MOBILE RECHARGE: Popular Plans, Talktime, and Comparison
The mobile phone in your hand needs to access telecom networks to make calls, search or browse something, download documents, etc. To access such services, you need to pay your mobile operators. Mobile operators provide you with a SIM card that needs to be recharged regularly to maintain their services. If you don’t recharge your SIM, your access to all network services will be deactivated. There are primarily two types of mobile recharge, prepaid and postpaid. Prepaid bills are always slightly higher than prepaid charges. The additional cost in prepaid is because it provides OTT access and other benefits. In postpaid, you have to pay for the services after you have used them.
Last updated in: November 2022
Currently, Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone-Idea (Vi), and BSNL are the major companies in the Indian telecom industry. In this blog, we have compiled the best recharge plans offered by Airtel, Jio, Vi, and BSNL for you.
What is mobile recharge?
Mobile recharge refers to paying your mobile operator to use telecom services such as data, voice calls, and SMS. In prepaid recharge, the subscriber has to pre-pay for the plan offered by the telecom operator. Telecom operators provide a variety of plans; the subscriber can choose the one that meets his requirement and pre-pay for the services offered in the plan.
How does mobile recharge work?
Recharging a mobile phone is easy. It can be done via any payment app such as Paytm, Phonepe, Gpay, Bharatpe.
Follow these steps to recharge your mobile number:
- Launch any payment app of your choice.
- Click on the mobile recharge icon (or Prepaid mobile recharge).
- Enter your 10-digit SIM number and select your plan.
- Proceed to pay securely via credit/debit card or wallet.
What is Talktime in mobile recharge?
Talktime in mobile recharge refers to a value in minutes or money. The subscriber consumes this value by using telecom services such as voice calls. For instance, if a company offers a plan to get a talk time of ₹ 99 at 1p/sec, you can use the voice call service for no longer than 9900 seconds (or 165 minutes). However, the rate may vary in case of STD and international calls.
Who are the popular recharge service providers?
Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone-Idea, and BSNL are the popular recharge service providers. Some of the best-selling plans by the service providers are as follows:
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
Truly Unlimited ₹ 299 | 1.5 GB/day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Xstream mobile pack, Hellotunes, Amazon prime videos and Wynk music |
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
Cricket Plan ₹ 499 | 2 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, Jio TV, JioSecurity, JioCloud, and JioCinema |
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
Cricket Pack ₹ 299 | 1.5 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | VI Movies/V, Weekend Data Rollover, Data delight, and Binge All Night* |
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
₹ 186 | 2 GB/day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | N/A |
Airtel Mobile Recharge Plans
Airtel is one of the leading telecom companies in India. It has an extensive portfolio of plans with different benefits. Airtel offers four types of plans: Truly Unlimited plans, Data package plans, Talktime plans, and International Roaming Plans.
Check out the popular recharge plans from Airtel!
What are the popular Airtel recharge plans?
The most popular and recommended Airtel recharge plans are as follows:
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Truly Unlimited ₹ 299 | 1.5 GB/day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Xstream mobile pack, Free Hellotunes, Amazon prime videos ME* and Wynk music free |
Truly Unlimited ₹ 359 | 2 GB/day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Xstream mobile pack, Free Hellotunes, Amazon prime videos ME* and Wynk music free |
Truly Unlimited ₹499 | 2 GB/day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Disney+ Hotstar, Xstream mobile pack, Free Hellotunes, Amazon prime videos ME* and Wynk music free |
Truly Unlimited ₹ 666 | 1 GB/day | Unlimited | 100/day | 84 days | Xstream mobile pack, Free Hellotunes, Amazon prime videos ME* and Wynk music free |
Which is the cheapest Airtel recharge plan?
The cheapest Airtel recharge plan under the category of Truly Unlimited is ₹155.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Truly Unlimited ₹ 155 | 1 GB/day | Unlimited | 300 | 24 days | Hellotunes, Amazon prime video, Wnyk music |
The cheapest Airtel recharge plan under the category of Data package is ₹19.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Data Package ₹ 19 | 1 GB | N/A | N/A | 1 day | N/A |
The cheapest Airtel recharge plan under the category of Talktime package is ₹155.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Data Package ₹ 10 | N/A | ₹ 7.47 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
What is the Airtel smart recharge plan?
In some situations, a subscriber doesn’t want to recharge but wants to keep their number active, maybe to use it as a secondary number. However, all the incoming calls, and other services will be deactivated if they don’t recharge their number.To avoid such inconvenience, Airtel has launched a smart recharge plan designed to keep the number active with minimum services for 28 days.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Smart Recharge ₹ 99 | 200 MB | ₹ 99 | N/A | 28 days | N/A |
How to recharge your Airtel number?
You can recharge your Airtel number via Airtel Payment App, Paytm, Gpay, Phonepe, Bharatpe, or any other payment app. Follow these simple steps to recharge your Airtel number:
- Open your payment app.
