Best eSIMs for International Travel and Data – Find the Perfect Plan

If you have ever landed in a new country, you’ll know the stress well after you turn off airplane mode. You glance at your phone, and immediately wonder whether your carrier is about to charge you. One accidental tap or a sudden background app refresh — now you owe astronomical prices for absolutely nothing.

If this sounds a tad too familiar, you’re not alone. That’s why travelers and alike are obsessed with finding the best eSIM nowadays. An eSIM lets you buy mobile data before you go, switch it on when you arrive.

Our top pick for a reliable eSIM service is Saily. In this article, we’ll also look at other popular providers, including Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and Redteago.

Want to find the best eSIM for your next weekend getaway? Look no further. Keep reading to see which eSIM works best for international travel and how to choose a plan that actually fits your travel style.

Compare the best eSIM providers

We put together a quick-reference table below with our top eSIM picks, plus the one or two reasons each option is worth your attention.

Feature/ eSIM	Saily	Airalo	Holafly	Nomad	Redteago
Unlimited data	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
Short-term plans	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Monthly subscription plans	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Calls & SMS	No	Yes (global plan only)	Yes	No	Yes
Throttling	Only on unlimited plans after 1GB in a single day	Only on unlimited plans after using 3GB in a single day	Depends on the data provider	Only on unlimited plans after using 2GB in a single day	The basic unlimited plan slows to a reduced speed after 300 MB per day
Global coverage	200+ countries	200+ countries	190+ countries	200+ countries	150+ countries

Once you learn what an eSIM is, you’ll see that each providers come with different strengths. Some focus on wider coverage, others offer unlimited data plans. At the same time, some are better for short trips, while others bring more value for longer travel. The best pick here really depends on where you’re going and how you use data.

Saily – best for long-term international travel

Saily topped our list for a few reasons. It’s a great fit for long-term international travel thanks to its competitive pricing and longer plan durations. It also brings a couple of extras that many eSIM providers don’t — since it’s made by the same team behind NordVPN, it includes built-in cybersecurity features. This Saily review further breaks down what makes it stand out.

Coverage. Saily’s coverage is quite vast, extending up to 200+ countries and destinations, so chances are you’ll find a plan that matches wherever you’re headed. In many destinations, it can also connect you to the best available network because it partners with more than one operator in the same location.

Network speed. Saily works well with multiple network types. You can connect to everything from 3G to 5G. If 4G, LTE, or 5G is available where you are, speeds are typically fast enough for streaming, video calls, and file downloads without constant buffering.

Plans. Data packages range from 1 GB to 20 GB, with unlimited options available in select destinations. Plan lengths vary from 7, 15, or 30 days, but most options run for 30 days, which makes Saily especially convenient for longer trips.

Pricing. Saily’s deals are quite attractive for the premium features the service offers, however, prices shift depending on the destination. That said, many plans start at $3.99 for 1 GB of data, which is cheaper than most well-known eSIM providers. You can also look for Saily YouTube codes and other available promotions if you want to reduce the cost of your eSIM plan.

Ease of use. The app is straightforward, and setup is quick. You can buy, activate, and manage plans in one place, and switching between destinations is simple. You don’t have to juggle multiple apps or redo the whole setup each time.

Overall, Saily is the ideal eSIM for trips where you’ll be roaming for a while. It’s built for multi-country travel, you stay connected as you move between destinations without constantly shopping for a new plan. Take a look at the pros and cons of Saily below.

Pros	Cons
Switching plans doesn’t require a reinstall	Doesn’t include traditional phone calls and texts
Unique security features
Consistent speed for streaming and data-heavy activities

Airalo – best for global travel with calls and data

Airalo is a top choice for global travel because of its reach and flexibility. It’s one of the largest and most popular eSIM providers on the market. Airalo’s service is especially useful if you want access to both data-only plans and options that support calls and texts in select locations.

