Best SIM Only Plans 2026: Top 6 Picks Compared

Finder Award

TPG Small

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25GB
$12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth. T&Cs apply.

Dodo $30 Online Only Offer

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40GB
$15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth. Ends 31 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.

Finder AwardMost Loved

felix Subscription Unlimited

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Unlimited data at speeds up to 40Mbps
$20/mth for first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply.

Tangerine 50GB 5G SIM

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$18/mth for first 4 months, then $36/mth. Plus, get 100GB/mth for first 6 months, then 50GB/mth. Ends 27 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.

Best SIM-only plans for August 2026

We’ve compared 297 SIM-only mobile plans from 46 mobile providers in Australia. We've curated 6 top picks based on price, network and expert analysis. Not every SIM-only plan will suit your needs, so be sure to weigh your options before picking the one that’s right for you.

Best SIM-only plan for light use: TPG Small
Best SIM-only plan for everyday users: Dodo $30 Online Only Offer
Best SIM-only plan for power users: Tangerine 50GB 5G SIM
Best 365-day SIM-only plan: Lyca Mobile Medium Long Term
Best SIM-only plan with unlimited data: felix Subscription Unlimited
Best SIM-only plan for international calls: TPG Medium

Our top picks were reviewed by senior utilities editor Mariam Gabaji.

Finder Score	Data allowance	Ongoing price	Special offer
Best SIM-only plan for light use
8 TPG Small Finder AwardPrepaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $75 $25 $12.50 per month for first 6 months	8	25GB Vodafone 4G network	$25 per month per month $25 per month per month	SAVE $75 $25 $12.50 per month for first 6 months	Discount: $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at SIM-only plans that cost $25 a month or less. TPG is our top pick for the month, with its latest offer saving you $75 over 6 months. TPG was highly commended in the Best Value Prepaid Mobile Provider category at the 2026 Finder Mobile Awards. Pros The plan includes 100 international minutes and as many texts to 31 selected countries. Option to sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. This takes the hassle of waiting for a physical SIM card to be delivered. Cons The price reverts to $25 a month after 6 months. However, it still stacks up well against other plans.
Best SIM-only plan for everyday users
9.1 Dodo $30 Online Only Offer PostpaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $90 $30 $15 per month for first 6 months	9.1	40GB Optus 4G/5G network	$30 per month per month $30 per month per month	SAVE $90 $30 $15 per month for first 6 months	Online Only Offer: $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth. Ends 31 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at mobile plans that cost between $25 and $35 a month and come with at least 25GB of data. Dodo’s 40GB plan takes the top spot this month. Its current offer will save you $90 over 6 months, and the ongoing price also compares well against our $1 per GB benchmark. Pros There are no excess data charges. If you run out of your monthly data allowance, the download speed will simply slow to 256Kbps. Unlimited data banking is available. Your unused data won’t ever go to waste as long as you stick with this plan. Includes $200 worth of international call credit. You can bundle mobile, internet and energy plans to save up to $15 a month. Cons The price will revert to $30 a month after 6 months. 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps, though this should be more than enough for streaming, browsing and gaming.
Best SIM-only plan for power users
9.4 Tangerine 50GB 5G SIM PostpaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $72 + BONUS DATA $36 $18 per month for first 4 months 50GB 100GB per month for first 6 months	9.4	50GB Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network	$36 per month per month $36 per month per month	SAVE $72 + BONUS DATA $36 $18 per month for first 4 months 50GB 100GB per month for first 6 months	Discount and bonus data: $18/mth for first 4 months, then $36/mth. Plus, get 100GB/mth for first 6 months, then 50GB/mth. Ends 27 Aug 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at SIM-only plans that include 5G access and offer a monthly data allowance of at least 50GB and found Tangerine to be our top pick this month. You'll get 100GB for the first 6 months and save $72 over the first 4 months. Pros You can bank up to 1000GB of unused data. Option to sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. Includes unlimited international calls to 15 selected countries. You can also add on travel packs when heading overseas. Save 10% off mobile plan costs each month when you bundle with Tangerine’s NBN plan. You can share the number with a compatible smartwatch. Cons The monthly price increases to $36 after the first 4 months, while the data allowance drops to 50GB after 6 months. Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps. However, this is fast enough for online activities on your phone, such as streaming and gaming. There’s a $3.50 non-direct debit fee.
Best 365-day SIM-only plan
9.5 Lyca Mobile Medium Long Term Finder AwardPrepaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $90 $240 $150 for first recharge	9.5	360GB Vodafone 4G/5G network	$240 per 360 day recharge per 360 day recharge $240 per 360 days expiry per 360 days expiry	SAVE $90 $240 $150 for first recharge	Discount: $150 on activation, then $240/recharge. Ends 31 Dec 2026. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We looked at 365-day mobile plans under $350 with at least 300GB and found Lyca Mobile’s Medium Long Term plan to be a standout this month. With the current offer, the cost is about $12.50 a month for 30GB of data in your first year. Lyca Mobile also won Best Long Expiry Prepaid Mobile Provider at the 2026 Finder Mobile Awards. Pros Includes unlimited international calls to 35 selected countries. Access to Vodafone’s 4G and 5G networks. Not many long-expiry plans in our database include 5G access. You can roll over up to 500GB of unused data. Option to sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. Cons The price will revert to $240 from the second recharge. Unlike some long-expiry plans, Lyca Mobile splits its data into 30-day blocks. It’s still a generous allowance, but worth noting if your usage changes throughout the year. You’ll get charged extra for using its Multimedia Messaging Service ($0.62 per MMS).
Best SIM-only plan with unlimited data
9.6 felix Subscription Unlimited Finder AwardMost LovedNo lock-in contract SAVE $60 $40 $20 per month for first 3 months	9.6	Unlimited Vodafone 4G/5G network	$40 per month per month $40 per month per month	SAVE $60 $40 $20 per month for first 3 months	Coupon code: $20/mth for first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We reviewed SIM-only plans in our database with truly unlimited data, and felix’s plan was the only one that qualified. That’s why it won Best Unlimited Data Mobile Provider at the 2026 Finder Mobile Awards. felix was also voted Most Loved Mobile Provider in Finder’s 2026 Mobile Customer Satisfaction Awards and picked up wins for trust and legendary service. Right now, you’ll save $60 over 3 months when you sign up to this plan. Pros You can sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. felix plants a tree monthly for every active subscription. Option to add on international roaming if you’re heading overseas. Cons The price will revert to $40 a month after 3 months. Download speeds are capped at 40Mbps throughout. However, this is good enough for streaming Netflix in HD, scrolling through social media, browsing and more.
Best SIM-only plan for international calls
8.4 TPG Medium Finder AwardPrepaidNo lock-in contract SAVE $105 $35 $17.50 per month for first 6 months	8.4	50GB Vodafone 4G/5G network	$35 per month per month $35 per month per month	SAVE $105 $35 $17.50 per month for first 6 months	Discount: $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading	Why we like it We reviewed SIM-only plans under $40 a month that include unlimited international calls. TPG’s Medium Plan is our top pick, offering unlimited calls and texts to 31 selected countries. It also took out the Best Value SIM Only Mobile Provider award at the 2026 Finder Awards. Pros You’ll save $105 over 6 months with TPG’s latest offer. Option to sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset. This takes the hassle of waiting for a physical SIM card to be delivered. Cons The price will revert to $35 a month after 6 months. 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps. However, this is fast enough for online activities on your phone.

