Which Prepaid Service Has The Best Coverage

Fact Checked

ALDI Mobile is our best-rated prepaid telephone program provider ii years running

If you desire maximum flexibility, control and value for money, a prepaid mobile phone plan could be the way to go. Once the 'ugly duckling' of mobile plans, many prepaid deals now provide awesome value for money without locking you into a contract. There'southward as well no take a chance of beak daze, as you lot're paying in advance rather than being surprised by an stop-of-month charge. Activating a new plan is incredibly easy, and you tin switch service providers in no time at all if you lot observe a ameliorate deal. All the large telcos offer prepaid plans; but as our customer ratings advise, you could bag an fifty-fifty better bargain past comparing some of the smaller providers, also.

With so many prepaid providers competing for your business organisation, finding the best deal for your needs and preferences can become a real challenge. That'southward why we provide an almanac review of prepaid mobile providers to see which are stacking up all-time on important factors like network coverage, ease of recharging, client service, and value for coin. The thought is to give you every bit much data as possible, so you lot can make the best-informed decision yous can.

This year, Canstar Blue's prepaid phone plans review sees Australia's big iii carriers – Vodafone , Optus and Telstra – fight it out confronting the smaller providers, namely Amaysim , Heave Mobile , ALDI Mobile, Kogan Mobile , TPG , Woolworths Mobile , Take hold of Connect and Lebara . So, which prepaid provider practice Aussies rate all-time when information technology comes to coverage, service and value? Read on as we explore the all-time prepaid plans and deals effectually, and what you need to look for to ensure you're getting the best plan for your coin.

Best Prepaid Phone Plans

Hither are the best providers for prepaid telephone plans, as rated by customers in Canstar Blue'due south 2021 review:

ALDI Mobile
Woolworths Mobile
Amaysim
Heave Mobile
Catch Connect
Lebara Mobile
Optus
Kogan Mobile
TPG
Vodafone
Telstra

Beating out tough competition from telcos big and small, ALDI Mobile has again claimed the number-one spot equally all-time-rated prepaid provider in our annual review. The supermarket make was the all-time-reviewed telco in our 2020 ratings, and has repeated the feat this year with a five-star overall satisfaction score and top marks for value, coverage, ease of recharge, and sign up and activation. Information technology seems Aussies are still loving ALDI's uncomplicated, yet competitive prepaid range, which includes 30-day and long-life plan options.

Coming in at number two for the second twelvemonth in a row is fellow supermarket provider Woolworths Mobile, with an overall score of iv stars for satisfaction. Our 2019 prepaid winner, Amaysim , took habitation the bronze with a four-star overall satisfaction rating. At the other cease of the spectrum, TPG , Vodafone and Telstra were ranked the everyman overall, each scoring 3 stars for client satisfaction.

Then, nosotros know how prepaid brands compare on customer satisfaction, but what most value, price and features? Below is a guide to what these xi prepaid providers have to offer, as well as tips on how to find the best plan for your needs and budget.

Prepaid Phone Plans Compared

When yous're comparing prepaid phone plans, price isn't the simply matter you need to consider. While you can easily pick up a cheap prepaid program for $ten or less, some of these offers may have a shorter expiry period – such equally seven days – which would require several recharges over a month. If you're looking into prepaid plans for the long term, you might be better off with an expiry period of 28 or 30 days. Finding the best prepaid programme for you might be that residual between expiry period, toll and inclusions, so consider what your needs are when comparison prepaid plans.

Beneath are selected published prepaid plans on Canstar Blue'southward database, listed in order of cost, from the everyman to highest and then past data allowance, largest to smallest. This selection of plans includes links to referral partners.

ALDI Mobile Prepaid Plans

Our 2021 winner is the oft-disregarded ALDI Mobile, a supermarket brand that's making waves in the prepaid space cheers to its flexible and value-packed plans. A Telstra network reseller, ALDI Mobile offers a range of prepaid options, the nearly popular being its 30-24-hour interval mobile plans. All four ALDI prepaid plans run over 30 days, include unlimited standard talk and text in Commonwealth of australia, and begin at $15 per recharge for 3GB of data. These plans get up to $45 for 65GB, and ALDI Mobile also throws in bonus data offers for additional recharges from fourth dimension to fourth dimension.

