How to Choose the Best SIM Card in Singapore

Looking for the best SIM card in Singapore? See 2025 prepaid, tourist, and eSIM plans from Singtel, StarHub, M1, Simba, and international providers.

Moving to a new country can be scary, but staying in touch with your family and friends back home can help make the transition easier. 

To stay connected in Singapore, it’s important to get a SIM card. There are many providers and tons of SIM cards and plans, which makes choosing the best one a bit overwhelming.

But do you really need a local SIM card? Before you head out to buy one, there’s something even easier – an eSIM. Most newer smartphones, including iPhones from the XR (2018) onward and most Android models, support eSIMs – digital SIM cards you can set up right away. With a data eSIM, you can get online as soon as you land, without the hassle of queuing for a local SIM. While data eSIMs don’t let you make regular phone calls, apps like LINE, WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Skype (which can even call local numbers) might cover you just fine. And the best part? You can get one instantly and for free, right here.

Anyway, back to local SIMs.

This guide can help you make an informed decision, though, as it talks about all the SIM card providers and plans available and discusses the pros and cons of each. 

All prices mentioned throughout the article are in Singaporean Dollars (SGD). All prices and plan details are accurate as of August 2025. Mobile operators in Singapore update their offers regularly, so check the provider’s official website before purchasing.

Disclaimer: This article may include links to products or services offered by ExpatDen's partners, which give us commissions when you click on them. Although this may influence how they appear in the text, we only recommend solutions that we would use in your situation. Read more in our Advertising Disclosure.

Cell Phone Service Providers in Singapore

Below is a summary of the four main cell phone service providers in Singapore:

• Singtel
• StarHub
• M1
• Simba Telecom.

In addition, several MVNOs (virtual networks) such as MyRepublic, Circles.Life, GOMO, and Giga! lease networks from the main providers.

Singtel 

Singapore Telecommunications Limited, or Singtel for short, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the country. It offers mobile, broadband, and television services to personal and commercial properties and devices. 

Singtel is actually in the top 30 of the largest network providers in the world. In fact, including its subsidiaries, the company has over 600 million mobile subscribers.

Because it’s the largest network in Singapore, Singtel does have great coverage, so you can make calls, text your friends, or access the Internet from anywhere on the island.

You can get SIM-only plans, postpaid plans, prepaid plans, or roaming plans from Singtel. It has mobile devices as well, so you can purchase a new phone if you’re in the market for one when getting your SIM card.

There are 145 Singtel and Singtel-affiliated shops around Singapore that you can visit for more information or to purchase your SIM card. 

StarHub

The second fastest network in Singapore is StarHub. Like Singtel, StarHub offers mobile, broadband, and television services. You can even bundle your service plans to get a discount.

StarHub offers SIM-only plans, prepaid plans, postpaid plans, and roaming plans. Selected prepaid plans (including tourist SIMs and eSIMs) now support 5G access, in addition to postpaid options like the All Star Plan.

You can also purchase phones and smartwatches from companies like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and Vivo from StarHub to complete your plan.

Pop into one of StarHub’s seven stores or contact them by phone or email for more information. 

MobileOne (M1) 

MobileOne, or M1, has been offering commercial services since 1997. While it’s not the largest network, M1 offers personalised mobile plans, from contract-free to SIM-only options, so you’re more likely to find a plan that suits your specific needs. 

M1 was also the first operator to offer nationwide 4G service and ultra high-speed fixed broadband. 

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It offers mobile, broadband, and security services, and you can even get an M1 credit card from Citibank if you want to make paying your cell phone bill easier. 

There are eight different M1 stores that you can visit for more information. 

Please note that Simba Telecom is in the process of acquiring M1. Once it’s done, it may change the telecom market in Singapore.

Simba Telecom

Simba, formerly known as TPG Telecom, isn’t as well-known as the other three mobile network operators, but it’s still a fully licensed network offering 4G and 5G services. However, the company is getting bigger and now in the process of acquiring MobileOne.

Simba is more popular among business owners who want commercial mobile and broadband services, but the network does offer personal cell phone plans as well.

Choose between prepaid and postpaid plans depending on your needs. Simba even offers a senior plan, which is a great option for people over 60.

