Best eSIM for Indonesia: Full Comparison of Prices, Coverage, and Tourist Options

With long airport SIM-card queues, IMEI registration rules, and unpredictable prices at tourist kiosks, most travelers now prefer eSIM for a smoother, more transparent experience.

This guide compares the best eSIM options for Indonesia, using updated data from Roafly, Airalo, Saily, Nomad and Ubigi.

Why eSIM Is the Smartest Choice for Indonesia

Indonesia’s geography makes connectivity challenging: thousands of islands, remote beaches, and weak local coverage in certain regions. Buying a physical SIM can involve:

• Passport-based registration

• Potential IMEI restrictions

• Long queues at airport shops

• Tourist-inflated pricing

• Unclear terms or “tourist bundles”

eSIM solves all of this:

• Activate before landing

• No IMEI or registration stress

• Clear data allowances and pricing

• Works instantly when the plane touches down

• Uses major Indonesian networks depending on the provider

If Bali is part of your trip, make sure to read Bali Tourist SIM Card Guide: How to Avoid the "IMEI Registration" Nightmare for deeper insights.

Network Coverage in Indonesia: Who Performs Best?

source: nperf.com

Coverage in Indonesia varies widely. The network your eSIM uses matters more than the data limit.

Here’s the real-world performance breakdown:

• Telkomsel: Best national coverage; strongest on islands & rural areas

• XL Axiata: Excellent in cities and major tourist areas

• Indosat Ooredoo: Good speeds, urban-focused

• Smartfren / Hutchinson 3: Mostly city-focused; weaker in remote areas

Roafly uses XL + Telkomsel, giving wider, more stable performance than many competitors tied to a single secondary network.

Indonesia eSIM Price & Network Comparison

A full side-by-side comparison based on the screenshots and verified pricing:

Key Takeaways From the Comparison

Roafly is the strongest all-round option for Indonesia

Here’s why:

• Best coverage combination: Roafly uses XL + Telkomsel, giving the broadest network reach.

• Most competitive pricing across all tiers (1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB).

• Hotspot fully supported, unlike some competitors with restrictions.

• No eKYC, no passport upload.

• Activates instantly when you connect to any local network.

Which eSIM Should You Choose for Your Trip?

For short trips (3–7 days)

Roafly 1 GB or 3 GB offers better value than Airalo, Nomad, or Saily.

For Bali / Lombok / island travel

Choose a provider with Telkomsel or XL — meaning Roafly or Nomad.
Airalo (Hutchinson 3) is weaker on islands.

For long stays (30 days or more)

Roafly’s 10 GB / 20 GB plans are significantly cheaper than both Airalo and Saily.

For heavy users

Roafly 50 GB is of the very few large packages available at fair pricing.

Local SIM vs eSIM in Indonesia

Buying a local SIM (Telkomsel, XL, Indosat) can be cheaper in theory, but:

• Many shops require passport registration

• Bali airport stores often overcharge tourists

• IMEI rules can cause phone restrictions

• Packages may vary, confusing first-time visitors

If you want a safe, predictable solution without bureaucracy, eSIM is the better choice.

Tips for Using Your eSIM in Indonesia

• Install the eSIM before departure; activate when the plane lands.

• Turn off “Data Roaming” on your primary SIM to avoid accidental charges.

• Use hotspot if your plan supports it — Roafly does.

• Download offline Google Maps for remote areas.

• If switching islands, expect signal variations depending on local towers.

Final Recommendation

For most travelers, Roafly provides the best balance of coverage, price, and activation convenience — especially thanks to its dual-network support (XL + Telkomsel) and competitive data packages.

Check available plans for your trip and choose the data amount that matches your travel style.