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A hotspot for cultural and nature experiences, Asia is becoming more popular with tourists each year. To many, eSIMs have become an essential travel buddy when exploring the continent, providing mobile internet for map apps, translator apps, or simply sharing holiday snaps with friends and family back home.

It’s the most convenient, and often the cheapest, way to stay connected in Asia. But choosing a provider isn’t always simple. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best eSIMs for Asia, complete with in-depth descriptions of plans, pricing, and key features of each provider.

What are the best eSIMs for Asia?

The best eSIMs in Asia are those that provide coverage in many countries within the continent, offer affordable plans, and provide a solid user experience with intuitive apps and 24/7 customer support.

Before we go into detail about what each provider has to offer, let’s take a quick look at how they compare when it comes to the main eSIM features.

eSIM featuresHolaflyMaya MobileMTalkMogoYeSIMNumero
24/7 customer supportYesYesYes, only emailYesYesYes
AppHolafly AppMaya Mobile AppNoMogo AppYeSIM AppNumero App
Unlimited dataYesYesNoNoYesNo
Coverage16 destinations13 destinations13 destinations16 destinations28 destinations combined in 3 plans12 destinations
eSIM for Asia comparison chat.

1. Holafly

Price

  • From $2.44/day to $6.90/day

Pros

  • Unlimited data with all plans;
  • 24/7 customer support;
  • Extensive coverage in Asia;
  • Flexible refund policy;
  • Apps for iOS and Android;
  • Options for over 200 destinations.

Cons

  • Not all national destinations are included in the regional plan.

Holafly offers coverage in 200 destinations, which includes a majority of countries in Asia. It’s arguably the most popular option amongst travelers who don’t want to constantly monitor their data usage because all Holafly plans include unlimited data.

Holafly home website
Holafly home page. Souce: Holafly

Plans and pricing

Holafly offers both local and regional plans. The best choice for you depends on how many countries you’re going to visit and whether all of them are included in the eSIM for Asia. A local plan is often cheaper if you’re visiting just a single country, but regional options are far more convenient and cheaper if you’re traveling across borders.

The eSIM for Asia covers South Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

If the country you’re visiting is not on this list, you will likely find a local plan in Holafly’s long list of destinations.

The Asia regional plan starts at US$ 6.9 for 1 day of unlimited bandwidth and goes up to $219.9 for 90 days. You can choose any number of days in the range of 1 to 90 to match your holiday without having to overpay for extra days.

All plans allow up to 500 MB of data sharing daily, so you can also meet the basic connectivity needs of those around you. Some packages, such as the global eSIM with coverage in 113 destinations, include 1 GB of hotspot sharing per day.

Key features

Outside of providing coverage nearly everywhere in Asia, Holafly ensures a good user experience with easy-to-use apps for iOS and Android, as well as 24/7 customer support in multiple languages.

You can purchase your eSIM on the Holafly website or the app. Several payment methods are available, including Alipay for destinations such as China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

As soon as you make your purchase, a QR activation code is sent to your email. Scan it and follow the simple prompts to set up your eSIM. The whole process takes no more than a few minutes before you can enjoy mobile data wherever you go.

In case you encounter any issues that the customer support team can’t solve, Holafly’s refund policy has you covered, with full refunds available for all unactivated plans and full or partial refunds for plans that had some data used.

The eSIM Philippines is an outstanding option if this will be your travel destination in Asia.

2. Maya Mobile

Price

  • From $8 to $89, both fixed-data and unlimited plans available

Pros

  • Both unlimited and limited data plans;
  • 24/7 customer support;
  • Apps for iOS and Android;
  • Extensive coverage in Asia.

Cons

  • Limited flexibility in plan durations;
  • Download speed limits on unlimited plans.

Another provider with coverage in 200+ destinations, Maya Mobile offers a solid option for those traveling in Asia.

maya-mobile
Maya Mobile logo. Source: Maya Mobile

Plans and pricing

Maya offers both unlimited and limited data plans that range from 5 to 30 days in duration. Any of these can be paired with 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB, or unlimited data. 

Much like Holafly, they offer a regional plan for Asia as well. Their Asia+ plan provides coverage in 13 countries in Asia and Oceania, which includes Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

If the country you’re traveling to is not on the list, you might be able to find it in the list of destinations that are not included in bundle plans.

The cheapest plan is 3 GB of data for 5 days, which costs $8, with the most expensive option being the unlimited plan for 30 days priced at $89. 

Unlimited data plans only offer high-speed internet for the first 2 GB daily. After this, the speed is limited to 1 Mbps. So the service is best suited for light to medium data usage, and definitely won’t be great if you want to watch a movie on cellular data after a long day.

Key features

As you’d expect from a global eSIM provider, Maya Mobile offers 24/7 customer support via a live chat. You also get dedicated apps for iOS and Android that make purchasing, activating, and using your eSIM easier. 