- Click on the mobile recharge icon (or Prepaid mobile recharge).
- Enter your 10-digit SIM number and select your plan.
- Proceed to pay securely via credit/debit card or wallet.
To recharge your Airtel number online using website, follow the steps below:
- Vist airtel’s website www.airtel.in and log using the MPIN.
- Go to payment and recharge tab and select ‘prepaid recharge’.
- Enter your number and pick your suitable plan.
- Enter the recharge amount and click ‘proceed’.
To recharge your Airtel number online using AirtelThanks app, follow the steps below:
- Download the AirtelThanks app and go to payment bank option.
- Go to ‘Recharge’ and select ‘Mobile’.
- Enter your number and select the operator.
- Choose fromt he available list of plans and pick the suitable one.
- Enter the amount of the recharge and click ‘Pay now’.
Jio Mobile Recharge Plans
Jio offers six featured recharge plans at affordable prices with elevated services. Jio offers cricket plans, smartphone plans, Jiophone plans, talktime plans, ISD, International roaming. Cricket plans start at ₹ 499. Some of these plan also offer OTT benefits such as Disney+Hotstar.
What are the categories of Jio recharge plans?
Jio provides six categories of recharge plans. They are as follows:
- Cricket Plans
- Smartphone Plans
- Jiophone Plans
- Talktime Plans
- ISD
- International Roaming
What are the benefits of the Jio Recharge plan?
Jio Recharge plan offers the following benefits:
- Unlimited calling
- Free Jio-to-Jio calls
- Free access to complimentary apps of Jio
- High-value plans at low cost
What are the popular recharge plans by Jio?
The bestselling and hence popular plans are listed below. They are popular because they provide the best value for money and excellent benefits.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cricket Plan ₹ 499 | 2 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100 | 28 days | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, Jio TV, JioSecurity, JioCloud, and JioCinema |
Smartphone Plan ₹ 209 | 1 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100 | 28 days | Free subscription to Jio TV, JioSecurity, JioCloud, and JioCinema |
Smartphone Plan ₹ 239 | 1.5 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100 | 28 days | Free subscription to Jio TV, JioSecurity, JioCloud, and JioCinema |
Smartphone Plan ₹ 666 | 1.5 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100 | 84 days | Free subscription to Jio TV, JioSecurity, JioCloud, and JioCinema |
Which is the best recharge plan of Jio?
The best recharge plan of Jio is for ₹ 299. It is the best-selling prepaid recharge plan of Jio.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
₹ 299 | 2 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100 | 28 days | Free subscription to JioTV, JioSecurity, JioCloud, and JioCinema |
What are the benefits of the Jio Recharge plan?
Jio Recharge plan offers the following benefits:
- Unlimited calling
- Free Jio-to-Jio calls
- Free access to complimentary apps of Jio
- High-value plans at low cost
Vi (Vodafone-Idea) Mobile Recharge Plans
Vi has various prepaid plans specially designed to meet the requirements of customers. Vi Mobile has many types of recharge plans for all kinds of services. You can recharge your Vi mobile number by following simple steps. Read ahead to know more.
What are the categories of Vi recharge plans?
Vi offers seven categories of recharge plans for different requirements as follows:
- Cricket Plans
- Smartphone Plans
- Jiophone Plans
- Talktime Plans
- ISD
- International Roaming
Vi offers five categories of recharge plans for different requirements:
Cricket Packs | Data | Talktime | SMS/day | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cricket pack ₹ 499 | 2 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100 | 28 days | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, along with VI Movies & TV, Weekend Data Rollover, Data delight, and Binge All Night |
Cricket pack ₹ 1066 | 2 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100 | 84 days | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, along with VI Movies & TV, Weekend Data Rollover, Data delight, and Binge All Night* |
Truly Unlimited Packs | Data | Talktime | SMS/day | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Truly Unlimited ₹ 269 | 1 GB/day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Free access to Vi movies and TV |
Truly Unlimited ₹ 299 | 1.5 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100/day | 28 days | Free access to VI Movies and TV, Weekend Data Rollover, Data delight, and Binge All Night* |
Combo Packs | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combo ₹ 99 | 200 MB | ₹ 99 @1p/sec | N/A | 28 days | N/A |
Combo₹ 107 | 200 MB | ₹ 107 @1p/sec | N/A | 30 days | N/A |
Talk time packs | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Talk time ₹ 10 | N/A | ₹ 7.47 | N/A | Unrestricted | N/A |
Talk time ₹ 100 | N/A | ₹ 81.75 | N/A | Unrestricted | N/A |
Talk time ₹ 500 | N/A | ₹ 423.73 | N/A | Unrestricted | N/A |
Other packs | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Roaming ₹ 295 | N/A | 40 min. | N/A | 28 days | N/A |
Plan Voucher ₹ 128 | N/A | 10 min. @ 2.5p/sec | Will Charged* | 28 days | N/A |
What are the popular Vi recharge plans?
