Highest scored on our rubric: HelloRoam (4.64/5)Compare eSIM Providers for Philippines: Feature Matrix (2026)
Feature matrix
Weighted Scores: Philippines eSIM Providers
5 providers scored across 5 weighted dimensions for Philippines.
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
Philippines Coverage, Provider Against Provider
Carrier Routing per Provider
| Provider | Carrier Partner | Network Type | Coverage score (0-5, our rubric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | SMART | 5G | 4.5 |
| Airalo | SMART | 5G | 4.9 |
| Holafly | SMART | 5G | 4.3 |
| Nomad | SMART | 5G | 3.9 |
| Saily | SMART | 5G | 4.0 |
Network Count and Types
Philippines has 1 mobile network: SMART. Network types present: 5G. 5G coverage is limited in Philippines. 5G available in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao; limited expansion to other areas
Coverage Gaps
Island-hopping routes between Palawan, Boracay, and Siargao often have limited mobile coverage on boats
Regional eSIM Alternative
HelloRoam is the highest 2026 composite scorer at 4.64/5 on this scorecard for Philippines. HelloRoam, Airalo, and Holafly sell regional bundles; Saily and Nomad sell single-country plans only. Philippines single-country entry: $3.49 (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 $24.52 minimum. HelloRoam, Airalo and Holafly sell multi-country bundles that put several destinations on one eSIM; Saily and Nomad sell single-country plans only. Bundle country lists differ, so check that Philippines and the stops above are on the one you are offered, then price it against that $24.52 total.
Pricing
Philippines Price Tiers
Fixed Data Plan Pricing
| Tier | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | $3.49 | — | — | — | — |
| 3GB | $6.30 | — | — | — | — |
| 5GB | $10.80 | — | — | — | — |
| 10GB | $19.80 | — | — | — | — |
| 20GB | $27 | — | — | — | — |
HelloRoam prices are the published destination data plans. Other columns are blank. This grid does not estimate checkout prices from a global per-GB rate card.
Unlimited Plan Pricing
| Duration | Total | Per Day | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $5.01 | $5.01/day | 4% |
| 3 days | $14.41 | $4.80/day | 8% |
| 7 days | $33.62 | $4.80/day | 8% |
| 14 days | $65.04 | $4.65/day | 11% |
| 30 days | $128.41 | $4.28/day | 18% |
Per-GB Value Analysis
The cheapest per-GB rate for Philippines is $1.35/GB at the 1GB tier ($3.49 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.
Cost for Your Trip Length
An average 8-day trip in Philippines costs $3.49 on a fixed 1GB plan vs $41.76 on unlimited ($5.22/day x 8 days). Unlimited plans cost less per day on longer trips due to volume discounts.
Network data
Philippines Network Generation
Carrier Routing by Provider
| Provider | Carrier | Type | Network score (0-5, our rubric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | SMART | 5G | 4.3 |
| Airalo | SMART | 5G | 4.4 |
| Holafly | SMART | 5G | 4.2 |
| Nomad | SMART | 5G | 4.3 |
| Saily | SMART | 5G | 4.4 |
5G Availability
5G coverage in Philippines is limited. 5G available in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao; limited expansion to other areas 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
HelloRoam and Holafly unlimited plans in Philippines run at full 5G 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 HelloRoam, Airalo, Saily, and Nomad run at full speed until the data allowance is used.
Urban vs Rural Coverage
5G in Philippines sits in the cities. Rural areas fall back to 4G LTE, drop to 3G in places, or lose signal entirely in remote terrain. Globe offers the widest rural footprint among local carriers, and every provider on this page rides the same towers.
Support
Philippines Support Channels Compared
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
HelloRoam is the highest 2026 composite scorer (4.64/5 in our comparison matrix) for Philippines. How quickly you get online depends on which provider you choose. HelloRoam: iOS and Android app, or QR code via email. 4 steps, approximately 3-5 min to complete. Connects to SMART in Philippines. Airalo: QR code or direct install. 4 steps, approximately 3-5 min to complete. Connects to SMART in Philippines. Holafly: QR code via email. 4 steps, approximately 5-8 min to complete. Connects to SMART in Philippines. Saily: Direct in-app install. 4 steps, approximately 2-4 min to complete. Connects to SMART in Philippines. Nomad: QR code or manual APN. 4 steps, approximately 4-6 min to complete. Connects to SMART in Philippines. All providers connect to Philippines's 5G network where available after activation. Install before departure to skip airport setup delays. All 5 providers allow pre-trip installation.
