Despite the restrictions on the use of prepaid SIM cards, they remain popular with small consumers. With no commitment or subscription, it allows you to limit your telephony expenses according to your real needs. All models of smartphones, cell phones and tablets support this type of smart card. Take advantage of our buying guide to find the best prepaid SIM cards of the moment.
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Our selection
"It is a perfect offer to stay in touch with your family during the vacations. It is valid for 14 days and comes with some…"
"Buy the SFR card and choose the offer you want to adapt to your needs. Different types of reloads are offered by the operator to…"
"Need a no-commitment prepaid SIM card to use abroad? Bouygues' international card offers all the services you'd expect."
"This prepaid SIM card is to be used mainly in the USA. The offers are more attractive there. To name a few, calls and SMS…"
It is a perfect offer to stay in touch with your family during the vacations. It is valid for 14 days and comes with some very interesting services.
See the offerAvailable for 14.99 euros, this prepaid SIM card is sold with various communication offers. You get 2 hours of calls in the UK and Europe for this price. Then, users can choose up to 3 numbers to call unlimited. Send unlimited SMS and MMS throughout the validity period. This takes effect from the first service consumed. It also comes with 100 MB of mobile internet that can be used throughout Europe. But you can use more by topping up additional credit. Orange includes a parental control in this offer.
Buy the SFR card and choose the offer you want to adapt to your needs. Different types of reloads are offered by the operator to satisfy all requests.
See the offerThis prepaid SIM card is sold at 9.99 euros, it is currently on promotion. Take advantage of a price of 1 euro with 5 euros of free credit and 50 MB usable for 30 days. SFR offers a purchase in the form of a kit with a cell phone and refills. The consumer credits of this card are purchased in SFR stores, online or by phone. They cost between 5 and 140 euros and are valid for 6 to 150 days. From 25 euros, a bonus will be given in addition. There are also refills of the unlimited range, more interesting for extensive use for calls and SMS as well as for the connection.
Need a no-commitment prepaid SIM card to use abroad? Bouygues' international card offers all the services you'd expect.
See the offerThis Boygues SIM card to international destinations is valid for 12 months, but the top-ups are valid for 2 months. During this period, the cumulative calls to mobile numbers in Cameroon and Senegal are 2h05 and 1h45 in the UK. For landline numbers in Algeria and Morocco, you have up to 11:06 of calls. SMS are unlimited in the UK. However, you need to recharge the card to surf the Internet with a cost of 0.30 euro/Mo. Once all the included credits are used up, each call is charged at 0.38 euro/min, the SMS at 0.09 euro and the MMS at 0.30 euro.
This prepaid SIM card is to be used mainly in the USA. The offers are more attractive there. To name a few, calls and SMS are unlimited in this area.
23,20 £ on AmazonEnjoy a high speed network in the US using this prepaid SIM card. However, it is wise to check the coverage of this network before purchasing. This card should be avoided if you use a tablet or an iPad. On the other hand, the latest generation smartphones are almost all compatible if they support the T-Mobile 4G LTE network. Taking advantage of an online activation system, this card satisfies many. The validity period of the card is quite short. It's really a compromise for travelers looking for an economical way to communicate.
Any specific needs?
The best prepaid SIM card in 2021
The best entry-level prepaid SIM card
The best premium prepaid SIM card
The best international prepaid SIM card
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | HIGH END | UNITED STATES | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Orange - Mobicarte Vacances prepaid card
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SFR - The map
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Bouygues - The card to the international 40 euros
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Mostsim - T-Mobile USA SIM card
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It is a perfect offer to stay in touch with your family during the vacations. It is valid for 14 days and comes with some very interesting services.
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Buy the SFR card and choose the offer you want to adapt to your needs. Different types of reloads are offered by the operator to satisfy all requests.
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Need a no-commitment prepaid SIM card to use abroad? Bouygues' international card offers all the services you'd expect.
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This prepaid SIM card is to be used mainly in the USA. The offers are more attractive there. To name a few, calls and SMS are unlimited in this area.
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Network quality
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Area of use
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Europe
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Europe and abroad
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Metropolitan France, Cameroon, Senegal, Algeria, Morocco
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International
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Number of text messages
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Illimited
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Illimited evenings and weekends
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Illimited to metropolitan France
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Unlimited in the USA
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Unlimited calls
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For 3 numbers only
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Evenings and weekends
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No
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7 days
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Lifetime
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14 days
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6 months after the last refill expires
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12 months
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Check that the services offered are consistent with your needs. Do you need international calls or are the national offers enough for you? A consumption card or a communication card? In the first case, you have all the usual services of a telephone operator, including internet. This is not the case for the other type of card. With this one, you are only entitled to call and SMS services. Afterwards, the details of the contents vary from one provider to another. For example, the internet offer can be up to 300 MB or 12 GB, it's up to you to choose what suits you. The same goes for the number of SMS sent and calls made. Of course, the price of the SIM card increases with the number of services offered.
The quality of the above services depends on the extent of the network coverage of the operation. In principle, the mobile giants are blameless on this point. Find out anyway, because the network may differ depending on the region. Its quality is therefore not the same in all areas of France.
