Best eSIM for Singaporean Traveler: Comprehensive Provider Comparison

Singapore is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. Nowadays, a lot of tourists would rather use an eSIM than a physical SIM card when traveling thanks to advanced technology. Although this technology is quite new, eSIM is already available in Singapore.  Because of this, purchasing an eSIM for your trip to Singapore is a smart move that enables you to connect as soon as you step off the plane.

So, what is the best eSIM Singapore for travel? In this article, we will give you the most information as well as compare options so that you can determine if it is an appropriate choice for you. 

What is the best eSIM for Singaporean Travel 

Most eSIM providers in Singapore currently offer similar eSIM packages in terms of speed, with the main difference being the number of packages and prices. Here we choose the top best eSIM packages for tourists in Singapore. 

Provider Data Validity Type Network Throttle speed Phone number Sharing (Hotspot/Tethering,..) Price (USD)
Gohub 500MB – 3GB (Daily) 5 – 15 Days Data only SingTel,
M1,
Starhub
128Kbps No Yes $5.49- $54.49
Gohub 3GB – 50GB (Fixed Plan) 5 – 30 Days Data only SingTel,
M1,
Starhub
128Kbps No Yes $6.89 – $108.89 
Holafly Unlimited 5-90 Days Data only Singtel N/A No No $19.00 – $99.00
Airalo 1GB (Fixed Plan) 7 Days Data only Singtel N/A N/A N/A $4.50
Airalo 2GB (Fixed Plan) 15 Days Data only Singtel N/A N/A N/A $6.50
Airalo 20GB (Fixed Plan) 30 Days Data only Singtel N/A N/A N/A $26.00
Nomad Unlimited 1 – 7 Days Data only Singtel 512kbps No N/A $7.00 – $25.00
Nomad 10GB 30 Days Data only Singtel No No N/A $17.00
Nomad 30GB 30 Days Data only Singtel No No N/A $35.00
Mobimatter 30GB 30 Days PREPAID  Starhub No Yes Yes 13.99 $

According to the above information, eSIM Singapore 500MB – 3GB (Daily Plan), available on Gohub, is an excellent choice. This plan has flexible options for Singaporean tourists which can be suitable for all needs from short to long trips. Moreover, with feature sharing hot, you can choose the high data amount options to share data for people on tour. 

While the eSIM Singapore 500MB – 3GB (Daily Plan) is a top choice for many, it’s just one of the numerous options available. To ensure you make the best decision for your connectivity needs in Singapore, it’s vital to compare leading eSIM Singapore Providers and their Plans for you

Comparison of Top eSIM Singapore Providers

1. Gohub

Gohub is a relatively young provider of travel eSIMs, established in 2018. Gohub offers eSIMs that support in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Specifically, with their eSIM for Singapore, they specialize in partnerships with renowned network providers like Singtel, Starhub and M1, known for their reliable connectivity in both urban and rural areas of Singapore.

Gohub’s primary focus is to enhance the customer experience with their products. They prioritize selecting eSIMs from official network partners worldwide, ensuring a wide range of choices that cater to customers’ needs and budgets. Additionally, with a 24/7 technical support team, Gohub’s dedicated support is always available to assist customers throughout their journeys.

At Gohub, the best eSIM packages for Singapore with support hotspot or tethering features are: 

They also have eSIM packages available for any country in Asia, including Singapore, with the following options:

At the time of writing this article, Gohub gets 4.6 stars on TrustPilot.

2. Holafly  

Holafly is a well-known eSIM provider catering to tourists in Singapore, with a global reach extending to over 190 countries and regions. They primarily utilize the Singtel network, ensuring internet access across various destinations in Singapore, including cities, rural areas, and remote locations. 

A key feature of Holafly’s service is their exclusive offering of Unlimited data packages. However, it’s important to note that despite the ‘unlimited’ label, high-speed data usage is capped, after which the speed reduces. Therefore, users should be mindful of their data consumption.

In terms of pricing, Holafly’s rates are higher compared to other providers offering similar plans. Additionally, their eSIM plans do not include a local phone number and do not support hotspot or tethering features.

