Best eSIM guide · 2026
Best eSIM for Southeast Asia Travel (2026): Provider Scores
5 providers scored across coverage, pricing, speed, app quality, and support. All data verified June 2026.
From the matrix
HelloRoam — Top composite rating
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The comparison
Southeast Asia eSIM providers compared
All 5 providers ranked by weighted composite score. Color-coded by value.
| Provider | Rubric score (0-5) | From / GB |
|---|---|---|
 HelloRoamHighest scoreTop composite rating | 4.6 | from $3.50/GB |
 AiraloWidest coverage catalogue | 4.5 | $4.50/GB |
 HolaflyStrongest unlimited tier | 4.3 | $2.99/day |
 SailyLeading privacy integration | 4.2 | $3.99/GB |
 NomadMost competitive per-GB rates | 4.2 | $3.00/GB |
Prices verified June 2026. Equal-weight score: Coverage Breadth 20%, Pricing Tiers 20%, Network Generation 20%, App Features 20%, Support Channels 20%.
Feature matrix
Southeast Asia spec-by-spec breakdown
Every rubric dimension compared side by side.
| Feature | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall rating (0-5, our rubric) | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Countries | 186+ | 200+ | 160+ | 200+ | 200+ |
| Starting Price | from $3.50/GB | $4.50/GB | $2.99/day | $3.99/GB | $3.00/GB |
| Per-GB Floor | $3.50 | $4.50 | $2.99/day | $3.99 | $3.00 |
| Founded | 2025 | 2019 | 2017 | 2023 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Singapore | Murcia, Spain | Vilnius, Lithuania | Santa Clara, CA |
| Support | Live chat + WhatsApp + email | Email + in-app chat | 24/7 chat + email | Email only | Email only |
| Guarantee | 180-day refund | 14-day refund | 180-day refund | 30-day refund | 30-day refund |
| Coverage Breadth score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 3.9 |
| Pricing Tiers score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.8 |
| Network Generation score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| App Features score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 3.9 |
| Support Channels score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Weighted Composite | 4.64 | 4.45 | 4.35 | 4.20 | 4.15 |
Score breakdown
Southeast Asia provider scores
Weighted composite score across 5 dimensions.
Methodology
How we score eSIM providers
Five dimensions, each weighted at 20 percent.
Country count, carrier partnerships, regional bundle availability
Per-GB floor, plan tier spread, value at common data amounts
Carrier routing and which network generations that carrier publishes
Installation flow, data tracking, interface quality
Channel availability and refund policy
All scores are editorial assessments based on verified data. Pricing checked weekly. See our full scoring methodology for details.
HelloRoam -- Highest Composite Score
HelloRoam scores 4.64/5 on our rubric overall, with App 5.0/5 and Support 5.0/5, and prices fixed Southeast Asia plans from $3.50/GB through its 204+ carrier partnerships, a middle-tier rate between Nomad's budget floor and Airalo's coverage premium, with no region-wide bundle to match Asialink. Its Coverage score of 4.5 trails Airalo's 4.9, but its 186-country reach still covers an onward leg into East Asia or the Pacific without a second eSIM purchase, unlike Nomad's 200-country network.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- 186 countries with 204+ carrier partnerships for reliable local routing
- Fixed plans from $3.50/GB across popular destinations
- Unlimited plans from $5 for short stays, scaling by duration
- iOS and Android app with in-app top-up, add-destination, and usage alerts
- Live chat, WhatsApp, and email support, including real-time channels
- 31+ local currencies supported at checkout
- 63-language interface for non-English travelers
Cons
- Newer brand (launched August 2025) with shorter track record
- 186 countries, behind Airalo's 200+ catalogue
Airalo -- Widest Coverage Catalogue
Airalo is the primary-listed provider on 9 of the 11 Southeast Asia countries in this comparison and scores highest on Coverage at 4.9/5 on the rubric, with its 16-country Asialink bundle covering Thailand, Vietnam, and 14 neighboring countries on a single eSIM. That breadth costs more per gigabyte at $4.50, the highest fixed rate among the five providers, a real gap against this region's $0.29/GB Thailand floor and $1.35/GB median.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- 200+ countries with the widest coverage breadth in the market
- Regional multi-country bundles (Asialink, Eurolink, Discover Global)
- Automatic in-app install with real-time data tracking and hourly runtime estimates
- Airmoney cashback rewards (5-10% depending on loyalty tier)
- Established brand since 2019 with proven reliability
Cons
- Per-GB pricing higher than budget alternatives
- Unlimited plans available in select markets only, not all 200+ destinations
- No live chat or WhatsApp channel: support runs on email and in-app messaging
Holafly -- Best Unlimited Daily Rate
Holafly is the primary-listed provider on Myanmar and Timor-Leste, the two Southeast Asia countries in this comparison without an unlimited tier from any other provider, and scores highest on Pricing at 4.8 through its $2.99/day structure. Fixed-data competitors price lower for short single-country trips to Thailand, Vietnam, or Malaysia, where the regional per-GB floor already undercuts most unlimited breakeven points.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- Unlimited daily data from $2.99/day with no data caps
- 160+ countries covered including all major destinations
- Simple per-day pricing: know exactly what you pay before you leave
- 180-day refund policy on unused plans
- 24/7 chat support alongside email
