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Expert Picks: Best SIM-Only Mobile Plans (March 2024)

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This page contains the best SIM-Only plans from Australian mobile plan providers on Canstar Blue’s database. Every month, our dedicated team of telco experts will update this page to show you a range of great deals.

Choosing the best energy plans is made possible by our expert Value Rank methodology, which places each product under the microscope, examining its price, plan inclusions, customer service and billing. Then we give each plan a Value Score out of 10.

At Canstar Blue, we aren’t ones to brag. But, our expert research team have perfected this methodology, so you can have absolute confidence when comparing deals. If you’re ready to pair your phone with the flexibility of a SIM-only plan, we’ve picked out several of the best options below.

Best SIM-only plans March 2024

Other postpaid offers you might like

The following table shows a selection of sponsored SIM Only plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.

Best budget SIM-only plan

Flip $9.90 SIM Plan

Value score: 9.5

If you’re a light data user who prefers to use your phone for calls and texts, Flip’s smallest SIM plan gives you everything you need for under $10 per month. This plan includes 3GB of data each month, as well as unlimited calls and texts to standard Australian numbers.

What’s good about this plan:

  • Uses Optus’ 4G Plus network.
  • Unlimited talk and text in Australia.
  • No setup fees or SIM card charges.

What to look out for:

  • Heavier data users may need a higher-priced plan.
  • No 5G network coverage.
  • International calling is pay-as-you-go only.

The following table shows Flip’s $9.90 3GB plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers.

Best everyday SIM-only plan

Moose Mobile $24.80 SIM Plan

Value score: 9.3

SIM-only provider Moose Mobile offers 25GB of data for $24.80 per month, currently discounted to $11.80 per month for your first eight months. This plan features unlimited standard national talk and text to Australian numbers, and is offered month-to-month with no lock-in contract or setup fees.

What’s good about this plan:

  • 200GB of data banking included.
  • No contracts or setup costs.
  • Runs on the Optus 4G and 5G networks.

What to look out for:

  • Limited time discount.
  • Excess data charged at $9 per GB.
  • International roaming not included.

The following table shows Moose Mobile’s $24.80 GB plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a product from a referral partner.

Best big data SIM-only plan

Moose Mobile $36.80 SIM-Only

Value score: 9.5

Moose Mobile offers a great-value pick for data lovers, thanks to the price and inclusions of its $36.80 SIM-only plan. This plan includes a massive 100GB of data each month for as long as you stay connected, and is currently discounted to $28.80 per month for your first 12 months. You’ll also get coverage on Optus’ 4G and 5G networks, plus unlimited standard national talk and text.

What’s good about this plan:

  • Optus 5G coverage included.
  • 200GB of data banking included.
  • No setup fees or SIM card charges.

What to look out for:

  • Discounted price is for first 12 months only.
  • No international roaming included.
  • Excess data is charged at $9 per GB.

The following table shows Moose Mobile’s 100GB plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers.

Best Telstra SIM-only plan

Basic Plan

Value score: 3.4

Telstra’s $62 Basic plan offers a huge 50GB of full-speed data each month, plus unlimited standard talk and text in Australia. Like Optus and Vodafone, Telstra provides bill shock backup, including unlimited speed-capped data (limited to 1.5Mbps) on all postpaid plans. Telstra customers also get 30 minutes of calls to any standard international number every month, along with unlimited international text.

What’s good about this plan:

  • Unlimited data capped at 1.5Mbps – no data overage fees in Australia.
  • 3G, 4GX and 5G networks cover around 99% of Australians.
  • Unlimited international texts and 30 minutes of calls to standard international numbers.

What to look out for:

  • International extras aren’t included but are available as optional add-ons from $10 per month.
  • Comparatively more expensive than other plans with similar data inclusions.
  • 5G access included, but speeds capped at 250Mbps.

The following table shows Telstra’s $62 Basic SIM-only plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a product from a referral partner.

Best Optus SIM-only plan

Small Choice Plus Plan

Value score: 4.8

Optus offers something for everyone, including massive data allowances, international extras, and bonus features. The telco’s Small Choice Plus plan with 30GB of fast data is priced at $49 per month, and includes unlimited standard talk and text in Australia, endless speed-capped data, plus the option to share data across multiple plans on a single account.

