Best Internet Deals

Compare internet deals in one place through Savvy to help you find the best from a panel of leading providers today.

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, updated on August 6th, 2024       

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Internet - Compare Broadband & NBN Plans

We’ve partnered with Econnex to bring you a range of internet plans to help you compare them.

Everyone needs an internet connection at their home these days, so taking the time to find one that suits your needs is well worth it. With so many options at your disposal on the market right now, there’s bound to be an internet plan which checks all the boxes for you; it’s only a matter of determining which one that is.

You can compare a range of internet plans in one place through Savvy to help you find the best possible deal among a panel of trusted Australian providers. Whether you're looking for NBN, mobile broadband or home wireless, you can get started with a simple, no-obligation quote through us today!

How do I compare the best internet deals?

There are numerous ways you can go about comparing between the best internet deals. These are all important to bear in mind when you’re conducting the comparison process, as they’ll inform your decision about the option that is realistically the best fit to suit your needs. You should always think about these factors when comparing the best internet deals:

Plan type

It’s one of the most important comparison points for internet plans: whether you purchase a fixed line or wireless internet connection. Fixed line plans, namely NBN plans, are considered more powerful in terms of speed and are becoming more widely available. However, home wireless and mobile broadband connections are more portable, which may be a consideration if you’re looking to relocate, and generally more accessible to those living in rural areas. If both are available to you, it's worth comparing which is the best option to suit your needs.

Cost

Of course, cost is another major factor to consider. You should avoid overpaying for your internet plan wherever possible, as you could end up paying hundreds of dollars more than you need to in the long run. There are plenty of plans available which take advantage of discounted rates and also deliver value for money in terms of the quality of the broadband. However, be mindful of the fact that faster, higher-data plans are generally more expensive to buy than those operating at lower speeds and with data caps.

Speed

With each type of internet plan, you have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to their speeds. For an NBN connection, you can select from the following:

  • NBN 12
  • NBN 25
  • NBN 50
  • NBN 100
  • NBN 250
  • NBN 1000

Each of these is named after their theoretical maximum download speeds in megabits per second (Mbps). Wireless connections also have a few options for speeds, ranging from the following:

  • 3G (up to around 7Mbps)
  • 4G (up to around 25Mbps)
  • 5G (uncapped speeds up to around 600Mbps in some cases)

Speed needs will vary from plan to plan depending on factors such as where you live, who your provider is and when you're using it, so assess your requirements to help you determine how much speed you need.

Data

Like speeds, the best internet deals for you may come with a lesser or greater data allowance than others. The benefit of taking out an unlimited internet plan is that you won’t have to worry about running out of data before the end of the month. However, you may not use enough data monthly to justify the purchase of an unlimited data plan, which is likely to cost more than that of a capped-data internet deal. As such, it’s crucial to assess your internet usage to help you see which is the most suitable option for you.

NBN Connection

Not all NBN connections are the same, which means you’ll have to be aware of the type of connection being established at your home before purchasing your plan. For example, Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) is the most efficient connection for the NBN thanks to its fibre optic cables, but its installation can be the most expensive depending on the existing infrastructure at your home. Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or Curb (FTTC) are cheaper and easier to install comparatively but make use of copper cables, which can compromise the strength of your internet connection. Other NBN connection types include:

  • Fibre to the Building (FTTB)
  • Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
  • Fixed Wireless
  • Satellite
Contract

The best internet deals will either afford you the freedom and flexibility to move to a better deal if you find one (no lock-in contract) or waive upfront fees on your plan (lock-in contract). While contracts can prevent you from moving to another provider easily, you may end up saving money you would’ve otherwise spent on upfront fees like modem supply, shipping and activation costs. In equal measure, while non-contract plans are more likely to charge you these fees, you can rest assured you aren't forced to commit to your plan long-term if you aren't satisfied with the service.

Plan features

You may be attracted to deals which offer some added bonuses on top of your internet connection itself. This can be anything from a set-top box to a landline phone or an additional entertainment package. These types of features can entice customers into business with a provider and offer a desired service at a cheaper cost. In the same way, you might be able to bundle separate plans together with the same provider, such as a mobile plan, and receive a discount on the total cost. If you’re in the market for one or more of these services, it's worth assessing whether a bundle is the best option for you.

What are some of the best deals for NBN plans in Australia?

Cheap NBN plans: NBN 12 & 25

As the slowest NBN plans on the market at a maximum of 12 and 25Mbps respectively, NBN 12 and NBN 25 are generally the cheapest internet plans on the market. These are primarily designed for use by single-person residences or those whose internet usage is reduced.

Exetel offers the cheapest available plan, with its Basic NBN plan costing at $43.99 per month (reverting to $54.99 per month after six months) for an NBN 12 connection, while Tangerine's Value NBN plan offers an NBN 25 connection at $44.90 per month (which rises to $59.90 after six months). Both of these plans offer unlimited data and no lock-in contracts. 

