In this article, I will provide a comprehensive list of the top-rated travel eSIM providers in 2024 based on our experience and user reviews, ensuring that you stay connected effortlessly wherever you go. eSIMs have become increasingly popular for international travel, offering convenience and flexibility. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or planning your next adventure, having the best travel eSIM is essential to stay connected and unlock the full potential of your mobile device.
Choosing the right eSIM provider is crucial, as it determines the quality of your travel experience. With a top travel eSIM, you can enjoy seamless connectivity, easy activation, and the flexibility to switch between data and call plans based on your needs. Get ready to go through the most extensive curated list of eSIM providers to help you make the right choice.
Best Travel eSIMs Key Takeaways
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM or an embedded SIM or a virtual SIM is a digital SIM card already embedded in your mobile device. It eliminates the need for a physical SIM card and can be easily reprogrammed to connect to different mobile networks. With an eSIM, you no longer need to physically switch out SIM cards when traveling internationally or changing providers. Instead, you can conveniently activate and switch between different data and call plans directly from your device.
One of the key advantages of eSIMs is the ease of activation and use. Instead of going to a physical store to purchase and install a SIM card, you can simply download the necessary eSIM profile onto your device. Once the eSIM is activated, you can easily switch between different plans and carriers, enabling you to stay connected wherever you go.
For more detailed information, read our article about eSIMs.
How does an eSIM work?
When you activate an eSIM on your device, it establishes a secure connection with the mobile network and downloads the necessary network settings and profiles. These profiles contain the information required for your device to connect to the network, such as authentication keys and service subscriptions.
Switching between different eSIM profiles is also seamless. You can easily add or remove profiles from your device, allowing you to switch between different carriers or plans with just a few taps. This flexibility is particularly useful for travelers who often switch between different countries or need access to multiple local networks.
It’s important to note that not all devices are compatible with eSIM technology. However, many modern smartphones, tablets, and wearables now come with eSIM capabilities built-in. To check if your device supports eSIM, you can navigate to the settings menu on your device and look for an eSIM activation option or an option to add cellular plans.
Why Use an eSIM for International Travel?
Using an eSIM for international travel offers several benefits and advantages.
1. Flexibility
One of the key advantages of using an eSIM is the flexibility it offers. With an eSIM, you can easily switch between different data and call plans based on your specific travel requirements. Instead of being locked into a long-term contract or having to purchase a new physical SIM card every time you arrive in a new country, an eSIM allows you to quickly and effortlessly activate a new plan.
2. Convenience
Another advantage of using an eSIM for travel is the convenience it provides. You can activate the eSIM immediately upon arriving in a new country, ensuring that you have access to a local mobile network right away. This eliminates the need to search for a SIM card or visit a physical store to get connected. With just a few taps on your phone, you can be up and running with an eSIM.
3. Keep Your Existing Number
When using an eSIM, you have the option to keep your existing phone number while using a local or regional eSIM plan. This means you can stay connected with your friends, family, and colleagues using your usual phone number, even when you’re traveling abroad. It offers the convenience of seamless communication without the need to inform everyone of a temporary new number.
How to Check if Your Phone is Compatible with eSIMs?
If you’re considering using an eSIM for your international travels, the first step is to check if your phone is compatible. Not all phones support eSIM technology, so it’s important to verify before making any decisions. Here’s a simple guide on how to check if your phone supports eSIM:
- Go to your phone’s settings.
- Look for options such as “general,” “about,” or “network & internet.”
- If your device is compatible, you will see an option for eSIM activation or a 15-digit IMEI number.
If you see the eSIM activation option or the IMEI number, congratulations! Your phone is compatible with eSIMs. You can proceed with setting up and activating an eSIM for your travels. However, if you don’t have the eSIM option or the IMEI number, it means your phone does not support eSIM technology. In this case, you may need to consider other options for staying connected while traveling internationally.
How to Choose the Best Travel eSIM?
If you’re looking for the best travel eSIM, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, what are your travel needs?
