Best eSIM providers and plans for Malaysia in 2024

Have you ever thought about visiting Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia’s crystal blue beaches? Well, if this is your next destination, you definitely have a lot to see. However, imagine staying connected at all times when traveling.

Innovative eSIMs make this possible. These embedded SIM cards are entirely digital, allowing you to have Internet access throughout your trip. You don’t need to sign a deal, and you have a lot more flexibility than with traditional SIM cards. But the best part is definitely the reduced roaming charges.

Due to this, I and the Cybernews team decided to help you find the best eSIM Malaysia plans and providers and understand why they will come in handy. So, if you think it’s time to enhance your trip, stay with us and learn more!

Best 5 eSIM providers for Malaysia – our shortlist

1. Saily – the best eSIM Malaysia provider for travelers in 2024
2. Airalo – Malaysia eSIM without KYC verification
3. Nomad – eSIM for Malaysia with affordable plans
4. Jetpac – eSIM Malaysia provider with up to 40GB of data
5. aloSIM – Malaysia eSIM for making phone calls

What to consider when choosing the best eSIM for Malaysia?

Making the right choice can be pretty tricky, especially with the multiple eSIM providers for Malaysia that you can choose from. That’s why our team did thorough testing and decided to reveal what you should consider:

• Coverage. First and foremost, coverage is everything. You can’t use an eSIM in Malaysia if it doesn’t offer plans for the country. Therefore, you need to go for eSIM providers with coverage in at least 100 countries to make sure you’ll find Malaysia on the list. Aside from the single-country plans, it would also be great if there were regional and global ones.
• Data plans. In order to reduce your roaming charges and avoid worrying about exceeding the limit, pick a Malaysia eSIM with sufficient data allowance. Most providers offer from 1GB to 10GB of data, but it’s great if you can find eSIMs with 20GB data plans, for example. Also, check if there are top-up or pay-as-you-go options.
• Cost. Different eSIM providers have different prices. Sometimes, you may think that the best deal is the most affordable one, but does it have everything you need? That said, you need to compare at least a few eSIMs for Malaysia, see what they offer, compare their pricing, and then make a decision.
• Compatibility. Your chosen eSIM needs to be compatible with your device. That’s why you should find an eSIM that works with as many device models as possible. Also, check your phone’s specifications and ensure you won’t have an issue.
• Activation process. The main benefit of eSIMs is their convenience. Basically, they need to reduce your hassle and save you time. Due to this, always choose an eSIM for Malaysia that has a straightforward process, even without KYC verification, which takes a few more minutes.
• Validity period. Lastly, don’t forget that eSIMs have a validity period. This means that they are active for only a few days after you set them up, and even if you don’t activate them, they have an expiration date. So, while you need to consider your travel length to make the best choice, you should also check the validity and go for an eSIM that allows you to activate it 30-60 days after your purchase.

Practical use cases of eSIM in Malaysia

eSIMs are suitable for tourists, but you might also need them if you’re on a business trip in Malaysia or you simply want to try living and working in the country for a while. So, let’s explore the different use cases and see who can benefit from an eSIM in Malaysia:

• Tourists. eSIMs offer a very straightforward activation of their local plans. Also, they provide low-cost data plans and even call tariffs that ensure you stay connected during your Malaysia visit. Based on this, eSIMs are especially important for tourists who need a reliable connection for navigation, local information, and emergencies.
• Business Travelers. Thanks to the innovative eSIM technology, you will be able to have more eSIM profiles on a single device. As a result, you’ll easily keep your business active while using a different profile for data, enhancing the flexibility and functionality of modern mobile devices.
• Digital Nomads. If you’re a digital nomad, you can also benefit from eSIMs. Basically, eSIM technology is revolutionizing your travel and significantly enhancing the mobility, flexibility, and convenience of traveling to and within Malaysia. It also simplifies the process of staying connected, reduces costs, and offers a more sustainable and secure option compared to traditional SIM cards.

The best eSIMs for Malaysia travel – our detailed list

Now that you’re more or less familiar with eSIMs and what you need to consider, it’s time to make the final decision. To help you pick the best eSIM for Malaysia, our Cybernews team tested and ranked the most prominent providers. We focused on their coverage, pricing, activation process, and data plans.

So, let’s delve into more detail and explore the best Malaysia eSIMs!