How do you find the best SIM only plan?

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to finding a SIM only plan. Your budget and data needs can vary depending on how you use your phone. Here are a few things to consider apart from price alone:

What network are you after?

There's no doubt Telstra's network reigns supreme in coverage. It reaches the most number of Aussies, especially if you're living outside the metro areas. That being said, if you're staying in the city, you could be better off with the lower price tags of plans on the Optus or Vodafone network.

phone with arrows pointing to opposite direction

How much data do you need?

Australians download 14.5GB of data on average every month according to the ACCC. We recommend finding out how much data you use and matching a plan that fits the bill accordingly. You don't want to be paying more for data that's going to waste and to rack up any excess charges because you signed up to a much lower limit.

What plan length works best for you?

While most people are familiar with month-to-month mobile plans, long-expiry plans also exist that could help you save money by paying for your plan usage upfront. These plans last for 90–365 days but just remember you'll need to be happy to stick it out with that one provider for 3–12 months.

Do you want a no-frills plan or one packed with features?

The cheapest plans are usually those with just calls, texts and data. But if that's all you need anyway, you might as well grab these simple plans for a lower cost. If you're looking for more value, consider extra features such as international calls, data rollover or Wi-Fi calling.

Sources

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

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

Mariam's expertise

Mariam has written 586 Finder guides across topics including:

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6 Responses

PhyllisFebruary 4, 2026

sims card for a365 days calls only

Finder

SarahFebruary 4, 2026Finder

Hi Phyllis,

You can see a range of Optus pre-paid plans here, which currently come with a Finder Reward exclusive offer of a visa gift card. You can review a range of other pre-paid options here from different providers. Select ‘365-days’ in the plan length filter to the left, so see the year-long plans you’re looking for. Hope this helps!

BarbNovember 7, 2025

Hi, I would like to please request cheapest plan for my palliative
partner in hospital . She requires just a plan that she can receive/answer calls. Thank you for your advice.

Finder

SarahNovember 7, 2025Finder

Hi Barb,

We’re very sorry to hear about your partner. You may want to consider a pre=paid plan? This is where you buy a certain amount of data/time, which could be ideal for your partner. You can get plans as low as $12.50 a month. If you’d prefer a post-paid account, you can get plans suitable for receiving calls for as low as $15 a month. Hope this helps!

ElizabethMay 4, 2025

Hi Finder, I have been treating myself with a new iphone 16 3 128g and a owatch SE 2nd Gen Cellular. I am a full time student and seeking a better mobile Esim only works for putting my iwatch and mobile phone Any recommendations, please, And thank you?

Finder

ChrisMay 6, 2025Finder

Hi Elizabeth, it sounds like you’re after an eSIM-compatible plan that can connect to both your iPhone and Apple Watch.

For our money, Southern Phone’s 20GB plan, which uses the Optus 4G/5G network, offers the best bang-for-buck.

You can currently get it for just $14 per month for the first 6 months, exclusively through Finder. The price then jumps to $24 per month but don’t stress – there’s no lock-in contract, meaning you can start shopping around before the deal ends.

The plan comes with 20GB data, unlimited calls & text and $50 international call credit. You can easily sign up for an eSIM via its website.

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Best SIM-only plans in Australia August 2026