Simba doesn’t have any physical stores, but the network has plenty of SIM card pick-up locations that you can visit after registering online.

MyRepublic

MyRepublic is a virtual mobile network, meaning it doesn’t have any of its own mobile towers in Singapore. Instead, MyRepublic leases network access from StarHub.

This means you get the same coverage from MyRepublic as StarHub, but you may get access to cheaper SIM cards and plans.

MyRepublic was the world’s first telecom company powered by a proprietary cloud platform, so it has perfected its offerings. Although it’s a virtual mobile network, MyRepublic does have a few physical stores you can visit to purchase a plan. 

Circles.Life

Circles.Life is another virtual mobile company that leases its network from M1. Many customers have complained about Circles.Life’s limited customer service in the past, but the company has taken the feedback seriously and improved the service.

Circles.Life doesn’t have their own stores, but you can buy their SIM cards and a ton of affiliated phone stores across the country.

Travel SIM Cards 

If you’re traveling to Singapore rather than moving here, you may still want to stay connected.

Singapore’s mobile providers offer plenty of SIM card options for tourists that can give you access to local calls, texts, and data.

You can get travel SIM cards in the same places as normal ones, such as convenience stores and the airport. Getting an e-SIM card may be even more convenient because you can turn it on as soon as you land in Singapore. 

The table below shows some of the best travel SIM cards for tourists from the three main providers in Singapore.

Short-term Travel

Provider	Duration	Price (SGD)	Data	Notes
Singtel tourist SIM (via GetNomad)	7 days	S$12	100 GB	Data-only SIM; includes 3 GB roaming in select countries
StarHub tourist SIM (via GetNomad)	10 days	S$12	100 GB	Includes 1 GB roaming; local calls and texts supported
M1 tourist SIM (via GetNomad)	15 days	S$12	100 GB	Local calls (500 mins), 20 mins international, 100 SMS; no roaming
Data-only Prepaid Internet SIM (MVNO)	5 days	S$18	2 GB	No calls or SMS; basic rate plan

Long-term Travel

Provider	Price (SGD)	Validity	Data	Calls	Texts	Miscellaneous
M1 Tourist SIM	$30	30 days	150 GB local	3,000 min local	1,000 SMS	3 GB roaming data
StarHub Tourist SIM	$32	30 days	100 GB local	3,000 min outgoing, unlimited incoming	5,000 SMS	3 GB roaming data (APAC)
Singtel Hi! Tourist SIM	$30	28 days	100 GB 5G+ under fair use	Unlimited local calls	Unlimited local texts	5 GB roaming data, 90 min international calls

Prepaid SIM Cards 

A prepaid SIM card is not attached to a cell phone plan. Instead, the money you put on the SIM card acts as a credit balance, and you can use this credit toward phone calls, text messages, and data usage, typically for a limited time or until you run out of credit.

As prepaid SIM cards have a validity limit, they may not be the best choice for people who plan to stay in Singapore long-term. But one benefit is that getting a prepaid SIM card is the easiest option because you don’t have to sign a contract. 

You can just purchase the SIM card with credit on it, or purchase one and add credit that you can start using immediately. 

There are plenty of prepaid SIM cards from all the major mobile network providers, so let’s take a look at the cheapest options for Singtel, StarHub, M1, and Simba. MyRepublic and Circles.Life don’t offer a prepaid plan.

Provider	Price (SGD)	Validity	Data	Calls	Texts	Miscellaneous
Singtel Hi! Prepaid SIM Card	$8	90 days (top up to extend up to 180 days)	1.5 GB for 30 days	$0.22 per minute	$0.05 per SMS	Free 30-day subscription to Viu Premium, The Filipino Channel, and Banglaflix
StarHub Prepaid SIM Card	$8	90 days	1 GB for 30 days	$0.22 per minute	$0.05 per SMS	30 minutes of IDD 018 calls for 30 days
M1 Prepaid SIM Card	$8	90 days	1.5 GB for 30 days	$0.20 for the first min, then $0.18/min	$0.05 per SMS	10 free local SMS
Simba Prepaid Plan	$10	30 days	100 GB	Unlimited local calls	Unlimited to Simba lines + 30 SMS	1 GB of roaming data

Postpaid SIM Cards 

A postpaid SIM card is a contract that offers you continuous phone services for a monthly fee. This is a good option for long-term residents, as it can be cheaper than prepaid SIM cards.

