eSIM Singapore: compare, buy, and travel connected

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If you love concerts and a growing city environment, Singapore is for you. There you will find endless things to do in the best urban style. To fully enjoy everything this small state has for you, we suggest you have a good budget because staying on this independent island can be expensive. Therefore, so that your base budget is not affected when purchasing an internet plan, we recommend eSIMs for Singapore.

eSIMs for Singapore are virtual international data cards that allow you to stay connected without changing your phone number or device when traveling to Singapore. They are very easy to buy and are usually much cheaper than buying a traditional physical SIM with data for trips abroad.

In Roaming, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about eSIMs, how they work, main features, telephone operators that offer this service in Singapore, as well as costs and requirements.

esim singapore

Buy a Singapore eSIM online

Contents

What you should know about the Singapore eSIM card:

Can you imagine sitting on top of a skyscraper, having a drink at the bar while enjoying an incredible view and music? You can do this in Singapore! This city is full of nightlife and an incredible infrastructure that will let you make the best of your trip. The next day you can get up and get tanned on its beautiful beaches.

But before continuing to imagine yourself on this paradisiacal island sharing your experiences on social networks, you must know the main requirements to buy an eSIM in order to stay connected to the internet all time during your trip.

  • Check that your cellphone is compatible with an eSIM because it’s a relatively new technology, and some devices are incompatible.
  • Check that the operator or eSIM card provider supports your device. We know currently that the companies that provide the virtual SIM have preferred the iPhone XR or more recent versions.
  • You must have an email to register and receive your eSIM.
  • To activate your eSIM, you must have an internet connection since your eSIM profile will be downloaded from the operator’s servers. You can do this in Singapore or from a WiFi spot.
  • Some providers will ask you to install their app to download the eSIM.

If your smartphone is not compatible with eSIMs, we advise you to purchase a traditional physical SIM card from a mobile operator in Singapore.

Cellular providers of eSIM cards to travel to Singapore:

To choose the plan that best suits your needs, you should know more about the leading eSIM providers for Singapore, but keep in mind that these companies offer this service to people who visit the country for business or leisure purposes. So, if you are a Singapore resident or plan to live there and want to change your physical SIM for an eSIM, we´ll tell you more later.

Rates and data plans from eSIM providers to travel to Singapore

Now we are going to see the types of plans offered by the providers mentioned above. Remember that price variation can occur for different reasons, such as coverage, roaming agreements, and even your available payment method. We hope that this information will be useful to you in choosing the plan that best suits you.

Holafly

If you are looking for an eSIM with which you can enjoy excellent internet connectivity and also with one that you can always have internet, then Holafly’s eSIM for Singapore could be your best choice. This eSIM provider offers eSIMs with coverage for more than 100 countries around the world. In addition, they offer different variants of eSIM plans, so it is perfect for both travelers who will have trips for a few days and also for those people who travel for months.

Purchasing Holafly’s eSIM is very simple, as you only have to visit their website, search for your destination country and choose the plan you prefer. The great advantage of their eSIM is that their plans offer unlimited data, so you will be sure always to have internet during your trip. Among their plans, you can choose from 5 to 90 days, and prices vary from $19 to $99. They currently offer seven different plans, but all with unlimited data.

Pros of Holafly’s eSIM for Singapore:

  • Enjoy unlimited data with all plans for Singapore.
  • High-speed and stable connection during your trip.
  • Keep your WhatsApp number on your cellphone.
  • You’ll have 24/7 customer service from Holafly’s team.
  • No contract is needed to buy an eSIM.

Cons of Holafly’s eSIM for Singapore:

  • You won’t be able to make or receive calls.
  • No messages included.
  • You won’t be able to share data with other devices.

GlobaleSIM

This is another well-known online store that offers eSIMs, mainly for travelers or people who will be doing business in short periods of time. Their plans range from 5 to 30 days, so if you travel for more than a month, this may not be your ideal option. On the other hand, the great advantage of this store is that in addition to acquiring eSIM plans with mobile data, you can add to these plans calling minutes for Singapore if you wish.

To purchase an eSIM with GlobaleSIM, you must go to their website and search for the country you will be visiting. Be sure to choose the plan for a single country. However, if you are traveling to different countries, you can also purchase a Multicountry eSIM. The payment methods they offer are only credit cards and Paypal.

Pros of GlobaleSIM eSIM:

  • They have varied data plans.
  • You’ll be able to buy voice minutes plans for your eSIM.
  • You can top up the data balance from the web.
  • The service includes free incoming SMS.

Cons of GlobaleSIM eSIM:

  • Internet connection speed may vary in some locations.
  • You will have to recharge it when you run out of data.
  • The service does not include outgoing SMS

Flexiroam

Another carrier where you can buy an eSIM with data for your travel to Singapore is Flexiroam. Their eSIMs are ideal for business travelers as well as frequent vacationers. One of this company’s most important benefits is the ability to top up your eSIM, even if you won’t have unlimited data like with Holafly.

To buy their eSIM, you must go to Flexiroam’s website, choose your destination, and select your preferred plan. Afterward, in order to complete the purchase, you must check out and make the payment. They only accept credit cards as payment, which can be a drawback. You must download their mobile app and install it in order to activate the eSIM. On the other hand, a great advantage of this carrier is that they offer a great variety of eSIM plans.

Pros of Flexiroam eSIM for Singapore:

  • You can top-up the eSIM from the application.
  • You can share data with other devices.
  • You will be able to choose from many data plan options.

Cons of Flexiroam eSIM for Singapore:

  • You can’t make phone calls or send texts.
  • You can install many eSIM profiles but don’t use more than one simultaneously.
  • To activate the eSIM, you must download their App.

