will be phased out once your ISP switches to the NBN connection. Most ISPs will migrate you to an NBN plan free of charge if your location is NBN ready.
If you wish to learn more, please read more about NBN through our website.
Cheers,
Jason
I’m just wondering what is the best internet connection in Kootingal NSW 2352. We don’t have NBN yet.
What is involved in getting the fibre optic connection?
Thanks.
Hi Wendy,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The best Internet connection would depend on the tasks that you frequently do online. Generally, the faster the transfer rate or the speed of the Internet connection, the better, but it may come with a much expensive monthly rate or plan. Getting a Fibre optic connection may also depend on the network coverage and the communication delivery of an Internet service provider. You’ll more likely be connected to a Fibre optic network if your preferred ISP has Fibre optic cables in your location or building.
Please use our comparison page for broadband plans to find the best plan and service provider that fits your needs. You can modify the search option by clicking “Filter results” and modify the filters according to your needs. You may filter cable/Fibre connection only if you want that type of connection.
Cheers,
Jason
We are about to purchase a house in Kalbar Queensland and were told that the NBN there with be wireless, is this true?
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for your question.
If you want to know the type of NBN technology used in a particular location, you can search the address in our NBN tracker.
Once you get a result, just select the ‘More Info’ button to check the details of the NBN connection in that area.
Cheers,
Anndy