Compare TPG vs Optus NBN plans

TPG vs Optus NBN plans and prices

As two of the biggest NBN providers in the country, TPG and Optus both offer a wide range of NBN plans to suit different household needs.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s NBN wholesale market report, the TPG Telecom group (which includes TPG, iiNet and Vodafone) has the second largest NBN market share. However, Optus isn’t too far behind as the third largest NBN provider.

TPG keeps things simple and offers a range of plans across all NBN speed tiers — except for the NBN 100/40 speed tier. Plans start at NBN 12 and go up to NBN 1000, with unlimited data included on all plans. TPG is one of a smaller number of providers which also offers NBN 12 plans.

You can choose to BYO modem or add a modem on to your plan. Modems can be bought upfront, or you can sign up for a six-month contract to get your modem for $0 (delivery fee applies). If you add on a modem, you can also add on one of three call packs for an additional monthly cost, or just stick to pay-as-you-go call rates. SIM-only mobile plans are also available to be bundled with your TPG NBN plan.

Optus does things a little differently when it comes to its range of NBN plans. You can choose between the simple ‘Everyday’ plan type with your choice of NBN speed from NBN 25 up to NBN 1000. Or, you can opt for the ‘Family Entertainer’ plan type with added extras and NBN speeds starting at NBN 50 and going up to NBN 1000.

You can also choose to BYO modem for the Everyday plan type. However if you choose to add on a modem to your plan, it’s included for free when you stay connected to your plan for 36 months. If you cancel before then, you’ll need to pay off the remainder of your modem costs.

TPG vs Optus cheapest NBN plans

Between TPG and Optus, as TPG offers the slowest speed tier (NBN 12), TPG has the cheapest plan of the two. Both Optus and TPG’s NBN 25 plans are at a similar price point, however TPG does tend to be cheaper across all the other speed tiers by about $10 or $20. Keep in mind that the Everyday plans from Optus are much cheaper than the Family Entertainer bundle plans.

TPG NBN vs Optus NBN speeds

Both TPG and Optus offer a wide range of speed tiers to suit most usage needs. TPG offers more speed tiers, starting at NBN 12 and going up to NBN 1000, while Optus starts at NBN 25 and goes up to NBN 1000. Optus also offers the NBN 100/40 speed tier.

As for real-world performance, both providers list the typical evening speed you can expect on your plan during the busy evening peak from 7pm to 11pm. However, real world performance can vary. You can check out our typical evening speed guide to find out more about TPG and Optus NBN speeds.

TPG vs Optus bundles and extras

Apart from the option to bundle a home phone call pack, TPG doesn’t offer any extras or bundles.

However Optus offers a wide range of bundles and extras in addition to home phone packs. If you’re looking for more than a basic NBN plan, the Optus Plus Family Entertainer plan includes a Netflix subscription, WiFi Booster and WiFi security, in addition to an Optus modem.

Optus also offers a subscription bundling service, Optus SubHub, which allows you to add on a range of subscriptions — such as Netflix, BINGE and Brit Box — to eligible plans, with discounts for bundling multiple services. Eligible Optus customers will also get an Optus Sport subscription for a discounted price compared to non-Optus customers.

What do customers think of Optus vs TPG?

At Canstar Blue, we publish our Most Satisfied Customer ratings for NBN providers every year, which can give you an idea of what Aussies think of their NBN provider and service.

In our 2024 ratings, TPG was in ninth place and scored four stars for overall satisfaction, customer service and value for money. Optus was in fifteenth place and scored three stars for overall satisfaction, value for money and customer service.

TPG vs Optus: Which NBN provider should you sign up to?

Choosing between TPG vs Optus might come down to whether you prefer a cheaper price or added extras. While TPG offers a fairly simple range of NBN plans, most plans are typically around $10 or $20 cheaper than what Optus offers. TPG is also one of a small number of providers to offer plans on the NBN 12 speed tier, so if you’re looking for the cheapest NBN speed on offer, TPG will be one of your options.

However, Optus offers a lot more than just a simple range of NBN plans. The option for a family entertainment NBN plan could be tempting if you like extras included with your plan. Having access to Optus SubHub could also come in handy if you want to bundle multiple subscriptions — especially since you can get discounts for bundling multiple services.

Ultimately, you’ll need to assess what is most important to your household’s internet needs. While TPG and Optus are some of the biggest NBN providers on the market, there are also plenty of other providers and plans out there. It’s always worth comparing a wide range of plans and providers to find the best NBN plan for your needs.

About our internet experts

Emma Bradstock: Senior Telco Specialist

As Canstar Blue’s Senior Telco Specialist, Emma Bradstock covers all things mobile phone and internet, which she’s focused on for over five years. Emma has over a decade of professional writing experience across print and digital media outlets and for digital agencies, and has turned her hand to multimedia content and social media management.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University. You can follow Emma on LinkedIn.

Josh Filosi: Data Insights Analyst

Josh Filosi is Canstar’s Data Insights Analyst, and helps develop and deliver the methodology for Canstar Blue’s Value Rankings and Awards for the telco industry. He holds a double-major in Economics and Behavioral Science, and enjoys interpreting complex data. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.