Prepaid vs Postpaid: Which One Is Better?

Compare: Prepaid vs Postpaid

• What is prepaid?
• Pros of getting prepaid 
• Cons of getting prepaid 
• What is postpaid?
• Pros of getting postpaid
• Cons of getting postpaid
• What is an open term? 

With all the mobile plan options available today, it’s easier to choose one to pick for our daily needs. But sometimes, it can be a little overwhelming especially with all the inclusions and bundles that come with both prepaid and postpaid plans.

To start off, let’s try to distinguish one plan from the other. 

Like any of your subscriptions, applying for either a prepaid or postpaid plan would require some paperwork — your chosen provider will need identification before you can proceed. The key difference between these two, and one of the major considerations before getting a plan, is when you pay your bill.

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What is prepaid?

Prepaid or prepay, in its general sense, requires you to pay your prepaid card before you can use it. You can only receive service once you send your payment. Your prepaid plan can last up to 30 days or longer, depending on the amount or mobile plan that you’re subscribed to. 

Pros of getting prepaid:

If you’re on a tight budget but need a reliable plan for your everyday activities, you can opt for a prepaid plan that you can use whenever and however you want. With most network providers, prepaid costs less than $20 for 4 weeks, which is considerably cheaper than a postpaid plan. 

Since prepaid plans are paid prior to getting service, you can avoid bill shock if in case you unintentionally exceeded your data. It’s usually best for student and senior users because of its straightforward arrangements when it comes to paying your bills. 

Aside from its budget-friendly benefits, choosing a prepaid plan is slightly better when you’re travelling internationally. You can use your service more easily overseas at lower costs. Before flying off abroad, you can first check with your telco provider what they will charge you, so you can be aware of any additional payments and settle them immediately. 

Cons of getting prepaid:

A major setback for prepaid users is having limited data allowance in their chosen prepaid plan, which can be time-consuming.  

If deciding between prepaid and postpaid is difficult, wait until you learn about the different prepaid plans offered in the market. But, if you’re a traveler or tourist who needs mobile communications for overseas calls, social media and whatnot, you can consider some of the best prepaid plans from the leading mobile networks in New Zealand. 

Spark Prepaid Plans

All Spark prepaid plans include free spotify and a data allowance of 100 MB valid for 4 weeks, and can be recharged upon request. Failing to renew your Value Pack subscription (rates between $19 and $49) within the 14-day grace period will discontinue your 50% Data Back usage until you renew your subscription. 

Value Pack Plans	Data	Calls	SMS
$19	1.25 GB Rollover	Unlimited	Unlimited
$29	2 GB rollover	Unlimited	Unlimited
$49	4 GB rollover	Unlimited	Unlimited
$79	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited

Data Lovers Plan	Data	Calls	SMS
$20	1.5 GB rollover	49 centers per min within NZ	20 cents each text within NZ
$40	4.5 GB rollover	49 centers per min within NZ	20 cents each text within NZ

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Vodafone Prepaid Plans

Popular Combo Plans	Data
$13	250 MB (50 mins. off calls and 50 txts)
$19	1.25 GB (200 mins. of calls and unlimited txts)
$29	2 GB (300 mins. of calls and unlimited txts)
$36	4 GB (300 mins. of And 500 txts)
$49	8 GB (with 500 mins. of calls and unlimited txts)
$69	25 GB (with unlimited calls and SMS)
$79	40 GB  (with unlimited calls and SMS)

Big Data Combo Plans	Data
$20	1.75 GB
$40	10 GB
$55	25 GB
$65	40 GB

All Big Data Combo Plans include 50 mins of standard calls and 50 SMS within NZ.

2Degress Prepaid Plans

If you’re traveling in NZ and will only be staying for a short time, you can select from 2Degrees’ fortnightly plans offering unlimited calls and texts within the country. 

Monthly Plans	Data	Calls	SMS
$10	250 MB carryover data	100 carryover mins.	Unlimited
$19	1. 25 GB carryover data	200 carryover mins.	Unlimited
$30	2.5 GB carryover data	300 carryover mins.	Unlimited
$40	4 GB carryover data	Unlimited	Unlimited
$55	10 GB carryover data	Unlimited	Unlimited
$70	25 GB carryover data	Unlimited	Unlimited
$85	40 GB carryover data	Unlimited	Unlimited

Fortnightly Plans	Data	Calls	SMS
$10	650 MB carryover data	100 carryover mins to NZ	Unlimited
$15	1.25 GB carryover data	150 carryover mins to NZ	Unlimited
$20	2 GB carryover data	Unlimited	Unlimited

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What’s great about 2degrees is you get to use hotspot to other devices like your laptop or tablet without extra charges, plus unlimited calls to other 2degrees mobiles in NZ. 

Skinny Prepaid Plans

4-week plans	Data	Calls	SMS
$9	250 MB	100 mins.	Unlimited
$16	1.25 GB rollover	100 rollover mins.	Unlimited
$26	2.5 GB rollover	200 rollover mins.	Unlimited

Weekly Plans	Data	Calls	SMS
$5	100 MB	60 mins.	750 txts within NZ
$20	10 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited

If you’re happy with your monthly prepaid subscription with Skinny, you’re free to renew your plan after 28 days, otherwise, you can cancel and choose from other top providers for another prepaid plan. 

What is postpaid?

Choosing a postpaid plan or “pay monthly plan” gives you more flexibility in terms of using your data, calls and text messaging. You’re basically locked in with your telco for a certain period, usually for 12 months, which services you pay once you receive your bill — in short, you only pay your provider after receiving services that you applied for. 

Normally with postpaid plans, network providers offer phone inclusions for those who need a new device. It goes without saying that you’ll be paying more monthly or enter into a 12 or 24-month lock-in contract with them.

Pros of getting postpaid:

For those who have extra budget to spend on their mobile data, getting postpaid is the way to go. This is ideal for individuals who need internet access and unlimited calls and SMS 24/7. But regardless of the circumstances, it’s more practical these days to get postpaid connections especially that the majority of Kiwi users are moving towards postpaid rather than prepaid. 

Furthermore, when you’re on postpaid, you can still use your data even after exceeding your monthly data cap. You will be charged for whatever extra you’ve utilised on that particular month — no more worrying about running out of data again. 

Cons of getting postpaid:

If you’re not satisfied with your postpaid provider, and has a lock-in period of 12 months, you won’t be able to switch to a different telco until the expiration of your contract.

If you’re interested in switching to a contract mobile plan or would like to know other providers offering better postpaid services, here’s a quick overview of the different telcos offering postpaid or endless plans available to all mobile users in the country. 

Provider	Spark	Vodafone	2degrees	Skinny
Monthly plans	$79.99	$80	$85	$70
Data	40 GB	40 GB	40 GB	40 GB
Calls & Texts	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Term	Open	Open	Open/Fixed	Open

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What is an open term?

An open term mobile plan means that you will continue to enjoy your postpaid or pay monthly subscription on a monthly basis until you choose to terminate the account or when the contract has been breached. 

In conclusion, deciding on a mobile plan will depend on certain factors like budget, needs, and other personal circumstances. If you’re more comfortable applying for prepay over the other, then, it’s really up to you. 

Good thing, CompareBear lets users browse through different mobile plans ranging from the most affordable to plans with unlimited offerings. Visit our page today and find the right mobile plan for you within minutes!