Best eSIM Malaysia 2026: comparison of the 6 providers
Kuala Lumpur and its Petronas Towers, George Town in Penang, the beaches of Langkawi, the old town of Malacca, the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands, then Borneo and Mount Kinabalu: in Malaysia, you need internet everywhere, for Grab, Google Maps, buses and domestic flights, last-minute bookings, and calls to family with a 6 to 7-hour time difference. A Malaysia eSIM is installed before departure, activates upon landing at KLIA, and saves you from the queue at the counter, where a local SIM is purchased using a passport. You keep your French SIM for calls and SMS from your bank.
Good news, Malaysia is one of the cheapest countries in Asia for data, and 5G already covers the vast majority of inhabited areas. Bad news, prices can still vary twofold between providers, and not all use the same network. We scrutinized 6 providers using the same criteria: price per GB, network used locally (Maxis, CelcomDigi, Yes, or U Mobile), coverage in the peninsula and Borneo, support, simplicity of the app and activation, and flexibility of the plans, including unlimited options. First the ranking, then each offer in detail.
voilà eSIM: the lowest price per GB, on Maxis and CelcomDigi in 5G
The lowest price per GB in the comparison, €0.63/GB on the 50 GB plan, featuring the country's two leading networks, Maxis and CelcomDigi, on a single eSIM advertised with 5G, the cheapest 1 GB option for a layover, "no blocked apps" written in black and white, a two-minute installation via an easy-to-use app, and human support available 24/7. It offers the best value for money in the comparison based on our criteria, with one exception: it does not have unlimited data.
How these eSIMs were ranked
Each eSIM is rated on six criteria, weighted for Malaysia. The price per GB and network coverage carry the most weight, because the country is split between the peninsula, which is very well-equipped, and Borneo, where the network disappears as soon as you enter the jungle. Four networks matter: CelcomDigi, the country's largest operator, which wins on coverage with 8.8 out of 10 points; Maxis, the second largest; Yes; and U Mobile, which wins on speeds and 5G availability with its own network launched in 2025, according to the Opensignal report from July 2026. No travel eSIM advertises U Mobile: they all rely on Maxis, CelcomDigi, or Yes. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Malacca, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching have good 4G and 5G coverage, while reserves, the east coast islands, and the interior of Sabah and Sarawak have patchy coverage, as shown on the nPerf coverage map. The real difference therefore lies in the price, the advertised network, and the flexibility of the plans. The ratings represent the editorial team's opinion, not an average of customer reviews.
- Price per GB25 %
Cost per gigabyte based on the cheapest plan from each provider, excluding occasional promotions.
- Network coverage25 %
Get coverage in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, the Cameron Highlands, and Borneo.
- Reliability15 %
Connection stability, reliability of the partner operator, and provider reputation.
- Support15 %
Available channels, hours, human or automated response, with a 6 to 7 hour time difference.
- Activation and application10 %
Simplicity of installation, clarity of the app, consumption tracking.
- Flexible plans10 %
Choice of data volumes and durations, unlimited, top-ups, tethering.
Based on these criteria, voilà eSIM comes out on top without having to compensate for anything: the lowest price per GB in the comparison, €0.63/GB, the two leading networks in the country announced in 5G, the cheapest 1 GB plan, a simple app, and 24/7 human support. Its only shortcoming, unlimited data, is what earns the others their places. Ubigi takes second place with the cheapest unlimited data for 15 and 30 days and two announced networks. Esimzon is third, with its named networks and the cheapest unlimited data for 5 to 10 days.
Scores are the opinion of the eSIMrat editorial team, based on the criteria above, not customer reviews. eSIMrat earns a commission on links to its partners, which does not affect the ranking.
eSIM rankings for Malaysia
The 6 eSIMs compared, from the highest rated to the lowest rated. The price per GB shown is that of the cheapest plan per gigabyte for each provider: a 50 GB 30-day plan with voilà eSIM and Airalo, a 25 GB plan with Ubigi, a 20 GB plan with Saily, and a 10 GB plan with Esimzon. With Yesim, this price comes from a 0.49 GB mini-plan valid for one day at €0.45; its actual stay plan, 30 GB for 30 days at €28, costs €0.93 per GB, which is almost at the same level. A small one-week plan costs more per GB everywhere, except with voilà eSIM, where the 1 GB 7-day plan is priced at €1.30.
