Finding the best eSIM can be challenging because there are so many on the market! It feels like there’s a new one out every day — but not all are created equal. I’ve tested some myself and trawled through user reviews to help you narrow your search. Here are all the pros and cons of the major eSIM providers out there, including Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Jetpac, ETravelSim, and more. I’ve also included discounts codes wherever possible — you can thank me later.
This post may contain affiliate links. Buying an eSIM through some of these links generates a small commission for me at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Choosing the best eSIM for you
While all eSIMs are more convenient than traditional SIM cards, they’re not all made equal and you’ll have to do some digging to choose the best eSIM for your needs and travel style. (And you’re already here researching it, so that’s half the battle!) Here are some key factors to consider:
- Pricing. Is it affordable?
- Ease of Use. Will it be easy to purchase, install, and activate?
- Customer support. Will someone be available to help you if you run into any issues?
- Compatibility. Does it work with your phone model?
- Coverage. Is it available in the region you’re traveling to?
These little travel tools are becoming increasingly popular, and quickly.
There were almost 600 million eSIM smartphone connections worldwide in 2024, more than three times the number reported in 2022. (via Statista)
So it’s worth seeing what all the hype is about and trying an eSIM on your next trip. It’s pretty low risk. Like, even if it doesn’t go well, you can always fall back on finding a traditional SIM at your destination.
Read more: Is an eSIM Useful for Short Trips?
Pros & cons of the best eSIM options I've tried
My article about my experience with Airalo is my most popular blog post ever, lol. Not something I expected when I wrote it. But that is what prompted me to test out more and write this list of the best eSIM providers out there! Here’s what I think of the eSIMs I’ve tried.
Read more: Is an Airalo eSIM Worth It? My Honest Review
What sets it apart: Airalo describes itself as “the world’s first eSIM store.” And it is still the most prominent provider on the market to this day.
Pros: Airalo is one of the most affordable options. They also have the best eSIM coverage in lesser-visited destinations, like the Cook Islands, which many other providers do not. Hotspotting to another device is allowed with most plans.
Cons: Airalo’s customer service doesn’t have the best reputation. I had an issue getting a refund when an eSIM stopped working and only managed to get credit. However, I’ve used Airalo a few times and only had one issue, and they’ve recently upped their customer service to include 24/7 support in English.
Discount: If you’re using Airalo for the first time, sign-up here or use NAOM15 in the promo box when you pay and you’ll get 15% off! If you’ve used it before but still want a discount (and who doesn’t love a discount?) I’ve got the hook up. You can always get 10% off by using NAOM10 as the promo code.
What sets it apart: Saily was created by NordVPN, the most reliable and widely known VPN service out there — I’ve used it for years.
The Saily eSIM comes with some additional security features like an ad blocker, web protection, and the option to change your virtual location. That might sound like an advanced hacker trick, but it’s actually useful more often than you’d think.
Pros: Saily is the best eSIM option if you’re on a budget. It’s one of the most consistently affordable options I’ve found.
Cons: It took a little longer for my eSIM to start working — like several hours. But once it was up and running, I had no issues! The support team was helpful in resolving the activation problem even though they couldn’t fix it immediately. That said, other people don’t seem to have had the same startup issue, so maybe it was just a fluke.
Discount: Use NAOMIO3998 when you first sign up to get $5 USD off. (For new users only.)
If you’ve already tried Saily, I can give you is another 5% off. A discount is a discount! Use NAOMI5 when you check out.
Read more: Holafly eSIM My Honest Review
What sets it apart: The unlimited data packages! This is standard for every Holafly eSIM.
Pros: Unlimited data makes Holafly the best eSIM option for people who run through data quickly. You just pay a set fee for the amount of days you’re traveling and never have to think about how many gigabytes you’ve used or worry about topping up. (Unless you extend your trip, that is!) I also found their customer service very easy to use and the instructions simple to follow.
Cons: Holafly is significantly more expensive than the other options out there. If you just need data to check your socials occasionally, you’re better off with a more affordable eSIM provider.
Discount: Get any Holafly eSIM at a 5% discount with my link or NAOMILAI in the promo code box.
eSIM providers I haven't tried (yet)
I haven’t tried these eSIM providers yet, but I’ve heard good things. These can be good options if you’ve ruled out or already tried the above.
What sets it apart: ETravelSim is one of the few options on the market right now that offer calling minutes with some packages. This means you’ll get a local phone number with your plan. I’ll admit this is rarely a necessity, however I’ve now had a couple situations where I needed to make a phone call to a landline when all I had was an eSIM. It’s definitely a handy feature. It’s definitely the best eSIM for call and text abroad options.
Pros: There’s a comprehensive, clear list of benefits and inclusions with every package before you buy it. It’s also great that you can hotspot with most plans (just not the unlimited data options).
Cons: They have a $5 or 30% refund transaction fee, which isn’t cool IMO. Many reviewers complain about the speed.
