While it's often regarded as the cheapest of the Big Three mobile networks in Australia, Vodafone is known for its wide selection of plans with plenty of perks.
Its affordability also spreads to the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), which also use the Vodafone network. Each Vodafone MVNO receives full access to the Vodafone network, which isn't something you can say for Telstra network providers. So, if you get Vodafone coverage in your area, you are likely to find a cheaper plan without sacrificing your network connection.
In this guide, we'll look at the cheapest Vodafone MVNO plans in our database of 28 mobile providers.
Best Vodafone network plans
|
#1
|
Pivotel
25GB Mobile Swift Plan
$11.45/mth
Min. cost $11.45
|
|
#2
|
Swoop
30GB SIM Only 5G
$14.00/mth
Min. cost $14
|
|
#3
|
TPG
Editor's Pick
30GB Small Plan
$15.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Lyca Mobile
Editor's Pick
Unlimited Plan S
$15.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Moose Mobile
Moose 23 SIM Only
$14.00/mth
Min. cost $14
|
|
#6
|
iiNet
50GB Medium Plan
$17.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
- $20 and under per month (for at least six months after signing up)
- Unlimited talk and text
- Monthly billing (between 28 and 31 days)
- SIM-only and prepaid mobile plans
- From the Vodafone MVNOs in our database of 28 providers
Mobile phone plans don't have to break the bank. You don't have to look far to find a Vodafone MVNO offering plans priced under $20. Plans around this price point can even offer some pretty good data, which is great if you're after a cheap mobile phone plan for kids.
Dodo's NBN 500 Unlimited plan is our pick for the best NBN 500 plan for September.
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
|
|
#1
|
Moose Mobile
Moose 40 SIM Only
$22.00/mth
Min. cost $22
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
100GB Large Plan
$22.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
TPG
100GB Large Plan
$22.50
Per 1 Month Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Pivotel
80GB Mobile Swift Plan
$22.50/mth
Min. cost $22.50
|
|
#5
|
Swoop
60GB SIM Only 5G
$23.00/mth
Min. cost $23
|
|
#6
|
Kogan Mobile
Small Monthly Plan
$23.00
Per 30 Day Renewal
|
- $21 to $30 per month (for at least six months after signing up)
- Unlimited talk and text
- Monthly billing (between 28 and 31 days)
- SIM-only and prepaid mobile plans
- From the Vodafone MVNOs in our database of 28 providers
If you're looking for a Vodafone-powered SIM-only plan with a sweet deal and plenty of data, the $30 and under price point is an excellent place to start. These plans can have some pretty decent data allowances, especially if you consider introductory discounts and deals.
|
#1
|
Lebara Mobile
$35 SIM Plan
$35.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Lyca Mobile
Unlimited Plan SM
$35.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
felix mobile
felix 50GB Mobile Plan
$35.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#4
|
Moose Mobile
Moose 50 SIM Only
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
|
|
#5
|
Swoop
250GB SIM Only 5G
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
|
|
#6
|
Vodafone
$40 Prepaid Plus Recharge
$40.00
Per 28 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
- $31 to $40 and per month (for at least six months after signing up)
- Unlimited talk and text
- SIM-only and prepaid mobile plans
- Monthly billing (between 28 and 31 days)
- From the Vodafone MVNOs in our database of28 providers
Once we get to around $40 per month, you can see just how cheap it can be going with a Vodafone MVNO. Not because $40 per month is a negligible amount, but because there are so few plans left – for the most part, they're all cheaper than this.
And it can be surprising how much data you can get. Most of these plans have more than enough mobile data to satisfy all your social media scrolling and even watching Netflix while commuting to and from work.
When plans have similar inclusions, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. One way to compare is on the value per GB. As a rule of thumb, anything at $1 or under per GB is good value.
Who sells Vodafone network plans?
