The best cheap NBN plans this month

If you’re one of the many Australians that’s more interested in saving money than getting faster download speeds, there are plenty of cheap NBN plans to consider.

Before the age of the NBN, the most important choice you had to make when choosing a broadband plan was how much data it included. But these days, most plans offer unlimited data and in its place, broadband speeds have become a more important consideration, and what will ultimately dictate the price of your monthly bill.

The best NBN plans for most people aren't always going to be the right fit for every consumer. That's where our guide to the best cheap NBN plans comes in.

Below is daily updating list of the cheap NBN plans in the database of our sister website, WhistleOut. 

Tangerine NBN is also a great choice for NBN 25 plans. You'll pay $44.90 per month for your first six months, and $59.90 per month thereafter. That's a steep increase.

SpinTel has an "NBN 25" plan that's $0.90 per month cheaper initially, but it maxes out at 20Mbps - 5Mbps short of what this speed tier is capable of. That's why we've crowned Tangerine the winner here. 

Take a look at the plans below to see how Tangerine's cheap NBN 25 plan stacks up against the competition:

This month, Exetel has the best NBN 50 deal. You'll pay $53.95 per month for your first six months, but this jumps to $74.95 per month thereafter. 

$75 per month isn't unreasonable for an NBN 50 plan, but you can get cheaper deals in the long run. For example, SpinTel's NBN 50 plan is $54 per month for your first six months, but only $64.95 per month when your discount expires.

We've chosen to give Exetel the win here because of its strong track record when it comes to the Measuring Broadband Australia reports published by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission.

Take a look at the plans below to see how Exetel's cheap NBN 50 plan compares:

Tangerine currently has the cheapest price for your first six months of an NBN 100 plan. You'll pay $62.90 per month for your first six months, and $89.90 per month thereafter. 

While $89.90 is still on the lower end for an NBN 100 plan, there are cheaper options to consider after your first six months are up. For example, Dodo is only a hair more expensive during the initial six months - $63.85 per month - and then $85 per month at full price. 

Below you'll find more of the cheapest NBN 100 plans so you can see how they stack up against Tangerine's discounted plan.

If you're looking to score a deal on NBN 250, Exetel has a great offer right now. You'll pay $83.95 per month for your first six months, and then $108.95 per month thereafter. 

Exetel NBN plans also include five-speed boosts per month, allowing you to supercharge your connection to gigabit speeds for 24 hours for no extra cost. 

The catch here is that NBN 250 plans are only available to FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) or HFC (Hybrid-Fibre Coaxial) premises, but all addresses with these technology types should be able to get these plans. 

Exetel reports typical evening speeds of 225Mbps on NBN 250 plans. If you're looking for even faster peak hour performance, here's a shortlist of NBN 250 plans sorted by typical evening speeds.

Got the need for the highest possible NBN speeds? Then the Superloop NBN Lightspeed nbn1000/50 internet plan is currently the cheapest way to get them. This plan will cost you $99 per month, which is cheaper than the promo pricing available from its biggest competitors.

As with NBN 250, NBN 1000 plans are only available to residences with an FTTP or HFC connection. If that's you, then be sure to check out the widget below for the round-up of the other cheap NBN 1000 plans in the mix this month.

Australia's leading mobile provider charges a premium for its services and unlike the mobile market, there are fewer reasons to favour Telstra NBN over the competition.

Telstra's cheapest unlimited home internet plan currently clocks in at $80 per month. That comes with unlimited data and NBN Basic II speeds (25 Mbps average typical evening speeds) with no contract. Just note that you'll need to return your modem if you leave within your first two years (or pay a non-return fee).

Take a look at Telstra's other NBN plans below.

The cheapest NBN plan from Telstra's biggest competitor Optus is cheaper at $69 per month.  Just be aware that download speeds are limited to 50 Mbps.

The plan is contract-free, but you must supply your modem. It also offers the option to save money by bundling your subscription services through Optus' SubHub app.

If you're keen to keep costs down but don't mind paying a little more for faster NBN speeds, you can find Optus's other cheap NBN plans in the widget below.

One of the most important things to consider when looking for a cheap NBN plan is to work out which NBN speed tier you need. An NBN 12 plan's price might look appealing, but if you are a household of heavy internet users, you'll experience slow internet speeds that won't keep up with your needs.

Also, double-check whether the price you're getting is a promotional discounted price for new customers. If so, you'll need to check what the original price will revert to once the promotion is finished. If you're not in a contract - and most NBN plans aren't - you can easily find another cheaper plan to swap to.

​Still, when shopping for a budget broadband plan, there are a few things to keep an eye out for:

• Technology at your address: If you're looking for a faster plan, NBN 250 and 1000 are only available to select FTTP and HFC customers. Knowing what NBN technology you have available at your address is the first step to knowing what deals are available to you.
• Promo pricing: Though most telcos no longer offer contracts, they do offer limited-time promotional pricing (typically for the first six months of your plan). When shopping for the cheapest NBN plans, be sure to check what the monthly price will be after your first six months.
• BYO modem: Most smaller providers offer BYO modem broadband plans and won't necessarily supply a modem unless you specifically request it. You will also incur an outright fee for the modem on your first bill if you do choose to take a modem. If you do already have an NBN modem that you're happy with, be sure to let your provider know you would like to BYO.

The best internet providers for cheap NBN deals tend to include Tangerine, Dodo, and SpinTel. There are plenty of other providers to compare from, so it's always best to check out who's offering what when you're changing plans. 

The widget below rounds up the cheapest NBN 50 deals available this month.

By and large, you need to pay for an internet connection in Australia. 

The Australian Government is however working with NBN Co to provide a year of free NBN access to up to 30,000 families who don't currently have the internet at home. Eligible families with school-age children will be nominated by participating schools, education authorities, and community organisations. 

If you're looking for free internet out of home, Telstra offers free public WiFi at a large number of its payphones. 

Since every Australian household has slightly different internet needs, there's no single price that an NBN plan should cost. However, if you're trying to work out whether you're paying too much, we're here to help.

Here's a rundown on how much the average each NBN speed tier tends to cost per month.

• NBN 25 - Between $45 and $65 per month
• NBN 50 - Between $65 and $75 per month
• NBN 100 - Between $85 and $95 per month
• NBN 250 - Between $99 and $130 per month
• NBN 1000 - Between $130 and $150 per month