M1 Maxx Vs Circles.Life Borderless - Compare Data Roaming Plan

In Singapore, SIM-only and prepaid data plans are quickly gaining traction. With more people working remotely, traveling often, and looking for ways to avoid long contracts, the demand for roaming-friendly, flexible, and no-commitment plans is rising.

Two strong options stand out: M1 Maxx and Circles.Life Borderless. While Circles.Life leans into a postpaid SIM-only model with bundled perks and lifestyle rewards, M1 Maxx takes a prepaid “pay-as-you-go” approach, giving users more control over how they spend.

This blog compares their features, roaming options, costs, and flexibility to help you decide which plan better fits your lifestyle or travel needs.

Overview of Circles.Life Borderless Plan (5G)

Circles.Life’s Borderless Plan is designed for frequent travelers and heavy data users who want roaming and lifestyle perks built into a single plan. For $30/month, you get:

• 100GB local + roaming data 8 destinations (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Taiwan)

• 5G UltraSpeed 

• 300 minutes of outgoing calls + unlimited incoming calls

• Free caller ID and no-contract flexibility

What sets Circles.Life apart is its perks ecosystem. Subscribers enjoy lifestyle rewards such as Shopee vouchers, ride discounts with TADA, Golden Village movie deals, and even gaming credits. Data rollover and easy app-based management also give users extra flexibility compared to traditional telco models.

Overview of M1 Maxx Plan

M1 Maxx is M1’s prepaid solution for those who prefer control and top-up flexibility. For as low as $10/month, the Maxx plan provides:

• 400GB local data (Singapore + Malaysia) with free 5G access

• 13GB APAC roaming

• 3GB international roaming

• Up to 300 IDD mins (300 mins to Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, China / 150 mins to Indonesia / 100 mins to Myanmar / 30 mins to Philippines)

• 500 minutes local outgoing calls + unlimited incoming calls

• 50 local SMS

• Free caller ID and no contract required

The biggest strength of M1 Maxx is its pay-as-you-go flexibility. Instead of being tied to a fixed subscription, you can top up or renew as needed, making it attractive for budget-conscious or infrequent users who don’t want to commit to a recurring monthly plan.

M1 Maxx vs Circles.Life Borderless – Quick Comparison Table

Data & Roaming Coverage

Circles.Life – Data Roaming Entitlements

Circles.Life Borderless comes with 100GB roaming data bundled every month, usable across 8 destinations: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Taiwan. Roaming is automatically activated via the Circles.Life app, so you don’t need to worry about add-ons when traveling.

For global travelers, Circles.Life also provides add-ons for more countries, making it flexible for both regional and international trips. With 5G UltraSpeed access, you can expect stable connections for streaming, gaming, or remote work.

M1 Maxx – Roaming & Data Options

M1 Maxx uses a pay-as-you-go roaming model. The base plan includes 13GB APAC roaming, and users can purchase roaming passes for popular destinations when needed. This makes it highly flexible for those who don’t travel often but want the option to top up when they do.

Since Maxx is prepaid, you’re never locked in. You can scale your roaming usage up or down depending on your travel frequency.

Side-by-Side Breakdown

Circles.Life Vs M1 Maxx: Voice, SMS & Local Features

Circles.Life – Voice & Local Benefits

Circles.Life’s Borderless plan blends data with strong voice perks. Users enjoy 300 minutes of outgoing local calls and unlimited incoming calls, ensuring you stay reachable without extra cost. Caller ID is included for free, and the plan runs entirely contract-free. With VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling supported, call quality remains reliable even when indoors or traveling.

M1 Maxx – Voice & Local Benefits

M1 Maxx leans toward traditional voice packages. It offers 500 minutes of local outgoing calls, unlimited incoming calls, and 50 local SMS. Users also get up to 300 IDD minutes to popular countries, making it attractive for those who need frequent international voice calls. Like Circles.Life, Maxx supports VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling, and since it’s prepaid, there’s no contract commitment.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Ease of Roaming and SIM Activation

M1 Maxx SIM Activation & Roaming Management

M1 Maxx uses digital onboarding via the M1 Maxx app or website. As a prepaid plan, you top up or purchase roaming passes as needed. The flexibility lies in its pay-as-you-go model — you can add roaming data for popular destinations without being tied to recurring monthly charges. Roaming is managed through the app, where users can track usage and validity easily.

Circles.Life SIM Activation & Roaming Management

Circles.Life is entirely digital-first. You can sign up, order an eSIM, or request a physical SIM all within the Circles.Life app. Roaming is pre-activated by default in the Borderless Plan, so your data works the moment you arrive in one of the 8 covered destinations. Management of your plan, add-ons, or perks like Zerofy rewards is seamless through the app. Circles also offers fast eSIM provisioning or doorstep delivery of SIM cards for convenience.

Maxx vs Circles.Life – Who Should Choose What?

M1 Maxx

• Great for users who want long plan validity without contracts

• Best for budget-conscious or infrequent users who don’t need consistent roaming

• Ideal for light usage or temporary needs, with flexibility to top up only when required

Circles.Life Borderless

• Perfect for frequent travellers who want seamless roaming across multiple destinations

• Designed for heavy data users who need both large local and roaming allocations

• Attractive for no-frills users who prefer postpaid SIM-only with perks and no contract obligations

Final Verdict – Which One is Right for You?

Both M1 Maxx and Circles.Life Borderless meet today’s demand for contract-free flexibility, but they cater to very different lifestyles.

Choose M1 Maxx if you value budget control and want a prepaid plan with pay-as-you-go roaming. It’s a good fit for occasional users, temporary setups, or those who mainly need local data with occasional regional top-ups.

Choose Circles.Life Borderless if you want a complete roaming package built in, with 100GB local + roaming data, seamless activation, and perks like free caller ID, lifestyle rewards, and Zerofy savings. For frequent flyers, remote workers, and data-heavy users, it’s the smarter, more travel-ready choice.

In short: M1 Maxx wins for light prepaid usage, but Circles.Life Borderless is the better all-rounder for travelers and heavy users.