NBN 50 plans remain one of the most popular NBN speed tiers and are a safe bet for many households. They have enough speed to run multiple 4K video streams while the rest of the family is online, just so long as no one is downloading any large files.
Best NBN 50 plan this month
Each month, our team of experts selects the best NBN plan across each speed tier. Here's this month's pick for best NBN 50 plan:
We consider the average price you pay over 12 months - factoring in the end of any discounts.
We consider NBN 50 plans with the fastest download speeds during the busiest times of day.
We consider plans that offer zero-risk trials, the flexibility to bundle home phone plans or networking gear and whether the provider offers local Australian support.
If you'd like some alternatives, here are some of the most popular NBN 50 plans in the last seven days from our database of 34 internet providers:
Keep an eye out for introductory deals. Many NBN providers offer new customers a lower price for the first six months or so. You can often save a lot by changing internet providers a couple of times per year.
How fast is an NBN 50 plan?
These days, most NBN providers report typical evening download speeds of 50Mbps for NBN 50 plans. That's the maximum download speeds those plans can achieve, and means you shouldn't see regular speed fluctuations, even during the busiest hours of the day.
In terms of upload speeds, the maximum for an NBN 50 plan is 20Mbps. Here, most providers tend to report 17-18Mbps upload speeds during the busiest hours.
But how much of a difference does a fast NBN speed tier make to your download times?
See how download times compare across NBN speed tiers. Choose what you're downloading:
Still unsure? Take the quiz below to see what NBN speed tier we recommend for your household.
NBN SPEED TIER CHECK
Are you on the right NBN speed?
NBN 50 plans vs. NBN 100 plans

Your budget, how many people use your internet connection at once, and what they use it for will determine which speed tier will suit your needs. So, when would an NBN 100 plan be better than an NBN 50 plan?
An NBN 100 plan is usually a better bet for your household if there are three or four users with the typical mix of browsing, streaming and gaming, but where you also want to download large files. Bandwidth is like a shared highway, so upgrading to NBN 100 is like adding a second lane.
Cruicially, the price difference is usually just a few dollars per month. So even if you're unsure if you'll need the extra speed, our recommendation would be to choose a similarly priced NBN 100 plan.
Here's a look at NBN 50 plans vs. NBN 100 plans sorted by lowest price over 12 months:
NBN 50 plans vs. NBN 500 plans
If you have a Hybrid-Fibre Coaxial (HFC) or Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) NBN connection, skip NBN 50 and NBN 100, and sign up for an NBN 500 plan.
NBN 500 plans are typically only a few dollars per month more expensive than NBN 50 plans, so well worth upgrading if you have room in your budget. In some cases, like Telstra, you'll pay the same amount for an NBN 50 plan and an NBN 500 plan.
Here's a look at NBN 50 plans vs. NBN 500 plans sorted by lowest price over 12 months:
Curious about other speed tiers? Here's a breakdown of how many users can fit comfortably on each NBN speed tier and the speeds you can expect from each:
| Speed tier | Best for | Max. speeds |
|---|---|---|
| NBN 12 | Lone, low internet users | 12Mbps |
| NBN 25 | Budget pick for 1-2 people | 25Mbps |
| NBN 50 | All-rounder for small households of 2-4 people | 50Mbps |
| NBN 100 | For WFH and larger households | 100Mbps |
| NBN 250 | Faster speeds for WFH and larger households | 250Mbps |
| NBN 500 | Seamless internet experience when everyone is online | 500Mbps |
| NBN 750 | Even faster speeds for simultaneous use | 750Mbps |
| NBN 1000 | The fastest speeds you can get for less than $100 per month | 1000Mbps |
| NBN 2000 | The fastest speeds you can get right now, at a premium | 2000Mbps |
NBN 50 plans vs. 5G home internet plans
The most widely available alternative to NBN 50 is 5G home internet. This high-speed internet connection is delivered over mobile networks, but is intended for home use rather than while out and about.
As with NBN plans, 5G home internet plans are separated into speed tiers. These tiers are generally 50Mbps maximum download speeds, 100Mbps, and uncapped.
5G home internet plans compare favourably in speed and are often a bit cheaper than their NBN counterparts – just make sure you have good 5G coverage at your home. But you might find your provider places a limit on the number of customers in your area, so the faster you sign up, the more likely you are to avoid missing out.
Here's a look at the cheapest 5G home internet plans (capped to 50Mbps) for comparison:
FAQs
Is an NBN 50 plan fast enough for 4K streaming?
Yes, an NBN 50 plan is plenty fast for streaming your favourite shows in 4K. In fact, an NBN 50 plan has enough bandwidth for you to comfortably stream two different 4K shows simultaneously.
Is an NBN 50 plan fast enough for gaming?
Online games should run well enough on an NBN 50 plan. One thing to consider is more regarding downloads, especially if there's an avid gamer in the household. A large game (130GB) typically takes more than five hours on an NBN 50 plan, while a single large game update (20GB) should take around an hour.
Is an NBN 50 plan fast enough for working from home?
Yes, an NBN 50 plan should be fast enough for working from home. You should be able to conduct Zoom calls just fine if other folks are using the connection. However, if your job requires you to frequently download or upload large amounts of data, then an NBN 100 plan might be a better fit.
What hardware do you need for an NBN 50 plan?
Any router should be fast enough for NBN 50 speeds, but if you're looking at buying something new, we'd recommend a WiFi 6 device at a minimum as that will also future proof you if you want to upgrade to a faster speed tier down the line.
Alex Choros
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