Why eSIM beats standard roaming in 2025
Roaming with a domestic carrier is the most convenient option, but it is rarely the best value. International day passes often cost $10–$15 per day for a small allowance, and some carriers throttle abroad. A travel eSIM lets you download a local or regional data plan to your phone in minutes, keep your primary number for calls/SMS, and pay competitive rates—often under $2–3 per GB on regional packs.
Beyond price, eSIM improves flexibility: you can stack multiple plans (for example, an EU regional plan plus a UK eSIM), switch networks if speeds drop, and top up on the go. For an overview of how eSIM works at the device level, see Apple’s guide to Dual SIM/eSIM and Google’s Android help articles linked in the FAQ section.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: Airalo balanced price/coverage
- Best value: Nomad aggressive promos
- Best for heavy data: Holafly “unlimited” — check FUP
- Best in EU/UK: Orange Holiday eSIM voice/SMS add‑ons
- Best for simple global plans: Ubigi
- Best for USA: Maya Mobile true 5G in the US
- Also consider: SimOptions, 1GLOBAL (Truphone), GigSky, Flexiroam
Comparison Table — eSIM Providers in 2025
Typical pricing ranges are indicative as of December 2025. “Allowed” means the provider permits tethering on most plans; always double‑check the specific plan page.
| Provider | Best for | Regions covered | 5G | Tethering | Refund policy | Notes (typical pricing) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Overall balance | Global + regional packs (USA, Europe, APAC, more) | Partial by country | Allowed on most plans | Unactivated only | $2–5/GB on regional packs; easy app; wide coverage |
| Nomad | Lowest price per GB | Global + many regional options | In select markets | Allowed | Limited (pre‑activation) | $1.5–4/GB with promos; strong for EU/USA |
| Holafly | Heavy data users | Many countries; “unlimited” plans | 4G/5G mixed | Often restricted on unlimited | Limited | Day passes ~ $4–6/day; read fair‑use policy |
| Orange Holiday eSIM | EU trips | EU/UK | 4G/5G depending on network | Allowed | Varies by seller | Bundles with voice/SMS; good reliability |
| Ubigi | Simple global setup | Global + bundles | In select countries | Allowed | Unactivated only | Clean app; $2–5/GB typical |
| Maya Mobile | USA focus | USA + global | 5G in the USA | Allowed | Usually 30‑day on unused | Strong US speeds; clear hotspot terms |
| SimOptions | Marketplace/brand aggregator | Multiple brands (incl. Orange) | Depends on brand | Depends on plan | Depends on seller/brand | Great for EU local deals; terms vary |
| 1GLOBAL (Truphone) | Business travelers | Global | Frequently 5G in major markets | Allowed | Limited | Enterprise roots; robust coverage |
| GigSky | Flexible regional packs | Global + region packs | Partial | Allowed | Limited | Long‑time roaming provider; easy setup |
| Flexiroam | Frequent travelers | Global with add‑on boosts | Partial | Allowed | Limited | “Data bank” style top‑ups; decent coverage |
Deep dives: Pros & cons for each provider
Airalo
Airalo is the easiest starting point for most travelers. The app is intuitive, country pages are detailed, and plans exist for almost anywhere. You get regional packs like Eurolink (Europe), Asialink (Asia), and US‑only options, with transparent add‑ons. Speeds are generally solid in cities and acceptable in suburban areas. The company lists partner networks so you can see if a country has multiple carriers.
Pros: wide coverage; straightforward app; competitive regional prices. Cons: not all countries have 5G; customer support waits can be long during peak holidays.
Nomad
Nomad frequently runs promotions and often posts the lowest price per GB on regional packs, especially in Europe and North America. It is a great pick if you are price‑sensitive and don’t need voice minutes. Nomad’s app makes it easy to switch between local and regional plans and to track usage by day.
Pros: aggressive pricing; clear plan descriptions; helpful usage tracking. Cons: 5G availability is inconsistent; customer service quality varies by region.
Holafly
Holafly is the best known “unlimited” option, but you must read the fair‑use policy. Most unlimited plans allow high‑speed data up to a soft cap, then throttle speeds (sometimes to 2–5 Mbps). Tethering/hotspot isn’t always allowed, which makes it less ideal for laptops. That said, if you’re a heavy social/video user on a phone, the convenience is excellent.
Pros: simple unlimited concept; easy activation. Cons: hotspot often disabled; possible throttling after heavy use.
Orange Holiday eSIM
For EU/UK trips, Orange Holiday eSIM—often sold through marketplaces—bundles data with voice and SMS minutes, which is great for travelers who need phone calls for reservations or to receive verification codes. Performance is reliable in Western Europe and major cities across the bloc.
