Nomad eSIM Review – How Good is Nomad eSIM in 2024?

Wondering if Nomad eSIM is the right choice for your travels in 2024? In this review, we dive into its features, benefits, and real-world performance to help you decide if it’s the best eSIM option for you.

At Roami, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive reviews to help you make informed decisions about eSIMs. We even collate other reviews to give you a well-rounded picture of various eSIM providers.

In this in-depth review, we’ll take a good look at one of the top players in the eSIM market – Nomad eSIMs. We’ll evaluate everything from its features and benefits to user feedback and the purchasing process.

 Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive, honest review based on our testing methodology.

What is Nomad eSIM?

Nomad eSIM is a digital SIM card service that allows you to stay connected across 170+ countries without the need for a physical SIM card.

It is essentially an eSIM marketplace that allows you to buy travel plans from local and global providers, depending on where you are heading.

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a small chip built directly into your device. This allows you to switch between carriers or data plans without physically changing SIM cards.

Nomad has quickly established itself as a reputable, respected brand within the eSIM space. Its Trustpilot score of 4.4 out of 5, based on almost 7,000 reviews, reflects this, alongside an Apple Store rating of 4.8 and a Google Play score of 4.5 for the app versions.

With its brand name tapping into the travel mindset, it clearly targets travelers who need reliable internet access on the go.

Its varied data plans focusing on providing broad coverage help it meet the demands of travelers looking for consistent connectivity with flexibility in terms of price. You can learn more about their services on their site, but stick around for our unbiased analysis.

Why Buy Nomad eSIM?

Nomad eSIM has built a strong reputation in the travel community for several reasons:

• Global coverage – Nomad eSIM offers coverage in over 170 countries, making it a reliable choice for international travelers. This is middle of the range in terms of its competitors. 
• Flexible plans –  As mentioned, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution at Nomad. You can choose from a variety of plans that suit your needs in terms of budget and usage, starting from 1GB over 5 days, and going up to 20GB over 30 days.

You can also choose depending on whether you plan to visit a single country or multiple countries with a region. Again, this is something you’ll see from competitors such as Airalo, Holafly, and YeSIM. However, it’s important to note Nomad doesn’t offer unlimited data plans, whereas competitors like Holafly do.

• Ease of use – Nomad is known for its relatively simple processes. Buying an eSIM is easy. Then setting it up and ongoing management is all very user-friendly. Nomad’s intuitive app, where you can manage your plans, is comparable to other competitor apps such as Holafly and Airalo.
• Instant connectivity –  With Nomad eSIM, as with other eSIM providers, you can be connected to local networks as soon as you arrive at your destination, avoiding the hassle of finding a local SIM card. 

Generally, it’s important to understand that these benefits of Nomad eSIM are shared by their eSIM competitors. What differentiates each provider will often require research into the pricing and coverage in the countries you’re travelling to. (More of this later in the review)

For travelers heading to specific regions, Nomad offers tailored plans like eSIM in Europe and eSIM in the USA, making it easy to stay connected without worrying about high roaming charges.

Other Nomad eSIM Reviews

We always strive to provide well-rounded perspectives in our reviews. 

That means, while we’ve outlined the main positives why someone might choose Nomad eSIM, there are always downsides and user reviews to consider. How does the product actually work in practice?

With that in mind, we’ve gathered feedback from other sources and user reviews. These reviews reflect the experiences of real users in 2024. They give you an idea of both the strengths and potential drawbacks of Nomad eSIM.

