Aussie Broadband vs Superloop

Aussie Broadband and Superloop have become much more well-known in recent years. While most Aussies are probably aware that there are plenty of other internet service providers (ISPs) out there beyond just the big three (Optus, Telstra and Vodafone), the thing that many might not realise is that smaller ISPs like the above can offer not just cheaper bills but better results and faster internet speeds.

Having a good home internet connection is more important nowadays, and there's no valid excuse for sticking with a bad one. If you’re in the market for a new internet or NBN provider, chances are you’ll come across Aussie Broadband and Superloop sooner rather than later. However, if you can’t decide which of the two to sign up for, we’ve got you covered.

This is our guide to which is better: Superloop or Aussie Broadband?

Aussie Broadband is independently owned and operated. The company was founded in 2008 after a merger between Westvic Broadband and Wideband Networks. It is publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Superloop is also independently owned and operated. The company was founded in 2014 by Australian Bevan Slattery and is now a publicly traded company after a successful IPO.

When it comes to traditional wired connections, Aussie Broadband far offers more than the bare minimum.

The homegrown hero of Australian broadband landscape offers both NBN fixed line internet and OptiComm private fibre connections. The availability of either technology type will depend more on where you live than personal preference. Even if you can get it though, private fiber is usually more expensive and available in fewer varieties.

Here is a list of Aussie Broadband's private fibre internet plans.

As for NBN plans, Aussie Broadband ranges both the standard speed tiers (NBN 12, NBN 50 and NBN 100/20) alongside the option to build your own internet plan. If you take them up on the offer, you can go all the way up to NBN 250 and NBN 1000 or settle for mid-steps like NBN 75. You can even opt for a monthly data allowance rather than unlimited data in exchange for a slightly cheaper internet bill.

Here are Aussie Broadband’s NBN plans with unlimited data:

Aussie Broadband also offers SIM-only mobile broadband plans, which are powered by the Optus 4G network.

Superloop offers both the usual NBN and fixed wireless internet plans. As you'd expect, the availability of different connections will vary depending on what technology type is available at a given residence. For instance, NBN 250 and NBN 1000 plans are only available to those with a Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connection. 

Keeping that caveat in mind, Superloop offers NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100/20, NBN 100/40, NBN 200, NBN 250 and NBN 1000 plans.

Here are Superloop’s NBN plans with unlimited data.

Like Aussie Broadband, Superloop also offers a range of fibre internet plans.

Meanwhile, Superloop’s fixed wireless plans are all contracted at either 1 month or 12 months or 24 months. You’ll pay less for your set up fees the longer you lock in for. Speed-wise, Aussies have three options to choose from.

• 50Mbps download, 5Mbps upload
• 125Mbps download, 25Mbps upload 
• 250Mbps download, 250Mbps upload

While the NBN was built with the masses in mind, its performance can degrade during situations where too many people are trying to use the network at once. When the available bandwidth capacity on the NBN is being split so many ways, you can end up with lower-than-usual speeds. It’s not unlike how a power grid works, though the stakes aren’t necessarily as dire. 

For that reason, typical evening speeds are the go-to metric for NBN plan performance. They give you a firm idea of what to expect from a given provider in terms of download speeds during peak use periods. 

Here is how Aussie and Superloop stack up against one another in terms of typical evening speeds on the NBN.

For comparison, here are the 10 fastest providers on NBN 100 plans.

All of Aussie Broadband’s popular NBN plans come with unlimited data, but if you are customising your own plan you can choose to put a number of your plan. Either you go unlimited and pay for it, or settle for a 100GB or 500GB download limit. 

That said, the price difference between the cheapest and unlimited options here is just $9. It’s a novel way to cut costs but if you’re a heavy data user it’s probably easier to justify the premium and embrace the peace of mind that comes with it.

Every Superlop NBN plan includes unlimited data. The providers fixed wireless plans also include unlimited data.

Every NBN plan available through Superlop and Aussie Broadband is contract-free. However, you will have to give either provider 30 days notice if you choose to cancel.

If you’re looking at one of Superloop's Fixed Wireless plans, you have the option of going contract-free or saving some money on fees by opting for a 12 month or 24-month term. 

If you’re a customer of either provider, you’ll also have access to an online CVC graph that can help you determine whether your internet service is running slower than it should be.

However, Aussie Broadband has a slight edge here. Its helpline is based in Australia and available during a greater portion of the day. The provider also offers online chat, a call-back service and three alternate numbers that you can call if you’re having any issues with your internet service.

When it comes to perks, neither Superloop nor Aussie Broadband are particularly flush. 

Still, Aussie Broadband does offer Fetch TV as an optional entertainment extra.

Meanwhile, shacking up with Superloop gets you 5 Speed Boost days per month. These allow you to temporarily bump your connection speed up from what you usually get from a given NBN plan to what you could be getting from the one above it. Unused speed boost days roll over up to thirty days. 

Emails are another area where the two providers diverge. Superloop does not include any email accounts while Aussie Broadband allows you to create up to 5.