Updated October 13, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
Smart Axiata vs stc
Smart Axiata
Higher score in this comparison
Smart Axiata vs stc: the differences
| Compare | Smart AxiataReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  stcReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2 | Not confirmed |
| Countries covered | 143 | Not confirmed |
| Unlimited data | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Reference plan prices | 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 | Not confirmed |
| 5G | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Fair use policy | 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 | Not confirmed |
| Top-ups | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Seller type (Carrier).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Support channels: only Smart Axiata offers Community.
- Support channels: only stc offers Chat.
Our verdict on each
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.
stc
stc is a telecom provider for home and personal use with high speed internet and reliable mobile plans. For people managing household connectivity and everyday mobile needs in Saudi Arabia, it offers flexible plan creation with social access and television viewing.
Score breakdown
| Area | Smart Axiata | stc |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.7 | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.1Higher | 9.0 |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.3 |
How they place
| Ranking | Smart Axiata | stc |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 121 of 926 | 777 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 130 of 918 | 777 of 918 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Smart Axiata | stc |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Global | Not confirmed |
| Features | Unlimited data, 5G, Carrier plan | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Short trip | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Smart Axiata Co., Ltd. | Saudi Telecom Company |
| Headquarters | Cambodia | Saudi Arabia |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1998 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Community | Email, Chat, Phone |
Pocket Wi-Fi
| Fact | Smart Axiata | stc |
|---|---|---|
| Daily price | Not confirmed | SAR 31 |
| Data allowance | Not confirmed | 5 GB |
| Pickup and delivery | Not confirmed | Collect at an stc branch on arrival; number is activated in the branch |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Smart Axiata | stc | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2below the median | Not confirmed | $3.97 |
| Countries covered | 143above the median | Not confirmed | 120 |
Median across 492 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
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.
stc
Pros
- Covers personal mobile plans with creation, sharing and modification flexibility.
- Includes high speed internet options for home use alongside mobile service.
- Provides television app viewing on mobile and television devices.
Cons
- Service focus remains national, limiting value beyond that single market.
- Range centers on home and personal needs without wider specialized scope.
Who each suits
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.
stc
Who it suits
- People managing everyday personal mobile needs
- Households seeking home internet and television access
Who should look elsewhere
- People outside the covered national area
Current offers
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 | Smart Axiata | stc |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | Yes | No |
| Saudi Arabia | No | Yes |
Questions about each
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.
stc
What does stc sell?+
stc sells telecom services for personal use and household use within a national service focus. The range includes high speed internet with reliable mobile plans for everyday needs. Television app access extends viewing across mobile and television devices.
Where does stc work?+
stc works in Saudi Arabia with services built for home and personal use. Coverage supports everyday mobile communication and household internet access within the country. Home and personal users receive connectivity designed for national everyday needs.
Other options to compare
Other rankings
Smart Axiata