Malaysia: Best Sim Cards (Prepaid Options For Travelers)
Trying to buy a Malaysia SIM card for your upcoming trip? Or maybe you just landed in Kuala Lumpur and can’t figure out which SIM to buy?
You have a number of Malaysia sim cards to choose from, so it pays to do some research if you want the best deal. Luckily for you, I’ve done the research for you so you can buy the best-prepaid sim card Malaysia has to offer.
Top Product Overview
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| SEE ON U MOBILE → |
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| SEE ON MAXIS → |
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| SEE ON DIGI → |
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| SEE ON CELCOM → |
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| SEE ON YES → |
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| SEE ON YOODO → |
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| SEE ON TUNE TALK → |
Best Prepaid Sim Cards in Malaysia
U Mobile
U Mobile is one of the smaller local mobile network providers in Malaysia which means their connection speeds and coverage are not quite up to scratch compared to the others.
But, U Mobile does make up for this in a great way, by giving its users insane deals. With a U Mobile Malaysia sim card, you can get unlimited data with unlimited calls for 30 days for next to nothing, just $8.30 – how nuts is that!
You can also opt for the same but a 7-day package for just $2.8 or a 30-day package without unlimited calls for $7.1.
Overall, their coverage and connection speeds are barely noticeable so if you are looking for unlimited data for a bargain, U Mobile might just have the prepaid sim card for you.
Pros
- Unlimited data, no topping up required
- Super affordable
- Short and longer-term options
- Excellent deals pop up
Cons
- Less coverage than other networks
- Not as fast as other networks
Product Information
- Price: $2.8 to $8.3
- Data: Unlimited
- Calls: With/WO Unlimited Calls
- Texts/SMS: NA
- Valid For: 7 or 30 days
- Service Speed: 5G/4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
Maxis
Maxis is one of the largest mobile network providers in Malaysia and therefore their coverage and connection speeds are excellent.
Maxis has branded their prepaid sim cards as Hotlink sim cards, so when you want Maxis, go buy Hotlink.
Like U Mobile, you can also get unlimited data for next to nothing with Hotlink. They have 3 plans worth considering which include 10GB of data for 1 Year for $6 – this is pretty cool as you get to use your data at your own pace.
Or, you can opt for Unlimited data and calls for 30 days for either $9.5 or $12 – what’s the difference? Speed!
The $9.5 package is at 3 Mbps and the $12 package is at 6 Mbps, I would personally pay the $2.5 extra for double the speed.
Pros
- Nice range or packages
- Unlimited data available
- Super affordable
- Great coverage
- A choice of connection speeds
Cons
- None I can find
Product Information
- Price: $6, $9.5, $12
- Data: 10GB, Unlimited
- Calls: None, Unlimited
- Texts/SMS: NA
- Valid For: 365/ 7/30 days
- Service Speed: 5G/4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
Digi
Digi is a part of the Telenor Group, a Norwegian telecom company, and is the second-largest network provider in Malaysia. I’m sure you can guess what this means, fast connections and great coverage all over the country.
Digi has a number of prepaid sim card packages for you to choose from and the sim card is free when you buy one. They all last for 30 days, are affordable, but sadly unlimited data is not an option.
The packages range in price from $3.6 which gives you 3GB of data plus Unlimited Social Media, to $9.5 which comes with 40GB of data and unlimited calls. All of the packages are great deals.
Pros
- Very affordable
- A good number of packages to choose from
- A lot of data for not much cash
- Reliable coverage and connection speeds
Cons
- No unlimited data options
Product Information
- Price: $3.6/7.1/8.3/9.5
- Data: 3/15/30/40GB
- Calls: None/none/unlimited/unlimited
- Texts/SMS: NA
- Valid For: 30-days
- Service Speed: 5G/4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
Celcom
Celcom is the third largest network provider in Malaysia but they are actually one of the best for coverage and speeds. Cellcom actually won Malaysia Best Mobile Coverage Speedtest Award of 2021, so they are doing rather well, I do not know the figures for 2023 though.
