Runaway Traveller

Best eSIM for the US Feature Utah Desert

Best eSIM for the US: Price & Unique Features of 4 Providers

Having reliable internet when traveling through the United States is more than just convenient, it’s a lifeline. (Always… but especially these days.) I’ve been using eSIMs for a couple of years now, testing them everywhere from bustling cities to rural villages. The best eSIM for the US will always depend on your budget, travel style, and other factors. But here are some reliable options I’ve tested myself.

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Key takeaways

  • The best eSIM for the US will depend on the type of trip you’re doing.
  • Saily, Holafly, Jetpac, and ETravelSim are reliable eSIMs for the US.
  • Saily has the best security features.
  • Holafly has unlimited data plans.
  • Jetpac offers travel perks like lounge access.
  • ETravelSim gives you the ability to make calls in the US.

What to consider when choosing the best eSIM for the US

Some things you may want to consider when deciding on the best eSIM for for the US and your lifestyle include:

  • Data usage. Are you like me and lost without Google Maps? Or do you just check WhatsApp occasionally? Unlimited data is totally worth it if you’re online all the time, but a limited GB plan will save you money if you’re not a phone addict.

  • Trip length. If you’re only visiting for a few days, you can choose exactly how many you’ll need data rather than paying for a 30-day plan unnecessarily. That said, monthly subscriptions are also cheaper if you’re traveling long term.

  • Coverage. Not all eSIMs use the same local carriers. In the USA, you’ll want one that connects to a reliable network for the best nationwide reach. Some eSIMs don’t work in Alaska and/or Hawaii.

  • Hotspotting. Planning to hotspot to your laptop or a friend? Not all providers allow hotspotting. Saily lets you hotspot in the US with no restrictions. Holafly’s USA eSIM plan lets you hotspot 500 MBs per day, but if you’re on the monthly subscription it’s unlimited.

  • Regional plans. If you’re crossing into the Great White North, Mexico, or exploring Central America, a regional or even global plan might be better than buying a US-only eSIM.

  • Phone number. If you need a phone number, only a few eSIM providers currently offer this. At the moment the best eSIM for local calls in the US is ETravelSim.
best eSIM for the US side of Niagara Falls

US side of Niagara Falls

Price is, of course, a major consideration. And US phone plans are notoriously expensive. So getting a physical SIM card isn’t even a cheaper option like it is in countries like South Africa.

According to JD Powell/CNBC, the average monthly phone bill in the US is $144. (Yikes!) For comparison, 5 GB for 30 days with Saily is about $23, and a monthly Holafly Plans Unlimited eSIM subscription is $65. I’ll include detailed price charts below.

When Saily is the best eSIM for the US

Saily has great security features with every eSIM. Privacy stuff is a major concern right now, and this provider is the same people behind NordVPN. The additional features are virtual location (aka VPN), ad blocker, and web protection. And there are even more features if you opt for the monthly eSIM subscription. (More on this below.)

You only have to download one eSIM. Then you can top it up with different packages for different locations. I love not having to mess with my settings.

Saily lets you hotspot with no restrictions. Connect to your laptop, help your friend out, and don’t worry about going over the limit.

The Saily Ultra subscription works anywhere in the world. But global access means you’ll spend less time finding the best eSIM for every location you visit.

Note Saily eSIMs do not have service in Alaska, but do work in Hawaii.

I go into more detail about my experience with Saily in this article.

Saily's additional security features

The Saily Ultra subscription plan offers a bunch of features that will make your trip to the US more secure. The recurring eSIM membership comes with a free monthly subscription to other great security tools. Saily in the best eSIM for the US if you’re after more NordVPN-adjacent tools.

  • NordVPN: You’ve probably heard of this! A VPN encrypts all your internet traffic while you’re traveling. So even if you need to unlock your device at customs, your info will stay encrypted and private. Everything from browsing activity and uploads to the content of your online sessions while in the US.
  • NordLocker: This lets you encrypt sensitive files on your device. So things like financial documents and client information can be stored in encrypted folders that remain protected even if someone has access to your unlocked phone.
  • NordPass: This lets you securely manage your passwords. So they’re not just stored in plain text on your device. Even with your phone unlocked, accessing accounts like email, banking, social media, etc. requires additional authentication.
  • Incogni: This one is a bit more advanced, but why not, eh? Incogni removes your personal data from data broker databases, reducing your overall digital footprint before and after travel.

You know I love a discount! Get 5% off any Saily eSIM with this link

Saily eSIM for the US price chart

Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar and accurate as of October 2025.

Amount of data Duration Price ($ USD)
1 GB
7 days
$4
3 GBs
30 days
$9
5 GBs
30 days
$14
10 GBs
30 days
$23
20 GBs
30 days
$37
30 GBs
Monthly subscription
$60

When Holafly is the best eSIM for the US

All of Holafly’s plans offer unlimited data. It’s the best eSIM for the US where you can upload your Route 66 photos to Instagram and share viral-worthy videos on TikTok without worrying about how many GBs you’re using.

