Best eSIM for International Travel in 2024 (plans compared)

Gone are the days of buying a SIM card when you land in another country. In fact, most people don’t even need a phone number in their own country anymore. The rise of data-only eSIM has made things so much easier and if you’re in the market, here’s a rundown of the best eSIM for international travel – or just daily life!

TOP RECOMMENDATION

If you’re traveling internationally, Saily is your best eSIM option. With cost-effective local plans in over 150 countries and an intuitive app for easy eSIM activation, it’s got you covered.

Visit Saily

An eSIM is quick to activate (you can set it up before you even take off on your journey) and is generally more affordable than SIM cards with roaming costs.

Most modern smartphones now support eSIM functionality, even if they also have a physical SIM card slot. This dual SIM capability lets users enjoy the best of both worlds: a local SIM card and an eSIM for international roaming, providing flexibility and seamless connectivity while traveling abroad.

Note: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may be compensated if you choose to use one of the services listed. I only recommend what I personally have used, and I appreciate your support!

Top 3 eSIMs for International Travel

Here are the top 3 eSIM service options along with a short explanation.

Saily	Alosim	Airalo
Recommended eSIM	Free Virtual Number	Global eSIM plans
Backed by the popular Nord Security brand, Saily offers some of the cheapest local plans for specific destinations, starting at $1.99 for 1GB of data valid for 7 days.	Alosim provides regional eSIM bundles for several locations. Additionally, it provides users with a free Hushed phone number for making calls and sending texts.	Airalo offers local and regional eSIM plans in 200+ countries. It also has a global plan that covers 124 countries, with prices starting at $9.00 for 1GB of data valid for 7 days.
Try Saily	Try Alosim	Try Airalo

Pretty soon, SIM cards will no longer be used in phones as they get replaced by the more convenient eSIM option. There is a lot of crossover in the offerings of these top eSIM service options, but let’s take a moment to compare them based on the following criteria:

• Type of plans (local, regional, global);
• Data limits;
• Validity;
• Pricing;
• Mobile app;
• Refund policies;
• Customer support;
• …and other key factors;

Based on those factors, here is what I discovered about each of the eSIM options.

Saily – Recommended eSIM Option

Saily, a relative newcomer to the eSIM market, was launched in 2024. Although based in the US, it operates under Nord Security, which is headquartered in Lithuania. 

The company has rapidly gained popularity among travelers due to its simplicity, reliability, and low-cost offerings. 

Saily currently provides data-only plans in over 150 countries, with country-specific options. This means you’ll need to purchase a separate plan for each destination you visit. While this may seem inconvenient, Saily’s affordable pricing makes it a compelling choice for international travelers. 

For instance, in the Czech Republic, you can get 1 GB of data valid for 7 days for just $1.99. In the US, the same package costs $3.99, while in Germany, it’s $4.49. Saily offers at least four different data plans, ranging from 1GB/7 days, ideal for short trips, to 20GB/30 days for longer stays. 

One notable aspect of Saily is that it currently offers data-only plans, meaning you can’t make traditional phone calls or send SMS messages. However, this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, as you can still make calls via Skype, WhatsApp, or other VoIP services.

Activation of Saily eSIMs requires using their mobile app, a step not necessary with other eSIM services. However, the activation process is straightforward, with on-screen instructions guiding you through purchasing and activating your plan in a few minutes. If you encounter any issues during activation, Saily offers 24/7 live chat support directly through the app. 

In case you’re unable to activate your data plan for some reason, Saily provides a refund option.

Alosim – Free Virtual Number

Launched in 2022 by a Canadian tech company, Alosim aims to make prepaid data eSIMs accessible and affordable for the masses. 

It currently offers eSIM plans in more than 175 countries, with country-specific options similar to Saily. However, Alosim provides an added facility to purchase data plans that cover multiple regions. 

For instance, their Europe plan supports 34 countries and is priced at $5.00 for 1GB valid for 7 days, or $37.00 for 10GB valid for 30 days. Similar regional plans are available for Asia (13 countries), Eastern Europe (11 countries), the Mediterranean (6 countries), South America (9 countries), and more. These regional bundles offer greater flexibility for travelers exploring multiple destinations within a specific area. 

But there’s no single Alosim plan with global coverage as of yet, if that’s what you’re after, check out Airhub, Airalo, or Nomad. 

What it does have is a handy data calculator to help travelers estimate their data requirements based on their usage patterns. 

