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According to TechRound, as of 2024, the eSIM market is currently valued at $4.7 billion.
But it’s predicted that, by 2027, the eSIM market will grow to an immense $16.3 billion. This expected boom in eSIM popularity is just one of the reasons you should invest in one in 2024.
International or global eSIMs are simply digital versions of a physical SIM card that enable you to activate a cellular plan while traveling internationally.
eSIMs aren’t just affordable alternatives to international roaming plans; they also enable you to switch between providers and data plans without the need to remove and replace them, as you would normally have to do with physical SIM cards.
In today’s guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about international eSIM cards, including what makes a good international eSIM and where to find the best eSIM providers.
Table of Contents
To get ahead of the curve, you need to know how to spot the best eSIMs and here’s what to look for.
After all, how can you enjoy all of these features if your eSIM isn’t compatible with your phone?
Now that you know what to expect from your travel eSIM, it’s time to see how some of the leading eSIM providers measure up against those expectations.
| Provider | Holafly | Airalo | Airhub | GigSky | Instabridge |
| Coverage | 190+ Countries | 200+ Countries | 80+ Countries | 190+ Countries | 190+ Countries |
| Security Measures | Firewalls, Role-based access controls, Passwords | Encryption, Regular updates | Encryption, Secured payments | Passwords, Two-factor authentication | VPN, Encryption |
| Activation | Immediate | Immediate | Immediate | Immediate | Immediate |
| Validity Period | 5-90 Days | 7-30 Days | 7-30 Days | 7-90 Days | 7-30 Days |
| Pricing Models | Fixed Rate | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-as-you-go |
| Customer Support | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 |
Having read through our comparative table, you’ll start to get an idea of the right eSIM provider for your needs. But, in order to feel confident in your choices, you’ll need to explore each eSIM provider more thoroughly. To help you make the right decision, we’ve shared our insights on the top ten eSIM providers below.
Coverage: 190+ countries.
Price: Starting from $6.
Validity Period: 5-90 days.
Value Proposition: Perfect for travelers who use a lot of data.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
Holafly is our top pick for the best global eSIM because you don’t have to worry about constantly monitoring your data usage.
With Holafly, you have the freedom of unlimited data. Think endless streaming, downloading, and gaming, completely hassle-free.
What’s more, Holafly has excellent 24/7 customer support that’s available in six languages. It’s not hard to see why Holafly has a rating of 4.6/5 with over 38,000 users.
Read more about this eSIM provider on our Holafly review.
Coverage: 200+ countries.
Price: Starting from $4.50.
Validity Period: 7-30 days.
Value Proposition: Perfect for travelers who require versatile plans that can accommodate both short and long trips.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
The wide range of data plans and vast coverage is what makes Airalo a brilliant eSIM provider.
This is definitely something to keep in mind when traveling to remote or rural areas.
As an added bonus, you can gain loyalty points with every purchase, which you can use for different Airalo data plans.
That, combined with its quick customer support, has earned Airalo a 4.5/5 rating from over 300,000 reviews.
Read more about this eSIM provider on our Airalo review.
Coverage: 80+ countries.
Price: Starting from $36.
Validity Period: 7-30 days.
Value Proposition: Airhub offers 15 eSIM plans per country, making them incredibly flexible.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
With a 4.5 rating across various app stores, Airhub celebrates reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Airhub also stands out as one of the few eSIM providers that provide unlimited voice calling and text messaging features across multiple regions.
Despite the notes from users who say they experienced minor technical issues during the activation process, Airhub’s customer support team is a testament to responsiveness and helpfulness.
Coverage: 190+ countries.
Price: Starting from $5.99
Validity Period: 7-90 days.
Value Proposition: GigSky excels at off-land connectivity, perfect for flying and sailing.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
As the first Apple eSIM partner, it’s no surprise that GigSky has a glistening reputation.
With over 4000 five-star reviews, Gigsky is known for their extremely reliable coverage and flexible data plans.
Best of all, GigSky is a full MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). This means that they will monitor and reroute your data if needed to ensure you always enjoy a stable internet connection.
Read more about this eSIM provider on our GigSky review.
Coverage: 190+ countries.
