By
Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor
Last updated

No one likes bill shock. It's never fun to find excess charges because you've used a little more data than you thought you would. Fortunately, if you don't want to or just can't upgrade to a larger plan, there are a couple of tools you can use to keep a closer eye on your monthly data usage.

Australian telcos are been required by industry regulation to send you usage alert texts when you've burnt through 50%, 85%, and 100% of your data. Some will send this in real-time, but others can take up to 48 hours to come through. 48 hours is enough time to rack up some serious bill shock, so here are some other options for monitoring your mobile data.

If you often exceed your plan's data allowance, it's probably time for a bigger plan. The good news is, more data won't necessarily cost more money - if you know where to look. There are now plenty of mobile providers offering big data allowances at surprisingly reasonable prices. 

Here's a look at SIM-only plans at different price points. 

Plans with active links
#1
Pivotel
Pivotel

80GB Mobile Swift Plan

  • 80GB data
  • Deal: Incl. 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply.
$22.50/mth
Min. cost $22.50
#2
Swoop
Swoop

60GB SIM Only 5G

  • 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $23/mth for first 6 months then $33/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.2027
$23.00/mth
Min. cost $23
#3
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Small Monthly Plan

  • 25GB data
$23.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#4
Dodo
Dodo

Small Mobile Plan

  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
#5
Superloop
Superloop

SuperSim Saver 4G Plan

  • 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service
$25.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#6
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$28 Prepaid

  • 8GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$28.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
#7
SpinTel
SpinTel

$29 Mobile Plan

  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$29.00/mth
Min. cost $29
#8
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom

30GB 5G Mobile SIM

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
#9
felix mobile
felix mobile

felix 25GB Mobile Plan

  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Plans with active links
#1
Swoop
Swoop

120GB SIM Only 5G

  • 120GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $30/mth for first 6 months then $40/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $30
#2
Dodo
Dodo
Editor's Pick

Medium Mobile Plan

  • 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
#3
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom

30GB 5G Mobile SIM

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
#4
felix mobile
felix mobile

felix 25GB Mobile Plan

  • 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply
$30.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
#5
SpinTel
SpinTel

$35 Mobile Plan

  • 100GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$35.00/mth
Min. cost $35
#6
Superloop
Superloop

SuperSim Essential 5G Plan

  • 35GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service
$35.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#7
Optus
Optus

$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan

  • 100GB data
  • Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
#8
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$39 Prepaid

  • 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Grab a $39 SIM for $13 – save $26. Hurry! Offer ends 05.10.26. Terms Apply
$39.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
#9
Exetel
Exetel

Plus One eSIM Plan

  • 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$40.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#10
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Large Monthly Plan

  • 80GB data
$40.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Plans with active links
#1
felix mobile
felix mobile

felix Unlimited Mobile Plan

  • Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $20/mth for first 3 mths, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply
$40.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
#2
Swoop
Swoop

250GB SIM Only 5G

  • 250GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $40/mth for first 6 months then $50/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
#3
Exetel
Exetel

Plus One eSIM Plan

  • 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$40.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#4
Dodo
Dodo

Large Mobile Plan

  • 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Large Mobile Plan for $20/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $20
#5
Kogan Mobile
Kogan Mobile

Large Monthly Plan

  • 80GB data
$40.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#6
Superloop
Superloop

SuperSim Choice 5G Plan

  • 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service
$40.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#7
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom

75GB 5G Mobile SIM

  • 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $21/mth for 4 months then $42/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.
$42.00/mth
Min. cost $21
#8
Vodafone
Vodafone

$58 Small SIM Only Plan

  • 65GB data
  • Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
#9
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$49 Prepaid

  • 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 75GB data on first 6 recharges, then 45GB from 7th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 02.11.26
$49.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
#10
SpinTel
SpinTel

$50 Mobile Plan

  • 200GB data
$50.00/mth
Min. cost $50

Checking how much data you've used on iPhone


iOS has basic data usage tools that you can find by following these steps:

  • Open the Settings app
  • Tap Mobile
  • Scroll down until you see Mobile Data

Unfortunately, these are a bit limited unless you put in some effort. Your iPhone will show you your data usage from your "current period", but this is quite broad. For example, my iPhone says I've used 85GB since June 23 last year, for example. Fun to know, but kinda useless.

To keep track of how much data you've actually used, you'll want to hit the Reset Statistics button at the very bottom of the mobile pane at the start of each billing month. It's a little inconvenient, but it's a good way to get up-to-date info on your data usage.

If you're close to going over for the month, you can also use the Mobile settings menu to disable data entirely. 

Find a better phone plan

Use the WhistleOut search engine to compare mobile deals from 28 providers.

Checking how much data you've used on Android


If you're using a Samsung Android smartphone, you'll find your data usage tools by following these steps:

  • Open the Settings app
  • Tap on Connections
  • Tap Data Usage

If you're using a Pixel Android smartphone, follow these steps instead: 

  • Open the Settings app
  • Tap on Network and Internet
  • Tap on Internet
  • Tap Cog next to your telco name  
  • Here you can also see individual app data usage by tapping App data usage

These steps should be pretty similar on all Android smartphones, but there may be some variations in menu option names depending on what version of Android you're using and which company manufactured your phone.