Best cheap standard NBN plans: NBN 50 & 100

NBN 50 and NBN 100 plans are the most popular plans in Australia. They're common among households of up to four people or those who use the internet more often and for different uses like video streaming, remote conferencing and larger file downloads.

The cheapest available NBN 50 plan comes from More's Value Plus NBN, which is available for $53.90 per month for a year for CommBank customers (after which it increases to $69.30). Exetel's Extra-Value NBN plan also comes in at $53.99 for six months ($74.99 thereafter) but claims to support up to six simultaneous devices.

Tangerine and Exetel offer the cheapest NBN 100 plans, with discounted rates of $62.90 and $68.99 per month, respectively (which increase to $89.90 and $84.99 after six months). All data is unlimited and neither plan charges any setup fees.

Best high-performance NBN plans: NBN 250 & 1000

The highest speed tiers on the market, NBN 250 and NBN 1000 are the most powerful plans that Australians can purchase. These can be suited to more hardcore gamers and those working from home/at their office dealing with frequent significant file downloads. Although NBN 1000’s maximum speed is 1000Mbps, you’re unlikely to be able to access it at all times. Because of the traffic on servers in peak hours, for instance, you may only be able to achieve half of that speed or less, so it’s important to compare evening speeds in this regard.

Optus offers both NBN 250 and 1000 plans, with its Everyday Superfast capable of reaching 240Mbps and costing $99 per month ($119 after six months) and Everyday Ultrafast coming with speeds of up to 600Mbps and setting you back $129 each month ($149 after six months)*. Both of these plans come with unlimited data and no start-up fees.

Prices based on quotes obtained through Econnex for a household in Sydney (2000) with FTTC connection, correct as of 17 August, 2023.

*Optus Everyday Superfast and Everyday Ultrafast plan quotes based on a BYO compatible modem.

What are the best wireless internet deals in Australia?

Best 4G or 5G internet deals

Home internet plans are cheaper than NBN plans, as the cost involved in setting them up and using them is lower. Additionally, in the case of 4G plans, they're less powerful than most NBN plans at maximum download speeds of around 20Mbps to 25Mbps (uncapped 5G plans can reach up to 300Mbps in some cases).

Optus is the only internet provider you can compare through Savvy which offers home wireless broadband deals, with its 4G plan coming in at $59 (with the first month free) and uncapped 5G plan costing $89 per month for the first six months (after which it costs $89).

Additionally, while you won’t be able to buy a 3G internet plan on its own anymore, there are a few 4G home wireless internet deals to choose from that incorporate it into their coverage.

Best mobile broadband deals

Mobile broadband plans are often more expensive than home wireless plans and come with greater data restrictions. This is because they have to account for portability, meaning they can provide internet hotspots wherever you are.

For those who only need a small amount of data on their mobile broadband plan, either whilst on the move or for home usage, plans between 5GB and 15GB can often be purchased for under $20 per month. For example, Aussie Broadband offers 5GB of 3G and 4G internet for just $15 per month. If you were after a high amount of data, however, Tangerine's 100GB Mobile Broadband Data Plan will cost $29.90 per month for the first six months ($34.90 thereafter).

Prices correct as of 17 August, 2023.

Frequently asked questions about the best internet deals

Are the cheapest internet deals the best for me?

Not necessarily – when comparing between internet options, the price of your plan should only form part of your decision. The speed of your internet and the data that you’ll receive month-to-month are just as important, as it’s crucial to receive adequate service. Everyone's internet preferences will be different, so assessing your needs is vital when deciding on the right internet plan.

What are the best internet deals for gamers?

Online gaming tends to place more strain on the internet connection you're using. Because of this, it's worth comparing deals to see which offers the speed and data you need based on your gaming habits. 

Can I look for wireless NBN internet connection deals regardless of where I live?

No – you don’t get a choice of the internet connection you receive for the NBN, and these connections are generally reserved for those whose home is unable to be physically connected to an NBN access point. This is more common in rural areas.

Are mobile broadband or home wireless internet deals the best for me?

This depends on how much you use the internet and the nature of its use. Mobile broadband deals are more costly comparatively if you’re looking to establish a home internet connection, as well as being more limited data-wise, but they’re the only truly portable wireless option. As such, if you want data access wherever you go, a mobile broadband plan is probably the best for you, but for home use, a home wireless or fixed line connection (such as the NBN) is generally more suitable.

Are unlimited internet deals always the best?

No – unlimited internet, while perhaps more widely available, isn’t always the most cost-efficient solution for everyone’s internet needs. If you access your internet for less than 100GB of data a month, an unlimited plan probably isn’t necessary. However, what it does do is bring peace of mind that you won’t run out of data before the end of the month. It's also important to note that unlimited data being offered on internet plans is becoming more common these days.

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Disclaimer:

Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of internet plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an internet plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.

Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an internet plan. For further information on the variety of internet plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.