Comparison of eSIM providers for Singapore

ProviderDataDaysPriceLanguageSales channels
HolaflyUnlimited data5$19Spanish, English, German, and FrenchWeb
HolaflyUnlimited data15$47Spanish, English, German, and FrenchWeb
HolaflyUnlimited data20$54Spanish, English, German, and FrenchWeb
HolaflyUnlimited data30$64Spanish, English, German, and FrenchWeb
HolaflyUnlimited data60$84Spanish, English, German, and FrenchWeb
GlobaleSIM3GB 14$14EnglishWeb
GlobaleSIM5GB21$18EnglishWeb
GlobaleSIM10GB30$30EnglishWeb
Flexiroam3GB8$12EnglishWeb, App Store, Play Store
Flexiroam7GB15$16EnglishWeb, App Store, Play Store
Flexiroam10GB 24$25EnglishWeb, Play Store, App Store
Table 1. Comparison of eSIM providers to connect to the internet in Singapore

Features of the eSIM to travel to Singapore

Remember that the eSIM has several differences compared to the traditional physical SIM. Therefore, you must know all the features before buying one to avoid dissatisfaction or inconvenience when purchasing it.

  • Most eSIM cards don’t offer analog calls, only data. But with the plans offered on the market, you can communicate by voice using apps like Skype or WhatsApp.
  • They can be installed only once, so if you are having problems with your eSIM card, don’t delete them from your cellphone. Instead, contact your eSIM provider.
  • Some eSIMs configure the automatic APN.
  • You can add multiple data plans on your phone, but this depends on the available memory, although it’s only possible to use one at a time. Some eSIMs allow you to share data.
  • You will have a dual-SIM cell phone, given that you will be able to keep your local SIM when you travel. Remember to set up your cell phone to avoid surprise invoices.

Mobile internet coverage map for travel to Singapore

If you plan to move around Singapore, you must know the coverage of the plan you purchased since this usually changes depending on the agreements that each provider has with the main domestic companies:

  • M1
  • Singtel
  • Starhub

M1 4G coverage map in Singapore

coverage map M1
M1 coverage map in Singapore. Source: GSMA

Singtel 4G coverage map in Singapore

Coverage map singtel
Singtel coverage map in Singapore. Source: GSMA

StarHub 4G coverage map in Singapore

coverage map starhub
StarHub coverage map in Singapore. Source: GSMA

Local cellular operators offering eSIM in Singapore

If you plan to live in Singapore or are already a resident and want to change your traditional chip for an eSIM, there’s a company offering this service. However, remember that this company may ask you to comply with specific requirements according to their policies.

eSIM M1 Singapore.

Currently, M1 is the only phone operator in Singapore that offers eSIM to its local and tourist customers. Within its range of options, there are 4 prepaid plans to choose from: SIM Card or eSIM Card. The plans have costs from 12$ to 60$, the first for 14 days of use and the longest for 180 days of use. Of course, you can choose the one that best suits your stay and data consumption. We would like to point out that all plans have a monthly data limit, then you will have to pay a flat rate per Mb consumed.

Benefits of M1 eSIM in Singapore.

Once you choose a plan within the M1 eSIM options, you can access the benefits that any other M1 customer would have. M1 guarantees support for eSIMs on the latest generation phones and compatible devices. In addition to the benefits that come with an eSIM, you will also enjoy the following:

  • Calls and messages to local numbers in their basic $12 plans. Additionally international calls and roaming in more comprehensive $60 packages.
  • Roaming Data can be used in Malaysia (Celcom), Indonesia (Indosat / XL Axiata), Hong Kong (SmarTone), Macau (SmarTone), & Taiwan (Chunghwa Telecom).
  • Option to opt for SIM card or eSIM Card under the same prepaid plan.
  • Access to M1’s data network with the highest coverage and speed in the country.

How to activate an M1 eSIM in Singapore.

First, you must select the prepaid plan that best suits you, and at the time of purchase at any of its stores, ask for an eSIM instead of a SIM Card. This has no additional cost. Then you can ask for help with the activation of customer service staff, visit the M1 website and read the activation guide for tourists, or if you have the experience, you can do the activation by yourself as you would do with any eSIM. It is important to remember that in the whole process, you will need an internet connection or wifi.

We must remember that if you are going to purchase the eSIM in a physical store, you will need a passport, Singapore IC, student pass, or any similar identification document. There are M1 stores in Singapore airports, in selected 7-eleven stores, and a whole list of M1 shops on their website to consult. As of today, purchasing the M1 eSIM Card through their web store is impossible.

FAQ about eSIM Singapore

Finally, we have listed some frequently asked questions that travelers usually have when purchasing an eSIM for Singapore. We hope they will be useful to you, and if you have more questions, leave your comments.

How to activate the eSIM for Singapore?

After installing the virtual SIM profile, you must choose it as the default means of cellular data, activate data, and roaming, and your virtual SIM should now work.

Do international prepaid eSIM cards expire?

Yes, like physical cards, virtual SIMs also have an expiration date.

What happens if I spend my data or the valid days run out?

Once the contracted data plan has been consumed, due to data consumption or duration, the eSIM will stop working, and the internet connection will be cut off.

Do I need a passport to buy the Singapore eSIM card?

It’s not necessary to present a passport, but some providers do require your address. This applies only to the eSIM for tourists and not to the eSIM offered by MTN, who will ask for your information.

Can I share data or do tethering with the eSIM in Singapore?

Yes, eSIMs for Singapore will allow you to share your data with other devices. However, we recommend checking with the provider’s customer service.

When does the eSIM data plan start?

From the moment you activate your eSIM, by scanning the QR code on your phone.

What cell phones are compatible with the eSIM for Singapore?

Cellphones compatible with the eSIM for Singapore are increasing every day. So we recommend you check the following eSIM supported Phone list.

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