Internet Plans Compare Plans from 33 Providers

There's a lot to consider when selecting your internet plan.

1. Connection options: For the most part we don’t get to choose our fixed internet connection type, it comes with the property we live in. The connection type will determine how fast your internet can go, that being said there are mobile and portable options open to anyone with decent mobile network coverage.
2. Internet speeds: Speeds are the most tangible variant within the internet plan landscape and the one that we have the most control over deciding. Note that the more people and activities your internet connection is used for the faster it will need to be to keep up.
3. Providers: Your provider is the brand you choose to supply your internet connection. Some providers have faster internet speeds, others have lower prices, some have recognisable names and others you would have never heard of before. Concentrate on the aspects of your internet that are important to you and look for providers that care about the same things.
4. Budget: How much you are willing and able to pay for your connection will affect what kind of plan you can get. Affordable options are everywhere but they may not tick every box on your wishlist.
5. Contract: Plans are available with and without contract terms. Contracted plans usually balance out the cost by waiving initial fees but will mean that you are locked in with a provider for the foreseeable future.
6. Modems: Modems and routers are two different technologies needed to get connected to the internet. Sometimes bundled together in one device, the modem connects you to the internet while the router creates a WiFi signal for you to connect your wireless devices to. Without this hardware you won’t be able to access the internet.
7. Congestion: Think of your connection as a highway, the more cars on it the slower it moves. Congestion happens when a multitude of people or devices are using the connection at the same time, ultimately slowing down your speeds.

Picking the right internet plan for you is confusing, but we’re here to help cut through the jargon and help you make the best decision so you can love your plan.

Which NBN & Internet Connection Types

NBN Plans: Pros & Cons

• Widely available
• Speeds up to 1000Mbps on certain connection types
• Plenty of budget options
• Most plans offer unlimited data
• Speeds will vary depending on connection types
• Initial installation can be time consuming

Non-NBN & Internet Connections

Internet Speed

It’s important to note that your internet speed is a shared resource. Each activity you use your internet connection for takes up speed, meaning there is less Mbps to draw from each time you add a new online activity.

The average Australian spends 5.5 hours a day online consisting of;

• 3 hours of streaming services 
• 45 minutes of listening to music
• 1.5 hours on social media 

These activities would use around 6.5Mbps worth of speed per person. In order to browse comfortably at any given point your typical evening speed should be greater than 6.5Mbps multiplied by the people in your household. We have built the table below to direct you to the most relevant plans based on this calculation. 

Notes:

1. Average use information from here.

2. This is based on general usage only. Users with more data intensive needs than outlined above may require higher speeds. For accuracy's sake, the above assumptions are made based on the average Typical Evening Speed for each NBN speed tier.

3. The internet speed you can achieve will be dependent on the connection you can get. Some connections and technology types can yield higher speeds while others are simply unable to. Most NBN and fibre connections will be able to achieve up to NBN 50 speeds with only FTTB, FTTP and HFC being able to reach NBN 100 speeds.

Internet Plans: An Expert View

Every NBN connection should be able to achieve faster speeds than an ADSL internet plan, so no matter which connection type you have you’re likely to be better off than before the network was connected. Regardless of what kind of technology you have, there is a plan out there for you.

Once the NBN roll out is complete, over 12 million premises will be connected to the network. If you’re not one of the households who will get an NBN connection, or you’re looking for an alternative then you’re in luck. Home wireless and mobile broadband connections are a viable option for those looking to ditch the NBN, or who aren’t connected.

Both home wireless and mobile broadband connections operate off a combination of 3G, 4G and 5G mobile networks. Where you live (or where you are connected), your chosen provider’s network and the device you use will determine what kinds of speeds you can achieve but tests show that a 5G mobile broadband device could reach speeds of up to 3Gbps - that’s 3000Mbps!

Unlike NBN these options are generally portable and won’t require any technical setup - you can usually just plug in and be connected in minutes. These connections have enormous speed potential but relatively small data allowances, so they’re great for small households or people who move around a lot and don’t need their internet connected around the clock.

