Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
Dialog Axiata vs Smart Axiata
Dialog Axiata
Higher score in this comparison
Smart Axiata
What sets them apart
| Compare | Dialog AxiataReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Smart AxiataReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | LKR 1,399 | $2 |
| Countries covered | from 200 | 143 |
| Reference plan prices | Tourist plan in Sri Lanka: LKR 1399 (20GB), LKR 1799 (30GB), LKR 2450 (50GB plus unlimited WhatsApp), 30 days valid; 4G/5G roaming listed for USA, Japan, UK, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico and other destinations, but per-country roaming rates load dynamically and were not readable | SmartRoam daily spend caps: US 5 USD, Europe 5 USD, UK 5 USD, Japan 5 USD, Malaysia/Singapore/Vietnam/Indonesia/India/Philippines 2 USD, China/Jordan/Norway 10 USD; roaming in 143 countries. Smart Traveller SIM in Cambodia: 5 USD for 30 GB, 15 days |
| Fair use policy | Tourist plan: extra data at Rs 0.3 plus tax per MB once the quota is used; unlimited data roaming capped at USD 12 per day for subscribers not on a standard plan; monthly roaming plan not eligible for stays in one destination exceeding 30 days; data roaming temporarily suspended in Myanmar | Worry-free data after the daily roaming spend cap is reached: 2 USD/day in most of Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Brunei, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka), 5 USD/day in Europe, UK, Japan, South Korea, China Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and the USA, 10 USD/day in China, Jordan and Norway |
Same on both: Unlimited data (Yes), 5G (Yes), Top-ups (Yes), Seller type (Carrier).
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Key differences
- Dialog Axiata scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Support channels: only Dialog Axiata offers Chat, Help centre.
- Support channels: only Smart Axiata offers Community.
- Region: only Dialog Axiata offers Local.
Our verdict on each
Dialog Axiata
Dialog Axiata is the carrier option in this group, and it suits visitors to Sri Lanka who want a local plan with roaming built in rather than a global eSIM. Coverage reaches from 200, the tourist plans start at LKR 1,399, and top-ups are available.
Smart Axiata
Smart Axiata suits short trips that cross Asia and Europe, with roaming across 143 countries and entry prices at $2. It is a carrier based in Cambodia, and unlimited data continues after a daily spend cap, which keeps a heavy data day predictable, though a long stay means paying that cap every day.
Score breakdown
| Area | Dialog Axiata | Smart Axiata |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not confirmed | 9.7 |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 9.1 |
| Trust | 9.6 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Dialog Axiata | Smart Axiata |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 103 of 926 | 121 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 112 of 918 | 130 of 918 |
Licences and countries
Additional countries for Dialog Axiata: 1. Additional countries for Smart Axiata: 1.
Sources behind this comparison
Dialog Axiata
- dialog.lk: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Smart Axiata
- smart.com.kh: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Dialog Axiata | Smart Axiata |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Local, GlobalCovers more | Global |
| Features | Unlimited data, 5G, Carrier plan | Unlimited data, 5G, Carrier plan |
| Audience | Short trip | Short trip |
| Legal entity | Dialog Axiata PLC | Smart Axiata Co., Ltd. |
| Headquarters | Sri Lanka | Cambodia |
| Founded | 1993 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Community |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Dialog Axiata | Smart Axiata | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries covered | from 200highest quarter | 143above the median | 120 |
Median across 492 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
Dialog Axiata
Pros
- Sold by a carrier, so the plan is set up and supported in Sri Lanka itself
- Roaming is listed for the USA, Japan, UK, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico and other destinations
- Top-ups are available, so data can be extended without a new plan
Cons
- The monthly roaming plan puts a limit on the length of a stay in a single destination
- Roaming data in Myanmar is temporarily suspended under the fair use policy
- Once the quota is used, extra data on the tourist plan is charged per MB plus tax
Smart Axiata
Pros
- Roaming reaches 143 countries, above the site median of 74 for travel plans.
- Entry prices at $2 sit under the site median of €5.
- Unlimited data keeps working once the fair use policy's daily cap is reached, so a trip never cuts out mid stream.
Cons
- The fair use policy caps daily roaming spend by region, so a heavy data day can cost the cap again the next day.
- Aimed at short trip travel, so a long multi-month stay is not the shape it is built around.
- Support runs on email, phone and community only, with no live chat or help centre in the list.
Who each suits
Dialog Axiata
Who it suits
- Travellers landing in Sri Lanka who want a local plan with roaming included
- Short trips where the same carrier plan covers local use and roaming
- People who would rather top up an existing plan than install a new eSIM
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone expecting a global eSIM for many countries: Zwitchy covers 200
- Budget shoppers comparing entry prices: eSIMGo.is lists $0.99
- Travellers planning a long stay in a single destination: SimToIsrael is built for a single market
Smart Axiata
Who it suits
- Travellers on a short holiday or business run who want one roaming plan across Asia and Europe rather than a purchase per country.
- Anyone heading out of Cambodia, since Smart Axiata is the home carrier and top-ups work on its own network.
- Heavy data users content to hit a daily cap, since data carries on after it without further charge.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who need a wider map: Zwitchy reaches 200 countries.
- Budget-first buyers who only want to test a connection: eSIMGo.is starts at $0.99.
Current offers
Dialog Axiata
Current offer
Bonus
Win 2GB free data every day with the Dia digital assistant: 2GB free data per day
Offer valid till 30th September; enter via Dia chat (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, MyDialog App, Instagram, Viber, dialog.lk web)
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Smart Axiata
Current offer
Discount code
Smart eSIM 50% off special number: 50% off a special number
Every new eSIM purchase
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Get 1GB data in SmartNas for FREE every day: 1 GB free data per day
For Smart Laor! plan subscribers who register on the EBC website
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Subscribe, Save, and Win: S-Coins to unlock vaults and win prizes
Earn S-Coins with plan subscriptions
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Dialog Axiata | Smart Axiata |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | No | Yes |
| Sri Lanka | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Dialog Axiata
How much does the tourist plan cost in Sri Lanka?+
The tourist plan in Sri Lanka starts at LKR 1,399, with larger bundles priced above that and a top tier that adds unlimited WhatsApp on top of the data. Validity suits a short stay, so check it against your trip length before you buy.
Is the data allowance unlimited?+
The tourist plans start at LKR 1,399, and unlimited data is listed as available. The fair use policy sets the boundary: extra data on the tourist plan is charged per MB plus tax once the quota is used, and unlimited data roaming is capped at a daily fee for subscribers who are not on a standard plan.
Smart Axiata
What does Smart Axiata cost for roaming data?+
Entry prices start at $2, and the roaming offer runs on a daily spend cap rather than a data allowance. The fair use policy sets a lower cap for most of Asia and higher caps across Europe, the UK, Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Jordan and Norway.
Is the data really unlimited?+
Unlimited data is listed among unlimited data, 5g and carrier plan for the roaming offer. The fair use policy explains the catch: data keeps flowing after the daily roaming spend cap is reached, so a heavy user simply pays the cap again on the next day instead of losing service or being cut off mid trip.
Other options to compare
Other rankings
Dialog Axiata
Smart Axiata