Cell phone network providers typically offer multiple types of postpaid plans depending on your needs. The table below lists some of the best ones from each provider.

Provider	Price (SGD)	Contract	Data	Calls	Texts	Miscellaneous
StarHub Two-year Plan	$70.29 per month	2 years	80 GB	300 min outgoing, free incoming	200 SMS	Amazon Prime (3 mo), free international roaming
M1 Base Plan	$47 per month	2 years	30 GB	300 min	300 SMS	No longer promoted as of 2025
MyRepublic 5G Standard Plan	$15.95 per month	2 years	250 GB on 5G	800 min	800 SMS	3 GB roaming (MY/ID/TH)
Simba SIM-only Plan	$10 per month	No contract	400 GB on 5G	Unlimited to SG mobile	100 SMS	3 GB roaming + 12 GB APAC roaming, unlimited local calls
Circles.Life 5G SIM-only Plan	$20 per month	No contract	438 GB	300 min outgoing, unlimited incoming	25 SMS	2 GB roaming

Unlimited Data SIM Cards

If you spend a lot of time online, you probably want a plan that includes a lot of data. Otherwise, you may end up paying more on overage fees when you use up your data allowance before it resets at the end of the billing period.

Some companies sell phone plans with unlimited data, so you can surf the internet as much as you want. The only catch is that your speed might slow down after you use a certain amount of data.

Since not every company offers an unlimited data plan, we’ll also outline the most data you can get from each provider.

Provider	Price (SGD)	Contract	Data	Calls	Texts	Miscellaneous
M1 SIM-Only Plan	$11.95 /month	No contract	150 GB + unlimited weekend data	1,000 minutes	1,100 SMS	eSIM support
M1 SIM-Only Plan	$14.95 /month	No contract	300 GB + unlimited weekend data	1,000 minutes	1,100 SMS	eSIM support
M1 SIM-Only Plan	$17.95 /month	No contract	1 TB + unlimited weekend data	1,000 minutes	1,100 SMS	Includes 1 GB worldwide roaming (74 countries)
M1 Unlimited 4G Data Plan	$25.90 /month	No contract	Unlimited (20 GB/day at high speed, then managed)	2,000 minutes	2,000 SMS	Best for very heavy users
StarHub SIM-Only (Star 30 / Medium 5G)	$22–$30 /month	No contract	150–200 GB	1,000–1,500 minutes	500–750 SMS	Free Disney+ (2 months), 20 GB bonus first 3 months
Singtel Unlimited Ultimate Plan	$35–$40 /month	No contract	Unlimited (fair-use ~300–600 GB)	1,800 minutes	1,800 SMS	$500 loyalty voucher, 30 GB worldwide roaming
MyRepublic Unlimited Plan	$25.90 /month	No contract	Unlimited (20 GB/day at high speed, then managed)	2,000 minutes	2,000 SMS	Free 1 GB roaming data for 6 months

What is a SIM-Only Plan?

A SIM-only plan is a phone plan that only comes with a SIM card, compared to device plans that include a phone that you pay off each month. 

You may still be on a contract with monthly payments, but as these payments don’t include the cost of a device, SIM-only plans are typically more affordable.

A SIM-only plan is also a great option for people who already have a phone they’re happy with, as you won’t be tied to monthly phone payments. 

Most providers offer both SIM-only plans and device plans for flexibility, but Simba and MyRepublic only offer SIM-only, no-contract plans. The table below lists some SIM-only plans you can choose from.

Provider	Price (SGD)	Validity	Data	Calls	Texts	Miscellaneous
SIM-only Base Plan by M1	$16.15 per month	Ongoing	150 GB	Free incoming, free calls to M1 numbers, 1,000 min	1,100	Unlimited weekend data
SIM-only Plus 45 by Singtel	$30 per month for 6 months, then $45	12 months	188 GB	1,000 min outgoing, unlimited incoming	1,000	Free caller ID + $100 phone voucher
Star 22 Plan by StarHub	$22 per month	Ongoing	150 GB	1,000 min	500	Add 1 GB for $1

Family Plans

If you move to Singapore with your family, purchasing a family plan from one of the network providers we mentioned may be beneficial.