- 1voilà eSIM€0.63/GBMaxis and CelcomDigi8.2/10
- 2
Ubigi€0.88/GBMaxis and Yes7.7/10 - 3
Esimzon€0.88/GBDigi and Maxis7.5/10 - 4
Airalo€0.89/GBMaxis7.3/10 - 5
Yesim€0.92/GBMaxis, Celcom and Digi7.2/10 - 6
Saily€1.60/GBLocal networks6.4/10
Prices checked on September 23, 2026 on the providers' sites. eSIMrat partners' prices come from the comparator and refresh on every build.
Every Malaysia eSIM in detail
- 8.2/10
1. voilà eSIM
€0.63/GBMaxis and CelcomDigiData plans, 1 to 50 GB, 7 to 30 daysThe lowest price per GB, Maxis and CelcomDigi on 5G, 1 GB at €1.30, no blocked applications, 24/7 human support
voilà eSIM is the only one in the comparison to announce Malaysia's two leading networks together: CelcomDigi, which wins on coverage according to Opensignal, and Maxis, the country's second operator, across 3G, 4G, and 5G. Between Kuala Lumpur and the Cameron Highlands, or on the road from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu Park, your phone will pick up whichever signal is strongest. On its Malaysia page, the brand states that TikTok, ChatGPT, WhatsApp, Google Maps, and banking apps work without being blocked, and tethering is unlimited, which is practical when traveling as a pair with a single plan.
In terms of price, this is the clearest case in our series: €0.63/GB on the 30-day 50 GB plan at €31.40, the lowest price per GB of the six, ahead of Esimzon, Airalo, and Ubigi, which are between €0.87 and €0.88. The 30-day 20 GB plan at €15.10 remains at €0.76 per GB, and the 7-day 1 GB plan at €1.30 is the cheapest entry-level plan in the comparison. The code ESIMRAT gives an additional 5% discount, which can be found on the promo code page: the value for money is hard to beat.
The rest follows: the eSIM is installed in two minutes via an easy-to-use app, with top-ups and usage tracking in one place; the brand promises a refund if the issue stems from the eSIM, and the human support is available 24/7 on WhatsApp and in the app, which is crucial with a 6 to 7-hour time difference. The limitations: no unlimited plans, and no plans lasting longer than 30 days.
Pros
- The lowest price per GB in the comparison, 50 GB over 30 days for €31.40
- Maxis and CelcomDigi announced on a single eSIM, 5G, 1 GB at €1.30, no blocked applications
- Easy-to-install eSIM, easy-to-use app, 24/7 human support
Cons
- No unlimited plans
- Maximum 30-day validity
- 7.7/10
2. Ubigi
€0.88/GBMaxis and YesData plans from 3 to 25 GB, unlimited from 7 to 30 daysThe cheapest unlimited plan for 15 and 30 days, two networks announced, prices in euros
Ubigi belongs to Transatel, a subsidiary of the NTT group. It announces two Malaysian networks, Maxis and Yes, in 3G, 4G, and 5G, displays its prices in euros, allows recharging from the app without reinstalling a profile, and its support responds via ticket, in French, which remains rare in this comparison. Its 25 GB for 30 days costs €22, or €0.88/GB, tying with Airalo in third place for price per GB.
Its true strength is the long-term unlimited: €29 for 15 days and €49 per month, the two lowest prices in the comparison for these durations, at just €1.63 per day for a month. Over 7 days, at €19, Esimzon takes the lead. The rest of the range is less flexible: no 1 GB option, €6 for 3 GB over 15 days, and a 10 GB 7-day plan at €11, more expensive per GB than voilà eSIM's 30-day plan.
