Airalo or Nomad: Which eSIM Is Best for Singapore?

Time Business News

a day 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.
Let's kick things off with Airalo, the eSIM giant that's practically a household name among frequent flyers.
Airalo's Singapore plans come in all shapes and sizes—whether you're in town for a whirlwind business trip or settling in for a spicy laksa-fueled adventure.
Plans start as low as 1GB for 7 days (perfect for WhatsApp warriors), but you'll also find beefier options like 3GB, 5GB, or even 20GB for longer stays or serious streaming. Most plans are powered by Singtel, so you get solid local coverage and speeds that won't make you want to throw your phone out the window.
Activating your eSIM is a breeze, too. Just download the Airalo app, pick your plan, scan the QR code, and you're connected—often in under five minutes. Plus, Airalo lets you top up anytime if you run out of data halfway through your Haji Lane Instagram spree. It's travel-friendly, budget-friendly, and—dare we say—kind of fun to use.
Nomad isn't just a cool name—it's a strong contender for travelers who like to keep things flexible.
Their Singapore eSIM options are straightforward and come with a decent range, from a quick 1GB for 7 days to robust plans that go up to 20GB, with validity periods ranging from 7 to 30 days.
Prices are competitive, and reputable networks like StarHub power plans, so you can trust your connection whether you're in the heart of Orchard Road or chasing otters at Marina Bay.
The Nomad app is clean and easy to navigate, and activating your plan is as painless as ordering kopi at a hawker centre. You can also manage your data on the fly—handy for spontaneous adventures or surprise TikTok binges.
While Nomad's coverage and flexibility are solid, Airalo edges ahead slightly on the sheer variety of plans and the ease of topping up.
If you love a good deal (who doesn't?), Airalo makes it easy to keep your wallet happy while staying connected in Singapore.
Prices start at just around $4.50 USD for 1GB valid for 7 days—a steal for quick trips or digital detoxers.
Feeling data-hungry? Airalo offers larger plans, such as 3GB, 5GB, and 20GB, and the value only improves as you scale up. The 20GB package, for example, clocks in at just $26 USD, making it one of the most affordable ways to stream, swipe, and snack your way across the Lion City.
There are no hidden fees, no sneaky catches, and you can top up or switch plans straight from the Airalo app. Plus, you're paying local rates, not inflated roaming charges—your future self (and your bank account) will thank you. In a city where even bottled water can cost a small fortune, Airalo's price transparency feels like a rare travel hack.
Nomad's pricing is also budget-friendly, with plans starting at around $5 USD for 1GB over 7 days—just a smidge more than Airalo for the entry-level option.
Their larger plans, such as 10GB or 20GB, are competitively priced (around $13–$26 USD), and you'll get a good bang for your buck, especially for more extended stays or data-heavy travelers.
Like Airalo, Nomad keeps things straightforward: no activation fees, no contracts, and everything can be handled through the app.
While Nomad is affordable and flexible, Airalo edges ahead with its lower starting price and wider plan selection, particularly for light users or those who want to try out Singaporean data. If every dollar counts (or you just want that extra kopi peng), Airalo is a strong pick for stretching your budget a little further.
When it comes to security, Airalo ticks all the right boxes—and then some. This isn't some sketchy eSIM outfit operating from a basement;
Airalo is globally recognized, works directly with reputable local networks (hello, Singtel!), and processes payments through secure, encrypted gateways. Your data and payment info are protected by standard industry encryption, so you can buy and activate plans with peace of mind—no VPN or tinfoil hat required.
Worried about trust? Redditors overwhelmingly vouch for Airalo's legitimacy, with hundreds of travelers and digital nomads sharing positive stories of smooth, safe activations all over the world.
If you do hit a snag, Airalo's 24/7 customer support is quick to step in (and usually pretty friendly, too). In the wild west of travel tech, that kind of reliability feels like finding Wi-Fi in a jungle.
Nomad is no slouch in the security department either. It partners with well-established networks (StarHub in Singapore, for example), and processes transactions securely through its app.
User reviews and Reddit threads also give Nomad a thumbs up on trustworthiness—no horror stories of hacked data or mysterious charges lurking here.
That said, Nomad's community is a bit smaller than Airalo's, so while the experiences are largely positive, there's less crowdsourced reassurance if you're the anxious type. Support is generally responsive, but if you want the confidence boost of a widely recognized name and a bigger safety net, Airalo edges ahead.
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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