Highest scored on our rubric: HelloRoam (4.6/5)Compare eSIM Providers for Maldives: Feature Matrix (2026)
Feature matrix
Weighted Scores: Maldives eSIM Providers
5 providers scored across 5 weighted dimensions for Maldives.
Score Breakdown by Dimension
| Dimension | Weight | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 20% | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Pricing | 20% | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.0 |
| Network Generation | 20% | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| App Quality | 20% | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.5 |
| Support | 20% | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| Weighted Total | 100% | 4.64 | 4.45 | 4.35 | 4.15 | 4.20 |
At a Glance
| Attribute | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2025 | 2019 | 2017 | 2020 | 2023 |
| HQ | United Kingdom | Singapore | Murcia, Spain | Santa Clara, CA | Vilnius, Lithuania |
| Support Channels | Live chat + WhatsApp + email | Email + in-app chat | 24/7 chat + email | Email only | Email only |
| Refund Policy | 180-day refund | 14-day refund | 180-day refund | 30-day refund | 30-day refund |
| Starting Price | $3.50 | $4.50 | $2.99/day | $3.00 | $3.99 |
Coverage
Maldives Coverage, Provider Against Provider
Carrier Routing per Provider
| Provider | Carrier Partner | Network Type | Coverage score (0-5, our rubric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.5 |
| Airalo | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.9 |
| Holafly | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.3 |
| Nomad | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 3.9 |
| Saily | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.0 |
Network Count and Types
Maldives has 1 mobile network: Dhiraagu. Network types present: 4G. 5G coverage is limited in Maldives. 5G in Male
Coverage Gaps
Coverage varies dramatically between resort islands
Dhiraagu has wider atoll coverage
Regional eSIM Alternative
Maldives-only plans are priced for one country. Regional plans spread the cost across borders. Maldives single-country entry: $11.88 (1GB). Neighbor entry-level prices: Afghanistan: $8.10 (1GB); Armenia: $4.99 (1GB); Azerbaijan: $4.45 (1GB); Bangladesh: $3.49 (1GB). Buying individual plans for all 5 countries totals $32.91 minimum. HelloRoam, Airalo and Holafly sell multi-country bundles that put several destinations on one eSIM; Nomad and Saily sell single-country plans only. Bundle country lists differ, so check that Maldives and the stops above are on the one you are offered, then price it against that $32.91 total.
Pricing
Maldives Per-Tier Pricing
Fixed Data Plan Pricing
| Tier | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | $3.15 | $11.88 | $2.69 | $2.70 | $3.59 |
| 3GB | $9.45 | $36 | $8.07 | $8.10 | $10.77 |
| 5GB | $15.75 | $57.15 | $13.46 | $13.50 | $17.96 |
| 10GB | $31.50 | $81.47 | $26.91 | $27 | $35.91 |
| 20GB | $63 | $156.24 | $53.82 | $54 | $71.82 |
Airalo prices from live data. Other provider prices are estimated from published starting rates. Actual rates vary.
Unlimited Plan Pricing
| Duration | Total | Per Day | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $10.15 | $10.15/day | 4% |
| 3 days | $29.17 | $9.72/day | 8% |
| 7 days | $68.07 | $9.72/day | 8% |
| 14 days | $131.70 | $9.41/day | 11% |
| 30 days | $260.02 | $8.67/day | 18% |
Per-GB Value Analysis
The cheapest per-GB rate for Maldives is $7.81/GB at the 1GB tier ($11.88 total). Larger data tiers typically reduce the per-GB cost. A 20GB plan often delivers 30-50% lower per-GB rates than a 1GB plan for the same destination.
Network data
Maldives eSIM Network Profile
Carrier Routing by Provider
| Provider | Carrier | Type | Network score (0-5, our rubric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.3 |
| Airalo | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.4 |
| Holafly | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.2 |
| Nomad | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.3 |
| Saily | Dhiraagu | 4G LTE | 4.4 |
5G Availability
5G coverage in Maldives is limited. 5G in Male Providers routing through 5G-capable carriers pick up 5G in the areas where it is deployed. 4G LTE fallback is available everywhere.
Speed Under Fair Use Policies
Holafly unlimited plans in Maldives run at full 4G LTE speed until the daily fair-use threshold. After the threshold, speeds reduce. Maps and messaging still work. Video streaming and large downloads do not. Fixed data plans from Airalo, Saily, and Nomad run at full speed until the data allowance is used.
Urban vs Rural Coverage
5G in Maldives sits in the cities. Rural areas fall back to 4G LTE, drop to 3G in places, or lose signal entirely in remote terrain. Dhiraagu offers the widest rural footprint among local carriers, and every provider on this page rides the same towers.
