[2023] Top 5 recommended eSIM rankings for overseas travel

The future of SIM cards is here! And the best part?

It's going global.

In fact, staying connected while traveling is usually difficult or expensive. Roaming charges abroad are expensive and a local SIM card every time your land does the hard work.

The good news is that eSIMs are here to stay. They offer travelers, remote workers, digital nomads, and expatriates a convenient and cost-effective way to stay connected anywhere in the world.

But there are so many different eSIM providers out there…

How do you know which one to use?

From global coverage to flexible plans, we've detailed the top 5 eSIM providers to help you stay connected anywhere in the world.

Let's begin!

What are eSIMs?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that provides the functionality of a regular SIM without requiring a physical SIM in your mobile phone.

An eSIM gives you more flexibility in managing your phone plan, especially when traveling internationally.

Most modern mobile phones support multiple eSIMs simultaneously. This means that you can get an eSIM in any country you travel to without any problems.

Pros and Cons of eSIM Plans

There are many benefits that eSIMs offer users. However, there are actually some drawbacks to be aware of.

Here is a list of the pros and cons of using an eSIM:

Advantages of eSIM:

• No physical SIM card required
• Flexible plans that are easy to change
• Multiple eSIMs can be used simultaneously so you can stay connected in different countries without any problems
• Much more cost effective compared to roaming charges
• Easy setup and activation process
• Security and privacy are improved because data is stored digitally instead of physically.
• Low power consumption may extend battery life

Disadvantages of eSIMs:

• Not (yet) as cheap as a local SIM card.
• Limited device compatibility
• Not yet widely adopted in all countries and regions
• Possible technical issues with the activation process

While it may have some drawbacks, we believe eSIMs are the future of SIM cards and the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

5 Best eSIM Providers That Work Anywhere

eSIMs are exploding – especially with the announcement of Apple iPhone 14, US iPhones will only support eSIMs. There is no more physical SIM card for iPhone users.

The number of eSIM providers is also increasing worldwide.

Here's the problem:

Not all eSIM providers are worth it.

There are many dodgy and expensive eSIM companies. The truth is, there's no time to worry if your eSIM provider is trustworthy when you're already dealing with the stress of travel.

After testing over 10 different eSIM companies, we can confidently recommend only 5 eSIM providers.

1. Airaro

Airalo is the best and largest eSIM provider on the list.

We have data packs for over 190 countries around the world, providing excellent coverage.

But what makes Airalo different from many other eSIM providers is that it works with local carriers around the world. What does this actually mean?

Three important things:

• Ailaro cuts the middle
• can provide more data
• Plans usually cost less

It also generally means better local coverage in each country. That's impressive! Ultimately, your eSIM plan should be reliable and cost-effective.

Most of Airalo's plans tick both of these boxes.

Below are examples of eSIM pricing in 10 popular countries.

Compare prices with other eSIM providers and you'll see just how good they are. You can get a decent amount of GB for an affordable price.

Thai eSIM is really interesting. Airalo offers short-term, unlimited data-only plans at very cost-effective prices. Unfortunately, there is no 30-day plan, but unlimited data is attractive.

Airalo also offers regional and global eSIM plans. These will allow internet access in a group of countries around the world.

Here are the six regional plans currently offered by Airalo:

Airlalo's regional plans are great value for money. I especially like the European plan. In fact, after testing several of his eSIM companies, Airalo has the best eSIM for Europe.

The Asia plan also includes Vietnam. So you don't have to buy a single country plan to get enough GB for more than 30 days.

How do I purchase and install an eSIM?

Airalo's user interface is easy to navigate and easy to find the plan you need. The app itself works really well for the number of countries it offers.

Installing an eSIM isn't difficult, but the process can take a minute or so to get used to. However, once you install one, installing the second is easy.

If you have any problems, we are always here to help.

Airalo has an in-app chat widget and is very responsive. You'll also find plenty of documentation to help with most things. Support is part of what makes Airalo such a great company.

If you were to pick just one provider from this list, Airalo is by far the best. Best eSIM providers we can recommend.

Sign up for Airalo here.

You can also check out our full Airaro review to learn more.

2. Nomad

Nomad is an eSIM provider that I also use regularly.

If Airalo has a direct competitor, it's Nomad.

In fact, Nomad was the first company we tried. We offer many great prepaid plans in over 112 countries around the world.

For the price, Nomad is also one of the better providers. They have worked hard to partner with local carriers in certain countries to offer the best rates possible.

Below are sample plans for different countries that we track.

In most countries, Nomad also offers a smaller 7-day plan if needed. You can also add more data if you run out of data and need more.

Nomad's biggest drawback is that some counties rely heavily on Truphone for eSIM plans. This means that you may be very limited in what you can offer. I noticed they recently signed deals with AIS in Thailand and Telkomsel in Indonesia.

This allows them to offer: His data only plan which is faster and more competitive. I'm sure other countries will continue to do the same.

What about regional planning?

Nomad offers five different regional plans.

