Best eSIMs for Philippines Travel: Tested and Reviewed

Is there anything quite like island-hopping in the Philippines? We don’t think so. But the experience can quickly go from a dream to a nightmare if you haven’t sorted your data in advance. Trust us, you really don’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with zero service or data.

That’s why we’re always telling people to look into an international eSIM for travel. You can buy one before you even leave for the Philippines, setting it up for automatic activation, then get instant internet connection from the second you get off the plane.

To help make your eSIM journey even smoother, we’re sharing our personal opinions on the best eSIMs for traveling in the Philippines in 2026. We’ve made sure to include something for everyone, including prepaid, budget-friendly, and unlimited data plans.

Best eSIMs for Philippines Travel: A Quick Overview

	Saily	Airalo	Holafly	BNESIM
Network	Unknown	Smart	Globe	Globe
Throttle?	5GB/Day without a speed limit	After 3GB per day	Unlimited data at 5G/4G speeds	After 3GB per day
Data Options	1, 3, 5, 10, 20, or unlimited GB	1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, or unlimited GB	Unlimited only	1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, or unlimited GB
Prepaid Data Plan Lengths	7, 10, or 30 days	3, 7, 15, or 30 days	N/A	30 days (or non-expiring)
Unlimited Data Plan Lengths	5, 7, 10, 15, or 30 days	3, 5, 7,10, 15, or 30 days	1-90 days	10 days
Lowest Data Plan	1GB for 7 days for $3.99	1GB for 3 days for $4.60 (€4)	1 day of unlimited data for $3.90	1GB for 30 days for $2.86 (€2.49)
Highest Data Plan	20GB of data for 30 days for $29.99, or 30 days of unlimited data for $71.99	50GB for 30 days for $49.40 (€43), or 30 days of unlimited data for $74.68 (€65)	30 days of unlimited data for $74.90	100GB for 30 days for $57.43 (€49.99), or non-expiring for $68.92 (€59.99)
Data Sharing	No hotspot restrictions or limitations	Yes	1GB per day	Yes (prepaid data plans only)

1. Saily - Best Overall Experience

We’re just not sure you can beat a Saily eSIM for the Philippines. You get fast and reliable data from as little as $3.99, with unlimited data plans with a guaranteed 5GB of ultra-fast data per day without throttle (one of the highest limits we’ve come across).

But what actually separates Saily from the rest are the free security perks. Designed by the team behind NordVPN, every Saily eSIM comes with a built-in VPN with 115+ virtual locations, plus web safety tools to help keep you away from malicious websites. The free ad blocker is also a little hack for saving data that would otherwise be spent on irritating pop-ups.

Specifications

• Plan Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, or unlimited data
• eSIM Perks: Virtual locations, ad blockers, and a web safety tool
• Pros: Always reliable data, and lots of free security tools that make your data last longer
• Cons: Could have a larger range of prepaid plans

2. Airalo - Easiest Installation Process

Airalo easily has one of the smoothest user experiences in the game. It’s been around for a while and used that time to iron out any kinks to create an eSIM installation program that even your Grandma would understand. If this is your first time using an eSIM, then you really can’t go wrong choosing Airalo.

For the Philippines specifically, Airalo is the only eSIM provider on our list that we know partners with Smart for their data. We love this because Smart is known for having some of the fastest data speeds nationwide and more 5G coverage than other networks.

Specifications

• Plan Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, or unlimited data
• Data Speed Throttle: After 3GB/day on the unlimited plans
• eSIM Perks: “Airmoney” that you can use toward future Airalo eSIMs
• Pros: Some of the fastest data speeds across the Philippines
• Cons: Not the cheapest plans on the market

3. Holafly - Best for Unlimited Data Plans

For us, Holafly really sets the bar for international unlimited data plans. Right off the bat, we have to tell you that we love being able to choose the length of a plan, from 1 to 90 days. Not only does that mean we don’t have to pay for days we don’t need, but it’s also the only eSIM option with a plan longer than 30 days.

In most cases, Holafly doesn’t have any high-speed data limits, meaning you don’t have to worry about slow speeds after streaming one episode of your favourite show. We will say that, for shorter periods, Holafly is pricier than other options, but the longer your plan, the cheaper it gets per day. E.g. the 5-day plan works out to $3.90/day, whereas the 30-day plan is $2.50/day. By 90 days, it’s only $1.55/day. Not bad if you ask us!

Specifications

• Plan Options: Unlimited data only
• Plan Lengths: 1-90 days
• Pros: Flexible unlimited plan lengths with no definitive data throttle limit
• Cons: No options for prepaid data plans

4. BNESIM - Most Budget-Friendly Data

If your priority is budget, then BNESIM is where you need to be. Their data plans in the Philippines are among the cheapest per GB you’re likely to find, with reliable data and 5G speeds where available. Throw in the free BNE Guard VPN for an added layer of cybersecurity, and we think it’s one hell of a deal.

