Spark vs 2degrees: Mobile Plans Comparison

As two of New Zealand’s largest and most popular mobile service providers, Spark and 2degrees are locked in constant competition to keep customers connected and happy. So, when it comes to a head-to-head rundown of prepaid and pay monthly plans, how do these two mobile market-leaders shape up?

If you’re on the hunt for a new mobile deal, there’s a range of options to choose from. There are plans decked out with unlimited data, talk and texts. Plus, there are plenty of extras, including music and video streaming, hotspotting and free data incentives.

The choices may be many, however, we’ve done the legwork and taken an in-detail look at the prepaid and pay monthly deals from Spark and 2degrees, plus the other factors to keep in mind.

Spark Prepaid

Spark’s prepaid Value Packs cost between $19 and $79, and come with different amounts of data, talk and texts.

Socialiser data can be used on the Facebook, Messenger, Twitter and Spotify apps. But keep in mind that Spark’s rollover data is capped at 3.5GB (there’s no rollover for bonus or Socialiser data) and its rollover talk at 500 minutes.

In addition to this, Spark’s prepaid offerings also include two Data Lovers plans.

Spark’s Value Pack and Data Lovers deals additionally include:

• Bonus data – is available with Value Packs purchased and activated between October 27, 2020 and January 24, 2021 inclusive (Spark may extend the end date)
• Data Stack – customers receive 100MB of stackable data each month they stay on an eligible Value Pack
• Spotify – three months free Spotify Premium (new Spotify Premium users only). Customers who already have Spotify can get 50% off Spotify Premium. Unlimited music data to listen to Spotify for three months

Spark prepaid customers also have a number of options to pair their plan with prepaid extras, available for purchase separately:

Data prepaid extras

Talk prepaid extras

Text prepaid extras

Talk and text prepaid extras

Compare prepaid mobile plan providers here!

2degrees Prepaid

2degrees’ prepaid plans encompass monthly and fortnightly deals. All of its plans come with carryover data (aside from its monthly $85 plan, which comes with 40GB full-speed data, and then unlimited data at up to 1Mbps).

2degrees advises that carryover lasts for up to a year. Customers who don’t renew their plan straight away, but top up at least $10 within three months, keep their carryover data and minutes.

If you’re more focused on the shorter term, here are Spark’s prepaid fortnightly offerings:

2degrees’ monthly and fortnightly prepaid plans additionally include:

• Hotspot – available at no extra cost
• Free data hour – available with 2degrees’ Data Clock app
• Voicemail – available on all plans at no extra cost
• Wi-Fi calling – use minutes (no data) to make calls over Wi-Fi
• Unlimited calls – to other 2degrees mobiles

2degrees customers can also bolster their prepaid plan with a selection of data and talk add-ons.

Data prepaid add-ons

Talk prepaid add-ons

*All prices correct as of 15/01/21. Further information on pricing can be found at individual retailer websites. This should be used as a starter guide and not considered an actual quote.

Compare prepaid mobile plan providers here!

Canstar’s Choice

If you’re after a good value prepaid phone plan with around 2GB of data, we feel Spark does have the edge. On top of 2GB of rollover data, Spark’s $29 Value Pack comes with a bonus 2GB of data, plus an extra-extra 2GB that you can use on social media.

Spark Pay Monthly

Spark’s pay monthly Endless Mobile plans are open term, come with unlimited NZ and OZ talk and text, and are available with a range of max-speed data inclusions (with each plan also coming with endless data). Spark advises that once a max-speed data inclusion has been reached, speeds will be reduced to 1.2Mbps.

Spark’s Endless Mobile plans additionally include:

• Spotify/Netflix – half-price Spotify Premium is available with the $39.99 and $59.99 plans, with the $79.99 and $99.99 plans having the option to include Spotify Premium or Netflix Standard (HD).
• Hotspot – is available for all plans at a charge of $10 per month.
• Share – up to three mobiles can be added to the $99.99 plan at a cost of $29.99 each, sharing data, talk and text. Each companion gets 50% off Spotify Premium included in their plan.

Spark pay monthly customers also have the choice of purchasing a number of extras to add to their plan.

Data pay monthly extras

Talk and text pay monthly extras

2degrees Pay Monthly

2degrees’ pay monthly plans are available with a range of carryover data inclusions (with carryover data lasting for up to a year), and come with unlimited NZ and OZ calls and text.

In addition to its carryover data plans, 2degrees’ 40GB plan comes with unlimited data, providing speeds of up to 1Mbps once the data inclusion has been used. You also have the option of signing up for pool plans, sharing a plan with up to three other people (dependent on the plan).

2degrees pay monthly plans additionally offer:

• Hotspot – available at no extra cost.
• Free data hour – available with 2degrees’ Data Clock app.
• Voicemail – available on all plans at no extra cost.
• Wi-Fi calling – use minutes (no data) to make calls over Wi-Fi.
• Share your data – customers can share all or a portion of their NZ data with up to five people who are also on 2degrees.
• Unlimited calls – to other 2degrees mobiles.

2degrees pay monthly customers can also purchase a number of add-ons to pair with their plan.

Data pay monthly add-ons

Talk pay monthly add-on

*All prices correct as of 15/01/21. Further information on pricing can be found at individual retailer websites. This should be used as a starter guide and not considered an actual quote.

Canstar’s Choice

Really, it’s too close to call, and will come down to your individual (or family) needs. For while Spark’s unlimited monthly plans come with the promise of endless data, you’ve got to remember that there are data caps that kick in. Hit your data limits and speeds of 1.2Mbps will curtail your web activity to just simple browsing.

At an entry price point of $40, there’s very little between the two providers: Spark gives you half-price Spotify, while 2degrees offers 4GB of un-slowed data to Spark’s 3GB.

But, if you’re a couple, 2degrees’ 10GB plan offers great value. And being able to add extra people to your 2degrees plan can really stack the savings.

So, ultimately, when it comes down to monthly phone plans the choice is yours – just remember to do the maths. Compare what you’re paying for against the calls/data/extras you require. And remember to always do your research, which you can start now, by checking out Canstar Blue’s customer satisfaction ratings for mobile phone providers. All you have to do is click on the button below.

Compare monthly plan providers here!