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Travel eSIMs are the easiest way to get affordable data on your phone the moment you land, without queueing for SIM cards or paying roaming day rates. Below are our top picks for travellers flying out, including Airalo, Saily, Nomad, and more. We cover coverage, hotspot/tethering, app experience, and who each is best for.
Top picks at a glance
Best overall value: Nomad — clean pricing, hotspot on all plans, wide coverage.
Best for security-minded users: Saily — built by the team behind Nord; a simple app with sharp entry pricing.
Best for long trips and mixed data + minutes: Airalo (Discover+ includes calls/SMS on select tiers).
Best for unlimited-style data: Holafly — unlimited plans with a fair-use policy; read the hotspot fine print.
Best for laptops/iPads, as well as data sharing: Ubigi — reusable eSIM, supporting Windows/iPad.
Best free backup: First, free, ad-supported basic data; paid upgrades for increased speed.
Best marketplaces: MobiMatter and SimOptions — compare many local/regional plans in one app.
Quick comparison
Prices and features change often. Always check the provider’s page for your exact destination and dates.
| Provider | Best for | Hotspot | App experience | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | Simple, low-cost country/global packs | Allowed on supported plans | Clean, fast | Nord-backed; easy top-ups |
| Airalo | Global catalog; data + minutes (Discover+) | Generally allowed (check plan) | Very polished | Local, regional, global; long-validity options |
| Nomad | Overall value: hotspot on all plans | Yes | Simple | Country/regional/global; 4G/5G where available |
| Holafly | Unlimited-style usage | Often yes (FUP may apply) | Simple | FUP may throttle heavy users |
| Ubigi | Laptops/tablets; data sharing | Yes | Solid | Reusable eSIM; wide coverage |
| GigSky | Free trial; easy top-ups | Yes | Good | Small free trial for first-time users |
| Flexiroam | Extras (in-flight data, optional voice/SMS) | Yes | Good | Handy for frequent flyers |
| MobiMatter | Price hunting across many plans | Varies | Marketplace | Great for regional bundles |
| SimOptions | Marketplace with mixed plans | Varies | Marketplace | Some plans include calls/SMS |
| aloSIM | Small, transparent bundles | Yes | Simple | Good for short city breaks |
| Firsty | Free backup data | – | Very simple | Ad-supported basic speeds |
Saily: Simple, secure, and great entry pricing
Why choose it: Built by the team behind Nord. Polished, privacy-minded app. Country and global plans are easy to pick, activate, and top up. Hotspot is supported on compatible plans.
Pros: clean pricing, quick setup, and a reliable app.
Cons: smaller selection than marketplaces for niche local promos.
Best for: frequent travellers who want a no-nonsense setup and predictable costs.
Airalo: Massive catalogue, now with data + minutes
Why choose it: Huge eSIM catalogue with local, regional, and global plans. Discover+ bundles data with minutes and texts on select tiers, handy if you still need occasional calls without extra apps.
Pros: huge country list; competitive regional/global pricing; strong app; optional calls/SMS.
Cons: Hotspot rules vary by plan; pricing can fluctuate during peak seasons.
Best for: long trips, multi-country itineraries, and anyone who wants a built-in voice/SMS feature.
Nomad: Straightforward value and hotspot on all plans
Nomad is consistently good for transparent pricing and hotspot-friendly plans. You’ll find country, regional, and global options with 4G/5G where available. A “set-and-forget” choice for most trips.
Holafly: Unlimited-style plans with FUP
Holafly offers unlimited-style plans for travel across many destinations. Read each plan’s fair-use policy and hotspot rules, as heavy use can trigger throttling. Good for travellers who prefer not to track gigabytes.
Ubigi: Excellent for laptops and tablets
Ubigi plays nicely with phones, iPads, and Windows laptops, and the eSIM is reusable across 200+ destinations. A strong pick if you need to hotspot frequently or keep your notebook online between airports and hotels.
GigSky: Free trial to test coverage
New users can typically claim a small free trial to test coverage before making a purchase. The app makes top-ups and extensions painless. Handy if you’re unsure about local network quality.
Flexiroam: In-flight data and optional voice/SMS
Flexiroam stands out with extras like in-flight data packs and optional voice/SMS add-ons. If you’re a frequent flyer or need occasional calling, it’s worth a look.
Marketplaces: MobiMatter and SimOptions
These apps aggregate lots of local and regional eSIMs so you can price-hunt. Useful for Europe or Southeast Asia trips where a regional bundle beats juggling multiple single-country plans.
aloSIM: Small, transparent bundles
A good option for short city breaks, with straightforward small bundles and a straightforward app.
Firsty: Free backup connection
Firsty offers ad-supported basic data globally. Keep it installed as a backup in case your main eSIM fails to activate at the airport. You can upgrade to faster speeds if needed.
How to choose the right travel eSIM
- Coverage & speed: check your destination’s supported networks and whether 5G is available.
- Hotspot/tethering: If you plan to share data with a laptop or travel router, make sure your plan allows hotspot use.
- Unlimited vs. fixed data: Unlimited plans often carry fair-use policies that can throttle heavy users; a large fixed bucket may provide more consistent speeds.
- Multi-country trips: prefer regional bundles for Europe/Asia to avoid juggling multiple eSIMs.
- Device compatibility: Ensure your phone is eSIM-capable and unlocked. Install via QR code while connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
- eKYC: Some countries require ID verification; complete it before you fly.
- Turkey or UAE tip: Install and activate your eSIM before arrival, as access to some provider apps/sites may be restricted occasionally.
Setup checklist before you leave
- Buy and Install Saily on Wi-Fi Before You Fly →
- Set your local SIM to calls/SMS only, then set mobile data to the eSIM on arrival.
- Enable hotspot only if your plan allows it.
- Keep a backup like Firsty installed for emergencies.
FAQs
Are eSIMs cheaper than your carrier’s roaming rates?
Usually, yes. Travel eSIMs are prepaid and avoid day-rate roaming charges. For instance, Nomad and Airalo list clear prepaid prices, and many providers include taxes in their upfront pricing. Always compare your dates and usage.
Do travel eSIMs include a phone number?
Most are data-only. Some add voice/SMS (e.g., Airalo Discover+ includes minutes/SMS; Flexiroam sells voice/SMS packs). Otherwise, use WhatsApp, FaceTime, etc.
Can I use a hotspot/tethering?
Often yes, but check your plan. Nomad supports hotspot on all plans; Holafly allows hotspot on many plans, but with possible limits; Airalo generally supports hotspot, depending on the network.
Will I need to verify my identity (eKYC)?
Some destinations require eKYC. Providers like Airalo document when ID verification is needed. Buy and verify before your flight.
Bottom line
If you want the simplest choice with strong pricing and hotspot support, go Nomad. If you want unlimited-style plans, go Holafly, but mind the FUP. If you want Nord-backed simplicity, Saily. Need laptop/iPad connectivity or data sharing? Ubigi is excellent. Keep a free backup like Firsty installed just in case. For deal hunters and multi-country tours, browse MobiMatter or SimOptions to compare.