Discount: Get 15% off with ETS15 in the promo code box on your first ETravelSim. Or, if you’ve used it before, you can still get 10% off with ETS10.
What sets it apart: The notable thing about Jetpac has to be its free lounge access through Dragon Pass. The caveat is that you only get said access when your flight is delayed or if you pay for it.
Pros: Frequent sales on data packages. You can buy multiple eSIMs for different devices/people at once. Super handy for group travel! Top-rated on Trustpilot (more on this below).
Cons: Complex subscription system for the perks they highlight. Seems worth it if you travel frequently or are on a long-term trip — I’m keen to give this one a try and will report back soon.
Discount: Use RUNAWAY10 at checkout for 10% off any Jetpac eSIM over 10 USD.
Pros: Yesim can be insanely affordable with the option to get as little as 500 MB (half a GB) for under $1 if you just need minimal data or want a low-risk trial. They also have a 100% refund guarantee which will give you some peace of mind.
Cons: The price varies significantly by destination. So you may get an affordable package in Turkey but find Egypt is triple the price.
Other eSIMs worth exploring
There are literally dozens of eSIM providers out there. Nomad, DrimSim, GigSky, Alosim, FlexiRoam, and Ubigi are other popular options for data.
TravelSim is one of the few providers that offers calls and texts with some plans. (And their website looks a little more profesh than ETravelSim. It’s very hard to keep them straight just going by their nearly-identical business names lol.)
It would take me ages to test them all out, but I’ll come back to update this post if/when I give them a go.
Best eSIM providers based on user reviews
Look, they all claim to be something along the lines of the #1 eSIM, the best international eSIM, the top eSIM for Europe, the most reliable eSIM for Japan, etc. It’s unclear where those self-titles come from, so beyond just my personal experience, let’s turn to the word of the people.
Trustpilot prevents companies from offering incentives to remove or change reviews, so it’s one of the most reliable review sites out there. I’ve put the reviews in order from best to worst based on their overall Trustpilot rating.
Jetpac, Holafly, and Saily seem to have the most reliable service with the best overall reputations.
Jetpac user reviews
Trustpilot: 4.7/5 star rating. 88% 5-star reviews, which is a great indication that it’s reliable!
- 5 Stars: “Solid consistent coverage in Europe. I misread the usage screen thought my data was almost done. Bought a second pack. Reached out on WhatsApp for a refund and Jay responded right away and sorted me out. Very satisfied customer.” — Julie, April 1, 2025
- 1 Star: “We r currently waiting for the lounge pass. I have texted their helpline and they simply push us away, claiming it is Dragonpass liability. This is not a real benefit, it’s getting more like a scam to differentiate Jetpac from the rest.” — R, April 7, 2025
Holafly user reviews
Holafly on Trustpilot: 4.6/5 star rating. 84% of views are 5-star, while only 7% are 1-star. They also have a whopping 53,000 reviews compared to the 3,000-ish Airalo and Saily have, so a consistently strong rating across that many reviews is huge.
- 5 Stars (customer service): “I’ve never used my phone OS. The thought of using an app/eSIM was daunting. The Help section was excellent. All my many questions were answered. So far so good.” — Helen Travers, April 5, 2025
- 5 Stars (coverage): “Excellent coverage both in Okinawa and Shanghai! Never had to worry about data service, even in the middle of the ocean! Also the customer service support were super on top of it! Will definitely be getting these eSIMs again! Super good value for money!” — Roxanne Wong, April 5, 2025
- 1 Star: “I purchased a virtual SIM card for Japan from Holafly. I followed all the instructions and tried to activate it as soon as I landed in the country, but it never worked. My partner, who has the exact same phone and purchased the same card, was able to connect without any issues, which made it clear that my card was “defective” […] To make matters worse, they refuse to refund me for the service I was unable to use.” — Marta Moya, April 6, 2025
Saily user reviews
Saily on Trustpilot: 4/5 star rating. 67% of the ratings are 5 stars, while 17% are 1 star. They have consistently strong reviews about their customer service, which is exactly what I experienced as well.
5 Stars: “I had difficulty using my eSim plan when I arrived in-country. After describing my issue, the support team resolved my issue and I was able to enjoy the rest of my holiday without any issues.” — JohnD, April 7, 2025
1 Star: “Tried Daily in Kenya and Albania neither time could l get it working even though l spent hours following their support advice. Will not use again.” — Phil Jowett, March 31, 2025
ETravelSim user reviews
ETravelSim on Trustpilot: 3.9/5 star rating. 66% are 5-star reviews, but there are a fair amount of 1-star reviews that drag the rating down.
