Best Prepaid Cell Phone Deals
Best Prepaid Cell Phone Plans Canada
If you’re looking for a prepaid cell phone plan in Canada, there are a lot of options to choose from. Here are some of the best:Chatr, Lucky Mobile, Fido, Koodo, PC Mobile
1. Chatr
Chatr, a subsidiary of Rogers, provides budget-friendly prepaid plans without the need for a credit check. Plans begin at just $15 per month and feature unlimited talk and text within Canada. Additionally, specific plans come with unlimited talk and text to the US, and many of them offer “unlimited” data.
| Talk/Text | Data | Cost | Highlights | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chatr Wireless - $15 Talk and Text Plan - QC | 100 mins(Prepaid) | 0.25GBs | $15.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $15 Canada-Wide Talk and Text Plan | 100 mins(Prepaid) | 0.25GBs | $15.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $22 Quebec-Wide Talk and Text Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 0.5GBs | $22.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $25 Canada-Wide Talk, Text & 500MB Data 3G Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 25GBs | $25.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $25 Canada-Wide Talk, Text & 500MB Data 3G Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 1GBs | $25.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $29 Canada-Wide Talk, Text & 20GB Data 4G Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 30GBs | $29.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $29 Canada-Wide Talk, Text & 20GB Data Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 50GBs | $29.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $34 Canada/US Talk, Text & Data 4G Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 52GBs | $34.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $34 Canada/US Talk, Text & 50GB Data Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 62GBs | $34.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $40 Canada/US Talk, Text & Data 4G Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 77GBs | $40.00 |
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Chatr Wireless - $40 Canada/US Talk, Text & 75GB Data Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 77GBs | $40.00 |
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2. Lucky Mobile
Lucky Mobile, a subsidiary of Bell, provides prepaid plans beginning at $15 per month. They offer a variety of customizable plans that include data and unlimited calling and texting options. With Lucky Mobile, you can tailor your plan to your needs by choosing data amounts ranging from 0MB to 28GB, and you have the flexibility to select coverage for either Quebec or all of Canada. Furthermore, all Lucky Mobile plans come with “unlimited” data, ensuring no data overage charges, and you can continue to use data at reduced speeds even after exceeding your allotted limit.
| Talk/Text | Data | Cost | Highlights | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lucky Mobile - 100 Minutes Canada-wide Calling Plan | 100 mins(Prepaid) | 0.25GBs | $15.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - 100 Canada-Wide Calling Plan - 250 MB - QC | 100 mins(Prepaid) | 0.25GBs | $15.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide Calling Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 5GBs | $22.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide Calling Plan - 500 MB | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 1.5GBs | $25.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide Calling Plan - 20GB - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 25GBs | $27.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide Calling Plan - 20GB 4G | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 25GBs | $29.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide Calling Plan - 55GB - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 55GBs | $32.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide & US Calling Plan - 50GB 4G | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 55GBs | $34.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide Calling Plan - 80GB - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 80GBs | $37.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide & US Calling Plan - 75GB 4G | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 80GBs | $40.00 |
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Lucky Mobile - Unlimited Canada-Wide & US Calling Plan - 100GB 4G | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 105GBs | $50.00 |
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3. Fido
Fido provides prepaid plans starting at just $15 per month, offering unlimited Canada-wide calling and texting, along with data in specific plans. Additionally, some plans extend to Canada, the U.S., and international calling. Fido also offers international calling add-ons for users who require calls beyond Canada. Furthermore, Fido offers semi-annual plans, which are more cost-effective compared to monthly options and provide more data for users seeking extended value.
| Talk/Text | Data | Cost | Highlights | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fido - $15 Talk & Text Prepaid Plan | 100 mins(Prepaid) | N/A | $15.00 |
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Fido - $24 Talk & Text Prepaid Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | N/A | $24.00 |
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Fido - $25 Talk & Text Prepaid Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | N/A | $25.00 |
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Fido - $30 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 0.5GBs | $30.00 |
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Fido - $31 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 1GBs | $31.00 |
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Fido - $33 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 3GBs | $33.00 |
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Fido - $37 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 6GBs | $37.00 |
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Fido - $40 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 2.5GBs | $40.00 |
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Fido - $42 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 10GBs | $42.00 |
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Fido - $45 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 4.5GBs | $45.00 |
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Fido - $46 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 12GBs | $46.00 |
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Fido - $53 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 15GBs | $53.00 |
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Fido - $55 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 8GBs | $55.00 |
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Fido - $58 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan - QC | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 20GBs | $58.00 |
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Fido - $75 Talk, Text & Data Prepaid Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 10GBs | $75.00 |
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Fido - Annual PrePaid Plan | 400 mins/400 txt(Prepaid) | N/A | $100.00 |
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Fido - $150 Semi-annual Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 6GBs | $150.00 |
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Fido - $200 Semi-annual Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 18GBs | $200.00 |
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Fido - $225 Semi-annual Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 30GBs | $225.00 |
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4. Koodo
Koodo presents prepaid plans starting from $15 per month, encompassing unlimited Canada-wide calling, texting, and data. They also feature Booster add-ons that include U.S. roaming, Canada-wide coverage, and long-distance options. Additionally, Koodo offers 360-day plans, available in both 3G and 4G variants, enabling users to save more compared to monthly plans.