Head-to-head
Two Providers, One Philippines Trip: Side-by-Side Analysis
HelloRoam posts 4.64/5 for Philippines. Two of the five providers in the matrix are HelloRoam and Saily. Here is where they diverge. Saily includes VPN and does not sell regional bundles. HelloRoam posts App 5.0/5 on this scorecard and Support 5.0/5 on live chat, WhatsApp, and email.
HelloRoam routes through SMART (5G) in Philippines. Saily connects via SMART (5G). Same carrier: signal quality and coverage area are identical. The comparison shifts to pricing and support.
Philippines plans range from $3.49 (1GB) to $27 (20GB). Pricing score gap: 0.4 points. HelloRoam has a cost advantage at this destination. The widest scoring gap is in support channels: HelloRoam leads by 0.9 points. Composite: HelloRoam 4.64/5 on this scorecard, Saily 4.20/5.
Matrix analysis
How Philippines's Local Conditions Shape Provider Scores
HelloRoam still leads the Philippines composite at 4.64/5 on the rubric. The scoring matrix is not a copy of global averages. Local conditions reshape the other dimensions.
Coverage: Philippines is a single-operator market (SMART). All 5 providers share the same infrastructure. Coverage scores compress because no provider has a carrier advantage. The dimension effectively neutralizes.
Network: Philippines runs on 5G. Since all providers route through the same infrastructure, network scores track the carrier tier, not the provider. Pricing: plans start at $3.49 (1GB), $3.49/GB floor rate. Holafly daily unlimited from $5.22/day shifts the pricing calculus for heavy users. HelloRoam also sells unlimited from $5. Overall spread: 0.49 points between #1 (HelloRoam) and #5 (Nomad). Provider selection matters significantly in Philippines.
Use cases
Which Provider Fits Your Philippines Travel Style?
Score-weighted recommendations for Philippines travelers.
Video Streaming
Airalo
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard. Airalo is the strongest pick for streaming in Philippines on the streaming-weighted dimensions. Network Generation score: 4.4/5 on our rubric on Philippines's 5G network via SMART. 5G handles HD streaming where the signal is strong. Holafly's daily unlimited from $5.22/day avoids mid-stream data caps. HelloRoam also sells unlimited from $5.
Remote Work
HelloRoam
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard. HelloRoam ranks first for remote work in Philippines on the work-weighted dimensions. Video calls need a steady connection more than a fast one. Philippines's 5G network carries video calls where signal is strong. A real-time support channel matters when connectivity drops mid-session. HelloRoam: 24/7 support. Philippines's limited WiFi means the eSIM carries most of the workload.
Social Media
HelloRoam
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5. HelloRoam fits social-heavy travelers in Philippines on the social-weighted dimensions. Instagram browsing runs 100-200 MB per hour and TikTok 300-500 MB per hour. At Philippines's floor rate of $3.49/GB, an hour of TikTok scrolling costs roughly $1.70 on the entry tier. App quality score: 5.0/5 on the rubric for data monitoring while uploading.
Navigation
Airalo
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard. Airalo leads for navigation use in Philippines on the coverage-weighted dimensions. 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 SMART in Philippines, the sole operator. All providers deliver identical coverage for navigation.
Budget Travel
HelloRoam
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard with fixed plans from $3.50/GB. HelloRoam is the strongest pick on a cost-conscious Philippines trip on the pricing-weighted dimensions. Pricing score: 4.4/5 on our 2026 rubric, starting from $3.50. Philippines entry: $3.49 for 1GB ($3.49/GB). Refund window: 180 days. A 180-day refund reduces purchase risk for uncertain itineraries.
Extended Stay
HelloRoam
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard and also sells unlimited from $5. HelloRoam fits extended stays in Philippines on the stay-weighted dimensions. Average trip length: 8 days. Holafly daily unlimited scales: $128.41 for 30 days ($4.28/day, 18% discount). Support quality matters more on longer trips. HelloRoam runs live chat and WhatsApp.
Coverage quality
Philippines Network Coverage: Provider-by-Provider
HelloRoam leads the Philippines composite at 4.64/5 on our rubric. Provider coverage here is not about how many countries each provider sells. It is about which local carrier handles the connection. HelloRoam: SMART (5G). Airalo: SMART (5G). Holafly: SMART (5G). Saily: SMART (5G). Nomad: SMART (5G).
