Best eSIM Providers

There isn’t one single “best” eSIM provider for everyone—what matters is where you’re going, how much data you need, and how comfortable you are managing everything through an app.

But a few names consistently come up for travel eSIMs and easy setup.

KOHO Everything Plan

With the KOHO Everything Plan, you get:

• Earn a 2% cash back rate on groceries, eating, drinking, and transportation and 0.5% cash back on everything else

• There are no foreign exchange fees, so you save on international purchases and travel

• 3GB of free data included (Provided by Airalo), top up anytime

• Unlimited transactions and free e-transfers

• No minimum balance required, ever

Holafly

Known for many “unlimited data” style plans in popular travel regions. Good for heavy data users, but always read the fair use policy.

Nomad

Often competitive on regional and country specific plans with flexible data options and a solid app experience.

Ubigi

Popular for Europe and global travel, with pay-as-you-go and longer term options that can be handy for frequent travelers.

aloSIM / other regional providers

Smaller providers sometimes have great deals for specific destinations, so it’s worth comparing a couple of options for your exact country.

What to Look For in an eSIM Provider

Instead of chasing a single “best” brand, use these criteria:

• Coverage: Does it work in the country/region you’re visiting? Some offer regional (Europe/Asia) or global plans.

• Price per GB: Compare total cost vs included data—cheap plans can have tiny data caps.

• Validity period: How long does the plan last (7 days, 15 days, 30 days, etc.)?

• Hotspot/tethering: Not all plans allow you to use your phone as a hotspot—important if you work on the go.

• Speeds & fair-use limits: Some plans slow down after a certain usage, even if they say “unlimited.”

• App experience: A clean app makes installation, top-ups, and support much easier.

• Support: Check how easy it is to get help if activation fails (chat, email, FAQ).

How to Choose the Best eSIM for Your Trip

1. Pick your destination(s)
   Single country, region (like Europe), or multiple continents? That narrows down which providers and plans make sense.

2. Estimate your data needs
   Light use (maps, messages), moderate (social + browsing), or heavy (video calls, streaming)? Choose a plan size accordingly.

3. Compare 2–3 providers side by side
   Look at: price, data, validity, hotspot rules, and reviews for that specific country.

4. Buy and install before you fly (if possible)
   Install the eSIM profile at home with Wi-Fi so you’re not panicking in an airport with spotty internet.

5. Pay from a travel-friendly account
   Use a travel card to pay for your travel costs without FX fees, while earning cash back on transit, food, and day-to-day spending.