The six best international e-sim cards for digital nomads

Traveling the world as a digital nomad can be thrilling, but staying connected without breaking the bank is often a challenge. International eSIM cards offer an affordable and convenient solution. With an eSIM, you can access the internet, make calls, and send messages without paying hefty roaming fees. In this article, we'll explore six of the best international eSIM cards for digital nomads, helping you stay connected wherever you go.

Key Takeaways

• eSIM cards help you avoid expensive roaming charges while traveling.
• Holafly offers unlimited data plans, making it ideal for heavy internet users.
• Airalo provides a wide range of affordable data plans suitable for various destinations.
• SimOptions offers both physical SIMs and eSIMs, giving you flexibility in your choices.
• Ubigi is known for its reliable connection and easy setup process.

1. Holafly

Holafly is a company dedicated to providing travelers with data-only eSIMs that allow seamless access to internet connectivity wherever they are in the world. Their expansive coverage boasts service for over 100 nations on six continents like Europe, Asia, America, Africa, Australia, and Oceania. This makes it easier for people interested in traveling the globe without having their connectivity interrupted.

The process of setting up Holafly is easy. You can get 5% off your first eSIM purchase when you use our referral code VERYHUNGRYNOMADS at checkout. Holafly offers some affordable plans, although they don't provide any global plans. For digital nomads who care about unlimited data and reliable connectivity, Holafly beats the competition.

Holafly's eSIMs are available in over 130 countries at a fairly reasonable price. However, their customer service team is smaller, so they might take a little extra time to get back to you to solve any issues. But they do offer solutions in the end.

For our trips around the world, we always rely on Holafly since they offer international eSIMs with unlimited data.

Holafly has the best international eSIM data plans, offering unlimited data everywhere except for the Caribbean.

2. Airalo

Airalo is a popular eSIM provider that has been around since 2019. Their mission is to offer global data connectivity for all travelers. Airalo's website is user-friendly, featuring a country search at the top for easy plan viewing. You can select data-only eSIMs through their app or website, with a large selection of country-specific and regional plans.

Installing an Airalo eSIM is a straightforward four-step process:

1. Download the Airalo app.
2. Choose your destination and package.
3. Install the eSIM using the QR code in the app.
4. Activate the eSIM.

Airalo works in almost every country in the world, and their prices are some of the cheapest available. In some countries, you can get a few gigabytes of data for the same price as a local SIM. This makes Airalo a great choice for digital nomads looking for affordable and reliable data connectivity.

Airalo partners with local telecom companies worldwide, cutting out the middleman. This allows them to offer bigger data packs for less money, giving you more data for your dollar!

3. SimOptions

SimOptions has been a trusted name for physical SIM cards in Europe for years. Recently, they have expanded into the eSIM market, offering the same variety of plans and options. This makes them a reliable choice for digital nomads.

SimOptions' international eSIM data plans typically offer 10 GB or 20 GB, which is quite generous. However, it's important to note that their eSIMs do not support voice calls. You will need to use apps for calling, which can quickly consume your data.

One advantage of SimOptions is that they allow data sharing. This can be convenient but also means you might run out of data faster. It's a good idea to compare SimOptions with other providers like Airalo before making your final decision.

If unlimited data isn't crucial for you, SimOptions is a solid choice for staying connected while traveling internationally.

4. Ubigi

Ubigi stands out as the only company on this list that offers both monthly subscriptions and one-off prepaid services. This makes it a great choice for digital nomads who need ongoing regional or global service. For instance, their global package costs $68 per month and provides 5GB of data to use around the world.

Ubigi's service is available in over 200 countries, making it a reliable option for those who travel frequently. While it offers large amounts of data in some places at very affordable prices, it can be expensive or offer small data packs in other regions. Additionally, Ubigi does not provide phone numbers with its eSIMs; they are purely data-only.

One of the best features of Ubigi is the ease of activation and top-up. You only need to install the eSIM once, and you can buy data even if you are already in another country without an internet bundle. This is a significant advantage over other services that require a different eSIM per package or purchase.

