Best eSim For India (Prepaid Data For Less)
Looking for the best eSim for your upcoming trip to India? Then this guide will show you all the best India eSims options!
Below are a range of prepaid eSim data packages from both local and international providers – from small to large packages and even unlimited data if you want.
At A Glance: Best eSim Providers in India
- Best eSim for India Travel Airalo
- BEST UNLIMITED DATA ESIM Maya Mobile
- CHEAPEST SHORT-TERM PLANS Nomad
- BEST ESIM WITH REGIONAL COVERAGE SimOptions
- BEST ESIM WITH PHONE NUMBER AIS eSIM2FLY
So scroll down to find the best eSims for India to make your journey a breeze!
Best eSim Providers in India
ESIM Product Comparison
Airalo7 Days
$4.5/GB
Airalo30 Days
$3.7/GB
Airalo30 Days
$3.2/GB
Airalo30 Days
$2.7/GB
Maya30 Days
Maya30 Days
$5/GB
Maya30 Days
$2.8/GB
Maya30 Days
$3.7/GB
Maya30 Days
$2.7/GB
Holafly15 Days
$7.3/GB
Nomad7 Days
$5/GB
Nomad15 Days
$3/GB
Nomad15 Days
$2.8/GB
Nomad30 Days
$2.7/GB
Nomad30 Days
$2.3/GB
7 Days
$9.9/GB
10 Days
$3/GB
SIM2Fly8 Days
$2.7/GB
Airalo
Airalo is an excellent provider when you want the cheapest India eSim data plans. Airalo’s eSim plans for India starting at just $4.5:
Of course, the more GB you get, the cheaper it is with the 10GB costing just $2.7 per GB.
All of Airalo’s prepaid India eSims provide you with access to the Airtel network, the second-best network operator in the country. They’ve got pretty good network coverage, so you should have a stable Internet connection even if you go exploring the more remote parts of the country.
Airalo’s eSims are easy to set up and activate, plus they make it very simple to purchase top-ups when you want to get more data.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Excellent network coverage
- Easy top-ups
Cons
- No phone number
Maya Mobile
Maya Mobile is an excellent eSim provider worth considering for Internet access in India. The provider has a total of five mobile data plans for India, all of which are valid for 30 days:
- 1 GB / 30 Days for $5
- 3 GB / 30 Days for $11
- 5 GB / 30 Days for $14
- 10 GB / 30 Days for $27
- Unlimited Data / 30 Days for $59
The eSim plans from Maya Mobile are in the same price range as packs from Airalo and Nomad but with the advantage of longer validity periods. Also, Maya Mobile grants you access to two network providers in India – Vi and Airtel. You’ll have excellent network coverage throughout India, as well as a fast and stable Internet connection.
Additionally, this is the only eSim provider with an unlimited data plan for India, so pretty much your only option if you don’t want to be hindered by limited data usage. Maya Mobile allows data sharing on their eSims, so you can easily share the Internet access, and possibly even the eSim cost, with others.
Pros
- Unlimited data plan
- Great value for money
- Access to two network operators
- Data sharing is allowed
Cons
- No short-term data plans
Nomad
Nomad is another great option for travelers in India. Their eSim data plans are suitable for both shorter and longer stays, plus they’re in a similar price range as Airalo. The main difference is that Nomad eSims grant you access to two network operators in India, which is great for exploring remote regions of the country.
The Nomad eSim plans are:
- 1 GB / 7 Days for $5
- 3 GB / 15 Days for $9
- 5GB / 15 Days for $14
- 10 GB / 30 Days for $27
- 15 GB / 30 Days for $35
Nomad eSims access the Internet on the Bharti Airtel and Vodafone networks. This is the best provider to consider if you’re looking for an eSim with a generous data allowance because their 15 GB plan is only $2.33 per GB.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Access to two network operators in India
Cons
- No phone number
SimOptions
SimOptions is a popular eSim provider and a great option for travelers who plan to explore more countries, in addition to India. Their eSim offers coverage in 26 countries throughout the world, including Australia, the United States, and quite a few countries in Asia and the Middle East.
SimOptions has two eSim plans for India:
The 1 GB plan isn’t really worth the money because both Airalo and Nomad offer cheaper weekly plans. But the regional 6 GB plan is an excellent option if you’re fine with the validity period of 10 days. You will have access to the Vodafone network in India. The major downside of the SimOptions eSim is that they don’t offer any top-up options.
Pros
- The 6 GB plan is good value for the money
- Regional coverage
- Easy setup and activation
Cons
- Short validity period
AIS eSIM2FLY
AIS eSim2Fly is another good option for travelers in India, especially those who have plans to visit other countries in the region as well. This provider offers a global eSim plan and a regional eSim plan for Asia, and the great news is that India is included in the latter plan, which is much better value for money than the former.