Coverage. Airalo offers extensive worldwide coverage with 200+ destinations. Worried about not finding the eSIMs for your destination? Airalo has you covered with country-specific, regional, and global eSIMs. This makes Airalo a practical option if you’re moving between multiple countries on one trip, or if you want a single plan that works across regions, too.

Network speed. Airalo supports most network types. However, network availability depends on the destination of your choice and the local infrastructure. In most popular travel destinations, speeds are fast enough for navigation, messaging, streaming, and video calls without noticeable slowdowns.

Plans. Airalo’s plans typically range from 1 GB up to 50 GB, with durations between 3, 7, 15, and 30 days. Unlimited plans have more options for durations. Airalo also offers calling and texting through its Discover+ and global plans, which are useful if you need a single eSIM for both internet access and basic communication.

Pricing. Prices vary by country and region. While many local plans start at $4 for 1 GB of data allowance, regional or global plans are priced competitively for travelers who want broader coverage without swapping eSIMs.

Ease of use. The app is simple to navigate and well-suited for beginners. Buying, installing, and topping up an eSIM takes only a few minutes with Airalo. Great alternative if you want to avoid unreliable SIM card vendors or unclear contracts and pricing.

Airalo is one of the few eSIM providers that offer global plans with a phone number and call minutes. It’s a good fit for longer trips where you need more than basic tourist connectivity — like being able to call local numbers. Here’s a quick pros and cons list for Airalo:

Pros	Cons
Regional, global, and local plan variety	Plans that include phone calls can be expensive
Suitable for beginners
Offers call minutes through Discover+

Holafly – best for heavy data users

Need heaps of GBs? Holafly could have the answer for you. This provider shines with its data plans that can handle high-usage travellers. Whether you frequently stream, upload large files, work remotely, or simply browse, Holafly’s unlimited data plans give peace of mind for power users on long trips or multi-destination travel.

Coverage. Holafly offers eSIMs with unlimited data in 190+ destinations worldwide, plus numerous country-specific and regional plan options. These range from single-country plans to broader regional and even global eSIMs, making it a versatile choice if you’re moving across borders.

Network speed. Plans support fast 4G, LTE, and 5G connectivity where available. With that, power users can stream, upload, and browse without constant lag or buffering. Some reviews note that speeds are generally reliable, even with high usage over long sessions.

Plans. One of Holafly’s biggest draws is unlimited data with flexible durations. By “flexible,” we mean you can pick almost any trip length — from a few days up to 90 days or more. So if you’re traveling for exactly 17 days, you can match your plan to that instead of overpaying or cutting it short. That makes Holafly especially strong for travelers who spend a lot of mobile data each day.

Pricing. Holafly’s unlimited plans tend to be higher in price when compared to other eSIM providers. Plans start around $4 for a day of unlimited data. Though expensive, the value can outweigh the cost because you are not constantly topping up or tracking data limits. Daily rates often decrease as duration increases, so the per-day cost gets more attractive on longer trips.

Ease of use. The eSIM arrives by email or directly in the app, and installation is fast and straightforward. You can activate the plan upon arrival in a new country and stay connected without any issues.

All in all, for burning through lots of GBs on the go, Holafly is a strong pick. It can cost more upfront than other providers, but the unlimited data model makes it a practical choice. That said, just keep in mind that under Holafly’s fair usage policy, speeds may slow after heavy usage or during peak network times. Below is a short list of the benefits and drawbacks of Holafly:

Pros	Cons
Flexible validity selection	Daily data caps that slow your internet once exceeded
Regional and global plans available
Unlimited plans

Nomad – best for short trips

Nomad makes staying connected on short vacations and quick getaways a breeze. It’s fast and affordable due to low-commitment plans and pay-as-you-go pricing. Consider Nomad if you only need data for a few days or weeks without having to pay for loaded packages that you won’t need.

Coverage. Nomad has good coverage. Just like most of its competitors in this list, the service works in 200+ countries and regions around the world. Nomad also offers regional and local plans, so you can choose a plan tailored to exactly where you’re traveling.