Holafly offers eight different eSIM packages for Singapore, all with unlimited data but varying in duration and price:

  • Unlimited data, valid for 5 days, $19.00    
  • Unlimited data, valid for 7 days, $27.00  
  • Unlimited data, valid for 10 days, $34.00   
  • Unlimited data, valid for 15 days, $47.00   
  • Unlimited data, valid for 20 days, $54.00   
  • Unlimited data, valid for 30 days, $64.00   
  • Unlimited data, valid for 60 days, $84.00   
  • Unlimited data, valid for 90 days, $99.00 

They also have six eSIM packages available for any country in Asia, including Singapore, with the following options:

  • Unlimited data, valid for 5 days, $27.00
  • Unlimited data, valid for 7 days, $34.00
  • Unlimited data, valid for 10 days, $37.00
  • Unlimited data, valid for 15 days, $47.00
  • Unlimited data, valid for 20 days, $54.00
  • Unlimited data, valid for 30 days, $79.00

As of the latest reports, Holafly has earned a 4.7-star rating on TrustPilot.

3. Airalo 

Airalo, a pioneer in the eSIM market since 2019, offers eSIM services in over 200 countries and regions worldwide. They provide a dedicated app that enables customers to purchase, activate, and manage their eSIMs conveniently. In Singapore, Airalo uses the Singtel network, known for its fast and reliable connectivity.

Despite being a market leader, Airalo has faced criticism regarding its customer service, with issues such as slow response times and difficulties in reaching support during troubleshooting.

Regarding their Singapore-specific eSIM packages, Airalo offers a variety selection

6 packages available for Singapore:

  • 1GB, valid for 7 days, $4.50
  • 2GB, valid for 15 days, $6.50
  • 3GB, valid for 30 days, $8.50
  • 5GB, valid for 30 days, $11.50
  • 10GB, valid for 30 days, $18.0
  • 20GB, valid for 30 days, $26.00

06 plans for regions including Singapore: 

  • 1GB, valid for 7 days, $5
  • 3 GB, valid for 30 days, $13
  • 5GB, valid for 30 days, $20
  • 10GB, valid for 30 days, $37
  • 50GB, valid for 90 days, $100
  • 100GB, valid for 180 days, $185

At the time of writing this article, Airalo gets 2.5 stars on TrustPilot.

4. Nomad 

Nomad is one of the most expensive eSIM brands on the market. It’s particularly well-suited for short-term travelers, frequent globetrotters, and those who visit multiple countries in a single journey.

The brand offers a user-friendly app that simplifies the process of purchasing and installing eSIM cards directly on mobile phones. However, the app is currently only available for iOS users in specific countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Cyprus, Israel, India, UAE, and Morocco.

Nomad currently offers 5 unlimited packages for the Singapore market:

  • Unlimited data, valid for 1 day, $7 
  • Unlimited data, valid for 3 day, $15
  • Unlimited data, valid for 5 day, $20
  • Unlimited data, valid for 7 day, $25
  • Unlimited data, valid for 10 day, $30 

They also offer many Regular Plans (from 1GB- 50GB) for Singapore Traveller but the Price is not cheap compared to other provider.

At the time of writing this article, Nomad gets 4.4 stars on TrustPilot.

5. Mobimatter 

Mobimatter, founded in 2018 in the UAE, is a provider of mobile internet services. For your trip to Singapore, you can buy Mobimatter’s eSIM packages specifically for Singapore and nearby regions. They offer an app where you can control and recharge your eSIM. 

However, Mobimatter offers fewer package choices compared to other providers. They have no eSIM plan exclusively only for Singapore. 

Here is the eSIM plan Asia that covers Singapore from Mobimatter: 

  • 15GB, valid for 30 days, for $9.99
  • 30GB, valid for 30 days, for $13.99

At the time of writing this article, Mobimatter gets 4.2 stars on TrustPilot.

