15 cheapest SIM-only plans in Singapore: Circles.Life, MyRepublic, Zero1, RedONE, Vivifi, Simba, Changi Mobile

Anybody who cares about saving money should sign up for a SIM-only data plan. These plans, as the name suggests, come with only a SIM card. That means no new handset every two years.

The obvious perk is that SIM-only plans are way cheaper than traditional two-year mobile data contracts from the three big telcos (Singtel, M1, Starhub) offering handset discounts. With the money saved on your mobile plan, you could buy a new phone on Lazada and you'd still save overall.

The mobile data landscape is quite confusing right now, with many new and virtual telcos fighting for a slice of the pie. These include Circles.Life, Simba, RedONE, Geenet, Zym Mobile, Changi Mobile and more.

Let's compare SIM-only mobile plans so you can see at a glance which would suit your needs and maximise your savings.

15 Cheapest SIM only plans under $20/month

1. Singtel SIM-only plans: GOMO (from $10.09/month)

GOMO piggybacks on Singtel's 4G and 5G networks. With Singtel being one of the three main telcos in Singapore, the GOMO sub-brand is trying to get a slice of the budget marketshare. The brand now offers three main plans:

• 4G Lite Plan - 10GB ($10.09/month)- 100 minutes of talk time and 100 SMS
• 4G Plan - 50GB ($18.17/month)- 500 minutes of talk time and 500 SMS (current promotion offers 150 GB for first six months and price of $15.14/month)
• 5G Plan with Rollover - 80 GB ($25.23/month) - 1,000 minutes of talk time and 1,000 SMS (current promotion offers 200 GB for first six months)
• Neighbours Plan - 100GB ($30.28/month) - 500 minutes of talk time, 500 SMS and 5 GB roaming data

These are no-contract plans, perfect for the commitment-phobic. If you don't mind staying on the 4G network, their 4G plans offer decent value if you absolutely need the security of a Singtel product, although you can get more data at almost the same price from other companies like Changi Mobile, Simba and Geenet.

2. M1 SIM-only plans (from $15.95/month)

Shortly after Singtel's GOMO and Starhub's giga!, M1 jumped on the SIM-only bandwagon. But instead of trying to ingratiate itself with millennials, M1 has simply split their original SIM-only offering into two separate plans:

• $15.95/month for 100GB data, 1,000 mins of talk time and 1,000 SMS
• $18.95/month for 150GB data, 1,000 mins of talk time and 1,000 SMS

3. Starhub SIM-only plans (from $19.83/month)

Beyond its sub-brand giga!, Starhub also offers SIM-only plans under its main brand with no contractual obligations. If you're like most boomers who only trust and believe in the three main telcos because you think they are as legit as it gets, you'll be limited to the following plans:

• 4G - $19.83/month for 120GB data, 1,000 mins of talk time and 1,000 SMS
• 5G $27.56/month for 120GB data, 1,000 mins of talk time and 1,000 SMS
• 5G - $45.42/month for 140GB data, 1,000 mins of talk time and 1,000 SMS

4. giga! SIM-only plans: (from $10.10/month)

giga! is Starhub's entrant on the virtual telco scene, and it offers several plans to choose from:

• $10.10/month for 10GB of data, 300 minutes of talk time and 300 SMS
• $18/17/month for 150GB of data, 800 minutes of talk time and 800 SMS
• $20.19/month for 200GB of data, 1,000 minutes of talk time and 1,000 SMS

The $20.19/month plan offers a ton of data at a relatively affordable price, so this should be your go-to plan if you need lots of data for whatever reason (eg. your regularly use your hotspot to connect your computer to the internet). giga! plans all roll over unused data for two months, which means you can theoretically get more data than you paid for.

5. Simba (formerly TPG Singapore) SIM-only plans (from $10/month)

Simba used to be called TPG Singapore, but realised their name wasn't memorable enough and thus rebranded themselves after two years. They have two "spoil market" SIM-only plans:

• 100GB ($10/month) with unlimited minutes to local mobile numbers, unlimited SMS to Simba lines, plus free data roaming to 57 selected countries.
• 130GB ($18/month) with unlimited minutes to mobile numbers, unlimited SMS to Simba lines, plus free data roaming to 57 selected countries.

Sounds like an amazing deal, but the downside is that Simba's VoLTE feature does not work with all devices. If you're wondering what the VoLTE feature is, it's a technology that allows voice calls to be made on the 4G network. And because Simba's mobile network is built on 4G technology, it is essential that the mobile phone you are using be VoLTE capable. Otherwise, you might not be able make voice calls on your mobile phone. While most phones support 4G, that does not automatically mean that they are VoLTE capable. To be sure, check here for a list of compatible handsets published on Simba's website.

Note: If you/your parents are 60 years old and above, consider Simba's Seniors Digital Plan at $5/month.