Furthermore, while Alosim only offers data-only plans like Saily, it provides a complimentary international Hushed phone number for calling and texting. You can choose a number with a Canadian or American area code, which works globally, and enjoy 30 minutes of free calls or 50 free texts. 

Moreover, Alosim supports data sharing, allowing you to share your internet connection with friends and family via a hotspot. Their mobile app is user-friendly, and live chat is available for any issues that may arise during setup. 

However, it’s worth noting that Alosim doesn’t accept any cancellations or refunds.

Airalo – Best Global Plan Options

Airalo, a Singapore-based company, has been providing globetrotters with the convenience of eSIMs since 2012. 

With extensive coverage spanning over 200 countries, the Airalo eSIM leverages strategic partnerships with major carriers like O2 in the UK, Optus in Australia, Verizon, and T-Mobile in the US, among others. 

One of Airalo’s standout features is the flexibility to purchase local, regional, or global eSIMs through their app or website. For travelers seeking an eSIM for a single country, it has local plans starting at $4.50 in the US for 1GB of data valid for 7 days. 

If you require broader coverage, Airalo provides seven regional plans, including options for the Caribbean Islands and Latin America – regions often overlooked by other eSIM services like Alosim. 

Unlike Saily and Alosim, Airalo also offers global eSIMs that cover 124 countries. The pricing for these global plans starts at $9.00 for 1GB of data valid for 7 days and goes up to $69.00 for 20GB of data valid for 365 days. 

While Airalo’s local and regional plans are limited to data-only, their global plans come with the option to make calls and send texts at an additional cost. For instance, the cheapest global plan with call and text capabilities is priced at $15.00 and includes 10 minutes of talk time, 10 SMS, and 1GB of data valid for 7 days. 

One interesting feature that frequent travelers can benefit from is Airalo’s “Airmoney” program, which rewards customers with credits on every Airalo purchase, redeemable for future purchases. 

Additionally, Airalo offers refunds within 30 days of purchase if activation is no longer possible after troubleshooting. 

Holafly – Best Unlimited Data

Headquartered in Spain, Holafly has been in the industry since 2017. With coverage spanning over 197 destinations worldwide, it’s likely to have an eSIM for almost any place you plan to visit. 

Holafly’s biggest advantage is its unlimited data plans, making it ideal for tourists who frequently video call their friends and family or those who prefer streaming Netflix from their hotel rooms.

However, this unlimited data approach comes with a premium price tag, often making Holafly more expensive than its competitors. Additionally, Holafly sometimes requires payment in the local currency. 

To illustrate the pricing difference, let’s take France as an example. While Saily offers a 30-day data plan with 5GB for $11.99, Holafly’s 30-day unlimited plan costs €69.99.

Although significantly more expensive, Holafly’s plan could be worth the investment for data junkies who might otherwise need to purchase multiple top-ups on a limited plan. 

Furthermore, Holafly offers greater flexibility in terms of plan duration, allowing users to select the number of days for most destinations. For instance, you can buy a 1-day plan in the US for $6.00.

While it doesn’t yet offer a global plan like Airalo, it does provide several regional plans for continents like Europe and Asia. 

One major drawback to Holafly is that it doesn’t allow hotspot tethering on its unlimited plans, making it unsuitable for travelers who plan to use their laptops or share their internet with others. 

Despite these limitations, Holafly does offer a full refund in case of connection issues, and its 24/7 live chat support is highly regarded. 

Airhub – Get a Local Phone Number

Airhub, founded in 2020 and based in California, functions as a marketplace for prepaid SIM cards, covering over 190 countries.

What sets Airhub apart from other services that offer data-only eSIMs is its inclusion of a local geographic phone number, making it an ideal choice for anyone who prefers to connect the old-school way. 

Take, for instance, their France plan, which offers 40GB of data valid for 30 days for $36.00 and includes unlimited local phone calls. 

Furthermore, Airhub provides up to 15 plans per country from different operators, allowing users to find the best option for their needs. Some of these plans in certain countries also offer unlimited data. 

In addition to country-specific plans, Airhub also offers regional eSIMs for various continents, as well as a global eSIM that supports most countries worldwide. The monthly plan for the global eSIM starts at $39.99 and provides 25GB of data, unlimited local calling, and a UK phone number. 

Currently, Airhub is running a promotion where users can get a free global eSIM that works in over 80 countries with 100MB of data. This is a great way to test the service, though it requires you to enter your email address. 

Airhub’s app streamlines the eSIM buying and activation process, though it offers limited functionality beyond these core features. 

