Comparison of prepaid & postpaid mobile plans – Airtel, Jio, Vi

We live in the world of digital connectivity and with the increased dependence on the Internet and online platforms owing to the ongoing pandemic situation, no surprise we have become more and more dependent on our digital devices for everything. India is home to over 700 million mobile Internet users and 600 million smartphones.

Here’s how comparing mobile plans can help you to find the right plan for your use.
 

How to Compare Mobile Plans?

There are many different mobile plans out there to choose from, so choosing a plan that suits your needs can sometimes get a bit difficult. Various factors such as the price, validity, data allowance, call limits, and other similar aspects play an important role in comparing and choosing a mobile plan. We have listed below, how to understand different plans, and how to pick one that is right for you.
 

What To Look For While Comparing Mobile Plans?

Besides the cost of the mobile plan, there are multiple factors that you should look out for when comparing the best mobile plans in India. Here are some of the factors to be considered while choosing a plan:
 

Contract Length and Payment Method

The first determining factor is to evaluate the length of your contract agreement with the mobile service provider. Are you looking for a few months of an engagement or a long-term plan? Additionally, how convenient is it to pay or renew your mobile plan? Here are the answers:

Payment methods:

Price

Which mobile phone plan offers the best price value? Look out for freebies such as extra talk time, additional mobile data, and plan validity, among others. Additionally, unlimited mobile plans are more expensive but offer more long-term value and validity, while limited data plans are ideal for budget-conscious consumers with limited need for mobile data.

The table below shows the indicative prices of various types of mobile plans in India:

Number of Inclusive Minutes

The next factor to look out for is the number of inclusive minutes offered in a mobile plan. This is to see whether it includes making free calls to landline phones in any location and/or does it include international calls.
 

Number of Inclusive Texts

If you rely heavily on sending text messages to business associates, family members, or friends, then this can be a major determining factor. How many free text messages or SMSes can you send or receive across the country? Does it have the facility for sending out bulk messages?

Here are the best mobile plans with high and low inclusive texts:

Inclusive Data

Check if your mobile plan offers inclusive data or can it be used simply for making calls and sending text messages. Mobile plans with inclusive data are convenient for users using both voice and data services on their mobile phones.

The table below shows the inclusive data in mobile plans for different users (low, medium, and heavy):

Data Rollover

Does the unused data from the current month get rolled over or added to your data quota for the next month? This can be a useful factor for mobile users who access the Internet intermittently but do not want to waste unused mobile data.

The table below shows the best mobile plans available with data rollover facility:

Information on data rollover

Mobile operator	Data rollover
	40GB for post-paid monthly plan of ₹399 75GB for post-paid monthly plan of ₹499 1500GB for post-paid monthly plan of ₹999 500GB for post-paid monthly plan of ₹1,599
	The following plans with weekend data rollover (from Monday-Friday into Saturday-Sunday) 1.5GB daily data plans for ₹299, ₹479, and ₹719
	200GB each for post-paid monthly plans of ₹399, ₹599, ₹799, and ₹999
	75GB for post-paid Plan ₹198 210GB for Post-paid ₹399 255GB for Post-paid plan ₹525 150GB for Post-paid plan ₹798 225GB for Post-paid plan ₹999

International Calling

Does your mobile plan include an unlimited number of international calls at reasonable charges? This factor is useful for mobile subscribers who have an international client base or friends and family members staying abroad.

The table below shows the best mobile plans available with international calling facility:

International Calling feature

Mobile operator	International calls
	ISD talk time of 200 minutes for post-paid ₹1,599 plan
	Multiple prepaid plans ranging from 11 to 66 (with validity of 1 hour, 7 days, 28 days, and 56 days)
	ISD talk time worth ₹424.58 for plan of ₹501 (valid for 28 days) – Valid for all countries with call rates ranging from ₹ 0.50 to ₹ 100 per minute
	Available on the BSNL ISD 65 pack with call rates priced at 1.49 (U.S & Canada), 2.49 (Bangladesh & Malaysia) per minute – and 10 paise per second (Bhutan)

Network Coverage

Even with the best mobile plan, you are not assured of network coverage at all places across India. Before selecting the right mobile operator, check if they have a reliable network cover across all places that you are likely to travel to. If you do end up with the wrong operator, learn how to switch the operator using number portability. It is discussed later.

