Last Updated: May 1, 2023

Best eSim Providers (Which Is The Right One For You?)

eSims are revolutionizing the way we stay connected when we travel. They provide an incredibly easy way of having a data connection no matter where you are heading without the need of buying physical sim cards in every new country you land in.

But, with so many eSIM providers out there, it can be tough to figure out which one is the best one for your needs.

Luckily for you, I have done the hard work for you and reviewed the best eSim providers on the planet for you to choose from so you can find the right eSim provider for your next trip.


Airalo

Airalo is one of the top eSIM providers in the world as it offers coverage in over 200 countries, making it one of the most extensive eSim networks in the world.

If you are looking for a great eSim for international travel, Airalo is one of the best eSim providers to check out.

Airalo’s eSim plans are very affordable and you can choose from numerous options from Glolable, regional, and local eSim data plans to match your trip length (1 day to 180 days) and data needs too.

For example, you can buy an eSim plan for Europe with 10GB of data for $37 that lasts for 30 days and works in 39 countries.

Their connection speeds, coverage, and customer support are all excellent so you can rely on Airalo for having a data connection wherever you travel to.

Pros

  • Works in 200+ countries
  • Global, regional, and local eSim plans
  • Affordable eSim plans
  • Lots of eSim plans to choose from
  • Match them to your trip/data needs
  • Excellent customer support

Cons

  • No unlimited data options available
See Prices on Airalo

Holafly

Holafly is another of the best eSIM providers in the world as they offer eSim plans in over 160 destinations on the planet. Holafly also specializes in providing unlimited data eSim plans to some of their select destinations and affordable eSim plans in all the countries they cover.

You can choose from global, regional, and local eSim plans and, of course, match them to your trip length and data needs.

For example, one of their Europe eSim plans provides you with unlimited data for 30 days for just $64. This is an awesome deal if you like to use a lot of data.

Their connection speeds and coverage are excellent as is their 24/7 support via email or phone and the Holafly app makes it easy to manage your eSim plans and data usage.

Pros

  • Reliable coverage
  • Easy to use app and interface
  • Good connection speeds
  • Excellent range of eSim plans
  • Unlimited data plans available

Cons

  • Hotspots/tethering are not allowed
See Prices on Holafly

Nomad

Another of the great global eSim providers is Nomad. Nomad’s eSIM can be used in over 190 countries with reliable coverage and fast connection speeds, making it an excellent choice of eSim provider for travelers.

Nomad offers various data plans, including daily and monthly plans, with competitive pricing although Nomad is not as affordable as other providers such as Airalo or Holafly.

You can choose from local, regional, or global eSim plans to match your data needs and your trip length. One of their popular Europe plans comes with 20GB of data for $35 that lasts for 30 days.

You can buy and activate your eSim data plans instantly using Nomad’s excellent eSIM app, and their customer support is available 24/7 via email or live chat.

Pros

  • Unlimited data plans available
  • Work in over 190 countries
  • Global, regional, and local eSim plans
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Easy to use app

Cons

  • A bit more expensive than others
See Prices on Nomad

Flexiroam

Flexiroam is another good eSIM provider that offers affordable data-only plans for travelers in over 160 countries.

Their eSIM app allows you to purchase and activate an eSim data plan quickly, and their customer support is available 24/7 via email or chat.

Their data plans are competitively priced and allow for rollover data, which is a nice feature if you plan on using data across multiple trips.

You can choose from local, global, and regional plans to match how much data you need and how long you are traveling for.

An example of one of their Europe eSim service plans is 10GB/24 days for $38.

While their connection speed may not be the fastest, Flexiroam’s coverage and affordability make it an excellent choice for travelers.

Pros

  • Good customer service
  • Works across 160 countries
  • A solid range of eSim plans
  • Affordable and reliable

Cons

  • Not the fastest connection speeds
See Prices on Flexiroam

SimOptions

SimOptions is an eSIM network provider and an eSim provider comparison website that sells eSim plans across a wide range of network providers.

You can find plans for over 200 countries that come with data, SMS, and even international calls depending on the eSim you choose. It is an excellent place to find a great deal as their price comparison tool makes this very easy.

One of their top Europe plans is the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM which comes with 20GB, unlimited calls/SMS in Europe, plus some free global calls/sms for $49.90/14 days.

SimOptions’ eSIM app allows you to purchase and activate a data plan instantly, and their customer support is available 24/7 via phone, email, or chat. The connection speed is fast and reliable, and they offer various data plans to fit your data needs.

