Prepaid vs. mobile contract: which suits you?

Prepaid: flexible, no commitment

Prepaid plans use top-up credit — no Schufa check, cancel monthly, ideal for light users or a second SIM.

Downside: often more expensive per GB than 24-month contracts; less data for the same price.

Perfect for kids, guest SIM or temporary stays in Germany.

Contract: more data for your money

Fixed-term contracts (12–24 months) offer more GB at lower cost — good for regular use.

SIM-only without a new phone is usually cheaper than a handset bundle.

Schufa check is common — with poor credit, prepaid may be the only option.

Cost comparison

Prepaid 10 GB: often €15–20/month. 24-month contract: €10–15 for 20–40 GB — much cheaper per GB.

Hidden prepaid costs: top-up online only, credit expiry after inactivity — read terms.

How to decide

Little data, short commitment → prepaid. Heavy streaming, fixed budget → compare contracts.

Check network coverage at home and work — Telekom, Vodafone and O₂ differ by region.

Dual-SIM phone: prepaid for data savings + contract for daily use — some use both in parallel.

Compare tariffs

Prepaid or contract — a comparison shows the cheapest plan for your data and network.

VertragSpar mobile comparison: filter by GB, network and term without visiting a shop.