What are Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customer Awards?

Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards recognise companies with the most satisfied customers overall based on consumer surveys.

How many people do we survey for our phone-on-a-plan ratings?

Canstar surveyed 1,505 Australians with a current phone bundled with a plan for their feedback on phone on a plan providers they’ve used. Respondents had to have an active mobile phone on a plan service in their name and pay the bills on that account. Market research company PureProfile manages the survey on Canstar’s behalf.

How do we rate phone-on-a-plan providers?

Survey respondents are asked to rate their satisfaction with their handset and phone plan provider from zero to 10, with zero meaning extremely dissatisfied and 10 meaning extremely satisfied. Phone on a plan provider satisfaction is rated on the following criteria: Value for money: the cost of the plan and device was reasonable for the plan’s inclusions and service. Customer service: the provider was easy to get in touch with and offered helpful customer service. Billing transparency: the phone bill was clear and easy to understand and pay. Network coverage: the mobile service had good mobile network coverage and connectivity. Plan management: managing the plan and payments was straightforward.

How do we work out the winner?

The Most Satisfied Customers Awards identify which categories have the most influence on customer satisfaction and weights them accordingly. The brand with the highest indexed score is awarded the Canstar Most Satisfied Customers Award for that category.

What other awards does Canstar give?

Canstar also gives Star Ratings to top performing financial products, and Outstanding Value Awards to providers with a range of high-performing products. Canstar’s Innovation Excellence Awards also showcase products and services that break new ground when it comes to helping customers.

Does Canstar rate other products?

Canstar rates products and services over a range of consumer categories, in addition to financial services. Explore Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers awards here.

How do you compare phone on a plan providers and plans?

When you’re choosing a phone on a plan, the phone will likely be the deciding factor. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone offer a wide range of phones, including popular devices from Apple and Samsung. Smaller providers like Southern Phone and TeleChoice may have a much more limited selection of phones to choose from. Consider the following: Phone type: What phone do you want and which provider offers it? A cheaper phone might not even be available on a plan, so in some cases, a phone-on-a-plan might not be an option and you’ll need to buy your phone outright instead. Plan length: Most telcos offer their phone-on-a-plan over a set device payment period — usually 12, 24 or 36 months (although some may offer the option to buy outright). You might be free to switch between the phone plan each month as your data/usage needs change, but cancelling your plan will require you to pay off your remaining device costs. Cost: The price of your plan will largely depend on which phone you choose, the storage size of the device, the payment period and the plan you choose to bundle your phone with. This can add up to an expensive plan, so setting a budget, waiting for sales periods or choosing an older phone model can help cut costs. Data, coverage and other inclusions: In addition to your phone preference, consider your mobile plan needs such as data allowance, network coverage and any extras you want such as international call inclusions.

What do Aussies think of their phone on a plan service?

According to Canstar’s 2026 research: The top five most important factors for Aussies choosing their phone on a plan provider are: stable and reliable network connection, good customer service, fast data speeds, wide network coverage, transparent and easy to understand bills 38% of survey respondents have always been with the same phone provider. The average monthly cost of a phone on a plan was around $75 per month, a decrease from the $82 per month average in 2025. 37% of respondents were able to comfortably afford their monthly plan costs. 21% like to compare their options to find the best deal. 56% of respondents claimed to never go over their data allowance. 21% were on 50GB to 99.99GB of data per month, followed by 19% on 100GB+. 48% chose to purchase their phone on a plan as they prefer to pay it by installments rather than outright, while 32% chose phone on a plan as it was the only way they could afford a new phone. 51% had their monthly phone bill increase in the past year. Of those who had seen their phone bill increase, 89% have not done anything and stayed on the same plan, despite only 28% of these respondents being locked into a contract.

Best Phone On A Plan Providers In Australia

Written by

Emma BradstockSenior Finance and Utilities Writer

Edited by

Grace KinrossResearcher

30 Jun, 2026

Fact Checked

Consumer Ratings

Most Satisfied Customers

Vodafone has made it three wins in a row, taking out Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers award for Phone On A Plan providers. It was rated highly across the categories that matter most to customers, including value for money and customer service.

About Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Phone-On-A-Plan Awards

Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards showcase the phone-on-a-plan providers with the happiest customers across Australia. We ask customers to rate their satisfaction with their current phone-on-a-plan provider by value for money, network coverage, customer service, plan management and billing transparency.

Numbers crunched by Canstar’s researchers

1,505 customers surveyed
Three providers assessed
One award winner

Read our methodology

The best phone-on-a-plan providers

Vodafone

Vodafone is the back-to-back winner of Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customer awards. The telco was rated highly by customers for its value for money and customer service, although not as highly rated for network coverage as its competitors.

Vodafone offers a wide range of phones to bundle with a plan, including the most recent iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices, along with some devices from other manufacturers such as Motorola and OPPO. Phones can be paid off over 12, 24 or 36 months and bundled with one of Vodafone’s postpaid phone plans.

Telstra

Telstra offers a wide range of devices on plans, including the latest from Samsung, Apple and Google and a small selection of devices from other brands. Phones are available on a 12, 24 or 36-month payment period or outright, which will need to then be bundled with a Telstra Upfront phone plan.

Optus

Optus offers a wide range of phones to bundle with a postpaid plan, mostly from Apple, Google and Samsung (although devices from other brands, including Nothing, are also often available). Devices can be bundled with a postpaid phone plan and paid off over 12, 24 or 36 months, while some devices may be available outright.

Previous phone-on-a-plan provider winners

Here are past winners of Canstar Most Satisfied Customers – Phone on a Plan ratings:

2025: Vodafone
2024: Vodafone
2023: Southern Phone
2022: Southern Phone
2021: Southern Phone
2020: Vodafone
2019: Vodafone
2018: Vodafone
2017: Virgin Mobile
2016: Virgin Mobile
2015: iiNet

FAQs about Canstar’s Phone on a Plan Providers Awards

Meet our mobile phone experts

Emma BradstockSenior Finance and Utilities Writer

Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for more than seven years, having written more than 300 articles for Canstar. Emma covers a range of topics — from NBN speeds and technology to the latest release phones — and strives to help readers find the right phone and internet plans for their needs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University, has more than a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media, and contributed to Canstar’s Highly Commended award for Best Consumer Technology Coverage in 2024. You can follow Emma on LinkedIn.

Grace KinrossResearcher

Grace is in the final semester of her Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) degree at The University of Queensland, majoring in Business Analytics and Marketing. Her studies have equipped her with strong capabilities in data analysis and consumer research. Grace began her journey with Canstar in early 2025 as a casual research assistant and has since progressed into her current role, where she oversees the consumer research ratings across a wide range of product and service categories. She is responsible for survey design and consumer data analysis, and enjoys her focus on uncovering insights that inform Canstar’s ratings and awards and help support consumers to make more informed decisions.

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Important Information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

Best Phone on a Plan Providers in Australia

Most Satisfied Customers

About Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Phone-On-A-Plan Awards

Numbers crunched by Canstar’s researchers

The best phone-on-a-plan providers

Vodafone

Telstra

Optus

Previous phone-on-a-plan provider winners

FAQs about Canstar’s Phone on a Plan Providers Awards

What are Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customer Awards?

How many people do we survey for our phone-on-a-plan ratings?

How do we rate phone-on-a-plan providers?

How do we work out the winner?

What other awards does Canstar give?

Does Canstar rate other products?

How do you compare phone on a plan providers and plans?

What do Aussies think of their phone on a plan service?

Meet our mobile phone experts

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