Having reliable internet when traveling in 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. This guide is for international travellers visiting the US, not locals looking to switch carriers. If you’re flying in from abroad and need data, here are the best eSIMs I’ve personally tested.
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Key takeaways: the best eSIM for the US
- The best eSIM for the US depends on your trip type.
- Saily, Holafly, Jetpac, and ETravelSim are reliable eSIM options for the US.
- Saily is one of the most affordable and has excellent security features.
- Holafly has unlimited data for heavy internet users.
- Jetpac offers travel perks like airport lounge access.
- ETravelSim gives you the rare ability to make calls with a local US number.
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. Some eSIMs let you choose exactly how many days you need. Monthly subscriptions are also cheaper if you’re traveling long term. Some carriers put on promos for big international events like the FIFA World Cup or the Super Bowl.
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.
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. For calling in the US, check out Roamless or aloSIM.
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 $15, and a monthly Holafly Plans Unlimited eSIM subscription is $65. I’ll include detailed price charts below.
| Provider | Best For | Alaska & Hawaii | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | Budget & security-conscious travellers | Hawaii only | 10% off |
| Holafly | Heavy data users, digital nomads | Both | 5% off |
| Jetpac | Frequent flyers, light users | Both | 10% off |
| Roamless | Local & international calling and SMS | Both (though Alaska's not very reliable) | 20% off |
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.
- 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.
- New! Get a US phone number with Saily. This helps you access local apps that require a +1 for 2FA, send texts, and make calls.
- Saily lets you hotspot with no restrictions. Connect to your laptop or help a friend out without hittting a daily cap.
- The Saily Ultra subscription works anywhere in the world. And global access means you’ll spend less time finding the best eSIM for the US and any other location you visit. Saily Ultra also comes with lots of perks.
- Saily eSIMs do not have service in Alaska. But they do work in Hawaii.
I’ve written this article about my personal experience with Saily in several countries.
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 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.
- 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 10% off Saily with NAOMI10 in the promo code box.
Saily eSIM for the US price chart
Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar and accurate as of October 2026.
| Data | Duration | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $4 |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $14 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $23 |
| 30 GB | Monthly subscription | $60 |
When Holafly is the best eSIM for the US
All of Holafly’s eSIM 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 Fair Usage Policy daily limit determined by the local carrier.
- 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 is “Always On.” This perk means you always have 1 GB of free data per month, even if you cancel your plan. It’s a good safety net and stays active as long as you don’t fully delete the Holafly eSIM.
- 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 personal 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 2026 and rounded to the nearest dollar. All Holafly eSIM plans have unlimited data.
| Duration | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 day | $3.90 |
| 5 days | $19.50 |
| 15 days | $58.50 |
| 30 days | $117 |
| 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 or if you’re doing a lot of flying. 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 main marketing point is free lounge access. You can get into a lounge for free if your flight is delayed and you have a Jetpac eSIM. Or you can pay for access via the app.
- 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 other discount they’re already offering.)
Jetpac eSIM for the US price chart
Prices are accurate as of October 2026 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 GB | $13 |
| 10 GB | $21 |
| 40 GB | $60 |
| JetPro subscription | $45 |
When Roamless is right for your US trip
Roamless is hands down the best eSIM for the US if you want to make calls and send texts along with your data.
You can use VoIP (like Skype) to make calls to landlines around the world, or get a Roamless Number for a +1 country and local area code — all managed through the app and easier than it sounds, I promise. This is handy for confirming restaurant bookings, calling a rental car desk, and receiving 2FA codes.
As for data, Roamless has three options:
- Pay-as-you-go: Charges you only for the data you use. Credit never expires and works anywhere in the world, so you can save it for your next trip if you don’t use it all. You can also use this pay-as-you-go credit for calling/texting.
- Regular data packages: Get a fixed amount of data for your trip, from 1 GB to a 50 GB eSIM for the US. work well for road trips or remote work.
- Unlimited eSIM data. Don’t think about data at all, and just get an unlimited package for the exact number of days you’ll be in the United States (same system as Holafly).
Coverage works great in Hawaii but some users say it isn’t very reliable in Alaska, so I’d choose another provider for an Alaska trip.
I go into more detail about my personal experience using a Roamless eSIM in this article.
Roamless offers my readers 20% off their first eSIM for the US.
Roamless US eSIM price chart
Prices are accurate as of October 2026 and rounded to the nearest dollar. Unlimited plans have a high speed cap of 3 GB per day — if you go over, you can still use your data but it will be slower until the next day.
| Plan | Option | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Pay as you go | Per GB (no expiry) | $1.95 |
| Pay as you go | 10 GB (no expiry) | $19.50 |
| Data plan | 20 GB (30 days) | $36.45 |
| Data plan | 50 GB (30 days) | $41.95 |
| Unlimited | 3 days | $11.43 |
| Unlimited | 14 days | $41.16 |
| Unlimited | 30 days | $67.50 |
You can also get a Roamless Number with a +1 US country code for $6.95/month. Otherwise, you can just make outgoing calls through the app with pay as you go credit.
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 any inflammatory political memes from your phone — no matter how funny.
Why everyone is switching to eSIMs in 2026
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! It’s also worth making the switch every now and then to get a new sign-on bonus.
Try my eSIM decision maker quiz to find the perfect option for your travel style. It’s free and super quick!
FAQs about finding the best eSIM for the US
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about choosing the best eSIM for travel in the United States.
Can I use my eSIM to hotspot in the USA?
Yes, all four providers in this guide support hotspotting. Saily has no restrictions on hotspot use. Comparatively, Holafly allows 1GB of hotspot per day on standard plans, but unlimited hotspot on their monthly subscription.
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming?
Almost always yes, an eSIM is cheaper than roaming. US roaming charges through your home carrier can be eye-watering, especially for data-heavy travellers. Even a premium unlimited eSIM like Holafly works out significantly cheaper than most international roaming plans.
Do eSIMs work in US national parks?
Your eSIM will have similar coverage to whatever local network you’re connected to. So most national parks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone will have very limited coverage regardless of which eSIM or carrier you use. So downloading offline maps before you go is always a good idea!
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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