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Destination · Asia

Best eSIM for the Philippines from Australia

32 plans from 3 providers, priced in Australian dollars and ranked by cost per GB.

The cheapest Philippines eSIM we list is Airalo's 3 GB plan for 7 days at A$12.00 (A$4.00/GB). The most data for the money is Airalo's 50 GB plan for 30 days at A$70.00 (A$1.40/GB), and our best-network pick is Ubigi's 50 GB plan for 30 days at A$78.00 (A$1.56/GB). The plans we list name Globe, Smart or DITO; we rank Globe and Smart first using published network information, not our own tests.

How much data will I need?

As a rough guide from Telstra's figures, an hour a day of browsing and email uses about 0.1–0.5 GB over 7 days and 0.2–1.1 GB over 14 days, and an hour a day of standard-definition video adds about 4.9 GB and 9.8 GB. Source: Telstra

Prices checked 1 Nov 2026 · Page updated 2 Nov 2026
Best for

Our picks for the Philippines

Each pick follows the rule shown, applied to the table below.

01 · CheapestAiralo
3 GB · 7 daysA$12.00
Smart · Hotspot · 5GA$4.00/GB

Rule: lowest price with at least 3 GB and 7 days.

Get Airalo plan
02 · Most dataAiralo
50 GB · 30 daysA$70.00
Smart · Hotspot · 5GA$1.40/GB

Rule: lowest cost per GB with at least 20 GB; ties go to more data, then more days.

Get Airalo plan
03 · UnlimitedAiralo
Unlimited · 10 daysA$50.50
Smart · Hotspot · 5GA$5.05/day

Rule: lowest price per day, comparing each provider's 10-day plan or its nearest from 7 days (compared at 10 days).

Get Airalo plan
04 · Best networkUbigi
50 GB · 30 daysA$78.00
DITO, Smart · Hotspot · 5GA$1.56/GB

Rule: best published network (Globe or Smart first), then 5G, then hotspot; lowest cost per GB with at least 5 GB and 7 days. Based on published network, not yet speed-tested.

Get Ubigi plan
All plans

Compare 32 Philippines plans

Showing 15 of 32 · prices in AUD, checked 1 Nov 2026 · fixed-data plans by cost per GB, then unlimited by price per day. Sorted by cost per gb, low to high.

  • AiraloMost data
    A$70.00
    50 GB · 30 daysA$1.40/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • UbigiBest network
    A$78.00
    50 GB · 30 daysA$1.56/GB
    DITO, Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Ubigi
    A$50.00
    25 GB · 30 daysA$2.00/GB
    DITO, Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$41.50
    20 GB · 15 daysA$2.08/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$44.00
    20 GB · 30 daysA$2.20/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Ubigi
    A$24.00
    10 GB · 7 daysA$2.40/GB
    DITO, Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$26.50
    10 GB · 7 daysA$2.65/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$27.00
    10 GB · 15 daysA$2.70/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$28.00
    10 GB · 30 daysA$2.80/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Ubigi
    A$28.00
    10 GB · 30 daysA$2.80/GB
    DITO, Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$16.50
    5 GB · 7 daysA$3.30/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$17.00
    5 GB · 15 daysA$3.40/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$17.50
    5 GB · 30 daysA$3.50/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$11.00
    3 GB · 3 daysA$3.67/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan
  • AiraloCheapest
    A$12.00
    3 GB · 7 daysA$4.00/GB
    Smart · Hotspot: Yes · 5GGet plan

Cost per GB is price ÷ data; unlimited plans show price per day. Airalo unlimited (3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days): slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day. Holafly unlimited (3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days): may slow speeds for up to a day under its fair-use policy; no threshold or speed is stated. Ubigi unlimited (7 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 20 GB. Ubigi unlimited (15 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 30 GB. Ubigi unlimited (30 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 60 GB.

The table lists plans of 30 days or less. Holafly also sells longer Philippines plans.

Providers

Who sells Philippines eSIMs

Listed A to Z. Each phone screen points out one fact from that provider's details or plans. Screens are illustrative.

Airalo logo

Networks
Smart
Plans from
A$6.00 · 18 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Yes · Yes
Unlimited
Yes
Visit AiraloReview
Needs its app to install

Holafly logo

Networks
Globe
Plans from
A$19.00 · 6 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Limited · Yes
Unlimited
Yes
Visit HolaflyReview
All plans unlimited, fair use applies

Ubigi

Networks
DITO, Smart
Plans from
A$12.00 · 8 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Yes · Yes
Unlimited
Yes
Visit UbigiReview
Connects through DITO and Smart
Destination notes · updated 2 Nov 2026

Using an eSIM in the Philippines

Smart, Globe and DITO

Providers name three mobile networks for the Philippines: Smart, Globe and DITO. A travel eSIM connects to one or more of them, and the plan page names which. The network shown for each plan in the table is the one the provider names, under the operator's current brand name (for example, Ubigi writes Dito, which we show as DITO). We rank Globe and Smart first using published network information, not our own tests (how we pick).

Smart says its mobile network covers 97% of the population (22 May 2025), and Globe said it covered 96.13% (4 Aug 2025). DITO said in October 2024 that an independent auditor had confirmed 86.3% coverage in its final network audit for the National Telecommunications Commission. These are the operators' own figures, so they are not a like-for-like comparison. Check the coverage map of the network your plan names for the islands you will visit.

Registering a SIM

The SIM Registration Act, Republic Act 11934, requires end-users to register their SIMs with the operator as a pre-requisite to activation (section 4), and says its definition of a SIM includes eSIMs (section 3(f)). For foreign visitors, section 5(e) lists a passport, proof of address in the Philippines and a return or onward ticket for tourists, and says a SIM registered this way is valid temporarily for 30 days and is then deactivated automatically.