The most popular Vi recharge plan is Cricket Pack ₹ 299.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cricket Pack ₹ 299 | 1.5 GB/Day | Unlimited | 100 | 28 days | VI Movies and TV, Weekend Data Rollover, Data delight, and Binge All Night* |
Which is the cheapest recharge plan by Vi?
The cheapest recharge plan by Vi under the category of Truly Unlimited Packs is ₹ 129.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Truly Unlimited Pack ₹ 129 | 200 MB | Unlimited | N/A | 18 days | N/A |
The cheapest recharge plan by Vi under the category of Combo Packs is ₹ 99.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combo Pack ₹ 99 | 200 MB | ₹ 90 @ 1p/sec | N/A | 28 days | N/A |
The cheapest recharge plan by Vi under the category of Talktime Packs is ₹ 129.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Talktime Pack ₹ 10 | N/A | ₹ 7.47 | N/A | Unrestricted | N/A |
How to recharge your Vi number?
You can recharge your Vi number via Paytm, Gpay, Phonepe, Bharatpe, or any other payment app. Follow these simple steps to recharge your Vi number:
- Open your payment app.
- Click on the mobile recharge icon (or Prepaid mobile recharge).
- Enter your 10-digit SIM number and select your plan.
- Proceed to pay securely via credit/debit card or wallet.
You can also recharge via the official website of Vi by following similar steps.
BSNL Mobile Recharge Plans
BSNL provides a variety of prepaid recharge plans with ample data incentives. The company has coverage throughout India.
What are the popular BSNL recharge plans?
Below mentioned are the most popular plans by BSNL. The most popular recharge plan offered by BSNL in Kolkata is for ₹ 186.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
₹ 186 | 2 GB/day | Unlimited | 100 | 28 days | N/A |
₹ 499 | 1 GB/day | Unlimited | 100 | 90 days | N/A |
₹ 1999 | 3 GB/day | Unlimited | 100 | 365 days | Free subscription to Eros Now, BSNL tunes, and Lockdown content service |
Note that prepaid plans of BSNL and service coverage vary from place to place.
Which is the cheapest BSNL recharge plan?
The cheapest BSNL recharge plan is for ₹ 97*.
Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS | Validity | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
₹ 97* | 2 GB/day | Unlimited | N/A | 18 days | N/A |
*Note that prepaid plans of BSNL and service coverage vary from place to place.
What are long term mobile recharge plans?
All mobile operator companies offer an annual plan as a long-term recharge plan. You can compare all the annual plans offered by different telecom companies.
Airtel, Jio, Vi, and BSNL long term recharge plans
Airtel, Jio, and Vi offer long-term recharge plans that give premium subscriptions to OTT platforms and telecom services. Check out the best annual plans from all the leading mobile operators.
Annual Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS/day | Validity | Benefits |
₹ 2999 | 2 GB/day | Unlimited | 100 | 365 days | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, Prime video Mobile Edition Free Trial, Airtel Xstream Premium, Wynk Music Free, and Free online courses |
Annual Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS/day | Validity | Benefits |
Cricket Plan ₹ 2999 | 2.5 GB/day | Unlimited | 100 | 365 days | Free subscription to Disney+ Hotstar, Jio TV, JioCloud, Jiosecurity, and JioCinema |
Annual Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS/day | Validity | Benefits |
₹ 2899 | 1.5 GB/day | Unlimited | 100/day | 365 days | Vi Movies & TV Classic access, Binge all night, and Data Delights |
Annual Plan | Data | Talktime | SMS/day | Validity | Benefits |
₹ 1999 | 3 GB/day | Unlimited | 100 | 365 days | Free subscription to Eros Now, BSNL Tunes, and Lokdhun content service |
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FAQ
How can I check my recharge plan details?
You can check your recharge plan details and track data usage on an app (or on the website) that your operator provides. Airtel Thanks App, My Jio App, and Vi App are the apps often used to check balance, data usage, and current plan.
BSNL users have to dial the USSD code *123# to find out about their current plan, balance, and other information.
What is the validity of a mobile recharge?
The validity of mobile recharge depends on the plan. Different plans have different validities.
How to find out my recharge balance?
Your mobile operator has provided a personalized app (such as Airtel Thanks App, My Jio App, and Vi App) in which you can check your recharge balance, data usage, and much more just by logging in with your number. BSNL users have to dial the USSD code *123#, and they will receive a text message about their balance and other information.
Where can I find the latest mobile recharge offers?
You can find the latest mobile recharge offers on any payment app because they keep all the plans up-to-date.
Updated on 20 May, 2022
Kathryn Ryan
Energy Specialist & Copywriter
Canadian content writer living in Barcelona, Spain dedicated to researching the best tips and tricks in everything broadband. I'll be the information hunter to your information gatherer.
Canadian content writer living in Barcelona, Spain dedicated to researching the best tips and tricks in everything broadband. I'll be the information hunter to your information gatherer.