What’s good about this plan:

  • Includes unlimited data capped at 1.5Mbps speeds in addition to a full-speed data allowance.
  • Unlimited data days are available for $5 per day.
  • Customers can share data between accounts.

What to look out for:

  • International calls and texts not included.
  • International roaming not included, although Optus Roaming Passes can be added from $10 per day.
  • Heavy data users may prefer to upgrade to a larger plan with more monthly fast gigabytes.

The following table shows Optus’ $49 Small Choice plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers.

Best Vodafone SIM-only plan

$49 Small Plan

Value score: 4.8

If you’re looking for a SIM-only plan with great monthly data inclusions, Vodafone’s $49 Small month-to-month plan has you covered. This plan includes 50GB of monthly full-speed data and unlimited data at capped speeds of 2Mbps, plus unlimited standard national talk and text in Australia and unlimited standard texts to overseas.

What’s good about this plan:

  • Unlimited international texts as well as unlimited standard Australian inclusions.
  • Includes unlimited data, known as ‘endless data’ at capped speed of 2Mbps.
  • Customers can bundle this plan with other eligible Vodafone mobile and NBN plans to save up to 20% on plan fees.

What to look out for:

  • Network coverage not as extensive regionally when compared to Telstra or Optus.
  • No international call inclusions on this plan, however international call value included on $59 and $69 plans.
  • International roaming not included, but $5 and $10 Roaming available in selected countries.

The following table shows Vodafone’s $49 Small plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a product from a referral partner.

More expert picks courtesy of our Value Rank formula

 

Our Value Score Methodology for SIM-Only plans

Phone Plan Value Score Methodology

While price is clearly important, there’s more to finding a great SIM-only plan than simply looking for the cheapest deal. After all, an extra few dollars could earn you a bucket load more data. That’s why, in addition to comparing on price, Canstar Blue gives you the opportunity to search for plans based on our unique Value Score, so you know you’re getting a great deal, not just a cheap price.

Value Scores range from 1 to 10, with a higher score indicating a better value phone plan. The Value Score consists of a Price Score and Feature Score: the Price Score accounts for 70% of the overall ranking, with the Feature Score contributing to 30%.

Price Score

Price Scores are calculated by comparing a plan’s monthly cost to the price of other plans in the market. Canstar Blue uses a plan’s average cost, rather than advertised prices, to account for plans that don’t renew on a standard monthly basis – for example, prepaid plans that expire every 10, 14, or 28 days. Using a plan’s average monthly cost, mean average monthly cost, and the standard deviation of the average monthly cost, Canstar Blue calculates and assigns a Price Score between 0 and 100.

Feature Score

The Feature Score compares over 100 features found on mobile plans, which are grouped into the following three categories:

  • Customer Service and Support (40% of score): Application channels, website functionality, online help/support, call centres, etc.
  • Inclusions (35% of score): Call, data, and SMS allowances, additional plan inclusions such as international calls or data free streaming.
  • Billing and Payments (25% of score): Payment, statement, and billing frequency and options.

The Value Score, Pricing Score and Feature Scores of plans are re-calculated daily, with changes then reflected on Canstar Blue’s comparison tool. When you visit our site, you know you’re looking at the best deals around. Read the full breakdown of our SIM-Only Value Rank methodology.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How we pick the best value plans

  1. Best Budget SIM Plan: The best-ranked SIM-only postpaid plan under $10 per month, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
  2. Best Everyday SIM Plan: The best-ranked SIM-only postpaid plan with around 20GB of monthly data, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
  3. Best Big Data SIM Plan: The best-ranked SIM-only postpaid plan with a minimum of 60GB of monthly data, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
  4. Best Telstra SIM Plan: The best-ranked Telstra SIM-only postpaid plan, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
  5. Best Vodafone SIM Plan: The best-ranked Vodafone SIM-only postpaid plan, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
  6. Best Optus SIM Plan: The best-ranked Optus SIM-only postpaid plan, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score. 

In the event that two or more plans have the same value score in any given category, the cheapest option will be featured.

Tara Donnelly
Utilities Editor
Tara Donnelly is an internet and mobile expert - sectors she’s spent a decade covering - and also oversees energy and consumer technology content. She holds a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canberra and has shared her expertise on national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise and the ABC.

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