Top 10 mobile phone providers in Australia

Compare the top 10 popular mobile service providers in Australia

1. Southern Phone
2. TPG
3. Catch Connect
4. felix
5. Dodo
6. Belong
7. iiNet
8. amaysim
9. Coles
10. Optus

1. Southern Phone - Great value carbon neutral plans

Southern Phone is a solid option if you're after an affordable mobile plan on the Optus 4G and 5G network and don't care about the frills.

Most popular Southern Phone plan on Finder:

Southern Phone Small

Unlimited
Calls & Text

20GB
data

$19
per month

for the first 6 months then 20GB for $24. T&Cs apply. Ends 12.8.24

Read review

Southern Phone could be right for you if you:

• Want international call inclusions. You'll get a $50 call credit every month.
• Are environmentally conscious and want a carbon neutral mobile plan at no extra cost.

• Keep in mind: Southern Phone doesn't have much in the way of additional features such as data rollover or international roaming. It's best suited to people looking for calls, texts and a decent amount of data.

2. TPG - 50% off mobile plans for 6 months

TPG took home double wins at the 2024 Finder Product Awards for Best Prepaid Mobile Provider - Value and Best Budget Mobile Provider.

It's also currently backing these wins by slashing its mobile plans by half the price.

Most popular TPG plan on Finder:

TPG Large

Unlimited
Calls & Text

45GB
data

$15
per month

for the first 6 months then 45GB for $30. T&Cs apply.

Go to site

TPG could be right for you if you:

• Want expiry periods that last a full month – recharge just 12 times a year compared to 13 times from some other prepaid providers that offer 28-day expiry plans.
• Are already with TPG for internet and want to save an additional $5 a month by bundling a mobile plan.

• Keep in mind: TPG is one of the few providers to sting you with a port-out fee ($11) when you move your number to a new service.

3. Catch Connect - Great value long expiry deals

You might know Catch for its deals on everyday items, but that extends to its mobile plans as well. That's why it was highly commended in the 2024 Finder Product Awards for its Long Expiry Prepaid Plan.

Most popular Catch plan on Finder:

Catch Connect 365 Day Plan 120GB

Unlimited
Calls & Text

120GB
data

$109
per 365 days

for the first 365 days then 120GB for $150.

Go to site

Catch could be right for you if:

• You're looking for a way to save money on your yearly mobile bill and want to ditch the hassle of monthly recharges.
• You're looking for a budget provider on the Optus network.

• Keep in mind: Catch's long expiry plans are great value but you'll need to commit for the long term. Make sure you're happy to stick with it for 365 days before you sign up.

4. felix mobile - The only unlimited data mobile provider in Australia

felix is currently the only provider in Australia to offer a mobile plan with no data caps.

There are a couple of other providers that offer endless data, but your speeds will get slowed down once you reach your monthly data limit.

Most popular felix plan on Finder:

felix Subscription Unlimited GREEN COMPANY

Unlimited
Calls & Text

Unlimited
data. Slowed down to 20Mbps after full speed data used up

$20
per month

for the first 3 months then Unlimited Data for $40. T&Cs apply. Use code FELIX50.

Go to site

felix could be right for you if you:

• Want a carbon-neutral plan from a Finder Green Award-winning provider. It also plants 1 tree per active subscription each month.
• Want an unlimited data mobile plan.

• Keep in mind: There's a 20Mbps speed limit imposed on felix's unlimited subscription. This may not be fast enough for some users.

5. Dodo - Plenty of data options and budget-friendly plans

Whether you're after a small or large amount of data that won't break the bank, Dodo has you covered.

Most popular Dodo plan on Finder:

Dodo $10

Unlimited
Calls & Text

2GB
data

$10
per month

Go to site

Dodo could be right for you if you:

• Don't want to be hit with a bill shock. If you go over your monthly data allowance, Dodo will simply slow down your download speeds to 256Kbps until your next recharge.
• Want international call credit. This is available on the majority of Dodo's plans.
• Like the option of banking data for future use. This feature is available on its 25GB and 45GB plans.

• Keep in mind: Despite being advertised as a postpaid plan, you'll have to pay for the plan at the start of the month.

6. Belong - Telstra's cheaper sub-brand

Telstra started Belong back in 2013 and has since been offering mobile plans at a lower price, using part of the Telstra network.

