By Updated: Nov 5, 2026
Quick verdict
Cheapest monthly 2GB/day: Jio ₹349 (with unlimited 5G) vs Airtel ₹379. Yearly voice-only: Airtel ₹1,849 or Jio ₹1,748 (336 days). Second SIM: BSNL from ₹107. Pick by coverage first.
Disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate or shop links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change our picks.
Not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules, duties and plan prices change often. Always confirm with the official source (PTA/DIRBS and FBR in Pakistan, DoT/Sanchar Saathi and TRAI in India) and with your operator before you pay.
Plan lists change often and vary by telecom circle. These prices come from Gadgets Now, Beebom, Moneycontrol and operator pages as shown in search and page checks on Nov 5, 2026. Confirm on the operator's app before you recharge.
Side by side
| Need | Jio | Airtel | Vi | BSNL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short voice-only | ₹147 to ₹197 (Beebom) | ₹185 / ₹203 / ₹206 | ₹179 to ₹206 | ₹107 entry |
| Monthly daily data | ₹299 (1.5GB/day), ₹349 (2GB/day + 5G) | ₹379 (2GB/day) | ₹379 unlimited | ₹219+ |
| 84 days | ₹448 voice-only; ₹859 data | ₹979 (2GB/day) | ₹979 (validity: see app) | - |
| Long voice-only | ₹1,748 (336 days) | ₹1,849 (365 days) | ₹1,849 | ₹1,198 |
| Yearly data | ₹3,599 (2.5GB/day) | ₹3,599 (2GB/day) | ₹3,599 (see app) | ₹2,799 (see app) |
Market share (TRAI, September 2026)
| Operator | Wireless share |
|---|---|
| Jio | 39.32% |
| Airtel | 38.02% |
| Vi | 15.39% |
| BSNL | 7.25% |
How to choose
- Check coverage at home and work.
- Decide whether you need daily data or just calls.
- Prefer long validity if you hate monthly recharges.
Details: Airtel, Vi, BSNL, Jio vs Airtel calling-only plans.
How to pick the right pack in 3 steps
- Check your real usage. Look at last month's data use in your phone's settings before buying a bigger pack.
- Match validity to your top-up habit. Weekly packs suit people who recharge every week; monthly packs are usually cheaper per GB.
- Watch for time-limited data. Some big-GB packs give much of their data only at night or in the morning. Read the time window before you subscribe.
Prices change: how to confirm today's price
Operators change pack prices, taxes and codes often. Before you subscribe, check the price in the operator's official app or website, or dial the operator's offers code. Our tables are a dated snapshot from the sources listed below, not an official tariff.
How to read a package before you buy
Every bundle lists some combination of on-net minutes, off-net minutes, SMS, data and validity. Before you subscribe, check four things. First, whether the data is all-day or split into off-peak hours; a large headline number can hide that half of it only works overnight. Second, whether minutes are on-net only (your own network) or include other networks. Third, whether the bundle auto-renews, and how to stop it. Fourth, the price including tax, since some lists quote prices before tax and the deduction from your balance can be higher. The confirmation SMS you get after subscribing is the best record of what you actually bought, so keep it until the bundle expires.
Match the pack to your real usage
Most people overpay because they guess their usage. Your phone's settings show how much mobile data you used last month; check that figure and pick the smallest bundle that covers it with a little headroom. If you use Wi-Fi at home and at work, a calls-focused pack with modest data is often cheaper than a large data bundle. If you mainly use one or two apps, a social or app-specific bundle may be enough, but remember that video calls and links that open in a browser usually use your general data instead. Heavy streamers should compare per-GB costs across weekly and monthly packs, because longer validity is often cheaper per GB.
Avoid common recharge mistakes
- Subscribing twice by accident: check your active bundles in the operator app first.
- Assuming a bundle covers every region or roaming: check terms for regional restrictions.
- Letting balance run out before renewal: many bundles renew only if there's enough balance on the due date.
- Trusting screenshots on social media: price lists shared online are often out of date.
- Sharing OTPs with callers offering 'free' bundles: operators don't ask for codes over the phone.
Where our figures come from
We compile prices from operator pages where they load, and from established listing sites where they don't. When two sources disagree, we show both rather than pick one. We don't receive anything from operators for listing their packages. If you spot a price that has changed, the operator app is the authority, and we update our guides when we re-check the sources.
Rules change: how to stay current
Telecom and tax rules are revised often, usually with each budget or a new regulatory order. Before acting on any guide, including this one, check the date on the official page and look for recent news from established outlets. If the official page and a news report disagree, follow the official page. We note the dates of our sources so you can judge how fresh the information is.
Why we don't pick on one spec
Shop listings often push one big number, such as a 108MP camera or a huge battery. In practice, a balanced phone with a decent chip, enough storage, a bright screen and a battery that charges in reasonable time is a better daily companion. We compare the specs that the cited sources list, and we don't claim to have tested these phones ourselves.
Questions to ask the shop
- Is this the official-warranty version, and for how long?
- Is the box sealed, and do the IMEIs on the box match the phone?
- What's the return or exchange policy if the phone has a fault?
- Does the price include a charger in the box?
- Is the bill in my name, with the IMEI printed?
Pros and cons
Pros
- Jio's ₹349 is strong value
- Every operator has voice-only
- BSNL cheapest to keep a SIM
Cons
- Lists vary by circle
- Several prices partly verified
- Prices rise periodically
FAQ
Which is cheapest: Jio or Airtel?
For 2GB/day monthly, Jio ₹349 vs Airtel ₹379 in our sources.
Which has the cheapest yearly voice plan?
Jio ₹1,748 for 336 days, or Airtel ₹1,849 for 365 days.
Who has the most users?
Jio, with 39.32% (TRAI, Sept 2026).
Is BSNL good?
For a cheap second SIM where coverage is good.
How we researched this
This guide is research-based. We did not test these phones in hand. Prices and plan details come from the retailer listings, operator information and official pages named in the sources list, checked or published on the dates shown. Prices in Pakistan and India change with stock, exchange rates and promotions, so treat every number as a dated snapshot and re-check on the day you buy.
Sources
- Gadgets Now: All Jio prepaid plans for November 2026
- Gadgets Now: Airtel prepaid plans for November 2026
- Gadgets Now: Vi prepaid recharge plans for November 2026
- BSNL: Prepaid plan vouchers (official)
- Gadgets Now: BSNL prepaid recharge list (Nov 5, 2026)
- Beebom: Jio, Airtel and Vi voice-only plans compared
- TelecomTalk: TRAI subscriber data, September 2026
Updated: Nov 5, 2026. Sources were checked on Nov 5, 2026.