If you are organizing a trip to Singapore and you are reading this, chances are you are already familiar with eSIM travel cards and wondering which brand is the best. Well, it’s your lucky day because at Passporter we have tested several brands such as Holafly, Maya mobile, Truphone, Nomad or SimOptions and in this post we tell you the features of each one of them and which one we prefer for travelling to Singapore.
As you may already know, there are several alternatives for getting internet when you travel, but travel eSIM cards are the best option as they allow you to connect to the internet immediately without paying huge bills like roaming, or putting your data at risk on public wifi networks. However, when comparing brands, you’ll need to look at aspects such as speed, data limit, technical support, price and duration of plans to avoid surprises and choose the one that best suits your trip.
We already tell you that unlimited data eSIM cards like Holafly’s are a safe bet with no extra charges and 24h support.
Comparison of eSIMs for a trip to Singapore
When comparing different brands of eSIM you need to consider all the features that will determine whether the card will suit your travel needs, so we’ve put together this table with all the essential information about each brand to help you make your choice. We’ll go into more detail on all the important points below, so you won’t miss out on any of the information.
| Brand | Plan duration | Data sharing | Unlimited data | App | GB per plan | Support | Price | Trustpilot | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 days | No | + | + | Unlimited | In English, direct chat and WhatsApp | €19-99 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Nomad | 7, 15, 30 and 60 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 30GB, 40GB, 50GB and 100GB | In English, by email or via the App | $4-170 | 3.1 | 3.6 |
| SimOptions | 8, 10, 12 and 30 days | No | – | + | 4GB, 6GB, 8GB | English chat | $17.9- 39.9 | 3.5 | 3 |
| Truphone | 1 y 30 days | Only some devices | – | + | 500MB, 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB and 20GB | In English by chat | $5-35 | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | Yes | – | + | 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10 GB | In English by email | €5-46 | 4.4 | 3.2 |
1. Holafly, eSIM with unlimited data and 24h support for Singapore
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Holafly’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 160 destinations. 24/7 technical support in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. Very flexible pricing. You can pay in euros, dollars and Mexican pesos. They have an App where you can check your usage and the number of days left on your contract. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. One of the most expensive options on the market, but it’s worth it because they offer more gigabytes than the rest. The Holafly eSIM card for Australia does not allow data sharing. You can’t do the installation through their App. The eSIM for Australia does not have unlimited data. |
Holafly is a Spanish company with offices around the world and more than 100 employees, offering eSIM cards with unlimited data for Singapore and many more countries. At Passporter we think it is one of the most trusted brands on the market as it offers a 24-hour customer service in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese that responds in less than a minute via chat or WhatsApp, and is currently the best rated company on Trustpilot with a score of 4.6. With Holafly we always travel with peace of mind.
On their website, you can find 7 unlimited data plans with varying durations between 5 and 90 days. The price ranges from €19 to 99.
| Data plan | Euro | Dollars | Mexican Pesos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days – unlimited data | €19 | $19 | $399 |
| 10 days – unlimited data | €34 | $34 | $699 |
| 15 days – unlimited data | €47 | $47 | $899 |
| 20 days – unlimited data | €57 | $54 | $1199 |
| 30 days – unlimited data | €69 | $64 | $1399 |
| 60 days – unlimited data | €87 | $84 | $1699 |
| 90 days – unlimited data | €99 | $99 | $1999 |
Holafly eSIM cards can be easily installed by scanning the QR code that will be sent to your email once you have completed the purchase. The installation can also be done manually without the need for a computer, simply by writing a code in the settings of your mobile that you can consult in the mail or in your App, which is very convenient to control the duration of the data plan.
After testing Holafly’s eSIM cards, we can say that they are one of the most expensive options on the market, but that they pay off in the end as you will never have to recharge again because you will never run out of data. Here is this ranking where we rate from 1 to 5 all the features of the Holafly eSIM cards for Singapore based on our experience.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.4 |
In this post, you can read about our experience with Holafly eSIM cards and some users’ opinions: Our opinion of Holafly eSIM.
2. Nomad and its App
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Nomad’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. The App is very convenient and allows you to recharge the eSIM. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different prices and amount of gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 112 countries. Technical support both in the app and on the web. Very affordable prices. The duration of the plans is varied. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 100GB or less and they do not have cards with unlimited data. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB) Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. Their services and support are exclusively in English. |
Nomad is a marketplace dedicated to selling eSIM cards from different local brands, which in the case of Singapore are Telecom and Truphone. It works in the same way as SimOptions, but its website and app are much better developed, and it is a little easier to compare eSIM cards. One of the brand’s advantages is that it has an App with which its customers can sign up for data plans quickly and easily.
