Airalo vs Nomad: Which is Better for Singapore?

Time Business News

12 hours ago

If you're planning a quick escape to the best country to visit without visa from the Philippines, Singapore tops the list and trust me, staying connected there is half the experience.
From blazing-fast MRT routes to finding the best laksa stall on Google Maps, you'll want a reliable eSIM in your pocket from the moment you land.
I've tested both Airalo and Nomad across Southeast Asia, and when it comes to Singapore specifically, Airalo's variety-packed, budget-friendly eSIM stands out. But is it really the better option for you ? Let's break it down.
When it comes to flexibility, Airalo's got the upper hand and then some. Their plans range from a minimalist 1 GB for quick weekend getaways to 20 GB (and beyond) for longer stays or work-heavy travel.
Whether you're a light browser or someone who needs reliable data all day, you can pick exactly what fits your trip and skip paying for what you don't need.
Nomad, on the other hand, offers a single unlimited plan. Tempting at first glance, sure—especially if you're streaming, gaming, or glued to video calls. But let's be honest: not every traveler rolls that way.
For those of us mostly using maps, booking rides, sending a few messages, and uploading the odd photo to the cloud, unlimited can feel like using a fire hose to water a plant.
And because it comes with a higher price tag, you're basically paying for peace of mind you might not even use. For most digital nomads and casual travelers, Airalo's à la carte model just makes more sense becaus you only pay for what you actually use.
Airalo's pricing wins hearts and saves wallets. A 20 GB plan that stretches over 30 days comes out to roughly $1 a day, which is pretty unbeatable in Singapore's otherwise premium landscape.
It's the kind of daily cost you can easily slide into a coffee budget without stress. I've relied on Airalo during month-long stays and short stopovers, and in both cases, it felt like I was getting just the right amount of data for what I actually needed without paying for fluff.
There's no 'gotcha' pricing or strange tiers; what you see is what you get, and that consistency makes all the difference when you're managing expenses on the road.
Nomad's unlimited plan, while sweet in principle, stings in practice when I only need 2–3 GB a day. If you're here for more than a few days, the math starts looking heavy—cost per GB shoots up fast.
I've found Airalo's pricing structure more transparent and tailored to nomads like me who want smart value over blanket coverage.
When you're living and working on the road, especially in places where public Wi-Fi isn't always secure, your data deserves more than a shrug and a prayer.
That's where Airalo stands out. Their privacy policy is easy to find, written in plain English (not legal spaghetti), and clearly outlines how your personal information is used. I didn't have to dig through layers of jargon just to understand if my data was being sold off to the highest bidder.
On top of that, their app runs smoothly without glitches—no weird crashes or sketchy permissions—which tells me they're putting real thought into user trust. Nomad isn't doing anything wrong , per se—it just doesn't offer the same kind of transparent reassurance.
Their policy is vague, and while I didn't run into anything alarming while using the app, I couldn't find much about how they handle user data either. That ambiguity matters when you're regularly logging into bank accounts, cloud docs, or client dashboards on the go.
Bottom line? If I'm picking an eSIM I can rely on in Singapore and across Southeast Asia, I'm sticking with the one that doesn't make me second-guess what's happening behind the scenes. That's Airalo.
Connectivity in Singapore is generally top-tier, so you'd expect any major eSIM provider to ride that wave. Both Airalo and Nomad deliver solid performance by tapping into SingTel—Singapore's best-known and most widely used network.
Whether I was in the middle of Marina Bay or hopping around Tiong Bahru, I had strong, stable 4G. Even 5G popped up a few times when I needed to upload client files or hop on a video call without scrambling for a café with decent Wi-Fi.
Now, if we're getting technical, Nomad might offer slightly better latency—pages loaded a beat faster when I compared side by side. But in real-world, day-to-day use, I barely noticed a difference. I could stream, download offline maps, and send giant email attachments on both.
