The price gap between the cheapest and priciest broadband providers can top $1,000, depending on your speed choice. Don't overspend on your home internet plan!
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Over 450,000 Aussies compared internet plans with us in the past year
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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.
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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 1Gbps
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 (as of 19 January 2026) over a 12-month period.
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 use an average of 11GB per month - 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
12-25Mbps (NBN 12 or NBN 25)
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
At least 50Mbps (NBN 50)
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
At least 100Mbps (NBN 100)
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
At least 250–750Mbps (NBN 250, NBN 500, NBN 750)
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
At least 1000–2000Mbps (NBN 1000, NBN 2000)
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.
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 2025 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.
2025 Provider of the year - TPG
TPG has claimed Finder's Provider of the Year Award for broadband with a cracking score of 9.9. It's mostly to do with competitive pricing across the majority of its NBN and home wireless internet plans that come with no lock-in contracts, speed reliability and multiple customer support options. TPG also scored highly for customer experience, value, reliability, and trustworthiness.
2025 Finder Award for Best Everyday Use NBN Provider - Dodo
Dodo knocked it out of the park with its competitive pricing for everyday speeds (NBN 50). You can BYO or buy one with multiple payment options to suit your needs. There's also the option to bundle internet and energy with Dodo to save up to $10 a month.
2025 Finder Award for Best Fast Speeds NBN Provider - Dodo
Dodo takes home another win for delivering fast speeds at a great price point. Its recent 12-month discounts have given it the edge this year. It's also been in the top five in the last few ACCC reports, which measure speed reliability on a quarterly basis.
2025 Finder Award for Best Budget NBN Provider - SpinTel
SpinTel earns its first win for Best Budget NBN Provider by delivering the maximum typical evening speeds available on an NBN 25 plan, coupled with one of the lowest prices in this category.
2025 Finder Award for Best Superfast Speeds NBN Provider - TPG
In addition to scoring well for speed reliability in the ACCC's recent broadband performance report, TPG's NBN 250 plan offers solid value at just under $100 a month. New customers can often take advantage of six-month sign-up discounts, bringing the price down to under $85 a month for the first half of the year.
2025 Finder Award for Most Loved NBN Provider - Aussie Broadband
Aussie Broadband knocked it out of the park for the third year in a row as the most loved broadband provider by Australians. It got the highest overall score of 4.1 out of 5.
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 12, NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100, NBN 500, NBN 750, NBN 1000 and NBN 2000.
The Finder Score methodology is designed by our Insights team. Commercial partners carry no weight and all products are reviewed objectively.
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.
Around 100Mbps is usually enough for a decent gaming experience. But if you're sharing the connection with others, bumping up to at least 250-500Mbps can help avoid lag or slowdowns.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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I was looking at Optus NBN500 offer that has a bonus Visa reward ending 30th January. If I sign up now, but I select the start date for the plan as 9th February, will I still qualify for the Bonus Visa reward? I have looked at T’s and C’s but am not clear on it, as it mentions something about activating the service within 30 days of sign up?
Finder
MariamJanuary 20, 2026Finder
Hi Peter, yes, you’ll still qualify for the reward as the start date of your plan is within the 30-day period. Hope this helps!
RoseNovember 6, 2025
We don’t have NBN available to us. What networks would be available to us.
We go overseas each year but still pay for our non broadband when away. Do non contract ( month to month ) plans allow a stop and start service or is more complicated than thst
Finder
SarahNovember 3, 2025Finder
Hi Babs,
You may be able to pause your internet service, but it depends on your provider and plan. Some providers offer a temporary hold on your account for extended travel, or you may be able to downgrade your plan to a cheaper/lower plan while you’re away. It’s best to contact the provider directly to inquire about your options.
CarolineMay 25, 2025
How do you end a contact with Optus?
Finder
MariamMay 26, 2025Finder
Hi Caroline, you can just give them a call and they’ll help you out! Hope this helps.
Finder
SarahJune 11, 2024Finder
Hi Danish, We’re a review and comparison site, we don’t have customer service staff, we simply connect you with options for your household suppliers. Your best bet is to contact a retailer directly.
Looking for a contract-free NBN plan that lets you switch anytime? We’ve curated all available options - just choose the speed and price that work for you.
Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Finder is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stand 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.
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.
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I was looking at Optus NBN500 offer that has a bonus Visa reward ending 30th January. If I sign up now, but I select the start date for the plan as 9th February, will I still qualify for the Bonus Visa reward? I have looked at T’s and C’s but am not clear on it, as it mentions something about activating the service within 30 days of sign up?
Hi Peter, yes, you’ll still qualify for the reward as the start date of your plan is within the 30-day period. Hope this helps!
We don’t have NBN available to us. What networks would be available to us.
Hi Rose, a close alternative is 5G home internet – you can compare NBN alternatives in our guide: https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/nbn/nbn-alternatives. Hope this helps!
We go overseas each year but still pay for our non broadband when away. Do non contract ( month to month ) plans allow a stop and start service or is more complicated than thst
Hi Babs,
You may be able to pause your internet service, but it depends on your provider and plan. Some providers offer a temporary hold on your account for extended travel, or you may be able to downgrade your plan to a cheaper/lower plan while you’re away. It’s best to contact the provider directly to inquire about your options.
How do you end a contact with Optus?
Hi Caroline, you can just give them a call and they’ll help you out! Hope this helps.
Hi Danish, We’re a review and comparison site, we don’t have customer service staff, we simply connect you with options for your household suppliers. Your best bet is to contact a retailer directly.
Best of luck!