Ffelix

Short answer — best picks in Australia right now

If I were choosing a plan in Australia today, I’d start here:

What people actually use in Australia

Australia really has three physical mobile networks: Telstra, Optus, and TPG/Vodafone. Most other brands — ALDI Mobile, Boost, Woolworths/Everyday Mobile, amaysim, felix, Belong, Kogan, etc. — resell access to one of those networks.

By retail market share, the big used brands are still Telstra-group, Optus-group and Vodafone/TPG-group: in June 2025, the ACCC reported Telstra flagship + sub-brands at 41%, Optus flagship + sub-brands at 29%, VHA/TPG at 17%, and standalone MVNOs at 13%. (accc.gov.au)

My practical recommendation

For most Australians, I’d avoid paying Telstra/Optus direct prices unless you specifically need their extras — handset repayment, premium roaming, account bundling, business support, or the absolute best coverage.

Instead:

1. Metro / suburbs, average user:
   Pick ALDI Mobile, amaysim, Everyday Mobile, or felix depending on which network is best at your home/work.

2. Regional, rural, road trips, tradies, camping:
   Pick Boost Mobile first because it uses the full Telstra prepaid network. If you don’t need full Telstra coverage, ALDI Mobile or Everyday Mobile are cheaper Telstra Wholesale alternatives.

3. Heavy data user:
   Pick felix if Vodafone coverage is good where you are. It’s one of the simplest “don’t think about data” options.

4. Woolies household:
   Pick Everyday Mobile. The monthly 10% Woolworths shop discount can make it one of the best-value plans in real life.

5. Family with multiple SIMs:
   Look at ALDI Mobile Family Plans; current options include $60 for 2 services with 90GB shared, $118 for up to 4 services with 180GB shared, and $160 for up to 6 services with 270GB shared. (aldimobile.com.au)

The main catch

Always check the coverage map for your home, work, commute and holiday spots before switching. Telstra still had the most mobile sites in the ACCC’s 2025 infrastructure report, followed by Optus and then TPG/Vodafone, although the Optus–TPG network-sharing arrangement has improved TPG/Vodafone’s regional reach. (accc.gov.au)

My default pick:

• Best all-rounder: ALDI Mobile
• Best coverage: Boost Mobile
• Best supermarket perk: Everyday Mobile
• Best Optus-network pick: amaysim
• Best unlimited data: felix mobile

Best Mobile Phone Plans in Australia (2026)

Australia's mobile market runs on three physical networks — Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone (TPG) — but most of the best value comes from budget "MVNO" brands that resell access to those same networks at much lower prices. Here's a breakdown of what Aussies actually use and recommend right now.

🏆 The Big 3 Networks (if you want the "real" carrier)

Australian mobile services are provided by three main network operators (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) plus a large number of resellers.

• Telstra – Best coverage, especially in regional/rural areas. Telstra has 91% 5G coverage across Australia. You pay a premium for this reach.
• Optus – Strong in cities with the best speeds. Optus offers the fastest average 5G download speeds at 229.6 Mbps.
• Vodafone (TPG) – Good value, strong in metro areas, Vodafone's 5G rollout continues in capital cities.

💰 Best Value Budget Brands (what most people actually switch to)

1. Belong (Telstra network) — The go-to recommendation for Telstra coverage without Telstra pricing. Belong is Telstra's own sub-brand, so you're getting the same network for almost half the price. Great for regional travel or backpacking since it has Telstra's regional coverage, 5G, eSIM, data rollover, and no contract.

2. ALDI Mobile (Telstra network) — Hugely popular, reliable budget option. Currently ALDI Mobile offers 12GB of data for $23 every 30 days.

3. felix (Vodafone network) — The standout for unlimited data lovers. Felix Mobile is one of the few telcos in Australia to offer truly unlimited data with a SIM plan, though download speeds are capped at 40Mbps. It's also won recent industry recognition — felix won Best Unlimited Data Mobile Provider at the 2026 Finder Mobile Awards, plus Most Loved Mobile Provider, Most Trusted Mobile Provider and Legendary Service Mobile Provider.

4. TPG (Vodafone network) — Consistently rated as one of the best all-rounders. TPG's 50GB plan comes with new customers getting 50GB for just $17.50 per month for the first six months, reverting to $35 per month afterward.