If you need the fastest travel eSIM, then you’ll want to look for one that offers high-speed data. However, if you’re more concerned with convenience, then you’ll want to look for the most convenient travel eSIM that offers easy activation and management.
Planning on streaming videos? You’ll probably want to look for the most affordable travel eSIM and prioritize unlimited data plans.
If you’re working or handling sensitive data on your trip, well then you’ll want the most secure travel eSIM with the most reliable connection.
The best eSIM provider for you will be the one that meets your needs the best. Once you know what you need, you can start comparing different providers.
To make your life easier, we have compiled a list of the best travel eSIM providers in 2024 and have highlighted the unique features of each one. Let’s get into it!
Airalo – Best eSIM for Affordable Data Plans
Airalo, established in 2019 and headquartered in Singapore, is a pioneering eSIM store offering digital data packs for over 200 countries, aiming to reduce high roaming costs for travelers. The company focuses on providing global data connectivity, facilitating seamless internet access for users upon arrival in a new country. Emphasizing diversity and inclusion, Airalo’s team operates globally, committed to revolutionizing how travelers stay connected.
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Airalo offers a user-friendly eSIM solution with extensive global coverage and affordable data plans, making international connectivity seamless. However, users cite challenges with customer service, occasional connectivity issues, and difficulties in obtaining refunds, highlighting the need for improvements in these areas.
Holafly – Best eSIM for Unlimited Data
Holafly is an innovative eSIM provider established in 2017, offering travelers data plans in over 160 destinations worldwide without roaming charges. Their eSIM technology allows easy installation and management through dedicated iOS and Android apps, ensuring travelers stay connected with fast and reliable internet. Committed to exceptional 24/7 customer support and environmental sustainability, Holafly enables travelers to keep their local SIM for calls while enjoying the convenience and flexibility of a digital eSIM.
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Holafly excels in user-friendly eSIM setup, offering extensive coverage across 160+ destinations. Unlimited data plans cater to diverse needs, but compatibility issues with locked phones and occasional refund delays pose drawbacks. The absence of tethering and limited coverage in specific areas, coupled with reported customer service challenges, impacts the overall experience for travelers.
AloSIM – Best eSIM for Top Customer Support
AloSIM offers prepaid eSIM data packages, enabling travelers to easily access mobile data on their phones, tablets, or computers in over 170 countries. As a digital SIM card, aloSIM allows users to avoid roaming charges by using local eSIMs for data when traveling abroad. This service ensures continuous connectivity without the need for Wi-Fi, making it a convenient option for international travelers.
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AloSIM offers hassle-free eSIM installation via QR code, budget-friendly global data plans, and excellent customer support. While lacking a dedicated phone number, limited unlimited data plans, regional coverage gaps, and device compatibility hiccups pose minor drawbacks. Overall, it’s a user-friendly choice for cost-effective international data connectivity.
Nomad – Best eSIM for Transparent Pricing
Nomad is an eSIM provider offering data plans at local rates in over 165 countries, making it a convenient choice for travelers. Users can easily buy, manage, and top up their eSIMs through the Nomad app, available anytime and anywhere. The service is praised for its ease of installation and use, high-speed internet access, and effective customer support, making it a reliable option for international travelers seeking hassle-free mobile data connectivity.
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Nomad stands out with extensive coverage in 165+ countries, offering flexible, transparent data plans via a user-friendly app. While some face limited coverage and potentially high costs in specific regions, Nomad provides reliable connectivity for most travelers seeking straightforward, high-speed eSIM solutions.
Instabridge – Best eSIM for Free Shared Wi-Fi Hotspots
Instabridge offers a global eSIM service providing high-speed internet in over 190 countries, ideal for travelers, digital nomads, and business professionals. It eliminates roaming fees and offers optimized data plans for each country, with the unique feature of a data-compressing browser to extend data usage. Additionally, users can connect to over 20 million WiFi hotspots worldwide, ensuring cost-efficient and widespread internet access.
