By Updated: Nov 5, 2026
Quick verdict
Cheapest long-validity calling plan: Jio ₹448 (84 days, voice-only). Cheapest monthly calling plan: Airtel ₹185 (28 days, 300 SMS). Best yearly calling plan: Jio ₹1,748 (336 days) or Airtel ₹1,849 (365 days, calls only). Prices are from Gadgets Now (Oct 31, 2026) and Beebom; confirm in MyJio or Airtel Thanks before you recharge.
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.
Who is bigger: Jio or Airtel?
TRAI data for September 2026 shows Jio with 511.14 million subscribers (39.32%), Airtel with 494.29 million (38.02%), Vi with 200.12 million (15.39%) and BSNL with 94.30 million (7.25%), as reported by TelecomTalk.
Voice-only plans compared
| Operator | Price (₹) | Validity | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jio | 448 | 84 days | 1,000 |
| Jio | 1,748 | 336 days | 3,600 |
| Airtel | 185 | 28 days | 300 |
| Airtel | 203 | 30 days | 300 |
| Airtel | 206 | 1 calendar month | 300 |
| Airtel | 1,849 | 365 days | Calls only |
Source: Gadgets Now's Jio and Airtel lists for November 2026. These plans include unlimited calls.
Conflict: extra Jio voice plans
Beebom's comparison lists more Jio voice-only plans than Gadgets Now: ₹147 (22 days), ₹177 (28 days), ₹196 (30 days), ₹197 (calendar month), plus ₹448 and ₹1,748. Gadgets Now lists only ₹448 and ₹1,748. Check the MyJio app to see which plans are live for your number. Beebom also lists Vi voice-only plans at ₹179, ₹185, ₹203, ₹206, ₹470 and ₹1,849.
Cost per month
| Plan | Approx. cost per 30 days (₹) |
|---|---|
| Jio ₹448 / 84 days | About 160 |
| Jio ₹1,748 / 336 days | About 156 |
| Airtel ₹185 / 28 days | About 198 |
| Airtel ₹1,849 / 365 days | About 152 |
We calculated these from the listed prices and validity.
Popular data plans
| Plan | Jio | Airtel |
|---|---|---|
| Entry daily data | ₹299: 1.5 GB/day, 28 days | ₹349: daily data with 5G |
| 2 GB/day, about a month | ₹349: 2 GB/day, 28 days, unlimited 5G | ₹379: 2 GB/day, 1 month |
| 84 days | ₹859 (84 days) | ₹979: 2 GB/day, 84 days |
| Yearly | ₹3,599: 2.5 GB/day, 365 days | ₹3,599: 2 GB/day, 365 days |
Jio says unlimited 5G needs a plan with at least 2 GB per day (Gadgets Now). Airtel's ₹299 plan has been discontinued, per Gadgets Now.
OTT bundles
Jio lists ₹1,029 with Amazon Prime and ₹1,299 with Netflix. Airtel lists Netflix plans at ₹1,729 and ₹1,798.
Which should you choose?
- Second SIM just to keep calls alive: Jio ₹448 or ₹1,748.
- Monthly calls with no data: Airtel ₹185, or check MyJio for Jio's shorter plans.
- Elderly parents on a basic phone: a yearly calls-only plan avoids monthly recharges.
- Data users: compare network coverage in your area first.
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 you buy 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 only give data at night. 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 balance or offers code. Our tables are a dated snapshot from the sources listed below, not an official tariff.
Ways to save on your mobile bill
- Use Wi-Fi at home and work, and set your phone to download app updates only on Wi-Fi.
- Turn on data saver mode and lower video quality in YouTube, TikTok and Instagram.
- Avoid out-of-bundle data. Always subscribe to a pack before you browse; pay-per-MB rates are far higher.
- Use a longer-validity pack if you recharge regularly. Monthly and multi-month packs are usually cheaper per day.
- Keep a second SIM on a cheap calling-only or long-validity plan if you only need it for OTPs and calls.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| On-net minutes | Calls to the same operator's numbers |
| Off-net minutes | Calls to other operators' numbers |
| Off-peak / night data | Data that only works in certain hours, often after midnight |
| Validity | How long the pack lasts before it expires |
| Unlimited 5G | 5G data that does not count toward your daily limit, on eligible plans |
Taxes and the final price
The price you pay can include taxes that change with government budgets. In Pakistan, operators show prices inclusive or exclusive of tax depending on the pack, which is one reason different websites list different prices for the same bundle. Always look at the final price shown in the operator's app before confirming.
Bottom line
Calling-only plans are the cheapest way to keep a number active for calls and OTPs. On a per-month basis, the yearly plans from both operators work out cheapest in our calculation, with Airtel ₹1,849 and Jio ₹1,748 close together. For data users, the right choice depends far more on network coverage at your home and workplace than on a small price difference. Ask neighbours which network works best in your building before you switch.
How we keep this page current
Phone prices, operator packages and government rules in Pakistan and India change more often than in most markets. Prices move with the rupee, new budgets change taxes, and operators rename or reprice packs without much notice. We date every page and list the exact sources we used, so you can see how fresh each number is. When something changes, we update the table and the "Updated" date at the top. If you spot a price or rule that has changed, check the official source linked below first, then let us know in the comments so we can fix it for other readers. Your feedback helps keep this guide accurate for everyone.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Voice-only plans save money for calls-only users
- Long-validity options on both
- Unlimited 5G on 2 GB/day plans (Jio)
Cons
- Sources disagree on Jio's shorter voice plans
- Prices change often
- Voice-only plans have no data
FAQ
What is the cheapest Jio calling-only plan?
Gadgets Now lists ₹448 for 84 days. Beebom also lists ₹147 for 22 days; check MyJio.
What is Airtel's cheapest calling-only plan?
₹185 for 28 days with 300 SMS.
Does Jio have more users than Airtel?
Yes. TRAI's September 2026 data shows Jio at 39.32% and Airtel at 38.02%.
Is Airtel's ₹299 plan available?
Gadgets Now says it has been discontinued.
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
- 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.