The refund policy offers your money back if the plan doesn’t work as intended, even after activation. 

3. MTALK

Price

  • From $7 to $172, plans up to 50 GB.

Pros

  • 24/7 customer support;
  • Affordable short-term plans with little data.

Cons

  • No live chat support;
  • No apps for iOS and Android;
  • No unlimited data plans;
  • Expensive long-term plans;

MTALK is a provider that is only oriented towards regional and global plans. The number of destinations and overall options is much smaller than other providers on this list, but if you feel a certain plan matches your needs perfectly, it’s a viable option to get mobile data in Asia.

MTALK eSIM logo
MTALK eSIM logo. Source: MTALK

Plans and pricing

There are no local plans to choose from with MTALK, so if the country you’re visiting isn’t included in the regional plan, you have to look into getting a different eSIM.

The MTALK Asia plan provides coverage in 18 Asian countries, which includes Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

All plans are limited to either 7, 15, or 30 days, with prices ranging from $7 to $172. There are no unlimited plans to choose from, with data limits ranging from 1 GB to 50 GB.

The cheaper, short-term options offer the best value. That said, a 50GB, 30-day option is more expensive than Holafly’s unlimited plan for the same time period.

Key features

MTALK offers 24/7 customer support to its customers. However, they don’t have mobile apps for iOS or Android. This means that you’re limited to using their website to buy and activate your eSIM.

On top of that, the customer support is only available via email with no live chat option to be found. Knowing this, you can expect longer response times, even if they state that the team works 24/7.

The refund policy states that no refunds are possible except for exceptional cases, each of which is judged individually. So don’t be surprised if you lose your money if the service doesn’t work well.

4. Mogo

Price

  • From $2 to $59.90, plans up to 30 GB.

Pros

  • Many countries included in the Asia-Pacific plan;
  • 24/7 customer support;
  • Affordable low-data plans.

Cons

  • No refunds;
  • The app can be confusing if you only use the eSIM;
  • No unlimited data plans.

Mogo has a relatively small network of destinations worldwide. However, its Asia-Pacific regional plan has a comparatively long list of countries, making it an option worth considering if you plan on hopping across borders in the region.

mogo-esim
Mogo logo. Source: Mogo.

Plans and pricing

The Asia-Pacific plan provides coverage in Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Laos, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, and the Russian Federation.

There are no unlimited data options available, with a total of 6 limited data plans to choose from.

  • 300 MB for 3 days for $2;
  • 1 GB for 3 days for $3;
  • 3 GB for 7 days for $9;
  • 5 GB for 15 days for $14.90;
  • 10 GB for 30 days for $24.90;
  • 30 GB for 30 days for $59.90.

As you can see, Mogo provides some affordable options if you don’t need a lot of data. However, if the country you’re visiting is not on the Asia-Pacific plan, you might not be able to get coverage with Mogo since the overall list of destinations is very limited.

Key features

Mogo has an app called the ‘Travel Assistant,’ which isn’t only orientated towards its eSIM service. While you can manage your eSIMs there, it’s packed with other features, such as a separate messaging feature and location sharing, all of which require your friends to have the app as well. 

As a result, the app isn’t the most convenient if you’re only looking to use an eSIM. On top of that, their refund policy clearly states that all eSIMs are not refundable after purchase, which means that there’s no way to get your money back, even if the service doesn’t work as intended.

On a more positive note, the company offers 24/7 customer support via live chat or email, so if you do have issues, they should be able to help you out promptly.

5. Yesim

Prices

  • From $12.10 to $70.40 for fixed data plans, up to $13.20/day for unlimited data.

Pros

  • Both limited and unlimited data plans;
  • Three separate Asia regional plans divided by region;
  • 24/7 customer support;
  • Apps for iOS and Android.

Cons

  • Limited plan options;
  • More expensive than other providers.

With coverage in more than 200 destinations and several eSIMs for Asia to choose from, Yesim has grown to be one of the more popular options with travelers in the region. 

Yesim logo
Yesim logo. Source: Yesim

Plans and pricing

While most other providers focus mostly on Southeast Asia, Yesim has split its Asian regional plan into three packages, providing more options to those traveling to Central Asia or Asia Pacific regions on top of a Southeast Asia plan.

That said, you’ve got to be willing to pay a price for the convenience. The unlimited data plans only come in a 1-day option, the prices for which range from $11 to $13.20 depending on the plan.

The limited data options are all fixed to a 30-day period with 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, and 20 GB data options. The cheapest plans range from $12.10 to $17.60, with the 20 GB data plans priced between $49.50 and $70.40.

If you’ll only be traveling to a single country and want to use Yesim, you’ll be better off with a local plan instead of a regional one, since it should be significantly cheaper and have more options to choose from.