• global
• Asia Pacific
• Nordic
• Europe
• Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEA-Oceania)

Here are the cost and number of countries included for each Nomad Regional Plan:

The Europe region plan is actually pretty good value for money, starting at $2.60 per GB. This is especially true if you travel through Europe faster and visit multiple countries. The European data plan covers 35 countries within the EU and is very good.

European carriers tend to offer faster speeds.

The APAC plan is also suitable for traveling to multiple countries in the APAC region. Cover up to 16 countries in one great plan. This is a no-brainer if you are visiting her 3+ countries in the APAC region within 30 days.

One of the things I love about Nomad is the app's great user interface.

Very intuitive and easy to operate. You can quickly find the different plans you're looking for and evaluate which one is right for you.

The installation instructions are also the easiest to follow. The instructions for installing a new eSIM are step-by-step and the process is very streamlined.

Nomad eSIM support is also convenient and easily accessible. You can send messages in the following ways: apps and they usually respond very quickly. I contacted them about two times with questions, but I was really satisfied with their polite response.

Nomad is one of my favorite eSIM providers and definitely worth having in your eSIM arsenal to have whenever you need it.

Click here to register for Nomad.

3. Air hub

Airhub has an extensive network of over 190 countries, regions and regions around the world.

We also offer very competitive rates and a huge library of data, voice, and SMS plans.

Airhub also has the best partnerships with local businesses, which allows us to offer a wide variety of plans.

What I mean is:

eSIMs are (almost) always more expensive than local physical SIMs. But Airhub works hard and offers the best rates. We also offer monthly subscription plans, so if you are staying in a country for a few months, you can jump right in with that subscription.

A big advantage of another air hub is the number of plans offered. The best prepaid eSIM providers usually offer around 3-5 plans per country, but Airhub allows him to offer up to 15 plans per country.

This means you have more flexibility in terms of pricing, how many GB you get, and how long your plans are. In some countries, Airhub also offers unlimited plans.

Here's how much you can expect to pay on Airhub:

Admittedly, Airhub doesn't have the largest number of countries available. But they do offer great plans for the country they are in. This is what makes them one of the best eSIM providers.

Most plans are prepaid, but some countries offer monthly postpaid subscription plans. This is especially true when heading to the United States.

Besides?

Airhub's regional plans are also good value for money. And they've done a great job putting together a competitive regional plan that you'll want to take advantage of.

Here's what they offer:

The Airhub app is really easy to use. They do a great job with their user interface that makes it easy to find and purchase the eSIM plan you want.

Airhub has quickly become a dominant player in the eSIM industry. It is especially popular with expatriates, business travelers, and vacationers who often travel abroad. As digital nomads, we use these from time to time. they have the best deals!

You can choose from a reliable network connection, fast communication speeds, and a variety of plans.

Be sure to use our special promo code Atta3 Get 3% off Airhub eSIM orders at checkout.

Want to learn more about Air Hub? Check out our complete Air Hub eSIM review.

4. Hola fly

Holafly is a new eSIM provider that is rapidly gaining popularity. We offer a wide range of plans covering over 160 countries.

What I like about Holafly is the amount of data it provides.

They offer a lot of unlimited plans, perfect for data-hungry travelers who need a lot of mobile data wherever they go. These unlimited plans range from 5 days to 90+ days.

So you don't have to worry about your data on long or short trips.

Compared to Nomads and Airalo, plans tend to be more expensive.

However, if you need a lot of data, Horalfus is a good option. Note that hotspot is not available on most unlimited plans. This is a pretty big drawback, especially for us. Digital Nomad!

What about specific countries and costs?

How much does an eSIM plan cost for Holafly in the countries we track:

Unlimited eSIM data plans aren't for everyone, but Holafly offers pretty good value for money. In my experience, they tend to have good partners and connect to the best cellular data networks.

That means you need to get the fastest data speed possible.

But where things turn around for Holafly is regional planning. It tends to be quite expensive in most areas.

Holafly regional plans cost and includes:

Overall I think Holafry is where the plan values ​​for each country reside. If you need a lot of data, nothing is better than unlimited.

How does the Holafly installation work?

You can purchase a Holafly eSIM through the app or website.

After you pay for your plan, a QR code will be emailed to you. Scan the QR code to start the installation.

The cool thing about this is that you can: Buy it before you leave Install it when you arrive at the airport! Holafly also has 24/7 support, so if you run into any issues, get in touch and get it resolved.

5% discount on Holafly eSIM. CLICK HERE OR USE DISCOUNT CODE “TWOTICKETSANYWHERE” AT CHECKOUT.

5. Global SIM

Should I include call minutes in my plan?

GlobaleSIM have you covered? In over 150 countries, we offer fully customizable plans to suit every budget.

In most countries, you can add voice minutes to your plan. This means that you will be able to make and receive international calls. When you purchase voice minutes, you get one of the following phone numbers.

• America
• England
• Canada

You can choose from these 3 countries. Give that phone number to your friends and family, and they'll be able to make voice calls while you're abroad. Not bad, right?