Pros

  • Global coverage
  • Lots of prepaid data plans
  • Easy to use app/website
  • Global plan/local plan/regional plan options
  • Plans to match your travel needs
  • Great value

Cons

  • Unlimited plans are few
See Prices on SimOptions

Orange

Orange is a well-known French telecommunications company that offers eSIM services in over 60 countries worldwide.

You can find some great eSims when traveling to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Orange’s eSIM app allows you to easily purchase and activate a data plan, and their customer support is available 24/7 via phone or email.

Orange offers a lot of different eSim data plans to suit your data needs, including prepaid and postpaid options, with affordable pricing.

The Orange Holiday Zen eSIM works in all of Europe and comes with 20GB, unlimited calls/SMS in Europe, plus some free global calls/sms for $29.90/14 days.

They also provide free unlimited WiFi access at their public hotspots across France, making it a great option for those traveling to France.

Pros

  • Good for European eSim plans
  • Affordable
  • A range of plans to choose from
  • Reliable coverage and speeds

Cons

  • Not a very global provider
  • Less affordable than others
  • Unlimited plans not available
  • International eSim not available
See Prices on Orange

Three HK eSim

Three Hong Kong is an eSim provider that offers data-only plans with coverage in over 100 countries.

Their eSIM app allows you to purchase and activate a data plan instantly, and their customer support is available via phone or email. The connection speed is fast and reliable, and they offer various data plans to fit your data needs but there are some catches.

You can only buy two types of eSIMs: a global eSIM that works in over 100 countries and a regional eSIM that works in specific regions such as Asia.

Their pricing is super expensive, for example, an eSim for Europe requires buying a global eSim and costs $138 for 30 days for just 3GB of data.

Pros

  • Good for Asia eSim plans
  • A range of plans to choose from
  • Lots of regional plan options

Cons

  • Website is hard to navigate
  • Only offer international and regional eSim plans
  • Very expensive compared to others
See Prices on Three HK eSim

O2 eSim

O2 is a UK network who have only recently begun offering an eSim service to their customers. If you are based in the UK, you can now switch to using an eSim so long as your mobile phone/watch/tablet is eSim compatible.

In terms of eSims for travel, O2 is only offering one eSim plan, the O2 Go Card. It covers the whole of Europe and comes with 20GB of data plus free calls in the O2 network in all of Europe for $24.90 and lasts for 30 days.

It is a pretty affordable plan and comes with reliable service quality and their 24/7 customer support is on hand to help when you need it.

Pros

  • Easy to buy/setup
  • Good customer service
  • Affordable pricing
  • Good service

Cons

  • Currently on offers one eSim plan for travel
See Prices on O2 eSim

Maya Mobile

Maya Mobile is a solid global eSim network provider that offers eSims in over 195 countries. Their plans are either country-specific or regional plans and they do not offer a true global plan as of yet.

Their coverage is solid, as are their connection speeds. You can find a prepaid eSim to match your data needs and also match it to your trip length too, plus they are quite affordable. They also offer unlimited data in some destinations too which is handy.

Their top Europe eSim comes with unlimited data for 30 days for just £40 which is an excellent deal in my eyes. Their customer support is great too, they are definitely worth considering if you are looking for an eSim for travel.

Pros

  • Affordable plans
  • A range of plans to suit you
  • Unlimited data options
  • Good customer service
  • Easy buying/activation process

Cons

  • No global eSims yet
See Prices on Maya Mobile

Ubigi

Ubigi offers something a little different from other eSim providers as they allow you to choose between a one-off, monthly, or annual plan whether you need a local, global, or regional plan.

They have reliable coverage and connection speeds in over 190 destinations and their plans are very affordable too. Plus you can pick from a range of options to match your trip length/data needs.

The service Ubigi offers is also excellent. Buying and activating your eSim is very simple and you can rely on customer support to help you out.

One of their top Europe plans gives you 10GB of data for 30 days for just $24.

Pros

  • Local, global, or regional plans
  • Work in over 190 destinations
  • Affordable pricing
  • Good service

Cons

  • Unlimited data not available
See Prices on Ubigi

eSim2Fly

eSim2Fly is a provider that offers global and regional plans, and they are some of the most affordable plans out there. Their global plan certainly is, check it out below.

6 GB of highest speed (5G/4G/LTE) data AND unlimited 2G (128 kbps) for 15 days in 140 countries for $33 is hard to beat. If you are looking for a global eSim, this is hard to beat.

The coverage and connection speeds are solid plus there are customer service agents on hand to help you when needed.