Positive Nomad eSIM Feedback

Here are some of the positive experiences shared by users who have tried Nomad eSIM. These reflect a range of use cases and destinations, highlighting the key benefits Nomad offers to travelers:

• “Nomad eSIM was a lifesaver on my trip to Europe. The setup was quick, and I had reliable internet the entire time.” – Review from PassporterApp
• “I loved how easy it was to manage my data plan through the Nomad app. It was seamless from start to finish.” – User feedback from WhereInTheWorldIsNina
• “We found Nomad to be one of the more reliable eSIM providers in the market.” – TechRadar
• “Cheaper than most domestic carriers on roaming” – TechRadar
• “I will be recommending Nomad to everyone and anyone who will listen. I bought eSIMs for my 3 week holiday in South Korea and also for my 2 children. We had zero problems with activation and zero issues during the holiday. The coverage was perfect, the app was great so we could keep an eye on usage. Adding on extra data was easy and great! I would definitely use Nomad again in future without question.” – Customer review via Trustpilot

Negative Nomad eSIM Feedback

Of course, no service is perfect, and some users have encountered issues with Nomad eSIM. Below are some common concerns, including regional coverage and pricing, to help provide a balanced view of what you might expect:

• “The coverage in Latin America was spotty, and I ended up switching to a local SIM card.” – Review from a user on WhereInTheWorldIsNina
• “Nomad’s pricing was a bit higher than some local options, especially in regions like Southeast Asia.” – Feedback from PassporterApp
• “Occasional issues with speed and signal strength, Data-only plans don’t offer a local phone number.” – TechRadar
• “I made a purchase for a new plan before my current plan expired so I would not have interruptions and I just found myself having to borrow data from a friend to even ask for help here.” – Customer review via Trustpilot
• “The customer service seemed to be a chatbot and kept sending me the same advice. In the end I gave up and installed an esim from another company which worked instantly.” –  Customer review via Trustpilot

Where Can I Buy Nomad eSIM?

Purchasing a Nomad eSIM is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Visit the Nomad website: Start by visiting the Nomad eSIM marketplace.
2. Select your destination: Choose the country or region you’ll be traveling to. There’s an option to choose multiple. 
3. Pick a data plan: Browse through the available data plans and select one that suits your needs.
4. Apply a promo code: If you have a promo code, you can apply it during checkout. We recommend checking for any available discounts on our Nomad eSIM promo code page.
5. Complete the Purchase: Once you’ve selected your plan and entered any promo codes, complete your purchase. You’ll receive a QR code via email to activate your eSIM.

The only requirement to purchase an eSIM that will work is for you to have an eSIM-compatible device. If you’re not sure if your device is eSIM-compatible, we put together a handy list. 

Beyond this, the setting up process is simple – you’ll just need to follow on-screen instructions on your device. 

Here’s a guide to activating your eSIM.

Nomad eSIM Features and Benefits

Let’s look more closely at the features and benefits of Nomad eSIMs that appeal to travelers. 

Below, we’ll break down these features into specific categories to give you a clear understanding of what to expect.

Nomad eSIM Country Coverage

Nomad eSIMs offer extensive coverage spanning over 170 countries worldwide. It seems that users report generally decent connectivity and network reliability across all regions, including Asia, Europe, and North America.

Let’s examine the breakdown by region and pick out a few notable countries:

Nomad sits within the standard range alongside its competitors in terms of global coverage. 

Most offer coverage for more than 150 countries worldwide. However, Airalo stands out as the best option in this category with coverage for over 200 countries worldwide. If you have specific travel plans in mind, head to the Nomad site to discover if they offer coverage via their single-country search function.

Nomad eSIM Plans and Pricing

Nomad’s pricing structure is based on three variables:

• Country/region
• Data amount
• Plan duration

This does allow for considerable flexibility, with rates starting from as low as $1.20/GB in some regions. Here’s an idea:

Here you can see how the price breakdown works. We share Argentina as an example of the variety of plans offered for each individual country.

Let’s pick out a few examples of how these prices compare to competitors such as Airalo, YeSIM and Holafly.

If we stick with Argentina, Nomad’s plans start at $4.50/GB. YeSIM’s plans for Argentina are at a similar rate, starting at $5.04/GB. 

