Compare Canadian phone and internet plans side by side. Many plans need no credit history, so you can get connected the same day you land in Canada.
Postpaid means the carrier bills you at the end of each month for the data and minutes you used. It usually requires a credit check and two pieces of Canadian ID (for example a PR card, study permit, or work permit plus a driver's licence). Prepaid means you pay the full month upfront. No credit check, no ID beyond the SIM registration, and you can leave any time. Postpaid monthly plans are how most people in Canada have phone service, and the Big 3 newcomer offers accept a PR card, work permit, or study permit instead of Canadian credit history. Prepaid is mainly a short-term bridge for your first days, or for short stays.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you sign up with a carrier through one of them, WelcomeAide may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep our guides free for newcomers. We only list plans we believe are genuinely useful.
Prepaid SIMs with no ID or credit check are useful for your first days in Canada, but they are not how most people here keep their phone service. Once you have your SIN and an address, a monthly plan from the carriers above usually gets you better speeds, more data, and cleaner pricing. Treat prepaid as a temporary bridge unless your stay is short.
Big 3 and flanker prices were checked against official carrier pages on August 28, 2026, and prepaid prices on August 28 (Chatr) and March 26, 2026 (Public Mobile). Prices exclude sales tax and usually require Auto-Pay or pre-authorized payments. Carriers change promotions weekly, so always confirm the final price on the carrier's website before signing up.
Got a question this tool does not answer? Aida speaks 21 languages and is available 24/7.