Pros

  • Affordable global and regional eSims
  • Best plan for Vietnam
  • Smooth buying and activation process
  • Good coverage and connection speeds

Cons

  • No local plans bar Vietnam
  • No variation in trip length
See Prices on eSim2Fly

Simtex

Simtex provides good coverage and connection speeds in over 70 countries and you can choose from local or regional plans.

They only offer regional plans in Europe and their own Top 40 plan, which is a global sim that covers 40 countries in North, Central & South America, Asia, and Europe.

Their Europe plan gives you 10GB for 30 days for just $25 which is a great deal. The buying/activation process is smooth and customer service is on hand to help when you need it.

Pros

  • Solid coverage and fast connection speeds
  • Works in 70+ countries
  • Good local and regional plans to choose from
  • Smooth process
  • Good customer support
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Unlimited plans are not available
See Prices on Simtex

MTX Connect

MTX Connect only offers a global eSim and their plans are rather different from all the others. They are built for true global citizens that might not quite know where they will need a connection next.

Their coverage is extensive and includes most countries in the world. You can then choose from a prepaid eSim or pay as you go for lengths ranging from one day to 30 days so you can match the plan to your trip.

A top global plan of theirs is 4GB/14 days for $24.95 and you also have the option of adding Free Chat where you can use Telegram, WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, or Line for free so you can stay in touch with loved ones.

Pros

  • A true global eSim provider
  • A range of plans to suit you
  • Coverage in most countries
  • Good customer service

Cons

  • Global plans only
See Prices on MTX Connect

GlobaleSIM

GlobaleSIM offers a range of global plans with varying amounts of countries included as well as local plans for a specific country. However, there is no true regional plan such as an EU plan for example.

Their pricing can be a bit expensive compared to others but can also be affordable, it depends on the particular plan. A nice touch is that you can add global calling minutes to your plan too so you can stay in touch with loved ones.

Their GlobaleSIM Most Popular Data Plan covers most of North America and Europe and comes with 10GB of data/30 days for just $30 which is a good deal.

Pros

  • Coverage in 140+ countries
  • Global and local plans
  • 24/7 support
  • Good speeds
  • Add call minutes to your plan

Cons

  • Not an easy website
  • No true regional plans
See Prices on GlobaleSIM

AirHub

AirHub is another eSim comparison website that offers global, regional, and local eSim plans from a range of providers. They do not have plans in as many countries as other providers but their coverage is still solid.

They are perhaps known for their Thailand eSim more than anything else and offer great deals in Asia too. You can also find unlimited data options if that is what you need.

Their top Thailand eSim is 30GB/30 days for $14.5 so it is very affordable. You also have the choice of adding calling minutes to your eSim too.

Pros

  • A good range of plans to choose from
  • Very affordable in Asia
  • Generally affordable
  • Good service

Cons

  • Fewer countries covered than others
See Prices on AirHub

BNESIM

BNESIM is a great eSim provider that offers regional plans in Europe and Asia as well as local plans in over 170 countries. Their coverage, speeds, and customer service is all on point.

What I like most about BNESIM is that they offer data plans without expiration. Their Europe plan for example comes with 10GB of data that lasts until you use the data without any time limit, and costs just 33 Euros.

You can also choose from daily or monthly plans and these come with significant discounts too.

Pros

  • Local plans in 170+ countries
  • Regional plans in Europe & Asia
  • Great coverage
  • Good customer service
  • Unlimited data available
  • Plans without expiration available

Cons

  • No global plans
See Prices on BNESIM

eSIM.net

eSIM.net has partnered with O2 and Vodafone to offer eSim packages for UK residents but also offers travel eSims for 80+ countries around the world. You can choose from global, regional, and local plans, plus they are all affordable and unlimited data is an option.

Their Ultimate Travel Plan is quite astounding and gives you Unlimited Data/Unlimited Local Calls and Texts/30 days in 75 countries for just £27 which is an amazing deal.

Their coverage and connection speeds are excellent as is their customer service.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Great packages available
  • Global coverage
  • Unlimited data available
  • Rolling contracts available

Cons

  • None I can find
See Prices on eSIM.net

Surfroam

Surfroam only offers a prepaid eSim for global use. You buy an eSim with 25 EUR and are then charged per MB against your credit and rates change depending on the country you are in.

This means you always have a global eSim and your credit is used against data usage, there are no expiration dates.

However, their rates per GB are quite expensive. If we take Italy for example, the rate is €0.01 per MB, which is €10 per GB, much more expensive than others.