6. Circles Life SIM-only plans (from $10/month)

If you think only boomers send SMSes or call people using their phone number, you might want to opt for one of Circles Life's data-only plans. Here are their various options, with and without talktime:

• Circles Life 4G $10 Plan: 10GB data, 100 minutes of talktime
• Circles Life 4G $15.17 Plan: 100GB data, 300 minutes of talktime, unlimited free incoming calls
• Circles Life 4G $20.17/month: 200GB of data, 300 minutes talktime, unlimited free incoming calls
• Circles Life 5G $25.17/month: 200GB of data, 300 minutes talktime, unlimited free incoming calls
• Circles Life 5G $38.36/month: Promotional price of $30.36 for first three months, 300 GB of data, unlimited incoming and outgoing calls
• Circles Life data-only 4G $10.19/month: 50GB data
• Circles Life data-only 5G $40.38/month: 1TB data

7. redONE SIM-only plans (from $8/month)

redONE is a Malaysian telco with some attractive SIM-only plans. Choose from four redONE plans:

• redONE Super8 plan ($8/month)- 8GB data, 500 minutes of talk time and 500 SMS.
• redONE Perfect10 plan ($10/month)- 100GB data, 500 minutes of talk time and 100 SMS.
• redONE Super18 plan ($18/month)- 100GB data, 1,000 minutes of talk time and 1,000 SMS.
• redONE Super28 plan ($28/month) - 150GB daa, 1,500 minutes of talk time and 1,500 SMS.
• redONE Super38 plan ($38/month) - 200GB, 2,000 minutes of talk time and 2,000 SMS.

One big selling point is that the bundled mobile data can be used in Singapore and Malaysia - clearly the plans are aimed at Malaysians living here. Besides that, their Perfect10 plan offers very good value.

8. Vivifi SIM-only plans (from $8.88/month)

Vivifi is yet another virtual telco with four SIM-only plans to choose from:

• Vivifi Lite ($8.88/month) - 3GB data, 500 minutes of talk time and 20 SMS.
• Vivifi Plus ($9.08/month) - 50GB data, 400 minutes of talk time and 200 SMS.
• Vivifi Binge ($17.66 or $21/month) - 150 or 170GB data, 400 minutes of talk time and 200 SMS
• Vivifi Binge 5G ($73/month)- 170GB data, 400 minutes of talk time and 200 SMS OR with 70GB, 300 minutes of talk time and 300 SMS.
• Vivifi Share ($40.37/month ) - 300GB data, 1,000 minutes of talk time and 100 SMS.

While the first four SIM-only plans are pretty self-explanatory, we actually like the more expensive Vivifi Share Plan the most.

You can share this plan with up to nine other users, with each additional user paying $6.06/month. This arrangement may be suitable for couples with young children or elderly parents.

Suppose you, your spouse and your child share a Vivifi plan. You pay the base price of $40.37 and an additional $12.12 to add two users. The total price comes up to $52.49, and three of you get to share a total of 180GB data. If you do the math, that comes up to $17.50/month per user.

9. Zero1 SIM-only plans (from $7/month)

Zero1's gimmick is that all their plans have "unlimited" data. Apparently, you get 4G or 5G speeds on the first GBs that you pay for. Thereafter, your data will be released at a "managed" speed (read: Slow but supposedly "usable"). But at least you're not forced to top up for extra data.

• Zero1 Starter ($7/month) - 6GB to unlimited data, 150 minutes of talk time, 100 SMS
• Zero1 Classic NDB 2023 Starter ($10/month) - 50GB to unlimited data for first six months, then 22 GB for first seven to 12 months, then 12GB, 200 minutes of talk time, 200 SMS
• Zero1 Standard 50u One Plan ($18.05/month) - 150GB to unlimited data, 500 minutes of talk time, 500 SMS
• Zero1 Standard 80u One Plan ($25.15/month) - 130GB (base 80GB + promo 50GB for 12 months) to unlimited data, 800 minutes of talk time, 800 SMS
• Zero1 Jumbo 60u5G Plan ($25.50/month) - 120GB data (base 60GB + promo 60GB for 12 months + 10GB free data for three months), 500 minutes of talk time, 500 SMS
• Zero1 Jumbo 90u5G Plan ($32.20/month)has 140GB data (base 90GB + promo 50GB for 12 months + 10GB free data for three months), 800 minutes of talk time, 800 SMS

Do note that you'll need to pay a one-time registration fee of $5.40 for all Zero1 plans.

10. MyRepublic SIM-only plans (from $10/month)

MyRepublic has refreshed its offerings to be more competitive than before, especially with its current (indefinite?) flash sale. Here are the plans:

• 4G Lite Plan ($10/month) - 10GB data, 300 minutes of talk time and 300 SMS.
• 4G Ex Core Plan (currently $15.90/month, usually $20.90) - 100GB data for first six months 80GB thereafter, 500 minutes of talk time and 500 SMS.
• 4G Pro (currently $20.90/month, usually $29.90) - 180GB of data for first six months, 120GB thereafter, 1,000 minutes of talk time and 1,000 SMS.
• 4G Unlimited (currently $25.90/month; usually $39.90) - unlimited data (8GB/day at full speed for first 90 days, 5GB/day at managed speeds thereafter), 2,000 minutes of talk time and 2,000 SMS.
• 5G Plus (currently $19.95/month, usually $24.95/month) - 110GB data, 1,200 minutes talk time and 1,200 SMS
• 5G Ultimate (currently $29.95/month, usually $34.95/month) - unlimited data (8GB/day at full speed for first 90 days, 5GB/day at managed speeds thereafter), 1,500 minutes of talk time and 1,500 SMS

Although the 4G Lite plan is the cheapest, we prefer the similarly-priced giga! for its rollover data feature. That said, at the price point you can get more data by turning to other companies like Changi Mobile, Simba and Geenet.