| Talk/Text | Data | Cost | Highlights | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Koodo Mobile - $15 3G Base Plan | 100 mins(Prepaid) | 0.25GBs | $15.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $25 3G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 1GBs | $25.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $30 4G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 1GBs | $30.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $30 3G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 10GBs | $30.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $35 4G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 59GBs | $35.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $35 3G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 4.5GBs | $35.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $40 4G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 80GBs | $40.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $40 3G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 9GBs | $40.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $45 4G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 86GBs | $45.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $50 3G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 14GBs | $50.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $55 4G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 108GBs | $55.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $60 3G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 19GBs | $60.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $65 4G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 113GBs | $65.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $70 3G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 24GBs | $70.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $75 4G Base Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 128GBs | $75.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $250 3G 360 Day Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 12GBs | $250.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $300 4G 360 Day Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 12GBs | $300.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $350 3G 360 Day Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 36GBs | $350.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $400 3G 360 Day Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 60GBs | $400.00 |
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Koodo Mobile - $400 4G 360 Day Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 36GBs | $400.00 |
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5. PC Mobile
PC Mobile offers prepaid plans starting at $20 per month, which include unlimited Canada-wide, U.S., and international text, picture, and video messages sent from Canada. They provide add-ons for extra data and Unlimited United States (U.S.) Long Distance minutes. Additionally, you’ll earn 5% of the value of each Top-Up in PC Optimum™ points, along with 20,000 PC Optimum™ points when you activate a PC Mobile SIM card. Furthermore, signing up for Auto-Allowance or Allowance with your PC Financial Mastercard® or PC Money™ Account can earn you an additional 5% in points for each Top-Up.
| Talk/Text | Data | Cost | Highlights | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PC Mobile - Prepaid $20 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk & Text Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 1GBs | $20.00 |
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PC Mobile - Prepaid 1GB Data, Unlimited Talk & Text Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 4GBs | $24.00 |
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PC Mobile - Prepaid 20GB Data, Unlimited Talk & Text Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 25GBs | $29.00 |
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PC Mobile - Prepaid 50GB Data, Unlimited Talk & Text Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 55GBs | $34.00 |
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PC Mobile - Prepaid 75GB Data, Unlimited Talk & Text Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 80GBs | $40.00 |
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PC Mobile - Prepaid 100GB Data, Unlimited Talk & Text Plan | Unlimited(Prepaid) | 105GBs | $50.00 |
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Prepaid cell phone plans enable you to pay first for your cell phone usage, instead of paying for a billed amount at the end of the month. This gives you more control over your budget. And, here a few more reasons to choose prepaid.
Payments are simple
When you purchase a prepaid plan, you simply need to pay for the service upfront and you can start using it. It’s as easy as that. There are no hassles and inconveniences. Additional fees and charges don’t come into play because you’re only paying for the service you need.
There is no credit check
Contrary to a postpaid plan, applying for a prepaid cell phone plan does not require a credit check. If you opt for prepaid, you only have to check you have enough cash available when signing up for a plan.
No contract to sign
Most of the best prepaid cell phone plans in Canada do not involve a contract. This takes away the commitment to continue using the service if you’re unsatisfied with it. There are no legal obligations to worry about, and you have the freedom to switch to another plan at any time, without additional charges.
The service is just as good as postpaid plans:
The quality of the service in terms of data and coverage is the same as that of postpaid plans. There’s virtually no difference between the two in this respect.
You can switch anytime.
If there’s one thing you would always hear from a postpaid line subscriber, it’s the fact that they can’t get out of a service they’re unhappy with simply because their contract is tying them down. Most postpaid plans have a lock-in period, which means you’re not allowed to ditch the plan you’re paying for unless you pay a pretty steep fee.
That’s not a problem with prepaid cell phone plans. Because you aren’t bound by a contract, you can switch to a different plan or a different carrier anytime you want. The moment you notice something you don’t like, you can jump to something else without worrying about breaking the terms of your contract or paying a penalty.
The plans are easily customizable.
How much data do you need? How many minutes do you usually consume for voice calls? How many text messages do you send on an average? No matter how much of each of those services you need, you just have to pay for them upfront. That’s the beauty of a prepaid plan. You won’t be forced to pay a package where you don’t get to use a lot of the inclusions. You just customize your plan by paying only for what you’re going to use.