Support
Which Support Channels Each Provider Runs
Support Channels by Provider
| Provider | Channels | Real-time channel | Support score (0-5, our rubric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | Live chat + WhatsApp + email | Live chat + WhatsApp | 5.0 |
| Airalo | Email + in-app chat | In-app chat | 4.2 |
| Holafly | 24/7 chat + email | 24/7 live chat | 4.7 |
| Nomad | Email only | None published | 3.9 |
| Saily | Email only | None published | 4.1 |
Refund and Guarantee Policies
| Provider | Guarantee |
|---|---|
| HelloRoam | 180-day refund |
| Airalo | 14-day refund |
| Holafly | 180-day refund |
| Nomad | 30-day refund |
| Saily | 30-day refund |
Activation and Setup Experience
Activation steps vary by provider. Here is how each one works for Maldives plans. HelloRoam: QR code via email. 4 steps, approximately 3-5 min to complete. Connects to Dhiraagu in Maldives. Airalo: QR code or direct install. 4 steps, approximately 3-5 min to complete. Connects to Dhiraagu in Maldives. Holafly: QR code via email. 4 steps, approximately 5-8 min to complete. Connects to Dhiraagu in Maldives. Nomad: QR code or manual APN. 4 steps, approximately 4-6 min to complete. Connects to Dhiraagu in Maldives. Saily: Direct in-app install. 4 steps, approximately 2-4 min to complete. Connects to Dhiraagu in Maldives. Plans activate on Maldives's 4G LTE network. Install before departure to skip airport setup delays. All 5 providers allow pre-trip installation.
Head-to-head
Head-to-Head Provider Comparison for Maldives
Airalo and Saily both sell eSIM plans for Maldives. The comparison hinges on carrier routing and per-GB economics.
Airalo routes through Dhiraagu (4G) in Maldives. Saily connects via Dhiraagu (4G). Same carrier: signal quality and coverage area are identical. The comparison shifts to pricing and support.
Maldives plans range from $11.88 (1GB) to $156.24 (20GB). Pricing score gap: 0.1 points. Both providers price Maldives plans within a narrow band. The widest scoring gap is in coverage breadth: Airalo leads by 0.9 points. Composite: Airalo 4.45/5 on our rubric, Saily 4.20/5.
Matrix analysis
Beyond the Numbers: Maldives Provider Scores Explained
The Maldives scoring matrix is not a copy of global averages. Local conditions reshape provider performance.
Coverage: Maldives is a single-operator market (Dhiraagu). All 5 providers share the same infrastructure. Coverage scores compress because no provider has a carrier advantage. The dimension effectively neutralizes.
Network: Maldives runs on 4G LTE. Since all providers route through the same infrastructure, network scores track the carrier tier, not the provider. VPN restricted: Maldives has partial VPN limitations. Saily's built-in VPN scores higher under these conditions than in unrestricted markets. Pricing: plans start at $11.88 (1GB), $11.88/GB floor rate. Unlimited daily data from $10.57/day shifts the pricing calculus for heavy users. Overall spread: 0.49 points between #1 (HelloRoam) and #4 (Nomad). Provider selection matters significantly in Maldives.
Use cases
Matching Providers to Activities in Maldives
Score-weighted recommendations for Maldives travelers.
Video Streaming
Airalo
Airalo is the strongest pick for streaming in Maldives. Network Generation score: 4.4/5 on our rubric on Maldives's 4G LTE network via Dhiraagu. 4G LTE handles HD streaming where the signal is strong. Holafly's unlimited tier from $10.57/day avoids mid-stream data caps.
Remote Work
HelloRoam
HelloRoam ranks first for remote work in Maldives. Video calls need a steady connection more than a fast one. Maldives's 4G LTE network carries video calls where signal is strong. A real-time support channel matters when connectivity drops mid-session. HelloRoam: 24/7 support. Maldives's good WiFi supplements eSIM data for stationary work.
Social Media
HelloRoam
HelloRoam fits social-heavy travelers in Maldives. Instagram browsing runs 100-200 MB per hour and TikTok 300-500 MB per hour. At Maldives's floor rate of $11.88/GB, an hour of TikTok scrolling costs roughly $5.80 on the entry tier. App quality score: 5.0/5 on our rubric for data monitoring while uploading.
Navigation
Airalo
Airalo leads for navigation use in Maldives. Google Maps uses 10-15 MB per hour of active navigation. Coverage is the dominant factor: losing signal mid-route is worse than slow speed. Airalo routes through Dhiraagu in Maldives, the sole operator. All providers deliver identical coverage for navigation.
