If you’re not using an eSIM to travel in 2026, it’s time to hop on board! It’s game-changing tech that’ll stop time wasted hunting for questionable wifi. I recently tried a Roamless eSIM on a trip to Thailand and loved it. Here’s my review of how the data and calling functions work, its pricing structure, how it compares to other eSIM providers, and the overall pros and cons.
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Roamless eSIM highlights
- Roamless is a global eSIM that works across countries without swapping plans.
- Roamless offers Pay As You Go credit that never expires. Set data bundles for specific locations or regions reduce the cost per GB. Unlimited plans are set and forget.
- Make in-app calls to landlines and cellphones.
- Roamless Numbers give you a dedicated US, UK, Canadian, or Australian number.
- Flexibility makes a Roamless eSIM deal for layovers, spontaneous travel, and short trips.
- Get 20% off your first eSIM with Roamless with code: RUNAWAY20.
About my Roamless review
I wrote this Roamless eSIM review after testing it over a month in Thailand (and a couple of days in Canada). Connectivity wise it was flawless. It worked as soon as I activated it in Canada and was connected to the local network in Thailand as soon as we landed. Like, before we even got off the plane.
Roamless provided some Pay As You Go credit for the test, and I bought a plan 20 GB Thailand plan to make the data go even further and extend my test. And just to give you a more well-rounded, honest take, ya know?
I had an overwhelmingly positive experience. It was so easy to use, and I actually struggled to find cons to include in this Roamless eSIM review.
How does Roamless work?
Basically, a Roamless eSIM lives in your phone instead of the physical chip you’re used to. (They can live in harmony as well, but you don’t have to remove your home chip.)
You just download the one eSIM and get connection no matter where your travels take you. If you have credit, it’ll work as soon as you arrive. Our plans change all the time, so having that global credit means we’ll always have connection.
And one unique thing I really love about Roamless is that your credit never expires. Another, is that you can use the app to call landlines (rare af). More on all of this below.
When and why you need an eSIM
Getting online when arriving in a new country used to be a whole ordeal. Here’s what my arrival routine actually looked like:
- Frantically screenshotting my Airbnb address (usually just before boarding, because I’m forgetful).
- Landing and hunting for reliable airport wifi to call an Uber or look up public transport options.
- Queuing at a phone store to buy a physical SIM.
- Deciphering data packages through a language barrier/new currency.
- Fumbling with that tiny metal pin to open the SIM tray.
With an eSIM, the whole thing now looks like this:
- Install my eSIM before I leave home.
- Toggle it on in my settings when I land (or even earlier because Roamless Credits work globally).
- Walk into the airport arrivals hall with data already running basically feeling like a local.
I once even helped a girl in Bali who had called a Grab (Asia’s Uber) with airport wifi but lost connection at the pickup point. I was able to give her a quick hotspot so she could contact the driver. Easy peasy.
Is Roamless legit?
Roamless is totally legit. I put it to the test in Thailand.
And if my review isn’t enough to instill confidence, I won’t take it personally, I’m basically a stranger. But there are thousands of glowing Roamless reviews by other strangers on Trustpilot. Last I checked, (August 2026), Roamless had an average 4.5-star rating and over 1,600 reviews. I think this one sums it up pretty well:
“The simplicity is key. Drift form one country. To the next and there is no disruption to connectivity. Topping up is quick and simple too. Overall this has worked so much better than expected and far better that individual country eSIMs where anything left is wasted cash.” — Mr. John Odwell on Trustpilot (March 2026)
The company is headquartered in San Francisco and has been around since 2023.
Roamless eSIM prices
Here are the key differences between the three Roamless pricing structures for eSIM data: Pay As You Go, Data Plans, and Unlimited.
I’ve listed all the prices in USD for easier international reference, and they’re accurate as of October 2026. Tap the green block to see the current exchange rate for a few other global currencies: 10 USD
Roamless Pay As You Go
Roamless’ unique Pay As You Go (PAYG) can be relatively expensive per GB, but the unmatched flexibility is the trade off. The Credit works globally and never expires, making it ideal for layovers, short stops, or anywhere you don’t need a lot of data. For example, we did an 18-hour layover in Singapore, and Pay As You Go credit is perfect for that kind of speed run.