Pros

  • No data expiration
  • Pay as you go global eSim
  • Handy for consistent travelers

Cons

  • Very expensive
See Prices on Surfroam

KnowRoaming

KnowRoaming offers mostly global and regional eSims that include Europe, Asia, and their global plan too. You can also buy a local eSim for select countries around the world but there are not many to choose from.

Their global eSim covers 70+ countries and is quite affordable offering 5GB/30 days for $50, not bad for a global eSim.

But, they do not offer enough in terms of local and regional plans around the globe.

Pros

  • Affordable global eSim
  • Good service
  • Easy to set up
  • Plans range in data/length to match your needs

Cons

  • Doesn’t cover many countries
  • Limited local plans
See Prices on KnowRoaming

GigSky

GigSky offers regional plans for North America, Europe, Africa, Central America, South America Asia-Pacific, and the Caribbean as well as local plans for the US.

It is not obvious from their website every country they have coverage in, but it seems like they cover most countries in the world through their regional plans, however there is no global plan to be found.

Their top Europe plan offers 10GB/30 days/$37.99 which is not bad, but it is not quite as good as others. You can also choose from 7 to 30-day plans for most destinations.

Pros

  • Good global coverage
  • Excellent regional plans
  • Easy to use
  • Good service

Cons

  • Unlimited data not available
  • More expensive than others
See Prices on GigSky

Keepgo

Keepgo is about providing you with an eSim you keep for life, hence the name. They specialize in regional eSims each of which covers a unique range of countries and you have 6 to choose from as well as a global eSim to match to your travel patterns.

You then add data bundles to your chosen eSim that never expire, so you only pay for what you use. It is quite a clever eSim offering and would work well for people who travel a lot for business.

Their Auriga Lifetime Prepaid Data eSIM for example covers the Middle East, Europe, and parts of the Caribbean and their data bundles range from 1GB/$14 to 50GB/$260. This is quite expensive but it never expires.

Pros

  • Excellent regional plans
  • Data never expires
  • No need to buy new plans
  • Good service

Cons

  • No local plans
  • Quite expensive
See Prices on Keepgo

Yesim

Yesim offers eSims in over 126 destinations as local plans and two regional plans one for Europe and one for Eastern Europe/Asia which includes the likes of Russia and Georgia.

Their coverage and connection speeds are solid, the buying/activation process is smooth, and customer support is also on hand.

Their prices are quite affordable and you can get unlimited data. Their best Europe plan offers unlimited data/15 days for 37.50 EUR which is pretty good.

Pros

  • Covers 126 destinations
  • Regional and local plans available
  • Easy to use
  • Good service
  • Unlimited data available

Cons

  • No longer-term contracts
See Prices on Yesim

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile only offers eSims for the USA and these are not travel eSims, they are designed for US residents. You can choose from 3/6/12 month contracts with various amounts of data and calls.

Their best package comes with unlimited everything for $30 per month which is a pretty great deal if you ask me.

The coverage and connection speeds are excellent all over the USA and their customer service is great too.

Pros

  • Affordable plans for the US
  • 3/6/12 month options
  • Great coverage/speeds
  • Unlimited options available
  • Good customer service
  • Includes voice and sms

Cons

  • No travel eSims available
See Prices on Mint Mobile

Yoho Mobile

Yoho Mobile is a solid global eSim provider that can have you connected in more than 190+ countries through their regional and local eSim plans.

They offer a lot more countries in their regional plans than they do in their local plans, so you may have to buy a regional eSim instead of a local one in some situations.

Their top Europe eSim comes with 10GB/30 days/ for $29.32 which is an affordable deal.

Yoho Mobile coverage and connection speeds are reliable as is their customer service.

Pros

  • Works in 190+ countries
  • Reliable connection speeds
  • Good customer service
  • Easy activation process
  • Regional & local plans
  • Affordable pricing

Cons

  • Not many local plans compared to others
See Prices on Yoho Mobile

Stork

Stork seems relatively new to the game but is growing every day. They currently only offer 5 eSim plans which include Europe, North America, Oceania, Singapore, and Thailand.

Their service is reliable, as are their connection speeds, and the buying/activation process is very smooth.

Their Europe eSim plan comes with a max of 10GB/30 days for $50.99 which is a lot more expensive than others.

Pros

  • Coverage in 46 countries and growing
  • Reliable service
  • Good regional plans

Cons

  • Only offers 5 plans atm
  • A bit expensive
See Prices on Stork

Bouygues Telecom

Bouygues Telecom is a French network provider that only offers one eSim and it is for Europe only.

