Top 10 internet providers in Australia compared

Most top internet providers will typically offer a range of different types of all of the different internet connections, and most will offer an option for a Wi-Fi modem so that you don’t have to fiddle with pesky wires throughout your home; these are what we consider baseline services, so to make it onto our list, ISPs had to go above and beyond. The providers listed below not only offer great prices and great service, but they all have consistently very high customer satisfaction ratings - and that's what it takes to be ranked one of the top ten internet providers in Australia! 

1. Aussie Broadband - Call 1300 730 863

Oi, oi, oi! This privately owned and all-Australian service boasts that it’s Australia’s leading broadband internet provider, and with their Product Review ratings, it’s hard to argue that. Besides offering a reliable service, their excellent customer support is a prominent factor as to why Aussie Broadband is so popular among their customers. Their tech support is based in Australia, which means that their techies understand the ins and outs of our country’s often complicated and confusing internet infrastructure, which better helps them navigate and resolve technical malfunctions that may arise from NBN connections. Aussie Broadband boast a 4.8 out of 5 star Google rating, they won the prestigious Australian Communications Industry Award for Excellence in Community Contribution, as well as the award for the Best Fixed Broadband Provider at the Edison Awards in 2018 and then again in 2019. At the time of writing, the average download speed for Aussie Broadband’s NBN50 plan is 43 Mbps, and the average download speed for their NBN100 plan is 86 Mbps. 

2. Belong - Call 1300 652 369

Belong’s a great option for you if you like things simple, flexible, and affordable. Offering month by month options, and catering to both NBN and ADSL, Belong have no hidden charges, and they endeavour to make their service as user-friendly as possible - which is exactly why they have long remained a favourite of punters who like their internet set-up easy, and their broadband plans cheap. While there are certainly some ISPs that can typically deliver quicker NBN speeds, it’s worth remembering that those speeds are often only marginally faster, and that ultimately, the biggest impact to your NBN speed will be what NBN connection type you have; which, unfortunately, you can’t change, because of the NBN Lottery. Unlike some other providers, Belong won’t won’t invoice you until the month after you’re connected, so you won’t feel like you’re being charged for a service you don’t yet have. Because of this, and their competitive pricing, Belong has consistently set themselves apart in the market. Their coverage is backed by Telstra, their cancellation costs are extremely cheap, and they’ll throw in a free modem if you sign up for a 12 month plan. So if keeping costs down is a high priority for you, then you’ll definitely want to consider a smaller cost-cutting provider like Belong. At the time of writing, the Belong NBN50 plan has an average download speed of 40 Mbps, and the their NBN100 plan has an average download speed of 80 Mbps.

3. MyRepublic - 1300 403 127

If you do a lot of streaming, downloading, or online gaming, it’s highly likely that MyRepublic is the best provider for you. They’ve built their entire brand around offering fast NBN speed, to the point that they won’t even offer plans with lower speed tiers. They’ve even got an powered “Gamer Pro Plan” which was specifically engineered to optimise the internet for avid gamers. Unlike a lot of internet providers, MyRepublic was purpose-built to accommodate the NBN (though they also offer a Naked ADSL Plan), so they’ve been able to deliver smooth speeds for streaming and downloading by using their own web traffic priority system. In the August 2019 Broadband Performance Data Report, the ACCC ranked MyRepublic the fastest for average download speed (delivered during the busy peak hours of the day 7pm-11pm). At the time of writing, the average download speed for the MyRepublic NBN50 plan is 43 Mbps, and the average download speed for their NBN100 plan is 86 Mbps. 

4. TPG - Call 1300 731 193

If your internet habits require a provider that can consistently deliver the fastest NBN speeds in Australia, then you should absolutely consider TPG. Especially as the ACCC (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission) recently reported that TPG had the fastest NBN speed in Australia in 2019 (with Aussie Broadband following behind in a close second). The year before that, the ACCC had also deemed TPG #1 for NBN download speed in the ACCC March 2018 speed monitoring report, so they’re definitely consistent. But it’s worth considering that the recent ACCC study also found that the quicker NBN speeds from any broadband provider were best achieved through Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connections; ie. when the fibre was connected directly to the premises. So if you have a NBN connection different FTTP, you may or may not find that you’ll get the same optimal TPG speeds as the sample group in the study. But even if you don’t get that cream-of-crop speed, you’ll likely still find their service fast and reliable, as TPG have constructed large swaths of internet infrastructure around the country so as to provide better coverage in more regions. Their deals are also very reasonably priced, they’ve got great customer reviews, and their NBN bundles include a dual band 802.11ac Wi-Fi modem (which accounts for their impressive WiFi speed). 

5. Telstra - 1300 710 263

You’re no doubt familiar with Telstra, as the telco powerhouse is Australia’s largest and oldest and telecommunications company. The great thing about being a Telco giant is that they have facilities to offer customers competitive prices, solid service, and a vast range of plans, with lots of options when it comes to speed, data and contract lengths. Additionally, their broadband bundles come with Telstra Air, which allows your free public access to over one million hotspots in Australia as well as overseas Fon hotspots. Another perk they offer is Telstra Broadband Protect, an in-built security suite, designed to filter out scams and viruses, with the added feature of parental controls and social media monitoring for parents wishing to keep their kids safe online. At the time of writing, a Telstra NBN50 plan has an average download speed of 43 Mbps, and their NBN100 plan has an average download speed of 85 Mbps.

