Choosing the best energy plans is made possible by our expert Value Rank methodology, which places each product under the microscope, examining its price, plan inclusions, customer service and billing. Then we give each plan a Value Score out of 10.
At Canstar Blue, we aren’t ones to brag. But, our expert research team have perfected this methodology, so you can have absolute confidence when comparing deals. If you’re ready to pair your phone with the flexibility of a SIM-only plan, we’ve picked out several of the best options below.
Best SIM-only plans November 2024
- Best budget SIM plan Flip $9.90 SIM Plan
- Best everyday SIM plan Southern Phone $29 Medium 5G SIM Plan
- Best big data SIM plan AGL $35 Small SIM Plan
- Best Telstra SIM plan $65 Basic Plan
- Best Optus SIM plan $52 Small Choice Plus Plan
- Best Vodafone SIM plan $49 Small Plan
Postpaid offers you might like
The following table shows a selection of sponsored SIM Only plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $16.50) SIM Only Postpaid
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40GB Data/month |
$16.50 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $14) SIM Only Postpaid
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60GB Data/month |
$14.00 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
Best budget SIM-only plan
Flip $9.90 SIM Plan
Value score: 9.2
If you’re a light data user who prefers to use your phone for calls and texts, Flip’s smallest SIM plan gives you everything you need for under $10 per month. This plan includes 3GB of data each month, as well as unlimited calls and texts to standard Australian numbers.
What’s good about this plan:
- Uses Optus’ 4G Plus network.
- Unlimited talk and text in Australia.
- No setup fees or SIM card charges.
What to look out for:
- Heavier data users may need a higher-priced plan.
- No 5G network coverage.
- International calling is pay-as-you-go only.
The following table shows Flip’s $9.90 SIM plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers.
Best everyday SIM-only plan
Southern Phone $29 Medium 5G SIM Plan
Value score: 9.3
SIM-only provider Southern Phone offers 40GB of data for $29 per month. This plan features unlimited standard national talk and text to Australian numbers, and is offered month-to-month with no lock-in contract or setup fees. Right now, new customers can score a six-month discount when they sign up by February 10, 2025, bringing the cost down to $20 per month.
What’s good about this plan:
- $50 of international call credit included.
- No contracts or setup costs.
- Runs on the Optus 4G and 5G networks.
What to look out for:
- Download speeds capped at 100Mbps.
- Excess data charged at $10 per GB.
- International roaming not included.
The following table shows Southern Phone’s $29 SIM plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a product from a referral partner.
Best big data SIM-only plan
AGL $35 Small SIM-Only
Value score: 9.1
Energy provider AGL also offers a small range of great value mobile plans, including its $35 SIM-only plan. This plan includes 60GB of data each month for as long as you stay connected. You’ll also get coverage on Optus’ 4G and 5G networks, plus unlimited standard national talk and text. Normally $35 monthly, this plan is currently discounted to $14 per month for six months, then $25 per month ongoing when you also have an AGL energy plan.
What’s good about this plan:
- Optus 5G coverage included.
- $50 of international call credit each month.
- No setup fees or SIM card charges.
What to look out for:
- Discount is only available to customers with an AGL electricity or gas plan.
- Download speeds capped at 100Mbps.
- International roaming not included.
The following table shows AGL’s $35 plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers.
Best Telstra SIM-only plan
Basic Plan
Value score: 3.2
Telstra’s $65 Basic plan offers a huge 50GB of full-speed data each month, plus unlimited standard talk and text in Australia. Like Optus and Vodafone, Telstra provides bill shock backup, including unlimited speed-capped data (limited to 1.5Mbps) on all postpaid plans. Telstra customers also get 30 minutes of calls to any standard international number every month, along with unlimited international text.
What’s good about this plan:
- Unlimited data capped at 1.5Mbps – no data overage fees in Australia.
- 3G, 4GX and 5G networks cover around 99% of Australians.
- Unlimited international texts and 30 minutes of calls to standard international numbers.
What to look out for:
- International roaming extras aren’t included, but Day Passes available from $5 per day.
- Comparatively more expensive than other plans with similar data inclusions.
- Heavy data users may prefer to upgrade to a larger plan with more monthly fast gigabytes.
The following table shows Telstra’s $65 Basic SIM-only plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a product from a referral partner.