The brand offers data plans in more than 100 countries and also by continent, so we can make use of our internet connection even if we are moving between different countries. In the case of Singapore, the data packages only have a duration of 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, which is quite flexible. In addition, they have data limits ranging from 1 GB to 100 GB. The fact that they don’t have unlimited data plans is a big disadvantage, as we will be forced to top up. Even so, they are one of the brands that offer the most gigabytes.
| Data plan | Dollars | Euros | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB – 7 days | $4 | €4 | £3.5 |
| 3GB – 15 days | $8 | €7.5 | £7 |
| 10 GB – 30 days | $19 | €18 | £16 |
| 15 GB – 30 days | $25 | €23.5 | £20.5 |
| 20 GB – 30 days | $34 | €32 | £28 |
| 20 GB -30 days | $30 | €28 | £25 |
| 30 GB – 30 days | $60 | €56 | £49.5 |
| 40 GB – 30 days | $75 | €70 | £61.5 |
| 50 GB – 30 days | $90 | €84 | £74 |
| 100 GB – 60 days | $170 | €158 | £139 |
| 5 GB – 15 days | $12 | €11.5 | £10 |
The Nomad App is very useful for monitoring consumption and recharging in case you run out of data. You can also use it to contact customer service, which is unfortunately only in English.
Here you can see our ranking of Nomad’s eSIMs.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.6 |
Evaluation of Nomad eSIM features
3. SimOptions and its marketplace
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. SimOptions eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install. A wide variety of eSIM cards with different duration, price and gigabytes. They have eSIM cards for 160 countries. Varied duration of contracts. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 8GB or less and they do not have unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes. Features of eSIMs for the same country vary according to the brand contracted. No eSIM option for Singapore allows data top-up. Technical support depends on each brand and good customer service cannot be guaranteed. Their plans do not include calls or SMS. No App to monitor data consumption. |
SimOptions is an eSIM card marketplace where local mobile phone companies in each country sell their eSIM cards. The brand, with offices in Paris, Thailand and Hong Kong, offers data plans for eSIM cards in more than 160 countries and also has regional and global plans. On their website you will see that in Singapore they work with brands such as Ais, Three HK and China Unicom.
For Singapore, you will enter six 8-day, 10-day, 12-day, 15-day and 30-day data plans with data limits of 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB. Prices are a little higher than average and range from $17.9 to $39.9.
The main drawback of SimOptions is that its website is a bit chaotic and the data plans, being from different brands, are very disparate, and their features vary a lot, not only price, speed or duration, but also technical support, rechargeability or data sharing. This will force you to look in detail at each brand and will make it harder for you to make a decision.
| Data plan | Price in Dollars |
|---|---|
| 8 days – 6 GB | 19.9$ |
| 10 days – 6 GB | 17.9$ |
| 12 days – 6 GB | 19.9$ |
| 15 days – 6 GB | 39.9$ |
| 30 days – 8 GB | 34.9$ |
| 30 days – 4 GB | 24.9$ |
Our personal experience is that with SimOptions cards, you waste a lot of time comparing cards. In addition, the price is high, you can only pay in dollars, and they don’t give you the guarantee of good technical support. Here we leave you this ranking where we rate SimOptions eSIM cards from 1 to 5 and in this post you can read about our opinion and that of other customers about the brand: Our opinion about Sim Options: is it worth it?
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Curriences | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 3 | 3.5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Evaluation of SimOptions eSIM features
4. Truphone and its app
| Advantages | They offer regional, country or global data packages. Truphone eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install in your App. They have eSIM cards for 188 countries. Support both in the app and on the web 24/7. Very affordable prices. You can top up data from the App. Only some devices can share data. No need to scan QR code. Data plans for Apple Watch. Offer 100 MB free 1 day trial. |
| Disadvantages | Gigabytes are limited to 100GB, no unlimited data cards. Short-term plans have very limited gigabytes (1GB) You cannot make purchases on the web, only from the App. The duration of data plans is limited to 1 or 30 days. Services and technical support are exclusively in English. |
Truphone is a UK company that offers eSIM cards to connect to the internet in over 160 countries. It was an industry pioneer and the first global operator to launch eSIM for iPad, Apple Watch and Google Pixel devices. It has also been a technology partner of Apple since 2016, which gives it a great competitive advantage and makes it easier to install eSIMs on its devices.