Pros
- Cheapest unlimited for 15 and 30 days, €49 per month
- Maxis and Yes announced in 5G, prices in euros, support via ticket in French
Cons
- No small stopover plan, €6 for 3 GB
- 25 GB maximum excluding unlimited plans
- 7.5/10
3. Esimzon
€0.88/GBDigi and MaxisData plans from 0.5 to 10 GB, unlimited from 1 to 30 daysNamed networks, cheapest unlimited from 5 to 10 days, 10 GB for €8.70
Esimzon names its networks, with a unique feature: its data plans use Digi (CelcomDigi) for 4G, and its unlimited plan uses Maxis for 4G and 5G. Regarding data, the 10 GB 30-day plan at €8.70 results in €0.88/GB, the second lowest price per GB in the comparison, at the same price as the 10 GB voilà eSIM plan, but without 5G.
Its main strength is the short unlimited: €12.62 for 5 days, €17.39 for a week, and €24.80 for 10 days, the lowest prices in the comparison for these three durations. Beyond that, it ranks behind Ubigi, at €37.40 for 15 days and €56.12 for a month. The limitations: nothing beyond 10 GB of data, prices displayed in dollars on its website (the euro follows the daily exchange rate), and support via email or chat, in English.
Pros
- Cheapest unlimited for 5, 7 and 10 days, on Maxis in 5G
- Named networks, 10 GB over 30 days at €8.70
Cons
- Data plans capped at 10 GB, in 4G
- Prices displayed in dollars, support in English
- 7.3/10
4. Airalo
€0.89/GBMaxisData plans from 1 to 50 GB, unlimited from 3 to 30 days50 GB at under €0.90 per GB, unlimited for all durations, full app
Airalo, the market pioneer, announces the Maxis network on its Malaysia page and offers the widest catalog of the six: from 1 GB for 3 days to 50 GB for 30 days, including the 50 GB at €44, which is €0.89/GB, tied with Ubigi. Its application is the most comprehensive in the comparison, featuring top-ups and data usage tracking.
It also sells unlimited data for all durations, from €10.50 for 3 days, the lowest price alongside Yesim, to €64 per month. For 5 days or more, Esimzon and Ubigi do better. The limitations: small plans that are expensive per GB, €4 for 1 GB for 3 days, only one network announced whereas voilà eSIM has two, and chat support, in English.
Pros
- 50 GB for 30 days at €44, Maxis network announced
- Unlimited from 3 to 30 days, full app with top-up options
Cons
- Small plans expensive per GB, €4 for 1 GB for 3 days
- Only one network announced, chat support in English
- 7.2/10
5. Yesim
€0.92/GBMaxis, Celcom and DigiData plans from 1 to 30 GB, unlimited from 1 to 30 daysThree announced networks, unlimited sold day by day, 30 GB for €28
Yesim announces three networks, Maxis, Celcom and Digi, up to 5G, and sells unlimited day by day: €3.50 for 24 hours, the lowest price in the comparison for a single day, €24.50 for the week, €39 for 15 days and €57 for the month. You pay exactly for the duration of your stay.
Watch out for the price per GB shown in the table: €0.92/GB comes from a 0.49 GB mini-plan valid for one day at €0.45, which is practical for a layover but misleading for a stay. Their actual stay plan, 30 GB for 30 days at €28, costs €0.93 per GB, a good rate, but higher than voilà eSIM, Esimzon, Airalo, and Ubigi. Their one-month unlimited plan remains more expensive than Ubigi's, and support is limited to chat. The eSIM can be reused from one trip to the next.
Pros
- Maxis, Celcom and Digi announced, up to 5G
- Unlimited sold day by day, €3.50 per day, 30 GB for €28
Cons
- Price per GB in the table calculated based on a one-day mini-plan
- Monthly unlimited more expensive than Ubigi's, chat support only
- 6.4/10
6. Saily
€1.60/GBLocal networksData plans from 1 to 20 GB, unlimited from 5 to 30 daysAd blocker and tracker blocker, 24/7 chat
Saily is the eSIM from Nord Security, the creators of NordVPN. The app is simple, featuring an ad and tracker blocker with built-in web protection, and the chat responds 24/7 in English. Whether on the Wi-Fi of a guesthouse in Georgetown or a café in Bukit Bintang, it's a real plus.
The price is the highest in the comparison: €1.60/GB for the 20 GB 30-day plan at €31.99, more than twice the price per GB of voilà eSIM, and a 1 GB 7-day plan at €3.49. Its unlimited plan, from €16.99 for 5 days to €63.99 per month, remains above Esimzon and Ubigi for every duration, and it does not announce the Malaysian operator before purchase.