Best Optus SIM-only plan
Small Choice Plus Plan
Value score: 4.4
Optus offers something for everyone, including massive data allowances, international extras, and bonus features. The telco’s Small Choice Plus plan with 50GB of fast data is priced at $52 per month, and includes unlimited standard talk and text in Australia, endless speed-capped data, plus the option to share data across multiple plans on a single account.
What’s good about this plan:
- Includes unlimited data capped at 1.5Mbps speeds in addition to a full-speed data allowance.
- Unlimited data days are available for $5 per day.
- Customers can share data between accounts.
What to look out for:
- International calls and texts not included.
- International roaming not included, although Optus Roaming Passes can be added from $5 per day.
- Heavy data users may prefer to upgrade to a larger plan with more monthly fast gigabytes.
The following table shows Optus’ $52 Small Choice plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers.
Best Vodafone SIM-only plan
$49 Small Plan
Value score: 4.8
If you’re looking for a SIM-only plan with great monthly data inclusions, Vodafone’s $49 Small month-to-month plan has you covered. This plan includes 50GB of monthly full-speed data and unlimited data at capped speeds of 2Mbps, plus unlimited standard national talk and text in Australia and unlimited standard texts to overseas.
What’s good about this plan:
- Unlimited international texts as well as unlimited standard Australian inclusions.
- Includes unlimited data, known as ‘endless data’ at capped speed of 2Mbps.
- Customers can bundle this plan with other eligible Vodafone mobile and NBN plans to save up to 20% on plan fees.
What to look out for:
- Network coverage not as extensive regionally when compared to Telstra or Optus.
- No international call inclusions on this plan, however international call value included on $59 and $69 plans.
- International roaming not included, but $5 and $10 Roaming available in selected countries.
The following table shows Vodafone’s $49 Small plan. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a product from a referral partner.
More expert picks courtesy of our Value Rank formula
Our Value Score methodology for SIM-only plans
While price is clearly important, there’s more to finding a great SIM-only plan than simply looking for the cheapest deal. After all, an extra few dollars could earn you a bucket load more data. That’s why, in addition to comparing on price, Canstar Blue gives you the opportunity to search for plans based on our unique Value Score, so you know you’re getting a great deal, not just a cheap price.
Value Scores range from 1 to 10, with a higher score indicating a better value phone plan. The Value Score consists of a Price Score and Feature Score: the Price Score accounts for 70% of the overall ranking, with the Feature Score contributing to 30%.
Price Score
Price Scores are calculated by comparing a plan’s monthly cost to the price of other plans in the market. Canstar Blue uses a plan’s average cost, rather than advertised prices, to account for plans that don’t renew on a standard monthly basis – for example, prepaid plans that expire every 10, 14, or 28 days. Using a plan’s average monthly cost, mean average monthly cost, and the standard deviation of the average monthly cost, Canstar Blue calculates and assigns a Price Score between 0 and 100.
Feature Score
The Feature Score compares over 100 features found on mobile plans, which are grouped into the following three categories:
- Customer Service and Support (40% of score): Application channels, website functionality, online help/support, call centres, etc.
- Inclusions (35% of score): Call, data, and SMS allowances, additional plan inclusions such as international calls or data free streaming.
- Billing and Payments (25% of score): Payment, statement, and billing frequency and options.
The Value Score, Pricing Score and Feature Scores of plans are re-calculated daily, with changes then reflected on Canstar Blue’s comparison tool. When you visit our site, you know you’re looking at the best deals around. Read the full breakdown of our SIM-Only Value Rank methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
How we pick the best value plans
- Best Budget SIM Plan: The best-ranked SIM-only postpaid plan under $10 per month, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
- Best Everyday SIM Plan: The best-ranked SIM-only postpaid plan with around 20GB of monthly data, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
- Best Big Data SIM Plan: The best-ranked SIM-only postpaid plan with a minimum of 60GB of monthly data, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
- Best Telstra SIM Plan: The best-ranked Telstra SIM-only postpaid plan, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
- Best Vodafone SIM Plan: The best-ranked Vodafone SIM-only postpaid plan, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
- Best Optus SIM Plan: The best-ranked Optus SIM-only postpaid plan, as determined by Canstar Blue’s Value Score.
In the event that two or more plans have the same value score in any given category, the cheapest option will be featured.
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