For Singapore, the brand offers 6 plans with durations of 1 or 30 days, and a data limit ranging from 100MB to 20GB. The 100MB plan has a duration of one day and is free for you to try their product. The problem with this brand is that their data plans have very few gigabytes (maximum 20GB) and this means that you can run out of internet in the middle of your trip. To get internet in Singapore along with other countries, you can also sign up for the eSIM Asia Pacific data plan and the global plan.
| Data plan | Euros | Dollars | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day – 100 MB | €0 | $0 | £0 |
| 1 day – 1 GB | €5 | $5 | £5 |
| 3 GB – 30 days | €9 | $9 | £9 |
| 5 GB – 30 days | €14 | $14 | £13 |
| 10 GB – 30 days | €18 | $18 | £17 |
| 20 GB – 30 days | €35 | $35 | £32 |
While you can check the website for data plans and all the details about their eSIMs, to buy the eSIM card you will need to download the mobile app. Once downloaded you will need to create an account by entering your details directly or via Google or Facebook. You can then choose the country and data plan you need for your trip and pay securely. A great advantage of the App is that it detects if your mobile is compatible with eSIM before allowing you to make the purchase.
The installation and activation processes are done through the App, so you will not need to scan any QR code. Please note, however, that you will need internet to perform the operation.
If you go to Trustpilot, you will see that Truphone has over 100 reviews and a rating of 1.9, one of the lowest among eSIM card providers. We have also rated the Truphone eSIM card based on our experience, and these are our findings.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data Sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3.8 |
If you want to know more about our experience with Truphone eSIM cards and what other users have to say about them, check out this post: Our thoughts on Truphone eSIM.
5. Maya Mobile, one-month data bundles
| Advantages | They offer data packages by continent and for countries. Maya Mobile’s eSIM cards are easy to purchase and install with QR code or manually. They have eSIM cards for 194 destinations. Data plans limited to 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB that can run out quickly. Flexible pricing. They have plans with unlimited data. To recharge you can set up auto-recharge after 30 days. They allow data sharing with other devices. |
| Disadvantages | Their eSIM cards do not include calls or sms. No App. The unlimited data plan is limited to 5Mbps Technical support only in English via a bot. Only 30-day data plans. |
This company makes eSIM cards available for 30 days in Singapore. In this case, the price of the data packages varies depending on the gigabytes. They have 4 packages of 1, 3, 5 and 10 gigabytes in total, and another with unlimited gigabytes. The unlimited data plan is relative as the maximum browsing speed is 5Mbps and after 30 GB of the plan has been used, it drops to 1Mbps. The price ranges from €5 to €45.
Maya Mobile also offers an Asia-wide plan that includes 12 countries and has unlimited data (with maximum speed of 5Mbps dropping to 1Mbps).
Like Holafly, Maya Mobile is characterized by the speed and simplicity of its sign-up process and installation, which is also done via a QR code that arrives in the mail. In addition, they have a 100% refund policy of the purchase in the event that the data does not work, which is not usually the case as they have a minimum of two data providers in each country where they offer their services.
| Data plan | Price in Euros |
|---|---|
| 1 GB – 30 days | 5€ |
| 3 GB – 30 days | 7€ |
| 5 GB – 30 days | 10€ |
| 10 GB – 30 days | 17€ |
| unlimited – 30 days | 45€ |
The drawback with Maya Mobile is that their plans are very inflexible and only last for 30 days. On Trustpilot, you can see that the brand has an average rating of 4.4, but there are hardly any reviews. Here’s a table showing how they rate each of their eSIM card features.
| Data | Duration | Support | Price | App | Speed | Data sharing | Currencies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3 | 3.2 |
Conclusion on the best eSIM for Singapore
We at passporter have tested all these eSIMs on a trip to Singapore and tell you which one is the best based on our experience.
When we travel, we don’t want to run out of data in the middle of our holiday, so eSIM cards with unlimited data are the best option if we want to travel worry-free. In this case, only Holafly and Maya Mobile offer plans with unlimited data, but keep in mind that Maya Mobile’s eSIMs have a speed limit that drops after 30 GB of the plan has been used.
With some companies such as Nomad you can top up the eSIM already installed via their website or App, but the best thing is not having to pay again if you run out of data.
