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Best Prepaid Phone Plans in Canada

The biggest players rarely offer the best prepaid cell phone plans in Canada. Looking for alternatives?

Our research concludes that your best offer comes from Koodo with its 24 GB prepaid plan at $29 per month.

Fizz fights its way into second place with a 20 GB plan at $29. There is a rewards program offering free data, and data rolls over, so don’t discount this runner-up option before taking a closer look.

Public Mobile’s Public 6 GB plan at $23 per month is the cheapest prepaid plan on our list. If you rarely use data on the move, it could be a good choice.

For those who want plenty of data, Lucky Mobile’s Lucky 100 GB plan, priced at $50 monthly, will be the winning choice. It offers great value for money in a prepaid plan.

Device: Bring Your Own Device

Koodo 25 GB

Best Prepaid Phone Plan

Availability: ab, bc, mb, nb, nl, nt, ns, nu, on, pe, sk, yt

$29/month

Device: Bring Your Own Device

Fizz 20 GB

Runner-Up

Availability: ab, bc, mb, on

$29/month

Device: Bring Your Own Device

Public 6 GB

Great Value

Availability: ab, bc, mb, nb, nl, nt, ns, nu, on, pe, sk, yt

$23/month

Device: Bring Your Own Device

Lucky 100 GB

For Heavy Data Users

Availability: ab, bc, mb, nb, nl, ns, on, pe, sk

$50/month

Whenever you choose a prepaid plan or a pay-as-you-go plan, think about what you need to achieve with it.

For some people, it will be the cheapest plan, even if that means they must use WiFi most of the time.

Others will prefer a functional amount of data to use when they’re on the move but still want attractive pricing.

Then, there are folks who are heavy data users and don’t want to feel the need to be overly mindful of data use during the course of each month.

We’ve covered all of these eventualities, and you’ll find more info on prepaid and pay-as-you-go plans, carriers, perks, pros and cons in our analysis below.

Best Prepaid Phone Plan

Device: Bring Your Own Device

Koodo 25 GB

Availability: ab, bc, mb, nb, nl, nt, ns, nu, on, pe, sk, yt

$29/month

Our Take

As our overall winner, Koodo’s 25 GB prepaid plan is $29 per month if you sign up for automatic top-ups. If you don’t commit, the same plan offers 20 GB of data on a month-to-month basis. Here’s what you need to know about it.

Pros

The data allocation is relatively good and the price is remarkably low.
The $29 price is set for 24 months if you sign up for top-ups.
Koodo uses the Telus 4G network, so network coverage throughout Canada is particularly good.
Your e-SIM is completely free, or you can get a discount on a Telus SIM card.

Cons

To qualify for the best-priced version of this offer, you must sign up for 24 months of automatic top-ups.
Listed as a back-to-school special, this plan may be available for a limited time only. It’s listed separately from standard offers, so do some digging to find it.

Runner-Up

Device: Bring Your Own Device

Fizz 20 GB

Availability: ab, bc, mb, on

$29/month

Our Take

Our runner up, the 20 GB plan at $29 form Fizz may offer a few perks that makes it your first-place choice.

Even without considering perks, those who prefer not to sign up for automatic top-ups with Koodo will get a deal that costs exactly the same and offers the same amount of data.

Fizz is owned by Videotron which accesses all of the major provider’s networks. You’ll get good coverage.

Pros

Data rolls over, so you won’t lose any unused data at the end of the billing period.
There’s a rewards programme offering small amounts of free data.
You can pay on auto by depositing funds into your Fizz wallet.

Cons

Fizz uses LTE. Some people term it “4G LTE” because it’s faster than the old LTE, but it’s not really 4G.
Fizz customer service attracts a relatively high volume of negative reviews.

Great Value

Device: Bring Your Own Device

Public 6 GB

Availability: ab, bc, mb, nb, nl, nt, ns, nu, on, pe, sk, yt

$23/month

Our Take

For great value and all the basics, you can save with Public Mobile. Its Public 6 GB prepaid plan at $23 offers limited data (just 6 GB), but if you’re on WiFi most of the time, it should be enough for basics.

Other than a PublicPoints loyalty programme offering $1.15 per month in credits, there are no real frills here. Then again, frills usually come at a price!

Pros

A solid prepaid plan at a low price.
4G Network access through the Telus network. Telus owns Public Mobile.
Self-service options for easy account management including cancellations.

