Philippines eSIM : Buying Guide 2023/2024 + 5 plans recommendations

The Philippines, with its pristine beaches, bustling cities, and rich cultural heritage, is a traveler’s delight. In an age where staying connected is more than a necessity, having a reliable internet connection during your stay in the Philippines is crucial.

Photo by Eibner Saliba on unsplash

The Philippines has embraced this digital shift, with leading telecom providers offering a range of eSIM plans to cater to both locals and international travelers.

Whether you are on a short business trip, a two-week vacation, or planning an extended stay, there’s an eSIM plan tailored to meet your connectivity needs.

In 2021, Smart Communications made a significant stride by introducing the first prepaid eSIM in the Philippines, opening a new realm of convenience and connectivity for Filipinos and international visitors alike. But they are not the only ones: other providers like Globe and Airalo have come forward with their offerings, each with unique features and benefits.

This guide aims to simplify the complex landscape of eSIM plans (prepaid) available in the Philippines. We will delve into a detailed comparison of various eSIM plans based on crucial factors like price per GB, network quality, internet speed, and more. Whether you are a heavy data user, prefer a phone number inclusive plan, or are looking for the most economical options, this guide intends to cover your needs !

Last updated : November 4th, 2023

Philippines eSIM buying guide : know before you purchase

Below are the comparison criteria we to tell where an eSIM plans is good or not. It is of course going to depend on your needs.

Networks compatibility, quality & speed

First, understanding the network access & performance your eSIM plan will offer is crucial.

• Network(s) compatibility : Many eSIM MVNOs (e.g., Airalo, Nomad, etc.) have roaming agreements with multiple local providers, thereby offering you the liberty to switch between local networks as per your preference. In the Philippines, you will want to understand whether a plan offers compatibility with Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, or both local providers.

• Networks quality : It's not because an eSIM plan offers 5G that it's necessarily the best option : evaluating the quality of local networks is essential. Factors such as coverage, especially in rural or remote areas, and the overall reliability of the network, can significantly impact your connectivity experience, so you want to understand this. In the Philippines, Globe Telecom emerges as the most reliable provider in terms of coverage and video experience in the Philippines. Based on Opensignal's October 2023 report - It won the Coverage Experience award and all four video awards, indicating robust network coverage and superior video streaming quality. However, for faster download speeds, Smart leads, and for a better gaming experience, DITO seems to stands out.

  

• Contractual speeds (3G, 4G, 5G) : Also, it's essential to consider the contractual speeds the plans offer. Those speeds are usually defined contractually between eSIM providers, and local providers. Are they providing at least 4G connectivity, or is there an option for 5G? It would be really a shame to find yourself limited to 3G speeds while exploring the scenic expanses of Mindanao.

• APN & internet routing : when eSIM from a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) rather than a local provider, there's a possibility that your internet traffic may be directed overseas via your MVNO's servers. This scenario, could lead to higher latency, which could detrimental for real-time online activities such as video calls, online gaming, or live streaming. It's usually great advice to be aware of the routing policies of your eSIM provider.

Plan pricing and features

Then, you can look at things such as price and features :)

• Price and Price per Gigabyte : This is a basic yet crucial metric that illustrates the cost-effectiveness of each plan and incite to look beyond just the price ! A lower price per gigabyte indicates a more economical choice. Most of the time, and quite logically, plans with larger capacity are going to offer a better price/GB.

• Validity : The validity period of each plan aligns with different lengths of stay. Whether it's a short business trip or a long vacation, the validity duration should match your travel itinerary.

• Data Allowance : Evaluating the data allowance you need is important. Most providers offer the ability to top-up, but it's better and try to buy a plan that is going to cover your Data needs exactly to get the best price/GB from the start and avoid having top up.

• Unlimited plans - beware of Fair Usage Policy : In instances where an unlimited plan is opted for, it's crucial to look for the plan's Fair Usage Policy (FUP). The FUP outlines is data usage threshold after which your internet speed may be throttled. Many of so called "unlimited" eSIM data plans come with very unfair FUPs, of only a few Gigabytes before your plan gets throttled.

• Tethering Capability (Hotspot): Tethering allows sharing of internet connection with other devices. If you need to use the Hotspot feature on your device (for work, or if you need to share with your group, you should make sure your plan is offering this).

5 great value eSIM plans for the Philippines

Based on the criteria we highlighted above, here are the five most valuable plans to the Philippines according the esims.io team, and why.