The great thing about the Celcom prepaid sim is that no matter which package you buy, it comes with unlimited data.
There is no worry about holding back on using your phone and you can buy a package for 7 or 30 days, so there should be no need to top-up unless you are staying for longer than a month.
Something to bear in mind is that each package comes with a different connection speed, 3 or 6Mbps. The more expensive options are the faster speeds, and for a few dollars, it is worth having double the speed in my eyes.
You do have to buy a sim card with Celcom, they cost about $2.4 and come with 1GB of data, 10 GB Facebook, and some credit for calls and texts too. You can then add the package of your choice to this.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Unlimited data with every package
- Choose from 7 or 30 days
- Solid coverage and connection speeds
- Local calls included
Cons
- Speeds vary by price
Product Information
- Price: $2.8/3.6/8.3/10.7
- Data: Unlimited
- Calls: Unlimited
- Texts/SMS: NA
- Valid For: 7 or 30 days
- Service Speed: 5G/4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
YES
YES built their 4G LTE network from the ground up and their sim cards pretty much only exclusively use their network, as they have not partnered with other mobile operators.
It is a 4G/LTE network only so you have to make sure your phone works with 4G, or it won’t work with Yes, thankfully most do.
YES’ coverage is pretty solid all over the country as are their connection speeds. They offer 3 packages that are worth considering with your prepaid sim card for Malaysia. Every package lasts 30 days and does not include any SMS or calls.
You can choose to grab 10GB of data for $3.6 and go all the way up to unlimited data for $7.1, both are great deals.
Pros
- Good range of packages
- A lot of data for not much money
- Solid connection speeds
- Countrywide coverage
Cons
- No calls/texts included
Product Information
- Price: $3.6/4.7/7.1
- Data: 10GB/20GB/Unlimited
- Calls: None
- Texts/SMS: None
- Valid For: 30 days
- Service Speed: 5G/4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
Yoodo
Yoodo is a part of Celcom Malaysia, in fact, it is one of their sub-brands. Being a part of Celcom means it uses their network, one of the fastest and most reliable around.
Yoodo as a brand has a different approach to its packages compared to others. Yoodoo (You-Do) allows you to fully customize your prepaid package while you are in Malaysia, hence the name.
This means you can choose how much data you need as well as calls and SMS, and for the number of days you require it for too. It’s a pretty cool approach I think.
The only downside to Yoodo is that you can not access 5G with its sim cards, it will all be on 4G.
Pros
- Good coverage
- Solid connection speeds
- Fully customizable packages
Cons
- No 5G
Product Information
- Price: Custom
- Data: Custom
- Calls: Custom
- Texts/SMS: Custom
- Valid For: Custom
- Service Speed: 4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
Tune Talk
Tune Talk is actually a Mobile Virtual Network Operator of Celcom and is a brand of Air Asia. Their sim cards run on the Celom network (the best network) so a reliable connection and fast speeds are to be expected.
My favorite thing about Tune Talk is that you can buy the sim online and get it shipped to you so you can be connected when you land. You then have some very affordable plans to choose from that include 2GB for 7 days for $2.26 up to 8GB for 30 days for $10.86.
Sadly there are no unlimited data options.
Pros
- Will ship your sim to you for $3
- Be connected as soon as you land
- Solid coverage and fast speeds
- Super affordable
Cons
- No 5G
- No unlimited data
Product Information
- Price: $2.26/6.34/10.86
- Data: 2/4/8GB
- Calls: None
- Texts/SMS: NA
- Valid For: 7/30/30 days
- Service Speed: 4G
- Data Tethering: Yes
Is A Sim Card Essential When Traveling to Malaysia?
If a sim card ensures you stay connected while traveling around Malaysia then I would say it is essential yes. Traveling without my phone being connected would be a little bit of a nightmare as I depend on it for so much, as I am sure you do too.
Everything from listening to music to watching films, finding my way around a new city or country with Google Maps, checking my reservations, and making new ones, all happens from my phone.