If you're a varying data user, or desire to save your gigabytes for a rainy mean solar day, these plans also feature continuous data rollover: basically, recharge earlier expiry, and any unused gigabytes will scroll over to the following recharge. ALDI Mobile as well includes unlimited standard calls to xv countries on plans of $25 or more, plus additional overseas call and text extras.

If y'all're looking for options for the whole household, ALDI Mobile besides offers several Family Plans for 2, four, or six people, which include data plus unlimited talk and text to be shared betwixt users over xxx days. Pay-as-you-get options are too bachelor, ideal for low or occasional employ customers, or anyone wanting a long expiry menses.

ALDI Mobile achieved an outstanding score in our 2021 ratings, earning five stars in virtually every category including value for money, network coverage, sign up, ease of recharge and for overall satisfaction.

Woolworths Mobile Prepaid Plans

In its second year in our ratings, Woolworths Mobile retains its second-place ranking thanks to its impressive range of low-cost prepaid plans. Operating on Telstra's 3G and 4G networks, Woolworths Mobile offers five standard 30-day prepaid plans start at $20 for 12GB of data, upwardly to $twoscore for 42GB per recharge. All plans include unlimited standard talk and text in Australia, plus the option to roll over and banking company upwardly to 300GB of unused data.

Medium and Large 30-twenty-four hour period plans besides include unlimited standard calls and texts to 22 countries, and all plans give customers the option of saving upwards to $50 off a Woolworths supermarket store each calendar month. Woolworths Mobile also offers three longer expiry plans: a 180-mean solar day option with 15GB of data, and ii 365-day plans with 100GB and 145GB.

Woolworths Mobile scored four stars for overall satisfaction in our 2021 ratings, and achieved five stars for value for money, billing, and sign up and activation.

Amaysim Prepaid Plans

Amaysim has streamlined its master suite of prepaid plans to offer v unlimited SIM-only options, plus a basic pay-as-yous-go plan. Running on Optus' 4G Plus nationwide network , Amaysim's plans begin at simply $12 for 2GB of data, plus unlimited talk and text to standard numbers within Commonwealth of australia.

Plans go up to $fifty for a generous 80GB of information, and all unlimited plans characteristic a 28-twenty-four hour period expiry. In addition to standard national talk & text, Amaysim'south $thirty plan also includes unlimited standard calls to 28 selected countries (including the UK, U.s., and China), with $40 and $50 plans including unlimited talk and text to 42 countries. There are too 2 long decease plans on offer, over half dozen and 12-month expiry periods.

Amaysim customers also get access to unlimited data banking, storing your unused data for later use, bachelor on every plan.

Amaysim was rated four stars for overall satisfaction in this year'southward rankings, and accomplished 5-star results for both client service, and sign-upwards and activation.

Heave Mobile Prepaid Plans

A former Canstar Blue ratings winner, Boost Mobile remains one of Australia's most popular prepaid options. Operating on Telstra'due south network (and the only reseller to provide full Telstra network access), Boost Mobile's suite of prepaid deals feature 28-twenty-four hours, and 12-calendar month expiries, although its 28-day range is a clear favourite.

Boost's 28-twenty-four hour period plans brainstorm at $20 for 5GB of data, up to $seventy for 65GB. Bonus data is also oft available, and all plans include data rollover if y'all recharge before expiry. In addition to unlimited standard calls and SMS in Australia, you'll also get unlimited standard international calls and texts to 20 countries, plus upwards to 300 standard international minutes to 30 destinations on selected plans.

Heave Mobile was awarded four stars for overall satisfaction in our 2021 ratings, and received a 5-star outcome for network coverage.

