Best services for issuing prepaid cards: comparison of terms
Virtual prepaid cards are a straightforward way to pay for personal expenses online. They’re a handy alternative to bank
Virtual prepaid cards are a straightforward way to pay for personal expenses online. They’re a handy alternative to bank cards, great if you’d rather not share your main card details, want tighter control over your spending, or simply prefer separating expenses into different categories. These cards work for all kinds of online payments: shopping, subscriptions, ads, gaming, apps, and one-off purchases.
The card is issued online. You can top it up with the amount you need and use it just like a regular card. You’re only able to spend what’s on the balance, which helps reduce the risk of fraud if your card details ever end up in the wrong hands. It’s a practical option for people who regularly spend money online — whether that’s on marketplaces, the App Store or Google Play, streaming services, or social media advertising.
What makes these different from regular bank cards is that prepaid cards aren’t tied to a bank account. You don’t need to visit a branch, show documents, or pass a credit check. Often, you won’t even need to register. You can top up using cryptocurrency, payment systems, or other cards.
In this article, we’ll look at services that offer these types of cards. We’ve compared fees, top-up options, how quickly cards are issued, and any restrictions. All to help you pick the best tool for your online spending.
How to choose the right service: a practical comparison
Different platforms offer prepaid cards with different terms. To find what suits you best, it’s better to focus on how the cards actually work in practice, rather than the marketing promises. Below are three services that are popular among personal users: PSTNET, Ezzocard, and Pyypl. Here’s how they work and how they differ in real-world scenarios.
- PSTNET
PSTNET lets you issue as many cards as you need. All cards are in US dollars and can be used for any type of online payment: ads, subscriptions, bookings, or online shops. To buy an online prepaid card, you just need to sign up and deposit funds into your account. Then you choose the amount for your prepaid card, issue it, and you’re ready to go.
PSTNET doesn’t charge any fees for transactions, withdrawals, or blocked card operations. That means full control over your spending with no hidden costs. Top-ups are flexible too — you can use crypto, bank transfers, or other cards. There are no limits on the amount or frequency of top-ups.
Cards come with 3D Secure and two-factor authentication for added security. Support is available 24/7 via Telegram and other platforms. You can register using major platforms like Google or Apple.
When to use it:
- Ideal for paying for subscriptions like Adobe, Notion, or Midjourney, without worrying about auto-charges on your personal card
- Great for freelancers or contractors who need to create cards for each client or project
- Works well if you earn in crypto, you can top up directly from your crypto balance without converting it
- Handy for booking flights or accommodation on sites like Booking.com, Airbnb, Emirates, and other international platforms
- Ezzocard
Ezzocard offers virtual Visa cards without requiring registration making them perfect if you want full anonymity. These cards work on any international site. You can choose a value from $10 to $2,000, but the card is single-use: once you’ve spent the balance, that’s it, no top-ups.
If you need a one-time, anonymous payment method, Ezzocard is your best bet.
When to use it:
- Works well for signing up to international platforms like OpenAI, where you need a card to activate your account
- Convenient for buying software, templates, or items on marketplaces without sharing your personal card
- Ideal for activating free trials when you don’t want to risk being charged at the end
- Useful in any one-off situation where you want a disposable card with no registration or ID checks
- Pyypl
Visa cards from Pyypl are designed for personal use, especially if you often pay for subscriptions like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, or cloud services. The limit for a single transaction is $1,000, and there’s a 2.99% fee for each payment.
The service runs via a mobile app, where you can track all your expenses in real time. You can top up using crypto or another card. You’ll need to register and verify your identity before issuing a card, but it becomes available straight after that.
This service is best suited to those who manage subscriptions manually and like being able to check their balance on the go. It’s not designed for complex financial tasks, the fees and limits can get in the way.
When to use it:
- Great for paying for subscriptions like YouTube Premium, Netflix, Google One, or Amazon Prime from your phone
- Ideal for anyone who manually tracks their expenses — all transactions are visible in the app in real time
- Handy if you frequently start trial periods and want to quickly cancel subscriptions before getting charged
- Best for personal use if you’re making simple dollar payments under $1,000 at a time
How virtual prepaid cards work
You go to the provider’s website. Either register or choose the type of card you want straight away. Select the currency and how much you want to load. Then you’ll get the card details — number, expiry date, and CVV. Add funds using crypto, e-wallets, or a bank transfer, depending on what the service accepts.
After that, your card works just like a regular one. Any platform that accepts Visa or Mastercard will accept it. You can check your spending through your account dashboard. If your card is reusable, you can top it up again. Some services even let you generate a new card for every transaction.
Final thoughts
Virtual prepaid cards are a simple and effective tool for managing your personal online spending. They’re not meant to replace traditional banking, but they’re perfect when you want to keep your main card private, cap your spending, or quickly close a card after a single purchase.
The services we’ve covered vary in price, features, and flexibility. The right one for you depends on how you spend: frequently or occasionally, in euro or dollars, using cards or crypto.
Each service has its own model. PSTNET is great for issuing unlimited cards, topping up with any amount, and using them for everything from ads to travel. Pyypl is app-based and charges per transaction, so it’s better suited to subscription management. Ezzocard is ideal if you need a one-off payment method without signing up or revealing your identity.
Ultimately, it’s not about which service is best overall, it’s about what you’re paying for, how much, and how often.
