Best NBN plans for singles: top picks for one-person households

Flip | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$64p/m (for 6 months, then AU$73.90p/m)

Flip's NBN 50 plan is one of the cheapest 50Mbps offerings that we monitor. It's priced just above Kogan's plan below, however, there's only an AU$30.60 difference in first-year costs between the two. And unlike Kogan's plan, you'll have more savings in the first six months, compared to Kogan's three-month discounted rate.

It advertises the full 50Mbps download speeds, along with 17Mbps upload speeds, which is more than enough internet for some moderate social media scrolling.

Total minimum cost: AU$64 | Total first year cost: AU$837.30 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$886.80

Tangerine | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$62.90p/m (for 6 months, then AU$82.90p/m)

Tangerine’s Value Plus NBN 50 is one of the cheapest prices you’ll pay for a 50Mbps connection, coming in right under AU$65p/m for the first six months. You'll save AU$20 a month — that's AU$120 total — before the price increases to AU$82.90.

What we like about Tangerine is that it offers a 14-day risk-free trial, so if you find the service isn't up to scratch for whatever reason, you're free to cancel without any issues.

Total minimum cost: AU$62.90 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$874.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$994.80

Spintel | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$66p/m (for 6 months, then AU$76.95p/m)

Based on online reviews, Spintel offers a reliable service and it too, advertises the full 50Mbps download speeds during the busy evening period. You'll save AU$10.95p/m for the first six months — that's AU$65.70 total — before the price increases.

It's still a relatively cheap option, but if you're looking to maximise your savings, you might want to sign up for Flip's plan above or shop around for a better deal. If you need to, you can even add on a home phone or mobile phone service as well.

Total minimum cost: AU$66 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$857.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$923.40

Buddy Telco | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$65p/m

Buddy's NBN 25 plan advertises 24Mbps during the typical evening hours, which is on par with its parent company, Aussie Broadband. You'll save around AU$5p/m compared to the average price of this tier, which is currently AU$70.21p/m.

While Buddy's plan is a moderately priced option, if you're looking to maximise your savings, you might want to sign up for Flip's plan above or shop around.

Total minimum cost: AU$65 | Yearly cost: AU$780

Exetel | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$63.99p/m (for 6 months then AU$79.99p/m)

This Exetel NBN 50 plan does have a higher yearly cost compared to the providers above, but it comes with the added benefit of Speed Boost days. You get five free Speed Boost days by default and can purchase extras for $2 per day.

These will allow you to boost your download speed to the next tier — NBN 100 in this instance — for a much faster experience, ideal if you're an avid gamer. Exetel also allows you to bank your Speed Boost days up to a total of 30, giving you the ability to have an entire month of 100Mbps download speeds.

Total minimum cost: AU$53.99 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$863.88 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$959.88

Spintel | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$47p/m (for 6 months, then AU$59.95)

If you’re looking for the cheapest NBN plan when living alone, then look no further than Spintel’s Entry 25 plan.

Not only does it deliver the full 25Mbps during the busy evening hours of 7pm to 11pm, but the telco also claims to reach 8Mbps uploads, which is pretty typical for this tier. These speed claims have increased over the past few months, as the plan used to advertise only 20Mbps/5Mbps.

That said, you’re unlikely to have a great experience streaming HD movies, and 4K is certainly out of the question. However, this is the case for all NBN 25 plans, not just a mark against Spintel.

However, if your needs are just to browse the internet, send some emails and you’re happy streaming video content in standard definition, then Spintel’s NBN plan is one of the most cost-effective options available.

Total minimum cost: AU$47 | Total first year cost: AU$641.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$719.40

Tangerine | NBN 25 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$47.90p/m (for 6 months, then AU$67.90p/m)

For a slightly faster service that still keeps the cost low, then this Tangerine NBN 25 plan is a great option. You get the full 25Mbps speed during the busy evening period, and you can also take advantage of a 14-day free trial to see if the service works for your needs.

However, despite upload speeds on Tangerine’s NBN 25 plan being slightly higher than Spintel’s, at 10Mbps during off-peak hours and 8.5Mbps during the typical peak evening hours, the telco says you may struggle to stream and download HD video or play games online. So if these things are important to you, then you’ll need to look at moving up to an NBN 50 plan at a minimum.

Total minimum cost: AU$47.90 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$694.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$814.80

Kogan | NBN 50 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$58.90p/m (for 3 months, then AU$68.90p/m)

If you're looking for a touch more speed without breaking the bank, Kogan's Silver Unlimited NBN 50 clocks in with evening speeds of 50Mbps and 17Mbps uploads, which is pretty typical across the speed tier.

Right now, this initial discount offer shaves AU$10p/m off over the first three months — that's AU$30 — before the price increases. Plus, this offering is the cheapest NBN 50 plan we monitor, as it offers incredible value for a low ongoing cost.

Moreover, the plan's first 12-month cost of AU$796.80 is one of the cheapest of all NBN 50 plans. Kogan also offers you its Internet Price Pledge, so if you find a better price on the same NBN plan, Kogan will give you back double the difference.

Do note though, that this plan's initial outlay is only for the first three months, so do keep that in mind before signing the dotted line.

Total minimum cost: AU$58.90 | Total cost for first 12 months: AU$796.80 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$826.80

Spintel | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$65p/m (for 6 months, then AU$81.95p/m)

Spintel offers sensational value for a low cost. Across all NBN 100 plans, the offering has one of the lowest first yearly costs of a modest AU$881.70 and one of the cheapest ongoing rates after the introductory discount ends.

There’s little in the way of extra features with this plan – which will likely go some way to explaining the low cost – but if you’re just searching for a no-frills NBN plan to get you connected, Spintel is well worth your attention.

Total minimum cost: AU$65 | Total first year cost: AU$881.70 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$983.40

Mate | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$60p/m using code MATE30 (for 6 months, then AU$90p/m)

One of the cheapest NBN 100 plans currently available in Australia comes from Mate, thanks to a promotional offer that saves you AU$180 for the first six months.

Mate doesn't advertise the maximum 100Mbps speeds during the busy evening hours, but with a claimed 93Mbps, it's not far off. What's more, online reviews for Mate's NBN service are far more positive. Customers particularly love the fact Mate's customer support team are based in Australia and have proven to be incredibly helpful.

Like most other NBN providers, Mate works on a no lock-in contract basis, so if you're not happy after your first month's service, you're free to cancel and switch.

Total minimum cost: AU$60 | Total cost for first year: AU$900 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,080

Exetel | NBN 100 | Unlimited data | No lock-in contract | AU$65.99p/m (first 6 months, then AU$84.99p/m)

Exetel takes a spot in this round-up with its NBN 100 plan. As we’ve said before, a major perk includes five free Speed Boost days, which lets you increase the speed of your plan to the next tier — NBN 250 — if you have the right connection type.

While 250Mbps is more than enough internet to suffice a large household, having the perk to try it out in a single-person setting is pretty nifty, especially if you exclusively work from home. Plus, you can bank your Speed Boost Days for up to a month, so if you have major online work calls or if friends come to stay, you can save them up.

Total minimum cost: AU$65.99 | Total cost for first year: AU$905.88 | Yearly cost after discount: AU$1,019.88