Canada has no shortage of pay as you go and prepaid options in 2026. Whether you want a pay as you go plan with a low base fee and per-use billing, a low-cost monthly prepaid, or an annual plan to lock in savings for a full year, this page covers the best pick from each carrier: Fizz, Chatr Mobile, 7-Eleven SpeakOut, PC Mobile, Koodo Mobile, Public Mobile, Freedom Mobile, and SaskTel. Each carrier also links to its full plan listing so you can compare every available option.
Pay As You Go Plans in Canada
Fizz is the only mainstream Canadian carrier still offering a pay as you go plan in 2026. Unlike standard prepaid plans that include a set amount of talk, text, and data, Fizz PAYG has no minutes, texts, or data bundled in. You pay a low monthly base fee to keep your number active, then add usage on top as needed. It is best suited for emergency phones, backup SIMs, or anyone who primarily uses Wi-Fi and only needs occasional cellular access.
Fizz — Pay As You Go (National)
$13/mo base
Talk: Pay per minute
Text: Pay per text
Data: Pay per MB
$13/mo base fee
No minutes, texts or data included
Pay per MB, per minute, per text
Available in AB, BC, ON
$13/mo base fee. Usage billed separately per MB, per minute, and per text. See fizz.ca for current per-use rates.
Fizz — Pay As You Go (QC)
$11/mo base
Talk: Pay per minute
Text: Pay per text
Data: Pay per MB
$11/mo base fee
No minutes, texts or data included
Pay per MB, per minute, per text
Quebec only
$11/mo base fee. Usage billed separately per MB, per minute, and per text. Quebec pricing.
Fizz — Pay As You Go (MB)
$14/mo base
Talk: Pay per minute
Text: Pay per text
Data: Pay per MB
$14/mo base fee
No minutes, texts or data included
Pay per MB, per minute, per text
Manitoba only
$14/mo base fee. Usage billed separately per MB, per minute, and per text. Manitoba pricing.
PAYG takeaway: Fizz PAYG includes no talk, text, or data. You pay a monthly base fee to keep your number active and are billed separately for any usage. Base fees start at $11/mo in Quebec, $13/mo in AB, BC and ON, and $14/mo in Manitoba. It is the right pick if you rarely make calls or use data and want the lowest possible monthly cost to stay connected.
Best Monthly Prepaid Plans
Monthly prepaid plans are the most popular choice for Canadians who want flexibility without a contract. You pay upfront each month with no credit check required and can switch carriers at any time. The cards below show the best pick from each carrier for most users. Click the carrier link on any card to see all available plans from that carrier.
Koodo Mobile — $34 4G Base Plan
$34/mo
Data: 60 GB (4G)
Talk: Unlimited Canada-wide
Text: Unlimited international messages
Network: Telus
+5 GB auto top-up bonus
Telus network
No contract
Self-serve app
60 GB base + 5 GB auto top-up bonus. Runs on Telus network.
Chatr Mobile — $19 Canada Talk, Text and Data 4G
$19/mo
Data: 500 MB (4G)
Talk: Unlimited Canada-wide
Text: Unlimited
Network: Rogers
+500 MB auto-pay bonus
Rogers network
No contract
No credit check
500 MB base + 500 MB auto-pay bonus. Runs on Rogers network.
7-Eleven SpeakOut — 25 GB 4G Prepaid
$25/mo
Data: 25 GB (4G)
Talk: Unlimited Canada-wide
Text: Unlimited
Network: Rogers (4G VoLTE)
No contract
No credit check
Pick up SIM at 7-Eleven
4G VoLTE network
Requires a 4G VoLTE-compatible device.
PC Mobile — Prepaid 20 GB 5G Unlimited Talk and Text
$25/mo
Data: 25 GB (5G)
Talk: Unlimited Canada-wide
Text: Unlimited international messages
Network: Bell
+5 GB auto-pay bonus
Unlimited long distance
Bell network
No contract
20 GB base + 5 GB auto-pay bonus = 25 GB total. Runs on Bell 5G.
Public Mobile — 30 GB 5G Mobile Plan
$35/mo
Data: 80 GB (5G)
Talk: Unlimited Canada-wide
Text: Unlimited international messages
Network: Telus
50 GB bonus data included
Telus network
No contract
Self-serve online
30 GB base + 50 GB bonus data = 80 GB total. Runs on Telus 5G.
Freedom Mobile — 60 GB 5G Unlimited Canada, U.S. and Mexico + Roam Beyond
$40/mo
Data: 100 GB (5G)
Talk: Unlimited Canada, U.S. and Mexico
Text: Unlimited international messages
Network: Freedom Mobile
40 GB bonus data included
5 GB Roam Beyond (120+ countries)
No contract
Price Freeze Promise
No-contract postpaid. 60 GB base + 40 GB bonus = 100 GB total. 5 GB Roam Beyond for international use.
