Staying connected while traveling doesn’t have to mean expensive roaming charges or hunting for Wi-Fi. Compare eSIMs, international data options, coverage, compatibility, and providers to find a practical way to stay connected during your trip.
Compare eSIM & Travel Connectivity Providers
eSIM providers differ in coverage, data allowances, pricing, plan duration, and how their service works across countries. The right option depends on where you’re traveling, how much data you expect to use, and whether your phone supports eSIM technology.
Providers in this comparison
- Airalo — Offers eSIM data plans for individual countries, regions, and global travel.
- Saily — Provides app-based eSIM plans designed for travelers who want straightforward mobile data abroad.
- Yesim — Offers international eSIM plans and connectivity options across a broad range of destinations.
- GigSky — Provides eSIM data plans for international travel, including country, regional, and broader coverage options.
- Drimsim — Uses a pay-as-you-go approach to international mobile data rather than requiring travelers to purchase a traditional fixed data package.
These services all provide ways to use mobile data while traveling, but their pricing models, destinations, plan sizes, validity periods, and features differ. Comparing the details for your specific destination is more useful than choosing a provider based on advertised global coverage alone.
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eSIM Providers at a Glance
| Provider | Service Type | Plan Style | Regional Options | Global Options | Good to Know |
| Airalo | eSIM | Prepaid data plans | Yes | Yes | Large selection of destination-specific plans |
| Saily | eSIM | Prepaid data plans | Yes | Yes | App-based setup and plan management |
| Yesim | eSIM | Data plans | Yes | Yes | Offers several international connectivity options |
| GigSky | eSIM | Prepaid data plans | Yes | Yes | Country, regional, and broader travel plans |
| Drimsim | eSIM/SIM | Pay as you go | Coverage varies | International use | Different pricing model from fixed data packages |
Airalo
Airalo is an eSIM provider offering prepaid mobile data plans for destinations around the world. Travelers can choose plans for individual countries, regions, or broader international coverage and install the eSIM on a compatible device before or during a trip.
Pros
- Large selection of destination-specific eSIM plans
- Country, regional, and global options
- Multiple data allowances and validity periods are available
- Plans can be purchased and managed digitally
Cons
- Prices and value vary considerably by destination and plan
- Many plans are primarily data-focused, so travelers should check whether calling or texting is included
- Network performance depends partly on the local carrier used at the destination
- Installing and activating an eSIM may be unfamiliar to first-time users
What to consider
Check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible before purchasing. Compare the data allowance, validity period, destination coverage, supported network, and whether the plan includes only data or additional communication features.
Saily
Saily provides travel eSIM plans that can be purchased and managed through its app. Travelers select coverage for their destination, install an eSIM on a compatible phone, and use mobile data without replacing their regular physical SIM.
Pros
- Straightforward app-based setup and management
- Coverage available for many international destinations
- Multiple data amounts and plan durations
- No physical SIM card is required
Cons
- Requires an eSIM-compatible, unlocked device
- Pricing isn’t necessarily the lowest option for every destination
- Travelers need to check exactly what each plan includes
- Local network quality can affect the experience
What to consider
Compare Saily’s available plan sizes and validity periods for your destination with the amount of data you realistically expect to use. Also verify compatibility before purchasing rather than assuming that every relatively new smartphone supports eSIM.
Yesim
Yesim offers eSIM-based mobile connectivity for travelers across numerous destinations. Its options include destination and broader international coverage, giving travelers another alternative to conventional carrier roaming.
Pros
- Coverage across many travel destinations
- Country and international connectivity options
- Digital activation without changing a physical SIM
- Different data options for different travel needs
Cons
- Plan pricing and availability vary by destination
- Some travelers may find the range of plan choices harder to compare
- Calling and traditional SMS availability should be checked for the specific plan
- Performance depends on partner networks at the destination
What to consider
Look at more than the advertised amount of data. Check the validity period, countries actually included, network information, activation rules, and what happens if you use all of your data before the plan expires.
GigSky
GigSky provides eSIM data plans for international travelers, with coverage options ranging from individual destinations to regional and broader travel plans. Plans are installed digitally on compatible devices.
