Postpaid vs. Prepaid: Which is better and why?

Today, where unlimited mobile plans are available, it is obvious to get confused about which plan to buy. Yes, here we are discussing prepaid and postpaid phone plans. Not a single plan comes completely flawless. Each has its pros and cons. But of course, choosing these plans is wise depending on your requirements and your lifestyle demands. So, to ease your decision journey, we have defined prepaid and postpaid plans with their features and advantages. Read on to make an informed decision regarding your phone plan purchase.

What is a postpaid plan?

Postpaid means paying charges later after using the service, as the name suggests. Usually, you, as a postpaid plan user, need to pay costs as a monthly bill. However, you can use online billing platforms like MobiKwik to pay your postpaid bills, like Airtel Bill Payment Online. Now, let’s understand this plan deeper with the below characteristics.

  • You first use services like mobile data, incoming and outgoing calls, text messages, etc., and then pay the monthly bill.
  • You receive the monthly dues based on the postpaid plan you choose.
  • The telecom operators for postpaid plans won’t stop your services or connection even if you go overboard. Instead, they allow using the maximum data you need and charge a premium amount on your monthly bills.
  • You cannot change postpaid plans in the middle of the billing cycle.
  • Along with a SIM-only plan, the postpaid option offers the mobile purchase facility on a contract basis. It allows you to pay the phone charges in installments.

What is a prepaid plan?

Prepaid signals, pay first, and use later. It indicates that a prepaid user must pay the charges first and use mobile services. Here are a few points about prepaid plans for in-depth understanding.

  • Prepaid plans allow availing of mobile services only after you recharge a plan.
  • The prepaid plans range from a daily to yearly basis.
  • The telecom operators stop your service once you cross your service usage limit.
  • There is always freedom to switch your prepaid plans when you top up. You can select the best from multiple options available.
  • Prepaid plans allow add-on pack recharge like top-up or talk time recharge if your prepaid plan is insufficient.

The above definitions and key characteristics of postpaid and prepaid plans will nurture you more about them and how they differ. After gaining knowledge of both these plans, let’s focus on how they outperform each other.

Postpaid benefits over prepaid:

  • No interruption in service even after crossing the usage limits.
  • Allows purchasing smartphones on credit.
  • Provides fascinating offers like OTT subscriptions and a data rollover facility. (Where the current month’s unused data is passed on to the next month)
  • No need to be stressed about low balance.
  • Auto-renewal facility.
  • Keeps you informed about your service usage.
  • For postpaid bill payments like Airtel Bill Payment Online, Vi Postpaid Bill Payment, etc., you receive a legitimate bill that acts as billing evidence.
  • Better customer care support from telecom service providers.

Prepaid benefits over postpaid:

  • Lower monthly cost than postpaid plans as you spend as low as your requirements.
  • Offers more flexibility as you can switch between various prepaid plans every time you recharge.
  • Not susceptible to overage fees as the telecom operator stops your service once you utilize your plan.
  • Unlike postpaid plans, where your credit history is checked before making a contract, there is no need to worry about credit checks.
  • Prepaid plans do not require any deposits for opening an account.
  • Offers numerous features like unlimited data, text, and talk time plans at attractive rates.

The Verdict:

Be it postpaid or prepaid, every plan is better in itself. However, which one is suitable for you depends on your needs. Considering postpaid and prepaid plan features and benefits, here are a few conclusions.

The postpaid option is for you if:

  • You have a fixed, regular income to pay monthly bills like Vi Postpaid Bill Payment.
  • You care less about your monthly budget.
  • You are a frequent mobile user and need constant internet for office work.

The prepaid option is for you if:

  • You are a student and want to limit your monthly budget.
  • You don’t need a lot of data usage.
  • You are an occasional mobile user.
  • You prefer plan flexibility.
  • You are a parent wanting to limit the internet usage of your kids.

Conclusion

Hopefully, these conclusions will help you make a proper mobile plan purchase decision. However, you must first analyze your requirements before making a decision. After deciding on prepaid or postpaid options, you should compare multiple plans based on their services and charges. It helps you crack the best deal.