Budget Travel
HelloRoam
HelloRoam is the strongest pick on a cost-conscious Maldives trip. Pricing score: 4.4/5 on our rubric, starting from $3.50. Maldives entry: $11.88 for 1GB ($11.88/GB). Refund window: 180 days. A 180-day refund reduces purchase risk for uncertain itineraries.
Extended Stay
HelloRoam
HelloRoam fits extended stays in Maldives. Average trip length: 7 days. Unlimited plans scale: $260.02 for 30 days ($8.67/day, 18% discount). Support quality matters more on longer trips. HelloRoam runs live chat and WhatsApp.
Coverage quality
Maldives eSIM Coverage Assessment by Carrier
The coverage score for each provider in Maldives traces back to one variable: carrier assignment on Dhiraagu. HelloRoam: Dhiraagu (4G). Airalo: Dhiraagu (4G). Holafly: Dhiraagu (4G). Nomad: Dhiraagu (4G). Saily: Dhiraagu (4G).
All 5 providers connect through Dhiraagu. Coverage quality is identical across the board. No provider gains a coverage advantage in Maldives. The comparison shifts entirely to pricing tiers (20% weight), app features (20%), and support channels (20%). Maldives has limited 5G coverage, concentrated in major cities. Most connections fall back to 4G LTE outside 5G zones. Maldives is a developing mobile market with good urban coverage.
Support quality
Customer Support for Maldives: Provider-by-Provider
Support is 20% of the composite score, the same as every other dimension, but for Maldives travelers hitting activation issues it becomes the one that decides the trip.
HelloRoam: real-time help on live chat and WhatsApp. 24/7 availability. 63 languages. 180-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Maldives's time zone. Airalo: real-time help on in-app chat. 24/7 availability. 12 languages. 14-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Maldives's time zone. Holafly: real-time help on 24/7 live chat. 24/7 availability. 10 languages. 180-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Maldives's time zone. Nomad: no real-time channel, email and in-app messages only. Business hours (UTC+8) availability. 2 languages. 30-day refund window. Business hours (UTC+8). Check overlap with Maldives's time zone (MVT (UTC+5)). Saily: no real-time channel, email and in-app messages only. 24/7 availability. 1 language. 30-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Maldives's time zone.
HelloRoam and Airalo and Holafly let Maldives travelers reach a person in real time. For activation problems at arrival, that beats waiting on an email queue. Longest refund window: HelloRoam and Holafly at 180 days. Useful when Maldives trip dates shift after purchase.
App usability
Maldives eSIM Setup: App-by-App Walkthrough
App quality for Maldives eSIMs: not just star ratings. The installation flow and in-app management features matter for this destination.
HelloRoam: App score 5.0/5 on our 2026 rubric. Airalo (4.7/5): QR code or direct in-app install. 3-5 minutes. Tracking: Granular: per-profile usage, hourly projections, remaining data alerts. Standout: Airmoney cashback (5-10%), real-time data tracking with hourly estimates. Holafly (4.1/5 in our comparison matrix): QR code via email + in-app mirror. 5-8 minutes. Tracking: Minimal: unlimited plans remove the need for consumption monitoring. Standout: Unlimited plan management. No data cap tracking needed.. Nomad (3.9/5 on our 2026 rubric): Email QR code. Manual scan in phone settings. 4-6 minutes. Tracking: Basic: data balance only. No real-time estimates or usage projections. Standout: Lowest per-GB pricing in covered markets. Minimal UI.. Saily (4.5/5 in our comparison matrix): Direct in-app install with VPN bundled. 2-4 minutes. Tracking: Standard: data balance display, VPN status indicator, remaining allowance. Standout: Integrated NordVPN on every plan at zero cost.
VPN is restricted in Maldives. Saily's integrated NordVPN adds significant value over competitors that lack VPN functionality. Other providers require a separate VPN app. App score leader for Maldives: HelloRoam at 5.0/5 on this scorecard.
Pricing analysis
Maldives eSIM Value Curve: Where Each Tier Sits
Pricing in Maldives tells a different story at each data tier. The cheapest provider at 1 GB is not always the cheapest at 10 GB.
1GB: $11.88 ($11.88/GB). 3GB: $36 ($12/GB). 5GB: $57.15 ($11.43/GB). 10GB: $81.47 ($8.15/GB). 20GB: $156.24 ($7.81/GB).
Best value: 20GB at $7.81/GB. Worst value: 3GB at $12/GB. Ratio: 1.5x difference between cheapest and most expensive per-GB rate. A 7-day trip at 0.8 GB/day needs ~6 GB. The 10GB tier at $81.47 covers that. Unlimited at $10.57/day = $73.99 total. That undercuts the 10GB fixed tier by $7.48. Pricing score leader for Maldives: Nomad at 4.8/5 on this scorecard.
