Brunei: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Are you thinking of traveling to Brunei soon and looking for the best travel eSIM?

Many eSIM providers are available nowadays, but not all are equal or good.

Some offer unlimited data, while others include a phone number for local, regional, or global use.

Some have blazing-fast speeds, while others have extended validity.

Whatever you need, there will be an eSIM for your liking.

In the case of Brunei, I recommend one of these eSIM providers, which I have tested in numerous countries on multiple continents:

• Airalo
• Alosim
• Holafly
• Nomad

What do they offer?

eSIM	Packages	Prices	Data	Phone Number?	5G NR?	Discount Code(s)
Airalo	3	9 USD – 27 USD	1 GB for 7 days – 5 GB for 30 days	No	Yes	MAY10 (10%) & MAY15 (15%) 2
Alosim	3	9 USD – 27 USD	1 GB for 7 days – 5 GB for 30 days	Yes (CA/US number) 1	Yes	PTW (5%)
Holafly	6	29 USD – 79 USD	2.5 GB for 5 days – 15 GB for 30 days	No	No	PHONETRAVELWIZ (5%)
Nomad	6	7 USD – 45 USD	1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 45 days	No	No	ADU123 (3 USD) 3

¹ Alosim allows you to pick a Canadian (CA) or American (US) phone number through its sister app Hushed, giving you credits worth 30 minutes (within Brunei or from Brunei to anywhere else) or 50 texts (same conditions as calling)
² if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM, use code MAY15 for 15% off. You can still get 10% off using code MAY10 if you are an existing customer. Note each code has a redemption limit of 3000 (while the codes of Alosim and Holafly have no redemption limit)
³ if you have never purchased a Nomad eSIM, use code ADU123 for 3 USD off. On Tuesdays, use NOMADTUE for 10% off on plans of 10 GB or higher

Do any of these providers offer regional, Asian, or even APAC (Asia-Pacific) eSIMs? Yes!

eSIM	Regional eSIMs?	Countries	Phone Number?
Nomad	Yes (Asia, APAC & a sub-regional one)	Up to 21	No

What about eSIMs global eSIMs exist? Of course!

eSIM	Global eSIMs?	Countries	Phone Number?
Airalo	Yes (Discover(+))	120+	Yes (Discover+ only)
Alosim	No	N/A	N/A
Holafly	No	N/A	N/A
Nomad	Yes (Global 109/136)	109 & 136	No

The discount codes I highlighted earlier can also be redeemed for any regional or global eSIM.

Now that we have an overview of our options let's go through each and find out about their benefits.

But if you already have an eSIM provider in mind, just click on the links next to jump to the respective sections: Airalo, Alosim, Holafly & Nomad.

Original publication: 14^th of August 2022. Last updated: 1^st of May 2024.

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Table of Contents

Airalo Brunei eSIMs

Airalo has two kinds of eSIMs that can be used in Brunei: Muara Mobile and Discover(+).

Below is a quick overview:

eSIM	Coverage	Packages	Prices	Data	5G NR in Brunei?
Muara Mobile	Brunei only	3	9 USD – 27 USD	1 GB for 7 days – 5 GB for 30 days	Yes
Discover(+)	Brunei & 120+ countries globally	12 (6 for Discover & 6 for Discover+)	9/15 USD – 69/89 USD 1	1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 365 days (1 year)	No

¹ 9 USD and 69 USD apply to the Discover eSIM. Discover+ eSIM costs between 15 USD and 89 USD

Remember to use code MAY15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM before OR code MAY10 for 10% off if you are an existing Airalo user (valid until the 31^st of March – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code).

If you already have an eSIM variant in mind, click on the links next to jump to the respective sections: Muara Mobile and Discover(+).

Airalo was the first eSIM store launched in 2019.

It is also the largest eSIM provider, covering more than 200 countries and territories.

The first eSIM I ever tested was one from Airalo (in the Netherlands).

This is why I have tested Airalo eSIMs in more countries than other providers.

Airalo gives each country's eSIM a unique name that is often related to said nation.

Airalo Muara Mobile (Brunei) eSIM

Airalo's Brunei eSIM is called Muara Mobile.

As highlighted in the table earlier, there are three Brunei Muara Mobile eSIM variants:

1. Brunei/Muara Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers)
2. Brunei/Muara Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 18 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Brunei/Muara Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 1^st of May.

With the Airalo Muara Mobile eSIM, you can use the DST Brunei network.

In my Brunei SIM card buying guide, I tell you more about which Bruneian mobile operator is/are the best in coverage or speed so you can manually select the network that would suit your needs.

Airalo Discover(+) eSIM

Lastly, we have the Airalo's global Discover and Discover+ eSIMs.

These eSIMs can be used in Brunei and 120+ other countries on each continent.