5. SpinTel — A favourite for cheap data. SpinTel's 25GB Mobile SIM plan is a top pick for SIM-only plans with at least 15GB, offering 25GB of data for $23. It also won an industry award: Outstanding Value — SIM-Only Mobile Plans 2026 went to SpinTel.

6. Dodo (Optus network) — Great budget pick if you want Optus coverage. Dodo's Large Mobile Plan offers 80GB on Optus 5G for $20/month for the first 6 months, then $40.

7. Boost Mobile (Telstra network, prepaid) — Popular prepaid choice with solid deals, e.g. Boost Mobile's $39 Prepaid plan offers 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps on the Telstra 5G Network.

Quick Recommendations by Need:

• Just want cheap & reliable: ALDI Mobile or SpinTel
• Want Telstra coverage (regional/rural) without Telstra prices: Belong
• Heavy data user / streamer: felix (unlimited) or TPG's 50-100GB plans
• **Want the fastest spe

In Australia, while the "Big Three" network providers—Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone—still dominate handset contracts and NBN bundles, the smart money is on MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). These smaller brands lease space on the major networks, offering the exact same coverage for a fraction of the price on SIM-only plans.

The best mobile plans in Australia are categorized below by what people actually use and recommend, depending on coverage needs, budget, and data habits.

1. Best for Coverage (Regional & Rural Australia): Boost Mobile

• Network: Full Telstra Network (covers 99.7% of the population)
• Best For: Regional/rural residents, road-trippers, and "set-and-forget" savers.

If you live outside a major city or travel "into the bush" often, you need the Telstra network. However, standard Telstra plans are notoriously expensive. Boost Mobile is the only MVNO in Australia that has access to the full Telstra retail network (other providers like Belong or ALDI Mobile use the Telstra Wholesale network, which has slightly smaller coverage).

• The Fan-Favourite Deal: Boost’s 12-Month Long-Expiry plans are incredibly popular. For example, their $300 or $365 prepaid SIMs give you a massive lump sum of data (around 240GB to 365GB) to use over 365 days. It works out to about $25 to $30 a month with zero bill-shock.
• eSIM support: Yes, you can download and activate it instantly via the Boost app.

2. Best Overall Value & Customer Satisfaction: Amaysim

• Network: Optus Network
• Best For: City/suburban dwellers looking for a reliable, cheap prepaid plan with great customer service.

Amaysim consistently wins independent awards (like CHOICE and Finder) for having the highest customer satisfaction in Australia. They operate on the Optus network, which offers excellent speeds and coverage in metropolitan and suburban areas.

• Why people love them: There are no lock-in contracts, their app is incredibly user-friendly, and they offer unlimited data banking. If you don't use your data this month, it rolls over forever as long as you keep your plan active.
• Typical Plan: You can grab a standard 28-day plan with ample data (often 30GB to 50GB) for around $30/month, and they regularly run cheap promotional offers for your first few renewals.

3. Best for Unbeatable Data Rollover: ALDI Mobile

• Network: Telstra Wholesale Network
• Best For: Families and light-to-medium data users who hate wasting unused gigabytes.

ALDI Mobile (yes, the supermarket) is a massive hit in Australia, frequently winning "Most Trusted Brand" awards. It runs on Telstra's wholesale network, which still covers 98.8% of the population (great for most suburban and regional areas, though slightly smaller than Boost).

• Why people love them: Like their groceries, ALDI’s plans are simple and cheap (starting around $19–$23 for 30-day expiries). Their killer feature is unlimited data rollover with no speed caps. If you only use 2GB of your 10GB plan, the other 8GB rolls over into a "data vault" and stays there indefinitely. They also offer highly competitive Family Plans where you can share a massive pool of data across up to four SIMs.

4. Best for Unlimited Data & Eco-Conscious Users: Felix Mobile

• Network: Vodafone Network
• Best For: Heavy streamers who want to avoid data caps and care about sustainability.

If you are sick of counting gigabytes but don't want to pay $80+ a month to the major telcos, Felix Mobile is the go-to. Felix is owned by TPG Telecom (Vodafone) and prides itself on being carbon-neutral, planting one tree for every month you stay connected.