Best Annual Prepaid Plans
Annual prepaid plans let you pay once for a full year of service. They offer the lowest cost per month of any prepaid option but require the full amount upfront.
Chatr Mobile — Yearly Talk, Text and Data Plan
$159/yr
~$13.25/mo equivalent
Data: 40 GB (4G)
Talk: Unlimited Canada-wide
Text: Unlimited international messages
Network: Rogers
Valid 1 year
Unlimited data at reduced speed after cap
Rogers network
No contract
Annual prepaid. 40 GB at full 4G speed, then unlimited at reduced speed.
Annual plan tip: At $159/yr the Chatr annual plan works out to about $13.25/mo for 40 GB on Rogers. Pay once and your service runs for a full year with no further billing.
SaskTel noSTRINGS Prepaid (Saskatchewan Only)
SaskTel is the only carrier on this page with deep rural 4G LTE coverage across all of Saskatchewan. The noSTRINGS prepaid line starts at $10/mo and includes unlimited long-distance calling on most tiers. Available to Saskatchewan residents only.
SaskTel — noSTRINGS Talk + Text + Data 45
$45/mo
Data: 5 GB (4G)
Talk: Unlimited Canada-wide
Text: Unlimited international messages
Unlimited long distance
Saskatchewan only
No contract
Deep rural SK coverage
Saskatchewan only. SaskTel network.
Which Network Does Each Carrier Use?
Most prepaid carriers in Canada run on one of the three major networks. Knowing the underlying network tells you what coverage to expect before you commit to a plan.
Pay As You Go and Prepaid Plan Comparison (2026)
All picks on this page at a glance.
| Carrier | Our Pick | Type | Data | Speed | Price | Network | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fizz | Pay As You Go (National) | Pay As You Go | Pay per MB | 4G | $13/mo + usage | Videotron / Freedom | View plan |
| Fizz | Pay As You Go (QC) | Pay As You Go | Pay per MB | 4G | $11/mo + usage | Videotron / Freedom | View plan |
| Fizz | Pay As You Go (MB) | Pay As You Go | Pay per MB | 4G | $14/mo + usage | Videotron / Freedom | View plan |
| Chatr Mobile | $19 Canada Talk, Text and Data 4G | Monthly Prepaid | 500 MB | 4G | $19/mo | Rogers | View plan |
| 7-Eleven SpeakOut | 25 GB 4G Prepaid | Monthly Prepaid | 25 GB | 4G | $25/mo | Rogers (4G VoLTE) | View plan |
| PC Mobile | Prepaid 20 GB 5G Unlimited Talk and Text | Monthly Prepaid | 25 GB | 5G | $25/mo | Bell | View plan |
| Koodo Mobile | $34 4G Base Plan | Monthly Prepaid | 60 GB | 4G | $34/mo | Telus | View plan |
| Public Mobile | 30 GB 5G Mobile Plan | Monthly Prepaid | 80 GB | 5G | $35/mo | Telus | View plan |
| Freedom Mobile | 60 GB 5G Unlimited Canada, U.S. and Mexico + Roam Beyond | No-Contract Postpaid | 100 GB | 5G | $40/mo | Freedom Mobile | View plan |
| Chatr Mobile | Yearly Talk, Text and Data Plan | Annual Prepaid | 40 GB | 4G | $159/yr | Rogers | View plan |
| SaskTel | noSTRINGS Talk + Text + Data 45 | Prepaid (SK Only) | 5 GB | 4G | $45/mo | SaskTel | View plan |
Which Plan Is Right for You?
Emergency or Backup Phone
Fizz Pay As You Go
No talk, text, or data included. You pay a monthly base fee ($11 in QC, $13 nationally, $14 in MB) to keep your number active and are billed separately for any usage. Ideal for a SIM you want to keep alive without committing to a full plan.
Lightest Possible Monthly Cost
Chatr $19/mo
Unlimited talk and text plus up to 1 GB of data (with auto-pay) on Rogers for $19/mo. The cheapest flat monthly prepaid from a named carrier in Canada.
