Canstar Blue’s annual review of NBN providers compares Internode, Dodo, iiNet, iPrimus, MyRepublic, TPG, Belong, Optus and Telstra based on their internet speed, customer service, contract clarity, ease of activation, bill clarity, value for money and overall customer satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Internode has toppled some hefty opponents to take the crown for most satisfied NBN customers, recording five stars in every research category in our 2018 review.
When the National Broadband Network (NBN) arrives in your area, your door will be opened to more than 130 different service providers. They include all the big names you’ve already heard of, as well as dozens of others you probably haven’t. Your challenge as an NBN customer is to find the provider and plan that best meets your new-found superfast internet needs. It’s no easy task.
Our mission as a review and comparison website is to help you along the way. We do this by surveying thousands of households across the country that are already connected to the NBN. The feedback we receive is reflected by the star ratings table you see above. If you’re wondering why we haven’t rated all 130 NBN providers, it’s because we have strict minimum sample requirements to be included. If a small NBN provider only has 10 customers, we don’t include them.
Our ratings do, however, include some of the biggest and best NBN providers out there, giving you lots to think about when the time comes to make the switch, or you’re just sick of your current provider and fancy a change. They have been compared on factors including internet speed, customer service, ease of activation and value for money. So, which NBN provider is rated best by the people who know best?
The nine major NBN providers in our 2018 comparison have been rated in the following order for overall customer satisfaction:
Internode replaces iiNet as the top-rated NBN provider from last year.
If you’re only interested in the cheapest NBN plans on offer, then this will be a fairly short review. However, if you’re more interested in finding the best value, our ratings above provide a helpful guide, and keep reading as we compare NBN providers big and small to help you find the right deal.
Here is a selection of plans from our database where we link directly to a provider’s website. Plans are on the Standard Plus 50/20 speed tier. These are sponsored products:
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $59.90 over first month |
Unlimited | $59.90 | Go To Site |
 |
NBN Standard Plus Unlimited (12 month contract)
min. cost $739.88 over 12 months |
Unlimited | $59.99 | Go To Site |
 |
Unlimited Essential Promo plan
min. cost $790.40 over 12 months |
Unlimited | $64.95 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $67.90 over 1 month |
Unlimited | $67.90 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $69 for first month |
Unlimited | $69 | Go To Site |
 |
Essential+ NBN Plan (no contract)
min. cost $249 for first month |
Unlimited | $69 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $1680 over 24 Months |
Unlimited | $70 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $178.99 over billing period |
Unlimited | $79.99 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $1,919.76 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $79.99 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $1,920 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $80 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $2,040 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $85 | Go To Site |
 |
min. cost $2,235 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $89 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Last year iiNet took top spot, but this year is Internode’s time to shine. Internode’s plans are somewhat similar to iiNet, but evidently Internode customers are generally more satisfied when it comes to factors like service, speed and bill clarity.
Internode’s top-flight NBN 100 plan with unlimited data costs close to $100. While it’s not the cheapest provider out there, Internode customers are evidently very happy with the service and value for money. Internode scored five stars overall and for every other research category – an impressive feat in a hugely competitive space.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $168.99 over billing period |
Unlimited | $69.99 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $178.99 over billing period |
Unlimited | $79.99 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $198.99 over billing period |
Unlimited | $99.99 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
You’ve probably heard of MyRepublic as the disruptive internet service, challenging the big guys. When it launched in 2016, it was the cheapest to offer top tier NBN, and although things have changed a little, MyRepublic is still a competitive challenger brand. All plans come with unlimited data as standard, and the choice of either NBN 50 or NBN 100 speeds.
Customers can sign up to a one-year or month-to-month term, with the latter accruing a $119 upfront fee for a Wi-Fi Modem Hub. MyRepublic customers rated their provider four stars overall, yet gave the telco five stars for value for money. It was the only provider other than Internode to register a five star rating for anything in this year’s ratings.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $1,090.88 over 12 months |
Unlimited | $89.99 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $218.99 for first month |
Unlimited | $89.99 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,150.88 over 12 months |
Unlimited | $94.99 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
They may be part of the same group, but there are many differences between TPG, Internode and iiNet. TPG’s NBN plans start off at less than $30 a month, but you receive a very modest 10GB in return. Prices then increase gradually as you either increase your speed, data allowance or call inclusions.
TPG topped our NBN ratings in 2016 but this year scored four stars for overall satisfaction, in addition to every other category except for bill clarity where it achieved three stars.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $1,109.82 over 18 months |
Unlimited | $59.99 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,289.82 over 18 months |
Unlimited | $69.99 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,649.82 over 18 months |
Unlimited | $89.99 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
A stablemate of Dodo under the Vocus Communications umbrella, iPrimus has an interesting array of NBN plans. These start at $70 a month, but for unlimited data you’ll pay just $10 extra.
Plans also receive unlimited calls to local and national lines on the dearest plan. With a relatively high basement price, iPrimus’ value is arguably found in its more expensive plans, which include quite a bit for your money. iPrimus was rated four stars overall and for every other research category this year.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $1,680 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $70 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,920 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $80 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $2,400 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $100 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $2,640 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $110 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Acquired by TPG Telecom a few years ago, it seems iiNet has lost none of the characteristics that made the Perth-based internet service provider such a hit with customers in the first place. iiNet earned four stars for overall satisfaction and for every other research category this year.
