Pay-as-you-go is cheaper when you make few calls; a monthly plan is cheaper once you call regularly or need a number people can reach. Pay-as-you-go charges only for the minutes you use, from a prepaid balance. A monthly plan charges a fixed fee that includes a number and a bundle of minutes. LimePhone combines the two: a monthly plan from $9 includes a number and 2,000 minutes to the US, Canada and the UK, and calls to other countries are charged per minute.
Key points
- Pay-as-you-go suits occasional callers with no need to be called back.
- A monthly plan suits anyone who calls weekly, runs a business line, or needs incoming calls and texts.
- Prepaid balances can expire, and many pay-as-you-go services do not include a number at all.
- Work out your break-even: the monthly fee divided by the pay-as-you-go per-minute rate.
How pay-as-you-go phone service works
You add credit to an account and every outbound call or text is deducted from it at a per-minute or per-message rate. There is usually no fixed fee. A number to receive calls, if offered, often costs extra each month, and unused credit may expire after a period of inactivity.
How a monthly phone plan works
You pay a fixed amount each month. The plan includes a number, unlimited or bundled incoming calls and texts, and a set allowance of outbound minutes and texts. Costs are predictable, and the number stays yours while you subscribe.
Pay-as-you-go vs monthly, side by side
| Pay-as-you-go | Monthly plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed fee | None | Yes, from $9 a month on LimePhone |
| Outbound calls | Charged per minute from credit | Bundle of minutes included |
| A number people can call | Often extra, or not offered | Included |
| Incoming calls and texts | Varies | Unlimited on LimePhone |
| Unused credit | May expire | No credit to expire |
| Best for | A few calls a month | Regular calls, business lines |
Which is cheaper for you?
Divide the monthly fee by the pay-as-you-go rate for the calls you make. If you would use more minutes than that, the monthly plan is cheaper.
Example: LimePhone Lite costs $9 a month and includes 2,000 minutes to the US, Canada and the UK. At a pay-as-you-go rate of 1 cent a minute, $9 buys 900 minutes, so the plan is cheaper from about 900 minutes a month, about 30 minutes a day, before counting the number, incoming calls and texts it also includes.
For international calls, the per-minute rate matters most. LimePhone charges the destination rate on top of the plan, for example $0.032 a minute to Mexico and $0.0992 to India; see the rates page.
Who should choose which
- Pay-as-you-go: a few calls a month, no need for anyone to call you back, no business use.
- Monthly plan: a business line, a second number, regular calls home, anyone who needs incoming calls, texts and voicemail.
- A monthly plan with per-minute international: a home-country number for daily use plus occasional calls abroad. This is how LimePhone works.
How we checked
LimePhone prices and per-minute rates in this article come from the live LimePhone rate table and plan list, checked on October 24, 2026. Rates change; the current figures are always on the rates page and pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is pay-as-you-go cheaper than a monthly plan?
Only for light use. Once you call regularly or need a number for incoming calls, a monthly plan usually costs less.
Can I get a pay-as-you-go phone number?
Some services rent numbers on top of prepaid credit. Check the monthly number fee and whether unused credit expires.
Does LimePhone offer pay-as-you-go?
LimePhone uses monthly or yearly plans from $9 a month, which include a number and outbound minutes. Calls to countries outside the US, Canada and the UK are charged per minute on top.
Can I cancel a monthly plan?
LimePhone plans can be cancelled at any time, and there is a free trial and a money-back guarantee.
What happens to my number if I stop paying?
On most services the number is released when the subscription ends. Transfer it to another provider first if you want to keep it.
About the author
Vincent Hawley writes LimePhone's guides to business phone numbers, international calling and calling over the internet.
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