Last updated : April 17th, 2024
Say goodbye to the hassle of physical SIM cards and welcome the ease of digital connectivity that will keep you online whether you're sipping on a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel or trekking through the ancient Angkor Wat.
In this comprehensive guide, We will take you through the essentials of selecting the best eSIM plans for your trip to Singapore and the surrounding Southeast Asian countries in 2024.
Gone are the days of hopping from store to store, seeking a local SIM card that might not even fit your device or match your data needs. Enter the eSIM ageโa digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from providers around the world directly on your smartphone and without the need for a physical SIM card.
eSIM is a great addition, as it will allow you to avoid the hassle of purchasing a physical SIM card locally, or to pay exhorbitant roaming charges.
eSIM compatible devices (from iPhone XR to iPhone 15 PRO + many Android devices onwards) allow you to download the data plan right after landing, enabling you to share your experiences instantly. Yes, you will just be able to buy, download and setup your eSIM fully digitally before you arrive or when you arrive to Singapore.
Who are the main mobile operators in Singapore? Do they offer prepaid eSIM ?
In Singapore, the mobile operator landscape can be divided into two primary categories: those : MNOs (Mobile network operators) and MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators).
Singapore MNOs and whether they offer eSIM
First, we have the full-service mobile network operators (MNOs). The MNOs are the big players who not only provide mobile services but also own and manage the entire mobile network infrastructure. This infrastructure comprises cell towers, base stations, and all the hardware necessary for seamless mobile communications.
Most Singapore MNOs offer eSIM to their "local subscribers", but not all them offer prepaid eSIM for travelers & tourists who only stay for a couple of days of weeks in Singapore.
Here is an overview of the main Local Mobile Operators in Singapore and whether they offer prepaid eSIMs :
All those three telecom companies offer great coverage and mobile services (voice, messaging, data) in Singapore, at great speeds (5G).
To this day, Singtel is the only Singapore Operator that properly offers prepaid eSIM plans that you can purchase 100% digitally before your travel. Starhub does not offer prepaid eSIM plans yet, and M1 requires that you purchase your eSIM in Store.
Singapore eSIM MVNOs
The second category is MVNOs : Mobile virtual network operators. MVNOs don't possess their own network infrastructure. Instead, they opt to rent network capacity from the full-service MNOs.
MVNOs often carve out their niche by offering specialized services, like cost-effective plans or plans tailored to specific market segments. Many MVNOs have specialized into providing eSIM plans that are prepaid and made for tourists and travelers.
We list a lot of those "specialized" eSIM providers for Singapore on esims.io today !
Here is an overview of the top eSIM MVNOs that offer products for Singapore :
Since those providers don't own the local network, they will have to rely on the first list (MNOs) to get you connected to a local network in Singapore !
We will explain below what that means and whether it's preferable to purchase your eSIM from a Singapore or from a MVNO.
Deciding whether to buy your Singapore eSIM from a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) or a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) depends on your specific travel needs and preferences.
Here are some crucial factors to consider:
With all those considerations in mind, here is our selection of the best eSIM providers and plans for travelers to Singapore :
Singtel is the best local option
Singtel is the only Singapore MNO that offers eSIM plans you can purchase online directly.
The Singtel Prepaid Tourist eSIMs provides up to 120GB of 5G data, ensuring high-speed connectivity across the countryโโ. Singtel sells prepaid eSIM plans that include 5G or are 4G only.
Those plans are very competitive in terms of price and offer a tremendous amount of data.
4G only plans start at just SGD$12 with their smallest plan, that includes 100GB of mobile data valid for 14 days.
If you need a 5G plan, you will need to spend at least SGD$30, granting you 100GB of mobile data valid for 30 days.
Some considerations and features regarding Singtel's prepaid eSIM plans
You will need to download their mobile app to setup your eSIM : You will set up your eSIM in Singtel hi!App within 90 days from your date of arrival to prevent it from expiring.
Phone number & voice + text : All plans come with a phone number, and include a various amount local calls and text
Top-Up Options : For the $12 Tourist eSIM, a $3 top-up on hi!App before expiry rolls over the unused balance and adds additional data and call minutes. For $30/$50 Tourist eSIMs, top up any plan on hi!App to extend validity and continue usageโ
Some plans include roaming data in other Asian countries : Depending on which plan you purchase, you will get between 3GB and 10GB of Roaming data with your plan across Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
Learn more about Singtel prepaid eSIM plans here.
Best options for trips in Singapore and other Asian countries
While Singtel is very competitive locally (if you're staying only in Singapore), if you intend to visit other countries, it might be best for you to look at eSIM MVNOs that offer regional eSIM plans that work in Singapore and other Asian countries.
In case you visit multiple countries, it's important you get enough data, so we stuck to plans that offer at least 10GB of mobile data and up to 40GB.
Here are a few great value plans offering multiple countries compatibility :
In Asia :
Yohomobile SouthEast Asia eSIM - 10GB
Yohomobile SouthEast Asia eSIM - 20GB
In multiple regions of the world :
Monty eSIM Land of Smiles - 20 GB
๐น๐ญ Thailand
Data only
Maya mobile (MVNO) offers the best unlimited plans for Singapore
If you're coming for a good amount of days to Singapore and need to work, Maya Mobile offers highly priced but very interesting plans that offer Unlimited mobile data.
Those plans come with a Fair usage Policy, which means that after using a few GB of daily high speed data, your bandwidth will be capped at 1Mbps.
Nevertheless, those plans are very interesting, especially if you need to use your phone Hotspot for work or to share with your group.
Our top recommendation which we think will suit most travelers is the "Singapore Unlimited STANDARD - 15 Days" plan, which offers 15 days of 5G speeds in Singapore with a daily high speed allocation of 3GB.
Maya's local operator partner is Singtel, which offers 5G connectivity.
๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
Data only
Those unlimited plans by Maya come in many variants : first, in terms of duration : either 15 days of validity or 30 days of validity. Also, those plans vary by their coverage : some variants of those plans are local only, while some cover more Asian countries.
Here are some of those variants
Best options for short stays and layovers
For those of you zipping through Singapore, for instance during a quick layover, (if you do not want to use the Airport WiFI), or for two or three days here are quick, cheap and dirty data eSIM options.
Those options come with 1 to 3 GB of mobile data.
Singapore 1GB by Mogo eSIM
๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
Data only
Network(s) : M1/Starhub/Singtel (4G, 3G)
Nomad Local Singapore 3GB
๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
Data only
Network(s) : Singtel (5G, 4G)
Nomad Local Singapore 5GB
๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
Data only
Network(s) : Singtel (5G, 4G)
Whether you're a casual tourist or a hardened traveller, these eSIM plans are designed to cushion your journey and connect you to the experiences that await for you in Singapore.
For more details on these plans and a broader range of options tailored to your unique travel needs, dip into esims.io's Singapore plans page.
Singapore 20GB 7Days
eSIMX
South East Asia eSIM
Yoho Mobile
South East Asia eSIM
Yoho Mobile
As connectivity becomes more important than ever in our global lives, the eSIM is your bridge to a seamless, stress-free travel experience. Singapore is ready for you, and now, youโre more than ready to take on Singapore and the rest of Asia with the digital confidence of a seasoned explorer.
As you embark on your journey, remember that the best travel experiences are those where you're fully presentโcapturing not just the images but the essence of each moment. Let your eSIM plan take care of the connectivity, so you can take care of making memories. Safe travels and stay connected!