Top NBN providers in Australia

Here at Reviews.org, we’re constantly keeping track of the best NBN providers (and NBN plans) in Australia. Our product team monitors the comings and goings of the Australian broadband market with eagle-eyed precision and feeds that data back to us, the editorial team, to help build out our recommendations.

In this guide, you will find our ranking of the best NBN providers in Australia. We give each provider a score out of five stars, based on 24 considerations for value, customer service, speed (including the latest ACCC results), and perks and features. You can scroll to the bottom of this page for more information on how we rate NBN providers but without further ado, here are our top picks for the best NBN providers in Australia.

Next up for best value is Spintel. Not only does Spintel's promotional pricing give it the title of cheapest NBN provider on the WhistleOut engine, but even once that promotional pricing comes to an end, it's still one of the cheapest.

Of course, you sacrifice a little in terms of customer service, but Spintel still has a very respectable reputation and makes a solid choice for the budget-conscious.

Despite only the latter appearing on our list of recommendations thus far, Dodo and Tangerine are consistently the most popular NBN providers in our engine.  That's because both providers consistently offer limited-time deals and discounts on their plans that bring than monthly cost down lower than most other providers.

Dodo and Tangerine's race for the best bargain in broadband means they are consistently neck-and-neck for the top position as the most popular NBN provider on our site, but this month, Dodo's WhistleOut exclusive discount (up to $24.10 per month off, depending on speed tier) has put it in the lead.

These deals typically last for the first 6 months of the customer's tenancy with Dodo, but the beauty of month-to-month NBN plans is that you can switch providers and plans every month without paying any cancellation fees. So if you arrive at the end of your Dodo promotion and realise there's a better deal out there, switching couldn't be easier.

Australia's coverage king, Telstra, has long led the Australian mobile network race, but the internet market has been a more level playing field. But Telstra's premium price tag is still somewhat justified in the broadband space, thanks to its fast self-reported speeds, perks, and bundle options. To have a look at how Telstra's actual speeds stack up to competitors, check out our guide on the fastest NBN providers according to ACCC data.

Though most NBN providers' typical evening speeds are now matching (or exceeding) their advertised speed tiers of 12, 25, 50 and 100Mbps, where Telstra really shines is at the top-end with NBN250 and NBN1000 plans. But if you don't need that much speed you can always go with their Upfront internet premium plan which comes with fast NBN 100 speed

Not only is Aussie Broadband one of the highest-rated internet providers for customer service (see below), but they're also one of the fastest. Its Superfast NBN 250 and Ultrafast NBN 1000 plans are only just behind Telstra's in terms of reported typical evening speeds.

If you're not tech-savvy, choosing the right NBN speed tier can be a bit confusing and overwhelming. The best place to start is by asking yourself a few questions.

• How many people are in your household?
• What kind of video content are you going to be streaming?
• Do you need a faster upload speed?

As was the case with internet connections before the rollout of the NBN, the number of people using a single connection can have a pretty dramatic influence on the quality of the experience. The more people in your home, the faster a connection needs to be to keep up.  Smaller families might be able to get away with an NBN25 or NBN50 connection, but larger ones will want to go for NBN100 or above.

The kind of content you're streaming is also something to keep in mind when deciding on an NBN speed tier. If you have a shiny new 4K TV and want to watch Netflix in as high a resolution as possible, you'll need an NBN50 or faster connection to do so.

Finally, there's the question of upload speeds. Although upload speeds are generally less flashy than download speeds, they can be vital for gamers who need to keep lag to a minimum or those who want to livestream their own video content via YouTube or Twitch.

Whatever your reason for looking to switch, there are a few things you'll want to do before you ditch your current NBN provider for a new one.

The first step here is to find a new provider that better suits your needs. If you've got any specific grievances or shortcomings with your current NBN provider, that's usually the best place to start. If your Exetel connection is too slow, start looking at providers that boast better speeds. If customer service is your pain point, start looking for providers that have a better reputation.

Next up, you'll want to take a closer look at your current provider and assess whether or not any hidden costs might come into play. If there are, don't worry too much. Just move your timeline for switching accordingly.

The last step here is the most simple of the three. Simply sign up with your new provider, and then make sure to cancel your account with your old one.

Leavomg the NBN behind and embracing an NBN alternative is a little more mainstream than it was in the past. Although 5G connectivity remains the exception rather than the rule for many, those that do have coverage might be able to get away with a high-speed home wireless connection via the Telstra, Vodafone or Optus 5G networks rather than a fixed NBN line.

While a working 5G-based broadband connection is going to offer the best speeds when compared to the NBN, a 4G-powered broadband connection might also work for those with more modest needs when it comes to data and speeds.

If none of our picks fit the bill, check out the widget below for a shortlist of other popular NBN providers that might be worth considering.