There are similarities and differences between choosing a prepaid SIM card over a postpaid mobile plan in Singapore. And it's not just all about whether you pay ahead of use or at the end of a billing cycle. Both structures are alike because most prepaid and postpaid plans in Singapore offer at least some data, local call minutes, and local texts. But they're different in terms of plan length, features, and available plan add-ons.
What is a postpaid mobile plan?
Postpaid phone plans are ones you pay for at the end of a billing cycle, which is typically either 30 days or a month in Singapore. What you're paying for at the end of that billing cycle is a mobile plan with a certain amount of max-speed data, local call minutes, and local texts, plus other potential plan features. Most postpaid mobile plans we track in our database don't have a contract. Postpaid mobile plans can either be SIM-only, where you have your own phone, or paired with a new mobile phone.
How do postpaid mobile plans work?
When you buy and activate a postpaid mobile plan, the timer starts for your billing cycle. Either 30 days or one month after the date you're first connected, you'll get a bill. Your postpaid mobile plan then automatically continues into the next billing cycle. The cost may change if you use any postpaid mobile phone add-ons. Below is a list of postpaid SIM plans from our database.
|
#1
|
CMLink
300GB 4G SIM Only
$5.05
Min. cost $5.05
|
|
#2
|
MyRepublic
4G Flex
$6/mth
Min. cost $5.90
|
|
#3
|
ZYM Mobile
Flexi Duo Data Only Plan
$7
+ $3 Upfront
Min. cost $10
|
|
#4
|
Zero1
Starter Prime 4G
$7.06
Min. cost $7.06
|
|
#5
|
VIVIFI
Roam Value 4G
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#6
|
Maxx
290GB SIM Only
$7.90
Min. cost $7.90
|
Postpaid plan inclusions
While local call and text allowances vary between plans and providers, the main feature mobile providers compete over is data (and whether that data is offered at 4G or 5G speeds). For cheaper SIM-only plans, you can expect hundreds of gigabytes of data at 4G speeds. Pricier postpaid mobile plans may have hundreds of gigabytes of data or even unlimited data. It's also common for postpaid mobile plans to include at least some data for international roaming.
Postpaid SIM-only vs device plans
While plan prices are identical between postpaid SIM-only and device plans, the latter costs more because you're paying off a handset over 12 or 24 months. You're also likely limited to M1, Singtel, and StarHub when paying for a postpaid device plan, instead of every mobile provider in Singapore. Because of this, it's cheaper overall to go with a postpaid SIM-only plan, as long as you can bring your own phone.
Here's a look at cheap postpaid SIM-only plans from our database with at least some local calls and texts.
|
#1
|
CMLink
300GB 4G SIM Only
$5.05
Min. cost $5.05
|
|
#2
|
MyRepublic
4G Flex
$6/mth
Min. cost $5.90
|
|
#3
|
Zero1
Starter Prime 4G
$7.06
Min. cost $7.06
|
|
#4
|
VIVIFI
Roam Value 4G
$7.70
Min. cost $7.70
|
|
#5
|
ZYM Mobile
200GB Roam Saver SIM Only
$7.77
+ $3 Upfront
Min. cost $10.77
|
|
#6
|
Maxx
290GB SIM Only
$7.90
Min. cost $7.90
|
Mobile providers like Singtel, StarHub, and M1 let you bundle a postpaid SIM plan with a new iPhone or Android phone. You pay for the SIM plan alongside a 12-month or 24-month handset repayment fee. While there typically aren't any contracts for the postpaid mobile plan, you will have to pay off the remainder of your mobile phone repayments if you want to switch to another mobile provider. Below is a look at postpaid device plans from our database.
Galaxy S25 256GB
- 6.2 inch display
- Android 15, One UI 7
- 5G Capable
Galaxy S25+ 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Android 15, One UI 7
- 5G Capable
Galaxy S25 512GB
- 6.2 inch display
- Android 15, One UI 7
- 5G Capable
Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Android 15, One UI 7
- 5G Capable
Galaxy S25+ 512GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Android 15, One UI 7
- 5G Capable
Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Android 15, One UI 7
- 5G Capable
What is a prepaid mobile plan?
Prepaid mobile plans are paid for before you use them, rather than at the end of a billing cycle. You may be able to set up an automated ongoing payment, otherwise you need to manually recharge your prepaid SIM card in Singapore before you can use data, make calls, and send texts. For the prepaid plans we track in our database, recharge durations may be as short as 14 days or stretch up to 30 days.
How do prepaid mobile plans work?
Whenever you have to recharge a prepaid SIM card in Singapore, you can stick with the same provider or shift to someone new. If you buy a 30-day prepaid plan, you'll have access to the allocated data, calls, and SMS for 30 days. After that, you need to recharge the same plan or find a new provider. If you use up all of your data, calls, or texts, you may have to use prepaid add-ons or buy another plan to continue using one or all of those expired inclusions.
We strongly recommend finding a new prepaid SIM card in Singapore before your current plan expires to ensure you don't have any connectivity downtime. Below is a list of cheap prepaid SIM cards from our database.
|
#1
|
Eight
228GB Tourist eSIM
$8
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Singtel
1GB 4-Week Data Plan
$10
Per 28 Day Renewal
|
|
#3
|
M1
100GB Tourist eSIM
$12
Per 15 Day Renewal
|
|
#4
|
StarHub
$12 Traveler Data eSIM
$12
Per 14 Day Renewal
|
|
#5
|
WhizComms
$20 Neighbour eSIM
$20
Per 14 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
|
Prepaid plan inclusions
Most prepaid plans in Singapore come with data, local calls, and local texts. Like postpaid plans, the more you pay, the more data, calls, and texts you get. Some prepaid plans come with other features, like data rollover when you recharge with the same provider, while others have International Direct Dial (IDD) minutes and/or international roaming for specific nearby or faraway global destinations. You may be able to save money by buying a prepaid starter kit at a cheaper price before recharging with a prepaid plan.
What is a prepaid mobile plan?
When it comes to postpaid vs prepaid, the right plan type is the one that best meets your needs. At the top level, prepaid plans are typically cheaper than postpaid plans, and they make it easier to control spending. Postpaid plans, though, typically have more features and plan choices. Here's a look at pros and cons for anyone considering a postpaid or prepaid SIM in Singapore.
Postpaid SIM card pros
- May have more features than prepaid
- Simplified 30-day or monthly structure
- Option to bundle with a new phone
- Global roaming data is often included
- Potential for no excess data fees
Postpaid SIM card cons
- Credit check may be required
- Expensive if you pair with a mobile phone
- Potential excess data fees
- Add-ons for optional features
- 30-day plans need more payments than monthly
Prepaid SIM card pros
- Potentially cheaper plans than postpaid
- Better control over spending
- Good choice for infrequent phone users
- Add-ons for optional features
- Great structure for tourists
- No credit check required
Prepaid SIM card cons
- May not have local calls or texts
- Potentially more recharges per year
- No option to pay off a phone
- May have fewer features than postpaid
Prepaid vs postpaid: Which is better value?
If you want full control over your mobile bill and have a phone you're happy with, consider a prepaid SIM card in Singapore. For anyone after more mobile plan options – including more data and features – postpaid plans are worth considering, more so if you're in the market for a new mobile phone. You can find cheap postpaid and prepaid plans, so it may boil down to whether you want your mobile bill ahead of time (prepaid) or at the end of a billing cycle (postpaid).
Find a better phone plan
Thousands of mobile phone plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
.jpeg?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "Where to buy a refurbished iPhone in Singapore")
