Internet in Singapore: Which is the best option?

Staying connected to the internet in Singapore is vital if you want to make the most of your trip. You’ll need it when using Google Maps to move from Kampong Glam to Choa Chu Kang, purchasing tickets to the Trickeye Museum, or upload some videos and photos after visiting the Haw Par Villa.

Singapore has a reputation for providing high-quality local internet services. As a tourist, you can take advantage of these networks through dedicated travel services – but you’ll need to know where to look. 

Below, we discuss all the ways to get internet in Singapore, telling you what each provider offers while considering pricing, features, and important details you can’t miss.

Local internet providers in Singapore

As a modern city-state with a collection of advanced telecommunications companies, the internet in Singapore is often fast and reliable. 

Local internet providers in Singapore, like Singtel, MyRepublic, StarHub, and ViewQwest offer a range of home internet solutions. 

It’s worth noting that these services are focused on locals, not travelers. They all require a 24-month contract and often feature additional fees based on your chosen router. 

If you’re a local or digital nomad looking to spend some time in Singapore, below is a rundown of each provider’s speeds, pricing, and optional add-ons. If you’re a traveler, you can skip to our section below on mobile internet in Singapore for tourists.

Mobile internet in Singapore for tourists

There are different ways to get a stable connection in Singapore as a tourist. Often linked to Singapore’s well-established infrastructure, eSIMs, physical SIMs, pocket WiFi, data roaming, and even free WiFi are all solid options to consider for your trip.

So, it’s time to discuss these services, what they offer, and how to choose the one that best suits you.

Data roaming in Singapore

Data roaming in Singapore is a classic service most mobile providers offer. Still, it’s also one of the most expensive connectivity services you can use to access the internet in Singapore.

Despite the astronomical prices, this option is worth mentioning as it includes mobile data, text messages, and phone calls. Let’s check what some of the main providers in the US, Australia, and the UK charge for data roaming in Singapore.

AT&T

AT&T is one of the top mobile providers in the US, and travelers in Singapore currently have two options for staying connected.

With the International Day Pass, you’ll pay $12 each day you stay in Singapore and get unlimited data, text messages, and phone calls. But remember that data speed might vary compared to how it works in your hometown.

On the other hand, if you’re using pay-as-you-go rates, you’ll be charged $2.05 per MB consumed, meaning you can easily spend $10 sending a photo through WhatsApp or up to $100 for a 5-minute video call!

Vodafone UK

Vodafone is one of the most important carriers in the UK. Similar to AT&T, it offers two different roaming packages.

For £7.39 GBP/day (~$9 USD), you can use your local data allowance and phone calls and text messages included in your plan.

But if you plan to use pay-as-you-go rates, you’ll be charged £12 GBP/MB (~$14.61 USD), meaning you can easily spend over £100 (~$121.76 USD) by simply entering Instagram.

Optus Australia

If you use Optus in Australia and are considering visiting Singapore soon, the mobile company offers one roaming package for your trip.

For $5 AUD (~$3.08 USD), you’ll get 5 GB of mobile data for 24 hours, plus unlimited text messages and phone calls. 

eSIMs for Singapore 

eSIMs for Singapore are becoming more popular for several reasons: easier purchase process, less plastic waste, faster connectivity, cost a fraction of the roaming price, and most modern mobiles are eSIM-compatible rather than SIM card-compatible.

You can purchase an eSIM for Singapore online, but which eSIM is the best on the market you can get while saving some extra money?

We’ll talk about our preferred option, the Holafly eSIM for Singapore.

Holafly eSIM for Singapore

With the eSIM for Singapore from Holafly, you can say goodbye to expensive internet services, as this will cost you a fraction of a traditional roaming rate.

The most important feature is that you’ll get unlimited data with up to 5G connectivity when available using the Singtel network, one of the country’s most important mobile providers.

Additionally, you can purchase an eSIM for the exact days you stay in Singapore. No need to pay for a service you won’t use.

The Holafly eSIM pricing starts at $6.90, but the more days you purchase, the more savings you get from an eSIM plan, as data plans get as low as $1.55/day.

But that’s not everything you get when using the Holafly eSIM; here are some additional features:

• No need to sign up when purchasing an eSIM plan
• Up to 500 MBs of data sharing per day
• Easy top-ups to add more days, if necessary
• Mobile Android and iOS app to manage, purchase, and activate eSIMs on iPhones with 17.0 or later
• Easy installation process on iPhones with a lower OS than 17.0 and Android devices with a QR code
• 24/7 customer support through different channels
• Website is available in 19 languages

The only downside is that the Holafly eSIM doesn’t include calls or text messages, easily solved with unlimited data.