Family plans offer service to you and whoever you choose to include in your plan. Bundling your service typically gives you a discount.

You receive your own data, minutes, and text allowance, but some networks pool your allowance, so you ensure you share everything carefully. 

The only major provider we’ve discussed that offers a family plan is Circles.Life. Singtel and M1 do, however, offer discounts to families who connect their lines. You can get 10 to 30 percent off your cell phone plans with Singtel and 15 to 30 percent off with M1, depending on how many family members you add to your plan.

The table below lists Circles.Life’s family plans:

Number of Family Members	Price (SGD) per line	Data (Shared)	Minutes (Shared)	Texts (Shared)
2	$20.47	300 GB	500 minutes	200 texts
3	$17.04	300 GB	500 minutes	200 texts
4	$15.33	300 GB	500 minutes	200 texts
5	$14.30	300 GB	500 minutes	200 texts
6	$13.62	300 GB	500 minutes	200 texts

Where to Buy SIM cards in Singapore 

If you know which SIM card you want, you can visit that provider’s store. Each major service provider has a store in most malls, which you can find all around the island. 

Check the provider’s website to determine what documents you need to bring, like your passport or Employment Pass.

You can also buy certain SIM cards from convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Cheers, but these are typically tourist SIM cards that have time constraints, like 10 days or a week. 

If you want to buy a SIM card as soon as you land, you can purchase one at the airport. Each terminal has a StarHub store, 7-Eleven, or Cheers. The airport’s help desk, Changi Recommends, also carries SIM cards, but providers typically charge a surcharge of $2.50 to $5 when buying a SIM card from the airport.

If you buy a SIM card that you need to top-up, like prepaid SIM cards, you can do so at these stores as well. Most network providers also give you the option to top-up your SIM card on their website or phone app, making it convenient. 

e-SIM Card

An e-SIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that lets you activate a mobile plan without inserting a physical SIM card. Instead, your mobile carrier sends you a QR code or activation code that you scan to set up your plan directly on your phone.

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e-SIMs are now widely supported in Singapore and have become the preferred choice for many people, including tourists.

Most major providers, including M1, Singtel, StarHub, and Circles.Life, now sell e-SIMs alongside physical SIM cards. You can purchase them online or in-store, and activation usually takes just a few minutes.

The plan for e-SIM is the same as a digital sim card.

International e-SIM providers

In addition to e-SIMs from local providers, you can also get one from international providers such as Airalo, Nomad, or Holafly. These e-SIMs usually work through roaming agreements with local networks like Singtel, StarHub, or M1.

There are a couple of key benefits to using international e-SIMs:

• You can install the e-SIM before flying to Singapore. Once you land, you can skip the queue at the SIM card counters in the airport and get connected right away.
• Many international providers offer regional e-SIMs that cover Singapore plus nearby destinations like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. This is useful if you plan to travel around the region.

That said, keep in mind that these are usually data-only plans, meaning you won’t get a local phone number for calls or SMS. They also tend to be more expensive per gigabyte compared to local tourist SIMs.

Best SIM Cards in Singapore for Tourists (Short-term)

If you’re visiting Singapore for just a few days, it can be hard to decide whether to pick up a local tourist SIM or go with an international e-SIM provider.

To make things easier, we’ve put together a comparison of the most popular short-term plans, covering both local and international options. This way, you can quickly see which one gives you the best value depending on whether you need lots of data, call minutes, or just a simple data-only package.

In short:

• Best local value: Singtel/StarHub/M1 tourist SIMs via GetNomad (S$12) — huge 100 GB data, short-term validity, plus some call/text benefits.
• Best for heavy users: SimOptions Unlimited (S$20) — true unlimited for 7 days.
• Budget light data: Airalo (S$14) — flexible GB options, good if you only need maps & messaging.
• Most convenient (but priciest): Holafly Unlimited (S$50) — easy setup, unlimited feel.
• Not recommended unless minimal use: MVNO data-only plan (S$18 for 2 GB / 5 days).

