The Philippines is a paradise for adventure-seekers, tourists, and digital nomads. No matter which one you are, ensuring a great Internet connection in the Philippines is crucial. Roaming where is quite expensive. At the same time, you hardly want to buy a put in local SIM card. Arriving in the country, you have more interesting things to do!
Instead, let’s choose the eSIM for Philippines. Using digital chips, they connect you to the local connection, and you use the Internet like a local citizen. Buy online, activate automatically, and don’t worry about the connection while abroad. This is your ultimate guide to the best eSIM providers, their speed, coverage in the Philippines, pricing, and special features.
What is eSIM and How it Works?
Before comparing the options, do you understand what is eSIM? First, check if your device is compatible with this type of technology. If your smartphone is not on a compatible devices list, you have to use SIM cards.
For others, here’s a brief explanation. When buying a cell data plan, you have to put in a plastic SIM card. Once it is here, you shouldn’t activate an eSIM – it happens automatically. Yet, buying a new SIM for every trip is overwhelming, plus you may need your original SIM to make calls and log in to social media. eSIM for international travel Philippines can replace plastic card and connect you to the Internet digitally. You simply buy a plan, install it (the process is simple and guided by the provider), and the Internet suddenly works. Plus, you don’t pay for roaming – eSIM connects to the cell tower in the Philippines just like a local SIM card.
This is a seamless decision for international trips with high-speed internet and seamless connectivity. Thus, let’s explore the best eSIM providers in the Philippines and determine which one is the best for you personally.
The Best Providers According to Reviews and Customer Experience
| eSIM company | Yesim | aloSIM | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the best eSIM for… | Unlimited 5G Internet all over Asia | Internet connection together with phone calls and virtual numbers | Cost-effective prepaid data | Travel across Asia with multiple regional plans |
Before diving into reviews and evaluations, see the official websites of each provider on your one. You can find essential information and catch seasonal discounts. Apart from standard pricing, discounts appear unexpectedly during peak seasons of special events.
Yesim: Travel with no Limits
Yesim is an international company, offering one of the best eSIM for Philippines and 190+ destinations. The company has proven itself as a reliable provider. You won’t lose connection when switching countries, and the process of installation is elementary.
Connection in the Philippines
Yesim offers several plan types for the Philippines, including prepaid and unlimited Internet. Using the Globe cell data provider, Yesim guarantees 5G and 4G speeds. You can share the Internet with other devices as well. You can freely download data, post content, and make calls via social media and messengers. Virtual number is not included, which may be a drawback for some users.
How Much Does it Cost?
Price ranges from $3 to $4.8 per 1 GB. By buying more data, you pay less for each GB. Choose from 3 GB for 7 days, 5 GB for 15 days, or 10/20 GB for 30 days. Among unlimited options, a 30-day offer is the most beneficial. Buying all these days at once, you pay only $2 per day.
Special Features
Among standard features, Yesim has two prominent options:
- Activate later. Buy a plan and activate it within 365 days. It’s a great way to purchase discounts and tariffs and enable them during the trip.
- Bonus points. Buy plans and invite friends to the Yesim app. This way, you earn Ycoins – then, exchange these digital points for money and buy more Yesim tariffs.
As for the Philippines’ offers, the destination is available in two regional plans – Asia Pacific and South East Asia. It is also included in the Global plan. Such offers are more beneficial. You pay once and use the Internet in several countries.
Customer Reviews
Yesim has one of the highest points among other eSIM providers. However, there are no specific reviews about the Philippines. Instead, let’s see what people say about connections in Asia overall.
According to reviews, 5G speed is a real thing when you visit Asian countries. Customer support is also available, and there’s no trouble with activating the card. A global plan seems the most beneficial option for people who visit several destinations in Asia with Yesim.
aloSIM: Virtual Numbers + Internet
This Canadian company works with 200+ destinations and specific world regions. Trying to stand out among competitors, it offers some special features and capabilities. For example, a virtual number goes together with every purchase, which is a unique offer. However, let’s see whether it is the best eSIM for the Philippines.
Connection in the Philippines
AloSIM uses Globe mobile provider just like Yesim, which ensures 5G and LTE speed. Using the data, you can turn on the hotspot and share the Internet with others. Note that aloSIM doesn’t offer unlimited connection. Prepaid plans can be too complicated and unpredictable for digital nomads and content creators. If you need a lot of data with no limitations, skip this one. For others, it is a great provider.
How Much Does it Cost?
Price ranges depending on the data volume:
- 1 GB for 7 days costs $4.5, which is too much;
- 2 GB for 15 days is $7.5 which is almost the same;
- 3 GB for 30 days goes at $9.5, which is the most popular plan among others;
- 5 GB cost $13;
- 10 GB for 30 days cost $24.00
- 20 GB for $38 is the greatest value.
Considering the 5G speed and virtual number, this is a legit price. After all, you would pay much more by using the local roaming.
Special Features
As it was said, aloSIM offers a unique feature – all tariffs go with a digital number. This way, you can make free phone calls across the country. Even if your smartphone supports only one SIM slot, both phone numbers will be available. Simply switch to the one you need before making a call.
Just like Yesim, aloSIM offers a regional plan – Asia, to visit the Philippines together with other countries.