Lastly, while Airhub claims to offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s worth noting that some users have reported encountering issues with customer support responsiveness. 

Nomad – Includes SMS Plans

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Nomad has been offering competitively priced data-only eSIM plans since 2020. 

Its extensive coverage spans over 170 countries, with country-specific plans starting at $6.00 for 1GB valid for 7 days in the US. Nomad’s data plans range from 1GB to 50GB, catering to various data needs, although they don’t currently offer unlimited data plans. 

In addition to country-specific plans, Nomad provides 11 regional eSIM plans, including Europe, APAC, North America, Nordic, Sea-Oceania, SEA-Plus, Africa, Middle East, China-Japan-South Korea, Malaysia-Singapore-Philippines, Italy-Germany-France. 

Furthermore, Nomad offers a decent global plan with two options: one covering 106 countries and another covering 109 countries. The 106-country plan starts at $12.00 for 1GB of data valid for 7 days, while the 109-country plan begins at $25.00 for 1GB with the same validity period. 

Unique to Nomad is its SMS plan, allowing users to send and receive text messages without incurring roaming costs. These SMS plans are currently available only in the US and Canada, starting at $4.00 for 100 texts. 

It’s worth noting that to use this SMS service, you must have a stable data or WiFi connection, and you can only send and receive texts using the Nomad app. However, the recipients will receive your messages on their native SMS app. 

Nomad offers refunds for purchases made within 30 days, but they don’t yet have a live chat feature for customer support. Instead, users must contact support via email. 

How to Install an eSIM for Travel? 

Follow these steps to install an eSIM on your smartphone for travel. 

Check if Your Phone Supports eSIM functionality

Before purchasing an eSIM, it’s crucial to confirm that your smartphone supports eSIM functionality. Here’s how you can check:

• For iPhones: Go to Settings > Mobile Service. If you see the option to “Add eSIM,” your iPhone supports eSIM.
• For Android devices: Visit your device’s Settings > Network & Internet > SIM cards. If the “Add eSIM” option is available, your Android device supports eSIM. 

Pick an eSIM Provider

Once you’ve confirmed that your smartphone supports eSIMs, it’s time to pick an eSIM plan that fits your travel needs. First, determine the type of eSIM you require:

• Local eSIM Plans: are country-specific and are ideal for short trips or visits to a particular destination. For example, if you’re traveling to Australia, pick an Australian eSIM plan.
• Regional eSIM Plans: cover multiple countries within a specific region. For instance, if you’re visiting Europe, consider an eSIM plan that covers all of the countries in Europe you’re visiting. 
• Global eSIM Plans: offer coverage in numerous countries worldwide, making them a convenient option for a world tour or visiting countries in different regions. 

Additionally, you must take into account your mobile data needs. If you anticipate high data usage, consider a provider that offers unlimited data plans. If not, you can go for limited data options ranging from 1GB to 50GB.

Lastly, determine the duration of your trip and choose an eSIM plan with a validity period that aligns with your travel duration. Most eSIM providers offer plans ranging from 7 to 30 days.

Once you’ve considered these factors, compare the eSIM plans from different providers to find the one that best suits your needs.

Activate Your eSIM

Here’s how to activate an eSIM on your smartphone: 

1. Download the provider’s app: Most eSIM services have dedicated mobile apps for purchasing and activating eSIMs. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 
2. Purchase your eSIM pan: Within the app, follow the instructions to purchase the appropriate eSIM plan based on your destination(s) and data requirements. 
3. Follow activation instructions: The app will provide step-by-step guidance to activate your eSIM. This process usually involves scanning a QR code or entering an activation code. 
4. Wait for activation confirmation: Once your eSIM receives a signal, it’ll be ready for data connectivity at your destination. 

Remember to follow any additional instructions provided by the eSIM provider, and don’t hesitate to reach out to their customer support if you encounter any issues during the activation process. 

eSIM FAQs

Let’s address some of the most frequently asked questions about eSIMs for travel.

Final Verdict 

Ultimately, any of the eSIM services I’ve recommended in this guide should provide you with high speed data and reliable connectivity during your international travel. The best choice depends on your specific travel needs.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, Saily stands out as an ideal choice with its low-cost local plans. On the other hand, if unlimited data is a priority, Holafly’s plans make it a compelling choice. For those who like making traditional calls or sending SMS while traveling, Airhub could be a suitable fit.

Regardless of which eSIM service you select, you will undoubtedly enhance your travel experience and save on roaming costs.