• The Hero Plan: Their $40/month Unlimited Data plan is legendary. Your speed is capped at 20Mbps. While that sounds like a restriction, 20Mbps is more than fast enough to stream HD video on Netflix, scroll TikTok, and make video calls without any buffering. It is true "set-and-forget" unlimited data.

5. Best "Cheap as Chips" Budget Plans: SpinTel or Moose Mobile

• Network: Optus Network
• Best For: Absolute budget-conscious users who just want a working phone with enough data for daily scrolling.

If you just want the cheapest monthly bill possible, smaller MVNOs like SpinTel and Moose Mobile are highly rated.

• Both providers frequently offer plans starting at $15 to $23 a month.
• Watch out for promo pricing: Australian budget telcos love to offer cheap introductory pricing (e.g., "$14 a month for the first 6 months, then $22"). It’s incredibly easy to sign up, enjoy the cheap rate, and then churn to another provider when the promo ends.

Summary Checklist for Aussie Mobile Plans:

1. Check your local coverage: If you live in rural WA, QLD, or NSW, stick to a provider on the Telstra network (Boost or ALDI Mobile). If you are in metro Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Adelaide, Amaysim (Optus) or Felix (Vodafone) will work perfectly.
2. Prepaid vs. Postpaid: Most MVNOs operate on a 28-day prepaid or month-to-month postpaid model. You are rarely locked into a contract, meaning you can keep your mobile number and swap providers in about 15 minutes if you find a better deal.
3. ** eSIM vs. Physical SIM:** If you have a modern phone, opt for an eSIM. You can sign up online, scan a QR code, and have your new Aussie mobile plan active within minutes without waiting for the post.

The best cell phone plans in Australia right now are usually SIM-only plans from brands people actually use such as Amaysim, iiNet, TPG, Dodo, and Aussie Broadband, plus major-network options from Vodafone and Optus depending on coverage and budget.

If you want the shortest answer: Amaysim is a strong all-round pick for satisfaction, TPG and Dodo often lead on price, iiNet is strong for value, and Vodafone is the main “big brand” value option with handset bundles and frequent promos.

Best picks by type

• Best overall satisfaction: Amaysim — CHOICE names it the best SIM-only phone plan provider in Australia.
• Best value / cheap SIM-only: TPG — Finder and WhistleOut both highlight it for low-cost, good-value plans, including promo pricing around 50GB on Vodafone’s network and 40GB on a SIM-only deal.
• Best for a bigger data allowance: Dodo — Finder lists a 80GB plan on the Optus 4G/5G network with a discounted intro price.
• Best mainstream carrier option: Vodafone — Canstar notes Vodafone has won its customer-satisfaction award back-to-back, and it’s widely used for phone-on-a-plan offers.
• Best budget prepaid: TeleChoice — Canstar lists a very low-cost prepaid option at $17 for 28 days with 6GB.
• Best for larger SIM-only data: Aussie Broadband — Canstar’s SIM-only comparison includes an “Essential” plan with 100GB.

What people actually use

• Amaysim is a common choice for SIM-only users because it scores well in customer satisfaction.
• TPG, iiNet, Exetel, and Dodo are frequently surfaced in value-focused comparisons, which usually means people are choosing them for lower prices rather than premium extras.
• Vodafone remains a major real-world choice, especially if you want a handset bundled with the plan.

How to choose

• Pick Amaysim if you want a safe all-round SIM-only option with strong satisfaction.
• Pick TPG or Dodo if your priority is lowest ongoing cost.
• Pick Vodafone if you want a handset bundle or a big-brand carrier offer.
• Pick Aussie Broadband if you want more data from a smaller provider.

If you want, I can turn this into a top 5 list by budget under $20, $30, and $50 per month for Australia.

Here in Australia, the mobile market is really three networks: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone/TPG. Everyone else — Boost, Amaysim, Aldi, Kogan, Lebara, Belong, Felix, etc. — is an MVNO renting space on one of those. So the “best” plan depends on whether you need coverage in regional/remote areas, want cheap city data, or need unlimited/international.

Top picks by what you actually need

What most Australians actually use

• Telstra — people who want the best coverage, especially regional/rural.
• Optus — solid all-rounder, often with phone deals and good value.
• Vodafone — cheap city coverage, good for data-heavy users.
• Boost — the go-to for Telstra coverage without Telstra prices.
• Amaysim — very popular budget SIM-only on Optus.
• Aldi Mobile / Everyday Mobile / Belong — popular budget Telstra-network options.
• Kogan / Lebara / Felix — popular cheap Vodafone-network options.

