India’s leading telecom operators, Vodafone Idea (Vi), Bharti Airtel, and Reliance Jio, have all refreshed their prepaid data plans in early 2026. Each company now promises better speeds, unlimited calls and fewer restrictions on data use. Vi’s Nonstop Hero plans, Airtel’s truly unlimited packs, and Jio’s 5G daily data plans are designed for users who stream, game, or work online throughout the day. The goal is to give subscribers uninterrupted internet access without worrying about daily limits. While all three brands use the word “unlimited”, the meaning and benefits differ slightly. Let’s know about them one by one in detail.
Vi Nonstop Hero Plan: Truly Unlimited Data Without Daily Caps
Vodafone Idea’s Nonstop Hero plans are among the few prepaid options in India that offer unlimited data without daily limits. These plans come with unlimited 4G/5G data, unlimited local and STD calls, and 100 SMS per day.
Prices start at around Rs 365, going up to Rs 1,198 depending on validity and extra benefits. Vi offers multiple plan durations, including 28 days, 56 days, and 84 days. It also has higher-end plans bundling OTT benefits such as Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Lite.
The plans are designed for heavy internet users who often exceed their daily data limit on standard recharges. Whether for streaming, gaming, or remote work, the absence of daily restrictions means continuous connectivity throughout the validity period.
The above plans empower users to stay connected all day without interruptions. These plans are aimed at content creators, professionals, and students who rely on consistent high-speed internet.
Airtel Unlimited Data Plans: Unlimited With a Fair Use Policy
Bharti Airtel is one of India’s largest telecom operators. It has recently updated its prepaid range to include truly unlimited data plans. The most popular options start at Rs 399 and Rs 449. Both these plans both offer unlimited 4G/5G data, unlimited voice calls, and 100 SMS per day.
Airtel also adds value with its OTT benefits, including Airtel Xstream Play, Apple Music, and access to platforms like Disney+ Hotstar or SonyLIV depending on the pack. These plans are 5G-ready and supported by Airtel’s wide national network, which currently covers most metro and tier-1 cities in India.
These new unlimited plans aim to “simplify the digital experience” for users who no longer want to track daily data usage or deal with speed throttling during the day.
Jio Prepaid Plans: Daily Data With 5G Speed
Reliance Jio, India’s largest telecom provider, continues to dominate the prepaid market with its daily data plans. Most Jio packs include a fixed amount of data per day. This includes 1.5GB, 2GB, or 2.5GB, along with unlimited voice calls and 100 SMS per day.
The most common Jio plans are priced between Rs 239 and Rs 499. Higher-end plans include access to Netflix (Mobile), Amazon Prime Video etc.
Jio also introduced special 5G unlimited data plans, where users with a 5G handset in a Jio True 5G area get unlimited 5G data at no extra cost. For instance, the Rs 349 and Rs 399 plans include 2GB/day data with unlimited 5G access for eligible customers. Long-term packs like the Rs 3,599 annual plan offer 2.5GB/day data for 365 days, plus OTT subscriptions and 5G benefits.
Comparing Vi, Airtel and Jio
Let’s take a closer look at how the three major operators compare on key parameters like data, voice, SMS, OTT benefits, and pricing:
| Feature | Vi Nonstop Hero | Airtel Unlimited | Jio Prepaid |
| Data Usage | Truly unlimited (no daily cap) | Unlimited | Daily data packs (1.5GB to 2.5GB/day) + unlimited 5G (in select areas) |
| Voice Calls | Unlimited local + STD | ||
| SMS | 100 SMS/day | ||
| OTT Benefits | Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Lite (on select plans) | Airtel Xstream Play, Apple Music, Disney+ Hotstar (on select plans) | Netflix (Mobile), Amazon Prime Video |
| Starting Price | Rs 365 | Rs 399 | Rs 239 |
| Network Type | 4G, 5G | ||
| Validity Options | 28 to 84 days | 28 to 56 days | 28 days, 90 days, 365 days |
| Best For | Heavy users, content creators | Balanced users, professionals | Regular users, OTT lovers |
Which Plan Is Best for You
Each telecom brand targets a slightly different audience. To know which plan is the best one, it depends on the type of users using it.
- For heavy data users: Vi’s Nonstop Hero is ideal if you want true unlimited data without any cap. It’s great for streamers, gamers, and people who use mobile internet continuously.
- For moderate data users: Airtel’s unlimited plans offer a mix of speed, reliability, and OTT perks. While it includes an FUP, Airtel’s strong network and wider 5G coverage make it dependable for daily use.
- For everyday users: Jio’s prepaid plans suit those who want consistent 5G speeds with structured data usage. Its OTT benefits and annual plan options make it flexible for long-term subscribers.
In simple terms, Vi gives you unlimited data freedom, Airtel ensures steady connectivity, and Jio focuses on daily control with fast 5G.
Why Telecoms Are Going “Unlimited”
The demand for high-speed, always-on internet has grown rapidly across India. Users now consume more than 20GB of data per month on average, driven by streaming, gaming, and hybrid work.
Telecom companies are shifting their prepaid plans from fixed daily quotas to more flexible, unlimited formats. Vi’s Nonstop Hero was the first to fully remove daily caps, followed by Airtel’s high-FUP unlimited plans. Jio continues to rely on its daily data model but with broader 5G integration.
Availability and Recharge Options
All three operators make their plans easily accessible:
- Vi: Available via myvi.in and the Vi app.
- Airtel: Recharge on airtel.in or the Airtel Thanks app.
- Jio: Plans listed on jio.com and Jio apps.
Moreover, users can also recharge through payment platforms like Paytm, Google Pay, and PhonePe.
Conclusion
The battle between Vi, Airtel, and Jio is intensifying as all three push toward unlimited data models. Ultimately, the “best” plan depends on your usage pattern.
If you want non-stop browsing, choose Vi. If you prefer strong coverage and balance, go for Airtel. If you enjoy OTT streaming with 5G speeds, Jio remains a top pick.
With all three operators moving closer to full unlimited offerings, 2026 might finally be the year when Indian users can enjoy uninterrupted data without the need to worry about limits or speed drops.