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Instabridge stands out with global coverage in 190+ countries, offering cost-effective plans and versatile device compatibility. Users benefit from community-driven Wi-Fi access and offline hotspot lists. While some encounter app usability issues and activation glitches, Instabridge is a practical choice for widespread, affordable internet connectivity.
BNESIM – Best eSIM for Credit That Lasts
BNESIM offers a global eSIM solution for travelers, providing affordable and seamless connectivity in over 200 countries without roaming charges. It supports multiple eSIM profiles on the same account, compatible with 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, and offers a wide range of data plans, including pay-as-you-go options and unlimited global plans. The service includes unique features like automatic country detection for the best data offers, smart top-up options, and the ability to activate multiple international numbers, catering to the needs of travelers, business people, and remote workers.
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BNESIM offers extensive global coverage in 200+ countries with non-expiring credits. While users appreciate competitive prices and diverse plans, reported issues include occasional slow data speeds, a complex activation process, and a less user-friendly website and app interface. Overall, BNESIM caters to diverse needs but may require technical navigation.
GlobaleSIM – Best eSIM for Plan Customization
GlobaleSIM, based in Tiqwa, Israel, specializes in providing prepaid eSIM data plans for travelers, covering over 150 countries and 400 carriers. They offer a range of plans suitable for local, regional, and global travel, with features like easy Topup and voice services. This makes GlobaleSIM a versatile choice for tourists and travelers needing reliable cellular network access abroad.
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GlobaleSIM excels in instant eSIM delivery and activation, offering diverse plans across 150+ countries with reliable 4G connectivity. Despite reported delays in customer service responses and limited coverage in specific regions, its flexibility in plan customization makes it a solid choice for global travelers seeking efficient cellular network access.
Holiday eSIM – Best eSIM for Traveling Europe
Holiday eSIM, provided by UK Telecom Distribution, is a leading provider of travel and holiday SIM cards, including the Orange France Holiday SIM, with a presence in nearly 100 countries. They offer a wide range of top-up options from over 300 mobile networks, catering to both businesses and individuals. Known for their premium support and services, they are now expanding into the eSIM market, offering attractive packages and deals for travelers seeking reliable and hassle-free international connectivity.
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Holiday eSIM, from UK Telecom Distribution, offers instant activation and user-friendly installation, providing reliable coverage and speed in Europe. While users appreciate the inclusive international calls and texts, reported issues include occasional connectivity problems, slow customer service, and concerns about data limitations. Overall, it’s a convenient prepaid option for seamless travel connectivity.
Flexiroam – Best eSIM for Data Sharing
Flexiroam is a global connectivity provider founded in 2011 offering an Apple-certified eSIM service. It boasts a vast network, partnering with over 700 operators in more than 200 countries and territories, ensuring extensive coverage for travelers. The company focuses on customer-centric solutions, providing versatile connectivity options across various devices, making it a strong choice for travelers seeking reliable international communication.
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Flexiroam offers expansive global coverage, cost-effective plans, and data-sharing features, making it a versatile choice for international travelers. However, reported concerns include connectivity issues, customer support delays, and perceived complexities in the activation process. While generally well-regarded, some users express dissatisfaction with data speeds and pricing policies.
Maya Mobile – Best eSIM for US Travel
Maya Mobile is a US-based provider specializing in eSIM technology, offering prepaid and unlimited data plans tailored for international travelers. Their service covers all 194 destinations worldwide, providing a secure and convenient solution for tourists seeking mobile data access abroad. Maya Mobile’s on-demand travel SIM cards cater to the needs of global travelers, ensuring connectivity without the need for physical SIM card exchanges.
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Maya Mobile, a US-based eSIM provider, impresses with flexible data plans, instant activation, and secure connections across 194 countries. While users appreciate multiple network options, reported limitations include variable customer support, coverage, and speed inconsistencies. Device compatibility challenges may require updates, and 5G availability is not universal.