Price: Starting at $6.
Validity Period: 7-30 days.
Value Proposition: You can purchase multiple plans with the same eSIM.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
Sporting a respectable 4.5 customer rating, Instabridge accommodates the budget-conscious traveler.
By watching in-app ads, you can earn small mobile data packages, making it ideal for when you’re strapped for cash.
Combine that with a breezy activation process, excellent data speeds, and helpful manuals, and you see why Instabridge made our list.
The only impactful drawback to using Instabridge is that their customer support team doesn’t always have the quickest response times.
Coverage: 175+ countries.
Price: Starting from $4.50.
Validity Period: 7-30 days.
Value Proposition: aloSIM is perfect for budget-conscious travelers.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
If there’s any eSIM provider that knows about affordable pricing models, its aloSIM. For as little as $16 (in the US), you can get 5GB for 30 days!
When you take this into account, it’s not hard to imagine why aloSIM has a four-star customer rating.
AloSIM also prioritises the user’s complete control over their data usage, allowing you to see the partnering networks your device will be connected to, as well as, the speed availability within your destination.
As an added bonus, you’ll also have access to 24/7 support via email and live chat.
Coverage: 170+ countries.
Price: Starting from $1.40.
Validity Period: 7-30 days.
Value Proposition: They offer 170 country-specific plans.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
Like Holafly, Nomad also offers unlimited data plans which is one of the factors that has earned Nomad its four-star rating.
Nomad also focuses on ease of use, sporting a modern, intuitive and navigable user interface that makes the activation process incredibly simple to understand.
What’s more, with 24/7 support and the option for SMS-only plans, Nomad demonstrates its ability to adapt to its users’ needs.
Coverage: 100+ countries.
Price: Starting from $18.
Validity Period: 30 days.
Value Proposition: They offer incredibly fast data speeds.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
Jetpac is the place to go for rapid data speeds, thanks to its partnerships with big-name carriers like AT&T and Verizon.
Thye also provide flexible data plans, ranging anywhere from 1GB to over 40 GB!
With a 4.5 ease of use rating from its customers, Jetpac stands as a testament to going the extra mile.
Just look to Jetpac’s SmartDelay service, which enables its users to gain access to airport lounges upon flight delays or cancellations.
Coverage: 200+ countries.
Price: Starting from $0.98
Validity Period: 1-30 days.
Value Proposition: They enable you to get local numbers within your destination.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
Thanks to BNESIM’s value proposition, you won’t have to deal with bank-breaking roaming fees.
Considering BNESIM’s Support section (which is jam-packed with multiple installation guides and instructional images) and reliable bandwidth, its four-star rating is well-deserved.
With live support chats via link, phone call, or email, BNESIM is a good choice for those who require additional technical assistance.
The downside – BNESIM will automatically renew your data plan once it reaches the end of its validity period, meaning you’ll have to manually cancel your plan.
Coverage: 120+ countries.
Price: Starting from $9.90
Validity Period: 1-30 days.
Value Proposition: They offer a referral program where you can earn rewards for future data plans.
Supported Devices: Android, iOS.
One of the greatest things about Yesim is that, provided you have access to the internet, you can purchase and use virtual phone numbers to contact anyone in the world at any time.
24/7 support, 4.2 customer ratings, painless activation processes, unlimited, high-speed data plans – these are just some of the features that make Yesim a great eSIM provider.
Read more about this eSIM provider on our Yesim review.
Here at Roami, our team consists of seasoned travelers who value the practical approach of testing eSIMs.
Our reviews and advice stem from our hands-on testing methods, which allow us to provide our readers with reliable insights and honesty.
As travelers ourselves, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with spotty internet connections during our adventures.
To help our readers avoid the problems we’ve experienced, we have a rigorous testing methodology for every eSIM we try.
Here’s a brief overview of our testing criteria:
Device eSIM compatibility is very important.
After all, knowing how we test the best eSIM plans won’t help you much if you don’t first know whether your eSIM is compatible with your device.
We’ll discuss which devices are compatible with eSIM technology (and which ones aren’t), but you need to know a few things first.
For starters, eSIM compatibility isn’t as straightforward as traditional, physical SIM cards.