Most popular Belong plan on Finder:

Belong 40GB

Unlimited
Calls & Text

60GB
data. Slowed down to 1Mbps after full speed data used up

$35
per month

for the first 12 months then 40GB for $35. T&Cs apply. Ends 27.8.24

Go to site

Belong could be right for you if:

• You tend to use a little over your monthly data limit – Belong offers no excess usage charges and will just slow your mobile internet speed down to 1Mbps instead.
• Want additional features such as unlimited data banking and the option to add-on international calls or international roaming.

• Keep in mind: Most of Belong's plans come with 150Mbps download speed caps (or 250Mbps on its largest plan). However, this is still fast enough and shouldn't cause much of a hassle.

7. iiNet - Half off for half a year

iiNet's plans are ideal for people looking to score a good deal as you can score 50% off the plan prices for the first 6 months.

Most popular iiNet plan on Finder:

iiNet Medium Plan

Unlimited
Calls & Text

16GB
data

$12.50
per month

for the first 6 months then 16GB for $24.99. T&Cs apply.

Go to site

iiNet could be right for you if you:

• Have an iiNet internet plan and want to get 80GB bonus data (only available on the iiNet Large plan).
• Would like access to 24/7 technical support.

• Keep in mind: iiNet is only offering a 5G trial on its Extra Large Plan. There's no indication of the trial's length or if it will become a permanent feature.

8. amaysim - Affordable plans with a bunch of perks

amaysim's a solid choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly plan on the Optus network with some frills such as access to 5G, international call inclusions and more.

Most popular amaysim plan on Finder:

amaysim 32GB Plan

Unlimited
Calls & Text

32GB
data

$30
per 28 days

50GB for $10 for the first recharge. T&Cs apply. Ends 13.8.24

Read review

amaysim could be right for you if:

• You want access to unlimited international calls and texts to 28 to 42 countries depending on the plan.
• You're keen on the unlimited data banking feature. You can save unused data for future use, without any caps.

• Keep in mind: A 28-day renewal means you'll be paying 13 bills over the year, instead of the usual 12.

9. Coles Mobile - Enough great options to stop you from looking further

Coles Mobile has a range of prepaid and month-to-month plans to suit different budgets and data requirements.

Its long-expiry prepaid plan is especially good value for money given the extra perks you get in return such as data rollover up to 500GB and international call inclusions.

Most popular Coles Mobile plan on Finder:

Coles $195

Unlimited
Calls & Text

140GB
data

$195
per 365 days

Read review

Coles Mobile could be right for you if you:

• Want unlimited international calls and texts to 15 or 22 selected countries (depending on the plan).
• Are keen on its month-to-month plans which come with a bonus Coles egift card worth 10% of your largest single shop each month.
• Prefer having access to an Australia-based customer support team and a mobile app to manage your plan.

• Keep in mind: Mobile plans from Coles with a 28-day expiry means you'll be paying 13 bills in a year instead of 12.

10. Optus - Affordable plans on Australia's second-largest network

Optus has plans across both its 4G and 5G networks to suit different needs. Its prepaid plans are great value, with loads of data limits to choose from.

Most popular Optus plan on Finder:

Optus Flex Plus $35

Unlimited
Calls & Text

40GB
data

$35
per 28 days

for the first 3 recharges then 20GB for $35. T&Cs apply.

Read review

Optus could be right for you if:

• Want 400 minutes of standard international calls to 20 selected countries.
• You want data rollover – up to 200GB.

• Keep in mind: Optus's Prepaid Epic Data plans come with quite a bit of data for the first 3 recharges but drop significantly after this. Check the full plan details to make sure you're happy with the ongoing inclusions.

Who is the best mobile phone provider in Australia?

The best provider for you is going to depend on what you value most in a mobile phone company. That can range from anything such as network, price or included plan features.

There are a few stand-outs that we've awarded across a range of categories to help narrow down the list for you.

2024 Finder Award for Best Budget Mobile Provider

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.

Full list of 2024 winners

2024 Finder Award for Best Prepaid Mobile Providers

TPG and felix impressed us this year for offering great value thanks to their competitive pricing and data allowances.

Full list of 2024 winners

2024 Finder Award for Best SIM Only Mobile Providers (Postpaid)

SpinTel and Circles.Life topped the charts this year for offering value for money. Their plans are well-priced and come with generous data allowances.