All 5 providers connect through SMART. Coverage quality is identical across the board. No provider gains a coverage advantage in Philippines. The comparison shifts entirely to pricing tiers (20% weight), app features (20%), and support channels (20%). Philippines has limited 5G coverage, concentrated in major cities. Most connections fall back to 4G LTE outside 5G zones. Philippines is a mature mobile market with near-universal coverage.
Support quality
Support Experience Compared for Philippines eSIMs
HelloRoam leads the Philippines composite at 4.64/5 on our rubric. Five support models follow: HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad. Only three publish a real-time channel.
HelloRoam: real-time help on live chat and WhatsApp, plus email. 24/7 availability. 63 languages. 180-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Philippines'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 Philippines'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 Philippines's time zone. 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 Philippines'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 Philippines's time zone (PHT (UTC+8)).
HelloRoam and Airalo and Holafly let Philippines 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 Philippines trip dates shift after purchase.
App usability
Philippines eSIM App Quality: Installation to Monitoring
HelloRoam leads Philippines at 4.64/5 on our 2026 rubric. App quality is not just star ratings. HelloRoam ships iOS and Android with in-app purchase. The installation flow and in-app management still matter for this destination.
HelloRoam (5.0/5 on this scorecard): QR code or direct in-app install on iOS and Android. Tracking: Usage alerts and in-app data management on iOS and Android. Standout: In-app purchase, top-up, add-destination without a new eSIM, usage alerts, and 24/7 in-app chat. Airalo (4.7/5 on this scorecard): 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 on our 2026 rubric): QR code via email + in-app mirror. 5-8 minutes. Tracking: Minimal: unlimited plans remove the need for consumption monitoring. Standout: Daily unlimited plan management from $2.99/day. No data cap tracking needed.. Saily (4.5/5 on our rubric): 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. No regional bundles.. Nomad (3.9/5 on the 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 at $3.00/GB. No regional bundles. Minimal UI..
App score leader for Philippines: HelloRoam at 5.0/5 on the rubric.
Pricing analysis
The Real Cost of eSIM Data in Philippines
HelloRoam scores 4.64/5 on our rubric for Philippines. The published data-plan curve starts at $3.49 for 1GB and changes shape at 3, 5, 10, and 20 GB.
1GB: $3.49 ($3.49/GB). 3GB: $6.30 ($2.10/GB). 5GB: $10.80 ($2.16/GB). 10GB: $19.80 ($1.98/GB). 20GB: $27 ($1.35/GB).
Best value: 20GB at $1.35/GB. Worst value: 1GB at $3.49/GB. Ratio: 2.6x difference between cheapest and most expensive per-GB rate. A 8-day trip at 1 GB/day needs ~8 GB. The 10GB tier at $19.80 covers that. Holafly daily unlimited at $5.22/day = $41.76 total. The fixed 10GB saves $21.96 unless you exceed 10 GB. HelloRoam also sells unlimited from $5. Pricing score leader for Philippines: Nomad at 4.8/5 on the rubric.
HelloRoam leads the 2026 composite at 4.64/5 for Philippines. A local prepaid SIM in Philippines costs $3-8 for 5-15GB / 30 days. A SIM bought on arrival at Ninoy Aquino (MNL) / Mactan-Cebu (CEB) costs $8-15 for 10-30GB / 7-30 days. The cheapest eSIM plan in this matrix for Philippines is $3.49 for 1GB. The per-GB floor across the 7 scored Philippines plans is $1.35/GB. The airport SIM counter adds a 15-25 min; registration process added time since 2023 queue that an eSIM installed before departure skips.
Quick comparison
Philippines Provider Matchup Summary
Matrix summary
Philippines Feature Matrix Overview
5 providers scored across coverage, pricing, network generation, app, and support for Philippines. HelloRoam leads the matrix. Plans start at $3.49 on SMART's 5G network.
Verdict
Philippines Verdict Matrix
Scenario-based recommendations for Philippines travelers.
Highest composite
HelloRoam scores highest
HelloRoam leads the 2026 composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix for Philippines. Published Philippines data plans start at $3.49 for 1GB, not a flat $3.50/GB rate card. Unlimited from $5, live chat plus WhatsApp, and a 180-day refund.