With eSIMs, even where you bought your device can have an impact on your eSIM’s compatibility.
In other words, your phone model could support an eSIM in one country but not work at all in another.
Let’s say you bought your phone somewhere in Europe and have had no problems using your eSIM in Romania or France.
That very same phone model may not be able to support an eSIM in the United States.
So, when you embark on your international travels, it’s crucial that you check the compatibility within your destination.
Another thing you need to consider is your phone carrier.
If your phone has a carrier-imposed lock, then your phone won’t work on another network. This means that if you want to use another provider’s eSIM, you won’t be able to.
You can combat this by contacting your phone carrier’s support team and asking them to unlock your phone for you. The thing is is that most phone carriers take at least a week to complete this process.
Alternatively, you can purchase an already-unlocked phone, but of course, this isn’t the most affordable option.
To help you navigate the challenges we mentioned above, we’ve listed some of the eSIM-compatible devices below.
Just as you need to know which devices are eSIM compatible, you also need to know which ones aren’t.
For Apple devices, you can expect that models older than the iPhone XR/XS and the iPad Pro (2018) won’t be compatible with eSIMs.
As for Samsung devices, most models that precede the Galaxy S20 series generally don’t support eSIM compatibility.
If you prefer Google Pixel phones, steer clear of any models that were released prior to the launch of the Google Pixel 3 models.
Ultimately, if you have an older phone model, the likelihood is that it won’t support your eSIM.
Let’s look at how you can find out if your iPhone model supports eSIMs
If you own a Samsung phone, this process looks a little different.
Lastly, let’s shift focus to Google Pixel phones.
Now that you know more about eSIM compatibility, it’s time to find out more about choosing the right eSIM provider.
Although perusing our list of eSIM companies is a great place to start, you may need some additional tips and tricks to find the best eSIMs for travel.
To help you out, we’ve revealed these tips and tricks below.
You know a lot about testing your device’s eSIM compatibility and finding the right eSIM provider.
But one thing we haven’t addressed is how you’ll benefit from traveling with an international eSIM in the first place.
Until now.
Below, we’ve listed some of the most significant advantages of having an international eSIM at your disposal.
It would be great if technology were indisputably flawless. But, sadly, that just isn’t the case, and eSIMs are no exception.
As we mentioned earlier, we value honesty.
In that spirit, we want you to know the drawbacks you could encounter when using an international eSIM.
As you can see, the pros definitely outweigh the cons when it comes to eSIM technology.
After everything you’ve learned about eSIMs, you’re probably eager to start using one.
To help you, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide below that you can apply to any device.
Before you do anything else, you must make sure your device can support eSIM technology.
Looking at our list of compatible devices is a good place to start, but it isn’t an exhaustive list.
You can follow our advice on how to find out if your device is eSIM-compatible. Alternatively, you can contact your phone carrier.
From our exploration of eSIM providers, we do not doubt that at least one of them will accommodate your needs.
But whether you choose an eSIM provider from our list or not, we recommend conducting your own research.
After all, you know your needs better than anyone.
Evaluate crucial features and specifications, such as coverage, data plans, validity periods, and security measures.
Once you’ve found the perfect provider, be sure to download their app.
When you’ve downloaded your provider’s app, you should register your account.
After doing that, you can peruse the provider’s available eSIMs and find the one that best suits your circumstances.
Once you’ve found the right plan, you simply need to add it to your cart and complete the payment process.
After purchasing your eSIM, you’ll receive installation instructions, often alongside a QR code or an activation code.
Here, you’ll open your device’s Settings, navigate to the Cellular/Network & Internet section, and add your cellular plan/carrier.
Once you’ve done that, you can either scan the QR code provided or enter the activation code manually.
Now, you just need to make sure your eSIM is enabled in your device’s Settings, and you’re all set up.
To test your eSIM’s connectivity, turn off the Wi-Fi.
If you see signal bars and the carrier’s name, you know your eSIM is connected to the mobile network.
We’ve also provided some tips for new eSIM users below.
It’s time to get a little more specific; below, we’ve discussed how to start using international eSIMs on Android devices.
Now, let’s look at using international eSIMs on iOS devices.