If you're gaming or running high-bandwidth tasks 24/7, maybe that millisecond matters. But for most nomads juggling travel planning, WhatsApp, and Google Docs, both options hold up just fine in Singapore's hyper-connected ecosystem.
My go-to travel toolkit includes an iPhone, a Pixel, and occasionally a tablet, and both Airalo and Nomad play nicely with every one of them—no weird workarounds required.
Whether you're running iOS, Android, or something in between, installation is a breeze. I've never had to reset a device or wrestle with hidden settings, it just… works.
Nomad goes one step further by supporting mobile routers, which can be a game-changer for someone like me who sometimes sets up office hubs in beachside cafés or coworking lounges.
If I'm juggling a laptop, phone, and tablet simultaneously, Nomad's router-friendly compatibility means I can spread that connection across all devices. As long as your gear isn't stuck in the SIM-card era, you're good to go with either provider.
Airalo wins me over every time with their live-chat support—it's fast, responsive, and surprisingly helpful when I'm in a rush between flights.
Plus, the app's interface makes topping up or extending data seamless; I've bounced between 1 GB packs and 20 GB plans in mere seconds, even when sitting courtside at a football match.
Nomad's ticket-style support is respectable, but it's more of a waiting game. I'd say it's fine for non-urgent questions, though I've personally hit snags when I needed quick troubleshooting during remote work sprints.
For nomads who need answers yesterday, especially when hopping between time zones and deadlines, Airalo's support brings that instant reassurance that Nomad's slower pace just can't match. Feature Airalo Nomad Plan Variety Tiered data (daily/monthly) Unlimited only Price (Singapore 1GB/day) ≈ $1–1.50 ≈ $4 Security Strong, transparent policies Basic, less validated Network & Speed 4G/5G via SingTel Slightly lower latency Devices Supported Phones, tablets, laptops + mobile routers Support Live chat & email Ticket-based email only Ease of Use Friendly UI, easy top-ups Simple install, fewer extras
Sometimes it's the small stuff that makes a big difference and Airalo doesn't skimp on the details. For digital nomads bouncing between cafés, airports, and co-working spaces, these features matter: Topping up is fast and intuitive – I've added data mid-Grab ride without breaking a sweat.
– I've added data mid-Grab ride without breaking a sweat. Usage alerts – You'll get notified before you run out of data. No more sudden disconnections while navigating Chinatown.
– You'll get notified before you run out of data. No more sudden disconnections while navigating Chinatown. Hotspot support – Both Airalo and Nomad let you tether, which is great when you need to fire up the laptop and knock out a few client emails.
– Both Airalo and Nomad let you tether, which is great when you need to fire up the laptop and knock out a few client emails. Global plan with phone number – Airalo's Discover+ Global eSIM includes an actual phone number (yep, for real), which is incredibly handy for verification texts, bookings, or making that one important call without digging for a SIM swap.
Nomad holds its own with hotspotting and unlimited data but if you value flexibility, smooth top-ups, and those little touches that keep your trip running seamlessly, Airalo's the better travel buddy.
After testing both eSIMs across Singapore, Airalo's flexibility, value, and ease of use sealed the deal for me. It offers a buffet of data plans to fit any travel style—whether you're in town for a weekend or working remotely for weeks. The pricing? Super friendly, especially for light-to-moderate users. Then add in strong security, reliable 4G/5G coverage, and fast customer support, and you've got a winner.
Nomad's unlimited plan sounds great in theory but for most travelers (especially solo adventurers or remote workers with realistic data habits), it's a bit like bringing a fire hose to a garden party. Bottom line? If you're heading to Singapore and want smart, seamless connectivity without overpaying or overcomplicating things—Airalo's your move.
Both are data-only, so you won't get a traditional phone number. But you can still make calls using apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime Audio.
Yes, and it's especially smooth with Airalo—you can top up in just a few taps through the app. Nomad allows it too, but the process isn't quite as seamless.
Airlo offers regional and global plans if you're hopping around Asia or beyond. It gives you more options in terms of destinations and data sizes.
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