Finder's Mobile Awards showcase the best providers across different categories such as prepaid and postpaid mobile plans for both value and high data. We also have awards for budget-conscious Aussies and those looking for a long-expiry prepaid plan.
Winners and those highly commended for each category were chosen by a value score that ranks factors such as how much their plans cost per day, daily cost per gigabyte, network coverage, inclusion of international calls and data rollover.
This category gives you a quick look into which prepaid mobile provider is offering the most bang for buck.
We looked at 58 prepaid mobile plans across 24 providers that cost $35 a month or less per month.
The majority of TPG's prepaid mobile plans cost $35 or less and stack up well against our $1 per GB benchmark, especially when it's running 6-month discounts. You can sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible smartphone, meaning you don't need to wait for a physical SIM card to arrive.
Highly commended
felix, which runs on the Vodafone network, did well for daily cost per gigabyte. It's 1 of only 5 carbon neutral providers in Australia and plans a tree each month for every active subscription.
Woolworths' Everyday Mobile has 3 plans for $35 or under that stacked up well on price and data inclusions. You also get access to Telstra's wholesale network, unlimited international calls and texts to 22 countries and the option to save 10% (or up to $50) on your monthly groceries at Woolies.
This category is for high data users who want generous data allowances on their mobile plan but without the hefty price tag.
We compared 45 mobile plans across 20 prepaid providers that came with at least 40GB of data.
For a second year in a row, felix has again taken the front seat here for being the only telco to offer a truly unlimited data mobile plan despite having download speed caps of 20Mbps. Its plan, which runs on the Vodafone network, can give you the peace of mind to stream, game and do heaps more without worrying about running out of data.
Highly commended
amaysim is no stranger to giving its customers high data allowances at a good price point and that too alongside some additional bells and whistles. This includes unlimited international calls to 42 countries, access to Optus's 4G and 5G networks and unlimited data banking.
TeleChoice came in highly commended for offering value-for-money high data plans that run on Telstra's 4G and 5G wholesale networks. You can bank up to 500GB of data and make unlimited international calls to 20 selected countries.
This category gives you an overview of which postpaid mobile provider is offering the best data allowances at reasonable price points.
We looked at 78 SIM Only mobile plans (postpaid) across 27 providers that cost under $35 per month.
SpinTel isn't just about broadband, its 4G and 5G mobile plans that run on the Optus network are up there among the best for value. You can sign up via eSIM and get several support options available should you need it, including live chat or a phone call.
Highly commended
Tangerine came in highly commended for offering great-value plans on Telstra's wholesale network. You can bank up to 500GB of data, sign up via an eSIM, make international calls and access 5G on the majority of its plans.
Coles Mobile is another supermarket brand that deserves a nod for decently-priced SIM only plans that run on the Optus network. You can roll over up to 500GB of data, make unlimited international calls to 22 selected countries and get 10% off your largest monthly shop at Coles (up to $30).
This category is aimed at high-data users who want generous data allowances on their mobile plan but don't want to pay heaps of money for it.
We compared 84 mobile plans across 30 providers that offered 40GB of data or more.
Circles.life secured its claim to fame for offering affordable plans for both low- and high-data users. That's why it won this category in 2023 and has come back on top again this year. You get access to the Optus 4G network, eSIMs and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Highly commendedTangerine is known for its juicy NBN plans that do well on price - this extends to its mobile plans too. They stacked up well on cost per day for how much data you get in return. You can bank up to 500GB of data, use its eSIM feature, make international calls to 15 selected countries and access 5G.
TeleChoice came in highly commended for offering a good balance between price and data. You also get unlimited international texts, up to 500GB of data banking and access to Telstra's wholesale network.
This category is best suited for people who are happy to set and forget about their mobile plan for up to 365 days.
We compared 13 365-day prepaid plans from 11 mobile providers that cost $180 or less.
It was hard to look past Kogan's long-expiry prepaid plans for a second year in a row after we stacked them up against other providers. Kogan offers access to instant eSIM set-up, Wi-Fi calling and the option to earn 1 Qantas Point for every $2 spent.
Highly commendedEveryday Mobile by Woolworths Mobile came in highly commended once again in 2024 for having well-priced long-expiry plans that run on the Telstra network. Its value is turned up a notch by offering 10% off each month on your Woolworths grocery shop (up to $50), 500GB of data banking and the option to sign up via an eSIM.
Catch Connect came in highly commended for offering good value long-expiry plans on the Optus network for both low to medium-data users. There are no frills attached so if you're someone that's only after calls and texts plus data, Catch will serve you well.
This category is best suited for budget-conscious Aussies who don't want to pay more than $20 a month. We looked at 44 plans across 31 providers to find you the best of the best.
TPG was a standout this year for the budget category because it stacks up well for price and data, especially when it's running frequent promotional offers. You can sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible smartphone, meaning you don't need to wait for a physical SIM card to arrive.
Highly commended
Kogan came in highly commended for offering value-for-money mobile plans on the Vodafone network. It offers access to instant eSIM set-up, data rollover up to 200GB, Wi-Fi calling and the option to earn 1 Qantas Point for every $2 spent.
Lebara got a nod for keeping it simple for those on a budget. You get a good data allowance for how much you pay plus additional perks such as the option to sign up via an eSIM, bank up to 200GB of data plus international call and text inclusions.
Finder's Mobile Awards are determined by a methodology that ranks plans and providers based on the daily cost of plans, daily cost per gigabyte, network coverage, inclusion of international calls and data rollover. To determine our winners, we reviewed 258 mobile phone plans across 48 providers over 3 months.
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