1. Saily – the overall best eSIM for Malaysia in 2024

Coverage:	150+ countries, including Malaysia
Plans in Malaysia:	5
Supports 5G:	Yes
Regional plans:	No

Visit Saily

Are you looking for an affordable yet trustworthy eSIM provider for Malaysia? Saily is here to save the day! With five different plans and reliable Internet connections, your Malaysia trip will be better than ever.

Coverage. Saily is available in more than 150 countries, including Malaysia. While it doesn’t offer regional or global plans, its single-country eSIMs are more than enough.

Data plans. Saily offers five eSIM plans for Malaysia: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB data plans. They’re all prepaid and come with only a data allowance.

Activation process. One of the best perks is that you’ll activate your Saily eSIM in no time. It’s not clear whether there’s a KYC verification process, but this whole process shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes. Download the app, pick your plan, scan the QR code, and that’s it.

Price. Ultimately, Saily is one of the most cost-efficient plans on our list. Its starting plan costs $3.99/week for 1GB of data, while the 20GB data plan costs $35.99 for 30 days of usage.

2. Airalo – user-friendly eSIM Malaysia provider

Coverage:	200+ countries and regions, including Malaysia
Plans in Malaysia:	6
Supports 5G:	Yes
Regional plans:	Yes

Visit Airalo

Airalo stands out from the other providers on our list due to its coverage in 200+ countries and its local, regional, and global plans. What’s even better is that you will get everything you need at a very low cost.

Coverage. Airalo works in 200+ countries in the world. Of course, one of them is Malaysia, where you can get a local, regional, or global eSIM plan.

Data plans. Airalo comes with six data-only eSIM plans for Malaysia. Therefore, you can choose from its 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, or 20GB prepaid plans.

Activation process. Like Saily, Airalo won’t cause you a headache when it comes to installation. Very similar to the previous provider, you need to select your preferred plan, download the provider’s app, and scan the QR code. However, Airalo doesn’t require KYC verification.

Price. Last but not least, Airalo isn’t a burden on your budget. The 1GB data plan starts at $4.50/week, while the 20GB of data will be yours for $40 for a whole month of usage.

3. Nomad – budget-friendly Malaysia eSIM plans

Coverage:	170+ countries and regions, including Malaysia
Plans in Malaysia:	10
Supports 5G:	Yes
Regional plans:	Yes

Visit Nomad

The third provider that scored high on our tests was Nomad. You will find eSIM plans for 170+ countries, including Malaysia. But what else does it offer?

Coverage. Nomad offers eSIM deals in over 170 countries worldwide. Therefore, you will find local, regional, and global plans for Malaysia and not worry about your roaming charges.

Data plans. Speaking of plans, you can choose from Nomad’s 10 eSIM packages. More precisely, it offers two 1GB data plans, along with 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, 40GB, and 50GB of mobile data.

Activation process. You’ll be able to get your Nomad eSIM up and running within minutes. Just open the official website, register, pick your go-to plan, and make a purchase. After that, scan the QR code to complete the installation process.

Price. Nomad is another very budget-friendly eSIM provider for Malaysia, which is why you can get the 1GB data plan for only $4/week. If you need more data usage for working online, streaming, or downloading files, you can even get 50GB of data for $45 for 30 days.

4. Jetpac – eSIM for Malaysia with 8 available plans

Coverage:	100+ countries and regions, including Malaysia
Plans in Malaysia:	8
Supports 5G:	No
Regional plans:	Yes

Visit Jetpac

In fourth place, we have Jetpac. With its fantastic pricing offer, you will experience a whole different side of your Malaysia travel.

Coverage. Jetpac has the smallest coverage of all the providers on our list. However, although it has eSIM plans for 100+ countries, you can still get a single-country or a regional plan for Malaysia.

Data plans. Jetpac offers eight different deals on its data plans. You can choose from 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, or 40GB of data to ensure that you have enough mobile data for your travel.

Activation process. Like the other eSIMs for Malaysia, Jetpac can be activated exceptionally easily. Download the app, select your preferred plan, and complete the installation by scanning the QR code.

Price. The best part is that you can get the 1GB data plan for $1 for 4 days. However, if you need more data, you can upgrade to a 40 GB data allowance, which costs $60 for 30 days.

5. aloSIM – local and regional Malaysia eSIM with phone number

Coverage:	175+ countries and regions, including Malaysia
Plans in Malaysia:	6
Supports 5G:	Yes
Regional plans:	Yes

Visit aloSIM

Last on our list is aloSIM, but this doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. In fact, we’ve left the best for last. Thanks to its free international phone number, you’ll enjoy both Internet and calling services when in Malaysia.