Pros
- Integrated ad and tracker blocker, 24/7 chat
- Unlimited available from 5 to 30 days
Cons
- The highest price per GB in the comparison
- Malaysian operator not specified before purchase, 20 GB maximum
Which Malaysia eSIM according to your profile?
The eSIM we recommend for every type of traveler.
- Two weeks between Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Langkawivoilà eSIM20 GB for €15.10 on Maxis and CelcomDigi in 5G, no blocked apps, and 24/7 human support despite the time difference.
- The lowest price per GBvoilà eSIM50 GB for €31.40, which is €0.63/GB, the best price per GB in the comparison, valid for 30 days.
- A month without watching your dataUbigi€49 for 30 days of unlimited data, which is €1.63 per day, the cheapest in the comparison, with prices in euros.
- One week of unlimited dataEsimzon€17.39 for 7 days of unlimited data on the Maxis network, the cheapest in the comparison for this duration.
- Borneo and remote areasYesimThree announced networks, Maxis, Celcom and Digi, and unlimited data sold day by day to fit your itinerary.
- Three-day layover in Kuala Lumpurvoilà eSIM1 GB for 7 days at €1.30, the cheapest plan in the comparison, without touching your French plan.
eSIM or Malaysian tourist SIM?
Let's be honest: a Malaysian tourist SIM is cheaper than any travel eSIM. At the Hotlink counter, the prepaid brand of Maxis, a 40 GB 7-day plan costs 25 ringgit and a 100 GB 15-day plan costs 35 ringgit, which is approximately €5.40 and €7.50 at the ECB rate on September 24, 2026, according to the official Hotlink page. CelcomDigi sells an "unlimited" Tourist SIM for 25 ringgit per week, plus 5 ringgit for the SIM, but throttled to 18 Mbps, with counters at KLIA1, KLIA2, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau, as indicated by CelcomDigi. In any case, you have to present your passport at the counter, wait in line upon arrival, and, if your phone only has one slot, remove your French SIM for the duration of your stay.
A travel eSIM costs a little more, between €0.63 and €0.93 per GB among the top five in the comparison, but it is purchased online, installed before departure, and works as soon as you step off the plane, without counters or queues. You keep your French line for calls and bank validation SMS. Our rule: an eSIM for a trip of one to four weeks, a layover, or a circuit through Singapore, Thailand, or Indonesia; a local tourist SIM for a long stay or if a Malaysian number is useful to you, for example to open a Touch 'n Go wallet, which the application reserves for tourists with a number from a Southeast Asian country.
What you need to check on your phone and your plan before buying
Two conditions: an eSIM-compatible phone that is carrier-unlocked. iPhones since the XR and Pixel, Galaxy S, and other recent models are; the full list is on our eSIM compatible phones page. A phone purchased with a subsidy from a French carrier may remain locked: request unlocking before you leave. And check your plan: Malaysia is included starting from the Free 5G+ Plan, with 35 GB usable on-site, as detailed in our article on countries included with Free Mobile. With other carriers, data is generally charged outside your plan: without an eSIM, turn off data roaming before landing.
Once the eSIM is installed, keep your French SIM active for calls and SMS, disable its data roaming, and activate the Malaysia eSIM upon arrival. Grab works with your French number and your bank card; there is no need to have a local number. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Malacca, and Kota Kinabalu are well-covered in 4G and often in 5G; the forests of Taman Negara, certain roads in the Cameron Highlands, the Perhentian Islands, and the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak still have dead zones, regardless of the provider. All plans in the Malaysia comparator are sold by providers that display compatibility before purchase, and if you head on to Thailand or Indonesia, multi-country plans are gathered on the Southeast Asia eSIM page, along with our comparisons for the best Thailand eSIM and best Indonesia eSIM.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for Malaysia?
How much does an eSIM for Malaysia cost?
Which network has the best coverage in Malaysia: CelcomDigi, Maxis, or U Mobile?
Do you need a passport for a SIM card in Malaysia?
Does my French plan work in Malaysia?
Does the eSIM work in Borneo and on the islands?
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