Cons

Add-ons are pricey. For example, $15 for 1GB of extra data and there’s no rollover.
Email only customer support.
Public Mobile prominently advertises 5G, but you won’t get it at this level of prepaid plan.

For Heavy Data Users

Device: Bring Your Own Device

Lucky 100 GB

Availability: ab, bc, mb, nb, nl, ns, on, pe, sk

$50/month

Our Take

For heavy data users, the Lucky 100 GB prepaid plan from Lucky Mobile offers savings. Priced at $50 per month, it provides 100 GB of data and 105 GB if you register for automatic top-up.

Based on customer reviews, most people are happy with the pricing, network coverage and service reliability.

Pros

Unlimited calling extends to your calls to the US.
Unlimited extra data for free, albeit at slower speeds, for light use like messaging and browsing.
Budget access to the extensive Bell 4G network through this Bell-owned flanker brand.
User-friendly self-service app.

Cons

Customer service is reachable, but long hold times and poor call resolution are often reported.
Users report that the choked speed after using allotted data is not particularly useful.

Methodology

NetspeedCanada has no affiliations with any mobile phone provider. We use advanced data aggregation and our proprietary database to compare cell phone plans with user priorities in mind.

Our conclusions are based on pricing, data allocation, network capabilities and coverage, and any limitations or advantages inherent in the plans we analyse. At the same time, we access public forums to examine questions like service reliability and customer service track record.

Limitations exist. While every attempt to cover your cell phone plan selection criteria has been made, we advise you to conduct your own research using our online tool.

Before committing to your selection, be sure to confirm questions like coverage with your shortlisted providers – especially if you live in, or frequently visit, remote areas.

Cell Phone Carrier Network Coverage in Canada

Most of the network infrastructure in Canada is owned by the top three carriers: Bell, Rogers, and Telus. Each of these carriers owns budget “flanker” brands that use the applicable parent company networks.

Fizz is the exception to the rule. Owned by Quebecor (Videotron), it uses the big three as partner networks, leading some users to say that it offers the most comprehensive coverage overall.

Although regional differences may apply between carriers, it’s generally accepted that 97 percent of the Canadian population enjoys network access. However, in more remote areas, there will be more “dead spots.”

Regardless of where you live, it’s always a good idea to check network coverage in the areas you frequently visit as well as your usual locations before deciding on a plan.

What Is the Difference Between Prepaid and Postpaid Plans

With many prepaid plans offering automated topups, the lines between prepaid and postpaid plans may seem a little blurred. Nevertheless, there are several real differences to consider.

Credit checks will always apply to postpaid plans. You pay for the service after using it, so your carrier will want to know if you can reliably afford it and you will generally sign a contract committing to the service.

Prepaid plans, on the other hand, are paid before you use the service, and no credit checks or contracts apply.

When comparing prepaid plans to postpaid plans, remember that postpaid plans generally bill you for extra data used without you having to take any action.

If you have a prepaid plan, you must consciously purchase more data and it often expires at the end of a billing period, even if you haven’t used it all. However, some providers offer rollovers of data, mitigating this disadvantage.

Is Unlimited Data Really Unlimited?

Only one prepaid plan offers a form of unlimited data, and that’s the 100 GB Lucky Mobile plan. In a sense, it doesn’t differ all that much from the “true” unlimited data plans, with the exception that those are usually 5G while Lucky Mobile is 4G.

“Unlimited data” plans are invariably from the flagship carriers, use 5G, cost much more, and are postpaid (contract) options. They aren’t fully unlimited, because they choke your speeds after you’ve used a certain amount of data. That’s usually 100 to 150 MB.

However, Lucky Mobile is not completely comparable and it is open about the very basic nature of the activities you can undertake after using your 100 GB. All the same, in the prepaid category, it’s the closest you’ll get to an unlimited data option.

About The Author

Tomas Novosad

Founder/Editor-in-Chief

Tomas, the founder and editor-in-chief of NetSpeed Canada, moved to Vancouver, BC over 10 years ago and was shocked by the high cost of home internet plans. As a problem solver, he researched alternatives and discovered that Canada has many lesser-known internet providers beyond the Big 3. This led to the creation of NetSpeed Canada, a platform where Canadians can enter their address and view all available internet plans.

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