This is specific to GlobaleSIM. I haven't seen any other (decent) eSIM provider offering it. Here are some examples of data plan charges (most are only available on regional plans):

You may notice that some of the prices in each country are quite high. This is the downside of GlobaleSIM. Many of their plans are multi-country plans.

Multi-country plans are similar to regional plans offered by other eSIM providers. However, they are not necessarily specific to a geographic region.

GlobaleSIM can be one of the cheaper options if you travel to different countries. However, if you are only going to one country, the cost can be high.

Prices for GlobaleSIM multi-country plans are as follows:

Planning to travel to multiple countries in the next few weeks?

It's always worth checking out GlobaleSIM. The 'Special' and 'Special +' regional plans are very expensive, so be very careful and check which countries are included.

What does the GlobaleSIM installation look like?

Here's how it works:

• Please select the country (or region) you are visiting
• Select the number of GB and days you need
• Add voice minutes to your plan (optional)
• Pay and receive an eSIM QR code

Like Holafly, just scan the eSIM QR code and you're ready to go. Get connected to the best mobile networks in minutes. It's easy?

GlobaleSIM does not have an app, so you have to purchase a plan on their website. This is probably the only drawback, as it is not easy to buy on mobile devices.

That means you have to do a little planning beforehand.

Our Favorite eSIM Service Providers (and Why We Use Multiple Providers)

Our favorite eSIM service provider is Airalo.

why?

We offer the best coverage of prepaid data plans in over 190 countries worldwide. Airalo also has the cheapest and most flexible plans among the best eSIM providers.

But there is another reason why we are so confident in recommending Airalo…

support and service.

Airalo provides excellent support so that if you run into any issues, they are quickly resolved. There is a live chat feature within the app so you can easily contact our customer service team.

We also partner with the best local businesses around the world, so you can expect fast and reliable service wherever you are.

Ready to get started with Airalo?

Download Airalo here and get started today.

Why Use Multiple eSIM Providers?

Airaro is a great company.

But they are not perfect. Airalo's eSIM card product has some blind spots. The good news is that if one eSIM provider falls short, there's usually another to fill the gap.

What I mean is:

Let's say you've been to Vietnam for a month for sightseeing. Airlalo only offers 1 GB for his 7 days. It's not going to get you far!

At this point, you can jump to Nomad and choose one of our 30-day Vietnam eSIM plans for even better value. Problem solved.

Having multiple eSIM providers is the best way to ensure you always get the best price and have enough data wherever you are.

We recommend that you have at least Airalo and Nomads ready to download and use. For most people, that's all they need.

If you really want to get the best deal every time, consider purchasing Airhub as well!

Do you have an eSIM compatible device?

Does your phone support eSIM?

The truth is that most modern mobile phones are eSIM compatible. In fact, the US-based iPhone 14 only supports eSIM. It doesn't even have a physical SIM card slot.

Here's a general guide to checking if your phone is eSIM compatible:

First, you need to unlock your phone. If you're on a plan in your home country, check with your carrier to see if the eSIM works.

All iPhones since iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR support eSIM. So if you have one of these phones, you should be fine.

Android is a little more complicated.

Many high-end Android smartphones now support eSIM. Also this:

• samsung galaxy s20
• Google Pixel 3a or newer
• Huawei P40 Pro
• Oppo A12

We recommend contacting your Android device manufacturer to see if your device supports eSIM technology. The best prepaid eSIM providers also list eSIM compatible phones on their websites.

If you're not sure, double check there.

summary

eSIM technology is revolutionizing the way people stay connected while traveling.

Establish a reliable network connection and access prepaid data plans in over 190 countries around the world with the best eSIM providers.

No more expensive roaming charges or complicated setups. Local SIM card.

Not sure which eSIM provider to start with?

I recommend checking out Airalo and Nomads at the beginning. This should be suitable for most countries you visit. These are also the eSIM providers we use the most.

FAQ

What are eSIMs?

An eSIM (Embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card that allows you to activate your cellular plan directly from your device without inserting a physical SIM card. It eliminates the need for traditional plastic cards and makes it easier for people to stay connected. Also, eSIMs are more secure than physical SIM cards and offer better protection against fraud.

How can I check if my device is eSIM compatible?

The best way to find out if your device is eSIM compatible is to check with your device manufacturer. Most of Apple's latest phones (iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and newer) and certain Android devices (Samsung Galaxy S20, Google Pixel 3a and newer, Huawei P40 Pro and Oppo A12) are eSIM compatible. Additionally, you need to make sure your phone is unlocked for the eSIM to work. Check your device manufacturer's website for more information.

What is the best eSIM provider?

Here are the best eSIM providers: Airalo and nomads. Both offer reliable networks and access to prepaid data plans in over 190 countries around the world. Airalo also has a variety of plans designed specifically for travelers, so you can get great data deals wherever you are in the world. Nomad also has an app that makes it easy to activate and manage your plan from anywhere. Both providers are great options.

Can I use multiple eSIMs simultaneously on one device?

Many mobile phones now support using two or more eSIMs simultaneously, making it easy to switch between different plans and carriers without having to replace the physical SIM card. Always check with your device manufacturer before using multiple eSIMs on a single device.

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