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Cheap NBN Plans

Compare a range of NBN plans from reputable providers through Savvy to help you pick out the cheapest available with confidence.

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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.

Looking to sign up for the NBN but don't want it to cost the earth? Before buying your plan, it's always crucial to compare offers in the market to see which one offers the service you're looking for at the cheapest price. Savvy helps make the NBN plan comparison process that much simpler for you. By listing plans from a panel of leading Australian providers in one place, you can consider their offers side-by-side based on their cost (as well as speeds, data and more). Start the process with us today to help you find the cheapest and most suitable plan for your needs!

The cheapest NBN plans available through Savvy

NBN 12

NBN 12 (Basic I) plans are the cheapest of all the speed tiers, thanks to their comparatively restrictive internet speeds. The cheapest, and only, NBN 12 plan based on our quote parameters is Exetel's Basic NBN plan, which comes in at a starting price of just $43.99 per month (rising to $54.99 after six months). This plan comes with unlimited data, no setup fees and can accommodate up to two simultaneous users.

NBN 25

The next step up is NBN 25 (Basic II), which is capable of reaching download speeds of up to 25Mbps. The cheapest offer available through Savvy is Tangerine's Value NBN plan, which comes at a discounted rate of $44.90 for the first six months before reverting to $59.90 thereafter. However, CommBank customers can also access a 30% discount for 12 months on More's Value NBN plan, which comes in at $46.20 (and $59.40 after a year).

NBN 50

With maximum speeds of 50Mbps and 20Mbps for downloads and uploads, respectively, NBN 50 (Standard) plans are by far the most popular among internet users in Australia. Like its NBN 25 plan, More offers Value Plus NBN, which comes with a 30% discount on your bill for 12 months, meaning it'll only cost you $53.90 per month ($69.30 after 12 months). Exetel's Extra-Value NBN ($53.99) and Tangerine's Value Plus NBN ($54.90) are also both cheap, albeit with six-month introductory offers.

NBN 100

Like NBN 50, NBN 100 (Fast) plans are more versatile than the lower speed tiers, making them popular among Australian families and heavier internet users. Tangerine offers a Speedy NBN plan at $62.90 per month ($89.90 after six months), but caps out at a speed of 95Mbps. Exetel's Family NBN plan is the cheapest with a max speed of 100Mbps, coming in at $68.99 per month before increasing to $84.99 after six months.

NBN 250

NBN 250 (Superfast) was one of the two additions to the initial NBN speed tier lineup, enabling users to potentially reach maximum speeds of 250Mbps and 25Mbps for downloads and uploads, respectively. Optus offers the cheapest plan of this type, with its Everyday Superfast internet costing $99 per month for the first six months before increasing to $119. You can select whether a modem is included or if you wish to BYO modem.

NBN 1000

The most powerful and expensive NBN plan currently available on the Australian market, NBN 1000 (Ultrafast) is theoretically capable of reaching download speeds of 1Gbps and upload speeds of 50Mbps. However, such fast downloads usually aren’t possible in peak times. For example, Optus' Everyday Ultrafast plan is advertised as coming with a typical evening speed of 600Mbps, which costs $129 per month ($149 after six months).

Prices based on quotes obtained through Econnex for a household in Sydney (2000) with FTTC connection, correct as of 18 August, 2023.

How do I find a cheap NBN plan?

There are many ways you can save on the cost of your NBN plan, including the following:

Choose a lower speed tier

As outlined above, the NBN is offered in six speed tiers, all of which vary in terms of their download and upload speed capacity and, subsequently, their price range. Plans with lower maximum download speeds are generally the cheapest options available. It's important to bear this in mind when comparing your internet plan options, but it may not be worth sacrificing the internet speeds you need for work or leisure for the sake of a few extra dollars per month.

Cap your data usage for the month

Another important area to consider when aiming to reduce your internet bill is how much data you’ll need on your plan. By selecting a policy with a data cap instead of one which comes with unlimited data, you may be able to access cheaper rates. However, it's important to note that unlimited data has become very much the norm for internet plans in Australia, meaning there may still be plenty of cheap unlimited data plans available where you live.

Shop around for cheap plans

Just because you’re signed up for one plan doesn’t mean you have to wait around for a while before looking for the next great deal. As an internet customer, it’s your responsibility to always have one eye on the market and actively search for cheaper and better NBN offers. With fewer plans these days coming with lock-in contracts and instead coming with month-to-month terms, it's never been easier to compare and switch between providers.

Bundle your NBN plan with other services

You may find that some providers will also offer other services on top of their NBN plans which qualify for discounts when bought together. A common example among internet providers is a broadband and mobile phone plan bundle, which could potentially save you money on both your internet and phone plan. It's important to consider whether each plan is the best possible offer for your needs before committing to a bundle, even if it does save you money.