The following table shows the best mobile operators with the best network coverage:

Mobile operators with the best network coverage

Mobile Operator	Feature	Website
	Highest 4G bandwidth spectrum	airtel.in
	Fastest download and upload speeds	myVi.in
	Overall 4G coverage and availability across the country	jio.com

Bundle Options and Family Plans

Are you planning to use your subscribed plan on multiple devices including smartphones or tablets? If yes, then consider plans with bundle options, which are both convenient and cost-efficient. Further, mobile companies also offer family plans, which mean a single plan for the entire family. This is also convenient and cost-effective.

The table below shows the best mobile plans available with family plans:

Network operators with bundle options & family plans

Mobile operator	Family plans
	Airtel Infinity 749 Family plan with 1 free connection Airtel Infinity ₹999 Family plan with 3 free connections Airtel Infinity ₹1,599 Family plan with 1 free connection
	Vi family plans available at ₹598, ₹749, and ₹999 – available for 2 to 5 family members
	JioPostPaid Plus family plan for ₹599 – with 1 additional SIM JioPostPaid Plus family plan for ₹799 – with 2 additional SIM JioPostPaid Plus family plan for ₹999 – with 3 additional SIM
	BSNL 1200GB CUL Family plan for ₹1,199 per month – with 3 SIM

OTT Subscriptions and Entertainment Add-ons

Have you jumped on the OTT bandwagon and are accessing Netflix, Hotstar, or such channels on your mobile devices? If yes, then look out for mobile plans that include a range of free OTT subscriptions or entertainment add-ons.

The table below shows the best mobile plans available with OTT subscriptions:

Top 4 Mobile service providers in India

According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), there are around 1.16 billion mobile subscribers (including inactive users) in India. Here is a look at the Top 4 mobile service companies operating in India:

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL)

Operational since September 2000, BSNL is the largest public service mobile company in India. With a market share of 9.9%, BSNL has over 21.56 million subscribers (as of 2019), which includes both wireless and cellular connections. Among its many merits, this service provider provides good coverage in both urban and rural parts of India. Plus, its mobile plans are comparatively cheaper than other mobile companies.

On the flip side, the entry of newer private players with more features and affordable plans has impacted the market share of this government-owned mobile company.

Here are three of the best plans from BSNL:

Bharti Airtel

Operating in over 18 countries in Asia and Africa, Bharti Airtel ranks among the top three global mobile companies in terms of the number of subscribers. With a market share of 27.5% in India, the company has over 400 million subscribers as of March 2019. Among its merits, the company offers improved accessibility and connectivity even in rural parts of India. Another plus point is the company’s Internet speed is faster than other networks.

Among its few demerits, Airtel has below-par customer care while some of its plans are more costly than comparative plans from other companies.

Here are three of the best plans from Airtel:

Reliance Jio

Based in Mumbai, Reliance Jio (or simply Jio) is among the largest mobile operators in India. With a market share of 30.8%, the company has around 323 million subscribers and is the third-largest mobile company across the globe. Among its merits, the operator offers free 4G services using LTE technology that ensures high-speed broadband connectiVity. Besides that, Jio offers free international roaming services to its subscribers.

Here are three of the best plans from Reliance Jio:

Vodafone Idea (Vi)

As the collaboration between Vodafone Group and Aditya Birla Group, Vi is the largest telecommunication company in the country today. With the largest market share of 31.5%, Vi has over 368 million subscribers as of March 2019. Among its many merits, this service provider offers cost-effective voice and data services across the country and has the advantage of the combined services of two telecom operators.

