Many of us love to go abroad but when we do, we are afraid of our mobile phone carrier’s high roaming rates.
Time to learn about the eSim, a virtual trick that allows you to access regional data networks without having to change a card in your cell phone the way you once had to do.
There are now dozens of eSim products to choose from, but we’ve got the lowdown on how to find the right eSim for your destination, data needs, and security preferences.
What is an eSIM?
eSims first became available with next to no fanfare in 2016, but now the GSMA, a trade association which represents mobile networks around the world, estimates 35% of global mobile phone owners use them on a regular basis.
The word eSim is the term for something otherwise known as an embedded sim, which identifies your device to wireless providers, and while you use one, it replaces the mobile phone coverage you have at home. You'll pay the eSim's rates for data and calls, not the higher roaming charges your carrier would impose.
In a nutshell, they’re virtual alternatives to the physical sim cards you might have seen being sold at airports and tourist hotspots (which, by the way, will almost always be overpriced). Using an eSim allows travelers to access data by switching networks via software instead of by changing a physical card containing a chip.
They’re (in most cases) easy to use, and most eSim brands will offer a range of packages ranging from packages covering multiple countries in specific regions to eSims valid for specific periods of time.
Most (but not all) smartphones made today will have the capability to use an eSim; on iPhones, the option appears under Settings > Cellular and on Androids, the eSim controls will appear under the Network & Internet menu.
How to choose the right eSim
This may sound obvious, when you're shopping for an eSim, you must first ensure the eSim package you’re considering covers the destinations you’re heading to.
Don’t assume, for example, that an Asia package covers every country in Asia or offers the best value. Once you check coverage and price details of each eSim, it might well be easier to purchase country-specific packages depending on the length of your stay.
“Always check the reviews of your intended eSIM app to see how their speed and coverage actually perform in real-world tests,” Rebecca Tribelhorn, founder of the Roam Free Rebecca travel blog. “For example, a reviewer might comment about connectivity dropping in a specific country.”
Reading the small print is also essential. “Ensure your eSim provider has strong partnerships with local carriers in that destination (for quick 4G/5G coverage) and offers customer support in case you encounter any connectivity issues,” says Tribelhorn.
Factors to consider when choosing an eSim
• An eSim is only as good as the network providers in the country you’re heading to. If you’re heading to a remote area of Uzbekistan, connectivity is likely to be sparse, and having an eSim won’t help.
• If you’re hoping to use multiple devices while abroad, ensure your eSim package includes a hotspot option, which will allow you to access data on devices such as laptops and iPads using a wireless connection to your phone.
• You'll purchase and install your eSim prior to arriving in the destination you’re heading to. Then activate it the moment you land.
• eSims give you access to data for web surfing and app use, but most of them will not be able to furnish SMS texting capabilities. You'll probably have to rely on your home carrier's terms and costs to send and receive texts. (Fortunately, free international texts are a common perk these days with many major carriers—check your existing phone contract's benefits.)
• If you’re spending more than a few weeks in a destination, consider purchasing a local eSim after you arrive. The packages offered locally will often offer a better value than brands sold abroad.
• Tap into locals’ knowledge. “On a recent trip to a remote island in Cambodia, I reached out to my hotel in advance to ask which network was best for the area and chose an eSim based on the networks available,” says travel blogger and photographer Anna Mazurek.
• Take a moment to work out what you’ll be using your data for and how much data you’ll need. For example, one hour’s use of Google Maps will require around 5 MB of data, while a 15-minute WhatsApp video call will consume around 37 MB. Your favorite Netflix show will require a whopping 7 GB an hour. (Frommer’s rundown of the travel apps that are the biggest data hogs may help.)
Frommer's picks of the best eSims
Based on a theoretical trip to the United Kingdom and checking prices in U.S. dollars, we looked at the pros and cons of the most popular eSims for travelers from North America. All of these offer coverage in about 200 countries—and Frommer's does not have partnerships with any of them. In alphabetical order:
The basics: One of the world’s first sSim brands, Airalo has offices in Singapore, Istanbul, and Toronto, and it’s known for consistently fast and widespread coverage.
Sample price for U.K. package: $4.75 for 1 GB data/ 7 days
Pro: It was one of the first eSim brands, so it has had time to fine-tune features; easy to set up; affordable
Con: Customer service is hit or miss, so don’t expect lightning-fast responses; no unlimited data packages
The basics: It’s a Canada-based eSim brand that is one of the few to allow travelers to allow make calls as well as send SMS messages when abroad.
Sample price for U.K. package: $5 for 1 GB data/ 7 days
Pro: Good value; fast, efficient multilingual support (via email and WhatsApp)
Con: Covers slightly fewer countries than others (but still enough to satisfy the majority of travelers); fewer security features than many eSims
The basics: The founders created Holafly, headquartered in Ireland, after traveling around Thailand and struggling to stay connected with loved ones.
Sample price for U.K. package: $32 for unlimited data over 7 days
Pro: Works with a wider range of network providers (in the U.K., for example, Holafly uses the networks from Orange, T-Mobile, H3G, Virgin Media 02 and Vodafone while Airalo and several other eSims only partner with EE); 24/7 customer support (including refunds in the event of cancelled trips); offers unlimited data packages
Con: One of the pricier eSims (because the data is unlimited)
The basics: Founded in Singapore in 2022, Jetpac is one of the most popular eSims brands, particularly for North Americans visiting Asia.
Sample price for U.K. package: $11 for 5 GB data/ 30 days
Pro: Strong range of packages (you can purchase as little as 1 GB); unexpected extras, such as SmartDelay (included with most packages), which allows access to certain airport lounges if your flight is delayed by an hour or more
Con: App and website could be easier to navigate; coverage isn’t the most consistent (can be spotty in Europe)
The basics: Nomad, based in Santa Clara, California, was founded in 2020 and is the brainchild of a handful of engineers who honed their craft at Facebook and Microsoft.
Sample price for U.K. package: $9 for 3 GB data/ 30 days
Pro: Good value; easy to purchase and install
Con: Customer service could be better and less complicated; no unlimited data plans
The basics: It’s a Chicago-based eSim that promotes its security measures.
Sample price for U.K. package: $4.49 for 1 GB data/ 7 days
Pro: Strong security features (it’s made by NordVPN, the world’s most well-known VPN provider); wide-ranging coverage; packages to suit all budgets
Con: No unlimited data plans; set-up process takes a little longer than others
The basics: Started in 2017, Ubigi is known as one of the more versatile eSim brands and offers automobile data packages that allow compatible vehicles (by Jaguar, Jeep, BMW, and Toyota) to be transformed into personal hotspots when driven abroad.
Sample price for U.K. package: $7 for 3 GB data/ 30 days
Pro: Fast to set up; suited to longer stays
Con: Only offers unlimited data for certain countries; minimum data purchase is on the large side (in the U.K. it’s 3 GB); not the cheapest, especially for African countries