Most NZ broadband providers now offer no-contract, month-to-month plans as their standard offering. This is a significant shift from a few years ago when 12–24 month contracts were common. Today, you can get fast fibre broadband with no lock-in from many providers — including the cheapest in the market.
Budget no-contract: Skinny (~$55/month Fibre 500) or BigPipe
Value + service: Voyager (~$70/month Fibre 500)
With power bundle: Electric Kiwi (~$65/month Fibre 500 as bundle)
All major NZ ISPs offer no-contract plans. A fixed-term contract should only be signed if it offers a meaningful price reduction or hardware benefit.
Plan names updated for the June 2025 fibre speed upgrade (Fibre 50 became Fibre 100 and Fibre 300 became Fibre 500; Fibre Max is about 1 Gbps). The prices here are estimates that haven’t been re-checked against the provider’s site since then. For comparison, the Commerce Commission found unlimited fibre plans averaged $68/month (Fibre 50, now Fibre 100), $92 (Fibre 300, now Fibre 500) and $107 (Fibre Max) in June 2025.
Why Choose No-Contract Broadband?
Flexibility to move: If you’re renting or may move in the next 12 months, no-contract means no exit fees.
Freedom to switch: If a better deal appears, you can take it immediately without penalty.
Market competition: With most providers on no-contract terms, the market is competitive and prices tend to stay sharp.
No financial risk: You’re never locked into paying a subpar price if a better option emerges.
Best No-Contract Broadband Plans NZ (2026)
Skinny Broadband — Cheapest Fibre
- Fibre 500: ~$55/month
- Fibre Max: ~$75/month
- No contract, no data caps
- Online/chat support only
- Uses Spark’s network infrastructure
BigPipe — Budget No-Frills
- Fibre 500: ~$55/month
- No contract, no data caps
- Online-only support (no phone number)
- Very basic product — pure internet access
Voyager — Best Value with Service
- Fibre 500: ~$70/month
- Fibre Max: ~$85/month
- No contract, no data caps
- NZ-based phone support
- Strongly rated for service quality
Electric Kiwi — Best Bundle (with power)
- Fibre 500: ~$60–$65/month (as bundle add-on to EK power)
- No contract, no data caps
- Combined billing with power account
NOW Broadband
- Fibre 500: ~$68/month
- No contract, no data caps
- Phone support available
When Might a Fixed-Term Contract Make Sense?
Fixed-term contracts (usually 12 or 24 months) can be worth considering if:
- Meaningful discount vs. month-to-month — If the fixed plan is $15–$20/month cheaper and you know you’re staying put, the saving over 12 months ($180–$240) is significant
- Included hardware — Some 12-month plans include a free router ($100–$200 value) that you’d otherwise pay for
- New connection installation — First-time fibre connections sometimes require a fixed term; this is rarer now but still occurs
Watch out for: Some “deals” include a lower price for months 1–12 that reverts to a higher standard rate — the contract term means you’re locked in at that higher rate. Read the full 24-month total cost before signing.
Equipment with No-Contract Plans
Some no-contract providers include a free router with sign-up. Others charge for a router or expect you to provide your own. Options:
- Free included router: Some providers include a basic router with activation
- Router purchase: Usually $50–$100 for a basic ISP router at sign-up
- Bring your own router: You can use any compatible router (most modern routers work with NZ fibre — check it supports PPPoE if required by your ISP)
For large homes or homes with poor WiFi coverage, consider a mesh WiFi system (TP-Link Deco, Netgear Orbi, or similar) regardless of which ISP you use.
Cancelling a No-Contract Plan
Since there’s no fixed term, you can cancel at any time. Most ISPs require 30 days’ notice (check your terms). When switching, your new ISP typically handles the transfer process — but you should notify your old ISP to close the account to avoid continued billing.
Return any rental equipment by the specified date to avoid being charged.