The validity period concerns both the card itself and the credits used. In order not to be caught off guard, check that the validity applied by the operator suits you. You buy a prepaid SIM card for a one-time use. The duration for which you need it should therefore be determined in advance. Then, you should know that the refills not used up before the end of its validity are irrecoverable. All the more reason to find the right duration of use for you. It varies from about 3 days to 12 months, both for the card and the refills.
There are 3 formats:
Also known as the standard card, the card in this format has a size of 2.4 cm x 1.5 cm. It has a memory of 2 to 32 kb. It is the least evolved version in terms of memory capacity. It is compatible with GSM networks.
This format corresponds to a smaller size: 2.3 cm x 1.2 cm. It is used in the most advanced smartphones of the best brands. Its memory capacity goes up to 32 kb to 128 kb.
Smaller than all the others, the card in this category is 1.23 cm x 0.88 cm in size. It is suitable for all models of smartphones of the moment including the iPhone. The nano SIM card has the highest memory of 128 kb.
Note, however, that most operators sell chips in triple cut to fit all phones.
Just as there are various offers for the mobile package, the pricing method is also different from one SIM card to another. The pay as you go system consists of paying for the services consumed with each use. This means that each call, SMS and internet connection is charged immediately and separately to the included credits. This means a higher total cost, but in return you can use the card for a longer period.
If the validity period is short, the services usually cost less, because they are sold with the card itself. Calls and SMS can be unlimited in this case. By short we mean between 15 days to a month or a little more. Then you can buy your prepaid SIM card with a mobile device in the form of a kit. This is most often accompanied by a set of reloads at the same time. Other providers do not offer the phone and others only sell the top-ups, independently of the card.
The prepaid SIM card is available at an operator's store or online. The same goes for the top-ups that allow you to use the card. However, they are also available in all other types of shops. As you can see, it is only valid for a short period of time, after which the number is no longer valid.
Its use and installation is similar to the one that comes with a mobile package. Once you have chosen the card, it remains to determine the method of reloading that you want to adopt. You need to make sure that this system corresponds to the duration of your intended use and the nature of your consumption needs.
The price of a prepaid card is between 5 and 100 euros. As you can see, there is a considerable difference between the minimum and maximum price. This is because the operators offer other services with the smart card: telephone and/or top-ups.
Gone are the days when you could only make calls or send SMS. Today, these cards allow you to enjoy internet offers as well.
At the time of purchase of this classic prepaid card, the consumer knows all the rates of the services that accompany it. The recharged credit decreases as you use it. Each time you make a call, send an SMS, connect to the internet, the operator debits the prepaid SIM card account. The recharge is done monthly in principle. Nevertheless, there is no fixed amount to respect. Everyone is free to buy the credits they want.
With this option, you use all communication and consumption services during a pre-determined period. During this period, calls and other uses of your card are free and unlimited. Not totally, however, since the price of these services is already included in the purchase price of the card itself. The period of use of this card and the related services is very limited, ranging from a few days to one year at the most. After this period of time, it is necessary to think about renewing the card by purchasing a new offer. The network becomes totally inaccessible once this period has passed.
With the automatic reload prepaid card, the consumer should always have credit available. When purchasing the chip, he agrees with the operator on a system of automatic recharging either periodically or on the basis of a certain consumption threshold. The account is then topped up again when the threshold is crossed. Note that this threshold is determined by the user himself.
The prepaid SIM card is reserved for a specific category of users, especially those who wish to limit their telephone consumption budget. It is used internationally and nationally. The offers are different according to the operators.
This one is more common and is used by many people. There is something for every budget. However, there could be some waste. Unlike the prepaid SIM card, you can't control your usage too much. The price of the package stays the same, no matter how much you use it.
The mobile package allows you to use the offers for a longer period of time, up to more than a year. Here, the offer is renewable, whereas with the SIM card, you have to buy another one. The services offered can be very attractive, especially with the best operators on the market. But nothing beats the flexibility that characterizes the prepaid SIM card.
Clarify all points related to validity
There is a big difference between the validity of the refills and the validity of the card. The first one is related to the period during which you can use the credits. The other has to do with how long you can use the card itself, in other words, your access to the line.
Prepaid SIM card is the best choice for teens
Be aware that the prepaid SIM card is the best solution if you want to buy a cell phone for your teenager. It is used a priori to communicate and its use is more controlled. It is therefore a good opportunity to teach him to respect his consumption limit.
Online ordering is faster
Ordering online is more convenient and delivery is faster. You can find providers offering free delivery, but this is not always the case.
Prepaid data SIM card is exclusively for internet
The prepaid data SIM card is more appropriate for users who have a high level of internet consumption. It comes in handy when traveling, to make hotel, airplane, car reservations, but also for more flexible communication suitable for all destinations.
Continue to recharge SIM card
Your SIM card is blocked automatically after 12 months of inactivity. So, keep topping up if you still want to enjoy these communication services.
The best prepaid SIM card depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out more.
You'll find your prepaid SIM card in operator stores, at La Poste mobile partners, in supermarkets and at tobacconists.
This card benefits consumers who rarely use phone services. It is also a good start for teenagers who are using a phone for the first time. Then, travelers often need a prepaid SIM card for occasional needs.
Recharges are offered by the same prepaid SIM card providers.
Of course, the prepaid SIM card is offered precisely in order to satisfy this type of demand. Moreover, some operators propose special offers for tourists.
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