Our team of mobile plan experts have compared 156 prepaid mobile plans from 25 mobile providers in Australia. We've curated 10 top picks based on price, network and expert analysis. Not all prepaid plans will suit your needs so make sure you compare your options before choosing the right one for you.
Why you can trust our research
156 prepaid plans analysed
758 Australians surveyed
180+ hours of research
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $262.5
To find the best value prepaid mobile plan, we looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder that cost under $35 per month. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Optus 4G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $109
To find the best 365-day prepaid mobile plan, we looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder that cost under $150 with an expiry of 365-days or 12 months. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $420
We compared prepaid mobile plans on Finder that run on the Telstra network and cost under $35 a month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $315
To find the best high data prepaid mobile plan, we compared prepaid mobile plans on Finder with 40GB of included data or more. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $348
We compared prepaid mobile plans on Finder that run on any of the three 5G networks in Australia and cost under $35 a month. We gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $315.0
We looked at prepaid mobile plans on Finder that offer international calls and cost under $35 a month. We gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Mobile network: Optus 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $360
To find the best prepaid mobile plan for customer satisfaction, we awarded the best value plan from the winner of the 2023 Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards for Best Rated Mobile Provider. To find the best value plan, we compared prepaid mobile plans for under $50 a month, and chose the plan with the highest score according to our internal ranking algorithm.
Mobile network: Optus 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $420
We looked at Optus prepaid mobile plans on Finder that cost under $40 a month. We gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score.
Mobile network: Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $397
We looked at Telstra prepaid mobile plans on Finder that cost under $40 a month. We gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score.
Mobile network: Vodafone 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $420
We looked at Vodafone prepaid mobile plans on Finder that cost under $40 a month. We gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score.
As part of the 2024 Finder Awards, we selected the Best Prepaid Mobile Providers based on value and data. The winners and finalists were chosen based on their cost per day, daily cost per gigabyte, network coverage and any applicable download speed caps.
Finding the prepaid mobile plan that suits your needs best doesn't need to be complicated. Here are 4 factors to consider
Which mobile network serves you best?
Only 3 telcos operate the mobile networks in Australia that deliver calls and texts to your device: Telstra, Optus and TPG/Vodafone. You'll notice the difference in coverage within parts of metro areas but especially in regional Australia. You can check coverage for areas you frequent online before you sign up.
How much data will you use?
Depending on the type of prepaid plan you're after, you can get data in amounts as small as 1GB all the way up to 200GB, 300GB or even unlimited data with felix. Look at how much data you currently use: the average Australian downloads just 10.2GB of data according to the ACCC.
What inclusions do you want?
When choosing our top picks, we factor in features that may appeal to a broad range of people such as data rollover, Wi-Fi calling and international calls. Other features offered by some providers include things like eSIMs, data gifting or sharing between users. You can even score discounts on your groceries.
"Find the best prepaid plan for you by first considering which network you're best covered by. Your network of choice will depend on where you're based. Then select a plan length and data limit that suit your mobile needs best."
Keep an eye out for the recharge period for your prepaid plan to save some money. One that expires after 28 days will require an extra recharge during the year compared to one that expires after a month.
Mark Neilsen
Utilities writer
Make sure you check if your prepaid plan has automatic recharges switched on. This can be a handy feature so you can set and forget, but keeping recharges manual means you'll have greater control over your spending.
Michelle Kwong
Utilities publisher
For certain categories, we use a value scoring system to choose the best prepaid plan by scoring the following factors:
We then assign a weight to each of the factors in order to calculate a value score. Price and data are given the highest weighting.
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