Catch Connect Prepaid Plans

A new entry in our prepaid ratings, Grab Connect is the mobile offshoot of online retailer Catch. Operating on the Optus network, Take hold of offers 30-twenty-four hours, 90-day and 365-day prepaid options, with prices commencement from $10 for 4GB every 30 days.

All plans include unlimited standard national talk and text in Australia, and depending on your plan, up to 20GB of data each calendar month. Customers can track their usage and manage their account and AutoRecharge settings via the Grab Connect app, making the make an easy selection for simple, no-fuss prepaid without expensive extras or add-ons.

Catch Connect received four stars for overall satisfaction in its first twelvemonth in our ratings, as well as four stars for value for money, network coverage, and sign upwards and activation.

Lebara Mobile Prepaid Plans

A Vodafone network reseller, Lebara offers a range of 30-day and long-term plans, with 30-twenty-four hours prices beginning at $14.90 for 9GB. Plans include non just unlimited standard calls & text to Australian numbers, but also international calling, with unlimited minutes to 64 countries available on its $69.ninety XXLarge plan.

In addition to excellent overseas talk extras, Lebara's plans likewise feature both data banking and data gifting. The data banking allows you to stash abroad upwardly to 200GB of unused data for later use, while gifting enables customers to send up to 10GB of unwanted information each month to other Lebara users. Add-ons, as extra data and international phone call credit, are also bachelor, in addition to international roaming packs.

Lebara Mobile accomplished 4 stars for overall satisfaction in this yr'southward prepaid ratings, with four stars for value for money, customer service, and ease of recharge.

Optus Prepaid Plans

Optus offers a large selection of prepaid plans, including Epic Data, Epic Value, Daily Plus, and Optus Flex options. Most customers volition opt for Epic Data plans, every bit plans of $30 and up feature unlimited standard talk and text in Commonwealth of australia and a 28-day death. 28-twenty-four hours recharges brainstorm from $thirty for 10GB of data, up to $forty for 20GB, with bonus data ofttimes available on your first three recharges.

All Epic Information Optus prepaid plans currently include an extra 10GB reserved exclusively for video streaming, available to use with Netflix, Stan, or ABC iView. Optus plans too characteristic upwards to 200GB of information rollover, plus unlimited standard international calls to 15 selected countries. If this isn't enough, you're also complimentary to add on extras, such equally Optus Sport, information roaming, and additional international talk.

Optus scored 3 stars for overall satisfaction in our 2021 prepaid ratings, with four stars for customer service, network coverage and ease of recharge.

Kogan Mobile Prepaid Plans

Known for its online retail business concern, Kogan likewise operates in the mobile space – offer a range of prepaid plans over a variety of decease periods, including xxx days and 365 days. xxx-twenty-four hours plans are offered on a 12-month contract, but you'll pay per month rather than for the full twelvemonth in advance. Add together-ons such as international calls and roaming and data height-ups are besides available, making plans truly customisable.

Kogan's xxx-day programme prices begin at $25 for 45GB, up to $twoscore for 80GB. Signing up for a longer term and paying upfront does piece of work out to be cheaper overall, but if you lot prefer to avert year-long commitments y'all may prefer the simplicity of a 30-solar day recharge. All plans also include unlimited standard calls and texts within Australia, and operate on Vodafone's 3G and 4G networks .

Kogan Mobile scored 3 stars for overall satisfaction in 2021, and also achieved four star scores in value for money, ease of recharge, sign up and activation and in billing.

TPG Prepaid Plans

Known by and large as an NBN, ADSL and cable broadband provider, TPG also offers a prepaid mobile plan range. Plans begin at $twenty for 12GB of data and unlimited talk and text to standard Australian numbers, with options up to 60GB of data for $40 per month. TPG as well offers a $5 or $10 per month discount on selected plans to customers who too accept an active TPG broadband plan.

Customers can add international calls to 37 selected countries to their plan for an additional $5 per calendar month. All plans use the Vodafone 3G and 4G networks, and new customers may be eligible for discounted rates for their get-go 6 months. TPG'southward plans are also auto-renewing, so customers won't need to manually recharge their plan each month.