Coverage. aloSIM covers more than 175 countries across the world, including Malaysia. On top of that, it even comes with two regional plans that can come in handy if you plan to visit neighboring areas.

Data plans. aloSIM has six eSIM offers for Malaysia, such as the 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB data plans. Regardless of your needs, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Activation process. You’ll be able to activate aloSIM in the blink of an eye. In fact, you need to open the official website, pick your plan, download the app, and scan the QR code. Then, once you arrive in Malaysia, you’ll be connected to some of the local carriers.

Price. Lastly, you won’t break the bank with aloSIM. Its initial plan is set at $4.50/week for 1GB of data, while the 20GB data plan costs $40 for 30 days.

Comparison of the best eSIM providers for Malaysia

In order to provide you with the best eSIM providers for Malaysia, we tested many providers and followed a few crucial aspects. Here’s a rundown of the five best Malaysia eSIMs:

Brand	Plan duration	Data sharing	Unlimited data	Calls	GB per plan	Support	Price
Saily	7 and 30 days	Yes	No	No	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB	In English via knowledgebase, email, and FAQs	$3.99-$35.99
Airalo	7, 15, and 30 days	Yes	No	No	1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB	In English via live chat	$4.50-$40
Nomad	7 and 30 days	Yes	No	No	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, 40GB, and 50GB	In English via the help center, email, and FAQs	$4-$45
Jetpac	4, 7, and 30 days	Yes	No	No	1GB, 3GB,5GB, 10GB, 15 GB, 20GB, 30GB, and 40GB	In English via live chat	$1-$60
aloSIM	7, 15, and 30 days	Yes	No	Yes	1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB	In English via live chat	$4.50-$40

How we tested and ranked these eSIMs for Malaysia?

Based on the factors we’ve considered, such as coverage, network connection, compatibility, and price, we managed to rank each Malaysia eSIM provider respectively. Here’s what we focused on:

Coverage:	Does it have regional and local plans?
Network connection:	Does it support 4G and 5G networks? Is connecting to the network is fast and seamless?
Compatible:	Is it compatible with iOS and Android? Does it support multiple devices?
Price:	Is it reasonably priced, and does it offer good value for the money?

• Coverage. If you want your Malaysia eSIM to work without an issue, you must explore whether it has local plans for your trip destination. In addition to the single-country plans, it also helps if there are regional or global ones.
• Network connection. Your chosen eSIM must provide you with fast and stable Internet connections. That’s why we always pick the providers that offer at least LTE and 3G connections, but we’re primarily focused on the 4G and 5G networks.
• Compatibility. We don’t want your eSIM to be incompatible with your device, so we choose eSIM providers for Malaysia that support various devices, including iOS and Android-powered devices.
• Price. Last but not least, eSIMs should be affordable and reduce your roaming charges, hidden fees, and everything else. That’s why we try to pick only the eSIMs for Malaysia with cost-efficient plans that still offer everything you need.

Does my phone support eSIM?

One thing you should know is that all of the devices that have been designed since 2019 are eSIM compatible. So, you can either check when your mobile is launched or open the specifications to see whether it works with eSIMs.

eSIM compatability on iPhone

As we’ve briefly mentioned, not all iPhones are eSIM compatible. Basically, only the iPhone XR and the models after it work with eSIMs. So, if you have an iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8, you won’t be able to activate an eSIM.

Due to the increased popularity of this technology, the US version of the iPhone 15 is eSIM-only, meaning it doesn’t have a physical SIM card slot.

eSIM compatability on Samsung

Samsung models let you check if they’re eSIM compatible very quickly. All you have to do is look for ‘Status’ or ‘IMEI information’ in the ‘About Phone’ or ‘Settings’ menu. However, if you can’t figure this out, you can always check your phone’s specs. For example, the Samsung S20 and later models are eSIM compatible.

Final thoughts on eSIMs for Malaysia

Your Malaysia trip can become even better if you have a constant Internet connection. But how can you achieve this? The answer is simple: you need the best eSIM for Malaysia! This will reduce your roaming fees and provide you with ultimate flexibility.

However, you should check the provider’s coverage, network connections, activation process, and prices. Some of the best Malaysian eSIMs are Saily, Airalo, Nomad, Jetpac, and aloSIM.

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