A SIM bought on arrival at Velana (MLE) costs $8-15 for 5-10GB / 14 days. The cheapest eSIM plan in this matrix for Maldives is $11.88 for 1GB. The per-GB floor across the 6 scored Maldives plans is $7.81/GB.
Quick comparison
Maldives Provider Matchup Summary
Matrix summary
Maldives Feature Matrix Overview
5 providers scored across coverage, pricing, network generation, app, and support for Maldives. HelloRoam leads the matrix. Plans start at $11.88 on Dhiraagu's 4G LTE network.
Verdict
Which Provider Fits Your Maldives Trip
Scenario-based recommendations for Maldives travelers.
Budget trips
Nomad scores highest
Nomad publishes the lowest per-GB rate card of the five, from $3.00. For Maldives, the cheapest tracked plan is $11.88.
1GB fixed data planHeavy Data Users
Holafly scores highest
Holafly unlimited data at $10.57/day in Maldives. No data caps. Fair-use throttling applies after the daily threshold.
Unlimited daily at $10.57/dayPrivacy-Conscious Travelers
Saily scores highest
Saily includes NordVPN protection on every plan at no extra cost. Its published rate card starts at $3.99 across destinations. Backed by Nord Security's infrastructure.
Fixed data + integrated VPNMulti-Country Trips
Airalo scores highest
Airalo regional bundles cover 200+ countries on a single eSIM. Asialink, Eurolink, and Discover Global work in Maldives alongside neighboring destinations.
Regional multi-country bundleMaldives Specifically
Airalo scores highest
Airalo scores highest overall for Maldives in our 2026 matrix. Widest coverage catalogue. Airalo leads coverage at 200+ countries, the widest catalogue in the matrix, with regional multi-country bundles for complex itineraries.
Recommended: AiraloFAQ
Maldives Provider Comparison Questions
Which eSIM provider scores highest across Maldives?
Which eSIM provider scores highest across Maldives?
HelloRoam scores 4.6/5.0 overall in our weighted matrix. Coverage on Dhiraagu rates 4.5/5.0. Pricing rates 4.4/5.0 with plans from $11.88. All five dimensions carry equal 20% weight.
Which of Airalo and Holafly leads across Maldives?
Which of Airalo and Holafly leads across Maldives?
Airalo scores 4.5/5 on our rubric.0 with fixed data plans from $11.88. Holafly scores 4.3/5.0 with unlimited daily data at $10.57/day. Airalo covers 200+ countries. Holafly covers 160+.
Which provider prices Maldives eSIM plans lowest?
Which provider prices Maldives eSIM plans lowest?
The lowest per-GB rate for Maldives is $7.81/GB. A 1GB plan costs $11.88. Nomad offers competitive per-GB pricing starting at $3.00. Compare all tiers in the pricing grid above.
Does Saily work in Maldives?
Does Saily work in Maldives?
Saily covers Maldives on Dhiraagu at 4G LTE speeds. Its published rate card starts from $3.99 across destinations. Saily includes NordVPN protection on every plan at no extra cost. Saily covers 200+ countries total.
Which Maldives eSIM provider has the highest-rated app?
Which Maldives eSIM provider has the highest-rated app?
Airalo rates highest at 4.7/5 in our comparison matrix.0 on app quality with real-time data tracking, in-app installation, and Airmoney rewards. Saily rates 4.5/5 on our 2026 rubric.0 with an integrated VPN toggle. Holafly rates 4.1/5.0. Nomad rates 3.9/5.0.
Which Maldives trips justify unlimited data?
Which Maldives trips justify unlimited data?
Unlimited costs $10.57/day via Holafly in Maldives. A 7-day trip totals $73.99. The largest fixed plan (1GB) costs $11.88. Unlimited saves money above 5GB/day usage. Below that threshold, fixed plans offer better value per GB.
Can I use a regional eSIM instead of a Maldives-only plan?
Can I use a regional eSIM instead of a Maldives-only plan?
Airalo offers regional bundles covering multiple countries on a single eSIM. Asialink (16 countries), Eurolink (39 countries), and Discover Global (130+ countries) all include Maldives. Regional bundles cost more per-GB but save the hassle of managing multiple eSIMs on multi-country trips.
Which of the 4 Maldives eSIM providers fits your trip?
Which of the 4 Maldives eSIM providers fits your trip?
On a budget: Nomad (lowest per-GB from $3.00). Heavy data: Holafly (unlimited from $10.57/day). Privacy: Saily (NordVPN included). Widest coverage: Airalo (200+ countries). Your primary metric determines the right provider.
Maldives data, live on arrival
Compare all five providers. Plans from $11.88.