If you end up opting for an eSIM with limited data, here’s a table to help you estimate how many gigabytes you’ll need based on your usual usage.
| Platform | Gigabyte consumption per hour |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB | |
| 0.06 GB | |
| Tiktok | 0.18 GB – 0.8 GB |
| Netflix | 0.3 GB – 7 GB |
| Youtube | 0.14 GB – 1.7 GB |
| Amazon Prime | 0.8 GB – 6 GB |
The installation process for eSIM cards is always simple and quick, but it is true that some companies make it even easier. The first thing to do is to check if your mobile is compatible with the brand’s eSIM. You can check this information on each provider’s website or by downloading the Nomad or Truphone App.
Purchasing the eSIM for Singapore can be done via the web for some brands such as Holafly or SimOptions, or via the app such as Nomad or Truphone. The Holafly website is very intuitive and easy to use, while the SimOptions website is quite complicated to understand as the plans are very diverse.
The only brands that allow installation through the App are Nomad and Truphone, and in the case of Holafly, from the App you can get the code to install the eSIM manually without using a computer. You can also install the eSIM by scanning a QR code that you will receive by email as soon as you have completed the purchase with Holafly, Maya Mobile, SimOptions or Nomad.
On the other hand, it is very important to consider the technical service to help you in the installation process and solve any doubt or problem. Most brands such as Maya Mobile have a chatbot that takes a long time to respond and only does so in English. In the case of SimOptions, technical support will depend on the brand of eSIM card you have chosen. In this aspect Holafly’s technical support is the best as they respond in less than 1 minute in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian and Japanese via web chat or WhatsApp.
Many times when we travel we want to share data with other devices and only some providers like Maya Mobile or Nomad make it possible.
But one of the most important aspects is price. One of the cheapest brands is Maya Mobile, however, their data plans are very limited, and you’re likely to run out and have to pay for the top-up again. That’s why it’s sometimes advisable to pay a little more and get an unlimited data eSIM card like Holafly to give you peace of mind and avoid having to recharge again.
All in all, Holafly’s eSIM cards are the best choice for travelling to Singapore because of their unlimited data and multilingual technical support that responds in less than a minute. With Holafly you will never run out of data on your trip.
Other options to get internet in Singapore
eSIM cards are undoubtedly the best option to have internet in Singapore and any other country for all the advantages and conveniences they offer, as summarized in this table. However, there are other alternatives, as we will tell you below.
| Convenience | Immediate delivery and activation upon purchase. Pre-purchase prior to travel. Easy installation; unlike SIM cards, you don’t have to remove the original card. You’ll be connected as soon as you land, no need to find a shop first. You’ll find tailor-made plans to suit the duration and needs of your trip. No dependency on batteries, as with Pocket wifi. You won’t have to carry an extra device during your trip, like the Pocket Wifi. |
| Tranquility | 24h technical support in English, unlike with a SIM or Pocket Wifi. You won’t have to worry about forgetting or losing any device other than your mobile. |
| Security | Without using public wifi networks vulnerable to hacking. Avoid entering personal data in endless forms to get Wifi. No need to open or manipulate your phone as with eSIM cards. |
1. SIM cards
SIM cards are one of the most widespread options today, but that doesn’t mean they are the best option, as shown below they have a number of drawbacks.
| Advantages | There are a variety of brands and data plans to choose from. Installation is quick. They can be purchased online or in physical shops. You can make calls and send messages with a local number. |
| Disadvantages | You have to exchange it for your regular SIM card, which can be lost or damaged. You have to open and handle the mobile phone during the installation process. When your travel SIM contract runs out, you have to replace it with another one. You will not be able to keep your regular phone number. You have to travel to buy it or wait for the card to arrive at home. |
The main operators offering SIM cards in Singapore are Singtel, StarHub and M1. All of them have very good coverage and offer a wide variety of data plans with different lengths and gigabytes, ranging from 2GB to 30GB. Prices range from €10 to €20.
SIM cards can be bought both at the airport and in shopping areas, but be aware that they are more expensive in these touristy places. If you can, buy them online before you set off on your trip.
2. Rent a Pocket WiFi
Another alternative for getting online in Singapore is to rent a Pocket WiFi, i.e. a portable router with which you can access the internet wherever you go.
| Advantages | It can be used by several devices at the same time. You can choose the gigabyte package that suits you best. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is one of the most expensive options. There are few brands to choose from. Long-term contracts are the norm. In addition to the data plan, you have to pay rent, insurance and shipping costs. The battery lasts at most 6 hours. If you use it with other people you have to be in the same room. You have to carry it with you wherever you go and you run the risk of losing it. |
In Singapore, there are several brands that rent pocketwifis, such as Travel Wifi or My Webspot. The rental price ranges from $4 to $10, and Travel Wifi also gives you the option to buy it from $160.