However, Airalo offers a much cheaper rate with 20 GB over 30 days at $49. That converts to $2.45/GB. 

Holafly offers a slightly different plan type, with its unlimited data plan available in Argentina for $91.99. While this is a much higher price point, it may be worth it for travelers who are looking to use a lot of data.

Away from the single-country plans, let’s consider the global plan options:

• Nomad: Starting from $7.20/GB
• YeSIM: Starting from $3.54/GB
• Airalo: Starting from $3.45/GB
• Holafly: Unlimited data plan over 30 days = $187

It’s difficult to ascertain in a few comparisons exactly which is the best value since there are a lot of permeations depending on the duration and data levels you need. We advise you to check for your specific needs.

Nomad eSIM Data and Internet

Nomad eSIM offers fast, reliable internet connections in most regions. Nomad generally offers 4G/LTE and, in some locations, even 5G speeds, depending on the destination and the local network infrastructure.

According to a TechRadar article, users report good speeds for browsing and streaming. Using GPS is also often important when out and about, and most seem to say this works fine.

Yet, the same Techradar article reports occasional slowdowns. These tend to relate to throttling issues in busy cities at peak times. It’s perhaps unsurprising that users encounter issues during Tokyo’s rush hour, for example. 

You’ll see some references to these issues in Trustpilot reviews. One user states: “ Internet speed was not so great, and the reception was bad in some areas. I was in Barcelona, and there were problems with reception. In big cities like that, reception should be always good, and internet speed must be better.”

Having scanned many reviews and other reviewers’ thoughts, it seems these occurrences are relatively infrequent, with most users enjoying consistent and reliable speeds. 

Nomad eSIM Phone Compatibility

Nomad eSIM is compatible with most modern smartphones that support eSIM technology. Ensure your device is unlocked and eSIM-compatible before purchasing. 

Here’s a list of some compatible models:

• Apple: iPhone XS and newer
• Samsung: Galaxy S20 series and newer
• Google: Pixel 3 and newer

Please note that there are variations depending on where you bought your phone. For example, some Apple models bought in mainland China may not be eSIM-compatible. Samsung also varies depending on whether you bought the phone in Korea or the US.

This is just a reminder to double-check and don’t take it for granted that your device is eSIM-compatible.

Nomad eSIM Application

The Nomad app is available on both iOS and Android. It offers a user-friendly interface for managing your eSIM. Here, you can do various things:

• track your data usage
• top up your plan
• access customer support directly through the app

The easy-to-grasp app makes it easy to manage all aspects of your eSIM.

Nomad eSIM Customer Support

Nomad offers 24/7 customer support in all time zones through their app and website. Users can access:

• FAQs
• Live chat
• Email support
• Support through a ticketing system
• Specific troubleshooting
• Offers/promotions

Response times are generally quick, especially via the ticketing system, and the support team is knowledgeable. Note, though, that there is no phone support to speak to a live human.

Nomad eSIM Pros and Cons

Let’s get into the nitty gritty of how Nomad eSIM works in practice. In doing so, we’ll draw out the pros and cons of using the service. We’ll bullet point specific pros and cons and supplement with a bit more explanation. 

Pros of Nomad eSIM

Let’s begin with the pros:

1. Wide coverage: available in 170+ countries

What this means: With Nomad eSIM, you can travel to most parts of the world and still stay connected. This coverage means you won’t have to worry about finding a local SIM card or relying on potentially spotty Wi-Fi in remote or less-developed regions. The idea is that you can navigate and stay in touch whether you’re trekking through the Andes or exploring the streets of Tokyo. Compared to competitors like Airalo, which covers 190+ countries, Nomad still offers a broad network, making it a solid choice for global travelers, though not the absolute leader in coverage.

2. Easy setup

What this means: When you’re jet-lagged or rushing to catch a connecting flight, the last thing you want is a complicated setup process. Nomad eSIM’s easy activation means you can get connected in minutes, right from the moment you land. This simplicity is especially beneficial for less tech-savvy travelers or those new to using eSIM technology. 

