Find the Best eSIM For Your Trip

What Is an eSIM?

An eSIM is exactly like the small plastic SIM card that slots into your smartphone to get network connection, except that eSIMs are completely digital.

If your smartphone is eSIM compatible, you can download an eSIM from your carrier to access their talk, text, and data. Check our list of eSIM compatible phones to see if your smartphone supports them.

eSIMs are also great for accessing data when traveling abroad. The next time you touch down in a foreign country, you won't need to trudge on over to a SIM card shop to buy a physical SIM card. You'll be able to buy a data plan straight from the best eSIM provider's website or app and instantly connect to the local mobile network.

How Do eSIMs Work?

eSIMs are installed either through the provider's app or by scanning a QR code.

We recommend in-app installation because the app will walk you through each step. QR code installation is still easy to do, but it requires the extra step of scanning and following instructions sent to you by email.

Your eSIM data won't activate until you're located in your travel destination. Once the eSIM establishes a connection with the local telecommunications network (designated in your data plan), then you'll be "on the clock".

To learn more, watch our instructional video on how to activate an eSIM.

Pros and Cons of Using eSIMs 🌐

🟢 eSIMs Pros

• Remote: No need to insert a physical SIM into your phone.
• Multi-eSIM: Some devices support multiple eSIMs.
• Travel Convenience: Buy online and access local networks.
• Secure: Embedded into your device, eSIMs can't get lost.
• Space Efficiency: eSIMs often enable well designed phones.

❌ eSIMs Cons

• Limited Compatibility: Not all devices support eSIM yet.
• Lack of Tangibility: Transferring a physical SIM card to another phone is more intuitive.

Pros and Cons of Opting For Prepaid SIM Cards ▪️📲

🟢 Physical SIM Pros

• Easy Transfer: Transferring to a new phone just requires physically moving the SIM.
• Universal Compatibility: Almost all smartphones are compatible with physical SIMs.
• Wide Availability: All major carriers issue physical SIMs, giving you lots of options.

❌ Physical SIM Cons

• Lack of Multi-SIM Access: Most phones only support one SIM.
• Difficult to Replace: Physical SIMs can get lost, making phone number recovery difficult.
• Not Travel Friendly: It's a pain to compare and shop for prepaid SIMs overseas.

The Best eSIM Providers Compared

Airalo:

Airalo covers an impressive range of countries and offers flexible plans for your needs, varying by country & region, data size, and number of days.

• Number of Countries: 200
• Data Plans: 1 - 30 GB
• Average Price: $1 - $6 /GB
• Plan Durations: 7 - 365 days
• Speed Capability: 3G / 4G / 5G / LTE
• Talk & Text: Available
• Tethering (Hotspot/Wi-Fi): Available
• Works With VPN: Yes

Learn more: read our Airalo review.

Holafly:

Holafly specializes in convenient unlimited data plans for individual countries and entire regions and continents.

• Number of Countries: 197
• Data Plans: Unlimited
• Average Price: $19 - $100 /plan
• Plan Durations: 5 - 90 days
• Speed Capability: 4G / 5G / LTE
• Talk & Text: Available
• Tethering (Hotspot/Wi-Fi): Available
• Works With VPN: Yes

Learn more: read our Holafly review.

Yesim:

Yesim is a Swiss-based eSIM provider offering some of the best prices per GB on the market.

• Number of Countries: 160
• Data Plans: 3 - 30 GB
• Average Price: $1.10 - $7 /GB
• Plan Durations: 7 - 30 days
• Speed Capability: 3G / 4G / 5G / LTE
• Talk & Text: Available
• Tethering (Hotspot/Wi-Fi): Available
• Works With VPN: Yes

Learn more: read our Yesim review.

Nomad:

Nomad eSIM is one of the top eSIM providers on the market, offering low prices and an easy-to-use travel app.

• Number of Countries: 170
• Data Plans: 1 - 20 GB
• Average Price: $1.05 - $7 /GB
• Plan Durations: 7 - 45 days
• Speed Capability: 4G / 5G
• Talk & Text: Available
• Tethering (Hotspot/Wi-Fi): Available
• Works With VPN: Yes

Learn more: read our Nomad review.