Bear in mind, the price includes shipping costs and extras such as a car charger, extra battery and insurance. This means that although it may initially seem very cheap, it will be more expensive in the long run.
This option is interesting when you only need internet in a very specific space, for long periods of time or when you are travelling with more people, as everyone can benefit from the connection and share the costs.
3. Search for free WiFi networks in Singapore
As you can imagine, this is the cheapest option. However, as you may already know, it is also the most frustrating option in most cases. Slow connection, time limit, or endless forms that promise WiFi after giving all your details.
| Advantages | It’s free. No need to install anything on our mobiles. |
| Disadvantages | It is difficult to find free wifi networks. Public wifi networks are often slow or have connection problems. You often have to fill in forms and give your personal details. Some free wifi networks are time-limited. You should always connect close to the router. They are vulnerable to hacking. |
This is an option that should be used with caution for security reasons. Public WiFi hotspots are very vulnerable to hacks or cyber-attacks, through which your private data can be accessed. It is therefore recommended that you spend as little time as possible connected, use it for specific queries and do not expose personal data.
These are some places where you can find WiFi on your Singapore trip if you need it: airports, museums, the MRT, parks, cafés, restaurants and hotels. There are also APPs that tell you where to find WiFi hotspots, as well as Facebook, which also offers this service.
4. Activate roaming for Singapore
One of the options that is increasingly losing popularity due to its high costs is roaming, also known as data roaming. It is the simplest option as you can receive calls and connect to the internet without having to install anything or change your phone number, however, the bills are very high.
In Spain, there are several companies that offer roaming abroad. Some examples are Movistar, Jazztel, Yoigo, Vodafone or Orange. Before embarking on a trip, it is advisable to ask your usual carrier about the cost of roaming in order to compare with other services such as eSIM cards. Generally, the MB in Singapore for roaming ranges between €0.85 and €12. Expect Instagram to consume between 0.12 GB – 0.18 GB per hour of usage.
If you decide to use another option, remember to turn off data roaming on your mobile phones or change the main line if you use an eSIM.
| Advantages | No installation on our mobile. No extra services to sign up for. You can receive calls, send messages and connect to the internet immediately. |
| Disadvantages | It is the most expensive option. Sometimes it is activated without us realising. Not all telephone companies offer this service. |
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Frequently asked questions about eSIM cards in Singapore
eSIM cards allow you to have internet on your mobile phone when you travel abroad without having to remove your usual SIM card, as is the case with SIM cards. This is possible thanks to a chip that is built into the latest generation of mobile phones.
The purchase of the eSIM data plan can be done through the website or the App of some brands. Choose your destination, the duration and the gigabytes of the data plan and pay securely.
The installation and activation of the eSIM is a really easy procedure that will only take a few minutes.
Once you have verified that your mobile phone is compatible with the product and chosen the data plan that best suits your needs, go to the mobile data settings on your smartphone and select “add data plan”. The camera will then open so you can scan the QR code that you will have received in the mail after the purchase. The installation and activation of your card will then begin.
This process must be carried out with an internet connection, which is why it is recommended that you do it before setting off on your trip or as soon as you arrive at the hotel.
Most models of popular brands such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei or Google are compatible as long as they are recent models. Several iPads are also compatible. However, it is best to consult the website of each provider, where they will indicate all the compatible models.
SIM cards can be purchased in physical shops or online, with delivery times ranging from 48 to 72 hours. There are also companies that offer same day express delivery.
It is best to activate it just before your trip as you will need an internet connection.
Unlimited data plans do not normally allow data sharing, but plans with a specific number of GBs included do.
Holafly is a Spanish company launched in 2018 that you can trust, it has been tested by more than 400,000 customers, travel blogs and Youtubers. Holafly has been marketing eSIMs since 2019.
Holafly has over 10,000 positive experiences published on Trustpilot, with a rating of “Excellent” and an average score of 4.6.
SIM Options has both positive and negative reviews, and a lower average Trustpilot rating than Holafly at 3.8. SIM Options is a Hong Kong based company.
Maya is owned by a US company, Maya Virtual Inc. Maya’s reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average rating of 4.5.
Airalo reviews on Trustpilot are good, with an average score of 3.9.
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