5 Stars: “I always buy these and they work perfectly. Customer service is answering immediately and they are very helpful and kind – the eSIMs work instantly! Overall – highly recommended!” — Frederique, March 21, 2025
1 Star: “Although i had full 5g connection, i had an internet speed of lower than 5mb/s. I compared it with holafly – there i had 30mb/s at the same location.” – Michael, March 29, 2025
Airalo user reviews
Airalo on Trustpilot: 2.6/5 star average rating, with about 50% of those being 1-star. Not a great look. But as I mentioned previously, they’ve just increased the availability of their customer service team to 24/7 support.
- 5 Stars: “I bought an Airalo eSim card for my 3 days trip to Lebanon. Although Lebanon has one of the weakest and most unstable networks in the world, I didn’t have any issues with Airalo. I recommend it in Lebanon and else where in the Middle East. Well Done Airalo. Keep it up!” — Isam Abdel Rahman, April 4, 2025
- 1 Star: “My eSIM didn’t work. I was in contact with their support staff on Whatsapp and tried every suggesting they gave me to get the SIM working but nothing resolved my issue. Eventually, they started giving me the same solution over and over again despite me telling them that it didn’t work. As soon as I asked for a refund, they stopped responding to me.” — Ailbhe Treacy, April 6, 2025
The takeaway
Ultimately, I think the biggest takeaway here is that with any eSIM, when they work, they work really well. But when they don’t work? It’s hard for customer service to pinpoint why and you may or may not get your money back.
My best advice is to start with a basic package to test it out, and you can always top up if you have a good experience.
Troubleshooting common eSIM issues and how to get the best results with customer service
I’m not really a tech girly but here are some quick and easy steps you can take if your eSIM isn’t working. If it’s your first time using an eSIM, changing the settings can be a little daunting and confusing. But once you get it, you get it.
- eSIM won’t activate: As silly as it sounds, turn it on and turn it off again. Restart your phone, check your settings, and if everything seems like it’s in order but it isn’t activating, contact customer support.
- Slow data speeds: Try switching networks manually. You’ll likely have access to a few different local network options, so just select a new one and wait a bit to see if it has a stronger connection. If none seem to work, contact customer service.
- No signal in a specific country: Confirm the eSIM is valid for that region. Someone complained that they bought an Airalo package for the UK which worked fine in London but stopped working in Dublin. But Dublin isn’t part of the UK, so likely wasn’t included in the package they bought!
Customer service seems to be the most consistent pain-point users experience with ALL the eSIM providers.
One of my experiences with Airalo (in South Africa) was unsuccessful after a top-up. I never found a solution, and requested a refund. The were originally reluctant to give me one, but I found some vague phrasing in their T&Cs that basically suggested the rep was able to make a final decision on a case-by-case basis, which eventually got me a full credit.
So my best advice is to remain friendly with your request, but scour through those T&Cs if you’re told “no” unfairly.
FAQs about eSIMs
Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?
Yes. Most phones now support “dual SIM functionality,” so you can use a physical SIM and an eSIM at the same time.
It’s great if you want to keep your regular SIM active for calls and use the eSIM for local data. You can choose which SIM you want to handles calls, texts, and data in your settings. Airalo has a more in-depth explanation on their site.
Do eSIMs worth with all phones?
No. Only certain phones support eSIMs. However, if you have a new-ish model you’ll be totally fine.
For example, iPhones from the X onward and Androids like Pixel 3+, Galaxy S20+, and some Motorola, Huawei, and Oppo models are compatible. Each eSIM provider will have a detailed list of which phones are compatible, like this page on Holafly. You should always double check before you lock in your purchase, as most providers will have something in the T&Cs about not refunding eSIMs purchased for an incompatible phone.
Can I get an eSIM for my iPad or tablet?
Yes. If you have a device with 4G capability, you can install your eSIM on an iPad or tablet.
An unlimited Holafly eSIM would be pretty useful if you do any work from your tablet or love to wind down with some Netflix on your iPad after a busy day. Airalo, Saily, and most other eSIM providers also work with iPads and tablets.
Can I get an eSIM for my laptop?
Maybe. No Apple laptops offer this yet, but some Microsoft laptops and others that run windows, including Asus, Dell, and HP have eSIM-compatible models.
Nomad eSIM has a comprehensive list here. I reckon Holafly is the best eSIM for any laptop activity since you’ll likely be using up more data.
Are eSIMs cheaper than local SIM cards?
Maybe. Usually, no.
You’re paying for the convenience of not having to faff about with tracking down a local SIM card in every new country or region you visit. However, eSIMs may be cheaper in some destinations with crazy high data prices like Canada and the US.
Can I top up an eSIM, or do I need to buy a new one?
Maybe. It depends on the provider.
Some let you top up your eSIM, while others require buying a new plan and setting it up again. Check before buying, as some apps make it easy and others don’t. Saily
Tell me about the best eSIM you've used
Let me know which eSIMs you’ve tried that have worked well, which ones haven’t worked, and if I’m missing any good ones on this list! Happy travels x.