Previously, Airalo's Discover Global eSIM was kind of… meh.

I have had a decent experience with that eSIM, but I felt it could improve.

The new Discover(+) eSIMs have a maximum validity of 365 days (instead of 180) and can use 5G NR in most destinations.

Moreover, the + variant gives you an Austrian (+43) phone number.

As a result, the Discover+ eSIM can be up to 20 USD more expensive than the Discover eSIM, but the benefits are worth it, in my opinion (I have the + variant installed on my phone).

These Airalo Discover(+) eSIMs are available:

1. Discover 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Discover+ 1 GB (with 10 minutes and 10 SMS) eSIM for 7 days, costing 15 USD
3. Discover 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 17 USD
4. Discover+ 2 GB (with 20 minutes and 20 SMS) eSIM for 15 days, costing 27 USD
5. Discover 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 24 USD
6. Discover+ 3 GB (with 30 minutes and 30 SMS) eSIM for 30 days, costing 36 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
7. Discover 5 GB eSIM for 60 days, costing 35 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
8. Discover+ 5 GB (with 50 minutes and 50 SMS) eSIM for 60 days, costing 50 USD
9. Discover 10 GB eSIM for 180 days, costing 59 USD
10. Discover+ 10 GB (with 100 minutes and 100 SMS) eSIM for 180 days, costing 79 USD
11. Discover 20 GB eSIM for 365 days, costing 69 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
12. Discover+ 20 GB (with 200 minutes and 200 SMS) eSIM for 365 days, costing 89 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 1^st of May.

The Discover(+) eSIM can use the DST Brunei network (without 5G NR access).

For an entire list of countries where the eSIM can be used, you should check out my ongoing Airalo Discover+ eSIM review.

Although the map below may be helpful if you know your world map well.

In every country I visit where I test country-specific Airalo eSIMs, I also try out its Discover+ eSIM (if it can be used there).

So you better check it out now and then to see if I wrote about the country/countries you plan to visit and read about the eSIM's performance in said country, as it is not always perfect.

Before Airalo updated its global eSIM, I used the old version (Discover Global) in 15+ countries. From August 2023, I will only test the Discover+ eSIM. This is why some country-specific reviews (like Japan) still refer to Discover Global and show the old eSIM image instead of Discover+.

Airalo eSIMs for Brunei Summarized

To summarize, these are the characteristics of each Airalo eSIM covered in this section:

• Muara Mobile:
  • can be used in Brunei only
  • is priced between 9 USD and 27 USD
  • has three variants (1 GB for 7 days – 5 GB for 30 days)
  • has 5G NR access
  • has no phone number
• Discover:
  • can be used in Brunei and 120+ countries worldwide
  • is priced between 9 USD and 69 USD
  • has six variants (1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 365 days)
  • has no 5G NR access
  • has no phone number
• Discover+:
  • can be used in Brunei and 120+ countries worldwide
  • is priced between 15 USD and 89 USD
  • has six variants (1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 365 days)
  • has no 5G NR access
  • includes an Austrian phone number
    • offers up 200 international minutes and 200 international SMS (to any country worldwide, including those the eSIM cannot be used in)

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Alosim Brunei eSIM

Alosim has only one eSIM that can be used in Brunei: Brunei.

Below is a quick overview:

eSIM	Coverage	Packages	Prices	Data	5G NR in Brunei?	Phone Number?
Brunei	Brunei only	3	9 USD – 27 USD	1 GB for 7 days – 5 GB for 30 days	Yes	Yes

Remember that you can use code PTW for 5% off any Alosim purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Alosim is backed by AffinityClick, which is known for the Hushed app.

That app with the tagline “Temporary & Second Phone Number App for Wifi, Data Calling & Texting” has over 8 million downloads.

It took a while, but AffinityClick finally bundled its product, which is a big deal.

Why? With any Alosim eSIM purchase, you will get a Hushed redemption code, giving you up to 30 international minutes or 50 international SMS.

You get a free +1 (American or Canadian) phone number from one of the more than 300 supported area codes.

While it would be fantastic to get a Bruneian phone number instead, it is impossible to get one for the time being due to local regulations.

Either way, Alosim is the only eSIM provider that gives you a phone number for each eSIM purchase.

And it has eSIMs for over 170 countries, including Brunei.

Alosim Brunei eSIM

For Brunei, you have the following three choices:

1. Brunei 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9 USD
2. Brunei 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 18 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Brunei 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 27 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 1^st of May.

Alosim's Brunei eSIM gives you access to the DST Brunei (5G) network.

For more information on how Bruneian mobile operator perform, check out my Brunei SIM card buying guide, where I discuss the performance of each SIM card (in terms of coverage and speed).

