Today, being without a phone is like being without a hand. In some cases, probably like being without a head 😬. And since there's a mobile phone (it can be a gray one), there's also an operator and its offer. And here you have to answer one fundamental question: a phone on a contract or a pay-as-you-go plan? What's better? If, in your opinion, the contract has been winning this battle so far – we agree. HAS BEEN WINNING 🕰️. Time to update your knowledge!
It's often the case that once you form an opinion on a topic, you stick to it. However, while that opinion remains unchanged in your head, its subject might have already done some serious somersaults 🤸. Contract lover, we come in peace! We suggest you take a look at the arguments that may have tipped the scales in favor of post-paid offers until now. For your convenience, we've listed them below.
Key information from the article:
- Contract = commitments ⛓️ – you sign a long-term agreement, pay a fixed amount every month, and risk a penalty for termination. With pay-as-you-go, you have freedom – you top up when you want and with how much you want.
- A phone 'included in the contract price' can be a trap 🧮 – the calculator doesn't lie. It usually turns out to be more expensive than buying a phone in installments at a store.
- Top-ups? No problem ⚡ – with Auto-Renewal and the Smart Wallet at Mobile Vikings, you don't have to remember anything. Everything happens on its own, just like with a subscription.
- Loyalty really pays off 🤝 – at Mobile Vikings, every Viking is treated equally well. Plus, you get discounts for invited friends, and with a larger crew, you can use your phone #forfree.
- In the long run, pay-as-you-go wins 🚀 – no hidden costs, stable technology, flexibility, and predictable expenses make this solution simply more worthwhile – also for businesses.
What's the difference between a contract and a pay-as-you-go plan?
A contract is a form of payment for telecommunication services that involves signing a long-term agreement with an operator. It is a post-paid service, which means you use the phone and services, and the charges are billed monthly based on an invoice. With a contract, you have a fixed monthly cost that includes a package of minutes, SMS messages, and internet data. This gives you constant access to services without interruptions, and you don't have to remember about top-ups.
A pay-as-you-go plan is a pre-paid service that does not require signing a contract with an operator. You use a SIM card and top up your account according to your needs. You pay in advance for telecommunication services and can use them until your credit runs out.
A phone on a contract or pay-as-you-go? The most common arguments
With a contract, I'll have peace of mind
You come to the store, choose a plan (or the other way around – meaning, you choose first and then come, not that the plan chooses you. Although... are you sure?). A nice gentleman or a nice lady prints out the paperwork and points with a pen here and there, explaining the various elements of the long-term contract. You sign, you leave, you have peace of mind on the subject for the next two years, paying a set amount each month. Sometimes more, if you unknowingly exceed something. Or if you don't read something hidden under an asterisk in the contract. And if something breaks... it's better not to even think about it.
Do you know who really has peace of mind for those two years? The operator, who no longer has to try to keep you satisfied because they've got you for 24 months. On a contract. If you want to escape, you face an inevitable penalty for terminating the agreement. Meanwhile, by choosing a pay-as-you-go plan – you are free. There are no binding formalities, but there are simple and clear terms. If something no longer suits you, you simply look for an alternative. That's why we have to win over our crew every single day. And that's what we like the most.
A contract with a phone in the bundle pays off
Now that's convenience! The ability to call, text, and browse the web along with the device that will serve you for it. Additionally, in installments, included in the contract price, someone in the store will advise you on a model tailored to your needs... or maybe once, twice, or five times during the conversation, they will try to persuade you to choose a completely different, absolutely brilliant phone from a manufacturer with whom the operator happens to have a deal.
This is also the moment when it's worth taking out a calculator and summing up the phone payment spread over the contract period. Most often, it will turn out that this amount will be significantly higher than the price you would pay for the same model when buying it in a store (where you would also have the option of paying in installments). Don't know which smartphone to choose? The internet is brimming with comparisons and guides. Don't feel like digging through it all? Call our Help Desk, we'll do it for you. Our helpline is available for you at the phone number: + 48 732 007 007.