The National Telecommunications Commission's implementing rules apply registration to SIMs and eSIMs provisioned by a Philippine operator, including data-only ones. They also say a tourist's 30-day SIM can be extended only with an approved visa extension. Neither says whether a travel eSIM from an overseas provider that roams on a Philippine network is covered, and the provider pages we read for this page do not mention registration. Check the plan page for any registration step before you buy.

Local visitor options

Globe's page for its Prepaid Traveler eSIM lists calls and texts with a 30-day plan, and offers it through the GlobeOne app and at airports. DITO sells an eSIM through its eShop. Both are Philippine operators, so the SIM must be registered before it is activated (see Registering a SIM above), and Globe's page lists registering the eSIM on arrival as its last step. These are local operator plans rather than providers we compare, so we do not rank them. Check what each includes on the operator's own page.

Sources

FAQ

Questions about eSIMs for the Philippines

Which eSIM is best for the Philippines from Australia?

It depends on how long you are away and how much data you use. The picks at the top of this page show the cheapest Philippines eSIM, the most data for the money and the best-network option, each with the rule that chose it. The table ranks every plan by cost per GB. To see two providers side by side, try Airalo vs Holafly.

Can I buy an eSIM in the Philippines?

Yes. Globe's page for its Prepaid Traveler eSIM says you can get it through the GlobeOne app or at airports, and DITO sells an eSIM through its eShop (Globe, DITO). The SIM Registration Act requires every SIM or eSIM from a Philippine operator to be registered before it is activated, and Globe's page lists registering the eSIM on arrival as the last step. For tourists the Act asks for a passport, proof of address in the Philippines and a return or onward ticket (see the next question). Check what each plan includes on the operator's page. The travel eSIMs in our table are bought before you leave, which lets you install and check the plan at home.

Do I need to register a SIM or eSIM in the Philippines?

The SIM Registration Act (Republic Act 11934) says end-users must register their SIMs with the operator before the SIM is activated, and that its definition of a SIM includes eSIMs. The National Telecommunications Commission's implementing rules apply that to SIMs and eSIMs provisioned by a Philippine operator, including data-only ones. For tourists registering one, the Act asks for a passport, proof of address in the Philippines and a return or onward ticket, and the SIM is valid temporarily for 30 days. The rules let a visitor extend that only with an approved visa extension (RA 11934, implementing rules). Neither says whether a travel eSIM from an overseas provider that roams on a Philippine network is covered, and the provider pages we read do not mention registration. Check the plan page before you buy.

Can I make calls with a Philippines eSIM?

Every plan in our Philippines table is data only, with no Philippine phone number for calls. Globe's page lists its Prepaid Traveler eSIM with calls and texts, so a local plan is the option if you want a number (Globe). For calls on a travel eSIM, use apps such as WhatsApp over the data connection.

Can I use an eSIM and my Australian SIM together?

Most phones with eSIM can use two lines at once, so the travel eSIM can handle data while your Australian line stays on for texts. Your Australian line can still start roaming charges, so set it up carefully. Our guide covers the settings: how to keep your Australian number.

Do I turn off data roaming when using an eSIM?

Turn data roaming on for the travel eSIM, because most travel eSIMs are roaming eSIMs, and turn it off for your Australian line so it cannot use data abroad. The steps are in how to set up a travel eSIM.

Which network should I pick: Smart, Globe or DITO?

The table shows the network each plan's provider names, under the operator's current brand name. Smart says its mobile network covers 97% of the population, Globe said in August 2025 that it covers 96.13%, and DITO said in October 2024 that an independent auditor had confirmed 86.3% in its final network audit for the National Telecommunications Commission. Those are the operators' own figures, and population coverage does not tell you about a particular island. Check the coverage map of the network your plan names before you go.

Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in the Philippines?

It depends on your carrier and how many days you are away. Compare the cost per day in the table with your Australian carrier's international roaming price for the Philippines. Our roaming calculator covers the destinations where we have recorded day-pass prices.

Can I use my phone as a hotspot with a Philippines eSIM?

Hotspot rules are set by each provider and can differ by plan. The Hotspot column in the table shows the rule for each plan, so check it before you rely on the eSIM to share data with a laptop.

When does an eSIM's validity period start?

Each provider sets its own rule. On many plans the clock starts when the eSIM first connects at your destination, but on some it starts when you install it. Check the plan page before you buy, and see how to set up a travel eSIM.

What is the disadvantage of an eSIM?

A travel eSIM needs a phone that supports eSIM and is unlocked (how to check). You need an internet connection to download it, so install it at home over Wi-Fi, and many eSIMs cannot be reinstalled once removed. Every plan in our Philippines table is data only, with no Philippine phone number for calls.

Method · updated 1 Nov 2026

How we compare Philippines eSIMs

  1. We take each plan's price from the provider's site and convert it to Australian dollars on the check date.
  2. Cost per GB is price divided by data. Unlimited plans are compared by price per day.
  3. Network is the Philippine carrier the eSIM connects to. Hotspot and 5G are as the provider states them.
  4. Each pick follows the rule printed with it, and each is a different plan. Remaining ties go to the lower total price.
  5. We recheck prices at least every 30 days and show the check date on every plan.

How we make money

eSIM Mate is free to use. No link on the site earns a commission yet. Once a provider approves us, its links will: the provider pays us, never you. That will never change your price or the order of plans, and we list providers whether or not they pay us.

Read our full disclosure
Best network · Ubigi50 GB · 30 days · A$78.00
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