Recommended: HelloRoam (4.64/5 on the rubric)Budget trips
Nomad scores highest
HelloRoam still leads the composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix. Its published Philippines entry plan is $3.49 for 1GB. Nomad's $3.00/GB figure is a rate card, not a verified Philippines checkout price.
1GB fixed data planHeavy Data Users
Holafly scores highest
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard and also sells unlimited from $5. Holafly's published unlimited rate card starts at $2.99/day. The stored $5.22/day figure for Philippines is not a live Holafly checkout.
Holafly rate card from $2.99/dayPrivacy-Conscious Travelers
Saily scores highest
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard. 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
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard and covers 186 countries. Airalo regional bundles cover 200+ countries on a single eSIM. Asialink, Eurolink, and Discover Global work in Philippines alongside neighboring destinations.
Regional multi-country bundlePhilippines Specifically
HelloRoam scores highest
HelloRoam leads the 2026 composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix for Philippines. Top composite rating. HelloRoam rates 4.
Recommended: HelloRoamFAQ
Philippines Provider Comparison Questions
Which eSIM provider scores highest across Philippines?
Which eSIM provider scores highest across Philippines?
HelloRoam leads the 2026 composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix for Philippines. Coverage on Globe rates 4.5/5. Pricing rates 4.4/5 with plans from $3.49. Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad follow on individual dimensions. All five dimensions carry equal 20% weight.
How do HelloRoam, Airalo, and Holafly compare across Philippines?
How do HelloRoam, Airalo, and Holafly compare across Philippines?
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard. Its published Philippines data plans start at $3.49 for 1GB. Airalo scores 4.45/5 in our comparison matrix with a 200+ country catalogue and a $4.50/GB rate card, not this destination's checkout. Holafly scores 4.35/5 on our rubric. Its published unlimited rate card starts at $2.99/day.
Which provider prices Philippines eSIM plans lowest?
Which provider prices Philippines eSIM plans lowest?
HelloRoam's published Philippines plans start at $3.49 for 1GB. The lowest per-GB rate on that ladder is $1.35/GB. Nomad's $3.00 figure is a rate card, not a verified Philippines checkout. Airalo, Holafly, and Saily checkout prices are not estimated in the grid.
Does Saily work in Philippines?
Does Saily work in Philippines?
Yes. HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad cover Philippines on Globe at 5G speeds. Saily's published rate card starts from $3.99 and includes NordVPN on every plan. HelloRoam still leads the composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix.
Which Philippines eSIM provider has the highest-rated app?
Which Philippines eSIM provider has the highest-rated app?
HelloRoam rates 5.0/5 on app quality, the highest in the matrix, with in-app purchase, top-up, add-destination, and 24/7 in-app chat. Airalo rates 4.7/5 in our comparison matrix with real-time data tracking and Airmoney rewards. Saily rates 4.5/5 with an integrated VPN toggle. Holafly rates 4.1/5 in our comparison matrix. Nomad rates 3.9/5.
Which Philippines trips justify unlimited data?
Which Philippines trips justify unlimited data?
HelloRoam and Holafly both sell unlimited plans. HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on the rubric with unlimited from $5. Its published Philippines entry plan is $3.49 for 1GB. Holafly's published rate card starts at $2.99/day. That rate card is not the stored $5.22/day figure, and it is not a live Philippines checkout.
Can I use a regional eSIM instead of a Philippines-only plan?
Can I use a regional eSIM instead of a Philippines-only plan?
HelloRoam, Airalo, and Holafly sell regional or global bundles that include Philippines. Airalo offers Asialink (16 countries), Eurolink (39 countries), and Discover Global (130+ countries). Regional bundles cost more per-GB but save managing multiple eSIMs on multi-country trips. HelloRoam still leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard.
Which of the 5 Philippines eSIM providers fits your trip?
Which of the 5 Philippines eSIM providers fits your trip?
HelloRoam leads the composite at 4.64/5 on this scorecard. Published Philippines data plans start at $3.49 for 1GB, with unlimited from $5. Nomad's $3.00 rate card, Holafly's $2.99/day rate card, Saily's VPN, and Airalo's 200+ country catalogue are dimension notes, not estimated Philippines checkout prices.
Philippines data, live on arrival
Compare all five providers. Plans from $3.49.