Pros: voice/SMS included; strong EU coverage. Cons: prices vary by reseller; plan naming can be confusing.
Ubigi
Ubigi, backed by Transatel, offers clean apps and a simple approach to global bundles. It’s popular with connected cars and IoT, but its consumer travel plans are also solid—particularly if you want to keep everything inside a single account and avoid marketplace complexity.
Pros: straightforward app; good support. Cons: not always the cheapest; 5G limited to select countries.
Maya Mobile
Maya Mobile is a strong US‑focused option with very clear hotspot rules and reliable 5G in the States. If your itinerary centers on the USA and you care about tethering for a laptop, it’s one of the easiest recommendations.
Pros: clear terms; good speeds in the USA; generous hotspot allocations. Cons: fewer regional bundles than Airalo/Nomad.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a marketplace aggregating multiple brands (including Orange). The big advantage is the ability to compare local eSIMs from different carriers in one place, sometimes with better pricing than global brands—especially for the EU. The trade‑off is that terms, hotspot rules, and refund policies vary based on the brand you pick.
1GLOBAL (Truphone)
1GLOBAL, formerly Truphone, has strong enterprise roots and offers robust global coverage. It’s a practical choice for business travelers who value consistent performance and are willing to pay a small premium for stability and support.
GigSky & Flexiroam
Both companies have been in international roaming for years. They are reliable alternatives if you find a good promotion in your destination. Flexiroam’s “data bank” style top‑ups are handy if you travel frequently and want to carry unused data forward.
What to Look For Before You Buy
- Price per GB: For regional packs, anything under $2–3/GB is competitive. Global bundles typically cost more due to multi‑network agreements.
- Hotspot/tethering: If you plan to work from a laptop, confirm that the plan explicitly allows hotspot. Unlimited plans often block or throttle it.
- 5G availability: Not all eSIM plans expose 5G even when the partner network supports it. Check the specific country page and plan tier.
- Validity and top‑ups: 7/15/30‑day options are common. Ensure top‑ups extend validity or add data without reinstalling a new profile.
- Coverage and partners: Multiple network partners per country usually means better speeds and reliability.
- Refund policy: Many providers refuse refunds after activation. Test data immediately on arrival.
- Support and app UX: You want clear APN instructions and a quick live chat or ticket system in case activation fails at the airport.
- Security & privacy: Stick to reputable providers; avoid installing configuration profiles from unknown sources.
Best Picks by Country/Trip Type
USA: Maya Mobile, Nomad, or Airalo (US‑specific packs) deliver reliable 5G and hotspot. For travelers who only need phone data and don’t care about hotspot, Holafly’s unlimited plans can be convenient—watch the fair‑use policy (FUP).
Europe (Schengen + UK): Airalo Eurolink or Nomad EU for a simple data‑only experience; Orange Holiday eSIM if you want voice/SMS minutes bundled for reservations and two‑factor codes.
Asia multi‑country: Airalo Asialink, Nomad APAC, or Ubigi work well across Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and more. 5G access varies by country.
One‑country short trips: For 3–5 days, a local eSIM via SimOptions or a carrier’s own eSIM can be cheaper than a global brand.
Cruises & remote areas: Check coverage maps carefully. Maritime connectivity may require a satellite‑friendly plan; most mainstream eSIMs exclude cruise ships.
Step‑by‑Step: Activate an eSIM
iPhone (XR/XS and newer; iPhone 15/16 US are eSIM‑only)
- Buy the plan in the provider’s app or website and keep the QR code handy.
- Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and scan the QR code (or install via the app).
- Label the line (e.g., “Travel”) and set it as Cellular Data only.
- Turn on Data Roaming for the travel eSIM. Keep your primary line active for calls/SMS if needed.
- Open the provider app to confirm activation and APN settings. Test data immediately.
Apple’s official instructions: Use Dual SIM with eSIM.
Samsung (One UI)
- Open Settings > Connections > SIM manager.
- Tap Add eSIM and scan the QR code or use the provider app.
- Set the travel eSIM as preferred for mobile data and enable data roaming.
- Select 5G/4G Auto if available; verify APN if the provider lists one.
Google Pixel & other Android
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add eSIM.
- Scan the QR code or paste the activation code provided at checkout.
- Choose the eSIM for mobile data; toggle roaming on.
- Reboot if needed and run a quick speed test to validate.
Google’s help article: Add a mobile plan with eSIM (Android).
Data usage & budget calculator
Not sure how much data you need? Estimate your usage and compare it with plan costs. Streaming and social apps consume the most data; maps and messaging are light unless you share a lot of media.
These are conservative estimates. 4K video or unlimited social scrolling can use significantly more data.