11. CMLink China Mobile SIM-only plans (from $10.80/month)

For newcomers, China Mobile has these SIM-only plans to offer:

• 12GB ($10.80/month) - 100 minutes of talk time and 100 SMS
• 50GB + additional 58GB for first six months ($20.80/month) - 300 minutes of talk time and 300 SMS
• 80GB ($30.80/month) - 400 minutes of talk time and 400 SMS
• 110GB ($40.80/month) - 500 minutes of talk time and 500 SMS

As you can guess from its name, China Mobile is very much aimed at mainland Chinese living in Singapore or Singaporeans travelling abroad.

All of its data can be shared across Singapore, mainland China and Hong Kong. For all the above plans, the talk time allowance applies to local calls, and there is an additional talk time allowance to selected countries. So, for the 12GB plan, you get 100 minutes of local talk time and 100 minutes of talk time for use in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the USA.

12. Changi Mobile SIM-only plans (from $10/month)

These no-contract mobile plans are released by the folks behind Changi Travel Services, which is based at the airport. (No relation to Changi Prison, in case you were wondering.)

• Value+ ($10/month) - 100GB data, 300 minutes of talk time and 200 SMS
• Freedom ($12/month) - 100GB data, 1,000 minutes of talk time and 200 SMS
• Ultimate ($15/month) - 150GB data, 1,000 of talk time and 200 SMS
• Travel ($18/month) - 200GB data, 1,000 of talk time and 200 SMS

The Value and Freedom plans give you only 50GB at streaming speed, with the rest of the data being offered at full 4G speed. Just something to note in case you need fast data all the time.

One perk is that they let you roll over your data, so you don't have to force yourself to binge watch videos to use up your month's allowance.

13. Geenet SIM-only plans (from $10/month)

Geenet lets you add-on extra perks to your existing plan, which makes it great for those with family overseas. For example, for an extra $5, you can pay for 250 minutes of calls to Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia or Malaysia.

Here are their basic plans:

• $10/month - 60GB data, 1,000 minutes of talktime and 100 SMS
• $12/month - 120GB data, 1,000 minutes of talktime, 1,000 SMS and free data rollover.
• $18/month - 180GB data (90GB + 90GB under current promo), 3,000 minutes of talktime and 100 SMS

14. heya by Singtel SIM-only plans (from $10/month)

heya is a spinoff brand by Singtel, which is reassuring if you're venturing away from the big three telcos for the first time in your life and want the guarantee of a decent network. They offer contract-free SIM-only plans that are quite affordable.

They have just one 30-day plan ($10/month) which comes with 100GB of data, 300 minutes of talktime and 50 SMS.

All heya SIM cards are valid for 60 days and get auto-renewed whenever you purchase a 30-day heya Plan or heya IDD Add-on plan.

15. Zym Mobile

Zym Mobile offers SIM-only plans on both the 4G and 5G network. All their plans enable you to roll over your data from month to month, and all except Lite 4G offer 1GB of roaming data in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Here are the available plans:

• Lite 4G ($10/month) - 20GB data, 400 minutes of talk time, 200 SMS
• Prime 4G ($18.20/month) - 100GB data, 500 minutes of talk time, 500 SMS
• Elite 4G ($28.30/month) - 130GB data, unlimited talk time, 500 SMS
• Mega 5G ($28.20/month) - 110GB data, 500 minutes of talk time, 500 SMS
• Super 5G ($38.30/month) - 140GB data, unlimited talk time, 500 SMS

Cheapest SIM only plans comparison

How do you know which plan to sign up for? Here's a quick guide:

Cheapest SIM-only plan comparison: Zero1 or RedONE ($10/month)

If you need minimal data and just want the lowest possible price per moth, Zero1 or RedONE's cheapest plans would save you the most money, RedONE's being a bit more practical if you are fine with paying $1 more per month for more talk time.

If you don't want to sacrifice your data: Changi Mobile, Simba, heya or Geenet ($10/month)

You can get a very decent 100GB of data by signing up for Changi Mobile or Simba's cheapest plans. Simba offers great value but you need a phone that's compatible with the VoLTE network.

Otherwise, Changi Mobile will get you the same amount of data at the same price, but you'l have to be content with less talk time. Changi Mobile's main drawback is that only 50GB of that data is at the normal 4G speed, while the other half is at streaming speed.

If your phone isn't compatible with Simba and you don't want to make any sacrifices on speed, your best bet is to use heya by Singtel, which likewise offers 100GB of data. The SMS allowance of 50 is rather limited, but most people don't send SMSes anyway.

Another alternative is Geenet, which offers a smaller data allowance of 60GB at the same price of $10/month.

ALSO READ: Zero1 5G data plan works as good as it sounds

This article was first published in MoneySmart.