In today’s interconnected world, staying connected while traveling is more important than ever. Traditional SIM cards can be a hassle, especially when you’re hopping from one country to another.
Enter eSIM, a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan without the need for a physical SIM card. For travelers and digital nomads, eSIMs offer unparalleled flexibility, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.
In this article, we’ll explore the best eSIM providers that cater to the unique needs of travelers and digital nomads.
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3 Best International eSIM Providers
Airalo – Top All-Rounder
Key Features:
- Number of countries supported: 200+
- App can be used to buy plans or just check usage stats: Both
- Direct eSIM installation support: Yes
- Offers unlimited data plans: Yes
Airalo offers an extensive range of local plans across more than 200 countries. I’ve made extensive use of it while traveling in Europe, and found it had some of the best eSIM value propositions across multiple countries.
In terms of pricing, Airalo is upfront, with no hidden fees. Since there are so many countries and regions available, I’ll focus on just the Europe-wide plans offered by each eSIM provider to give you a general comparison.
Airalo’s shortest plan (7 days), costs $5 for 1GB of data. If you’re looking for month-long coverage, you can expect to pay between $13 for 3GB and $20 for 5GB. The longest plan lasts up to 180 days, including 100GB for $185.
Airalo has a super user-friendly app interface, making it easy to purchase and activate data plans, as well as track your data usage in real-time. I like this a lot better than some competitors that force you to buy new plans via their website.
A downside to consider is that Airalo primarily focuses on data plans and doesn’t offer voice or text options. This could be a limitation if you’re looking for an all-in-one communication solution. A quick fix could be partnering an eSIM with one of the best virtual phone number apps, so you have data as well as the option to make and receive calls and text messages.
Holafly – Perfect for Data Guzzlers
Key Features:
- Number of countries supported: 160+
- App can be used to buy plans or just check usage stats: Only usage stats
- Direct eSIM installation support: Yes
- Offers unlimited data plans: Yes
Holafly is the top eSIM provider to offer unlimited data across most plans. If you’re a heavy internet user this is ideal, although it’s worth noting that plan prices can quickly spiral upwards.
A drawback of this is that data sharing (setting up a hotspot on your phone to connect other devices to) isn’t allowed. It would be nice to see this changed, considering how many people travel with their laptops, even if it means that the company introduces an additional fair use policy for tethered devices to prevent abuse.
As for pricing, you can expect to pay $27 for 7 days of unlimited data in most regions, and $64 for 30 days. It’s far from the cheapest option, and as such it’s worth first comparing against other providers to see if a different large (but not unlimited) plan would work equally as well for you. For instance, most of Airalo’s 30-day plans include 10GB and cost $37 – a 42% saving vs. Holafly.
Surprisingly, all plans also give you a local number and include 60 minutes of calls both sent and received. Although it’s quite limited, it’s still better than most other providers that tend to provide data-only plans.
Unfortunately, you can only check your usage data in the Holafly app – no plan-buying options here. Although just a mild inconvenience, it’s still an inconvenience, and seems like it should be an easy issue to remedy. Fortunately, as basic as it is, the app is still user-friendly and easy to use.
Nomad – A Dream for Deal Hunters
Key Features:
- Number of countries supported: 165+
- App can be used to buy plans or just check usage stats: Both
- Direct eSIM installation support: Yes
- Offers unlimited data plans: Yes
While Nomad overall offers a strong overall service, it really stands out to me in the form of its frequent, and steep, discounts. For instance, at the time of writing, you can get a 20GB, 30-day plan for $25. An equivalent 30-day plan with Airalo includes just 10GB and is $37. It’s a pretty significant saving, if you’re lucky enough with your purchase timing!
Without the discounts, some of the larger plans aren’t quite as competitive, although the basic plans like the 1GB for 7 days work out mostly the same across all providers.
I was also happy to see that Nomad does offer minutes with its plans, with 30 minutes appearing to be the standard. It’s less than Holafly’s 60 minutes, but Nomad’s plans are cheaper overall (unless you’re really in need of Holafly’s unlimited packages).
You can also use Nomad’s apps to both buy plans and track your usage statistics – always great when you’re in a rush to top up. Direct eSIM installation is also supported, so you don’t need to worry about printing out a QR code or displaying it on a second device to get set up. However, this depends on your device; you can check on the Nomad site before signing up to see if yours is supported.
Honorable Mention – A Local Provider
If you don’t need internet immediately upon landing, it can be worth heading into town at your destination and checking out the offerings of a few local telecom providers. Many now offer eSIMs, and there’s a good chance they’ll offer slightly more affordable plans than you can get with an international eSIM.
Just keep in mind that this requires a lot more time and/or research on your part, which you might want to avoid, especially considering that convenience is a major advantage of an eSIM!
