Introduction
For heavy internet users in India, choosing the right prepaid plan under ₹500 can be confusing. With growing demand for OTT streaming, YouTube, gaming, and remote work, the right plan must offer more than just daily data — it should be reliable, consistent, and provide good speed.
In 2025, Jio, Airtel, and BSNL continue to compete with a range of prepaid plans under ₹500. This blog compares their best offerings based on data, validity, speed, and additional benefits to help you decide which is ideal for your internet needs.
Jio Recharge Plans Under ₹500 (2025)
Jio remains one of the top choices for data-heavy users due to its widespread 4G and 5G coverage, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
Best Plan: ₹479 Plan
- Validity: 56 days
- Data: 1.5 GB per day (total 84 GB)
- Calling: Unlimited voice calls
- SMS: 100 SMS/day
- Extra: JioTV, JioCinema, JioCloud access
Why choose Jio?
- Reliable network in metro cities
- Good OTT support
- Fast data speed with 5G rollout expanding
Airtel Recharge Plans Under ₹500 (2025)
Airtel is known for its consistent performance and high-quality service. Its prepaid plans offer slightly more premium features for professionals and students.
Best Plan: ₹499 Plan
- Validity: 28 days
- Data: 3 GB per day (total 84 GB)
- Calling: Unlimited voice calls
- SMS: 100 SMS/day
- Extra: Airtel Xstream, Apollo 24/7, free Hello Tunes
Why choose Airtel?
- Excellent 4G and growing 5G coverage
- Extra data per day — ideal for binge watchers or gamers
- Add-on services like health consultation and music streaming
BSNL Recharge Plans Under ₹500 (2025)
BSNL may not yet offer 5G, but it continues to attract budget users with generous validity and higher total data for the price.
Best Plan: ₹485 Plan
- Validity: 90 days
- Data: 1.5 GB per day (total 135 GB)
- Calling: Unlimited calls
- SMS: 100 SMS/day
- Extra: BSNL Tunes, free SIM activation
Why choose BSNL?
- Excellent value for long-term users
- Good option in rural and tier-3 towns
- Longer validity at a lower price
Which Plan is Best for You?
It depends on your usage style:
- Choose Airtel if you want high-speed data in short-term bursts (3 GB/day).
- Choose Jio if you want balance between data, OTT, and consistent network.
- Choose BSNL if you want long validity and live in an area with strong BSNL coverage.
Conclusion
For under ₹500, all three operators offer competitive plans in 2025. Airtel leads in daily data, Jio offers strong OTT and balanced benefits, while BSNL delivers unmatched validity and total data value.
Make your decision based on where you live, how much data you consume, and whether short-term speed or long-term value matters more. Switching plans every month based on new offers is also a smart way to maximize benefits throughout the year.