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Best eSIM for the Philippines: Stay connected on your trip
Get unlimited data with Holafly, get your Philippines eSIM with Globe, make phone calls with Travel SIM, and choose your best eSIM to travel!
April 25, 2024
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Unlimited data
Limitless data plans in more than 170 destinations
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Do you want to choose the best eSIM for the Philippines? Then, you need some guidance as there are different options in the market. That’s why travelers need to know as much as possible about what a company offers, how much their eSIM costs, and some additional features.
So, if you plan to travel to the Philippines in 2024, keep reading to find out what the best eSIM to take there is.
Does the Philippines have eSIM?
One question people have before traveling is, “Does the Philippines have eSIM?”. The answer is yes, and there are different local carriers offering their eSIM service to locals, such as companies like Globe, Smart, and Sun.
While these companies also offer a Philippines SIM card, other international companies offer this service as well, such as Holafly or YeSIM, which travelers prefer to use while there.
Other alternatives are available in the country, such as pocket WiFi or roaming services, but these aren’t as good as an eSIM due to their price and what they offer!
So, if you plan to travel soon, it’s better to stay connected with an eSIM rather than other services.
What are the requirements to use an eSIM in the Philippines?
When getting an eSIM for the Philippines, there are different requirements to consider before the purchase. It’s also important to note that these requirements vary depending on which service people purchase.
For international carriers like Holafly, the main and most important requirement is to have an eSIM-compatible phone. Other than this, people only need a working email to receive the QR code and an internet connection to activate it, and they are done!
On the other hand, local carriers are different. These are focused on giving locals a better service, so chances are getting an eSIM as a traveler from Smart or Sun is more complicated. These will surely require you to sign a contract or something similar, which can take a lot of time as a traveler.
One requirement for either option people choose is that they need to have a device that’s compatible with local networks. It’s important to check this before traveling because, once there, it will be harder to unlock your phone!
Overall, travelers prefer to take an international eSIM rather than getting one in the Philippines. No need to worry about the internet upon arrival, more benefits, and easier purchase!
Which eSIMs work in the Philippines?
There are different options regarding an eSIM in the Philippines. There are international carriers like Holafly, YeSIM, and Travel SIM, and there are options like Smart and Globe, which are local, and we’ll discuss them both!
Before we review each one in terms of prices and advantages, we’ll tell travelers about the main features, such as charging for an eSIM, top-up services, unlimited data, networks, and much more!
| eSIM Features | Holafly | Smart Philippines | Globe Philippines | YeSIM | Travel SIM |
| Do they charge for the eSIM? | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Top-Up | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited data | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Automatic installation | Yes, on iOS devices | No | No | No | No |
| Networks | Smart | Smart | Globe | Globe | Unkown |
| Buy online | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
1. Holafly Philippines eSIM with unlimited data
The first option we have for travelers is Holafly. This international carrier, with coverage in more than 170 destinations, has become the go-to option for travelers who want to stay connected with unlimited data while abroad.
Aside from the unlimited data for the Philippines, Holafly also offers a customizable purchase feature. This means travelers choose the exact amount of days they are staying in the country and then buy their eSIM!
Prices for the eSIM card in the Philippines range from $6 for 1 day to $139 for 90 days, with unlimited data for apps like Google Maps. That’s why it’s easier for travelers to save money without buying data packages for more days.
Currently, the company offers an app that people can download to manage and buy eSIMs, which makes it easier for travelers!
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Works with 3G/4G/LTE/5G in the Philippines.
- Only requires a QR code to activate the eSIM. iOS users can activate their eSIMs automatically.
- Customer support from Holafly is available 24/7 in different languages and channels.
- No delivery time. All eSIMs are sent immediately after the purchase.
- Disadvantages:
- Holafly doesn’t include phone calls or text messages, but phone calls are available through WhatsApp, Skype, and similar apps.
- Only available for eSIM-compatible devices.
2. Smart Philippines eSIM for tourists
One of the most popular carriers in the Philippines is Smart. The company offers SIM and eSIM cards.
To get an eSIM from Smart, you must purchase it through their website. The eSIM is sent immediately and must be activated through the company website, which will give access to the different data plans. But to do this, people need to have a valid number from the country.
The eSIM costs $1,99, which is the equivalent of 99 Philippine dollars. There are different prepaid options for people to purchase, and data plan costs range from $2 to $10 depending on which one the traveler chooses.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Cheap prices for most data plans.