Here are three of the best plans from Vi:

Before subscribing to any of these four mobile companies, you must ensure that they are offering the best plans that are suited to your requirement. When comparing mobile plans from these companies, ensure that they meet the following criteria:

• They offer a range of mobile plans with the maximum benefit at the least cost.
• They offer good network coverage in your immediate area.
• They offer the best customer service facilities.

How to Compare Mobile service providers in India

Before you determine the right mobile service provider and sign up with them, here are a few factors to be considered:

• Internet usage based on which, you can either opt for packages with limited or unlimited data. Also, note the reduced speed that the provider offers once you have crossed your daily or monthly data limit.
• Text usage, is critical if you happen to send out large volumes of text messages to your professional contacts or friends.
• Prepaid or post-paid, which should determine what is most suited for your requirements.

Why should you Compare Mobile plans in India

To attract new subscribers (or retain existing ones), mobile operators in India keep changing or upgrading their mobile plans to include higher data and freebies – at lower prices.

By regularly comparing the latest mobile plans, subscribers can avail of their latest benefits – and save money spent on the plans.

Next, let us look at the best prepaid and post-paid plans available in India.
 

Best prepaid mobile plans available in India

There’s a lot of competition when it comes to offering prepaid plans as there is a higher number of users in the country. All telecom operators try to come up with the best value-based prepaid plans for the price they charge. Airtel and Jio, for example, offer much more additional benefits along with their prepaid plans, compared to other telcos.

What is a Prepaid plan?

For a prepaid plan, subscribers need to pay upfront before they can start using the mobile plan. Prepaid plans are plans with a fixed validity period, hence need to be recharged (before the expiration date) for subscribers to continue using the plan.
 

What to look for in a Prepaid plan?

Before buying any prepaid plan, you must look for the following:

• Whether it includes unlimited calls along with a data package (for browsing the Internet)
• The validity of the prepaid plan
• Price

 

What are the cheapest prepaid plans in India?

We have listed down the cheapest prepaid plans available in India. Have a look at the tables below.
 

Which are the cheapest prepaid plans with unlimited talk time?

The following table shows the cheapest prepaid plans with unlimited talk time:



Cheapest prepaid plans with unlimited talktime
Operator	Inclusions	Validity	Price
Reliance Jio	2GB data, unlimited calls, and 300 SMS	28 days	₹98
Airtel	1GB data, unlimited calls, and 300 SMS	24 days	₹129
Vi	2GB data, unlimited calls, and 300 SMS	24 days	₹129
BSNL	10GB data with unlimited calls	30 days	₹147



Which are the cheapest prepaid plans with unlimited data?

The following table shows the cheapest prepaid plans with unlimited data:



Cheapest prepaid plans with unlimited data
Operator	Inclusions	Validity	Price
Reliance Jio	3GB data	28 days	₹75
Airtel	3GB data	28 days	₹48
Vi	3GB data	28 days	₹48
BSNL	10GB data	10 days	₹56



Which are the best prepaid plans in India?

Here is the list of best prepaid plans that are available in India:



Best prepaid plans in India
Prepaid plan	Best suited for	Inclusions	Validity	Price
Reliance Jio recharge plan	Subscribers looking to combine voice and data services	2GB data per day Unlimited calls 100 free SMS Free access to Jio apps like JioTV and JioChat	365 days	₹2,399
BSNL recharge plan	Subscribers looking for a short-term plan	2GB data per day (56GB monthly) 100 free SMS daily	28 days	₹187
Vi prepaid plan	Subscribers looking for both voice and data services	24GB data every day Unlimited calls 3,600 free SMS Free access to Vi apps and movies	365 days	₹1,499
BSNL recharge plan	Subscribers looking for a cost-effective quarterly plan with longer validity	2GB data per day (180GB quarterly) Unlimited calls 100 free SMS daily	90 days	₹499
Airtel prepaid plan	Subscribers looking for best value for their money	2GB data per day Unlimited calls 100 free SMS daily 1-year subscription to Disney+Hotstar	365 days	₹2,698



What is the recharging process for prepaid plan?

