What Are the Top 5 Best NBN Plans?

The NBN (National Broadband Network) is popular due to fast internet speeds and a much higher capacity than other internet packages. Therefore, it is in high demand, and many internet service provider businesses offer top NBN plans. But how do you choose the best NBN plan for you?

That’s where we come in. Our guide into the best 5 NBN plans is the place to look if you can’t decide on the plan that suits you best. We’ll also cover what you should look for in an NBN plan (in case you want to do your own research) and much more.

What is the NBN?

The NBN is the newest broadband network in Australia. It’s a government-funded scheme to replace older solutions like cable broadband with fibre optic cables.

The NBN aims to give modern households a modern internet solution. Since streaming, gaming, and video conferencing services need top broadband speeds, the NBN was introduced to accommodate this.

How is an NBN Plan Different from a Regular Internet Plan?

The primary difference between the NBN and regular internet service is how they transmit information. Because fibre uses light pulses to transfer data, it’s much faster than any other internet solution.

Another key difference is that NBN providers can reach more rural areas of Australia than regular internet providers, making their overall internet coverage much wider. Additionally, NBN connections provide a much more stable network, meaning that internet speeds will be more consistent throughout the day (typical evening speeds will be higher, for example).

Also, the NBN can future-proof your home more than a standard internet plan. There are increasing network demands for streaming services and other apps that need high broadband speeds (like video conferencing).

What Should You Look for from an NBN Provider?

Before we detail the best NBN Plans from NBN providers that we found, you should know what to look for in an NBN plan. While our suggestions present some of the best NBN options, you may also want to research NBN plans that suit your needs.

Some of our top suggestions for points of NBN research include:

• Speed
• Price and value for money
• Data allowance
• Contract length
• Additional services

What is the Typical Evening Speed and Speed in General?

Because speed is one of the main differences when you compare NBN plans to standard plans, it should be one of your critical research points. First, you need to determine what NBN speed you want, as there are multiple NBN speeds with individual benefits in each one.

Here are some descriptions of the main NBN speed tiers.

NBN Speed	Description
NBN 25	The Standard Evening Speed is ideal for smaller households with basic internet requirements, such as internet browsing, moderate online streaming in SD, and online gaming. Average speeds (7-11pm) for NBN 25 are 25 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload.
NBN 50	The Standard Plus Evening Speed is for busier households as it can accommodate more browsing, video streaming in HD on 2 devices at once, and responsive gaming. Typical speeds (7-11pm) are 50 Mbps download and 17 Mbps upload.
NBN 100	Prior to the arrival of the latest speed add-ons (Superfast and Ultrafast), NBN 100 was the fastest speed tier in Australia. Typical speeds (7-11pm) are 100 Mbps download and also 17 Mbps upload. It’s fit for big households and can even accommodate 4K streaming.
NBN 250	Only available to FTTP and most HFC customers, the Superfast NBN has typical download speeds of 250 Mbps, which means it’s great for larger households who need to use the internet to browse, video-call, play online games, stream in HD and Ultra HD, download, and upload files, all at the same time.
NBN 1000	Aptly called the Ultrafast, it’s currently the fastest speed tier offered in Australia. While this speed plan might be too much for those who have no need for something this lightning fast, the advent of streaming, gaming, and the arrival of 8K technology, however, make the NBN 1000 add-on plan an appealing option for many. Telstra is one of the providers in Australia that offers the Ultrafast plan, alongside Aussie Broadband and MyRepublic.

Also related to speed is the consistency of the network. For example, you should look for an NBN plan with a higher typical evening speed than a standard provider. A typical evening speed is not necessarily the maximum, but a consistent speed each evening.

Depending on your internet use, you may not need the faster NBN speed packages. You should ask yourself the following questions to determine the speed you need. You will better understand the internet speed you need when you answer them.

• How many people use the internet in my household?
• How often do I stream TV, films, or video games on a weekly basis?
• Do I need faster internet speeds for work purposes (video conferences, for example)?
• How many items in my household use the internet?

What is the Price? Does it Offer Value for Money?

Of course, the price is a massive consideration when choosing an NBN plan. Consider the following questions.

• Can I afford the NBN plan?
• Does the NBN plan give me value for money?

First, you must determine what you can afford to pay each year. Don’t worry if your budget’s not huge, as some of the cheaper NBN plans still give you much faster internet speed than a standard internet plan.

You also need to consider if the NBN provider is giving you value for money. Look at all the relevant specifications in the plan and determine if it is worth the price. Also, you need to look at what additional services are included, if any.

What Data Allowance Does the NBN Plan Have?

Depending on how much you are willing to pay for an NBN plan, the data allowance might not be a problem. The faster and more expensive plans have unlimited data. Choose one of these if you need the maximum data allowance, especially if you stream a lot or have multiple people using the internet in your household.

However, if you have to get a standard or cheap NBN plan, these sometimes come with a data usage cap. Usually, the cap will be around 500 GB or 200 GB for the more affordable options. That said, most NBN plans now come with unlimited data as standard.

What is the Contract Length?

The contract length for NBN plans entirely depends on the NBN provider. Determining the length of the NBN contract will help you see how much value it provides. For example, a $90-a-year contract for three years is overall more expensive than a $120-per-year contract for two years.

Depending on the NBN provider, you may not need a contract. Instead, they may allow you to pay monthly or yearly and opt out anytime. These are helpful if you aren’t entirely sure if you need an NBN plan (or can afford it); you can pay for a few months and decide if it is something you want or need.

Does the Plan Come with Additional Services?

While not always important (or necessary), additional services can add value to the package and cover more bases for you. For example, if you need a phone package, an NBN and phone bundle can be highly convenient.

