Everyday Mobile

As of 3 September 2026, for most people in Australia I’d shortlist these first: Boost, ALDI Mobile, amaysim, felix, TPG, Everyday Mobile, Telstra, Optus, Vodafone. The “big three” networks people actually use are Telstra, Optus and TPG/Vodafone: ACCC data for 30 June 2025 had Telstra + sub-brands at 41% of mobile services, Optus + sub-brands at 29%, TPG/Vodafone + sub-brands at 17%, and independent MVNOs at 13%. (accc.gov.au)

Quick recommendations

My short answer

For an average Australian with their own phone, I’d choose in this order:

1. Boost Mobile — best balance of real-world coverage and price.
2. ALDI Mobile — best cheap Telstra Wholesale option, especially metro/suburban.
3. amaysim — best Optus-network value and satisfaction.
4. felix — best if you want unlimited phone data and Vodafone works where you live.
5. TPG — best promo/value if you’re comfortable with Vodafone/TPG coverage.
6. Everyday Mobile — best if the Woolies 10% monthly shop discount is valuable to you.
7. Telstra direct — best if coverage, support and handset bundles matter more than price.

Don’t overbuy data: ACCC data shows average mobile-phone data use was only 14.5GB per user per month in 2024–25, even though the average advertised plan allowance was much higher. For most people, a 20–50GB plan is plenty unless you stream/video-call/tether a lot. (accc.gov.au)

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.