Provider & Plan	Price	Validity	Data Included	Calls / SMS	Notes
Singtel Tourist SIM (via GetNomad)	S$12	7 days	100 GB	None (data-only)	Includes 3 GB roaming in select countries
StarHub Tourist SIM (via GetNomad)	S$12	10 days	100 GB	Local calls & texts supported	Includes 1 GB roaming
M1 Tourist SIM (via GetNomad)	S$12	15 days	100 GB	500 mins local, 20 mins international, 100 SMS	No roaming
Data-only Prepaid Internet SIM (MVNO)	S$18	5 days	2 GB	None	Basic rate plan, limited data
SimOptions Unlimited eSIM (intl)	~S$20	7 days	Unlimited 4G/LTE	Data-only	Best for heavy data users
Airalo Singapore eSIM (intl)	~S$14 (USD 10)	7–30 days	Flexible (1–20 GB)	Data-only	Runs on Singtel network
Holafly Unlimited eSIM (intl)	~S$50 (USD 37)	5 days	Unlimited* (FUP)	Data-only	Convenience but higher cost

Where to Buy SIM Cards at Changi Airport

If you’re arriving at Changi Airport and need a SIM card right away, you’ll find a lot of sim card counters from Major providers including Singtel, StarHub, and M1 have outlets throughout Changi Airport, with counters located at both the Level 1 Arrival Halls and Level 2 Departure Halls across Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The Changi Airport website has a full list of SIM card purchase locations here.

There are two important things to keep in mind:

• Passport required: Like many countries, you must present your passport when purchasing a SIM card in Singapore, including at the airport.
• Price: Buying a SIM card at the airport usually costs about S$2–S$5 more than getting one inside the city. You’re paying for convenience.

Which provider has the fastest mobile internet in Singapore?

According to 2025 speed tests by Opensignal and Ookla, Singtel consistently ranks as the fastest mobile network in Singapore, especially for 5G coverage. StarHub is close behind, while M1 and Simba offer competitive speeds but with slightly smaller coverage areas.

That said, this isn’t something you really need to worry about. Singapore is a small country with excellent nationwide coverage. On a phone, you’ll rarely notice a difference between them.

Is eSIM cheaper than physical SIM in Singapore?

No, E-SIM plans cost the same as physical SIM cards in Singapore. The main difference is convenience. With an e-SIM, you can activate your plan instantly by scanning a QR code without visiting a store or swapping SIM trays.

Can I buy a SIM card in Singapore without a passport?

No. You need a passport identification on all SIM card purchases according to the Singapore’s regulations, all SIM card purchases, both prepaid and postpaid. Please note that if you are long-term residents, it’s possible to use your Employment Pass, S Pass, or more to purchase a sim card instead.

Which SIM card is best for tourists staying less than a week?

In my opinion, there isn’t much difference between the major providers if you’re staying in Singapore for less than a week. As you can see in the comparison table above, they all offer similar data allowances at roughly the same price. The easiest option is to simply buy from whichever SIM card counter you come across first at the airport.

If you’d rather skip the queues altogether, you can also buy an international e-SIM from providers like Airalo, Nomad, or Holafly before your trip. It’s more convenient since you’ll be connected the moment you land, but it does come at a higher cost compared to local SIM cards.

Now, on to You

As each provider and SIM card we discussed has pros and cons, it can be hard to choose the best one for you.

So, consider your own needs, such as strong Internet to stream videos, roaming for when you travel, or affordable plans that suit your budget. You can also talk to your friends, neighbors, or colleagues about their favorite providers for more insight.

When I was in Singapore, I purchased a SIM-only mobile plan from StarHub. Getting the SIM card and paying my monthly bill was easy. I always had service and never ran out of data, so I’d recommend StarHub based on my own experience. 

No matter which SIM card you choose, you’ll likely enjoy great service as Singapore is so well-connected. 

What to read next:

• Moving to Singapore: A Guide for Expats to Live Here
• The Overview of Singapore’s Healthcare System for Expats
• Cost of Living in Singapore as an Expat: How Much Do You Need Per Month?