No need to remember about top-ups
It's good to be sure that at the least expected moment, your phone won't refuse to obey you because you forgot to top up your account. We fully agree! Pre-paid offers, as the name suggests, require regular top-ups. However, no one said that you have to be the one to worry about them! At Mobile Vikings, we have a simple way for that – Auto-Renewal. All you have to do is link a payment card to your account, and the fee will be charged automatically every month. Just like it works with subscriptions like Netflix or Spotify.
It probably can't get any more hands-off, so in this area, the contract also loses its advantage – and even starts to lose. How so? While most things are included in our price, if for any reason you need extra funds, you can use the Smart Wallet option to make sure you always have some change on your balance. Again – you link your card, set a limit, and use it completely carefree!
As a long-term customer, I'll get a better offer
That's both right and wrong at the same time. You will indeed get a better offer from most operators, but as a NEW customer who needs to be won over and tempted with attractive terms. However, when the two honeymoon years are over, your face will most likely fall when it's time to extend the contract. The operator will not only fail to appreciate the fact that you've spent so much time together, but will also probably offer you a worse contract than the one they are currently using to entice people to switch to their network. From experience, we know that they will only come to their senses when you start transferring your number to another provider, and then suddenly favorable terms become possible. Do you want to be treated like that?
At Mobile Vikings, as we've mentioned before, taking care of our crew is our daily bread. We don't change the terms of your offer – even if we introduce a new one, you can stay on the old one if you like it better. We treat every Viking the same because we know there's no better advertisement than their satisfaction. And exceptional loyalty deserves an exceptional reward – for every person you invite to the network, you get a 10% permanent discount on their top-up. With five people in your crew, you can use your phone completely #forfree. For how long? As long as they have active accounts that they top up regularly, which could be forever. After all, we have the lowest churn rate among pay-as-you-go operators in Europe.
Remember also that the longer you are with us, the more gigabytes you probably have in your account – thanks to the rollover option, which makes your unused mobile internet carry over to the next month. You can hoard them for a rainy day, but also exchange them for clothes and gadgets in the Viking Store or donate them to charitable causes.
A contract is the only option for businesses
The answer here is simple. That's a load of nonsense. At Mobile Vikings, we have a thriving pay-as-you-go offer for businesses. Just get in touch with us! We'll talk about a solution that will be a wind in the sails for your business, not another obstacle in an entrepreneur's path.
Check out our article with the most interesting offers if you're looking for a contract without a phone.
Pay-as-you-go plan – flexibility and no commitments
The biggest advantage of a pay-as-you-go plan is freedom – no long contracts, no termination fees. You have full control over your expenses and can tailor them to your lifestyle.
At Mobile Vikings, however, it's more than just flexibility. By joining, you become part of a community where loyalty really pays off – by inviting friends, you get real discounts, and with a larger crew, you can even use your phone for free.
Behind the scenes, there's stable technology – good coverage, fast internet, and simple solutions that take the burden of daily chores off your shoulders. Auto-Renewal or the Smart Wallet mean you don't have to remember about top-ups – you set it up once, and everything works on its own.
It's an approach that is simply more beneficial in the long run: predictable costs, no catches, and complete convenience.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Why might a contract require constant access to a bank account or payment card, while a pay-as-you-go plan does not?
It's not a rule, but operators with contracts sometimes need constant access to your bank account or payment card to automatically collect the monthly service fee. This is necessary because a contract is a financial commitment for a fixed or indefinite period that requires regular payments. In the case of a pay-as-you-go plan, there is no such requirement – you pay in advance for top-ups, so the operator does not need access to your financial data.
Why is a contract more expensive than pay-as-you-go?
A contract is more expensive than a pay-as-you-go plan mainly because its price includes additional costs that are often not visible at first glance. To the fixed monthly fee, the operator adds, among other things, phone installments, administrative services, and the maintenance of the long-term agreement.