For digital nomads, Ubigi is an excellent choice due to its ease of use and extensive coverage.

However, it's worth noting that Ubigi has limited prepaid global packages and poor customer support. Despite these downsides, the company has improved its buying and activation process, making it much simpler and more user-friendly.

5. Nomad

Nomad is a recent addition to the travel eSIM market, having launched its website in 2022. The site and app have a fun, modern design, making it quick and easy to find, buy, and manage your eSIM package. Nomad stands out for its range of options for heavier data users and longer-term travel. While other companies' plans often top out at 5 or 10GB for a month, Nomad offers packages of up to 100GB for 60 days.

Nomad provides global coverage in over 165 countries, making it a reliable choice for travelers. The service is convenient and easy to set up, which is something everyone looks for in a good eSIM provider. Nomad offers both regional and global plans, in addition to single-country data packs. However, they do not yet offer plans for North or South America.

Nomad does not come with a number, so no call and text service is available. However, if you run out of your data plan, you can use the add-on option to top up your internet. Most Nomad data plans in Europe offer 3G or 4G speeds, and they also support 5G in several countries.

With Nomad, you can travel like a local, enjoying data plans at local rates in over 170 countries. Download the Nomad app to buy, manage, and top up your eSIMs anytime, anywhere.

6. Yesim

Yesim is a provider that allows you to buy data-only eSIMs online via its website and through an app. They offer regional eSIMs for the EU and CIS countries, as well as local country-specific eSIMs. In total, Yesim covers 125 countries. Make sure your eSIM phone is compatible with their service, and you are off to a quick start.

The online buying process is easy and allows for various payment options, including the use of crypto through Binance Pay.

Where things get more interesting, and where I’d be more likely to recommend Yesim over the competition, is its Pay As You Go (PAYG) offering. As the name suggests, this is a simple approach where you load your account with credit and use it as you travel, without any need to buy a specific package.

Yesim also operates a loyalty and referral program. Send a customer their way, and you’ll get the equivalent of two euros worth of credit to buy data packs or virtual numbers with.

Yesim is a generally good option since it’s available in many countries. That said, it ended up being the most expensive option when compared to the other alternatives in this guide. In fact, in some countries, it’s better to get the Holafly eSIM, which is cheaper and has unlimited data.

Conclusion

In conclusion, international eSIM cards are a game-changer for digital nomads and travelers. They offer a cost-effective way to stay connected without the burden of hefty roaming fees. With various options available, you can find an eSIM that fits your data needs and travel plans. Whether you need unlimited data or just a small amount for essential tasks, there's an eSIM out there for you. So, before your next trip, consider one of these top six eSIM cards to ensure you stay connected wherever you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lets you activate a cellular plan without having to use a physical SIM card. It's built into your device and can be used to connect to different cellular networks.

How do I know if my device supports eSIM?

You can check your device's specifications on the manufacturer's website or in the user manual. Most newer smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches support eSIM.

Can I use an eSIM for international travel?

Yes, eSIMs are great for international travel. They let you connect to local networks without the high costs of roaming. You can switch between different plans depending on your location.

How do I activate an eSIM?

To activate an eSIM, you usually need to scan a QR code provided by your eSIM provider. Follow the instructions on your device to complete the setup.

Is using an eSIM safe?

Yes, using an eSIM is safe. Your data is protected just like it is with a physical SIM card. Make sure to use trusted providers to avoid any issues.

Can I have multiple eSIMs on one device?

Many devices allow you to store multiple eSIM profiles, but you can only use one at a time. This is handy for switching between different networks.

What happens if I delete my eSIM profile?

If you delete your eSIM profile, you will lose the connection to that cellular network. You would need to get a new QR code from your provider to reactivate it.

Are there any downsides to using an eSIM?

One downside is that not all devices support eSIM yet. Also, if you switch devices frequently, transferring your eSIM can be a bit tricky.