When I think about the best NBN provider, I think about three things more than anything else: speed, reliability and price. If an internet service provider (ISP) can tick all three and tick them well, they get my seal of approval and recommendation.
It's with this in mind that, in my opinion, the easiest way to separate the various telcos in Australia is by price.
Price is a big factor when you’re signing up for the best NBN plans, so in addition to regular monthly fees, I factor in any special incentives such as discounts when I'm assessing NBN providers. Many telcos offer a six-month welcome discount when you first sign up, and occasionally, these offers extend to a 12-month price cut. This is the case at the time of writing, with Dodo being the sole provider offering a AU$20 monthly discount for a full year – that's AU$240 in savings.
To get my 'best provider' tick of approval though, prices must also remain competitive after any discount. In the case of Dodo, for example, while it may be highly competitive in the first year of service thanks to the 12-month discount, its regular ongoing price isn't so affordable.
This highlights why it pays to regularly check your plan and what else is available in the market. In most cases, it's quick and easy to switch providers, and so spending a few minutes researching the latest plans and offers could end up saving you hundreds of dollars.
The best NBN providers should also have reliable speed, so each telco’s typical evening speed is always factored into our decision making. We regularly check the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) broadband reporting data, which monitors select telcos, so we can find the best providers that are delivering on their promised speeds.
If you’re a gamer, your needs may go beyond just speed and cost: you might also want to consider factors such as latency and ping times to find the best NBN provider that’s optimised for online gaming.
Which is the best NBN provider in Australia?
Best NBN provider for most people: Spintel
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Spintel has previously occupied this spot, but I replaced it with Tangerine as, at the time, the latter telco was offering some sensational full-year discounts. Those have now ended, and while I have mentioned that Dodo is now offering similar, it's the ongoing costs that keep it from earning this spot – Dodo does have the cheapest NBN plan across multiple tiers though, so if you want the most affordable service for the next 12 months, absolutely do check it out.
Spintel gets my vote because its plans are not only affordable in the first year of service, but affordable from year two, too. Plus, the telco offers a service across every speed tier except NBN 750, and its NBN 500 plan is particularly great value at just AU$63p/m for the first 6 months.
The telco also quotes the fastest typical evening speed on the NBN 1000 tier at 900Mbps and it's recently reintroduced its NBN 50 plan, which had been dropped for some time.
All in all, there's very little to fault with Spintel, so if you're looking for a new NBN plan for the new year, it's a provider I wholeheartedly recommend checking out.
- View more of the best NBN 500 plans
- View more of the best NBN 50 plans
Which is the best high-speed NBN provider in Australia?
Best high-speed NBN provider: Superloop
For those who want one of the fastest NBN plans, Superloop is my top choice. Not only does the telco offer a range of high-speed plans, but its pricing is incredibly competitive.
- • See more: Best NBN 1000 plans
Which is the best NBN provider for gaming in Australia?
Best NBN provider for gaming: Exetel
I’d argue that gamers need to put a little extra thought into choosing an NBN provider than the average everyday user. Aside from download speeds, there is also latency and ping times to consider, and gamers might also want the ability to prioritise online gaming traffic. I've now selected Exetel for this spot, following recent speed and latency data published by the ACCC.
The nation's watchdog found Exetel recorded latency figures of 6.9ms across all hours of the day and 7ms during the busier evening hours. Plus, Exetel now only offers a single plan, called the One Plan, with 500Mbps download speeds. This combination of speed and fast ping speeds make it a good option for gamers.
Best NBN providers FAQ
What should I consider when choosing an NBN provider?
Speed: Consider how much download speed your household needs. An NBN 50 should be sufficient for between 2-4 people, while households of five people or more will be better off choosing an NBN provider that promises 100Mbps or more during the busy evening hours.
Price: Your budget will likely play a big part in which NBN provider you choose. You’ll want to look for a good discount for when you first sign up, but also ensure that the ongoing price remains competitive.
Data allowance: Most fixed-line NBN plans come with unlimited data, so we recommend choosing an NBN provider which offers this as standard. Some slower NBN plans such as satellite NBN and fixed wireless NBN do not come with unlimited data, however, so you may not have a choice in these instances.
Performance: You can check the real-world performance of some of the most popular NBN providers using sources such as the ACCC’s broadband reports. If the provider you’re considering isn’t monitored by the ACCC, you can also look up real user feedback on sites such as Whirlpool.net.au.
Perks: Extra perks are not essential when choosing an NBN provider, but it may become a factor if you’re struggling to make your final decision. Perks can include the ability to increase your internet’s speed at any time, or bundled in streaming service subscriptions.
What internet speed do I need?
The internet speed you need really depends on your usage, and how many devices are connected to the internet at the same time. For example, Netflix says you’ll need internet speeds of 15Mbps or higher if you want to stream content in 4K, which means an NBN 25 plan will be sufficient.
But if there’s multiple people in your household who also want to scroll social media, game online or download files for work at the same time, we’d suggest considering at least an NBN 50 plan to avoid any lag or buffering issues.
How do I check my current internet speed?
You can easily check your current internet speed using an NBN speed test. TechRadar has a dedicated widget that will check your current download and upload speed, so you can see if the speed you’re paying for is the speed you’re actually receiving. If you’re testing over a Wi-Fi connection (as opposed to being directly plugged into the router or modem), make sure you’re in the same room as your modem or router to ensure accurate results.
How long does it take to switch NBN providers?
Switching from one NBN provider to another can be incredibly quick – the switch can happen within one hour at some providers, while others may take longer. When you change your internet provider, you might be required to reconfigure your modem, which may add to the time it takes to make the final switch.
Should I buy a modem from my internet provider or buy my own?
Most NBN providers will give you the option of receiving a telco-supplied modem when you sign up to a new plan – sometimes these are free, but often you’ll be charged for them – but you’ll likely also have the option of reusing your own if you already have one (unless you’re upgrading to a new physical internet tech – from FTTN to FTTP, for example).
There’s no real harm in buying a modem from your new internet provider, particularly if you want something convenient and pre-configured, but if you’ll be switching providers regularly it might be beneficial to buy and reuse your own.