Customer Reviews
4.3 stars at Trustpilot are encouraging. Yet, not everything is so clear. The only review about trips to Asia is negative. The customer bought aloSIM tariffs to visit the EU and Asian destinations. According to the review, the eSIM worked only a few times.
Meanwhile, reviews about other regions are almost positive. Most probably, aloSIM should work on its connection quality in the Philippines and the neighboring countries.
Saily: Affordable Prepaid Data
Founded only in 2023, Saily is developing its services and coverage maps. Currently, the provider offers eSIM data in 200+ countries, including the Philippines.
Connection in the Philippines
Although unlimited Internet is not available, customers like its prepaid data plans and pricing. Saily doesn’t name particular cell providers but guarantees 4g/5g/LTE connection in the country. Depending on your location, Saily should switch to the best of available providers.
How Much Does It Cost?
Even a 1 GB plan is cheaper compared to most providers. 1 GB for 7 days costs you $3.99, while most companies ask for $4.5 and more. The most beneficial plan, as always, is a long-lasting one. Purchase 20 GB for 30 days and pay $27.99. The price is a prominent advantage of Saily that compensates for a lack of unlimited data.
Special Features
Saily guarantees a refund in case you cannot use the plan – for example, your phone is non-compatible. Yet, treat your orders with responsibility and check your device eligibility before buying a plan. This information is available in Saily’s Help Center. Just like other providers, the company guides you through the installation process. Here, it is quite convenient – you can activate the tariff using an official application from the App Store or Google Play.
Hotspot is unlimited – you can share any amount of data daily. To economize even more, consider regional plans. The Philippines is included in Asian and Global offers. The company also offers a referral program. For each friend, invited to the application, you receive $3 in the bonus account. Spend this money on further plans. To activate the promotion, your friend must purchase at least one data tariff.
Customer Reviews
Although reviews about the US and many European countries are positive, there are some issues with Asia. 4.1 point shows that Saily is quite a reputable company. Yet, most reviews connected with the Philippines and neighboring countries are negative. For instance, eSIM simply doesn’t work, or data is too slow.
Nomad eSIM: Choose from Various Regional Plans
Among others, Nomad doesn’t seem too prominent or popular – the company offers average pricing and a number of destinations. While most services provide 200+ countries, Nomad works with 170 of them. However, it’s an excellent eSIM provider for Philippines trips. The thing is that Nomad offers quite a lot of regional plans for Asia. But let’s sort the thing out in a logical order.
Connection in the Philippines
Nomad uses Globe cell data and ensures 5G connection all over the country. As always, you must activate the eSIM before your arrival, and it will automatically work once you cross the border with the Philippines. The only possible issue is a complicated installation. You must type the eSIM tariff details in your cell settings manually.
How Much Does It Cost?
Nomad is an absolute leader in terms of versatility. The company offers 9 plan types in the country – add regional plans, and you’ll get 15+ tariffs to choose from. Yet, their number may be a little confusing:
- 10 GB – $13;
- 20 GB – $23;
- 15 GB – $21;
- 5 GB – $10;
- 3 GB – $7;
- 1 GB – $4;
- 50 GB – $49;
- 40 GB – $40;
- 30 GB – $35.
Overall, the average price per 1 GB is $1-$2. Buy more data to economize, but be attentive – the plans are limited to 30 days. If you don’t spend you 50 GB within this term, the Internet expires.
Special Features
To visit several countries at once, try one of the regional plans by Nomad. The Philippines is included in several of them: Global, Sea-Plus, SEA-Oceania, and APAC. The range of countries starts at 3 within the plan to 170 in a global tariff. For digital nomads, such options are the greatest way to save money. Just like other providers, Nomad offers regular discounts. You can buy a discounted offer and activate it within the following year.
Customer Reviews
Currently, Nomad has over 6,000 reviews on Trustpilot and 4.3 points in total. Among them, reviews about the Philippines and other Asian countries are quite positive. Most users enjoy 5G speed, while the Internet slows down only in distant parts of the country.
Compare the Key Findings
| Provider | Yesim | aloSIM | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costs | From $2 for the whole day or from $3 per 1 GB | From $2 to $4.5 per 1 GB | From $1.5 to $3.99 per 1 GB | Around $2 for 1 GB |
| Speed | 5G | 5G or 4G | 5G and slower | 5G |
| Virtual number | Buy separately | Included in price | Non-available | Non-available |
| Unlimited Internet | Available | Non-available | Non-available | Non-available |
| In-app activation | Available | Available | Available | Non-available |
Final Thoughts
Have you ever tried eSIM technologies in the Philippines? If so, feel free to share your experience and help other readers to choose the best eSIM. If you have never tried one, select depending on personal priorities. In case you want to economize, consider budget-friendly Saily. For unlimited connection, choose Yesim. Nomad is the best in case you visit several destinations at once. Finally, select aloSIM to make calls with your new virtual number.
Currently, the leading options are Yesim, aloSIM, Saily, and Nomad. Lesser-popular choices for this country are Airalo and Holafly.
Sure. You can purchase the plan online and activate it before arriving at the destination. Once you cross the border, the Internet starts working.
The availability of eSIM depends on your device, not your country. Check if your smartphone is compatible with eSIM technology. If so, you can easily activate the tariff for the Philippines.
