Prepaid cell phone plans offer you cheap plans with unparalleled flexibility, putting you in control of your monthly spending rather than under the control of the cell phone company. You're never locked into a contract, meaning you can go elsewhere when you find a better deal. Koodo's $40 Prepaid deal is the best prepaid plan in Canada, offering 75GB of 4G data for $40/month.
We've been studying the telecom market since 2008 and have learned how to spot great deals. For this guide, we worked through the fine print to find you the best prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans in Canada, focusing on plans with low prices, good perks, and excellent coverage.
Read on to find the best prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans in Canada that are available now.
How we picked the best prepaid plans
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Price
We know you're looking into prepaid plans for their low price, especially compared with the high prices from the Big Three. We've drilled down our selections, with a focus on those that are best for your wallet. -
Perks and deals
Prepaid carriers often attract monthly customers with bonus data and rewards programs. We found the best plan perks, sifting through the gimmicks to find the value. -
Coverage
Even if you're a basic phone user, you still want to be able to use your phone when it matters. We selected plans that offer reliable nationwide coverage so you can make the most of your plan.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Best prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans in Canada
| Carrier | Plan | Data | Shop this plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$40 Prepaid Base Plan | 75GB | VIEW AT KOODO | |
|
Nationwide Talk, Text & 3G Data | 1GB | VIEW AT CHATR | |
|
Unlimited Talk & Text | 4GB | VIEW PLAN | |
|
365-day Top-Up | None | VIEW PLAN | |
|
$25 Top Up | None | VIEW PLAN |
Best Prepaid Plans
Koodo Mobile | Prepaid Base Plan | $40/month
- Pros: Unlimited talk and text, massive data amount, autopay bonus
- Cons: Limited-time offer, 4G speeds
If you're looking for a premium data plan but still want the freedom of prepaid (like avoiding a credit check), this is your best bet. Prepaid plans don't usually come with such large chunks of data, and this chunk is indeed large: the plan offers 75GB of 4G data on the Telus network. You read that right: 75GB of 4G data for just $40/month. We've heard of cheap data, but it's rare to find this much cheap data.
view plan
Chatr Mobile | Nationwide Talk, Text & 3G Data Plan | $25/month
- Pros: Very cheap plan with unlimited talk, text, and data; nationwide coverage
- Cons: Full speed is 3G, reduced data speeds are very slow
Not all Canadians know that you can get unlimited data on a cheap prepaid plan, but prepaid unlimited plans do exist, even if they're hard to come by. Chatr is known for its prepaid unlimited plans and this one gives you unlimited nationwide long-distance minutes, free international texting, and 500MB of 3G-speed data. It gets really good, though, if you enroll in auto-pay: Chatr will throw you an additional 500MB, giving you 1GB for the month.
It's worth noting that Chatr plans are technically unlimited: if you use up your 1GB, Chatr keeps you connected with unlimited downloads at reduced speeds (64Kbps). That doesn't mean this is akin to big unlimited plans available from the likes of Bell, Rogers, or Telus, but it will help you avoid pesky overage fees.
View plan
PC Mobile | Unlimited Talk & Text & Data | $24/month
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Pros: Cheap unlimited nationwide long-distance, affordable data upgrades, PC Optimum points - Cons: Limited phone selection online
PC Mobile recently added this option that puts non-stop talk on your phone with free long-distance to anywhere in the country. If you're looking for a cheap way to call and text, this is a solid option, with 4GB of monthly data. Plus, PC Mobile runs on Bell's network, so you'll get 4G LTE speeds and nationwide coverage.
If you want more data, PC Mobile sells add-ons for $10 (1GB) and $20 (2GB). If you're a basic phone user, though, who primarily wants to make calls and send texts, we don't think you'll need to pay more than your initial bill.
If you have a PC Optimum card, there's another reason to get this plan: activate a PC Mobile SIM card and get 20,000 PC Optimum points.
View plan
Best Pay-as-you-Go Plans
7-Eleven SpeakOut | 365-day Top-Up | $25/year
- Pros: Low-cost commitment, very long expiration date, nationwide coverage
- Cons: Pay-per-use rates are expensive, no data
Most cell phone plans in Canada require you to pay every month, but a few let you pay 12 months upfront. 7-Eleven SpeakOut (yes, the convenience store has a wireless brand) will charge up any phone with nationwide coverage on the Rogers Wireless network. Pay $25 upfront, and your credit won't expire for 365 days. That comes out as just $2/month to start.
This is a great plan if you need a limited phone for a child, senior parents, or a trusty back-up phone for yourself. Like the plan, the phones offered are on the cheaper side, though there are a few refurbished older models, including the iPhone 11.
Goo2Go (Previously Petro-Canada Mobile) | Top Up | $25/120 days
- Pros: Nationwide coverage, top-up cards at all Petro-Canada stations
- Cons: Expensive pay-per-use rates, poor phone selection
Just like 7-Eleven SpeakOut's plan, this is a great option for an emergency phone or to keep in contact with a child or elderly parents. Good2Go is the new name for Petro-Canada's prepaid wireless service. You can top up your account online or any of Petro-Canada's 1,800+ stations across the country.
Good2Go's phone selection is limited, so we recommend using an older, inactive device if you want to activate this plan. After all, you won't be worried about download speeds or screen size in an emergency. The plan is a good, limited-use option for calling and texting; if you've got an old phone that can do that, there's no need to purchase a new device.
A perk of this plan is Good2Go's loyalty program. Every $1 spent earns 10 Petro-Points at all of their locations. You can use these loyalty rewards for fuel, snacks, or a deluxe car wash.
View plan
Methodology: How WhistleOut rates cell phone plans
WhistleOut evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our mobile experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate the best prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans in Canada. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and rewards programs. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback, we picked the plans we feel meet the needs of most people.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to evaluate a cell phone carrier or plan and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
Kevin Kearney
Kevin is an experienced journalist and writer whose musings on tech, education, and culture have appeared in Stereogum, InsideHook, The Millions, and elsewhere. As Deputy Editor for WhistleOut, he offers unique expertise on the inner workings of the mobile industry, and has a particular passion for emerging efficiencies within smartphone apps. When he’s not researching the telecom market, he enjoys reading, running, and playing music.
Best prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans: FAQs
If you add more credit to your account before the expiry date, many wireless providers will carry over the balance. For example, if you have $3 left on your account which is set to expire soon, adding a $25 credit gives you a total of $28 to use until your new expiry date.
Pay-as-you-go providers are just as they sound: you pay per text, minute, or MB/GB of data.
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