- Easy to purchase through the company’s website.
- Offers 4G/5G data speeds.
- Disadvantages:
- Only people with a phone number from the Philippines can buy an eSIM.
- It can’t be purchased before traveling to the Philippines as it requires a local number.
- Information on the website about data plans and the purchase process is unclear.
3. Globe Prepaid Traveler eSIM
Another local option comes with Globe. This company offers a traveler eSIM for the Philippines, which makes it easier to access compared to other local carriers.
Currently, Globe only offers one data package with their eSIM. This package includes 20GB of data and works for 30 days. It works with a 5G network, so the data speed will be good. As for the price, it costs around $30.
To purchase the app, people must download the Globeone App. There are no other ways to get the Globe eSIM. And there’s no top-up option available, so people have to buy more than one eSIM if they run out of data.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- No need to be a previous Globe client to purchase an eSIM.
- Offers 20GB of data with the basic data plan.
- Includes phone calls and text messages.
- Disadvantages:
- Requires an app to complete a purchase.
- No top-up feature is available.
- The eSIM must be activated upon arriving in the Philippines, not before.
4. YeSIM with eSIM for Philippines
Moving with the international companies, we have YeSIM. This company currently offers eSIM with limited and unlimited data for travelers through their website or mobile app.
As YeSIM offers two types of data packages, people can choose one that suits their needs better. Depending on the type of plan chosen, these will vary in days and prices.
Unlimited data packages last 7 to 30 days and cost $27,50 to $74,80. Limited data packages last 3 to 20 days and cost $13,20 to $55.
Lastly, YeSIM doesn’t include any phone calls or text messages on these data packages, similar to other international carriers.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Offers unlimited and limited data packages to travelers.
- Different data packages for up to 30 days.
- It can be activated before traveling.
- Disadvantages:
- Complicated purchase process.
- Doesn’t include text messages or phone calls.
- Can’t buy eSIMs as a guest.
5. Travel SIM and its Philippines eSIM card
The last option we have on the list comes with Travel SIM. This company focuses on providing eSIM and SIM cards for travelers in more than 135 destinations worldwide.
As for their Philippines eSIM, they only offer limited data plans. There are no unlimited data plans available for this destination. These data plans only include 30-day packages, and there are unique variations for each language the website is displayed in.
The company also includes phone calls with their services. This is an additional feature, and the price ranges from $10 to $100 depending on how many minutes people need and what phone number they take.
Lastly, it’s important to note Travel SIM charges for their eSIM. To the final price, people must add a $6 fee for the eSIM!
Advantages and disadvantages
- Advantages:
- Offer phone calls as an add-on.
- Different amounts of data are available.
- Allows to purchase a phone number.
- Disadvantages:
- No unlimited data packages are available.
- The eSIM has an additional cost.
- Only 30-day data packages are available.
Comparison between eSIM in the Philippines
Which eSIM for the Philippines offers more data?
Among all the options, three stand out from the rest. Holafly and YeSIM offer unlimited data with their eSIMs, and they are easier to purchase for travelers. Smart also offers unlimited data, but it is harder to purchase!
Which Philippines eSIM offers more benefits?
International carriers are the best options for use in the Philippines. Holafly offers unlimited data with customizable days and an outstanding mobile app that makes everything easier. YeSIM offers unlimited data, too. And Travel SIM offers an add-on for phone calls.
Overall, these are quite similar, but we prefer Holafly due to the customization and unlimited data features.
Which eSIM for the Philippines is the best overall?
Overall, the Holafly eSIM for the Philippines is the best option. This is due to all the features it includes and how good its customer service is.
Other companies offer a proper service, but they are either more expensive, harder to purchase, or don’t include unlimited data in their data packages. That’s why Holafly comes first.
So, if you plan to get an eSIM card for the Philippines, take the Holafly eSIM for the Philippines and stay connected with unlimited data!
FAQ about eSIM card for the Philippines
Yes. Smart is a local carrier, but it’s harder to get for travelers as it requires a local phone number to complete the purchase.
When it comes to choosing a SIM card, either Globe or Smart are reliable options. These include a variety of data packages for travelers, making them accessible.
There’s an option to get internet in different Asian countries. This is possible through a regional eSIM that works in different destinations. We recommend using the Holafly eSIM for Asia in 11 destinations with unlimited data in all of them for an accessible price!
