Choosing an NBN plan has been made to seem a lot more complicated than it is. The decade-long network rollout, the changes of direction and the constant political sniping have made the NBN seem like it may have been more trouble than it’s worth.

But the fact is, you don’t need to worry about any of that. To get your family connected to a fast, reliable internet connection, there are just a few things you need to consider.

Internet speed is the core concern when comparing NBN plans as it is the factor of a plan that determines the price you pay. It used to be that we would need to consider how much data we would need each month, but the vast majority of NBN plans include unlimited data nowadays, so speed is the thing to focus on.

Differences in NBN speed is measured in Mbps (Megabits per second) which, let's face it, is a pretty meaningless figure for most of us. Obviously, more megabits means faster speeds but it also means a higher monthly price.

Here’s a look at popular NBN speed tiers, and who they’re suitable for:

When NBN providers discuss speeds, they advertise "typical evening speeds" rather than maximum potential NBN speeds (e.g. the tiers listed above).

Typical evening speeds are the busiest hours of network usage (7:00 PM to 11:00 PM) when most Australians are using their home internet connections. This evening time frame is used as a benchmark to compare NBN providers and speeds because it's the best representation of what users can expect and the time when network congestion is at its worst. So if you've got a good typical evening speed, you should expect the same, if not better, during the day.

Wondering what speed you get with your current internet provider? Use the speed test tool below while connected to your primary home WiFi connection to see your current download speeds.

With energy prices and the cost of living on the rise in Australia, we're all feeling the pinch. If you're simply looking for the very cheapest NBN plans on the market, regardless of speed, you'll find just that in the table below.

Our comparison engine features plans from over 30 NBN providers and the list below represents the very cheapest NBN Internet plans in our database.

There are a whole host of NBN providers out there, each with their own unique plans and perks. Finding the right provider for you comes down to weighing up factors such as price, reliability, perks and whether or not you’ll need to supply your own modem. Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular NBN providers in Australia.

Telstra internet certainly isn’t the cheapest NBN option, but it offers a great mix of speed, perks and reliability. Telstra consistently boasts some of the fastest typical evening speeds of any NBN provider. All Telstra’s plans are contract-free, and they provide a smart modem with 4G backup. You can also choose to bundle Foxtel with your Telstra NBN.

Optus also offers a bundled modem with 4G backup. In addition to good speeds, Optus also offers some great perks with discounted pricing for Optus Sport. This gets you access to sporting events you can’t find streaming anywhere else, such as the English Premier League.

Dodo provides unlimited, no-contract data plans for NBN 25 to NBN 100. They can supply modems, but there's an additional cost involved. Support is available via phone, email, 24/7 live chat, and social channels. If you bundle internet and energy plans, you can save between $5 to $10 per month, depending on your location.

Vodafone offers unlimited data plans ranging from NBN 25 to NBN 1000. They provide a free modem compatible with 4G backup on all plans. Support is available through in-store visits, phone calls, 24/7 live chat, and social channels. Additionally, bundling internet and mobile plans can lead to savings on your monthly bill.

TPG offers competitive pricing, and reliable typical evening speeds. You also have the option to save money by bundling your internet with a SIM-only mobile plan.

Aussie Broadband has quickly become a popular NBN provider with their high typical evening speeds and great support.

Tangerine consistently ranks among our top NBN providers due to the great deals and discounts they offer. Their special offers typically last between 6 and 12 months, but Tangerine is still competitively priced even without an ongoing discount.

Exetel is one of the best performers in the ACCC’s quarterly NBN speed assessments. While it’s full-priced plans might not seem that enticing, Exetel offers promotional pricing for the first 6 months that makes its plans some of the most competitive in the market. And, with no contract, you’re not locked in once the promotional pricing period ends.

Here's a look at the top NBN providers in our database, sorted by popularity.

This depends on which provider you choose. Some providers include a modem or router with their NBN plans, while others are  BYO modem or router. Check out our guide for a look at which NBN providers supply modems.

No, you don't have to pay to switch providers. If you have your own modem, switching providers is usually a seamless process.

If your new provider supplies you with a new modem, you won't have to pay upfront. Just be aware that if you cancel your plan, you'll likely either have to return your modem or pay a fee.

The good news is, most NBN plans these days offer unlimited data. We highly recommend sticking to unlimited data plans, as they offer the best value, and you won't have to keep track of your data usage.

If you find you're not getting your plan's advertised speeds, the solution could be as simple as relocating your modem. Check out our guide on how to speed up slow NBN.

If you're in an area with good 5G connection, our personal experience has shown that 5G home internet beats the NBN. Our one-year testing found that 5G home internet consistently delivered faster speeds at lower prices. Of course, this will all depend on 5G coverage in your area.