So your internet plan really will depend upon your household or individual needs. The easiest way to understand the broadband plan options and the internet connections available to you is to filter by your address.

Your Internet Toolkit

Of course like any project there’s the easy way to do it and the expert’s way, but setting up your internet connection at home isn’t rocket science. In most cases all you’ll need to do once you’re connected is plug in your modem or router and away you go.

Modem

Most NBN plans come with a pre-configured modem/router for around $150. Most households will find that this modem is enough to suit their needs, but these telco branded modems are prone to exacerbating some of the most common NBN speed issues. To avoid these problems, look for a modem/router with a wide range, automatic firmware updates and multiple bands to help alleviate congestion. 

Read more about what to look for in an NBN modem here.

WiFi extenders & mesh networks

Mesh networks refer to a network made of multiple WiFi or Ethernet connection points, each capable of transmitting and receiving data.

Networks can be fully or partially connected - Fully connected networks are when all devices talk to one another, while partially connected ones only allow some of them to communicate.

WiFi extenders are an example of a partial mesh network - each extender will create its own WiFi signal and communicate back to the modem but the extenders will be unable to communicate with each other.

Having more than one device creating WiFi extends the radius of your network meaning that you’re likely to be close to a strong signal at any one time.

Home Phone

Not all existing home phones will work with the NBN network. The NBN access network needs power at both the exchange and within the premises in order to work, as opposed to the old copper network which only needs power from the exchange to work. This is why when your electricity used to go out the phone line would still be operational.

To ensure your home phone still works with the NBN you can switch over to VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calling. This requires certain phones which are readily available through your provider or in your local electronic store. It’s also wise to pick a phone with wireless capacities that can be charged, so you can keep in touch even if the power is out.

Internet Plan Extras & Bundling

Your internet plan can be more than just that these days. Bundling together bills can make it easier to handle your expenses and can also mean big savings. For the most part you can add a range of entertainment to your internet plan but what you can bundle together will depend on your provider.

Switching Internet Providers

If you’ve never switched internet plans before, it can feel like a daunting proposition. But the good news is, it doesn’t need to be. In actual fact, switching internet providers can be as easy as signing up to a new plan and cancelling your old one. But there are a couple of issues to be aware of. Today’s plans are not your mum’s internet plan. Just a few years ago picking an internet provider meant committing for 12, 24 or 36-months straight off the bat. That’s a long relationship to dive straight into.

Internet Plans: Contract-less

In a contract-less plan there is no point waiting out subpar internet. At the most you may need to pay out the prorated value of your modem which is usually under $300, but then you are generally able to take that modem to your next provider on a BYO modem plan. These plans represent incredible value and are usually contract free themselves so end up being a low risk move. If however you’re stuck in a contract it’s best to take a look at any cancellation fees you may be liable to pay before you make the move.

Internet Plans: Contract

A recent survey by Choice suggests that over 50% of people have an issue with their internet service provider within the first 6 months of connecting. For people signing up to a 24-month plan that leaves a long time left to struggle through a disappointing relationship.

If you’re unhappy with your internet service there’s plenty that you can do before making the choice to leave. It may be as simple as troubleshooting a modem issue, or reassessing if you’re on the right NBN speed tier for your needs. A large portion of complaints with internet service providers boil down to slow speeds, sometimes this is simply because you didn’t pick the right speed tier for your needs.

Some problems however can’t be resolved, such as consistently achieving below the advertised Typical Evening Speed, or the service dropping out. If you’re not getting the service that you are paying for then it may be time to make a move (and ask to be let out of your contract).

Most contracted plans have a minimum total spend, if you’ve hit this spend in your plan lifetime then you should be able to skirt by without paying any early termination fees. Sometimes though it’s better to just pay the fees and switch anyway in the long run. If you’re paying $100 per month and have 12 months remaining on your contract term, and you have the option to jump ship to a $60 per month plan, paying out a $200 exit fee will still leave you just under $300 better off at the end of the year than if you stayed.

Popular Internet Providers

Every month we have around a million visitors to our website and these are the most popular plans based on real user clicks.

