There are no differences between a postpaid SIM card and a prepaid SIM card except the mode of payment. Both of them use the same technology and everything inside, except for the billing. You have to pay beforehand to make use of the call and data services on a prepaid SIM card. On the other hand, the postpaid SIM card the provider will charge you on a monthly/yearly subscription basis where you can use the services as much as you want but you will have to pay for them by the end of the month or the subscription period.
Difference in the Recharge
Both of the SIM cards can be recharged online. On the prepaid SIM card, you will be paying the amounts before using the services and you will be limited in the amount of usage based on the money that you recharged your SIM card with. The postpaid SIM card on the other hand will not limit you on the usage. Instead, they will calculate all the usage for the previous subscription period and prepare a bill to send it to you altogether. You will receive the bill either in a physical form to your mailing address or to your email. You will have to clear the amount before the due date to avoid disconnection.
You can make the payments either online or from any retailer in your location. And in both types of SIM cards, you will be able to add payment methods to the SIM card providers website, and easily use it to make payments. You may also use third-party services such as Paytm or Freecharge to top up the SIM card.
Getting a SIM: Postpaid vs Prepaid
To get a SIM card whether it is postpaid or prepaid, you will have to submit enough information alongside the proof to the nearest retailer. If you are applying online, you will be asked to upload the necessary documents including your photo and an identity card provided by the government. As soon as you submit those information, and the retailer or the service provider verifies them, your SIM card will be issued. In most cases, the SIM card can be activated within a few hours and you will be able to start using it right away.
You may have to pay a fee for the activation or recharge the SIM card with a suitable plan. The recharge amount will vary based on the location, retailer, SIM card provider, and a lot of other factors.
Postpaid or Prepaid? Which one to Choose?
The selection between two types of SIM cards is completely up to you. The only difference between them is the mode of payment which I mentioned before. So if you feel comfortable paying on a subscription basis, and do not want to get restricted for the extra usage, you may go with a postpaid SIM card. If you do not want to unknowingly get charged for the extra data or call usage, a prepaid SIM card will be the best fit for you.