Best eSIM for the Philippines

Q: Is a travel eSIM cheaper than roaming?

Usually yes — a 10 GB travel eSIM typically costs a fraction of daily roaming passes from home carriers. Heavy users should still compare per-GB prices.

For a typical 1–4 week trip, Yesim and Airalo are neck and neck: Yesim is about US$18 for 10 GB / 30 days on Globe, Airalo is US$19 for 10 GB / 30 days on Smart. Pick by network: Globe or Smart. Both are affiliate partners, and they are also the two cheapest 10 GB plans we could verify.

Last checked: 1 Nov 2026 (Pacific/Auckland)Networks: Globe (Yesim), Smart (Airalo)

Comparison: Philippines

Prices come from each provider's own Philippines page (airalo.com/philippines-esim and yesim.app/country/philippines), checked 1 Nov 2026 (Pacific/Auckland). Yesim lists prices in euros, and the US$ figures here are approximate at Yesim's own displayed rate (€1 ≈ US$1.20). Yesim's 10 GB price is a discount on a listed €38 regular price, so it may change. We couldn't verify Holafly, Nomad, Ubigi or Saily Philippines prices this time, so they aren't ranked.

Provider	Data	Days	Price	Network	Best for
Yesim Value	10 GB	30	€15 (~US$18)	Globe (3G/LTE/5G)	Cheapest 10 GB; 20 GB €24.20 (~US$29); 1 GB €3.80 for a stopover
Airalo	10 GB	30	US$19.00	Smart (5G)	Smart network; 20 GB US$30, 50 GB US$48; 10 GB / 7 days US$18
Yesim unlimited	Unlimited	7	€23.80 (~US$29)	Globe	Heavy users; day passes from €3.40/day
Airalo unlimited	Unlimited	7	US$27.00	Smart	Heavy users; 10 days US$34.50, 30 days US$71

Globe or Smart? Globe and Smart are the two big networks, and both cover Metro Manila, Cebu and the main tourist towns well. DITO is the newer third network. Coverage gets patchy on smaller islands, on boat crossings and in mountain areas such as Batad and Sagada. If you're island-hopping around Palawan (El Nido, Coron) or Siargao, expect slow or no signal in places, whichever eSIM you choose. Download offline maps and your ferry tickets before you leave Wi-Fi. Airalo says its plan covers the main islands, including Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and Boracay.

Local SIM vs travel eSIM. Globe and Smart tourist SIMs at the Manila (NAIA) and Cebu airports are cheaper per GB. However, Philippine law requires SIM registration with your passport, so expect a queue and some paperwork. A travel eSIM installed at home gets you online for the Grab ride from the airport. For a month-plus stay, a registered local SIM usually wins on price.

US travelers. Check your carrier's international pass before you buy. Some plans include the Philippines and some charge daily. A US$18–19 eSIM for 10 GB usually beats a 10-day daily pass. Keep your US line on for texts (such as bank codes) and turn off its data roaming.

Quick take

For most trips, buy Yesim 10 GB / 30 days on Globe. If you'd rather be on Smart, Airalo 10 GB / 30 days is US$1 more. Only go unlimited if you'll use more than about 1.5 GB a day. Combining the Philippines with other stops? See our Vietnam, Singapore and Japan pages.

Check Yesim Check Airalo

FAQ

Do I need to register a travel eSIM in the Philippines?

Data-only travel eSIMs from Yesim and Airalo don't ask for local registration. Physical Globe or Smart SIMs do, and you'll need your passport.

Is a travel eSIM cheaper than roaming?

Usually, yes. A 10 GB travel eSIM typically costs a fraction of what daily roaming passes from home carriers add up to. Heavy users should still compare per-GB prices.

When should I install my travel eSIM?

Install it at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly, but keep it switched off until you land, because many plans start their validity on first connection.

Is 'unlimited' eSIM data really unlimited?

Rarely. Most unlimited plans slow you down after a daily fair-use cap and limit hotspot use. Check the cap before you buy.