Network speed. With Nomad, you get 4G, LTE network connectivity in many destinations, and 5G, where available. With that, short-trip travelers get fast enough speeds for maps, messaging, browsing, and streaming on the go without issues. While ultimate speed depends on local networks, Nomad’s access to major carriers keeps performance up and running.

Plans. Nomad’s data packages often start at 1 GB and go up to 50 GB, depending on the country. For certain destinations, it also offers unlimited plans in 1, 3, 5, and 7-day durations. That said, the plans that have limited data allocation range from a week to a month in duration.

Pricing. Nomad’s pricing is quite competitive, though the cost varies by destination. For country-specific plans, you pay around $4 for 1 GB of data. Larger data packages scale up from there, with pricing depending on the country and plan duration.

Ease of use. You can buy eSIMs directly in Nomad’s eSIM app and activate effortlessly. If you want to give Nomad a try, you can do it for free. Nomad offers a free trial eSIM, in which you get 1 GB of data for 3 days that you can use in 81 destinations.

All in all, as long as your trip is measured in days or just a week or two, Nomad is a strong contender. That said, take a look at the pros and cons list we’ve made for a quick comparison:

Pros	Cons
Competitive, affordable pricing	Limited 5G availability
A variety of unlimited plan selections
Free trial eSIM for new users

Redteago – best cheap eSIM

Redteago offers some of the most affordable data plans. If your top priority is saving money while still staying connected abroad, RedteaGO makes sense. It has low entry prices and flexible plan options that work in many destinations around the world.

Coverage. RedteaGO’s eSIM plans are roughly 150+ destinations globally. While it’s not the best coverage so far, you can cheaply connect from the most popular travel spots.

Network speed. Like many eSIMs, RedteaGO uses local networks in each destination. It supports 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G connectivity where available. Speeds generally align with what local carriers provide in that area, and while they are fine for everyday browsing and messaging, performance varies by location.

Plans. RedteaGO has so many plans that cater to a variety of travel needs. You can find 200 MB regional plans starting at a very low cost for short stays. Meanwhile, larger fixed data allowances, such as 10 GB to 50 GB packages, come at competitive rates for longer trips. Some even offer usage periods up to 365 days.

Pricing. Entry plans start at very low prices, and this is no exaggeration, as you could snatch a 200 MB plan for a fraction of the cost of 50 cents. On average, local plans with 1 GB data start at $2.50. If you only need basic connectivity abroad, it’s a bargain not to be missed.

Ease of use. Choose a plan in the app or on the website, purchase it, and scan the eSIM QR code to connect when you arrive. The platform also offers options like top-ups and 24/7 customer support to help if you run into issues.

Travelers on a budget can easily go with Redteago, especially if the main goal is to stay online during the trip. It covers basic connectivity needs like internet access for social media, messages, maps, and light browsing. Here’s the pros and cons list for you to compare the benefits and disadvantages of RedteaGO:

Pros	Cons
Extremely cheap pricing	Speed might not be the most competitive
Caters to both very short and long visits
24/7 customer support

Other eSIMs worth checking out

Whether you’re checking out eSIMs for Africa or planning a trip somewhere else, it’s worth looking beyond the most popular eSIM providers. Coverage and pricing can vary a lot depending on where you’re headed, and sometimes the best option is simply the one that fits your travel style.

Roamless is one of the options you can consider. It takes a different approach from most eSIM providers by using a pay-as-you-go wallet instead of fixed plans. You top up once, and your balance works across multiple countries, which is handy if you travel unpredictably or hop borders often. It is best suited if you use data light or moderate and want flexibility without worrying about plan expiry dates.

Maya Mobile is another eSIM you could check out. The service focuses on regional and global data plans with longer validity periods than many competitors. It is the best eSIM app for digital nomads or business travelers who want stable connectivity across multiple countries for longer periods. Maya Mobile is a compatible eSIM for Android and other mobile operating systems that support eSIM technology.