Comparing the Best Prepaid Cell Phone Service Providers in Canada
Cell phones have become increasingly important over the past several years. Cell phones are not only used for calling people, but also for text messaging, internet browsing, social media and even mobile banking. If you are comparing the Best Prepaid Cell Phone Service Providers in Canada to find the best phone plan that suits your unique requirements, we are here to help!
If you don’t want to commit to paying a fixed monthly fee, getting a prepaid cell phone plan would be an ideal choice. Depending upon your usage and requirements, a prepaid cell phone may work better for you, especially if you are looking for a no-contract cell phone plan.
Not sure how much data you need with your cell phone plan?
For many individuals, having a 10GB data plan is sufficient to meet their mobile internet needs when they can’t access Wi-Fi or spend time commuting. On the other hand, if your internet activities are limited during the day or while using public transport, a 5GB plan may suffice. However, if you use your phone extensively for data-intensive tasks like Zoom calls, Netflix streaming, or hosting livestreams on a daily basis, it’s advisable to opt for a higher data allowance.
A benefit of prepaid plans is their flexibility without long-term contracts. If you need more clarification about your monthly data usage, you can start with a 10GB prepaid plan for the first 2 or 3 months. If you find you use much less data, you can switch to a lower data plan, such as 5GB. Conversely, if you need more data, you can upgrade to a higher data plan as needed.
Here’s a chart to help you compare cellphone plans based on the data they include from major cell phone providers.
Compare Data for Cell Phone Plans:
| Provider | 1GB | 2.5GB | 3GB | 8GB | 10GB | 28GB | 30GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fido | – | $16.00/GB | – | $6.88/GB | $7.50/GB | – | – |
| Virgin Mobile | – | $16.00/GB | – | $6.88/GB | $7.50/GB | – | – |
| Bell | $32.00/GB | – | – | – | – | $1.53/GB | – |
| Roger | – | $16.00/GB | – | $6.88/GB | – | – | – |
| Telus | $35.00/GB | – | – | – | $5.55/GB | – | – |
| Freedom | $24.00/GB | – | $9.67/GB | – | – | – | $1.33/GB |
The comparison above helps you identify the most cost-effective cell phone plan available in the market. Instead of relying on monthly prices, we’ve used the cost per GB to determine the genuinely budget-friendly cell phone plans, considering various data usage levels. However, individual user needs vary. For instance, some users require more data for on-the-go usage, while others may prioritize additional airtime minutes for long-distance calls. Additionally, cell phone providers may offer different pricing based on your province. Therefore, it’s essential to assess cell phone plans according to your specific requirements to find the ideal service provider in Canada.
Pros and Cons of Prepaid Cell Phone Plans
You are probably wondering what type of cell phone plan is right for you. There are several different plans such as a regular contract or a prepaid plan. There are several advantages as well as disadvantages to a prepaid phone plan. Here is what you need to know before you decide if a prepaid cell phone plan is right for you.
The Pros
- Price: Your only going to pay for the minutes that you end up using. You will end up saving a lot of money especially if you’re not using the phone frequently. There’s also no contract that you need to lock into with a prepaid plan.
- No Credit Check: Prepaid plans typically don't involve credit checks, making them accessible to people with various credit histories.
- Features: Prepaid plans often include useful features like call display, voicemail, call waiting, and group calling. Features can vary by provider, so check what's included in your plan. Prepaid plans offer flexibility in selecting features when you sign up.
- Flexibility: Since you’re not tied down to one plan, you have more flexibility. If you find a better provider or plan, you’ll be able to change when you want to as there’s no lengthy contract that you have to adhere to.
- No Commitment: If you're uncertain about a carrier or plan, prepaid allows you to test the service without a long-term commitment.
- More Control: Prepaid plans limit children to their plan's allocated minutes, saving you money by preventing overages. You have better control as usage is capped at a set amount.
The Cons
- Price: The cost is a drawback with prepaid plans. While the phone's initial price is lower, the per-minute rate is often higher. You'll need to shop around for better rates if you use many minutes. Buying the phone yourself can mean a high upfront cost, especially for newer models. Changing carriers may require buying a new phone, and prepaid plans typically lack special deals common in other plans.
- A Time Limit: Minutes have an expiration date, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. Some carriers might extend this period, but there's always a time limit. Unused minutes expire, requiring you to purchase more, which can increase your costs.
- Phone Choices: Prepaid plans often offer limited phone choices, with only a few compatible options. You may not have access to the latest phones.
- Extras: Extras like data and text messages cost extra with prepaid plans. Some basic prepaid phones lack web browsing and email features, so finding the right phone is crucial. Prepaid plans also often don't allow adding other individuals like other plans do.
It’s important to compare cell phone plans to find one that meets your current need. You will find a wide range of prepaid plans as well as other plans to suit your current needs and it pays to shop around.
What about low income people?