It’s probably fair to say that iiNet is the not the cheapest NBN provider, focusing on a quality service rather than low prices. iiNet is very competitive and is clearly keeping a majority of its customers pretty happy. Plans are available on either a no contract or 24-month basis, with the flexible option resulting in an activation fee. You can also throw in streaming service Fetch to any plan from $0 extra per month.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $1,679.76 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $69.99 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,919.76 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $79.99 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $2,399.76 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $99.99 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
With NBN plans starting from just $50 a month, Dodo is one of the cheapest providers out there. Be sure to check the specific details of what you’ll be getting for your money though, as the cheapest NBN deals come with very modest data allowances (101GB) and at the most basic speed tier on offer. If you want to bump up your data to unlimited on the fastest speed tier that Dodo offers – NBN 50 – expect to pay $75 per month.
Dodo certainly gives you the chance to connect to the NBN on the cheap, which seems to have gone down well as customers rated the telco four stars overall and on value for money. In fact, it rated well overall, with four stars in almost every other research category, except for contract clarity and bill clarity, where it rated three stars in these areas.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $1,440 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $60 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,560 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $65 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,800 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $75 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
A subsidiary of Telstra, Belong offers a dead-simple approach to the NBN. On its website you’re presented with a plan builder: simply choose your data allowance, choose your contract, and then choose your speed.
Belong was rated three stars overall this time out, but did get four stars in some areas. These included value for money, customer service, contract clarity, ease of activation and bill clarity.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
NBN Starter
min. cost $660 over 12 month plan period |
Unlimited | $55 | |
|
min. cost $670 over 12 month plan period |
Unlimited | $65 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,080 over 12 month plan period |
Unlimited | $90 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Like with Optus, the value in Telstra’s NBN plans comes in the form of its extra features. Telstra internet plans come with the option of adding a Foxtel subscription as well as Telstra TV, which delivers access to streaming services like Netflix and Stan.
If you decide on a Telstra bundle, prices range from $70 up to $130+, depending on the data allowance, speed tier and entertainment add-ons. While Telstra does offer month-to-month plans, not all plans are available and extra set-up fees apply. Telstra was rated three stars for overall satisfaction and for every other research category this year.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $1,755 over 24 months |
100GB | $69 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $2,235 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $89 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $2,475 over billing period |
Unlimited | $99 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Optus has a more concise range of NBN plans than you might expect from a big telco. You may also be surprised at its prices.
Plans are available monthly or over 24 months. The flexible option means you’ll need to pay a significant $200 up-front, but if you commit for the long haul on a two-year plan, this price drops to $99.
All Optus NBN plans come with unlimited data. Optus was rated just three stars for overall satisfaction, and in every other research category.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
70 Plan
min. cost $1,779 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $70 | |
|
90 Plan
min. cost $2,259 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $90 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
The NBN is due for completion in 2021. There may be more than 130 NBN providers in Australia, but the majority of households are still connected with one of these bigger telcos featured above. Is that a good move? Maybe. We’ll come to that shortly. Here are some links to useful resources if you’re keen to learn more about how the NBN works and what you need to consider when picking a plan:
If you’re really not sure about the NBN actually offering the best internet service for you, you may want to consider the alternatives and how 5G could be the solution.
As you will have gathered, picking the right NBN provider for your specific needs can be a real challenge, which will help explain why a majority of Aussie households stick with one of the big guys as a seemingly ‘safe bet’. While this is perfectly understandable, try to keep an open mind and judge each provider on its own merits. Try not to be sucked in by funny marketing campaigns or other gimmicks, rather focusing on the products and service being offered.
Also seek out customer reviews to give you an idea of what you can expect if you sign up. All in all, with so many NBN providers out there, it can be hard to disseminate which provider is right for you.
Our research shows that households connected to the NBN are paying an average of just over $80 a month for their new service. This compares to an average of about $73 for those who have an ADSL connection, suggesting an upgrade to the NBN is resulting in higher costs for many. But it doesn’t have to be the case. While the opportunity to upgrade your service is tempting, be sure to consider exactly what you need in terms of speed levels and data allowance.
NBN speeds remain a major political issue, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) investigating service providers to ensure that advertised speeds are realistically being met by the end user. It is worth remembering that all download/upload speeds reported are the maximum speeds that can be achieved with a particular plan.
While it’s tempting to go for a cheap NBN plan, keep in mind that doing so will likely mean that you are sacrificing either speed or data allowance. You might find there is better value in paying a little extra but think carefully about what you’re getting if your new NBN plan is more expensive than your old service. The last thing you’ll want is to end up paying more for a service that is no better than your old one!
When it comes to picking an NBN provider or plan, the most important message is to keep your options open – you certainly have plenty of them!
Canstar Blue surveyed 6,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who currently have an NBN plan in their name and they pay the bills – in this case, 1,688 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then alphabetically. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
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