There are two modes of recharging any prepaid plan in India, namely:

In-store

You can visit any authorized recharge centre of the mobile operator and get your mobile plan recharged for the selected plan. You can make the payment either in cash or through digital payment.

Online

Alternatively, you can recharge your prepaid plan using online payment options. To make online recharges, visit the “Prepaid recharge” webpage of the mobile operator, select the mobile plan for your mobile number, and then complete the process by paying using any online payment methods.

Another common method to recharge your number online is through payment apps like PayTM, Amazon Pay, MobiKwik, and others.

 

Is there a limit to the number of prepaid recharges?

No, there is no limit to the number of prepaid recharges that one can make. However, it does not help if there are similar plans being recharged twice around the same time as it will not give the double amount of benefits in any way.
 

How do I know if my prepaid recharge has been successful?

For a successful recharge, you will receive a confirmation message from the mobile operator on your mobile number and registered email address.
 

What is the minimum recharge available?

Minimum recharge amounts vary depending on the chosen mobile operator. For example, Jio offers the cheapest recharge compared to any other mobile operator in the country. Jio offers a plan for just ₹1.



Jio’s cheapest prepaid plan
Price	Data	Validity
₹1	10 MB data	1 Day



Next, let us look at the best post-paid mobile plans available in India.
 

Best post-paid mobile plans available in India

When you are looking for a good postpaid plan, look for plans that offer free calling & SMS and high data allowance features. Most leading networks provide these features for a reasonable price. When you look for such value plans where you get these services at an affordable cost, in the long run, you could end up saving a lot. We have compiled information on the best postpaid plans. Have a look.
 

What is a Post-paid plan?

A post-paid plan is where subscribers are billed at the end of every month, based on their usage. Once you pay the complete bill amount, the plan is automatically renewed for the next month, and is continued until the contract is terminated.
 

Factors to consider while choosing the best post-paid plan

Before buying any post-paid plan, here are a few factors that you must consider:

• Number of free domestic and STD calls that it includes.
• Monthly charges
• Whether it includes free roaming facility.
• Network coverage of the selected mobile operator
• Customer service

 

Which are the top post-paid plans in India?

Which are the best post-paid mobile plans currently available in India? Here is a look at some of the best billing plans:



Top postpaid plans in India
Post-paid plans	Best suited for	Inclusions	Price
Airtel post-paid plan	Subscribers looking monthly plans under ₹500	40GB data in the month Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Airtel XStream	₹399
Airtel post-paid plan	Subscribers looking monthly plans under ₹500	100GB data in the month Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Airtel XStream, Amazon Prime, & Disney+Hotstar	₹499
Jio post-paid plan	Subscribers looking monthly plans under ₹1,000	75GB data in the month Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, and JioTV	₹599
Jio post-paid plan	Subscribers looking monthly plans under ₹1,000	150GB data in the month Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, and JioTV	₹799
Jio post-paid plan	Subscribers looking monthly plans under ₹1,000	200GB data in the month Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, and JioTV	₹999
Vi post-paid plan	Subscribers looking for unlimited data services	Unlimited data every month Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS	₹600
BSNL post-paid plan	Subscribers looking for family plans	50GB data every month Unlimited calls 100 free SMS daily One additional family SIM connection with voice data	₹525
BSNL post-paid plan	Subscribers looking for family plans	75GB data every month Unlimited calls 100 free SMS daily 3 additional family SIM connections with voice calls, 75GB data and 100 SMS for each additional connection	₹999



Which are the cheapest post-paid plans with unlimited talk time?

The following table shows the cheapest postpaid plans with unlimited talk time:



Cheapest Postpaid plans with Unlimited Talktime
Operator	Inclusions	Price
Reliance Jio	25GB data Unlimited calls and SMS Free subscription to JioTV, JioSecurity, and JioCloud	₹199
Reliance Jio	75GB data with 200GB of data rollover Unlimited calls & 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Netflix, 1-year Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, and Jio OTT apps	₹399
Airtel	40GB data, unlimited calls 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Airtel XStream app	₹399
Airtel	75GB data with 200GB rollover Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS, 1-year free subscription to Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, along with Airtel XStream app	₹499
Vi	40GB data with 200GB rollover Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Vi TV and Movies	₹399
Vi	75GB data with 200GB rollover Unlimited calls 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, and Vi TV & Movies	₹499



Which are the cheapest post-paid plans with unlimited data?