Pros
- Country, regional, and broader coverage options
- No physical SIM swap required
- Useful for travelers visiting more than one destination
- Different data allowances and durations are available
Cons
- Cost per amount of data can vary between destinations
- Not every plan provides the same features
- Device compatibility and unlocking requirements still apply
- Local partner networks influence speed and coverage
What to consider
For a multi-country trip, compare a regional plan with buying separate country plans. The broader plan may be more convenient, but convenience doesn’t automatically mean it provides the lowest cost per gigabyte.
Drimsim
Drimsim takes a different approach from many prepaid travel eSIM providers by emphasizing pay-as-you-go international connectivity. Instead of choosing a fixed data package in advance, travelers can pay according to their usage in supported destinations.
Pros
- Pay-as-you-go model can suit travelers with light or unpredictable data needs
- No need to estimate a large data package in advance
- Designed for use across multiple destinations
- Can be useful for occasional connectivity while traveling
Cons
- Pay-as-you-go pricing can become less attractive for heavy data users
- Costs depend on actual usage and destination rates
- Travelers who stream video or use large amounts of data may prefer a fixed package
- Coverage and rates should be checked for each destination
What to consider
Estimate how you actually use your phone. Pay-as-you-go connectivity can make sense for maps, messaging, email, and occasional browsing, while travelers expecting substantial streaming, tethering, or other heavy data use should compare the likely total cost with fixed-data plans.
How to Choose a Travel eSIM
Start with your destination
Check coverage for the specific country or countries you’re visiting. A provider may advertise broad international coverage, but the available plans, partner networks, and pricing can be very different from one destination to another.
Estimate how much data you’ll actually use
Messaging, maps, email, and occasional browsing use relatively little data compared with streaming video, social media, video calls, or tethering a laptop. Choosing a plan around your actual habits can prevent you from paying for data you won’t use—or running out halfway through your trip.
Country plan or regional plan?
A country-specific plan can make sense for a trip spent mostly in one destination. If you’re crossing several borders, a regional plan may be more convenient than purchasing and activating separate plans for each country.
Fixed data or pay as you go?
Most travel eSIMs sell a set amount of data for a specific period. A pay-as-you-go option such as Drimsim works differently and may suit lighter or less predictable usage. Compare the likely total cost rather than assuming one pricing model is always cheaper.
Check your phone before you buy
Your device must support eSIM and generally needs to be carrier-unlocked to use a travel eSIM from another provider. Check compatibility before purchasing, especially if the phone was purchased through a mobile carrier.
Don’t remove your regular SIM unnecessarily
Many compatible phones can keep your regular SIM active alongside a travel eSIM. That can allow you to retain your usual number while using the travel eSIM for mobile data. Check your phone’s settings and your home carrier’s roaming policies to avoid unexpected charges.
Compare the plan for your actual destination and trip—not just the provider’s headline offer. Coverage, data allowances, validity periods, network partners, and pricing can all change depending on where you’re going.
Before You Install an eSIM
Make sure your phone is unlocked
An eSIM-compatible phone can still be locked to your current mobile carrier. If it is, you may not be able to activate an eSIM from another provider until the carrier unlocks the device.
Install it before you leave
When possible, install the eSIM while you still have reliable internet access at home or at your hotel. Follow the provider’s activation instructions carefully, because some plans begin when installed while others begin only after connecting to a supported network.
Know which SIM is using your data
Dual-SIM phones let you choose which line handles mobile data. After activating your travel eSIM, confirm that it is selected for cellular data and review your settings before enabling data roaming.
Keep your eSIM information
Save the provider’s installation instructions, confirmation email, or QR code until your trip is over. Avoid deleting an installed eSIM unless you’re certain you no longer need it, since reinstalling it may not always be possible.
Watch your data usage
Check your remaining data during the trip, particularly if your plan has a fixed allowance. Video streaming, cloud backups, app updates, and tethering can consume data much faster than maps, messaging, and ordinary browsing.
Travel eSIMs can make international connectivity much simpler, but the best option depends on the trip. Check your device first, compare plans for your actual destination, and understand how activation and data usage work before you travel.