The AIS eSim for Asia is just $16, and this includes
- 6 GB of data valid for 8 days
- 60 minutes of calls/texts with a Thai phone number
- switch to unlimited 2G when the 6G runs out
So, even if you accidentally hit the 6GB limit, you won’t be blocked. Which has happened to me before. Then what do you do? You can’t renew when you don’t have data!
AIS also makes it fairly simple to purchase a top-up and prolong the validity of your eSim.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Regional coverage
- Unlimited low-speed data
Cons
- Valid for only 8 days
Holafly
Holafly is a recognised eSim provider that usually offers unlimited data plans, but that’s unfortunately not the case with their plans for India. This provider offers only one data plan for India, and it’s 6 GB, 15 days, for $44. I think this plan is way too expensive for what it is, especially since you can get much better value for money from the other providers.
The Holafly eSim data plan lets you browse the Internet on the Airtel India mobile network, the country’s second-best provider with good coverage. Data sharing is available with the Holafly India eSim, so you would be able to create a hotspot and share your connection with other devices and people.
Pros
- Data sharing is allowed
- Generous data allowance
Cons
- The most expensive data plan
Benefits of Getting an eSim in India
The main advantage of getting an eSim in India is that you will have access to the Internet everywhere, at all times. This will be especially convenient for travelers who plan to explore the more remote regions of the country, which don’t have good free WiFi coverage despite being popular tourist destinations.
A benefit of getting an eSim as opposed to a physical sim card is convenience. You don’t have to walk around a foreign city looking for a place to purchase a sim card, and you most certainly don’t need to worry about storing your original sim card somewhere if you don’t have a dual sim device.
Local Mobile Operators Offering eSims in India
Airtel India is an excellent option for a cheap eSim card. The local provider offers eSim plans to both their prepaid and postpaid customers, and you can get a prepaid plan for as little as $3.7. This plan includes 1.5 GB of data per day, unlimited calls, and a validity period of 28 days.
The only catch is that you can only buy physical sim cards in their online store. There’s no option to sign up for an eSim immediately with a prepaid pack, so keep that in mind.
Jio is another local operator that offers eSims to all their customers in India. You can purchase a Jio eSim in one of their physical stores, and you need to complete a KYC and sign up with a registered email ID to get an eSim. It’s quite a bit of work, but worth it because the prepaid plans are very affordable. For just $3.7 you can get unlimited calls and 2 GB of data per day for 28 days.
Vi India offers eSims only to postpaid subscribers, so they’re not a great option if you really want to get an eSim. But if you’re okay with a physical sim card, consider getting a prepaid plan from this provider because you can get 2.5 GB per day and unlimited calls for less than $5.
Devices Compatible with eSim in India
All mobile devices that support eSim technology will be compatible with eSims in India. This includes smartphones, smart watches, tablets, and even some laptops. Cell phones that are compatible with eSims include the Google Pixel 3 and newer models, iPhone XR and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 phones and newer ones, Motorola Razr, and many other devices.
The quickest way of making sure that your cell phone supports an eSim is to dial *#06#. This will bring up a list of serial codes that identify your device. An EID number will be present if your device supports embedded sim cards. If you can’t see an EID number, it likely means that your phone isn’t compatible with eSims and you will need to look for a physical sim card instead.
Data Needed When Traveling to India
How much data you need for a trip to India depends mostly on your usage habits and the length of your trip. Some 3 GB should be enough for a week, up to 5 GB for two weeks, and 10 GB should be plenty for trips for up to a month, provided you’re not watching too many videos while using mobile data.
On the other hand, if you want to use mobile data more often and you don’t particularly want to monitor your data usage, then go for plans with a larger data allowance. It’s often better to start off with a smaller plan, and then just purchase more data if you need it because that will also extend the overall validity period of the eSim plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an eSim in India?
Yes, you can get an eSim in India. It’s possible to buy one from both local and international providers. The prepaid plans with embedded sim cards from local providers in India are generally more affordable than eSims from international providers.
How can I buy an eSim in India?
You can buy an eSim in India in the physical stores of Jio and Airtel India. These two operators offer eSims with prepaid plans, but you will need to provide them with a registered email ID and possibly some other documents before you can get an eSim.
How much does an eSIM cost in India?
An eSim for India can cost anywhere from a few dollars to more than a hundred dollars, depending on the validity period. Local eSims are very cheap, and you can usually get a great plan for $4-5. International eSims are more expensive ($5-30) but also more convenient to purchase and set up.
How do I activate my eSim in India?
To activate your eSim in India, it should be enough to just turn on mobile data and start browsing the Internet. This is if you’ve previously set up the eSim plan, which you can do in the network settings; select Add a Cellular Plan / Add an eSim in the sim card manager, and scan the QR code you get with the purchase of the eSim. If you run into any problems trying to set up an eSim plan, it’s best to contact the support team of the eSim provider.
