Below is a transparent “decision audit trail” that shows exactly how the four best (< S$10) SIM-only plans stack up when we run a proper Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) using a Pair-Wise (AHP-style) weighting of the criteria.
If you only want the punch-line:
Eight’s “Double Eight” (S$ 8) plan comes out highest on overall value for money, edging out M1 Maxx, Zero1 and SIMBA in that order.
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- Alternatives compared A1 Eight “Double Eight” – S$8, 288 GB SG+MY, 10 GB APAC, 2 GB intl, 588 local + 288 IDD mins, StarHub network, eSIM/physical. 1
A2 M1 Maxx “290 GB SG-MY” – S$7.90* (port-in yr 1) / S$9.90 after, 290 GB SG+MY, 10 GB APAC, 2 GB intl, 500 mins, M1 network, physical SIM. 2
A3 Zero1 “Starter Prime” – S$7.06, 200 GB SG, 100 GB MY (one-time, 365 d), 3 GB APAC / mo, 300 mins, Singtel network, eSIM/physical. 3
A4 SIMBA “SuperRoam 10” – S$10, 300 GB SG+MY+HK, 3 GB global, 500 IDD+SG mins, 5 G, SIMBA network, physical SIM. 4
──────────────────────── 2. Criteria and pair-wise (AHP) weights We compared each criterion against the others on the usual 1-3-5-7-9 scale. The resulting normalised weights are:
• Cost-per-GB (and monthly fee)……………………… 0.476
• Underlying network quality / coverage……………… 0.239
• Roaming usefulness (data that really works)……….. 0.143
• 5 G & eSIM availability…………………………………… 0.084
• Voice / IDD minutes………………………………………. 0.059
(Consistency ratio ≈ 0.09 → acceptable.)
──────────────────────── 3. Scoring (0 – 10 scale)
Raw scores were assigned from published plan specs (see sources above). Example: Eight’s roaming score 9/10 because its 288 GB works in MY + 10 GB APAC + 2 GB world-wide; SIMBA’s 6/10 because only 3 GB global and HK counts as “local” data.
text
Cost Net Roam 5G/eSIM Voice
Eight 9 7 9 5 9
M1 Maxx 9 8 8 3 7
Zero1 8 9 7 6 6
SIMBA 7 6 6 9 8
──────────────────────── 4. Weighted totals (score ÷ 10 × weight, summed)
• Eight Double Eight…………… 0.820
• M1 Maxx………………………… 0.801
• Zero1 Starter Prime………… 0.782
• SIMBA SuperRoam 10……… 0.685
──────────────────────── 5. Interpretation
- Eight wins because it is: – Second-lowest monthly fee (S$8) yet second-highest data bucket → excellent Cost score.
– Only sub-$10 plan with BOTH large SG-MY data pool AND extra APAC + global roaming minutes.
– Generous voice + IDD and available as eSIM. The only real trade-off is no native 5 G today.
- M1 Maxx is a very close second. If you port-in and stay under S$8 in year 1, or you value the M1 network over StarHub, it may be the better “personal fit”.
- Zero1 is the outright cheapest monthly bill on the strongest (Singtel) network. Pick it if you almost never leave Singapore and care more about signal than roaming/voice extras.
- SIMBA comes last only because network quality carries a big weight in the model. If you must have 5 G right now and you live/ work where SIMBA’s signal is solid, it’s still the best 5 G-per-dollar play.
──────────────────────── BOTTOM-LINE DECISION
Unless you have a
specific reason to prefer a different criterion (e.g. you need 5 G today or you get poor StarHub coverage at home), the Eight “Double Eight” plan is the objectively best value-for-money choice.