Best value : Nomad Philippines 20GB / 30D

Data

20 GB

Validity30 day(s)

🇵🇭 Philippines

Data only

Network(s) : Globe (5G, 4G)

Special Offer : $1 OFF

Local Philippines - 30 Days - 20 GB

Nomad

$26.00

$27.00

$1.30/GB

Learn more ›

The "Nomad Philippines 20GB / 30 days" plan, priced at $1.30 per GB, offers a substantial 20GB of data, catering to both short-term and mid-term stays in the Philippines.

It operates on the Globe 4G network, the best network overall in the Philippines.

Nomad usually allow Hotspot, so your can use this plan if you need to share your internet connexion.

5G option : Maya's 20GB / 10D

Maya Mobile's "Philippines 20GB - 10 Days" plan, priced at $34.00, suits the best to short-term travelers in the Philippines, offering 20GB of data at $1.70 per GB.

Although the plan does not include phone number, the data allowance is pretty generous for the price, knowing this plan offers 5G speeds in the Philippines.

Data

20 GB

Validity10 day(s)

🇵🇭 Philippines

Data only

Philippines 20GB - 10 Days

Maya Mobile

$34.00

$1.70/GB

Learn more ›

If 5G speeds what you are looking for, then this is our best recommendation.

Philippines + ASIA : Maya Asia-Pacific 20GB / 5D

For those with a brief stay in the Philippines + neighboring countries, the Maya Mobile 'Asia/Pacific 20GB - 5 Days' plan could be a fitting choice.

Offering 20 GB of data at $1.35 per gigabyte, this plan provides the flexibility of 3G and 4G connectivity across 12 countries in the Asia/Pacific region.

Although it's a data-only plan with no phone number included, its regional coverage and automatic activation feature, coupled with instant digital delivery, make it a convenient choice for travelers hopping across countries in a short span​.

Data

20 GB

Validity5 day(s)

12 countries

Data only

Asia+ 20GB - 5 Days

Maya Mobile

$27.00

$1.35/GB

Learn more ›

Please note this plan offers 4G speeds, but also 5G speeds in the Philippines, and all of this on the Globe Network.

Heavy data users: Nomad 50GB / 30D

Nomad's 'Local Philippines - 30 Days - 50 GB' plan is a great option if you look for substantial data allocation over an extended period.

Data

50 GB

Validity30 day(s)

🇵🇭 Philippines

Data only

Network(s) : Globe (5G, 4G)

Special Offer : $1 OFF

Local Philippines - 30 Days - 50 GB

Nomad

$48.00

$49.00

$0.96/GB

Learn more ›

With 50 GB of data at a cost of $0.96 per gigabyte, you will be can enjoy 4G speeds on the Globe network, ensuring swift internet access for various - DATA HEAVY - online activities like video streaming, gaming, and video calls.

The plan, priced reasonably, doesn't include a phone number, catering primarily to data usage needs.

Nomad usually allow Hotspot, so this plan is a great option for working and sharing network connexion to your laptop, too.

Phone Numbers + Data : eTravelSIM

eTravelSim 'Travel eSIM for Asia 25 GB - 30 Days' plan provides a broader geographical coverage with 25 GB of data accessible in 12 countries at $1.84 per gigabyte.

Data

25 GB

Validity30 day(s)

11 countries

Data and Phone number*

Travel eSIM for Asia 25 GB - 30 Days

eTravelSim

$45.99

$1.84/GB

Learn more ›

This plan stands out with its inclusion of a phone number (you will bet a UK-based mobile number : +44), offering a more rounded communication solution.

It's an ideal choice too if you are exploring multiple countries within Asia over a month, ensuring they stay connected with both data and voice services.

Conclusion

Choosing an eSIM plan for your journey in the Philippines necessitates a careful evaluation of several factors including the network quality, data allowance, and the pricing structure of the plans.

It is important to look beyond just the price, and look for aspects like network speeds, internet routing, and tethering capabilities, especially for those anticipating heavy data usage or the need to share their internet connection across multiple devices.

In the Philippines, Nomad and Maya Mobile both provider the best options overall.

Nomad's plans provide a blend of value and substantial data allowance for extended stays, while Maya Mobile offers the allure of high-speed 5G connectivity for short-term visitors.

If this guide did not find you the plan of your dreams, you can look for additional options for eSIM plans in the Philippines on esims.io

Local Philippines - 30 Days - 30 GB

Nomad

$34.00

Local Philippines - 30 Days - 20 GB

Nomad

$26.00

Local Philippines - 30 Days - 15 GB

Nomad

$20.00

Asia+ 20GB - 5 Days

Maya Mobile

$27.00

Alpas Mobile - 20 GB

Airalo

$27.20

Philippines: Browse more prepaid eSIM plans

🇵🇭 Philippines: Browse more prepaid eSIM plans