Now, one thing to know is that BNESIM isn’t really the place for unlimited plans…they’re all about prepaid data. Instead of offering unlimited data, BNESIM has opted for unlimited plan lengths, which they call “non-expiring” data. Basically, this means your data doesn’t have a use-by date, and just lasts as long as it lasts. That’s pretty amazing for us digital nomads who, let’s be honest, don’t always have an end date in mind for our trips.

Specifications

• Plan Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, 100GB, or unlimited data
• Plan Lengths: 30 days or non-expiring
• eSIM Perks: BNE Guard VPN
• Pros: Budget-friendly, non-expiring data that never disappears
• Cons: Their unlimited plan option is only available for 10 days data sharing isn’t included

5. Yesim - Most Affordable Unlimited Data Plans

Yesim holds an interesting niche in the eSIM world for pay-as-you-go plans. This is great for anyone sick of paying for data that they never end up using…although at $2.98/GB and a minimum spend of $34, this actually isn’t why we put Yesim on this list.

The reason we think Yesim is one of the best eSIM providers for the Philippines is the surprisingly affordable unlimited data plans. They start at $7.20 for 1 day of unlimited data, then go up to $24 for 7 days, $36 for 15 days, and $50.40 for 30 days. That undercuts pretty much every other provider we checked out, making Yesim a no-brainer for cheap unlimited plans.

Specifications

• Data Options: 10GB, 20GB, 30GB, unlimited data, and pay-as-you-go plans
• Data Speed Throttle: Unclear (depends on provider)
• Pay-As-You-Go Rate: $2.98 per GB
• Pros: Great value unlimited data plans
• Cons: Not the most user-friendly interface

6. Nomad - Biggest Range of Regional Plans

In our experience, a lot of trips to the Philippines are actually just part of a larger adventure around Asia…or the whole world, for that matter. If this is true for you, then looking at a regional eSIM might be better than getting a new one for every single country. That’s where Nomad starts to shine.

In addition to their Philippines-only eSIM, Nomad has four different regional plans to keep you covered in way more countries than just one. These plans start at $0.44/GB for APAC and $1.20/GB for SEA-Oceania, with both unlimited and prepaid options.

Specifications

• Plan Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, or unlimited data
• Regional Plans: APAC, Global, Global-EX, SEA-Oceania
• Pros: A wide range of regional plan options
• Cons: No extra perks and limited unlimited data plan lengths

eSIM vs Local SIM Card in the Philippines

Wondering whether an eSIM of local SIM card is better in the Philippines is a fair question, especially if you’ve never used an eSIM before. Both options can give you reliable data during your trip, but the experience is a little different depending on which one you choose.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the major differences…

eSIM:

• Can be installed and activated before you arrive, so you’ll have data as soon as you land
• Everything is set up online, which means you don’t need to visit a store or swap physical SIM cards
• Typically eSIMs don’t include local numbers, calls, or texts

Local SIM:

• Travelers must complete SIM registration under the Philippine SIM Registration Act, which requires ID verification
• You’ll need to visit a physical location to purchase a prepaid SIM card
• Usually comes with a local number

While both options work well in the Philippines, an eSIM is usually the more convenient choice for travelers and digital nomads. You can set everything up before your trip, avoid the SIM registration process, and get online immediately after landing.

Philippines eSIMs FAQs

Are eSIMs available in the Philippines?

Yes, eSIMs are available in the Philippines. There are plenty of international providers that offer all sorts of plans covering the Philippines, including both unlimited and prepaid data options.

Can a foreigner buy a SIM card in the Philippines?

Yes, foreigners can buy prepaid SIM cards, but they must register the SIM with a passport under the Philippine SIM Registration Act before it can be used. eSIMs, on the other hand, can be bought in advance through your phone and don’t require identification to be activated.

What’s the best eSIM to use in the Philippines?

In our opinion, it’s Saily. Their eSIMs have never let us down with fast data and a reliable connection, plus we really appreciate the bonus cybersecurity perks.

How do I set up an eSIM in the Philippines as a tourist?

Setting up an eSIM for the Philippines couldn’t be easier! For most providers, you can simply download their app, purchase the eSIM plan, and follow the onscreen instructions to set it up in under 5 minutes.

Can I buy an eSIM in Philippines airports?

Most travelers purchase eSIMs online before their trip by going to the provider’s website or downloading their app. You can buy and set up your eSIM in advance so that it automatically activates once you touch down in the Philippines.