Looking at Airalo eSIMs For The Philippines? There’s An Alternative To Consider

On my last trip to the archipelago, I had huge hassles finding a reliable connection in some of the more remote places, like Palawan. The Philippines isn't famous for fast, free-flowing 5G, so it’s worth choosing your network wisely. 

From coverage to costs and customer support, this post compares ZenSim and Airalo, two of the best eSIMs for the Philippines. 

WHAT IS AN ESIM?

First time researching this new-fangled tech? The eSIM is basically just a digital SIM card profile. Instead of inserting a plastic micro-chipped card into your SIM tray, you download and install the eSIM on your phone. 

Just like roaming, the eSIM taps into a local network upon your arrival in the Philippines, giving you a reliable, high-speed connection before you hit customs. But unlike roaming, the eSIM won’t send you broke. 

WHY GET A PRE-PAID PHILIPPINES ESIM?

Getting a physical SIM in the Philippines is a chore due to the excessive bureaucracy. 

Government regulations require you to provide a passport, proof of accommodation, and potentially even a return ticket to register your plan. You’ll also need to queue up for service, pry open your SIM tray (hope you bought a safety pin), and wait around while the attendant sets up the SIM. 

Global roaming is convenient, but doesn’t come cheap. Even the special ‘Day Pass’ plans cost way more than an eSIM. And should you accidentally exceed your allowance, you could get smashed by an eye-watering bill.

The eSIM hits the sweet spot between convenience and cost – it's cheaper than roaming and less hassle than a local SIM. 

ZENSIM VS. AIRALO: A PHILIPPINES ESIM REVIEW

Serving over 20 million customers in 201+ destinations, Airalo is the world’s largest eSIM brand. Its app has been translated into 53 languages and supports multiple currencies, enabling the multinational to serve a global market.

ZenSim, on the other hand, is a small Aussie startup launched by a couple of laid-back, former telco employees. As a little-known up-and-comer, ZenSim competes fiercely on cost while providing top-tier service. 

Let’s see how the two stack up in the Philippines. 

PRICE

Airalo eSIM Philippines plans at the 10GB/20GB tiers cost just A$0.50 more than ZenSim. Even in a cheap country like the Philippines, that’s not going to get you far. 

Price comes into play for unlimited customers, where ZenSim is $9.50 cheaper per month – enough to buy 10 bottles of San Miguel beer at the local village karaoke.

ZenSim offers loyal return customers (and couples) a 10% discount on all plans, further widening the gap. 

Airalo periodically provides return-customer discounts of 5%-10%, usually via bonus codes in marketing emails (get ready to scan your spam) or on online coupon sites.  

• Winner: ZenSim

ORIGIN AND BRAND RECOGNITION

Based in the Southeast Asian tech haven of Singapore, Airalo is much better-known than ZenSim. But big doesn’t always mean better. With size comes bureaucratic burdens that can manifest in service issues. 

ZenSim, on the other hand, is a lean Aussie start-up run by a duo of easy-going blokes. We abhor all things corporate and strive to keep our service zen. If you love supporting the underdog, ZenSim wins here. 

• Winner: Case dependent

PARTNER NETWORK: DOES AIRALO WORK IN THE PHILIPPINES?

ZenSim partners with Globe Telecom in the Philippines, while Airalo works with Smart Communications. Both are reputable and well-established. But which is better?

Smart generally offers speedier 5G connections in heavily urbanised areas like Manila and Cebu. That’s great if you’re a city-dweller who demands lightning-quick download speeds.

Globe, on the other hand, has solid metropolitan speeds and way better coverage in the provinces. If you’re like me and bounce between beautiful Filipino beach towns, Globe is a better bet. The partner network is pretty important, given how bad the internet can get out there. 

• Winner: Case dependent, but ZenSim wins for most travellers.

AVERAGE FEEDBACK SCORE

Forget about the marketing hype. Review aggregate sites provide insight into how well an eSIM performs on the ground. 

Airalo has a fairly ordinary Trustpilot rating of 4.0/5.0, suggesting it receives plenty of customer complaints. On Reddit, Airalo in the Philippines receives grumbles about installation and connection issues. 

Extensive benefits and low prices have enabled ZenSim to amass an industry-leading ProductReview rating of 4.9/5.0. 

• Winner: ZenSim

UNLIMITED PLANS

Both ZenSim and Airalo offer unlimited plans with a transparent 3GB/day use cap. Once you hit this limit, the local network will throttle your speed to around 1 Mbps. That’s enough for basic browsing and low-resolution streaming. 

The 3GB/day limit resets at midnight. 

• Winner: Tie

TETHERING

ZenSim and Airalo both offer unlimited hotspotting. That means you can tether a device, such as a laptop, to your phone and piggyback off your travel eSIM data.

While hotspotting is unlimited, you’re still restricted to the standard eSIM data limits and use caps. 

• Winner: Tie

IN-APP TOP UPS

Burned through your data watching Instagram reels of Neil the Seal? Totally understandable. With ZenSim and Airalo, you can instantly top up data through the mobile app. Both also let you extend your eSIM duration, perfect when you fancy a few more days in Siargao (also understandable). 

ZenSim has an edge with destination top-ups. Say you’re flying into Manila via Hanoi and want to spend time exploring the former Communist stronghold. You can add Vietnam to your existing Philippines eSIM – it’s easier and cheaper than two separate eSIMs. 

• Winner: ZenSim

EASE OF INSTALLATION

Both eSIMs offer three user-friendly installation options: direct, QR code, and manual. 

Direct installations are available on most newer phones and let you set up an eSIM with a single tap in the app. If that doesn’t work, the QR code installation method requires scanning a code on a separate screen with your phone, then following the prompts. Failing that, the manual method has you copy-paste a code into your phone settings.

• Winner: Tie

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Tracking down a traditional phone in the Philippines can be a hassle. The best eSIMs have internet-based support channels, such as email or messaging apps. 

ZenSim offers near-24/7 WhatsApp support through a real (actual human) Australian agent. If we don’t respond instantly, rest assured, we’ll get in touch soon. 

Airalo, as a giant corporation, has 24/7 live chat support through the app. The standard customer-facing website is manned by an eager but somewhat generic chatbot. 

• Winner: Airalo for hours, ZenSim for local Aussies

UNIQUE FEATURES

Most eSIMs include special benefits to stand out from the competition. 

ZenSim, for example, has destination top-ups, which let you add a side-trip like Thailand.

The Airalo app has been translated into 53 languages and accepts payments in a broad range of currencies, enabling it to reach a wider global audience. Airalo also includes a US phone number with talk & text capability on the Discovery+ Global plan. But that’s way pricer than a standard Philippines eSM.

• Winner: Case dependent

ZENSIM VS AIRALO ESIMS FOR THE PHILLIPPINES: THE VERDICT

ZenSim and Airalo have a lot in common. Both are priced similarly on the 10GB/20GB Philippines plans (ZenSim wins for unlimited), and have identical hotspotting and daily use cap rules. 

As a Globe eSIM for the Philippines, ZenSim generally offers better coverage in the provinces. 

In my experience, big Filipino cities like Manila and Cebu aren’t that appealing. The country’s charm lies in less-urbanised destinations like Palawan, Siargao,  Boracay, Moalboal, and Bohol. Globe offers better service across these regions, making ZenSim a superior choice for most travellers. 

Having said that, it’s important to keep expectations in check. The Philippines has a long way to go in terms of mobile internet infrastructure (even the best networks have their moments). 

For affordable, hassle-free access to the country’s best nationwide network, grab your  ZenSim Philippines eSIM today.