Holafly works with AT&T, a major American network. So you’ll have solid coverage in most places — whether you’re sipping a Manhattan in Manhattan or live-streaming geysers at Yellowstone National Park.

You can use an Holafly eSIM to hotspot in the US. But there is a daily limit.

Holafly offers an eSIM subscription model: Holafly Plans. Obviously, this is only useful if you’re traveling long term. But it’s especially great if you’re going to the US and beyond because the subscription works globally.

Holafly’s eSIMs cover Hawaii and Alaska. Many other eSIM providers don’t, so if you’re heading to one of those lesser-visited destination, make sure you’ll be covered!

I go into more detail about my experience with Holafly in this article.

Get 5% off any Holafly eSIM with NAOMILAI or 10% off an Holafly Plans subscription via this link.

Holafly eSIM for the USA price chart

Prices are accurate as of October 2025 and rounded to the nearest dollar. All Holafly eSIM plans have unlimited data.

Number of days Price ($ USD)
1 day
$3.90
5 days
$20
15 days
$51
30 days
$75
Holafly Plans subscription
$65

Important: While Saily’s privacy features and Holafly’s unlimited data are a dream come true for remote workers, DO NOT try to use an eSIM as a sneaky way to work in the US without a visa.

Immigration takes that kind of thing very seriously. I’ve seen recent headlines about remote work (and even volunteer work!) becoming a problem for Canadians, Kiwis, Brits, and other nationalities that used to have more lax rules. Not worth it.

When Jetpac is the best eSIM for the US

Jetpac is the best eSIM for the US if you just need 1 GB. You can get 1 GB for $1 if it’s your first time testing it out. Perfect if you’re just there for a couple of days and don’t use your phone that much.

Jetpac always has promotions running. So the price list below isn’t even really “accurate” because that’s just the base price. But every time I open the app there’s some kind of sale going on.

Jetpac’s subscription comes with lounge access. There are a couple of options, but the JetPro gives you 7 GB of data per month, 3 lounge passes, and other perks for $45/month. You need to commit to three months, but the added features are great if you’re always at the airport.

I go into more detail about my experience with Jetpac in this article.

Get 10% off any Jetpac eSIM over $10 USD. (And yes the discount stacks on top of whatever crazy discount they’re already offering!)

Jetpac eSIM for the US price chart

Prices are accurate as of October 2025 and rounded to the nearest dollar. Jetpac frequently has sales of 20-50% off, but these are the base prices.

Data Price ($ USD)
1 GB
$4
5 GBs
$13
10 GBs
$21
40 GBs
$60
JetPro subscription
$45

When ETravelSim is right for your US trip

ETravelSim‘s main feature is its option to add calling to your data plan. It’s the best eSIM for the US if you want to be able to make local and international calls.

You can call about 45 international destinations. So you get a (+1) local number, but can call Canada, the UK, India, Singapore, Iceland, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, and tons more. You can also buy this eSIM without opting for the additional calling feature.

ETravelSim works with several major networks. It will swap between T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T to make sure you have the best connection wherever you are.

I go into more detail about my experience with ETravelSim in this article.

Get 15% off your first ETravelSim with NAOMI15 in the promo code box. And 10% off any ETravelSim thereafter with my code: NAOMI10.

ETravelSim for the US price chart

Prices are accurate as of October 2025 and rounded to the nearest dollar. ETravelSim often has promotions on.

Data Price ($ USD)
1 GB
$3.50
5 GBs
$10
10 GBs
$17
50 GBs
$50
Unlimited data (15 days)
$39
50 GBs + Unlimited Calls
$50
12 GBs + Unlimited Calls
$35

Using your eSIM at a US airport

The beauty of an eSIM is that you can install it before leaving home, then switch it on and activate it when you connect to airport wifi.

Install your USA eSIM before you depart for your trip. But wait to activate it until you arrive so you don’t waste data or run into set up issues.

Some people recommend turning your phone off while you’re going through customs in case you’re subject to search. Unfortunately, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has the authority to search phones, and can ask you to turn them on or confiscate devices if you refuse to unlock them. So I suggest deleting all your Trump and J.D. Vance memes before you get there.

You'd be silly not to use an eSIM in 2025

eSIMs make everything so much easier. I love landing at the airport and having instant access to the internet. I can use Google Maps if I forgot to download it (again), contact home, search for the best restaurant nearby, pull up an email with my visa details, etc. 

It’s way cheaper than paying for roaming with your home phone plan. And easy to manage everything in the app of whichever provider you decide to go with. Most eSIM companies offer pretty good support and get back to you within a few hours if they’re not available 24/7 like some are. 

I’ve been testing out eSIMs for trips since 2023 and I love them. And the tech will only get better (and perhaps the perks even perkier?) as this continues to evolve. The best eSIM for the US and anywhere else your travels take you will depend on your unique needs. But you can mix and match (like I have) to see what works best for you.

For example, I’m currently on Holafly’s monthly subscription because I work remotely and love having unlimited data that I can hotspot to my computer whenever I need to. However, when it comes to the US, I’d probably opt for Saily for the extra privacy and security settings. And if I was at the airport more often, I’d probably go for Jetpac for that sweet lounge access!

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