Alosim eSIMs for Brunei Summarized

To summarize, these are the characteristics of each Alosim eSIM covered in this section:

• Brunei:
  • is priced between 9 USD and 27 USD
  • has three variants (1 GB for 7 days – 5 GB for 30 days)
  • has 5G NR access
  • includes a free +1 (American or Canadian) phone number through Hushed
    • allows for up to 30 international calls and/or 30 international SMS (within Brunei or from Brunei to any other country)

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Holafly Brunei eSIM

Holafly has only one eSIM that can be used in Brunei: Brunei.

Below is a quick overview:

eSIM	Coverage	Packages	Prices	Data	5G NR in Brunei?	Phone Number?
Brunei	Brunei only	6	29 USD – 79 USD	2.5 GB for 5 days – 15 GB for 30 days	No	No

Remember that you can use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off any Holafly purchase (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want).

Holafly made a name for itself by introducing unlimited data plans in June 2022, which was uncommon back then.

Now, it has eSIMs for more than 160 countries.

And more than 100 of them have unlimited data plans.

Holafly Brunei eSIM

Brunei is lucky enough to have data eSIMs, and you have six options:

1. Brunei 2.5 GB eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD
2. Brunei 3.5 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
3. Brunei 5 GB eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD
4. Brunei 7.5 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
5. Brunei 10 GB eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD
6. Brunei 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 1^st of May.

Be aware that as of mid-2023, Holafly eSIMs with unlimited data plans (excluding European ones) are speed-restricted to 18 Mbps (the speeds are even slower in some countries).

While 18 Mbps is not exactly a snail's speed, much faster speeds are available for lower prices with other eSIM providers mentioned in this guide.

However, none of them have unlimited data plans for Brunei.

Anyway, with this eSIM, you can use the DST Brunei network.

Holafly eSIMs for Brunei Summarized

To summarize, these are the characteristics of each Holafly eSIM covered in this section:

• Brunei:
  • is priced between 29 USD and 79 USD
  • has six variants (2.5 GB for 5 days – 15 GB for 30 days)
  • has no 5G NR access
  • has no phone number

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Nomad Brunei eSIMs

Nomad has two kinds of eSIMs that can be used in Brunei: Brunei and APAC (Asia-Pacific).

Below is a quick overview:

eSIM	Coverage	Packages	Prices	Data	5G NR in Brunei?
Brunei	Brunei only	6	7 USD – 45 USD	1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 45 days	No
APAC	Brunei & 19/20 Asia-Pacific countries	12 (6 for 20 countries & 6 for 21 countries)	8 USD/7 USD – 65/48 USD 1	1 GB for 7 days – 30 GB for 30 days	No

¹ 8 USD and 65 USD apply to the 20 Countries Plan. 21 Countries Plan eSIMs costs between 7 USD and 48 USD

Nomad is an eSIM provider covering over 160 countries.

It also has the strongest presence in Asia in terms of number of packages for country-specific countries and (sub-)regional eSIMs.

And very generous data plans are available (up to 50 GB).

Unlike many eSIM providers that refer to Asia as several East- and Southeast Asian countries, Nomad has eSIMs covering those regions + Oceania and South Asia.

Nomad Brunei eSIM

For Brunei, you have these six choices:

1. Brunei 1 GB eSIM for 7 days (Singtel), costing 7 USD
2. Brunei 3 GB eSIM for 30 days (Singtel), costing 13 USD
3. Brunei 5 GB eSIM for 30 days (Singtel), costing 18 USD
4. Brunei 10 GB eSIM for 30 days (Singtel), costing 29 USD
5. Brunei 15 GB eSIM for 30 days (Singtel), costing 35 USD
6. Brunei 20 GB eSIM for 45 days (Singtel), costing 45 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 1^st of May.

If an eSIM is powered by JoyTelecom, you can use 5G NR or some or all supported Bruneian mobile networks. If the eSIM is powered by Global1SIM, Nomad Black (Tele2 Sweden), Singtel, or Truphone (rebranded to 1Global) instead, you will be restricted to 4G/LTE.

Because these providers are different, you can access different Bruneian mobile networks depending on who powers them.

The best way to find out is by pressing See Details on the Nomad Brunei eSIM product page.

My Brunei SIM card buying guide will inform you which network is/are the best regarding coverage and speed.

Nomad APAC eSIM

The Nomad APAC eSIM can be used in 20 or 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific (Oceania) region, depending on the variant.

The APAC eSIM has the 20 Countries Plan (JoyTelecom) and the 21 Countries Plan (Singtel).

JoyTelecom-powered eSIMs have up to 5G NR access in all supported countries (except for Laos, where you are restricted to 3G) and have a maximum validity of 60 days (30 GB).

Meanwhile, Singtel-powered eSIMs (previously Truphone) have 4G/LTE access in all supported countries (even Laos), and they have a maximum validity of 45 days (20 GB).