Cons
- Speeds reduce after the daily fair use threshold on most plans
- Hotspot tethering limited to 1 GB/day on select destinations
- Not cost-effective for light data users (under 3 GB/trip)
- Fewer countries than Airalo
Saily -- Best for Privacy
Saily ties Airalo for the highest Network Generation score at 4.4, and its bundled VPN adds real value across the 3 Southeast Asia countries in this comparison with active VPN restrictions: Brunei, Laos, and Vietnam. Its $3.99/GB rate sits above HelloRoam's $3.50/GB floor, and its 200-country reach trails both Airalo and HelloRoam for travelers adding a leg outside Southeast Asia.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- Backed by NordVPN parent company Nord Security with proven privacy infrastructure
- Integrated VPN protection included on every plan at no extra cost
- Clean, privacy-focused app with VPN toggle inside the eSIM interface
- 200 countries with strong European coverage
- 30-day refund policy
Cons
- Email-only support with no live chat or WhatsApp for urgent help
- Fixed data plans only; no unlimited daily tier
- 200 countries, just behind Airalo's 200-plus
Nomad -- Best Budget Per-GB Rate
Nomad scores highest on Pricing at 4.8 and lists the lowest general per-GB rate at $3.00 among fixed-data providers, with Southeast Asia as the one region in this comparison where that budget position consistently beats HelloRoam's $3.50/GB floor. Its Coverage score of 3.9 and Support score of 3.9 are the lowest of the five providers scored here, a trade-off against a region where Thailand alone already prices an eSIM at $0.29/GB before any provider discount applies.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- Competitive pricing starting from $3.00/GB in Southeast Asia
- Simple, fast checkout with no account required in many cases
- Lowest per-GB rates for Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan
- Plans start at a low entry price for short trips
Cons
- Email-only support with no live chat, WhatsApp, or phone channel
- Basic app compared to Airalo and Saily
- 200 countries, behind only Airalo among the five providers
- Limited plan variety in some countries
From the matrix
HelloRoam — Top composite rating
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
Southeast Asia eSIM questions, answered
Which provider has the best coverage in Southeast Asia?
Which provider has the best coverage in Southeast Asia?
HelloRoam leads the 2026 composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix, with 186 countries and 204+ carrier partnerships across Southeast Asia. Airalo is the primary-listed provider on 9 of the 11 Southeast Asia countries in this comparison, backed by 200-plus countries overall and a 16-country Asialink bundle. Holafly holds primary status on Myanmar and Timor-Leste, the two countries here without a primary Airalo listing.
How do eSIM speeds compare across Southeast Asia?
How do eSIM speeds compare across Southeast Asia?
Speed depends on local carrier routing more than provider choice in this five-way comparison. Singapore carries the strongest network on StarHub's island-wide 5G, ahead of Malaysia and Thailand. Laos runs the thinnest network of the group, with no 5G at all. Seven of the 11 countries here run 5G; the rest stay on 4G LTE.
Which eSIM has the cheapest per-GB rate for Southeast Asia?
Which eSIM has the cheapest per-GB rate for Southeast Asia?
Thailand's $0.29/GB is the cheapest rate in this comparison's Southeast Asia footprint, with the regional median at $1.35/GB and Brunei's $3.75/GB the most expensive. Nomad's $3.00/GB general rate and HelloRoam's $3.50/GB floor both sit above several of these country-level rates, since local Southeast Asia pricing already undercuts most providers' headline numbers.
Does any Southeast Asia eSIM include a regional bundle?
Does any Southeast Asia eSIM include a regional bundle?
Airalo's Asialink bundle is the only regional option in this comparison, covering Thailand, Vietnam, and 14 neighboring countries on a single eSIM instead of one purchase per border. HelloRoam, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad sell Southeast Asia as single-country plans only, which suits travelers staying inside one or two countries on a shorter trip.
Which provider offers unlimited data for Southeast Asia travel?
Which provider offers unlimited data for Southeast Asia travel?
Holafly is the primary-listed provider on Myanmar and Timor-Leste and sells unlimited daily plans from $2.99/day in 9 of the 11 Southeast Asia countries here. HelloRoam, Airalo, Saily, and Nomad sell fixed-GB plans instead, which price lower for short single-country trips where total usage stays under 10GB.
Are there VPN restrictions for eSIM users in Southeast Asia?
Are there VPN restrictions for eSIM users in Southeast Asia?
Three of the 11 Southeast Asia countries in this comparison restrict VPN access: Brunei, Laos, and Vietnam. The other 8 have no restriction. Saily is the only provider here bundling NordVPN with every plan at no added cost, a feature that adds real value across those three markets specifically.
Which eSIM app scores highest for Southeast Asia travel?
Which eSIM app scores highest for Southeast Asia travel?
HelloRoam scores 5.0/5 on our 2026 rubric on App, the highest App score among the five providers compared here. Airalo follows at 4.7/5 on the rubric, with Saily at 4.5/5 through its built-in VPN toggle. App quality affects data tracking and installation speed across Southeast Asia, not network reach, which depends on the local carrier per country.
Compare all 5 providers for Southeast Asia
Side-by-side scoring. Plans from $2.99/day to $4.50/GB. Verified June 2026.