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Mobile phone providers in Australia
There are just 3 mobile networks in Australia but over 50 phone companies to choose from. We've rounded up the top 10 mobile service providers on Finder to make it easier for you to find the best one.
Want expiry periods that last a full month – recharge just 12 times a year compared to 13 times from some other prepaid providers that offer 28-day expiry plans.
Are already with TPG internet and want to save an additional $5 a month by bundling a mobile plan too.
Keep in mind: TPG is one of the few providers to sting you with a port-out fee when you move your number to a new service.
2. Catch Connect: Great value long-expiry deals
You might know Catch for its deals on everyday items, but that extends to its mobile plans too. Catch runs on the Optus 4G network and has a bunch of great value mobile plans to last you a full year.
You're looking for a way to save money on your yearly mobile bill.
You're looking for a budget provider on the Optus network.
Keep in mind: Catch's long expiry plans are great value but you'll need to commit for the long term. Make sure you're happy to stick with it for 365 days before you sign up.
3. felix Mobile: The only unlimited data mobile provider in Australia
felix is currently the only provider in Australia to offer a mobile plan with no data caps.
There are a couple of other providers that offer endless data, but your speeds will get slowed down once you reach your monthly data limit.
Most popular felix plan on Finder:
felix Subscription UnlimitedGREEN COMPANY
Unlimited Calls & Text
Unlimited data. Slowed down to 20Mbps after full speed data used up
$20 per
month
for the first 3 months
then Unlimited Data for $40.
T&Cs apply. Use code FELIX50. Ends 30.6.24
Want a carbon-neutral plan from a Finder Green Award-winning provider. It also plants 1 tree per active subscription each month.
Want an unlimited data mobile plan.
Keep in mind: There's a 20Mbps speed limit imposed on felix's unlimited subscription. This may not be fast enough for some users.
4. Dodo: Lots of data options
Whether you're after a small or large amount of data, Dodo has you covered. This month, you'll get double data for the first 3 months on most of its mobile plans.
Are looking for a simple mobile plan with unlimited calls and text in Australia, plus unlimited texts overseas too.
Value multiple customer support options – Dodo has a call centre, live chat service and an account portal to submit a request.
Keep in mind: Despite being advertised as a postpaid plan, you'll have to pay for the plan at the start of the month.
5. Belong: Telstra's eco-friendly sub-brand
Owned by Telstra but standing up on its own 2 environment-friendly feet is Belong Mobile. It has won a couple of Finder Green Awards thanks to its carbon-neutral plans and sustainable business practices.
Its mobile plans offer great value on the Telstra 4G/5G network and are even better if you can score a double-data deal when it runs them.
Most popular Belong plan on Finder:
Belong 40GB
Unlimited Calls & Text
40GB data. Slowed down to 1Mbps after full speed data used up
You tend to use a little over your monthly data limit – Belong offers no excess usage charges and will just slow your mobile internet speed down to 1Mbps instead.
Environment is top of mind and you want to support an eco-friendly phone company.
Keep in mind: All of Belong's mobile plans are capped at a max download speed of 100Mbps. This is still fast enough and shouldn't cause too much hassle.
6. Southern Phone: Great value carbon-neutral plans
Southern Phone has a wide range of mobile plans operating on the Optus 4G and 5G networks. It also offers some great low-data plans if you're not a data guzzler and are keen to keep your bills low.
Most popular Southern Phone plan on Finder:
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
Unlimited Calls & Text
100GB
data
$20 per
month
for the first 3 months
then 100GB for $25.
T&Cs apply. Ends 29.4.24
Have an iiNet internet plan and want to get 80GB bonus data (only available on the iiNet Large plan).
Would like access to 24/7 technical support.
Keep in mind: If you like to use an app to manage your plan then iiNet might not be for you. Its app is only for managing its internet plans.
8. Boost Mobile: Full Telstra network coverage at a cheaper price
Boost Mobile comes with the unique advantage of sharing the same coverage as Telstra itself, across both its 4G and 5G networks. While it's not the cheapest Telstra MVNO, its prices are definitely a lot more budget-friendly than signing up directly with Telstra.
Want access to international calls and texts on your mobile plan.
Keep in mind: Boost's bonus data offers only last for the first 3 recharges. Make sure you're happy with the standard data amount after the promotion ends.
9. Optus: Affordable plans on Australia's second-largest network
Optus has plans across both its 4G and 5G networks to suit different needs. Its prepaid plans are great value, with loads of data limits to choose from.
Most popular Optus plan on Finder:
Optus Flex Plus $35
Unlimited Calls & Text
20GB
data
$35 per
28 days
for the first 3 recharges
then 20GB for $35.
T&Cs apply.
You prefer signing up with Australia's second-largest 4G network that covers 98.5% of Australians.
You want data rollover – up to 200GB.
Keep in mind: Optus's Prepaid Epic Data plans come with quite a bit of data for the first 3 recharges but drop significantly after this. Check the full plan details to make sure you're happy with the ongoing inclusions.
10. Circles.Life: Bonus data for 6 months
Circles.Life is known for slinging big data deals and it's partnered with Finder this month to offer half price and bonus data.
Its most popular plan on Finder will give you 3 times the data for half the price for the first 6 months.
