Best Prepaid Plans Under 500: Jio vs Airtel Compared
Choosing the right prepaid plan under ₹500 can be tricky with so many options available. Jio and Airtel both offer strong contenders in this price range. Here’s a breakdown of their best offerings to help you decide.
Jio Prepaid Plans Under ₹500
₹299 Plan
- Validity: 28 days
- Daily Data: 1.5 GB
- Total Data: 42 GB
- Additional Benefits: Unlimited calls, 100 SMS/day, access to JioTV, JioCinema, and JioCloud. A limited Hotstar trial is also included.
- Best for: Regular users who need entertainment options but not heavy data.
₹399 Plan
- Validity: 28 days
- Daily Data: 2.5 GB
- Total Data: 70 GB
- Additional Benefits: Unlimited calls, 100 SMS/day, JioTV, JioCinema, JioCloud
- Best for: Users who stream frequently or work online.
₹449 Plan
- Validity: 28 days
- Daily Data: 3 GB
- Total Data: 84 GB
- Additional Benefits: JioCinema Premium, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Discovery+, FanCode, and more
- Best for: Users looking for a high-data plan with multiple OTT apps included.
Airtel Prepaid Plans Under ₹500
₹299 Plan
- Validity: 28 days
- Daily Data: 1.5 GB
- Total Data: 42 GB
- Additional Benefits: Unlimited voice, 100 SMS/day, Airtel Xstream, Wynk Music, free Hellotunes
- Best for: Moderate users who want added entertainment services.
₹399 Plan
- Validity: 28 days
- Daily Data: 2.5 GB
- Total Data: 70 GB
- Additional Benefits: Same as above, with access to more OTT content
- Best for: Users with high daily data needs and interest in streaming.
₹449 Plan
- Validity: 28 days
- Daily Data: 3 GB
- Total Data: 84 GB
- Additional Benefits: Airtel Xstream Play Premium (22+ OTT apps), Wynk Music, 5G unlimited data (in select areas)
- Best for: Power users who need high-speed data and OTT perks.
Summary Table
| Plan | Operator | Data per Day | Validity | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹299 | Jio | 1.5 GB | 28 days | JioTV, Hotstar trial |
| ₹399 | Jio | 2.5 GB | 28 days | JioTV, JioCinema |
| ₹449 | Jio | 3 GB | 28 days | OTT bundle (JioCinema Premium, ZEE5, etc.) |
| ₹299 | Airtel | 1.5 GB | 28 days | Xstream, Wynk, Hellotunes |
| ₹399 | Airtel | 2.5 GB | 28 days | More OTT options |
| ₹449 | Airtel | 3 GB | 28 days | 22+ OTT apps, 5G data |
Final Verdict
If your priority is maximum data with OTT content, Airtel’s ₹449 plan edges out slightly with more premium app access. However, Jio’s ₹449 plan also offers solid OTT choices and better integration with Jio services. For balanced usage, both providers offer good value at the ₹399 mark.