Prepaid SIM cards for Singapore

Local prepaid SIM cards have been a common way to stay connected while traveling for some time. The different mobile carriers in Singapore now offer tourist SIM cards, and you only need a valid passport to get one. Still, this option won’t be around for long, as most mobiles are moving to eSIM technology.

When purchasing your physical SIM for Singapore, you can either complete the process online, at the airport upon arrival at specific counters or visit chosen retailers, like 7-Eleven, to purchase your SIM card, meaning you won’t get internet as soon as you land in Singapore.

Currently, Singtel, M1, and StarHub provide tourist SIM cards in Singapore, each with different pricing and features based on your travel needs. Let’s take a quick look at each one:

Singtel

Singtel offers five different tourist SIM card plans. These data plans range from $12 SDG (~$8.75 USD) to $50 SDG (~$36.45 USD).

These SIM cards work for 14 to 28 days, depending on which one you use, and they work with 4G and 5G networks when available. 

Plus, Singtel offers phone calls and text messages with their SIM cards, and the amount of data ranges from 100 GB to unlimited data with a fair usage policy on 5G SIM cards. 

The main downside is that installing and activating Singtel is complicated, especially if you register on the Hi!App before landing. This will limit your SIM card to data-only.

M1

M1 offers six different SIM card plans, four of which are available to purchase on their website from $12 SDG (~$8.75 USD) to $30 SDG (~$21.87 USD) and two which are available on local retailers from $12 SDG (~$8.75 USD) to $14 SDG (~$10.21 USD).

These SIM cards work 15 to 30 days and work with the M1 4G networks.

Lastly, these SIM cards include from 100 GB to 168 GB of mobile data plus phone calls and text messages, with some additional add-ons like roaming in Thailand, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asia countries.

The main downside of M1 is that no unlimited data plans are available, and the data plan starts on the day you register and ends on your departure date.

StarHub

StarHub offers three different SIM card plans, which vary from $12 SDG (~$8.75 USD) to $50 SDG (~$36.45 USD).

These SIM cards work for 14 to 28 days, and depending on your preferred data plan, you can connect to 4G or 5G networks.

These data plans range from 100 GB to 200 GB and, similar to other providers, include phone calls and text messages plus data roaming in Asia-Pacific countries.

Pocket WiFi in Singapore

Pocket WiFi in Singapore is another option for staying connected on up to five devices, including laptops, phones, and tablets.

There are a range of providers to choose from, like Solis Pocket WiFi, TravelWiFi, or Changi Recommends. Each company has pros and cons, but the price is the main downside for all. 

Here’s some pricing for the top options plans in Singapore:

• Changi Recommends: $10 SGD (~$7.29 USD) with unlimited data.
• Travel WiFi: From $1.80 to $5.20 USD/day with plans ranging from 1 GB to 5 GB.
• Solis Pocket WiFi: From $8 USD/day with unlimited data to $99/month for 20 GB of data.

And there’s another downside: the delivery fees, which will depend on your location and can add up to $40 USD to your final price. The only company that doesn’t charge delivery is Changi Recommends, and that’s because they offer pick-up at the local airport.

Lastly, the terms and conditions for pocket WiFi devices often also include a damage/loss fee, which can add up to $200 USD, making it an expensive option for what you get.

Free WiFi

A final possibility is to use free WiFi while visiting Singapore. 

With over 10.000 free hotspots in Singapore, you won’t be hard pressed to find a public WiFi wherever you are. But here’s the catch: Are these safe? You’ll find some safer options in places like My Awesome Cafe or The Mind Cafe. On the other hand, Starbucks is a less safer option when it comes to free WiFi.

The same goes for other places with free WiFi, including shopping malls or iconic landmarks like the Singapore Sports Hub or the Orchard Road; the amount of people using these makes them less reliable for you as a traveler.

As these are public WiFi hotspots, we recommend only using them for small things, like answering a WhatsApp message or checking an address. It’s best practice to avoid opening your online bank accounts or any personal passwords while connected to one.

Which internet service is better in Singapore?

Having reviewed the different internet options available for tourists in Singapore, it’s clear that eSIMs are the way to go in 2025. 

From convenience to pricing, eSIMs tick the most boxes for any trip to this city-state. Still not sold? Here’s a side-by-side comparison of all the options on offer:

If you want a fast, reliable, and unlimited internet connection for half the price of other options, the Holafly eSIM for Singapore is your best call, as it will also include top-tier features to give you peace of mind while traveling.

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Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

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