Their coverage and speeds in the 52 countries covered are excellent and the eSim is very affordable at 15GB/15 days for 15.90 Eur. You can also add calls and SMS for an extra 3 Eur.

Sadly, this is their only offering, so it is only worth checking out if you are heading to Europe.

Pros

  • Good eSim for Europe
  • Affordable
  • Reliable

Cons

  • Europe only
See Prices on Bouygues Telecom

MOGO eSim

MOGO eSim offers a range of regional and local eSims for you to choose from. They cover 32 countries with their local plans and their regional options include Europe, North America, and Asia.

Their best Europe plan comes with 10GB/90 days for $25 which is very affordable. It is at a discount though and usually costs $70 which would be a little expensive.

Pros

  • 32 local plans
  • 4 regional plans
  • Affordable
  • Reliable

Cons

  • Coverage not as extensive as others
See Prices on MOGO eSim

RedteaGO

RedteaGO boasts the most reliable global eSim connection, which is nice, and they do deliver to a point.

They are a true global eSim provider with global, regional, and local plans that come with a differing amount of data/lengths to match your needs.

Their top Europe eSim is super affordable with 5GB/30 days for $17.99, but this is with a heavy discount currently available.

Buying/activating your eSim is also very easy and their customer service is great.

Pros

  • Global/regional/local plans
  • Super reliable connections
  • Very affordable per GB
  • Great service

Cons

  • Does not cover Central/South America yet
See Prices on RedteaGO

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I get an eSim?

There are quite a few reasons to get an eSim over using a traditional physical sim card when you travel, let’s take a look.

Convenience

eSims eliminate the need for a SIM card, which means you don’t have to worry about losing it, damaging it, or swapping it out when changing carriers.

It also allows you to activate a new plan or switch carriers without needing to visit a store or wait for a physical SIM to arrive in the mail.

You can also continue to receive calls and SMS on your normal mobile number when using an eSim. This is particularly useful when you need to use two-factor authentication for authorizing payments and staying in touch with business associates and loved ones while traveling.

Flexibility

With an eSim, you can store multiple Sim profiles on a single device, which means you can switch between carriers or plans easily. This is particularly useful if you travel frequently or need separate phone lines for work and personal use.

You can also buy an eSim plan for the whole world, a region (such as Europe), or a specific country so you can have a data connection wherever you are traveling.

Affordability

eSims are also a much more affordable option than using mobile data on your data roaming plan. They can even be much more affordable than the data plans that come with local sim cards too.

It’s More Eco

eSim technology is pretty much an embedded sim card in your phone. This removes the need to buy multiple physical cards for each destination you travel to.

Normal sim cards require precious metals that come from mines, and the less we use them the better.

What factors should I consider when choosing the best eSim provider?

There are quite a few factors you should consider when looking for the best eSim provider for your upcoming trip and these include – coverage, cost, what is included in th eSim plan, and customer support.

Coverage

The last thing anyone wants is to buy an eSim plan and then have no signal while traveling. Be sure to check the coverage map of the eSim provider before buying any eSim plans and see which local mobile operator they partner with in the country you are traveling to.

Affordability

Not all eSim plans offer great value and it is worth doing some research across multiple eSim providers to ensure you are getting the best value.

What is included in the eSim plan?

Make sure that your eSim plan comes with everything you need. A lot of eSim plans are data plans only, and therefore it is imperative that you buy an eSim plan with enough data for your needs.

On average, people use about 5GB of mobile data per week but this can go up to 15GB per week for heavier users. Be sure to find a data plan to match your usage so you do not need to top up.

You should also look at how long the eSim plans last, as this can range from 1 day to over 90 days, so be sure it matches your trip length.

Some plans come with calls and SMS’ included too, these can be useful if you want to make local calls on the ground.

Customer Support

Making an eSim work can be a little tricky, especially if it is your first time. Be sure to use eSim providers that offer 24/7 customer service through online chat support or other. This way you will be able to ensure your eSim works when you land in a new country.

How do I determine if my device supports eSim?

To determine if your device supports eSim, simply dial *#06# and press call. If it comes up with an eSim identification number (EID) then your phone will work with an eSim.

Most new smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches support eSim and these include:

  • iPhone 12, 11, SE (2nd generation), and newer models
  • Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, Note 20, and newer models
  • Google Pixel 5, 4, 3a, and newer models
  • iPad Pro, iPad Air (3rd generation), and newer models
  • Apple Watch Series 6, SE, and newer models
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, Watch Active 2, and newer models
  • Huawei Watch 3 and newer models