At the time of writing, there are currently smaller providers in the WhistleOut database that use the Vodafone network. Here's a quick overview:
| Provider | Plans | 5G | Highlighted features |
|---|---|---|---|
| felix mobile | Prepaid | Yes | Data rollover on selected plans, truly unlimited data plan, no excess data charges, unlimited data banking on selected plans |
| Kogan Mobile | Prepaid | Yes, select plans | Affordable Global Roaming packs, earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points, eSIM options, long-expiry options |
| TPG | Prepaid | Yes, select plans | Generous introductory offers, international calls to select countries, bundle with home internet to save $5 per month |
| iiNet | Prepaid | Yes, select plans | Cheap introductory discounts, eSIM options, bundle with home internet to save $5 per month |
| Lebara Mobile | Prepaid | Yes, select plans | Data banking up to 200GB, unlimited international calls on selected plans, eSIM options, long-expiry options, auto recharge savings |
| Lyca Mobile | Prepaid | No | Data rollover up to 500GB, eSim option |
| Moose Mobile | Prepaid | Yes, select plans | Australian-owned and operated, regular deals, data banking |
| Swoop Mobile | Prepaid | Yes | Australian-owned and operated, no lock-in contract |
While Vodafone coverage used to be considered the smallest of the three national mobile networks, its overall footprint is now tied with Optus. The Vodafone network recently updated its 4G coverage to 99% of the Australian population, which makes it the same as Optus.
| Network | 4G coverage | 5G coverage | Network Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telstra network* | N/A | N/A | 2.14 mil square km |
| Telstra Wholesale network | N/A | N/A | 1.4 mil square km |
| Optus network | 99.1% | 94.5% | 1.2 million square km |
| Vodafone network | 99% | 94.5% | 1.2 million square km |
Numbers shown are a percentage of the Australian population.
*Telstra no longer provides population-based coverage figures. Boost Mobile is the only Telstra MVNO with access to the full Telstra network.
If you want to compare Vodafone, Telstra and Optus coverage in your area, check out the WhistleOut interactive coverage checker tool below. This will help you make a more informed decision about which mobile network you should choose.
Keep in mind mobile network coverage works off population – it doesn't consider geographic coverage. While population coverage is essential, this does mean there are parts of Australia that even the Telstra network can't reach. So even though coverage maps generally colour in whole suburbs, you shouldn't expect coverage to completely blanket the entire area shown. There will be dark spots.
Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
Pros and cons of Vodafone network plans
Choosing a cheaper provider who uses the Vodafone network is a great way to save money while staying connected.
In most cases, you’ll need to bring your own device to a Vodafone MVNO. However, on the upside, it won't take long for you to notice the difference in price. Even so, it is worth taking stock of the various pros and cons of going with a Vodafone reseller, versus going with Vodafone itself:
Vodafone MVNO pros & cons
- Cheaper than going with Vodafone directly
- You have the option to bring your own phone
- 5G is sometimes only available on more-expensive plans or with reduced speeds
- No 30 day network guarantee
Vodafone pros & cons
- Vodafone plans are free from excess data charges in Australia.
- Vodafone offers $5 per day roaming
- Vodafone also offers a 30-day network guarantee so, if you find it isn't for you, you can simply opt out with nothing to pay.
- The only provider on the Vodafone network to sell new phones on plans. Vodafone sells phones on 12, 24 and 36-month contracts.
- Generally more costly than an MVNO
Vodafone MVNO plan FAQs
How do Vodafone MVNOs work?
MVNOs, or smaller mobile providers, buy network access and then sell it on for cheap. Vodafone MVNOs can provide cheaper plans because they have fewer overheads, such as advertising or physical storefronts.
Is there a difference between Vodafone and Vodafone MVNO coverage?
Yes and no. Any Vodafone MVNO can have full access to the Vodafone network, but not all of them buy access to 5G. Some don't offer it at all, and those that do usually don't include it on their cheapest plans.
And even when 5G is included in a Vodafone MVNO plan, there's sometimes a speed limit applied, such as 150Mbps or 250Mbps, but it depends on the plan. That said, 150Mbps is more than enough to handle almost any phone-related activities. As is the (usually) 100Mbps cap on 4G speeds – which is the same download limit as an NBN 100 plan.
Does TPG use the Vodafone network?
Yes. TPG, iiNet, and Vodafone all belong to a parent company called TPG Group, though TPG (the telco) and TPG Group are often referred to interchangeably. That said, TPG doesn't use Vodafone 5G on all its plans, only most of them. The same goes for iiNet.
Christie Graham
Digital Content Editor
Related Articles