Budget Data User
SpeakOut $25/mo or PC Mobile $25/mo
SpeakOut gives 25 GB on 4G. PC Mobile matches that price with 25 GB on Bell 5G. PC Mobile wins on speed; SpeakOut wins on simplicity with SIM pickup at 7-Eleven stores.
Best All-Around Prepaid
Koodo $34/mo (60 GB 4G)
65 GB total (including auto-pay bonus) on Telus for $34/mo. Koodo hits the sweet spot of price, data, network quality, and self-serve account management.
Best 5G Value
Public Mobile $35/mo (80 GB 5G)
80 GB total (30 GB base + 50 GB bonus) on Telus 5G for $35/mo. Online-only account management keeps costs lower than Koodo for a comparable network.
Frequent Travellers
Freedom Mobile $40/mo
100 GB of 5G data plus unlimited talk and text across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Includes 5 GB Roam Beyond data for 120+ international destinations.
Annual Set-and-Forget
Chatr $159/yr (40 GB)
Pay once and get 40 GB for a full year on Rogers at about $13.25/mo equivalent. Ideal for kids phones, seasonal workers, or anyone who dislikes monthly billing.
Saskatchewan Residents
SaskTel noSTRINGS $45/mo
The only carrier with full rural Saskatchewan coverage. Includes unlimited long-distance calling across Canada, which national carriers typically charge extra for at this price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest pay as you go plan in Canada?
Fizz is the only mainstream carrier in Canada offering a pay as you go plan. PAYG plans include no talk, text, or data — you pay a monthly base fee to keep your number active and are charged separately for any usage. The cheapest Fizz PAYG is the Quebec version at $11/mo base fee. The national version (AB, BC, ON) is $13/mo and the Manitoba version is $14/mo.
What is the difference between pay as you go and prepaid plans?
A standard prepaid plan includes a set amount of talk, text, and data for a flat monthly or annual fee. A pay as you go plan has no bundled talk, text, or data — you pay a monthly base fee to keep your number active and are billed separately for any usage on top. Fizz PAYG is the only pay as you go option from a mainstream Canadian carrier in 2026, with base fees starting at $11/mo in Quebec.
Which carrier has the best prepaid plan for data?
For the most data at the best price, our pick is the Freedom Mobile 60 GB 5G Unlimited Canada, U.S. and Mexico + Roam Beyond at $40/mo, which gives 100 GB total on the Freedom Mobile network.
Are prepaid plans available across all of Canada?
Most carriers on this page offer nationwide prepaid plans. SaskTel noSTRINGS plans are available in Saskatchewan only. Freedom Mobile prepaid plans are limited to Freedom coverage areas, which are mainly major urban centres. Fizz PAYG is available in QC, MB, and select provinces.
Can I keep my phone number when switching to a prepaid plan?
Yes. In Canada you can port your existing number to any new carrier, including prepaid carriers. Contact your new carrier before cancelling your old service to initiate the port.
Do pay as you go and prepaid plans work with any phone?
Prepaid and PAYG SIM plans work with any unlocked GSM phone. If your phone is still locked to another carrier, ask them to unlock it before switching. eSIM activation is available from some carriers including Public Mobile and PC Mobile.
How much can I save switching to a prepaid plan?
The average Canadian pays $43.51/mo for a postpaid cell phone plan according to CRTC data. Switching to the cheapest monthly pick on this page at $19/mo saves approximately $294/yr (56% less). Switching to Fizz PAYG and using very little cellular service could save even more.
Which prepaid plans include Canada, U.S. and Mexico coverage?
Freedom Mobile and Public Mobile both offer plans covering Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. The most affordable pick on this page with cross-border coverage is Freedom Mobile at $40/mo for the 60 GB 5G Unlimited Canada, U.S. and Mexico + Roam Beyond.
What is the best annual prepaid plan in Canada?
The best annual prepaid plan with data is the Chatr Yearly Talk, Text and Data Plan at $159/yr, which works out to about $13.25/mo for 40 GB on the Rogers network. For talk only, Freedom Mobile offers an annual plan at $99/yr (about $8.25/mo equivalent).
Does Fizz offer pay as you go outside Quebec?
Yes. Fizz offers pay as you go plans in Quebec, Manitoba, and a national version available in other provinces including AB, BC, and ON. Each region has its own pricing. See the Fizz carrier page for the full list.
Plan pricing, data allowances, availability, and features are subject to change at any time without notice. Promotional rates, auto-pay bonuses, and limited-time offers may not be reflected here. Always confirm current plan details directly with the carrier before signing up. Topicks.ca is not responsible for discrepancies between information listed here and carrier information. Last updated: October 2026.
