Cheapest 5G Recharge Plan: Jio vs Airtel vs Vi Compared (April 2026)
Summary
- Mobile recharges are getting expensive every year especially after the introduction of 5G
- We have compared the recharge plans for all three telecom operators to help you save money
- Here are the cheapest 5G you can get for Jio, Vi and Airtel.
Remember when 5G was free, and you could use unlimited data without any data caps? Those days are officially over. What started as a “free unlimited data” war has slowly turned into a maze of expensive monthly packs and yearly price hikes that take a bite out of your wallet. If you’re tired of seeing your balance drop every time you hit “recharge,” you’re in the right place. We have curated the cheapest 5G plans from Jio, Airtel, and Vi so you can stay connected without breaking the bank.

Cheapest Jio 5G Plan
The cheapest Jio 5G plan starts at ₹198 and gives you 2GB of daily data. Not just that, you also get unlimited 5G data that doesn’t factor into your daily data limit. This affordable 5G plan also gives you unlimited calls and 100 SMS per day. The catch? Well, it only lasts two weeks, which doesn’t really make it value for money.
So, is there any alternative? Well, you can opt for the ₹349 plan, which lasts 28 days and gives you 2GB of data per day. And to sweeten the deal, there are 3 months of JioHotstar Mobile for free,50GB JioAICloud, and 3 months of Gemini Pro.
| Features | Cheapest Jio 5G Plan | Alternative Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹198 | ₹349 |
| Validity | 14 days | 28 days |
| Daily Data (5G) | 2GB/day | 2GB/day |
| Unlimited 5G | ✅ | ✅ |
| Total Data | 28GB | 56GB |
| Perks | 100 SMS/day, Unlimited calls, JioTV, JioAICloud | 100 SMS/day, Unlimited calls, JioTV, JioAICloud, 3 months of JioHotstar Mobile, 50GB JioAICloud, 18 months of Google Gemini Pro |
Cheapest Airtel 5G Plan
Unlike Jio, Airtel’s 5G plan isn’t truly unlimited, as you get only a 300GB cap regardless of the plan you choose. The ₹349 plan is the cheapest Airtel 5G plan, and it costs the same as Jio’s offering. Although you get 1.5GB of daily data compared to 2GB on Jio, Airtel gives you perks like Apple Music and Adobe Express Premium for 12 months.
And if you can stretch your budget a little, the ₹379 provides better value. It gives you 2GB of daily data and 30GB of Google One cloud storage, apart from all the benefits of the ₹349 plan. Both plans are in the same price range, so it really depends on your budget
| Features | Cheapest Airtel 5G Plan | Alternative Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹349 | ₹379 |
| Validity | 28 days | 1 month |
| Daily Data (5G) | 1.5GB/day | 2GB/day |
| Unlimited 5G | ✅ | ✅ |
| Total Data | 42GB | 60GB/62GB |
| Perks | 12 months Adobe Express Premium, Apple Music, HelloTunes | 12 months Adobe Express Premium, 30GB Google One storage, Apple Music, HelloTunes |
Also Read:
Cheapest Vi (Vodafone Idea) 5G Plan
Just like Airtel and Jio, the Vi cheapest 5G plan starts at ₹349. You get 28 days of validity and 1.5GB of data per day. Although it has some additional perks, such as weekend data rollover, binge all night data, and 2GB of backup data every month. While Vi claims to offer unlimited 5G data, there is a similar monthly cap of 300GB, just like Airtel.
And as always, there’s an alternative plan, the ₹379 plan lasts an entire calendar month instead of just 28 days. You also get 2GB of data per day, apart from perks like weekend data rollover and half-day unlimited data.
| Features | Cheapest Vi 5G Plan | Alternative Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹349 | ₹379 |
| Validity | 28 days | 1 month |
| Daily Data (5G) | 1.5GB/day | 2GB/day |
| Unlimited 5G | ✅ | ✅ |
| Total Data | 42GB | 60GB/62GB |
| Perks | Unlimited Calls, 100 SMS/day, Vi Binge All Night, Weekend Data rollover, Up to 2GB of backup data every month | Unlimited Calls, 100 SMS/day, Weekend data rollover, Half-day unlimited data |
Cheapest 5G Plans Of All Three Telecom Operators
If you compare the cheapest 5G plan of all three telecom operators, Jio has the most affordable 5G plan. But that’s not the complete picture, as Jio only gives you 14 days of validity compared to the usual 28 days. If you opt for a 28-day or 1-month plan, then the price for all three operators turns out to be more or less the same. Instead, the decision depends on the network availability and the benefits you want:
| Features | Cheapest Jio 5G Plan | Cheapest Airtel 5G Plan | Cheapest Vi 5G Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹198 | ₹349 | ₹349 |
| Validity | 14 days | 28 days | 28 days |
| Daily Data (5G) | 2GB/day | 1.5GB/day | 1.5GB/day |
| Unlimited 5G | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Total Data | 42GB | 42GB | 42GB |
| Perks | 100 SMS/day, Unlimited calls, JioTV, JioAICloud | 12 months Adobe Express Premium, Apple Music, HelloTunes | Unlimited Calls, 100 SMS/day, Vi Binge All Night, Weekend Data rollover, Up to 2GB of backup data every month |
Which 5G Operator Should I Go For?
Here’s a clear-cut answer on which operator to choose depending on your priority:
- Jio 5G: If you want the cheapest 5G plan with truly unlimited 5G and no monthly data cap, go for Jio.
- Airtel 5G: On the other hand, if subscriptions like Adobe Express Premium and Apple Music matter to you, go for Airtel.
- Vi 5G: If Vi 5G is available in your area and you use your data a lot after midnight or on weekends, go for Vi.
That’s it, folks. Do let us know on which affordable 5G plan and carrier you are currently using on our X handle.