Telstra’s premium plan includes phone lines and calls, adding value other NBN providers can’t offer. Some providers may also offer a TV package like a subscription to a streaming service.

The 5 Best NBN Plans from Top NBN Providers

Here are the five best NBN plans we recommend the most.

The Best Telstra NBN Plan: The Telstra NBN 100 Premium Plan

First, we must look at the most prominent providers before looking at the best options for specific NBN speed tiers. First is Telstra, the leading technology and telecommunications company in Australia.

The best plan they offer is their premium plan.

Each Telstra plan comes with all the significant inclusions, including unlimited data, phone calls and lines, access to a Telstra Smart Modem and more. You can also add free streaming trials to your plan and take advantage of frequent discounts and deals.

However, the things that set the Premium Plan apart are the price and the speed tier (the two most important considerations for NBN plans). The price is still affordable for many households, making it a better option considering the faster speed. Its speeds average around 100 Mbps download and 17 Mbps upload.

The Best Optus NBN Plan: The Optus NBN 240 Normal or Family Plan

Optus is another company worth looking at concerning anything wireless, as they are one of the largest Australian wireless carriers. Unlike Telstra, there are two different Optus plans for each NBN speed tier. Both of these hold excellent value, so they are both worth mentioning.

Their single plan includes unlimited data and excellent 240 Mbps speed. It doesn’t have much else, but it is a great option for those who want great speed for a reasonable price. 

Their family plan includes the same great speed as the single plan, but it also has additional extras, such as:

• An Optus Ultra Wifi booster that boosts the fast speed around a large family home.
• A WiFi Secure security package (McAfee powers this).
• A standard Netflix subscription (this is usually worth $16.99 per month).

The Best NBN 50 Plan: The Dodo Broadband NBN 50 Plan

While the market for NBN 50 plans is competitive, Dodo Broadband offers an affordable and reliable option. Their NBN 50 plan provides exceptional value for money and decent speeds if you’re looking for solid internet on a budget.

With unlimited data and no lock-in contracts on all Dodo plans, this internet service provider is a great option if you want trustworthy streaming quality without breaking the bank.

The Best NBN 250 Plan: The Aussie Broadband NBN 250 Plan

There is steep competition for the best NBN 250 plan. Telstra has the fastest plan, while MATE has the cheapest NBN plan. Ultimately, it depends on what you need it for. 

We eventually chose Aussie Broadband over Telstra because not only does it have the highest upload speed, but an upload speed so high that it is four times faster than some of the other offerings.

As well as a high 100 Mbps upload speed, it has a typical evening download speed of 243 Mbps. The only downside of this option is its steep price. However, you get features such as:

• A free, pay-as-you-go phone plan.
• Unlimited data on the NBN plan.
• A new modem plan at a reduced cost.
• A mobile phone plan at a reduced price.

If you work from home and need to upload video files and photos, this plan is definitely for you.

The Best NBN 1000 Plan: The Superloop Lightspeed NBN 1000 Plan

NBN 1000 plans are the ultimate speed you can get in an NBN plan. You only really need it for a workplace or a massive household.

The best plan is undoubtedly the Superloop Lightspeed NBN 1000 because it offers excellent speed and a few extra features to justify the price. It also has a fantastic price considering its vast speed offering. Its top speed is 1000 Mbps for download and 50 Mbps for upload; it also has a typical evening speed of 600 Mbps down and 42 Mbps up.

Additionally, it comes with a free Amazon router (the eero6+ model) and the opportunity to purchase a reduced-price phone plan with the NBN plan.

If speed is your top priority, this is an easy recommendation. It’s affordable, fast, and provides a reliable typical evening speed.

How do You Optimise Your NBN Plan’s Speed?

Now know some of the best NBN plan options on the market. As you can see, though, if you want the best speeds, you often have to pay a high price.

This next section aims to determine whether paying for the top speed tier is the only way to get the best NBN speed. If you can’t afford the top speed tiers for the NBN, you can optimise your plan’s speed in other ways. 

Before that, you should perform an internet speed test to check your current speed.

If you have low speed, here are our top optimisation tips.

• Choose the best modem possible: Some NBN plans come with a free modem, but you should still research them to find the one with the best speed in your price range (it is unlikely that the free modem will be the best one you can get).

• Link your devices to the modem: Wire your device (such as a TV or computer) directly to the modem to ensure you get the fastest possible speed from your plan.

• Choose a spot for your modem: While you may think it doesn’t matter where you place the modem, it is crucial. Ideally, put it in the same room as your most essential devices. Don’t place it near a microwave, thick wall, metallic surface or TV.

• Check your internet frequency: Ideally, you want a 5 GHz frequency for the best speed; sometimes, it is automatically on 2.4 GHz, so ensure you check it and change it.

• Reduce connections: Lower the number of devices connected to your network (if you can).

• Set up a password for your NBN WiFi: If you don’t set up a password, your neighbouring households can access your wifi and slow down your NBN connection. Also, create a complex password using capital and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters.

• Use a WiFi booster: This can boost the signal to parts of your house that receive slow internet, such as rooms with thick walls. We especially recommend them for large homes.

What is the Best NBN Plan on the Market, and is There a Best NBN Provider?

You can choose from many excellent NBN plans, but the five listed above are excellent options that span a range of needs.

While all of them are great choices, the best one for you (and the best NBN provider) will entirely depend on what you want to get out of an NBN plan.

• The Telstra and Optus plans are great for families or house shares.
• The Aussie Broadband plan is excellent if you work and need high upload speeds.
• The Superloop NBN 1000 plan has fast NBN speed if this is a priority.

While these options provide an excellent start for research, you must determine what you value most and choose the best option based on that.

We also have more information on the NBN if you want to get the best impression of the plans before committing to a choice.

FAQs About the Best NBN Plans

Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about NBN plans.