In TPG Mobile'south second twelvemonth in Canstar Blueish's prepaid ratings, the telco scored 3 stars for overall satisfaction, with iv-star results for customer service and value for coin.

Vodafone Prepaid Plans

Vodafone has recently simplified its prepaid range, and now offers five standard Prepaid Plus starter packs, plus two long-expiry options. These plans include a $thirty option with 15GB, $twoscore for 30GB, and $50 for 45GB, all over 28 days, plus vi and 12-month options..

Vodafone's prepaid plans regularly include bonus information, in add-on to unlimited standard Australian talk and text, and the three 28-twenty-four hour period plans include unlimited data capped at speeds of 1.5Mbps. Depending on your specific plan, you can too score unlimited international calls to selected countries each calendar month. If you're looking for a disbelieve, Vodafone gives its customers the option to recharge as usual, or ready up an auto-recharge and receive $5 off your program price.

Vodafone was awarded 3 stars for overall satisfaction in 2021, but received four stars for customer service, sign upwards and activation, and for ease of recharge.

Telstra Prepaid Plans

Telstra's prepaid range offers something for anybody, with plenty of perks and extras included on most plans. Customers tin select from Prepaid Mobile or Prepaid Casual plans: Prepaid Mobile prices brainstorm at $10 for 2GB over seven days, up to $300 for 150GB with a 12-month death.

All of Telstra's Prepaid Mobile plans include unlimited standard calls and texts to Australian numbers. Y'all'll besides exist able to rollover unused data continuously, provided you recharge before your plan expiry. Telstra prepaid customers besides receive standard international call inclusions on plans and recharges of $30 or more than.

Telstra scored three stars for overall satisfaction in our 2021 review of prepaid mobile plan providers, but was awarded iv stars for both network coverage and ease of recharge.

What are the cheapest prepaid plans?

If you're looking to save some money by picking up a inexpensive prepaid plan, in that location are a few things yous'll need to be wary of. Some of these super cheap plans might be on a brusque expiry period, such as seven days. If you're looking for a plan to keep in the long run, recharging every calendar week won't be very inexpensive, and then wait for plans with 28 or 30-24-hour interval expiry periods.

Plan inclusions

You'll need to consider program inclusions. While well-nigh plans now offer unlimited standard national calls and SMS by default, some plans might accept limited telephone call inclusions and ofttimes much smaller data amounts. Typically if you want more data on your programme, you lot'll need to pay for it. The cheapest prepaid plans might but include 1GB-2GB of data for that whole 28 or thirty-mean solar day death period, so unless you're a very low-cal phone user, you might demand to increase your budget if you demand more data.

Prepaid plans for kids

Inexpensive prepaid phone plans are great options for kids, especially for their showtime mobile telephone. The bang-up thing almost prepaid is that as a parent, you lot don't need to worry about bill daze, and your child can be more responsible about monitoring their data usage — in one case they run out, they'll need to wait until the next recharge for more data. Cheap prepaid plans are too slap-up phone plans for seniors who prefer to non get a nib, and are happy with the easy setup and smaller inclusions.

Compare cheap prepaid plans

If you're looking for a inexpensive prepaid program, the following tabular array shows a option of published prepaid plans on Canstar Blue's database for $20 or less, listed in guild of cost, from the lowest to highest and and then by data assart, largest to smallest. This selection of plans includes links to referral partners.

Is a prepaid mobile plan right for me?

If y'all're a bit uncertain nigh prepaid plans, hopefully this guide has cleared upwardly whatever questions or concerns you might have had about prepaid. These days, at that place is very little difference in value for money betwixt prepaid mobile plans and the postpaid plans where you lot're billed each calendar month.

There are cheap plans bachelor, plans with large information inclusions, and sometimes plans that tick both boxes! Whatever your needs are, in that location are plenty of prepaid options out at that place to choose from. One time y'all have a clear thought of what kind of plan you lot're looking for, it helps to compare prepaid plans from a range of different providers to help y'all detect the all-time mobile plan to suit your needs.