Eskimo – Best eSIM for Extended Data Validity
Eskimo offers a roaming data plan with the industry’s longest expiry period of up to 2 years, covering over 80 countries. It allows users to share a single data plan among multiple people, transfer data unlimited times, and supports 4G/LTE speeds without daily limits or throttling. Additionally, Eskimo provides cost savings of up to 90%, supports personal hotspots, and offers incentives like 500MB bonus data for both the referrer and the referred friend.
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Eskimo eSIM stands out with a remarkable two-year data validity, facilitating easy sharing among users. With no daily limits or throttling, it offers uninterrupted 4G/LTE speeds and eco-friendly benefits. However, limited coverage, compatibility issues, occasional connectivity glitches, and perceived higher costs are reported concerns.
Simify (formerly SimsDirect) – Best eSIM for Hassle-Free Setup
Simify is a company established in 2018, dedicated to providing travelers with convenient, affordable, and reliable prepaid travel SIMs for staying connected in 85 destinations worldwide. They offer a range of data and call options without hidden fees, emphasizing customer support and a commitment to enhancing the travel experience. Simify’s services are tailored for travelers seeking to share and capture their experiences while indulging in different cultures and adventures abroad.
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Simify offers a user-friendly eSIM setup and reliable connectivity in 85 destinations, emphasizing good value for money and efficient delivery. However, users express concerns about data usage issues, limited coverage, and difficulties in customer support, impacting the overall satisfaction of travelers seeking hassle-free connectivity abroad.
Drimsim – Best eSIM With a Travel Assistant App
Drimsim is a global SIM card offering affordable internet in 190 countries without monthly fees or hidden costs, ideal for travelers. It provides a convenient app for expense tracking, support, and trip planning, ensuring easy access to internet services beyond hotel Wi-Fi. Additionally, Drimsim promises refunds for connection issues or if the SIM card is unused, emphasizing customer satisfaction and reliability for international travel.
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Drimsim’s global SIM card impresses with transparent pricing, extensive coverage in 190 countries, and seamless activation. Users appreciate its reliable network performance and automatic network switching. However, reported data usage discrepancies, the absence of a phone number, and limitations without Wi-Fi pose challenges for travelers seeking comprehensive communication services.
Surfroam – Best eSIM for Competitive Pay-As-You-Go Rates
Surfroam is a global roaming internet access service designed for frequent travelers, offering coverage in over 200 countries with high-speed 3G, 4G, and 5G connectivity. It operates on a pay-as-you-go model with data charges starting from $0.01 per MB, ensuring travelers only pay for their actual usage. Additionally, Surfroam provides both traditional SIM cards and digital eSIM profiles, catering to a wide range of devices and offering the convenience of borderless connectivity for travelers.
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Surfroam stands out with competitive pay-as-you-go rates, easy eSIM setup, and expansive coverage in 200+ countries. With long credit validity and no recurring costs, it’s a cost-effective choice for frequent travelers. However, users mention occasional issues like sudden rate changes and SIM card expirations.
Keepgo – Best eSIM for User Privacy
Keepgo offers eSIM and physical SIM plans, providing coverage in over 150 countries through partnerships with 500+ cellular networks. Their services include prepaid Internet bundles with no expiration or monthly fees, and the ability to switch operators easily, catering to travelers seeking flexible and extensive coverage. Keepgo emphasizes privacy with a zero-personal-data system and accepts cryptocurrency payments, making it an attractive option for travelers concerned about data security and confidentiality.
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Keepgo offers unthrottled 4G speeds, global coverage in 150+ countries, and user-friendly eSIM activation. While praised for flexibility and long-term data validity, users note higher prices than local SIMs, limited availability in some countries, occasional data speed issues, and reported complexities in adding bonus data.
Which one will you choose?
Each eSIM provider has their own strengths and weaknesses and since they have become an essential part of modern-day traveling, you need to go with one. Hopefully, this article gave you a good overview of the best eSIMs for travel so that you can make the right choice for you.
Let us know about your experiences with these eSIM providers!