Full list of 2024 winners

2024 Finder Award for Best Long Expiry Prepaid Mobile Provider

Kogan's 365-day mobile plans are some of the best around. They offer fantastic value for money and come with Wi-Fi calling and instant eSIM setup.

Full list of 2024 winners

amaysim came out as the winner for Best Rated Mobile Provider for Customer Satisfaction for the second year in a row, thanks to its great value for money and customer service. amaysim also won the 2023 Finder Award for Best Prepaid Mobile Provider (Value).

felix took out both wins for Green Telco and Green Mobile Plan Provider of the Year thanks to its sustainable operations and tree planting initiatives. felix also won the 2023 Finder Award for Best Prepaid Mobile Provider (High Data).

Full list of 2023 winners

Cutting through the noise, Circles.Life and Belong came out strong in the 2023 Finder Awards, winning for Best Postpaid Mobile Provider (Value) and Best Postpaid Mobile Provider (High Data) respectively.

Full list of 2023 winners

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How do you compare mobile service providers in Australia?

When looking for a new mobile phone plan you'll want to consider a few factors:

Network

This determines the kind of coverage you get. Those outside of metropolitan cities should focus on plans on the Telstra or Optus network. If you're looking at 5G plans, make sure to check the provider's coverage map before you sign up.

Price

Decide how much you're willing to spend and whether you want a postpaid or prepaid plan. Postpaid plans are month-to-month but prepaid plans are more flexible with monthly, short-term and long-expiry plans up to 365 days.

Features

Consider which features are most important to you. Some plans include endless data with speed caps while others offer data rollover. You can get plans with or without international calls and handy options such as data rollover or Wi-Fi calling.

Inclusions like unlimited calls and texts are pretty standard on mobile plans these days. When you're picking a plan, look out for considerations like data amounts, data speed and extra data charges. Look out for inclusions like international calls, too. These can make a big difference to your overall mobile spend.

— Tom Goodwin, Commercial Content Editor

What are the differences between mobile networks in Australia?

The primary difference between mobile networks in Australia is coverage. Each network covers the following percentage of Australians:

• Telstra: 99.5%
• Optus: 98.5%
• Vodafone: 96%

Where it gets a little tricky is when we start to include smaller network providers known as MVNOs. These providers don't own their own mobile network but basically rent it out to sell their own plans. MVNO network coverage really only differs for Telstra:

• Telstra MVNOs operate on the wholesale Telstra network that covers 98.8% of Australians, meaning you don't have full coverage access.
• Optus MVNOs operate on the full Optus network which covers 98.5% of Australians.
• Vodafone MVNOs also operate on the full Vodafone network which covers 96% of Australians.

How many phone companies are there in Australia?

Why compare mobile phone plans with Finder?

We know our stuff. We pour over hundreds of mobile plans every month. It's exhausting. But worth it.

You can rely on us. We're constantly updating and fact-checking our data on dozens of Aussie telcos.

We're here to help. We've helped millions of Aussies find better mobile phone plan. And we'll keep doing it.

Frequently asked questions

• Who has the best mobile plans in Australia?

  The best mobile plan for you will depend on your preferences. To kick you off on your search, our team reviews the best mobile plans in Australia each month based on 5 categories:

  • Best mobile plan under $20
  • Best prepaid plan
  • Best SIM only plan
  • Best iPhone plan
  • Best Samsung plan

• Is there an alternative to Telstra?

  If you want access to Telstra's network without paying higher prices, look for a Telstra MVNO. Boost Mobile is a great option as it has access to the full Telstra network. Other Telstra network providers use parts of the Telstra wholesale network rather than the full network, which covers 98.8% of Australians instead of 99.5%.

  There's only a 0.7% difference between Telstra's wholesale network and its full one, but this difference may be noticeable for those in rural and regional parts of Australia.

• Is Telstra better than Optus?

  There are lots of differences between Telstra and Optus – even Vodafone. Depending on what you need in a mobile plan, it's hard to say which one is better than the other.

  Optus mobile plans tend to be cheaper, but Telstra's network is superior, reaching the largest amount of the Australian population.

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Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Editor I Tech and utilities expert

Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio

Mariam's expertise

Mariam has written 251 Finder guides across topics including:

• Energy
• Mobile
• Broadband
• Consumer tech