If, after reading our guide, you don’t think an international eSIM is right for you, don’t worry – you have other options.
Consider the following international eSIM alternatives.
Given the multiple options available for eSIMs, you may wonder if an international eSIM is truly the best choice.
But the only way to to know for sure is to compare international eSIMs with local eSIMs.
Let’s start by addressing the biggest difference between international and local eSIMs – the coverage.
Needless to say that international eSIMs knock local eSIMs out of the park when it comes to coverage, since local eSIMs only provide coverage within one country.
On the other hand, as you know, international eSIMs are ideal for multi-country trips.
Additionally, local eSIMs are generally cheaper than international eSIMs, but that’s only if you travel to one country.
If you want to use local eSIMs across your travels, you’ll need to pay and activate a new eSIM for each country.
This is especially important if you don’t speak the language of the country you’re visiting – seeking technical assistance under these circumstances can pose a real challenge.
Obviously, with international eSIMs, you won’t have to deal with this problem.
Ultimately, international eSIMs are ideal for multi-country adventures, while local eSIMs are perfect if you’re staying in one country for a while.
Of course, we can’t discuss eSIM comparisons without also discussing the differences between eSIMs and physical SIM cards.
As you know, eSIMs are more secure than SIM cards since you can’t lose them.
While this fact does make eSIMs seem like the superior choice, there are still notable benefits to using SIM cards.
For starters, SIM cards celebrate wide availability and compatibility. You can easily purchase and activate a SIM card in any mobile store around the world.
As an added bonus, you’ll receive immediate assistance from the mobile vendor, unlike eSIM support teams, which may have long response times.
That being said, SIM cards are often more costly than eSIMs. Where you’d pay a one-time setup fee for an eSIM, you would pay for the SIM card itself, the SIM card activation, roaming, and data packages.
But are the additional costs worth it when it comes to data speeds?
Well, the truth is that the data speed of an eSIM or SIM card relies on network coverage.
If your destination can’t support a stable internet connection, your eSIM’s data speed will suffer.
At the same time, SIM cards depend on the provider’s network coverage. This means that if you want to visit remote/rural areas that have limited network coverage, you’re likely to experience slower data speeds.
Despite the issue of internet access, eSIMs are a lot more convenient than SIM cards. You can store multiple eSIMs on your device, making it incredibly simple to switch between different networks.
After reading our guide, you’re bound to have some questions.
Before we leave you to consider your options, we’d like to answer some of those questions.
Let’s look at some of our most frequently asked questions and see if we can address your queries.
The cost of an international eSIM varies based on several factors, including the provider, coverage region, data amount, and validity period. For instance, a week-long plan with 3-5 GB of data could cost around $10, while a 30-day plan with 10-20 GB might range between $40 and $80. It’s best to assess your data needs and compare rates across providers before making a decision.
The following eSIM providers offer global coverage:
– Holafly
– Truphone
– Airalo
– GlobaleSIM
– GigSky
– Ubigi
– aloSIM
– Nomad
Purchasing an eSIM plan is simple. Visit your eSIM provider’s website or app, browse their plans, add your preferred plan to the cart, and complete the checkout. After purchase, you’ll receive the installation kit for your eSIM.
Yes, many modern phones support dual-SIM capabilities, allowing you to use an eSIM and a physical SIM card at the same time. This can be particularly beneficial for frequent travelers who need flexibility in carrier options and global connectivity.
Yes, you can store multiple eSIM profiles on your device and switch between them as needed. However, typically only one eSIM can be active at a time.
eSIMs are generally safer than physical SIM cards because they cannot be removed, reducing the risk of theft. However, they are not completely immune to hacking. It’s recommended to use additional security measures like two-factor authentication to protect your eSIM.
If your eSIM isn’t working, try the following troubleshooting steps:
– Ensure your eSIM is installed and activated.
– Toggle ‘Airplane Mode’, ‘Data Roaming’, and the eSIM settings on and off.
– Check for and install any pending phone updates.
– Ensure your device has a stable internet connection.
– Confirm that your device supports eSIM technology.
– Restart your phone.
– Contact your eSIM provider’s customer support.
If you have further questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us. We hope you enjoy your next adventure!
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