6. Optus - 1300 790 125

Optus is Australia’s other Telco giant, and while their mobile phone coverage is known to be somewhat spotty, their home broadband game has a conversely solid reputation. If you’re after unlimited data and a reliable broadband service, Optus is a solid option, especially if you have the NBN. Not unlike TPG, Optus also fared well in a recent ACCC report, specifically when it came to their download speeds; in fact, in the Measuring Broadband Australia report in November 2019, Optus was rated #1 for NBN average download speeds. Little wonder then that Optus was also previously rated as having the fastest ISP for Netflix in the entire country. Optus’ industry clout means that their prices are sometimes a little more expensive than their competitors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good bargain with them, depending on what you’re looking for. For instance, you can select a very tidy $70 plan (which you can get in NBN50 or NBN100), or if you’re big on streaming TV, you can select their $90 Plan that includes a Fetch Mighty console, featuring a choice of Channel Pack options so you get the entertainment you want (also available in NBN50 or NBN100). Both deals come with a free premium WiFi modem included. At the time of writing, an Optus NBN50 plan has an average download speed of 40 Mbps, and their NBN100 plan has an average download speed of 80 Mbps.

7. iiNet - Call 1300 782 306

iiNet is one of the older and more reputable Australian ISPs, having been in the game for over 24 years now, and what they lack in capital letters, they more than makes up for in range. They’ve got NBN, Naked DSL, and for those lucky enough to have it available, Ultra Broadband VDSL2 plans. iiNet has snapped up an absolute slew of awards, they picked up an International Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, they ranked number 1 in two major national surveys comparing NBN providers (receiving high scores for customer support, value, and connection speed), they were named Australia’s Best NBN provider for speed and customer satisfaction in the 2018 Choice Survey, and they were also named Internet Service Provider of the Year in the 2018 Roy Morgan Customer Service. It’s easy to see why they’ve cleared up so many accolades; iiNet supports a very wide range of affordable deals, and they also offer 24/7 technical support. At the time of writing, an iiNet NBN50 plan has an average download speed of 43.7 Mbps, and their NBN100 plan has an average download speed of 83.3 Mbps.

8. Vodafone

A brand traditionally associated with mobile phones, Vodafone recently decided to expand into the NBN home broadband game, and they came in swinging, offering a plan that packed their fastest NBN speed for just $75 a month for 6 months. All of their plans have unlimited data with no hidden costs. And the special added bonus of getting your home broadband from a major mobile phone company? If your home internet connection experiences an interruption or a dropout, Vodapone kicks in with a 4G Backup. They’ll even let you bundle your phone and internet plans together which can save you anywhere from 5% to 20% off all monthly plan fees.

9. iPrimus - Call 1300 434 427

iPrimus offer flexible unlimited plans that you can alter at your whim - you can adjust your plan anytime, up or down, without copping a fee. As well as data boosts and bonuses, they also proffer easy access to streaming apps such as Netflix, Stan and more. Also, if you’re moving house and you’re not an existing iPrimus customer, you can sign up to a new plan, and they’ll do all the connecting for you. If you have an ADSL connection, iPrimus can offer you a 100GB data plan for only $100 a month. If you have an NBN connection, they offer an Unlimited data + TV entertainment package for $90 a month, which comes with Fetch (which offers access to streaming apps such as Stan and Netflix). iPrimus also has a good mid-range Unlimited data plan for $80 a month (for both NBN and ADSL). One of the more appealing factors about iPrimus is their “Pause” feature; if you’re going on holiday, need to recoup costs, or simply need some time off-screen, you can get the app and literally just hit the pause button on your internet, and you won’t be charged for your internet service until you unpause. You can pause your service for up to 4 weeks every 24 months. It’s flexibility and customer understanding like that which is why we think iPrimus remains one of the country’s leading ISPs! 

10. Exetel - Call 1800 061 200

With their primary headquarters in Sydney and their switching centres located all around Australia, Exetel is another Australian-birthed broadband provider that had proven adept at navigating the complicated Aussie internet infrastructure. With close to 20 years of exceptional service under their belts, they offer NBN, Home Wireless, ADSL, Mobile Broadband, and more. They excel at offering enticing deals, such as their Unlimited data plan for $59.99 a month, where you can get the first two full months free if you sign to a 12 month plan. And if you sign to that and then decide it’s not for you, they’ll let you change over to a different plan free of charge. 

Again, the best provider and plan for you is going to depend on your personal needs and your specific location. So if you have any questions about our top 10 internet service providers or anything else, feel free to get in touch with us directly - after all, we’re also highly rated! Compare Broadband was independently rated 5 stars by our customers, and we have a Trust Pilot score of 4.8 out of 5; so if you want some fast and free advice from one of our trusty broadband consultants, give us a buzz on 1300 106 571. And if you want to stay in the loop on all other broadband news, follow us on Facebook!