If you’re someone who uses mobile data every day, you’ve probably noticed that both Airtel and Jio have increased the prices of their prepaid plans starting from July 2024. This change has made many people wonder: “Which one should I recharge now?” Don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you in simple and clear words.
Let’s look at different types of plans—28 days, 56 days, 84 days, and yearly—and compare their validity, speed, daily data limits, and overall benefits.
28 Days Plans – Good for Light to Moderate Users
If you’re someone who doesn’t want to commit to a long-term plan or just wants a short recharge to test the network, 28-day plans are for you. These plans are perfect for basic use like WhatsApp, UPI, light browsing, YouTube, and social media.
Jio Offers:
- ₹199 – 2GB total for 28 days (great for very light users)
- ₹249 – 1GB per day (enough for casual daily use)
- ₹299 – 1.5GB per day (great for average users)
- ₹349 – 2GB per day (best for daily YouTube and Instagram)
Airtel Offers:
- ₹299 – 1.5GB per day
- ₹349 – 2GB per day
Verdict: Both offer similar data and benefits, but Jio also has a ₹199 plan for minimal users. If you don’t use much internet daily, this is a budget-friendly option.
56 Days Plans – Medium-Term Use Without Monthly Hassle
If you’re tired of recharging every 28 days but don’t want to go for a long plan, 56-day options are a good middle ground. These are popular among working professionals and students.
Jio:
- ₹579 – 1.5GB/day, unlimited calls, free 5G
- ₹629 – 2GB/day, unlimited calls, 5G access
Airtel:
- ₹579 – 1.5GB/day, unlimited calls
- ₹649 – 2GB/day, unlimited calls
Important Difference: While both Airtel and Jio offer the same data usage, Jio’s plans are slightly cheaper and include 5G access in most areas. Airtel may still offer 5G in fewer cities.
Best for: Students who attend online classes or working people doing video calls, moderate browsing, and video streaming.
84 Days Plans – Great for Heavy Users or People Who Hate Frequent Recharge
84-day plans are perfect for those who want to recharge once and forget about it for the next 3 months. This is suitable for online job workers, YouTubers, or anyone who needs daily high data.
Jio Plans:
- ₹799 – 1.5GB/day
- ₹859 – 2GB/day
- ₹1199 – 3GB/day
Airtel Plans:
- ₹859 – 1.5GB/day
- ₹979 – 2GB/day
Speed & Benefits: Jio is providing more options, and also offers 3GB/day, which is missing in Airtel. All of these plans come with unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS/day.
365 Days Plans – One-Time Recharge for 1 Year
Yearly plans are best for people who don’t want the headache of monthly recharges. It’s also great if you’re gifting a SIM to your parents, kids, or using it for a secondary number.
Jio:
- ₹1,899 – 2GB/day, 365 days, unlimited calls, SMS, and 5G support
Airtel:
₹1,999 – 2GB/day, same benefits
Who Should Buy?: Business people, remote workers, or students using a lot of internet daily, People who want long-term value and don’t want to think about monthly costs
Jio Wins: Jio is ₹100 cheaper and offers similar benefits. It’s the better pick for yearly recharge.
Extra Benefits (Jio vs Airtel):
| Feature | Jio | Airtel |
|---|---|---|
| 5G Access | Yes (free with most plans) | Yes (but limited to select users) |
| App Benefits | JioCinema, JioTV, JioCloud | Airtel Xstream, Wynk Music |
| Network Speed | Slightly better in cities | More stable in some rural areas |
| Customer Service | Good | Very good |
| Cashback & Offers | Available on MyJio, Amazon | Available on Airtel Thanks, Paytm |
Final Advice: Which One Is Best for You?
If your main focus is data speed and saving money, Jio is slightly ahead in 2025. It offers cheaper plans, more variety (like 3GB/day plans), and wider 5G availability. But Airtel is still a great choice if you have stronger Airtel signal in your area or prefer its app services.
Before choosing any SIM, test the network in your home and office area. A cheaper plan is no good if your signal is weak.
