Belong

Best Mobile Phone Plans in Australia (2026)

Australia's mobile market runs on three main networks — Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone (TPG) — with dozens of budget "MVNO" brands reselling capacity on those networks. Here's what most Australians actually use, broken down by category.

The Big 3 Networks (if you want the actual infrastructure)

Australian mobile services are provided by three main network operators — Telstra, Optus and Vodafone — plus a large number of MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators).

• Telstra — Best coverage by far. Its coverage score of 97/100 is far ahead of Optus (88) and Vodafone (73). Telstra has 91% 5G coverage across Australia. Best if you travel regionally/rurally.
• Optus — Great for speed. Optus offers the fastest average 5G download speeds at 229.6 Mbps. Also currently the best bet for the Pixel 11, with a $500 discount on the phone applied over 36 months.
• Vodafone (part of TPG) — Cheapest of the big 3, decent in cities. Vodafone's 5G rollout continues in capital cities. Canstar rates it: Best-Rated Phone-On-A-Plan Provider 2026: Vodafone.

Most Popular Budget/Prepaid Brands (what regular Aussies actually buy)

These run on the same towers as the big 3 but cost far less — hugely popular for SIM-only plans:

• ALDI Mobile (runs on Telstra) — Best-Rated Prepaid Mobile Plan Provider 2026 per Canstar. Great value budget option — ALDI Mobile's $23 12GB plan is the budget option with Telstra coverage.
• Belong (Telstra's budget sub-brand) — launched as Telstra's sub-brand back in 2013 and has since been offering mobile plans at a lower price using parts of the Telstra network. It's a customer favourite: highly commended in Finder's 2026 Mobile Providers Customer Satisfaction Awards for being a loved brand, reliability, trust and service. Bonus: unused data rolls over — a $39 Belong 40GB plan with rollover could effectively give you 60-80GB in a heavy month if you had a light month before.
• Boost Mobile (Telstra network) — very popular and cheap, offers full Telstra coverage for a cheaper price tag, though note Boost Mobile's lack of 5G on any plan is a significant disadvantage in 2026.
• felix (Optus network) — Frequently listed among the best value SIM-only plans this year among providers including felix, Swoop, TPG, and Vodafone.
• Tangerine — Currently a standout pick: Tangerine's 30GB 5G Mobile SIM plan comes with a healthy 30GB of data, plus new customers get 33% off for the first three months, with a standard price of $30 still competitive for this much data. It also lets you bank unused data, up to 1000GB, and gift your banked data to other Tangerine customers.
• Aussie Broadband — Best-Rated Postpaid Mobile Plan Provider 2026 per Canstar's customer satisfaction survey.
• TPG — Good for kids/light users: TPG's 25GB

The best mobile plans in Australia right now (as of early September 2026) focus on value from MVNOs riding the Optus or Vodafone networks, with strong intro discounts, solid data allowances, and no lock-in contracts. Telstra offers the best coverage (especially regional/rural), but it costs more. Most Aussies are shifting to cheaper MVNOs for everyday use due to cost-of-living pressures.

Quick Context on Networks and What People Actually Use

• Telstra: Best coverage (99.8% population), but priciest. Full network access is rare on MVNOs (Boost is the main one).
• Optus: Good metro coverage; popular MVNOs include SpinTel, Dodo, and amaysim.
• Vodafone/TPG: Competitive speeds and value; TPG often wins awards.
• Market leaders: Telstra (~40%), Optus (~28%), TPG/Vodafone (~15-17%), with MVNOs growing to ~19% share as people chase deals.

TPG frequently takes out "Mobile Provider of the Year" and best prepaid/value awards for its consistent affordability.

Top Recommendations (SIM-Only or Prepaid Focus)

These are popular based on awards, comparison sites like WhistleOut/Canstar/Finder, and user trends. Prices are introductory where noted (common 50% off for first 6 months) and change often—always check current offers. Most are month-to-month with data banking perks.

• TPG (Vodafone network) – Best overall value/prepaid pick
  Often the top-rated for affordability. Example: 25GB Small Plan around $12.50/month for first 6 months, then ~$25 ongoing. Strong for international calls on some plans. Great if you want simple, cheap prepaid without fuss.

• SpinTel (Optus network) – Best SIM-only value
  Regular award winner for value plans (e.g., 25GB plans with big intro discounts like $12–15/month initially, then ~$23). Good speeds up to 150Mbps in 5G areas. Popular for budget-conscious users who don't need max data.

• Dodo (Optus network) – Best for larger data allowances
  Wins for large SIM-only plans. Examples include 40–80GB plans with 50% off intro pricing (e.g., $15–20/month first 6 months, then $30–40). Strong contender if you stream or need more data.