You can try to just use free WiFi but this is not so easy in Malaysia once you leave the cities. Accessing free WiFi is only possible in some parts of the country and there is no guarantee you will find WiFi when you need it.
Having a working phone in my pocket also adds a massive element of safety to my mind. If I am in trouble, I can get help quickly. I can also make sure my loved ones do not worry about me either.
Considering that you can get unlimited data for a month for less than $10, no matter how small your budget is, you can afford to stay connected using a prepaid sim as you travel around Malaysia.
Things to Know Before Buying A Sim Card in Malaysia
Is Your Phone Unlocked
For phones to work with sim cards in Malaysia and in other countries, they must be unlocked by a provider.
Most phones are unlocked these days and thus you should be able to use a Malaysia sim card without any issues, but it is worth checking before you fly.
If you got your phone for free as part of a mobile contract and live in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, your phone might be locked to your mobile provider at home.
To unlock it simply call your provider and ask them to unlock it, the process should only take a few minutes.
Are You Using A GSM Phone?
I never knew but there are actually two types of mobile networks, GSM and CDMA, and two types of sim cards and mobile phones to match them.
GSM phones only work with GSM sims and GSM networks, the same goes for CDMA. Most networks, sims, and phones are GSM, Malaysia included.
If you have a CDMA phone, it will not work in Malaysia. But how would you know? The only place in the world still using CDMA is North America and the only providers using it are Sprint and Verizon.
If you have a contract with Verizon or Sprint, you might have a CDMA phone. If this is the case, you will need to buy an unlocked GSM phone to use a Malaysian sim.
How to Buy A Sim Card in Malaysia
Buying A Sim Card Before Traveling to Malaysia
Tune Talk is one of the only local Malaysian sim card providers I know of that will actually ship you a sim card so you can have it before you land.
Shipping is just $3 to anywhere in the world, and it means you can have your sim ready to go when you land in Malaysia.
Other options are to buy either an eSim for Malaysia or an international prepaid sim card, both of which are more expensive than prepaid sims in Malaysia.
Having a sim before you travel will help you avoid having to go through the process of finding a shop and buying a sim on the ground.
Buying A Sim Card in Malaysia
Buying a sim card in Malaysia is very easy. You can find shops at the airport selling sim cards as well as buy them at mobile stores, 7-Elevens, and lots of other places too.
How Much Does A Sim Card in Malaysia Cost?
The cost of a sim card in Malaysia is entirely dependent on the provider you are buying it from. Some provide the sim card for free when you buy a data package, others charge between $2 and $4 for a sim.
Those that do charge usually give you some data and calling credit with a sim card, but not all of them.
How to Activate & Top Up Your Malaysian Sim Card
When you buy your sim card you will have to give your passport and fingerprint to register it. This is also where you will buy your data/calling package. Ask the person in the shop to activate it and add your package.
Put your sim card in the phone and check it works before leaving the store. If you have any issues, simply as the store clerk to help you out.
Managing Your Mobile Data in Malaysia
Considering you can get unlimited data for less than $10, there is not much need to manage your data usage in Malaysia. But, here are some tips in case you do.
- Keep your phone in airplane mode until you need to use it
- Download the area you are visiting on Google Maps for offline navigation
- Only use apps like Instagram & Facebook when on WiFi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest prepaid sim card in Malaysia?
The best value prepaid sim card is Yes Mobile’s Unlimited data package for 30 days which costs just over $7.
The cheapest is Yes Mbile’s 10GB data package which lasts 30 days and costs only $3.6.
Can foreigners buy a sim card in Malaysia?
Yes, foreigners can buy a sim card in Malaysia. You will need to bring your passport with you when registering your SIM and your fingerprint may be taken too.
How many prepaid SIM cards can you have in Malaysia?
You are allowed to have a maximum of five prepaid sim cards in Malaysia across all the providers. So if you’re buying for your family, you can register up to 5 in your name and not have to take everyone and everyone’s passport to the store for the registration process.