Truely is an alternative that you can look into, it’s built around simplicity and flexibility. Plans often feature unlimited data and high-speed access up to a daily cap. It also generally supports tethering — a great feature if you want to share your data with other devices. Coverage isn’t quite as extensive as some long-established global eSIM brands, but where it’s available, the setup is easy and the connectivity straightforward.

Sim Local is also something you might want to check. The service works more like a travel eSIM store, offering plans that connect you to local network partners in different destinations. That makes it useful if you want a more local-style plan without buying a physical SIM in person. It can be a good fit if you care about local network performance and do not mind comparing a couple of options on the go.

While we covered a few solid alternatives, this is not an exhaustive list. Before you buy, double-check the supported countries and networks, and make sure your device is eSIM-compatible. For example, while you might want to find the best eSIM for your iPad, not every iPad model supports eSIM, so it’s worth checking compatibility first.

How we pick the best eSIMs

We don’t keep how we pick the best eSIMs a secret. When we make our list, we rank based on a thorough feature evaluation. How does each eSIM perform in real travel scenarios? What actually affects day-to-day use? These questions are the ones we focus on to understand how easy the app is to set up and manage, and how stable the connection feels across different countries.

Further, we evaluate whether the speed claims hold up for common tasks like navigation, messaging, video calls, and streaming. We also consider how clearly plans are explained and whether there are hidden limits that only appear after purchase.

The eSIMs on this list were chosen because they consistently perform well across usability, network speed, pricing, coverage, and plan variety. Each provider brings something different to the table, whether that is longer plan durations, cheaper short-term data, unlimited usage, or broader global reach.

Rather than pushing one option for everyone, we highlight eSIMs that stand out for specific travel needs, so you can choose based on how you actually travel.

Find the right fit for your destination

In this article, we’ve covered the best eSIMs you can get your hands on for international travel. Although, every destination has its own quirks when it comes to mobile connectivity. Network quality, local carrier partnerships, and all the other bits and bobs shift depending on where you’re headed. So, a provider that works great in Western Europe might not be the best fit for Southeast Asia or South America.

That said, we’ve put together destination-specific guides to help you find the right eSIM for your next trip. Each guide covers local network conditions, pricing, and which providers perform best in that region or the country. Take a look at them:

Guide	Coverage	Quick note
Best eSIM for Asia	Asia (including but not limited to: China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Japan)	Coverage varies widely by country
Best eSIM for Europe	Europe (including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK)	Regional plans ideal for multi-country trips
Best eSIM for America	The Americas (including the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil)	Check rural coverage before you go
Best eSIM for Australia	Australia	Strong local networks, most providers work well
Best eSIM for New Zealand	New Zealand	Fewer carrier options
Best eSIM for Africa	Africa (including South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco)	Not all providers cover every country

Key takeaways on eSIMs

There is no single best eSIM app that everyone can download and be done with.

The right choice depends on your individual travel style and what you need most. Saily is a strong all-around option for long-term trips thanks to longer plan durations and solid pricing. Airalo works well for global travel, especially if you want flexible regional plans and access to calls in some cases. Holafly is best suited if you burn through lots of data. Nomad shines on short trips where smaller data plans are affordable. Lastly, RedteaGO stands out if your main goal is to keep costs as low as possible.

Other providers we highlighted are alternatives to consider, yet it’s impossible to gather an exhaustive list as the eSIM market is extremely vast.

That said, before making a choice, think about your destination, trip length, and how you actually use data. Light browsing and maps call for a different plan than remote work or constant streaming. Match your priorities with the strengths of each provider, and you get yourself an eSIM plan that won’t leave you stranded, no matter where you travel and what your data usage is like.

FAQs

Compare the best eSIM providers for international travel, including Saily, Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and RedteaGO. Discover how they differ in coverage, pricing, data plans, network speeds, and features to find the right eSIM for your destination, trip length, and data needs.