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Best eSIM for Asia: 6 Options to Consider in 2024
Learn about the best eSIMs for Asia for you to stay connected during your travels with the most reliable service and share your adventures
July 17, 2024
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Many dream of traveling across Asia. With numerous sights to see and cultures to experience, the continent is becoming more popular with tourists each year. If you plan to take on this adventure, you’ll probably want to have an internet connection wherever you go, and that’s where eSIM cards come into play.
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 eSIM options for Asia, complete with in-depth descriptions of plans, pricing, and key features of each provider.
eSIM for Asia
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What are the best eSIMs for Asia travel?
The best eSIMs in Asia are those that provide coverage in many countries, 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 Features | Holafly | Maya Mobile | MTalk | Mogo | YeSIM | Numero |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes | Yes | Yes, only email | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| App | Holafly App | Maya Mobile App | No | Mogo App | YeSIM App | Numero App |
| Unlimited data | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Coverage | Extensive | Limited Countries | Extensive | Extensive | Per Small Regions | Limited Countries |
1. Holafly
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 limit themselves or constantly monitor their data usage because all Holafly plans include unlimited data, no matter which one you choose.
Plans and pricing
Holafly offers both national and regional plans, the best choice for you depends on how many countries you’re going to visit and if all of them are included in the Asia eSIM plan. If you’re visiting just a single country, a national plan is often cheaper, but regional options are far more convenient and cheaper if you’re traveling across borders.
The Asia eSIM plan provides coverage in South Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Laos. All of these are included in a single eSIM plan. If the country you’re visiting is not on this list, you’re more than likely going to find a national plan in Holafly’s long list of destinations.
The Asia regional plan starts at US$6 for 1 day of unlimited bandwidth and goes up to $219 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 take care of the basic connectivity needs of those around you as well.
Key features
Outside of providing coverage nearly everywhere on the largest continent on Earth, 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 on the app with multiple payment options to choose from. As soon as you make your purchase, a QR activation code is sent to your email. 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 offers a flexible refund policy which protects you from losing your money.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Unlimited data with all plans;
- 24/7 customer support;
- Extensive coverage in Asia;
- Flexible refund policy;
- Apps for iOS and Android.
Cons
- Not all national destinations are included in the regional plan.
2. Maya Mobile
Another provider with coverage in 200+ destinations, Maya Mobile offers a solid option for those traveling in Asia. It’s more popular with users that don’t need a lot of data, because even unlimited plans are subject to download speed limitations after a certain amount of data is used.
Plans and pricing
Maya offers both unlimited and limited data plans that range from 5 to 30 days. There are 4 plan duration options available — 5, 10, 15, and 30 days. 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. 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 that costs $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 is also fairly reasonable, allowing you to get your money back if the plan doesn’t work as intended, even after activation.
Pros and cons
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.
3. MTALK
MTALK is a provider 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.
Plans and pricing
There are no national plans to choose from at all, 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.
Only the cheaper, short-term options are really worth considering, since a 50GB, 30-day option is more expensive than Holafly’s unlimited plan for the same time period.
Key features
While MTALK does offer 24/7 customer support, there are no apps you can use with this eSIM service. This means that you’re limited to using their website to buy and activate your eSIM, which is not great, especially considering that the user experience on the website is far from perfect.
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.
They don’t have a great refund policy either, stating that no refunds are possible, except for exceptional cases, each of which are judged individually. So don’t be surprised if you lose your money if the service doesn’t work well.
Pros and cons
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;
- Bad refund policy.
4. Mogo
Mogo has a relatively small network of destinations worldwide, however, it’s Asia-Pacific regional plan has a comparatively long list of countries, so it’s an option you might want to consider if you plan on hopping across borders.
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 probably won’t be able to get coverage with Mogo, since the overall list of destinations is very limited.
Key features
Mogo does have an app that it calls the ‘Travel Assistant’, which isn’t only orientated towards its eSIM service. While you can manage your eSIMs there, it’s packed with things that most users will never need, such as a separate messaging feature and location sharing that requires 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.
The only upside is their 24/7 customer support via live chat or email, so if you do have issues, they may be able to help you out promptly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Many countries included in the Asia-Pacific plan;
- 24/7 customer support;
- Affordable low-data plans.
Concs
- No refunds;
- The app can be confusing if you only use the eSIM;
- No unlimited data plans.
5. Yesim
With coverage in more than 200 destinations and several regional Asia eSIM plans to choose from, Yesim has grown to be one of the more popular options with travelers in the region.
Plans and pricing
While most other providers focused mostly on southeast Asia, Yesim has split its Asian regional plan in three packages, providing more options to those traveling to Central Asia or Asia Pacific regions on top of a South East 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 dara 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 national 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, and a reasonable refund policy to back the service up.
Pros and cons
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.
6. Numero eSIM
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. Unfortunately, there aren’t many plans for you to choose from.
- 1 GB for 7 days for €5;
- 3 GB for 30 days for €12.50;
- 5 GB for 30 days for €18.50;
- 10 GB for 30 days for €32.50.
All prices are only displayed in euros, which is the currently they’ll charge you in. If you’re paying in $ 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.
Pros and cons
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.
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 to use it 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.
That said, if you need unlimited data, the ability to choose any plan duration, and a flexible refund policy in case things go wrong — Holafly is the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Most modern smartphones support eSIM technology. If you’re not sure, you can check out our list of eSIM-compatible smartphones.
Alternatives besides eSIMs include local SIM cards for Asia, pocket WiFi, and international roaming plans. However, eSIMs offer a more convenient and flexible solution.
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.
