Comparing NBN plans is harder than it should be. Every provider lists their plans slightly differently, the promotional prices look better than what you actually end up paying, and the speed claims can be a bit misleading. This guide cuts through the jargon and explains exactly what to look for when you’re comparing NBN plans in Australia.
If you’d rather jump straight to comparing plans, you can use our best NBN plans page or our plan finder tool.
What to look for when comparing NBN plans
Here are the seven things that actually matter when you’re choosing an NBN plan. Get these right and you’ll end up with a plan that suits your household and doesn’t cost more than it needs to.
1. Speed tier (NBN 25, 50, 100, 250, 1000)
NBN plans are sold by speed tier. The number is the maximum download speed in Mbps. Most Australians end up on NBN 50 or NBN 100 — those two tiers cover roughly 80% of all NBN customers.
- NBN 25 — fine for a single person or couple who mostly browse and stream HD video.
- NBN 50 — the sweet spot for most families. Handles multiple streams, video calls and gaming.
- NBN 100 — for larger households, heavy 4K streaming, or if you work from home and need plenty of headroom.
- NBN 250 / NBN 1000 — only available on FTTP and HFC connections. Overkill for most households but worth it if you transfer large files or have several heavy users.
Not sure which tier you need? Our guide on which NBN speed do I need walks through it in detail.
2. The promotional price vs the real monthly price
This is where a lot of people get caught out. Almost every provider runs an introductory discount — usually $10–$20 off per month for the first 6 months. After that, the price jumps to the ongoing rate.
Always look at the ongoing price, not the intro price. NBN plans are typically month-to-month with no contract, but most people stay with the same provider for 2+ years. Our plan finder tool calculates the average monthly cost over 2 years, which makes it much easier to compare plans on a like-for-like basis.
Example: Plan A is $69/month for 6 months then $89/month. Plan B is $79/month from day one. Over 24 months, Plan A actually costs $84/month on average — more than Plan B.
3. Typical evening speeds
The speed tier (NBN 50, 100 etc.) is the maximum speed. What you actually get during the busy evening period (7–11pm) can be lower. This is called the typical evening speed, and providers are required to disclose it.
Look for plans where the typical evening speed is close to the maximum. On NBN 100, a good provider will deliver 90–100Mbps in the evening. A poor provider might only deliver 70–80Mbps. The ACCC’s Measuring Broadband Australia report is the best source for this data.
4. Data — almost always unlimited now
Nearly all NBN plans now come with unlimited data. If you see a plan with a data cap, it should be significantly cheaper than an unlimited plan or it’s not worth considering. We’ve written a full guide to the cheapest unlimited NBN plans in Australia.
5. Contract length and exit fees
Most NBN plans are month-to-month with no lock-in contract. If you see a plan that requires a 12 or 24 month contract, make sure the discount is worth it. A no-contract plan gives you the flexibility to switch if the speeds or support aren’t what you expected.
Watch out for setup fees and modem fees too. Some providers charge $99 setup or include a “free” modem that you have to pay for if you cancel within 12 months. These show up under the minimum total cost on the plan summary.
6. Where the support team is based
When something goes wrong with your internet, the difference between a good provider and a bad one is the support experience. Aussie Broadband, Superloop, Mate and Southern Phone all have Australian-based call centres. Most of the big telcos use a mix of Australian and overseas support. We keep an updated list of NBN providers with Australian call centres.
7. The included modem (if any)
Some providers include a modem in the plan, others charge for it, and others assume you’ll bring your own. A bundled modem is convenient but adds $5–$10 to your monthly cost. If you already have a compatible modem, choose a BYO plan and save the money — see our BYO modem setup guide.
What does the plan information mean?
When you look at a plan on a provider’s website, here’s what each piece of information actually means:
- Plan name — Some providers use the standard NBN name (NBN 50, NBN 100). Others use their own naming (Gold, Silver, Bronze, or “Family”, “Premium”). Always check the speed tier underneath the name.
- Monthly cost — Usually the introductory rate. Look for the ongoing rate in the fine print.
- Typical evening speed — The speed you can expect during the busy evening period. The closer to the max, the better.
- Minimum total cost — The minimum you’d pay if you cancelled early. Includes any setup fees, modem fees and the first month’s plan cost.
- Contract length — Most plans are no contract. If there’s a lock-in, the term will be clearly stated.
- Data allowance — Almost always unlimited.
How do I actually compare two NBN plans?
The quickest way is to use our plan finder tool. Enter your address and household size and it’ll pull up the best matched plans, calculated on real monthly cost over 2 years.
If you want to compare manually, focus on:
- The ongoing (post-promotional) monthly price
- The typical evening speed
- Whether there are setup or modem fees
- Where the support team is based
- Whether the contract is no-lock-in
NBN plan comparison FAQ
Are all NBN providers using the same network?
Yes. The NBN is a single wholesale network owned by NBN Co. Every provider — Telstra, Aussie Broadband, Superloop, Tangerine and the rest — buys access to the same network and sells it to you. The differences are in price, customer service, the equipment they bundle, and how much wholesale bandwidth they buy (which affects evening speeds).
Why is the same speed plan different prices from different providers?
Providers buy wholesale capacity from NBN Co in different volumes and at different prices. Some prioritise low prices (Tangerine, Dodo, SpinTel). Others charge more but invest in better support and more bandwidth per customer (Aussie Broadband, Superloop). The cheapest plan isn’t always the best value once you factor in support quality and evening speeds.
Should I just go with the cheapest NBN plan?
Not necessarily. Cheap plans are fine for light users, but if you work from home, stream a lot, or have several people on the network, the typical evening speed and support quality matter more than saving $5/month. Read our guide on cheap unlimited NBN plans for a balanced view of the cheapest plans worth considering.
Can I switch NBN providers easily?
Yes. Switching between NBN providers is quick — usually 1–3 days — and you keep the same physical NBN connection. Most plans are no contract so you can leave whenever. We’ve written a full guide on how to switch NBN providers without disruption.
How often do NBN plans change?
Pricing changes a few times a year, especially around the start of financial year (July) and the lead-up to Christmas. New speed tiers (like NBN 2000) are added every couple of years. We update our best NBN plans page monthly with the latest deals.
Compare NBN plans
Once you know what to look for, comparing plans is a lot less painful. Our best NBN plans page is updated monthly with the most competitive offers from Australian providers. You can also use our plan finder to get a personalised recommendation based on your household size and usage, or compare providers head-to-head on price and customer ratings.
