How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Airalo is the best eSIM company overall, with the largest country coverage, local and regional plans, and a simple app.
- Holafly is the best choice for unlimited data, with day based unlimited plans for heavy data users.
- Saily suits security focused travelers, with ad blocking and VPN features from the team behind NordVPN.
- Ubigi offers strong per gigabyte value, especially for US and European city travel.
- Check device compatibility before buying any eSIM, since not every phone supports eSIM, and coverage varies by destination.
- Most travel eSIMs are data only, so keep your home number active for bank codes or add a plan with calls where needed.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Airalo | Widest coverage | See website | No |
 Holafly | Unlimited data | See website | No |
 Saily | Security extras | See website | No |
 Ubigi | Per gigabyte value | See website | No |
 aloSIM | Beginner friendly plans | See website | No |
 GigSky | Cruises and multi device | See website | No |
 Maya Mobile | Multi country unlimited | See website | No |
 KnowRoaming | Flexible global plans | See website | No |
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The best eSIM company
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Airalo runs the largest eSIM store, with local, regional, and global plans for over 200 countries and regions in one app, plus easy top ups and Airmoney cashback on purchases. Its range suits almost any trip, from a single city break to a multi country tour, and its app makes installation and management simple for first time eSIM users.
Unlimited plans carry daily fair use caps that slow speeds after a threshold, most plans are data only with no phone number, and support quality varies. For the widest coverage and simplest buying experience, Airalo is the best eSIM company overall for most travelers today and tomorrow alike everywhere worldwide always indeed truly still now.
What we like- Largest eSIM store
- Local, regional, global plans
- Simple app and top ups
Watch out for- Unlimited plans have daily fair use caps
- No phone number on most plans
- Support varies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Holafly sells unlimited data plans by the day for over 160 countries, which suits heavy data users who stream, video call, or hotspot all day and hate counting gigabytes. Its 24/7 support helps when setup problems hit at arrival, and its plans are simple to understand compared with fixed data tiers.
Holafly costs more than fixed data plans for light users, hotspot allowances are limited on some plans, and most plans are data only. For travelers who want unlimited data without watching usage, Holafly is the best choice.
What we like- Unlimited data plans by the day
- 160 plus countries
- 24/7 support
Watch out for- Higher prices than fixed data plans
- Hotspot limits on some plans
- Data only on most plans
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Saily, from the team behind NordVPN, combines eSIM data with security features like ad blocking and VPN protection, plus sharp prices and an optional US number on some plans. Premium tiers add travel perks, which suit digital nomads and frequent travelers who value security on public networks.
Saily is a newer brand than Airalo, coverage depth varies by destination, and some perks need premium tiers. For security focused travelers who want data plus protection, Saily is a strong modern choice.
What we like- Security features from NordVPN team
- Sharp prices
- Optional US number
- Travel perks on premium tiers
Watch out for- Newer brand than Airalo
- Coverage depth varies
- Some perks need premium tiers
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Ubigi, backed by a telecom operator, offers strong per gigabyte prices, especially for US and European travel, with unlimited hotspot on many plans and app control over balances and top ups. Its operator backing gives it network quality that resellers sometimes lack.
US coverage runs on T-Mobile only, which limits rural reach, destination count trails Airalo, and most plans are data only. For city travel in the US and Europe where per gigabyte value matters, Ubigi is the best value pick.
What we like- Strong per gigabyte prices
- Unlimited hotspot on many plans
- Telecom operator backing
Watch out for- US coverage is T-Mobile only
- Fewer destinations than Airalo
- Data only on most plans
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
aloSIM focuses on beginner friendly setup, with clear plan choices, a free international number option through its Hushed integration, and good support for first time eSIM users. Its interface feels closer to a normal phone plan than a tech product, which helps travelers new to eSIMs.
Prices vary by destination, unlimited options are fewer than Holafly, and aloSIM is a smaller brand than Airalo. For a first eSIM where ease and a phone number matter, aloSIM is an excellent choice.
What we like- Beginner friendly setup
- Free international number option
- Good support
Watch out for- Prices vary by destination
- Fewer unlimited options
- Smaller brand than Airalo
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
GigSky stands out for cruise and maritime coverage, a niche where most eSIM companies fall short, plus multi device support that lets travelers share connections across phones and tablets. Its regional plans cover many land destinations too, with hotspot support for sharing data.