Below, we will assess the advantages and disadvantages of various eSIM providers for travel in Singapore, enabling you to select the most appropriate option.

eSIM provider Pros Cons
Gohub
  • Numerous choices are available, ranging from short-term to long-term options. 
  • Offers excellent and immediate 24/7 Multi-language support in case of troubleshooting issues. 
  • Sharing hotpot/ tethering
  • Entered the esim market later than other provider. 
  • No Having local phone number 
Holafly
  • Unlimited data, but only a certain portion is available at high speed; once this is used up, the speed is used at slow speed
  • A well-known provider with many years of experience on the market (since 2018) 
  • Higher prices than other providers 
  • No hotspot/tethering and top-up 
  • No local phone number
  • Don’t mention about Throttle speed of Unlimited data
Airalo
  • A leading company in the market, established in 2019.
  • An easy-to-use application for user convenience.
  • No top-up, no hotspot/tethering
  • More bad review about Slow response and customer support 
Nomad
  • Offering Singapore tourists unlimited data eSIM packages, with a note that daily usage exceeding 2 GB will result in a reduced speed of 512 kbps.
  • An application designed for ease of use and user convenience.
  • Higher price than other competitors
  • For short-term travelers, there will be few options for regular Plans (Not Unlimited Data)
Mobimatter
  • An application that allows customers to purchase, utilize, and manage their plans
  • There is no Singapore-only eSIM package 
  • No plans for short trips.

As conclusion, for Singapore travel, Gohub is better than Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and Mobimatter. The reasons are:

  • They offer a range of Singapore eSIM packages tailored to various travel requirements.
  • The plan includes the convenient feature of hotspot sharing, allowing users to opt for higher data allocations to share with fellow travelers during their tour.
  • They provide 24/7, multilingual support to address any issues you might face.
  • Their website is user-friendly, allowing for quick and efficient eSIM purchases in just about 10 minutes.

Things to Know Before Buying eSIM Singapore 

Ensure your Phone have supported eSIM 

Before choosing an eSIM service, it’s crucial to first ensure your smartphone is eSIM-ready. Compatibility varies by model and manufacturer, so a quick review of your device’s settings or specifications can clarify this. For an easy-to-follow process to check eSIM support on your device and a list of compatible models, visit How to Check Your Device’s eSIM Compatibility.

How to buy eSIM Singapore

1. Buying eSIM from Mobile Network Providers in Singapore

When traveling to Singapore, a convenient way to stay connected is by purchasing an eSIM from local mobile network providers like Singtel, Starhub and M1. This process involves either visiting their websites or physical stores to select a suitable prepaid eSIM package. The advantage of this method ensures optimal network speeds and reliable coverage across Singapore. 

There are, however, some downsides that the process of providing personal information can be time-consuming. Additionally, be aware that some providers might limit network speeds on prepaid packages, potentially affecting your internet experience.

2. Buying eSIM from International eSIM Providers

An alternative to buying directly from Singaporean providers is to purchase an eSIM from international eSIM providers such as Gohub, Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad. These eSIMs can be bought online, making them a great choice for tourists. You can even purchase them before you start your trip or while you’re traveling. These providers usually have partnerships with multiple carriers, offering you a variety of options at competitive prices. One significant advantage is that you often don’t need to provide identification, streamlining the purchase process. This flexibility and ease make using international eSIM providers an excellent alternative to direct purchases from Singaporean carriers

How to set up and activate eSIM on your phone? 

Generally, Setting up and activating an eSIM on your phone involves receiving an eSIM activation plan, either through a QR code or manually entering details provided by your carrier. Once you have the necessary information, you can easily add the eSIM to your phone’s cellular settings. For a detailed, step-by-step guide tailored to different phone models and tips to ensure a smooth setup, check out How to Install eSIM on Your Phone

More tips before traveling Singapore 

  • Switch to a Singapore eSIM Provider Before Arrival: To avoid roaming charges and ensure seamless connectivity, switch from your current mobile service to a local eSIM provider before arriving in Singapore.
  • Manage Data Usage Wisely: After activating your eSIM card, proactively manage your mobile data. Turn off data usage for apps that are not essential or are high data consumers. This includes social media apps like Instagram and TikTok, and streaming services like Netflix. Reserve the use of these apps for when you have access to Wi-Fi, such as in your hotel.
  • Download and Familiarize Yourself with Local Travel Apps: Enhance your travel experience by downloading local Singapore travel apps. These can provide valuable information and help with navigation, local attractions, transport options, and more. Familiarize yourself with these apps to make your travel more convenient and enjoyable.
  • Plan Your Visit According to the Best Times to Travel Singapore: Research the best times to visit Singapore, considering factors like weather, festivals, and tourist seasons. Look for a month-by-month travel guide to Singapore to plan your trip effectively. This will help you to experience the best of what Singapore has to offer during your visit.

 

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