The following table shows the cheapest post-paid plans with unlimited data:



Cheapest Postpaid plans with Unlimited Data
Operator	Inclusions	Price
Reliance Jio	100GB data Unlimited calls and 100 SMS daily Free subscription to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, and JioTV	₹599
Reliance Jio	150GB data Unlimited calls & 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, and JioTV	₹599
Reliance Jio	200GB data Unlimited calls & 100 daily SMS Free subscription to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, and JioTV	₹999
Airtel	150GB data Unlimited calls & 100 SMS daily Free subscription to Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, and Airtel XStream	₹999
Vi	Unlimited data Unlimited calls and 100 SMS monthly Free subscription to Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar and Vi TV & Movies	₹699





 

Prepaid vs. Post-paid Mobile Plans: Which is the Best?

Prepaid mobile plans are the better choice if you are looking for a short-term plan. For long-term plans, post-paid plans are the better alternative.

Let us look at some of the pros and cons of prepaid and post-paid mobile plans.
 

Benefits of prepaid plans

On the plus side, prepaid plans are more cost-effective than post-paid plans, which include a fixed charge irrespective of usage or non-usage. Depending on your individual consumption, prepaid plans are more flexibly priced as they are designed for different call volumes and data usage.

Defaults of prepaid plans

On the flip side, prepaid plans need to be regularly recharged without which, subscribers can face problems such as running out of mobile data or getting their calls or subscriptions interrupted.
 

Benefits of post-paid plans

With a post-paid plan, subscribers do not have to worry about running out of available data and about insufficient talk time. Additionally, they can maximize their monthly mobile usage while incurring a fixed cost.

Defaults of post-paid plans

Post-paid plans are more expensive than prepaid plans with a few added benefits. Plus, post-paid plans incur a fixed monthly charge even if you do not use your mobile phone. Additionally, post-paid plans are not easy to cancel at any time and do not have any end of subscription time.
 


How to check plan validity?



To check plan validity
service provider	Code/Number
Jio	Via USSD code: *333# and Via text: SMS ‘BAL’ to 199
Airtel	Dial *121*2#
Vi	Dial *199#
BSNL	Dial *123#



Now that we have looked at the top mobile companies in India along with their prepaid and post-paid plans, let us discuss which is the best mobile operator in the next section.

 

Who is the best mobile operator in India?

Let us now try to determine which is the best mobile operator in India. For measuring, let us look at the best operator with the best data plans, network coverage, customer review, and additional benefits.

Mobile operators with the best data plans

Each of the 3 leading mobile operators namely, Reliance Jio, Vi, and Airtel offer competitive data plans with good coverage. When it comes to 4G data services, Jio scores marginally higher than Vi and Airtel.

Best data plans by FUP limit

As the demand for mobile data keeps rising, mobile operators offer their subscribers the convenience of a fair usage policy (FUP) on their post-paid plans. FUP limit allows them to continue using their mobile phone for data (at reduced speeds) once they have crossed the monthly usage limit.

Here are the best data plans based on FUP limits:



Best data plans as per FUP Limit
Operator	Data limit	Additional	Price
Reliance Jio	3GB data (daily)	FUP speed of 64kbps	₹349, ₹401, and ₹999
Vi	3GB data (daily)	16GB, 32GB, and 48GB of bonus data valid for 28, 56, and 84 days respectively	₹401, ₹601, and ₹801
Airtel	3GB data (daily)	3GB daily FUP data	₹398, ₹448 and ₹558



Mobile operators with the best additional benefits

Thanks to the growing popularity of OTT platforms, mobile operators offer a range of prepaid plans with these additional benefits.