If I had to pick for most people

• You live in a city and want cheap: Amaysim or Kogan.
• You travel regional/remote or want the best coverage: Telstra postpaid/prepaid, or Boost if you want prepaid value.
• You want unlimited data: Felix.
• You want a family/shared data setup: Belong.
• You want Telstra coverage but shop at Woolies: Everyday Mobile from Woolworths.

Before you switch: check the coverage map for your home/work/commute, confirm whether 5G is included, and check if you need Wi-Fi calling, eSIM or international roaming. Most SIM-only plans are month-to-month, so you can test one and switch easily. Prices and data allowances change often, so compare current promos before signing up.

The best mobile plans in Australia right now (as of early October 2026) focus on strong value from MVNOs on the Optus or Vodafone networks, solid prepaid options, and Telstra for superior coverage—especially outside major cities.

Plans change frequently with promos, so always double-check current deals, coverage at your address/work/travel spots (via provider maps or comparison sites like WhistleOut or Finder), and your data needs. Most Aussies prefer flexible no-lock-in SIM-only or prepaid options over big-ticket phone bundles.

Key Networks Overview

• Telstra: Best overall and regional/rural coverage (largest footprint). Great if you travel beyond cities or need reliability.
• Optus: Often fastest 5G speeds; strong in metro areas.
• Vodafone (TPG network): Improved coverage (now close to Optus in populated areas thanks to sharing deals); frequently the cheapest of the big three for value.

MVNOs (resellers) like SpinTel, Dodo, TPG, ALDI Mobile, amaysim, felix, and Lyca Mobile ride these networks at lower prices and often win on value and customer satisfaction.

Top Recommendations People Actually Use

These draw from recent awards (e.g., WhistleOut 2026), comparison sites (Finder, WhistleOut), customer satisfaction data, and popularity mentions. Focus is on SIM-only/prepaid for everyday use:

• Best overall value SIM-only (Optus network): SpinTel (e.g., 25GB plan often ~$12/mth for first 6 months, then ~$23). Wins or places highly for value plans; popular for budget-conscious users wanting decent data without breaking the bank.
• Strong value alternative (Optus): Dodo (e.g., 40GB for ~$15/mth first 4 months, then $30). Frequently highlighted for medium/large plans and deals.
• Best prepaid/value picks: TPG (e.g., 30GB Small plan ~$15/mth first 6 months, then $30; multiple "Mobile Provider of the Year" wins). felix mobile also strong for prepaid and unlimited options.
• Telstra coverage on a budget: ALDI Mobile (e.g., plans around 29–34GB; high satisfaction scores, especially for prepaid/value/reliability; popular everyday choice). Or Boost Mobile for fuller Telstra access.
• High data or long-term/prepaid: amaysim (e.g., 95GB plans) or Lyca Mobile (excellent 365-day options with big data bundles, often discounted).
• Unlimited data: felix Subscription Unlimited (Vodafone network; flexible prepaid-style).
• Phone on a plan (handset bundles): Vodafone often wins awards here (and for Samsung/iPhone plans); Optus as runner-up. Big three dominate these vs. pure SIM-only.

Market reality: Telstra and Optus still hold big market share (especially for phone bundles), but MVNOs like ALDI, Amaysim, and others are gaining on satisfaction and value. Many people switch to these for savings while getting similar coverage.

Quick Tips for Choosing

• Light use (<30GB): SpinTel, TPG, or Dodo deals.
• Regional travel: Prioritise Telstra-based (ALDI, Boost, or Telstra itself).
• Metro/speed focus: Optus MVNOs.
• International calls/roaming: Lyca or TPG options.
• Long expiry (e.g., 365 days): Lyca or OnePass/Kogan for set-and-forget.
• Compare live on WhistleOut or Finder for your postcode and usage. Look for intro discounts (common 50% off first months).

Deals like the ones mentioned are current as of recent updates but can end soon—verify directly or via a comparison tool. If you share more details (e.g., monthly data, location, prepaid vs postpaid, or need for a new phone), I can narrow it further!