Best Internet Providers

Here at WhistleOut we have a dedicated product team who intently monitor the internet and phone markets so we see a lot of plans from pretty much every telco in Australia. That means we feel pretty confident that we can give you a guide to Australia’s best internet providers.

Telstra

Telstra Internet Plans

If you’re after above average speeds and reliability then Telstra may have what you’re looking for in it’s vast range of ADSL, NBN, Cable and Mobile Broadband plans.

• Lots of bundle options such as Foxtel or Telstra TV
• Access to Telstra Plus for cheap movie tickets and other perks
• Above average NBN speeds

• More expensive than other providers
• Doesn’t offer 'no-contract' NBN plans

Optus

Optus Internet Plans

Despite still being pricier than smaller providers, Optus offers fast speeds and a range of Optus Perks along with them with a trusted Aussie name.

• Contract and contract free options
• Great value for money
• Large range of products

• Contracted plans are quite long
• Phone line rental is compulsory

TPG

TPG Internet Plans

If you’re after above average speeds and reliability then Telstra may have what you’re looking for in it’s vast range of ADSL, NBN, Cable and Mobile Broadband plans.

• Lots of bundle options such as Foxtel or Telstra TV
• Access to Telstra Plus for cheap movie tickets and other perks
• Above average NBN speeds

• More expensive than other providers
• Doesn’t offer 'no-contract' NBN plans
• Battery life not as a strong as some competitors

iiNet

iiNet Internet Plans

iiNet has the option to bundle Fetch Entertainment along with your NBN connection, and it has the speeds to accommodate some hefty online viewing too. Although iiNet also has the option of contracted or contractless plans, the telco’s contracts are just 6 months long so it’s a much more palatable commitment to make.

• Contractless options
• Can add Fetch entertainment
• Above average speeds

• More costly than other providers
• Doesn’t offer 'no-contract' NBN plans

What is the cheapest unlimited internet plan?

Worried about data and about money? Well then a cheap unlimited internet plan is right up your alley. Unlimited internet is the way to go. Long gone are the days when you’d go on and offline, now we are perpetually connected and we need download allowances that support that.

With an unlimited NBN plan, you won’t have to deal with speed shifts, or any nasty surprises tagged onto your bill at the end of the month. Stream, download, browse and game until your heart’s content. Unlimited internet means unlimited experiences out there in the world wide web.

Data without limits might seem like it will come with unlimited costs, but these days the options are surprisingly affordable. Smaller providers offer great deals on unlimited NBN plans, but you can still snag some cheap unlimited internet plans with the big telco providers as well. Check out our plan comparison for all the cheapest unlimited internet plans in our database.

What is the cheapest internet plan?

The NBN rollout across the country has brought with it a heap of new internet providers, offering competitive prices on plans. Although the national network means a standardised wholesale price, there are still plenty of great deals out there - and luckily you’ve come to us so we can do the hard work for you.

If you’re looking for the cheapest internet plan, you’ll probably need to sacrifice some speed. Plans with NBN 12 (Basic) and NBN 25 (Standard) speeds offer some good options, but there are still good prices on faster speed tiers like NBN 50 (Standard Plus). If you’re willing to live within data constraints, then you can still snag a bargain on higher speed connections with 200 - 500GB per month. Some of the cheapest internet plans in our database come in at around $50 per month.

Which is the best internet plan?

The best internet plan isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition - it’s dependent on who you are and what you want. For example, what’s best for an avid gamer, and what’s best for a rural farmer are going to be entirely different things. Luckily, we are a team of people who know exactly what to look for when it comes to spotting choose plans. See our guide to the best internet plans for this month for our top picks.

When considering the best internet plan for you, it’s important to keep in mind; how many people will be using the connection, what they’ll use the connection for, and what technology is available in your area. Do you move from time to time, or are you well and truly settled into your home? All of these will play a role in determining which internet plan will suit you best.

For big families of four or more, you’re probably going to need an NBN 100 (Premium) speed connection. Or if it’s just you (or your mum) you can probably get away with NBN 12 (Basic) speed plan. If you move around a lot, then maybe a fixed connection isn’t the best option and you’d be better off looking at mobile broadband.