Key features

Yesim ticks all the boxes when it comes to the feature’s you’d be looking for in an eSIM provider. They have 24/7 customer support via live chat, there are apps for iOS and Android you can use, plenty of payment options to choose from. If the service doesn’t work, you can get a partial refund for partially used plans or a full refund for any plan you didn’t use.

6. Numero eSIM

Prices

  • From €5 to €32.50 with plans up to 10 GB.

Pros

  • 24/7 customer support;
  • Possibility to get local phone numbers in some countries;
  • Apps for iOS and Android.

Cons 

  • No unlimited data plans;
  • eSIM plans are non-refundable.

Numero eSIM has a slightly smaller coverage than some other providers on this list, with plans in up to 150 destinations. That said, it still offers a decent Asia regional plan for users who don’t need a lot of data.

Plans and pricing

The Numero eSIM Asia plan offers coverage in Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. You can choose from 4 different options.

  • 1 GB for 7 days for €5 (~$5.35);
  • 3 GB for 30 days for €12.50 (~$13.40);
  • 5 GB for 30 days for €18.50 (~$19.80);
  • 10 GB for 30 days for €32.50 (~$34.80).

All prices are only displayed in euros, which is the currency they’ll charge you in. If you’re paying in US dollars or any other currency, the exact price will vary depending on the exchange rate on that day.

Key features

Numero eSIM does have 24/7 live chat support and dedicated apps for Android and iOS to make your customer experience easier. That said, they do state that all eSIMs are non-refundable, which means you probably won’t get your money back if the service isn’t working as expected.

The service might be worth considering if you absolutely must have a local phone number. It offers phone numbers in over 80 destinations worldwide, which you can use for phone calls or messages. That said, it’s an additional paid service and is not included in the eSIM plans.

Why is eSIM the best option for tourists in Asia?

eSIM cards are becoming more and more popular with travelers thanks to the convenience and the price they offer. They’re usually cheaper than the alternatives, such as paying data roaming charges, buying a local SIM card, or using a pocket WiFi device.

It’s also super convenient. You can buy and set up your eSIM from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. On top of that, many eSIM providers offer regional plans for Asia, so you can travel through multiple countries without having to buy a separate eSIM for each of them.

The only thing you need is an eSIM-compatible device. However, that shouldn’t be much of an issue, as most cell phones nowadays support eSIM technology, as do some smartwatches, laptops, and tablets.

Which is the best eSIM for Asia?

The only true answer for what the best eSIM for Asia is this — it depends. Each of us has different needs, and the best option for you may depend on coverage in the countries you’ll visit, pricing, and additional features.

Which is the best unlimited data eSIM for Asia?

Holafly, Maya Mobile, and Yesim all have unlimited data plans, but only Holafly includes unlimited data with all its plans. This means that you don’t have to pick between a long list of plans, thinking which one suits you best. Simply choose the number of days you need coverage for and enjoy a non-stop connection with Holafly.

Which eSIM for Asia is the cheapest?

Mogo’s 300 MB for $2 and 1 GB for $3 are the cheapest eSIM plans on this list. However, they don’t offer enough data to keep you connected in Asia for long. If you’re looking for unlimited data, Holafly is the way to go. It allows you to pick any number of days for your plan, so you avoid paying for any days you don’t need and saving money in the long run.

Which one is the easiest to use?

In general, any eSIM with dedicated apps for iOS and Android is going to be fairly easy to use. Holafly, Maya Mobile, Yesim, and Numero eSIM all offer intuitive apps that make it easy to buy and manage your eSIMs on the go.

Planning an extended stay? Get a Holafly Connect monthly plan

Holafly Connect is the perfect mobile internet solution if you’re a digital nomad in Asia or simply traveling the continent for a long time. Choose between 3 data plans with a fixed monthly fee, pay monthly, and simply cancel the plan whenever you don’t need it anymore. No long-term commitments needed.

On top of that, Holafly Connect offers worldwide coverage, so you can use it to stay connected even outside of Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best eSIM for all countries?

Holafly provides coverage in 200 destinations worldwide, so if you plan on traveling across borders and filling out your passport, Holafly might just be the best option for you.

How do I know if my phone can use virtual SIM cards?

Most modern smartphones support eSIM technology. If you’re not sure, you can check out our list of eSIM-compatible smartphones.

What other alternatives do we have to stay connected in Asia?

Alternatives besides eSIMs include local SIM cards for Asia, pocket WiFi, and international roaming plans. However, eSIMs offer a more convenient and flexible solution. On the other hand, instead of looking for regional packages you can look for local data plans if you only visit one destination, as is the case with the Taiwan eSIM.

Why are virtual SIM cards usually better than physical SIM cards?

Virtual SIM cards, like those offered by Holafly, eliminate the need for physical cards, making activation and management effortless. They also provide flexibility with customizable plans and convenient app-based control.

Rokas Aniulis

Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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