Determine whether to keep your current modem

When you buy an NBN plan for the first time, you may be asked by your provider to cover the cost of a new modem. However, if you have one already, using this one instead can potentially save you money overall. It's worth noting the flip side to this is that many providers now offer modems and any installation required for free as part of their service and may charge you activation fees for porting your current modem over to their network.

Avoid unwanted and unnecessary benefits

When searching for NBN plans, you’ll often encounter ISPs who throw additional features into their deals as a way of increasing the value for money for the customer, such as streaming service subscriptions. While this may be enticing, it's crucial to carefully consider whether any additional features are worth it for you, particularly if the plan itself is more expensive than others with their collective inclusions.

Compare your options with Savvy

Above all else, comparing options side-by-side is an easy and effective way of finding the cheapest available plan for you. Savvy helps you do just that through our simple comparison service. Once you provide us with the information we need to formulate accurate quotes, all the available plans will be sorted by price. You can then filter these how you like, such as by speed, data, provider, contract length and more. Comparing cheap NBN plans has never been easier!

Top tips for comparing cheap NBN plans (besides the price)

Upfront costs

Some plans will require you to pay setup fees for features such as new modems and existing modem activations, which could end up adding over $100 to your existing monthly bill. Make sure you check for any of these additional costs on each plan you compare.

Contract terms

Many plans offer month-to-month terms, while others may come with six to 12-month contracts. There are benefits to each of these, with no-contract plans allowing the freedom to move between providers more freely and contracts potentially waiving setup and other costs. It's important to assess which is best for your needs.

Data allowance

Everyone’s data needs are different, so it’s important to bear that in mind when comparing between the best cheap NBN deals. However, as mentioned, most plans going round today come with unlimited data, so this may not be as great a consideration.

Peak and off-peak speeds

Although the type of NBN plan you choose will indicate its download speed, this only represents the maximum possible speed available. It's always relevant to look up what the average peak speeds are, especially if you're likely to use the internet in this window (often between 7pm and 11pm).

The pros and cons of cheap NBN plans

PROS

Saving money on your broadband plan

The main benefit of cheap NBN plans is to save money, which can free up funds for use in other areas in your life and help you avoid breaking the bank for your internet.

Not paying for speeds you don’t need

If you're living by yourself and/or only use the internet occasionally for light browsing, opting for a lower-speed plan could be more suited to you and save you money.

Avoiding costly initial fees

Part of reducing the cost is also avoiding costly upfront fees, which can set you back hundreds of dollars in some cases

CONS

Potentially sacrificing performance for cost

The performance of your internet is the most important factor to keep in mind, so it's crucial to keep this in mind when choosing between plans.

Cheap rates may not last

Always be mindful of cheap introductory rates, as they often only last six months before rising by $15 to $20 (and sometimes more) each month thereafter.

Frequently asked questions about cheap NBN plans

Are cheap NBN plans always the best for me?

Not necessarily – while you should always operate within a budget that is reasonable for you to achieve when comparing internet plans, it's crucial to consider the download speed and data allowance of your plan. Getting yourself a great deal on broadband not only means you aren't paying as much for the plan, but also also that you’re getting value out of it.

What is the cheapest type of NBN connection?

There's no one price which can be applied across the board when it comes to the type of connection being established at your home, as installation costs vary depending on factors like where you live and what infrastructure is already present there. However, Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connections are seen to be both the most effective and the most expensive. This is down to the fact that they make use of entirely new connection systems, which stands in contrast to connections such as Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) which utilise pre-existing copper cables.

What are the cheapest NBN plans for pensioners?

The cheapest NBN plans suitable for you as a pensioner will ultimately come down to how much you use the internet. While this isn't the case with most providers, some may offer discounts to eligible seniors on their internet plans, so it's worth checking with different providers to see if you're able to access this discount.

What are the benefits of an unlimited NBN plan?

Unlimited NBN plans, as the name suggests, give you the freedom to make use of as much internet data as you like each month. This can provide greater peace of mind to users that they aren't at risk of running out of data before the end of the month. As mentioned, most NBN plans these days are offered with unlimited data usage, so you can browse freely all year round.

Do I have access to any cheap NBN 1000 plans I like?

Not necessarily – not all connection types and areas are built to sustain the download speeds that NBN 1000 plans are capable of. Fixed wireless NBN connections, for example, aren’t compatible with speeds of up to 1Gbps. Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections and FTTP connections are the only connections capable of maintaining NBN 1000 plans at this stage.

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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.

Internet - Compare Broadband & NBN Plans

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