Why You Need an eSIM
The advent of eSIM technology has revolutionized the way we stay connected, especially for travelers and digital nomads. This digital SIM card offers a plethora of advantages that make it an indispensable tool for anyone on the move. Let’s explore the compelling reasons why you should consider switching to an eSIM:
- Flexibility & Convenience: Traditional SIM cards can be a hassle, particularly when you’re globe-trotting. You either have to deal with expensive roaming charges or go through the cumbersome process of buying and installing a local SIM card in each country you visit. eSIMs eliminate this inconvenience. With just a few taps on your device, you can switch between different carriers or plans. This is particularly beneficial for digital nomads who frequently find themselves in different countries for work (or leisure).
- Cost-Effective Connectivity: Roaming charges can quickly add up and become a significant expense when you’re traveling. eSIMs offer a more cost-effective solution. Many eSIM providers offer competitive international rates, and some even have partnerships with local carriers, allowing you to easily switch to a local plan and avoid exorbitant roaming fees. This means you can stay connected without burning a hole in your pocket.
- Streamlined User Experience: Managing multiple SIM cards can be a logistical nightmare. With eSIMs, you can manage all your plans right from your device. Whether you want to check your data usage, switch plans, or top up, everything can be done effortlessly through your phone’s settings or a dedicated app. This streamlined user experience makes eSIMs incredibly user-friendly.
- Business & Professional Use: For business travelers and digital nomads, professionalism is key. eSIMs allow you to maintain multiple numbers on a single device, enabling you to separate your personal and professional communications. This not only helps in creating a professional image but also makes it easier to manage work-life balance, especially when you’re on the road.
- Environmental Benefits: Last but not least, eSIMs are more eco-friendly than their physical counterparts. The absence of a plastic card and the reduced need for packaging contribute to a smaller carbon footprint, making eSIMs a more sustainable choice.
In summary, eSIMs offer a level of flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and convenience that traditional SIM cards simply can’t match. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a digital nomad, or someone who just values efficient and streamlined communication, eSIMs are the way to go.
Pros and Cons of eSIMs
| Pros of Using an eSIM | Cons of Using an eSIM |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use: Switching between carriers or plans can be done with a few taps on your device, offering unparalleled flexibility. | Potential Extra Costs: Relative to using a local provider, using an international eSIM provider can be more expensive. |
| Instant Connectivity: The moment you land in a new country, you can activate a local eSIM data plan and get connected instantly. | Limited Network Support: Not all network operators support eSIM technology, which can be a limitation when traveling. |
| Cost-effective: eSIMs allow you to easily switch to local plans when traveling, helping you avoid expensive roaming charges. | Transfer Complexity: Transferring data from one phone to another is more complex with eSIMs. Your profile needs to be retrieved and downloaded from the cloud. |
| Enhanced Security: If a device with an eSIM is lost or stolen, it’s easier to track and locate. Network providers can access and control eSIMs remotely. | Can Be Lost: Some providers only allow their eSIMs to be activated once. This means if you lose your phone or accidentally delete the eSIM, you may have to buy another one. |
| Multiple Numbers: eSIMs allow for more than one SIM profile on a single device, offering the flexibility to have separate numbers for personal and business use. | Security Vulnerabilities: eSIMs are software-driven and controlled by network servers, which could be vulnerable to hacking. |
| Take Up Less Space: eSIMs are embedded directly into the device, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card and tray. This frees up space for other features. | Not All Phones Support eSIMs: Ensure your device has eSIM support before you bet on using them! |
FAQ – eSIM Providers
Installing an eSIM involves scanning a QR code or manually entering details provided by your carrier. Go to your phone’s cellular settings and choose the option to add a new plan. Scan the QR code or enter the details. Once the eSIM is activated, it will appear alongside other plans in your cellular settings.
Switching between eSIMs is done through your device’s cellular settings. Navigate to the cellular plans section, and you’ll see a list of all active eSIMs and physical SIMs. Simply tap on the plan you want to use, and your device will switch to that network. Some devices also allow you to set a preferred eSIM for specific types of activities, like data usage or voice calls.
Yes, many modern smartphones that support eSIM technology also have a slot for a physical SIM card. This enables Dual SIM, Dual Standby (DSDS) functionality, allowing you to use two different cellular plans on the same device. You can designate one for calls and texts and the other for data, or use both interchangeably.
If you change your phone, you’ll need to deactivate the eSIM on your old device and activate it on the new one. This usually involves contacting your carrier to transfer the eSIM profile or scanning a new QR code. Some carriers also offer self-service portals where you can manage your eSIMs and transfer them between devices.
Note that some eSIM plans (primarily one-off/pay-as-you-go options) can only be activated once, and will have to be repurchased if you delete them or lose your device.
No, not all mobile carriers support eSIM technology. While the list of eSIM-compatible carriers is growing, it’s essential to check with your specific carrier to see if they offer eSIM services. Some carriers might also restrict certain features or plans to physical SIM cards.