Here are the best data plans based on added OTT benefits:



Best data plans as per OTT Benefits
Operator	OTT subscriptions	Validity	Price
Reliance Jio	Jio apps	84 days	₹666
Reliance Jio	1-year subscription to Disney+Hotstar	–	₹601
Vi	1-year subscription to Disney+Hotstar	77 days	₹666
Vi	1-year subscription to Disney+Hotstar	70 days	₹901
Airtel	1-year subscription to Disney+Hotstar	28 days	₹455
Airtel	Amazon Prime Video, Wynk Music	77 days	₹666



Mobile operators with the best network coverage

Here are how the leading mobile operators perform when it comes to network coverage:



Operators with the best Network Coverage
Operator	Performance
Vi	Fastest download and upload speed
Reliance Jio	Best 4G coverage and availability across the country
Airtel	Highest 4G bandwidth spectrum as compared to the other operators
BSNL	Lags behind the other operators when it comes to offering 4G services



Mobile operators with the best video & gaming performance

Here are how the leading mobile operators deliver when it comes to offering video and gaming experience to its customers:



Operators with the best Video and Gaming Performance
Operator	Performance
Airtel	Best video and gaming experience (including multiplayer gaming)
Vi	Second best video experience behind Airtel



Mobile operators with the best customer reviews

A positive customer review is important for any mobile operator. A March 2021 report on ‘Mobile Experience’ ranks Airtel as the best operator for customer experience in videos, voice apps, and mobile games. At the same time, mobile users have recommended Vi for the best improvement in terms of 4G availability.
 

Switcheroo’s Opinion:


Thanks to the growing competition, selecting the best operator is difficult to determine and depends completely on your individual needs. While we would recommend you to go for an Airtel connection, we also advise you to check the local network coverage and performance before making the decision.

To make it easy for mobile consumers, the TRAI allows you to switch your mobile service to a different operator without changing your number.

 

Switching Operators: How to Activate, Deactivate, or Transfer Your Mobile Plan?

For the convenience of their subscribers, most mobile companies allow them to port their number from prepaid to post-paid plan or the other way round. While porting your prepaid plan to post-paid is easier, porting from a post-paid to prepaid plan can be more time-consuming depending on the service provider.

Additionally, mobile phone subscribers can easily activate or deactivate their existing mobile plan. Prepaid plans are automatically deactivated when subscribers fail to renew their plans on time.

What about the transfer facility? Thanks to mobile portability, subscribers can now transfer their prepaid or post-paid plans to another mobile operator without having to change their mobile number. Mobile portability is only available for existing connections that are active.

 

How to port your number to another operator?

The procedure to transfer your mobile phone plan varies among different operators but is efficiently handled by these mobile operators. Here is typically how you can port your mobile number to another mobile operator:

1. First choose the mobile operator to whom you want to port your existing number.
2. From your mobile phone, send the message: PORT to TRAI number 1900.
3. You will receive a confirmation SMS with a port out code.
4. Visit the official store of your current mobile operator within 15 days, and request them to port your number using the post out code (along with a recent copy of your paid bill).

 

FAQ

What is the difference between prepaid and postpaid plans?

The single-most difference is that for prepaid plans, the subscriber must pay for the plan in advance before using the service. For post-paid plans, subscribers pay for the plan monthly after utilizing the services.

How to convert from a prepaid to a postpaid plan?

To convert from a prepaid to a post-paid mobile plan, you need to request for the same to your current mobile operator. The best way is to visit their nearest customer store, choose the post-paid plan, provide your mobile number, and submit the necessary identity and address proofs.

What happens if I do not recharge every month?

For prepaid plans with 30-day validity, you need to recharge your plan before expiry to continue enjoying uninterrupted services. If you miss your recharge, you may stop getting incoming calls and messages. If the plan remains without recharge for over 90 days, then the mobile number may be disconnected (subject to the operator’s policy).

Is 5G available in India?

According to the Department of Telecommunication (DOT), 5G services will be rolled out in 2022. However, 5G connection will be initially available only in 13 selected cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.