This ease of use is a significant advantage over competitors like YeSIM, which, while also easy to set up, may not offer the same level of user-friendly support as Nomad. However, Holafly’s process is similarly straightforward, especially with its focus on customer service, making it a close competitor in this area.

3. Flexible plans

What this means: Whether you’re on a short weekend getaway or an extended multi-country trip, Nomad offers a range of data plans that can be tailored to your specific needs. This potentially saves you money as you don’t overpay for more than you need. You can also ensure you don’t run out of data at a critical moment, like when navigating in a foreign city. However, for those who prefer the peace of mind of unlimited data, Holafly might be the better choice.

4. Manage your eSIM with ease through the Nomad app

What this means: The Nomad app simplifies the entire process of managing your eSIM. This is particularly helpful for travelers who want to keep track of their data consumption in real-time or who may need to top up their plan during their trip. The convenience of having everything in one place reduces the hassle and allows you to manage your connectivity. While competitors like Airalo also provide a user-friendly app, Nomad’s app is particularly praised for its simplicity and effectiveness.

5. Get connected as soon as you land in your destination

What this means: Being instantly connected as soon as you arrive at your destination is a huge advantage. This is especially true for travelers who need to navigate from the airport to their accommodation or who want to quickly inform loved ones of their safe arrival. There’s no need to hunt down a local SIM card vendor or deal with complicated setup processes; with Nomad, you’re online and ready to go as soon as you clear customs.

Cons of Nomad eSIM

It’s very rare to get a product without any drawbacks, and Nomad is no different. 

1. Not compatible with older phone models

What this means: This limitation is shared by all eSIM providers, including Holafly, YeSIM, and Airalo. If you’re using an older smartphone model that doesn’t support eSIM technology, Nomad won’t be an option for you. This limitation could be problematic for travelers who haven’t upgraded their devices recently or who prefer to travel with a secondary, less expensive phone. It’s also a potential problem for travelers from mainland China since their phones have been slower to adopt eSIM technology. 

2.  Nomad can be more expensive than local SIM cards, particularly in Latin America.

What this means: While Nomad offers convenience and wide coverage, it may come at a higher cost in certain regions, such as Latin America. For budget-conscious travelers, the premium pricing could be a downside, especially if they’re planning an extended stay and need a lot of data.While this is a common issue among global eSIM providers, competitors like Airalo might offer more cost-effective options in these regions.Eve still, purchasing a local SIM card might be a more cost-effective choice, even if it requires more effort to set up. 

3. Most plans are data-only, with limited options for voice calls and SMS.

What this means: If you rely heavily on traditional voice calls or SMS, Nomad’s data-only plans might not meet all your needs. This could be particularly inconvenient in regions where internet-based calling apps like WhatsApp or Skype are restricted. Or, perhaps you need a local number to make reservations or contact services. None of the competitors listed in this review – YeSIM, Airalo, and Holafly –  offer options for voice calls or SMS.

How to Activate a Nomad eSIM

Activating your eSIM isn’t complicated. The process does differ slightly between Apple and Android devices. Let’s spell out each for you.

Activate Nomad eSIM on iPhone

1. Buy your eSIM: After purchasing, you’ll receive a QR code via email.
2. Open settings: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
3. Scan the QR code: Use your iPhone’s camera to scan the QR code provided by Nomad in your email.
4. Complete setup: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation.

Activate Nomad eSIM on Android

1. Buy Your eSIM – After purchasing, you’ll receive a QR code via email.
2. Open settings – On your Android device, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Add Carrier.
3. Scan the QR Code – Use your device’s camera to scan the QR code.
4. Complete Setup – Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation.

As you can see, in both cases, it will only take a few clicks through your phone settings. Setting up your eSIM on either Apple or Android is remarkably easy.

Nomad eSIM FAQs