Prices run higher on some routes, its marketing presence is smaller than rivals, and plans vary by region. For cruise travelers and multi device households, GigSky is the best specialist choice.
What we like- Cruise and maritime coverage
- Multi device support
- Data plans for many regions
Watch out for- Higher prices on some routes
- Less marketing presence
- Plans vary by region
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Maya Mobile offers unlimited plans with one flat price across 165 plus countries, with fair use terms printed clearly rather than hidden, which suits multi country trips and cruises where a single plan must work everywhere. Its pricing is straightforward, and its coverage suits travelers crossing borders often.
Fair use caps still apply on unlimited plans, prices vary by region, and its support team is smaller than Airalo. For multi country trips where one unlimited plan should cover every border crossing, Maya Mobile is a strong choice.
What we like- Unlimited plans in 165 plus countries
- Flat pricing
- Clear fair use terms
Watch out for- Fair use caps apply
- Prices vary by region
- Smaller support team
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
KnowRoaming offers flexible global and local plans with multi country coverage and easy top ups, suiting travelers who want one provider for many trips without managing several accounts. Its plans cover a wide destination range, and its app keeps balances and expiry dates visible.
Prices vary by destination, unlimited options are fewer than Holafly, and its brand presence is smaller than Airalo. For flexible global travel with a single provider, KnowRoaming is a dependable option.
What we like- Flexible global and local plans
- Multi country coverage
- Easy top ups
Watch out for- Prices vary by destination
- Fewer unlimited options
- Smaller brand presence
How we chose
We ranked companies by coverage breadth, plan value per gigabyte, transparency about fair use caps, hotspot rules, ease of setup, and support quality, favoring companies that print limits clearly rather than hiding them. We gave extra weight to coverage for the destination and to device compatibility guidance, since a cheap plan on a patchy network is a poor deal. Prices vary sharply by destination and data amount, so starting prices are listed as See website.
Buying guide
Start by checking device compatibility. Confirm your phone supports eSIM, is not locked to a carrier, and runs a recent operating system, since locked phones and older models may not accept eSIMs. Check compatibility on the provider site before buying, and install the eSIM before departure while you have stable Wi-Fi.
Next, match the plan to your trip and usage. Light users who mainly use maps and messaging fit small fixed data plans from Airalo or Ubigi. Heavy users who stream and hotspot fit Holafly or Maya Mobile unlimited plans, but read the fair use cap first. Business travelers who join video calls all day should budget far more data than tourists, since an hour of video calling can use well over a gigabyte on its own. Multi country trips fit regional or global plans, and cruise trips fit GigSky. Check hotspot rules and whether you need a phone number for bank codes, since most travel eSIMs are data only.
Finally, buy early and test before you fly. Install the eSIM at home, keep your home SIM active for calls and codes if your phone supports dual SIM, and test data on arrival before leaving the airport. Save the provider support chat link and your plan details offline too, since airport Wi-Fi can be slow and support pages may be hard to reach without working data. The best eSIM company is the one with strong coverage at your destination, a plan that fits your data use, and limits printed clearly before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel phones support eSIM, but older models and carrier locked phones may not. Check your phone model and carrier lock status on the provider site before buying any eSIM plan.
Are travel eSIMs cheaper than roaming?
Usually yes, often far cheaper, since travel eSIMs use local or regional rates rather than home carrier roaming charges. Compare the eSIM plan total with your carrier roaming rate for your destination and data use before deciding.
Do eSIMs include a phone number?
Most travel eSIMs are data only, with no phone number for calls or texts. aloSIM offers a free international number option, and some plans include calls, so check plan details if you need a number for bank codes or local calls.
What happens when my eSIM data runs out?
Most providers let you top up in the app or buy a new plan, often without reinstalling. Check top up options and expiry rules before travel, since some plans expire on a fixed date even with data left.
Can I use an eSIM and my home SIM at the same time?
Yes, on dual SIM phones you can keep your home SIM active for calls and texts while the eSIM handles data. Set the eSIM as the data line in phone settings, and watch roaming settings so the home SIM does not use data abroad.
Sources we checked (0)
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Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.