Roamless Credit prices change depending on where you are in the world. But the per-GB flexible rate is generally $1.95 to $2.45 per GB. Some outlier examples:
- Mexico $2.95/GB
- Kyrgyzstan: $9.95/GB
- Belize: $14.95/GB
- Afghanistan: $17.45/GB
- Vanuatu: $17.45/GB
So as you can see, it’s mostly remote or lesser-visited countries where the price per GB skyrockets. If you’re travelling around Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America, you’ll mostly be paying the standard rate. Or, better yet, getting a fixed Data Plan brings the cost down closer to $1 per GB.
Roamless Data Plans
Data Plans come in set bundles from 1 GB to 50 GB and work for a specific country or region. For example, if you’re bouncing around Southeast Asia, you can get a regional package for 20 countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. This is how most eSIM services operate.
Unlike the PAYG credit that never expires, Data Packages are only valid for 30 days. But the per-GB rate is significantly cheaper.
Here are some set package examples for different locations/regions:
- Thailand 10 GB: $10.95 ($1.10/GB)
- Spain 10 GB: $13.95 ($1.40/GB)
- Italy 10 GB: $18.95 ($1.90/GB)
- Mexico 10 GB: $18.45 ($1.85/GB)
- Europe 10 GB: $30.95 ($3.10/GB)
Roamless Unlimited Plans
Roamless recently introduced Unlimited Plans. You can get one for 1-90 days at a time and just set-and-forget. It’ll give you unlimited access to the internet, whether you need to hotspot to your laptop or lend a bit of data to a friend who hasn’t gotten an eSIM yet.
The price per-day goes down the more days you choose. Here’s how the sliding scale works for an Unlimited Plan in the UK:
- 1 Day: $3.84
- 7 Days: $3.66
- 30 Days: $2.25
- 46 Days+: $1.50
Want to try it? Use my Roamless promo code, RUNAWAY20, for 20% off your first plan. It’s one of the best eSIM discounts you’ll find out there. And they’ll give you a $5 credit bonus when you refer a friend!
Combining Roamless eSIM packages
Note Data Plans and Unlimited Plans only give you internet access — not calling. You’ll need some Roamless Credits or a Roamless Number to make calls or send texts. But you don’t have to choose just one type of plan — you can have it all!
I used a combo of Pay As You Go Credit and a set Data Plan for the best of both worlds: flexibility and price.
A Fixed package for a country/region works out to be cheaper per GB than PAYG. I started using PAYG credit just before I left just to make sure my Roamless eSIM was all set up and working smoothly, which it was.
When I landed in Thailand and switched off airplane mode, I was instantly connected to the local network. Then, I got a 20 GB Thailand Data Plan for 30 days once I was settled into my hotel.
The Data Plan worked out to about $0.90/GB compared to $2.45/GB with Pay As You Go. And I still have leftover credit I can use whenever I need it, and it won’t expire. I switch it on temporarily for landline calling sometimes. If I needed to make calls more frequently or wanted a dedicated number, I could also tack on a Roamless Number.
Do I recommend Roamless eSIMs?
So, is Roamless worth it? In my experience, yes. And this Roamless review wouldn’t be complete without highlighting what I consider its most standout feature: in-app calling. Roamless has a VOIP system that will remind you of how Skype used to work (RIP).
You might think you don’t need it and can just stick to WhatsApp — you’re mostly right. But there are bound to be some occasions where you want to make a reservation over the phone, call your bank back home, or call a landline — such as when you forget your card at an ATM in Thailand… (*ahem*)
Anyway, most eSIMs don’t let you do that.
Do other eSIMs let you make calls?
Some other eSIM providers have similar features, but no one does it quite like Roamless. ETravelSim offers texting and calling on many plans, and aloSIM works with Hushed to give you a phone number when you’re abroad. Jetpac Voice is another calling feature that works in 99 countries (recently expanded from 50) — but credit expires for all of these competitors.
With Roamless, I called Canada and New Zealand from Thailand for $0.04/minute and couldn’t believe how easy it was. The connection was also super clear and I could hear everything perfectly fine.
Note: per-minute prices vary quite a lot (up to $0.30, I believe) depending on where you’re calling. But the app makes it clear. I still have $45 in credit that I can use for GBs or calls and I don’t need to worry about that disappearing.
Roamless Numbers
They recently launched Roamless Numbers. You can now choose a dedicated phone number in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia for international calling and texting.
