TPG vs Tangerine: Which NBN provider comes out on top?
Both telcos scored highly in the 2022 Finder Awards for Best Rated Broadband Provider, but which one should you sign up to?
The Finder Retail Awards are in full swing for 2022. iPrimus took home the gong for Best Rated Broadband Provider but finalists TPG and Tangerine were hot on its heels.
With TPG and Tangerine performing so well, we thought we'd put them head to head to see which brand gives greater service and more bang for your buck.
Customer service
TPG and Tangerine both scored highly for customer service with consumers surveyed for the Finder Retail Awards and we can see why.
Both companies offer the following:
- Live chat support
- Technical support on the weekend
- Social media support (Tangerine via Whatsapp, TPG via Facebook, Twitter)
- Online account management
TPG boasts a smartphone app available on iOS and Android. If you find that TPG's agents are busy, you can post in the community forum.
Customer service winner: TPG for more service options.
Value for money
Cost is really where we see a striking difference between the 2 providers.
Let's compare their NBN50 unlimited data plans.
| TPG NBN50 Unlimited plan | Tangerine NBN XL Boost | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan price | $69.99 | $54.90 (first 6 months), $69.90 after |
| Typical evening speed | 50Mbps | 50Mbps |
| Modem fee (optional) | $99.95 | $179.90 |
| Set-up fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total 12-month cost (without modem) | $839.99 | $748.40 |
| Where to buy? |
TPG's NBN 50 plan won the 2021 Finder Award for Best NBN Plan, with Tangerine's XL Boost as a close finalist.
Over 12 months, you're saving close to $100 with Tangerine thanks to its sign-up discount.
Value for money winner: Tangerine for cheaper prices, but only if you're bringing your own modem.
Reliability
We look to the ACCC Broadband Performance report on reliability and performance.
This report shows that TPG was the sixth-fastest NBN provider and delivered the top speeds it offers for its NBN plans 96.9% of the time, putting it behind Optus and Telstra but just ahead of Vodafone.
Tangerine's speeds aren't included in the report but it did score equally with TPG for reliability in the Finder Retail Awards.
Reliability winner: Tied
Bonus features
Neither TPG nor Tangerine has much going on in the way of bonus features compared to larger telcos but both do have some neat offers.
TPG will:
- Give you up to $10 a month off when you bundle your Internet plan with a mobile phone plan.
On the other hand, Tangerine will:
- Let you trial its NBN plan for 2 weeks (your plan fees will be refunded but not your modem if you choose one).
- Give you $25 credit on your account for every friend or family member you successfully refer to a Tangerine NBN plan.
Bonus features winner: Tangerine for flexibility and discounts.
The bottom line
It's clear that TPG and Tangerine are both a hit with Aussie consumers.
TPG offers:
- Fast, reliable speeds
- Great customer service
Tangerine has:
- Cheaper plans
- A 2-week money-back guarantee
- $25 referral bonus
The best Internet provider for you depends on your personal circumstances. At the end of the day, consider Tangerine if you're looking for a provider that is kind on the budget.
Find our top picks for the best NBN plans this month, or compare Internet plans yourself to snag a good deal.
