The Best E-Sims for Cambodia

Tired of trying to find a pin to open your phone, or worse losing sim cards down the back of the chair. Well the good news is that e-sims in Cambodia are not just a thing, but work bloody well.

There are though a myriad of online options, as well as local ones to choose from. So, what are the best e-sims for Cambodia? Here’s the CLN guide.

Click to read about the best websites apps Cambodia.

What the e-sim?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you will know that e-sims, particularly from apps, are being advertised by every bloody influencer on the planet. The main selling point is that they allow you to arrive with internet already active, meaning you can order a tuk tuk, check your hotel booking, or even message home the second you get off the plane.

The way it works is that instead of having to insert a plastic sim card into your phone, you scan a QR code or download an app that activates a digital sim on your device. You can have multiple e-sims saved, so you can switch between them if you are traveling between countries. This means no more losing cards, no more trying to find a shop on arrival, and no more messing about with unlock codes. It is essentially plug and play, but without the plastic.

AND most proviuders in most countries now offer an e-sim service which simply means going to an office doing all the regular shit, but simply avoiding the whole plastic card bit. 

Local e-sim vs Online e-sim in Cambodia

While AirAlo (more on them later) are the most famous app to provide e-sims globally, that does not mean they are the cheapest option in Cambodia, or in most countries for that matter. One example here was that I once purchased an e-sim for Bhutan for $50 for 10 GB only to discover that $12 for an actual sim in country would get me unlimited.

Cambodia is a very similar case. You can buy a local e-sim from operators within the Kingdom, and these are often much cheaper than the international options. For context I pay $12 per month for a Cellcard e-sim that gives me unlimited data. AirAlo or Nomad will happily charge $30+ for 20 GB.

Budget international plans start from around $6 for 1 GB. These are good if you want something ready for when you arrive, but if you are staying for longer than a week you are almost always better off with a local e-sim, or even a physical sim card.

7 Best online e-sims for Cambodia

Here are the main online providers people actually use – very much in order of good they are. 

1. AirAlo – By far the best prices, range of countries and customer servive. 
2. Nomad – Quite a close second and often worth comparing with AirAlo. 
3. Saily – These guys are pretty much good to and certainly have a decent range. Some questions about their customer service. 
4. Ubigi – Much smaller range, although some people swear by them. 
5. Truphone –  Another decent option, but hey 5/7 isnt the biggest endorsment.
6. Toosim – I used once, I have not used again. 
7. Telekonek – A new kid on the block with little said about them. 

Of these AirAlo still come out as the best priced and the easiest to use, particularly if you are hopping between countries. Their 170+ destination global e-sim is also the only one of its kind, and handy if you are doing a multi-country trip.

Best local e-sims for Cambodia

Cambodia has three big telecom companies — Cellcard, Smart and Metfone. All now offer e-sims, and you can get them at their official shops in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville.

1. Cellcard – Unlimited data from $12 per month. The most foreigner-friendly and easy to set up. Only drawback is you cant tether. 
2. Smart – Competitive prices, often better speeds in the cities, unlimited packages also available. Many foreigners swear by them. Cheap enpough to have two sims here. 
3. Metfone – Widest coverage in rural areas, less popular with expats and the weakest option overll. 

Overall Cellcard is still the best option for most people, especially if you are staying longer than a week.

Conclusion

So, overall the e-sims that you see advertised everywhere are good, but they are far from the amazing lifesavers they are made out to be. If you want convenience and peace of mind, go with AirAlo, Nomad, or one of the other big online players. But if you are in Cambodia for more than a few days the smart money is still on picking up a local e-sim or even a physical card. Be you in Cambodia, or further afield like Bhutan, the best deals are almost always found on the ground.