Pick your number in the app, choose a monthly (US $6.95) or annual (US $59.95) plan, and you’re good to go. This is a pretty big deal and makes Roamless a more well-rounded communication tool rather than a data-only eSIM. In fact, you don’t even need a Roamless eSIM to use Roamless Numbers.
In my eyes, one of the main benefits of this feature is that you can use it for 2 Factor Authentication and can receive verification codes for logins. (Common for your bank to send you at the most inconvenient of times.)
Roamless vs Airalo
Airalo is the most famous eSIM company out there, and brands itself as “the world’s first eSIM store.” But first doesn’t always mean better.
I don’tt think Airalo is worth it due to my own user experience, reliability issues, a lame refund policy, and poor reviews. Not to mention my affiliate experience, which I touch on in this Airalo review article. (I appreciate them for making eSIMs mainstream, though.)
| Roamless | Airalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Pay As You Go or fixed Data Plans | Fixed data plans only |
| Data expiry | ✓ Never expires | ✗ Expires with plan |
| Works across countries | One SIM works anywhere | New installation needed for each region |
| Hotspot | ✓ with credit | ✓ some plans |
| Calling | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Referral bonus | $5 credit | $3 credit |
| Get Roamless (20% off) | Get Airalo |
Quick comparison: my experience with Roamless vs Airalo
Airalo worked fine the first time I used it for a 3-day trip. But the issues started when I tried to rely on it for 3 months in South Africa. It worked for a month then broke down when I topped-up. Support was slow and never found a solution, and they refused to refund the unused 30 days I’d just paid for. (I eventually got credit, but it took a lot of convincing.)
My Roamless eSIM took like a minute to set up. And it worked seamlessly for a few days when testing it in Canada before we left, and over a month in Thailand. Because I had credit, it worked the moment I touched down on the plane. Perfect — no notes.
I went all-in on this eSIM comparison spreadsheet to help you weigh up all the features and benefits of Roamless and 13 other providers. Promo codes and all. And who doesn’t love a spreadsheet?
I update it regularly, but things change quickly. So make sure you double check info with the eSIM provider before you commit.
Take this quick eSIM quiz!
I’ve designed this little six-part questionnaire to help you find the best eSIM among my five favourites: Roamless, Saily, Holafly, aloSIM, and Jetpac. They all offer a little something different, so here’s which one is probably best for you, depending on your trip and travel style.
How long is your trip?
How much data do you realistically use while travelling?
How do you prefer to pay for data while travelling?
Do you need a phone number while travelling?
What matters most when choosing an eSIM?
Where are you travelling?
Roamless pros and cons
The pros of using a Roamless eSIM definitely outweigh the cons. However, here’s what you should consider before you commit.
Roamless eSIM pros
- It’s one of the only Pay As You Go eSIM options. Flexibility when you travel is the best.
- Roamless makes it super easy to make in-app calls to a landline or cellphone. And you never know when you might need this. You can even have Roamless installed alongside another eSIM and only use it for calling.
- Roamless Numbers is an awesome long-term travel feature. You don’t have to rely on FB Messenger and WhatsApp.
- Roamless Credit never expires. Nothing worse than wasting money on unused GBs or calls you didn’t make.
- You can activate it as soon as you arrive in a new country — or even before! Because it’s one eSIM that works anywhere (if you’ve purchased some Credit), it’ll connect in a new location without you needing to install a new eSIM. Convenient AF to have data as soon as you land.
- You get 20% off your first purchase with my promo code: RUNAWAY20. It’s the highest introductory discount of any eSIM I’ve tried.
Roamless eSIM cons
- Solely using Roamless Credit can be expensive. The per-GB price is more than what you pay for Data Plans, especially if you’re a heavy data user. Using a combo of credits with a plan is the way to go IMO.
- Roamless Numbers may be confusing if this is your first eSIM. If you’re not particularly tech-savvy or just want a phone number for a short trip, you might feel overwhelmed by the subscription model.
- Customer support isn’t 24/7. There’s a chat bot on the app or Roamless website. It let me request a “human agent” quickly, and it took <10 minutes for a person to reply. Otherwise, the only way to contact the team is via email: support@roamless.com
- Currently, you can’t use existing Pay As You Go Credit to buy a set Data Plan. However, I believe a change is in the works.
Naomi Lai
Naomi is a Canadian travel editor and writer with 13 years of international travel across Southeast Asia, Europe, South America, New Zealand, and beyond. She covers everything from budget backpacking to luxury travel — always from personal experience.
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