Because of the partner switch, most eSIMs under the 21 Countries Plan have seen price reductions.

Below is a price list of all the Nomad APAC eSIMs:

1. APAC 1 GB eSIM for 7 days (20 Countries Plan), costing 8 USD
2. APAC 1 GB eSIM for 7 days (21 Countries Plan), costing 10 7 USD (price dropped)
3. APAC 3 GB eSIM for 15 days (20 Countries Plan), costing 13 USD
4. APAC 3 GB eSIM for 30 days (21 Countries Plan), costing 17 14 USD (price dropped)
5. APAC 5 GB eSIM for 30 days (20 Countries Plan), costing 23 17 USD (price dropped) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. APAC 5 GB eSIM for 30 days (21 Countries Plan), costing 19 USD
7. APAC 10 GB eSIM for 30 days (20 Countries Plan), costing 28 23 USD (on sale) – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
8. APAC 10 GB eSIM for 30 days (21 Countries Plan), costing 37 31 USD (price dropped)
9. APAC 15 GB eSIM for 30 days (21 Countries Plan), costing 37 USD
10. APAC 20 GB eSIM for 45 days (20 Countries Plan), costing 38 29 USD (on sale) – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
11. APAC 20 GB eSIM for 45 days (21 Countries Plan), costing 62 48 USD (price dropped)
12. APAC 30 GB eSIM for 60 days (20 Countries Plan), costing 65 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 1^st of May.

Below is a country overview of the 20 Countries Plan and 21 Countries Plan eSIMs:

I have tested the Nomad APAC eSIM in various countries already (even when it was powered by providers that are not used anymore).

You can learn about my experiences in my ongoing Nomad APAC eSIM review.

Nomad eSIMs for Brunei Summarized

To summarize, these are the characteristics of each Nomad eSIM covered in this section:

• Brunei:
  • is priced between 7 USD and 45 USD
  • has six variants (1 GB for 7 days – 20 GB for 45 days)
  • has no 5G NR access
  • has no phone number
• APAC:
  • can be used in Brunei and 19/20 other Asia-Pacific countries
    • 20 Countries Plan (powered by JoyTelecom/CSL Mobile Hong Kong)
    • 21 Countries Plan (powered by Singtel Singapore)
  • is priced between 7 USD and 65 USD
    • 20 Countries Plan: 8 USD – 65 USD
    • 21 Countries Plan: 7 USD – 48 USD
  • has 12 variants (1 GB for 7 days – 30 GB for 30 days)
    • 20 Countries Plan: six options between 1 GB for 7 days and 30 GB for 60 days
    • 21 Countries Plan: six options between 1 GB for 7 days and 20 GB for 45 days
  • has no 5G NR access
    • 20 Countries Plan: no 5G NR access
    • 21 Countries Plan: no 5G NR access
  • has no phone number

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Brunei

That was a lot of info we went over, so let's try to summarize everything.

Brunei-only eSIMs:

• Cheapest 3 GB Brunei eSIM: Nomad (13 USD)
• Cheapest 5 GB Brunei eSIM: Nomad (18 USD)
• Cheapest 10 GB Brunei eSIM: Nomad (29 USD)
• Provider with unlimited data plans for Brunei: N/A
• Brunei eSIM with the longest validity: Nomad (45 days)
• Brunei eSIM with 5G NR: Airalo & Alosim
• Brunei eSIM with phone numbers: Alosim (American/Canadian)

Asia/APAC eSIMs covering Brunei:

• Cheapest 3 GB Asia/APAC eSIM: Nomad (14 USD)
• Cheapest 5 GB Asia/APAC eSIM: Nomad (19 USD)
• Cheapest 10 GB Asia/APAC eSIM: Nomad (31 USD)
• Provider with unlimited data plans for Brunei and Asia: N/A
• Asia/APAC eSIM with the longest validity: Nomad (45 days)
• Asia/APAC eSIM with 5G NR in Brunei: N/A
• Asia/APAC eSIM with phone numbers: N/A

Regarding global eSIMs, Airalo's Discover(+) eSIM is cheaper, has more generous data allowances & longer validity than Nomad's Global eSIM (and includes a phone number for the + variant).

However, Nomad's eSIM has better coverage (135+ instead of 120+ countries).

Do not forget to use one of these discount codes for extra savings:

• Airalo: MAY15 for 15% off if you have never purchased an Airalo eSIM. If you have, use MAY10 for 10% off (each code can be used 3000 times among all Airalo customers, so better redeem it quickly!
• Alosim: PTW for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)
• Holafly: PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off (the code can be used by anyone, including existing customers, as many times as you wish – no redemption limit)
• Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD (or your currency's equivalent) if you have never purchased a Nomad eSIM

Enjoy Brunei (and neighboring countries)!

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