• felix (Vodafone network) – Best unlimited or high-data option
  Stands out for truly unlimited data (capped speeds, e.g., 20Mbps) around $35–40/month, or solid 50GB plans. Frequently recommended for heavy users wanting no data worries.

• Kogan Mobile or Swoop (Vodafone/Optus) – Big data on a budget
  Kogan often has aggressive deals like 120GB for ~$20 intro (with bonuses). Swoop pushes 30GB plans from ~$12.40 intro. Good for data hogs chasing short-term value.

• Boost Mobile (full Telstra network) – Best for coverage
  Worth it if you're in regional areas or travel a lot. Prepaid options like 60GB for ~$39 (with bonuses on initial recharges). More expensive than MVNOs but reliable where others drop out.

Other Mentions

• amaysim (Optus): Solid for international calls and decent data; popular MVNO with good customer feedback.
• Belong or Everyday Mobile (Telstra wholesale): Reliable mid-tier options if you want Telstra coverage without full price.
• Avoid big three direct plans (Telstra/Optus/Vodafone) unless you need specific perks or max coverage—they're usually 2x the price of MVNO equivalents.

Tips for Choosing

• Coverage first: Check the coverage map for your area (Telstra wins outside cities).
• Prepaid vs postpaid: Prepaid (TPG, Boost, Kogan) for flexibility; postpaid SIM-only for convenience.
• Deals change fast: Look for 6-month intro discounts—many sites like WhistleOut highlight them.
• Data needs: 25–50GB suits most; go higher or unlimited for streaming.
• Compare live on WhistleOut, Canstar, or Finder, and consider porting your number for easy switches.

Shop around based on your postcode, data habits, and whether you need international inclusions or roaming. MVNOs are what a lot of everyday Aussies are actually using for the best bang-for-buck.

The top mobile plans in Australia combine affordability, strong network coverage, and generous data allowances, with felix, Dodo, TPG, and Lyca Mobile among the most recommended options.

Top Providers and Plans

felix Mobile – Subscription Unlimited Network: Vodafone 4G/5G Data: Unlimited (speed capped at 40Mbps) Price: $20/month for the first 4 months, then $40/month 1 Key Features: No lock-in contract, eSIM support, monthly tree planting for sustainability, optional international roaming 1 Best for: Users who want truly unlimited data without overage charges. Dodo – $30 Online Only Offer Network: Optus 4G/5G Data: 40GB monthly Price: $15/month for the first 6 months, then $30/month 1 Key Features: Unlimited data banking, $200 international call credit, option to bundle with internet or energy for savings 1 Best for: Those seeking high value for mid-tier data plans with international inclusions. TPG – Medium Plan Network: Vodafone 4G/5G Data: 50GB monthly Price: $17.50/month for first 6 months, then $35/month 1 Key Features: Unlimited international calls and texts to 31 countries, eSIM option, great cost-to-data ratio 1 Best for: Users who want substantial data at an affordable price and international calling. Lyca Mobile – Online Only 365-Day Plan Network: Vodafone 4G/5G Data: 600GB annual (approx. 50GB/month) Price: $180 for first recharge (~$15/month), then $360/year 1 Key Features: Long-expiry prepaid plan, unlimited international calls to 35 countries, rollover up to 500GB 1 Best for: Prepaid users who want long-term convenience and high international inclusions. Tangerine – 75GB 5G SIM Network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G Data: 75GB monthly Price: $21/month for first 4 months, then $42/month 1 Key Features: Large data allowance, eSIM support, unlimited international calls to 15 countries, data banking 1 Best for: Users needing high monthly data and 5G connectivity.

Popular Brand Considerations

Telstra: Best network coverage across Australia, offers unlimited and high-tier plans; pricier than smaller providers. Optus: Strong 4G/5G coverage, unlimited plan options, and fast download speeds; slightly cheaper than Telstra. Vodafone: Competitively priced, offers unlimited plans (speed-capped) with reasonable 4G/5G coverage. Belong: Budget-friendly Telstra sub-brand with data banking and giftable data options; slower post-cap speeds. Boost Mobile: Prepaid Telstra network coverage without the premium price.

Choosing the Right Plan

Check your data needs: Average Australians use about 14.5GB/month, so high-data or unlimited plans are best if you stream video frequently. Consider network coverage: Telstra offers the widest coverage, followed by Optus and Vodafone. Decide between prepaid vs postpaid: Prepaid gives flexibility and avoids bills surprises, postpaid may include perks like phone financing or bundled services. Look for extras: Data banking, international calls, eSIM support, and environmental initiatives (like felix’s tree planting) may influence your choice.

Selecting a plan depends on your budget, location, and data usage habits, but for Australians seeking both value and reliability, felix, Dodo, TPG, and Lyca Mobile are consistently top choices.