About the author of this page

Tara Donnelly

This folio was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue's Telco Editor, Tara Donnelly. Having spent years writing for and editing telco comparison websites, she'southward an expert in all things phone & internet, including phone plans and how to observe the best deal for your family unit. She loves to highlight the next all-time telephone deals, while too flagging the things yous need to exist aware of. Tara too acts every bit a spokesperson for Canstar Blue.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a prepaid phone plan?

A prepaid telephone plan is essentially one that you pay for in advance, rather than receiving a nib at the stop of each calendar month. Prepaid plans are typically available every bit SIM-but plans, where yous volition receive a SIM carte du jour and telephone number (you tin can also keep and use your current number if y'all don't need new digits).

Almost prepaid SIMs are pre-loaded with a certain amount of inclusions (calls, SMS and mobile data), so yous just need to insert the menu into your phone, activate and go. You lot can also buy a prepaid SIM carte du jour on its own with no call, text or data inclusions, and and so choose your preferred prepaid programme later on when activating.

Prepaid plans are usually offer on a 28 or xxx-day decease period, merely this can vary across providers. You tin can choose to recharge your plan yourself after each expiry period, or set up an auto-renewal payment through your bank account, debit or credit account.

What is the all-time prepaid phone provider?

In our latest review of prepaid phone plans, ALDI Mobile was rated best for overall customer satisfaction, only it wasn't the only telco to perform well in specific areas. This is what our latest customer survey found:

Best Overall: ALDI Mobile earned the merely 5-star review for overall satisfaction, with Woolworths Mobile and Amaysim a close second and third respectively.
All-time Value: ALDI Mobile was rated best on value for coin, again followed closely past Woolworths Mobile.
Best Network Coverage: ALDI Mobile and Boost Mobile were ranked best for network coverage, both of which operate on the Telstra mobile network.
Best Customer Service: Amaysim was accounted to have the best customer service.
Best for Easy Recharging: ALDI Mobile was rated best for ease of recharge.
Best for Sign-up & Activation: ALDI Mobile additionally took the title for best sign-upward & activation process, alee of Woolworths Mobile and Amaysim.
Best for Billing: Woolworths Mobile was rated best for billing, followed by ALDI Mobile and Amaysim.

What is the deviation between prepaid and postpaid mobile plans?

A prepaid plan is paid for advance, comes with a set number of inclusions, and needs to be recharged afterward every expiry (or set to auto-recharge). Some plans have similar inclusions and allowances to postpaid, and others must be recharged with credit in dollars, from which call minutes, texts and data is deducted.

A postpaid programme requires customers to pay for their talk, text and data after use, and is usually offered a monthly basis. Postpaid users typically receive a bill at the end of each month, with a due date that plan fees must paid past. These plans can be offered both equally SIM-only or bundled with a new smartphone, and oft feature more inclusions than equivalent prepaid plans. Customers on postpaid plans may be charged for extras that aren't included in their monthly plan price, including data overages or premium calls, so should proceed an middle on their usage to avoid bill shock.

Can I use my current number on a prepaid plan?

Yous're free to port or transfer your electric current number to a new prepaid program, even if you're using a new SIM bill of fare. You'll be asked during the sign-up or activation process if you'd like to keep your existing phone number – simply select 'yes' and follow the instructions provided by your new prepaid telco.

More information almost prepaid mobile plans

About this research

Canstar Bluish surveyed 12,316 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and runway customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers inside the survey group who currently have an active prepaid mobile telephone in their name and pay the bills – in this case, 3,574 people.

Brands must take received at least thirty responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars accept however achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of x. Non all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted past star ratings so by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a 'Northward/A' (Not Applicable) rating if information technology does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.

Past ratings

Here are past winners of Canstar Bluish's Most Satisfied Customers – Prepaid Phone Plans ratings:

2020: ALDI Mobile
2019: Amaysim
2018: Boost Mobile
2017: ALDI Mobile
2016: ALDI Mobile

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