After you're in the data usage menu, you're able to pop in which day your billing cycle resets, and set custom warnings after certain thresholds download thresholds have been breached. You can have mobile data turn itself off automatically when you reach a certain download limit.

Checking your data usage with your telco's app


Most major telcos have a data usage app that you can download for your iOS or Android device. Better yet, in most cases, they should provide more up-to-date data usage information than a text message alert will. For example, Optus' app should never be more than four hours out of date, while its text message alerts can take up to 48 hours to arrive.

Here are links to data usage apps for a handful of popular providers:

If your telco doesn't have a dedicated app, there should be an online portal you can use to check your data usage thus far.

Read more about how much data popular apps use here.

How much data have I used today?


Unfortunately, there's no easy way to check how much data you've used in a day. If you need to keep track of daily data usage, your best option is checking your data usage at the start of a day using the aforementioned methods, and then checking back at the end of the day. 

Android phones can be configured to disable your data after you've hit a certain amount of usage during your billing cycle.

On Samsung phones you'll find this by following these steps: 

  • Open the Settings app
  • Tap on Connections
  • Tap Data Usage
  • Tap Mobile Data Usage
  • Tap the Cog icon
  • Toggle on Set Data Limit and enter the specified amount below

To make this feature as useful as possible, ensure your billing cycle start date on your phone lines up with your actual billing cycle date. 

If you're using a Pixel Android smartphone, follow these steps instead: 

  • Open the Settings app
  • Tap on Network and Internet
  • Tap on Internet
  • Tap Cog next to your telco name  
  • Tap on Data warning and limit
  • Here, you can set both a hard data limit and an alert that kicks in after a set amount of data usage 

These settings will be similar on other Android phones, but may have slightly different names.

Mobile plans with no excess charges


If you're looking to avoid excess charges, postpaid plans from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Belong, Dodo, Aussie Broadband, and felix now have unlimited data, albeit at a slower speed. These are perhaps best thought of as plans with no excess charges. 

Once you go over your primary allowance, you'll be able to continue using your plan without paying an extra cent, but your data speeds will be capped to 256Kbps on Dodo, 1Mbps on Belong, 1.5Mbps on Telstra, Optus, Aussie Broadband, and felix, or 2Mbps on Vodafone. 

Here's a look at plans from these providers:

#1
Dodo
Dodo
Editor's Pick

Medium Mobile Plan

  • 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
#2
Belong
Belong

25GB Mobile Plan

  • 85GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply.
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
#3
felix mobile
felix mobile

felix 50GB Mobile Plan

  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $17.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $35/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply
$35.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
#4
Optus
Optus

$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan

  • 100GB data
  • Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
#5
Aussie Broadband
Aussie Broadband

Value 5G SIM Plan

  • 45GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied
#6
Vodafone
Vodafone

$58 Small SIM Only Plan

  • 65GB data
  • Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
#7
Telstra
Telstra

$84 Essential Upfront SIM Plan

  • 180GB data
  • Deal: Get $10 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Essential Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 05.10.26
$74.00/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied

felix mobile also has a plan where you'll pay $40 per month for genuinely unlimited data, but capped to 40Mbps. That's still fast enough for most online activities however, it just may not be the best pick if you're regularly downloading or uploading large files on the go. 

felix mobile
felix mobile

felix Unlimited Mobile Plan

  • Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $20/mth for first 3 mths, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply
$40.00
Per 1 Month Renewal

Lastly, prepaid plans are free from excess charges. If you go over your cap, your data simply won't work until you recharge again or purchase a data top-up. Here's a selection of popular prepaid plans: 

#1
TPG
TPG

100GB Large Plan

  • 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply.
$22.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
#2
Exetel
Exetel

Plus One eSIM Plan

  • 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$40.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
#3
felix mobile
felix mobile

felix Unlimited Mobile Plan

  • Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $20/mth for first 3 mths, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply
$40.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
#4
Telstra
Telstra

$54 Pre-Paid Mobile

  • 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Includes 40GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges, 35GB from your fourth. Ends 01.01.2027
$54.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#5
Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile

$39 Prepaid

  • 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Grab a $39 SIM for $13 – save $26. Hurry! Offer ends 05.10.26. Terms Apply
$13.00
Starter Pack
28 Day Expiry
#6
Lyca Mobile
Lyca Mobile
Editor's Pick

Unlimited Plan S

  • 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
  • Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply
$15.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#7
Yomojo
Yomojo

Pro 105GB Plan

  • 105GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$34.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#8
ALDI mobile
ALDI mobile

$34 Mobile Plan

  • 45GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
$34.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
#9
amaysim
amaysim

UNLIMITED 42GB Plan

  • 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
  • Deal: Save $23 for first renewal & includes 33GB bonus data for first 3 renewals when you sign up by 15.11.26. Online only. T&Cs apply
$12.00
Starter Pack
28 Day Expiry
Link not supplied
#10
iiNet
iiNet

100GB Large Plan

  • 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps
  • Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply.
$22.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros
Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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