Postpaid vs. Prepaid SIM Only Plans: Which is Better for You?

With over 5.2 billion people using mobile phones worldwide, it's become much easier to stay in touch with family and friends. Choosing the right SIM-only plan is important so that you can get the best deals for contacting those both near and far.

Perhaps you've heard of prepaid plans, but are you wondering: what is a postpaid plan and how does it work? While there are similarities, there are some clear differences too.

With prepaid plans, you pay for the service in advance. The credit gets paid upfront and is dependent on your data selection. Whenever you reach the data, your service will cut off so that you don't exceed the limit and risk racking up a hefty bill.

When choosing a postpaid plan, payments get taken when the month comes to an end and are based on how much data you use. Here, you can still continue to use the service even once you've reached your limit. The extra charge is simply added to your upcoming bill.

The truth is that there are pros and cons to each. Let's look at prepaid vs. postpaid phone plans so that you choose the one that's right for you.

What Is a Prepaid Plan?

Here's how prepaid plans work.

You set up your account so that the payments recur, which are typically taken on a monthly basis. Generally, there are several data plans to choose from, which get priced accordingly to the level of data you choose.

A switch can be made whenever you please. That way, you can adjust your data plan to suit you. Notice you're using up your data early? No worries - just log into your account, select a new data plan, and automate your payments. It's as easy as that!

Drawbacks of Prepaid Plans

There are however some downsides to choosing prepaid plans.

As briefly noted, once you use up your data the phone service will stop. Though, while this will prevent you from using the internet, you can still make calls and texts.

Prepaid plans tend to come with an inferior internet connection than postpaid plans. Therefore, this is important to consider if you need to:

Use your phone's internet for work
Frequently send emails
Check your socials to stay in touch with friends

It's not necessarily that postpaid plans are better - both plans just have different pros and cons. So, it's worth exploring them a little more!

Benefits of Prepaid Plans
Here are some of the best advantages of prepaid plans:

Generally cheaper to run
Easy to cancel
Usually more simple to activate (except with Circles Life, we have made ease of activation an art form ;)

Also, you can still use prepaid SIMs on postpaid phones. This makes it a very convenient choice indeed!

You don't have to worry about getting carried away with usage and running up a bill. That way, prepaid plans can help you keep your finances in check.

The setup allows for easy cancellation if you decide that it's not the right choice for you. This can save you a lot of stress and frustration rather than being tied into a contract with cancellation fees and charges that aren't quite as easy to avoid.

Activating prepaid SIMs is a simple process that doesn't take long. After you receive a text, all you have to do is enter the last six digits of your SIM number. The same goes for postpaid SIMs for activation too!

On some occasions, you can take advantage of a data bank that enables you to save data that you haven't used. This means that you'll have more if you need it the following month.

What Is a Postpaid Plan?

Now, how does a postpaid plan work?

If you choose a postpaid plan, your payments will be automatically taken usually on a certain day each month. With almost every plan, you're given unlimited calls and texts. So, it can be especially beneficial if you tend to make good use of your phone.

The real difference in postpaid plans comes down to data and you can choose your plan and price as you require.

Drawbacks of Postpaid Plans

When comparing phone plans, you should be aware that, just like with prepaid, postpaid plans come with disadvantages too! Here are some of them:

Slightly more pricey (except with Circles Life, of course!)
Additional charges may apply if you go over your data allowance
If you bundle with a phone, you may pay more for the phone and the plan than you might need.

If you really want that new phone, sometimes the only way to get it is with a bundle (phone repayments, plus the cost of the plan). Often in these scenarios you may be forced onto a higher usage plan than you need, and will almost certainly pay more for the handset than if you were to shop around, or wait a few weeks after launch.

Not all Postpaid plans were created equal, so it pays to be clear on your ‘needs’ vs. ‘nice to haves’.

Benefits of Postpaid Plans

But let's not fret - postpaid phone plan options come with a range of benefits! Therefore, they can still be a fantastic choice!

With postpaid plans, you can expect:

Convenience of use
More available data (if you need it)
Potentially higher internet speed*

It can be incredibly beneficial to be able to use your data without the fear of running out lurking in the back of your mind. That's something that's always going to be possible with a prepaid plan.

You can tap into extra data whenever it's required. Generally, this is done automatically. So, if using the internet is an essential part of your job, postpaid plans have you covered. If this is you, the faster internet connection that comes with it is a big plus too!

At Circles.Life, you can find the best postpaid SIM only plan for all of your needs!

Grab Your Next SIM Only Plan Right Here

With the right plan, you'll get access to the amount of data and call time at the best price. Now, you can answer: what is a postpaid plan and a prepaid one too? This will help you make an informed decision about which of them is perfect for you!

Ready to join the rest of the happy phone users that are benefiting from the best phone plans? Then it's time to contact us to get started today. We offer top-class deals that won't break the bank!

*Real life results may vary depending on various factors.