Most popular Circles.Life plan on Finder:
Circles.Life 50GB Finder Exclusive
Unlimited Calls & Text
150GB
data
$20 per
month
for the first 6 months
then 50GB for $40.
T&Cs apply. Ends 1.5.24
You like big data and you cannot lie - our Finder exclusive discounts this month offer great value for money.
You'd like to sign up with peace of mind thanks to Circles.Life's 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Keep in mind: Circles.Life's bonus data expires after the first 6 months, but there's no lock-in contract so you're free to switch providers if you're not happy with the ongoing data allowance.
Who is the best mobile phone provider in Australia?
The best provider for you is going to depend on what you value most in a mobile phone company. That can range from anything such as network, price or included plan features.
There are a few stand-outs that we've awarded across a range of categories to help narrow down the list for you.
2024 Finder Award for Best Budget Mobile Provider
TPG was a standout this year for the budget category because it stacks up well for price and data, especially when it's running frequent promotional offers.
amaysim came out as the winner for Best Rated Mobile Provider for Customer Satisfaction for the second year in a row, thanks to its great value for money and customer service. amaysim also won the 2023 Finder Award for Best Prepaid Mobile Provider (Value).
felix took out both wins for Green Telco and Green Mobile Plan Provider of the Year thanks to its sustainable operations and tree planting initiatives. felix also won the 2023 Finder Award for Best Prepaid Mobile Provider (High Data).
Cutting through the noise, Circles.Life and Belong came out strong in the 2023 Finder Awards, winning for Best Postpaid Mobile Provider (Value) and Best Postpaid Mobile Provider (High Data) respectively.
How do you compare mobile service providers in Australia?
When looking for a new mobile phone plan you'll want to consider a few factors:
Network
This determines the kind of coverage you get. Those outside of metropolitan cities should focus on plans on the Telstra or Optus network. If you're looking at 5G plans, make sure to check the provider's coverage map before you sign up.
Price
Decide how much you're willing to spend and whether you want a postpaid or prepaid plan. Postpaid plans are month-to-month but prepaid plans are more flexible with monthly, short-term and long-expiry plans up to 365 days.
Features
Consider which features are most important to you. Some plans include endless data with speed caps while others offer data rollover. You can get plans with or without international calls and handy options such as data rollover or Wi-Fi calling.
Inclusions like unlimited calls and texts are pretty standard on mobile plans these days. When you're picking a plan, look out for considerations like data amounts, data speed and extra data charges. Look out for inclusions like international calls, too. These can make a big difference to your overall mobile spend.
What are the differences between mobile networks in Australia?
The primary difference between mobile networks in Australia is coverage. Each network covers the following percentage of Australians:
Telstra: 99.5%
Optus: 98.5%
Vodafone: 96%
Where it gets a little tricky is when we start to include smaller network providers known as MVNOs. These providers don't own their own mobile network but basically rent it out to sell their own plans. MVNO network coverage really only differs for Telstra:
Telstra MVNOs operate on the wholesale Telstra network that covers 98.8% of Australians, meaning you don't have full coverage access.
Optus MVNOs operate on the full Optus network which covers 98.5% of Australians.
Vodafone MVNOs also operate on the full Vodafone network which covers 96% of Australians.
Methodology: How we researched the best mobile phone providers
To calculate the top 10 best mobile phone providers, we look at the total number of clicks by Finder users over the last month. This includes all different types of plans including prepaid, postpaid and subscription-based plans.
Keep in mind that the providers on this list are Finder partners, which means we may be paid if you click links to partner websites. Learn more about how we make money.
We're still editorially independent, and in our breakdown of these providers and their plans, we'll be upfront about any sneaky terms and conditions we think is important to call out.
Why you can trust Finder's mobile plan experts
We've done the work
We've researched and reviewed hundreds of phone plans to make our guides as helpful as possible. Our experts can be seen across TV, print and digital media.
We're reliable
Our product database of 52 providers is updated daily with the latest mobile deals in Australia. Our guides are regularly reviewed and fact-checked.
We're here to help
Since 2015, we've helped over 1.2 million people find the right mobile plan by explaining features clearly and simply. We're here to help you make a decision.
Frequently asked questions
The best mobile plan for you will depend on your preferences. To kick you off on your search, our team reviews the best mobile plans in Australia each month based on 5 categories:
Best mobile plan under $20
Best prepaid plan
Best SIM only plan
Best iPhone plan
Best Samsung plan
If you want access to Telstra's network without paying higher prices, look for a Telstra MVNO. Boost Mobile is a great option as it has access to the full Telstra network. Other Telstra network providers use parts of the Telstra wholesale network rather than the full network, which covers 98.8% of Australians instead of 99.5%.
There's only a 0.7% difference between Telstra's wholesale network and its full one, but this difference may be noticeable for those in rural and regional parts of Australia.
There are lots of differences between Telstra and Optus – even Vodafone. Depending on what you need in a mobile plan, it's hard to say which one is better than the other.
Optus mobile plans tend to be cheaper, but Telstra's network is superior, reaching the largest amount of the Australian population.
Michelle Kwong is the publisher for utilities, specialising in mobile and internet plans. Michelle has a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and Media (PR and Advertising) from the University of New South Wales.
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finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
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