The ability to keep your primary number active while seamlessly adding local data plans has been a game-changer. No more losing access to two-factor authentication, missing important calls, or dealing with the anxiety of swapping tiny SIM cards in airport bathrooms.
But here's what we've learned from countless hours of testing: not all eSIM providers are created equal. Some offer lightning-fast speeds in major cities but crawl to a halt in rural areas. Others promise "unlimited" data but throttle you after just a few gigabytes. That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide based on real-world testing, actual usage scenarios, and honest feedback from fellow travelers.
Important note: Before diving in, make sure your device supports eSIM technology. Most modern smartphones do, but it's worth checking your device compatibility first.
Our Top Picks
- Best overall: Airalo
- Best for unlimited data: Holafly
- Best value high-speed data: Orbit eSIM
- Best for Europe: Orange Holiday Europe
- Best for USA: Google Fi
- Best pay-as-you-go: GigSky
- Best for Asia-Pacific: Nomad
- Best value for money: Maya Mobile
Airalo - Best Overall eSIM Provider
Coverage: 200+ countries and regions
Data plans: From 1GB to 20GB
Pricing: From $4.50 for 1GB
Validity: 7-30 days depending on plan
After using Airalo across three continents and over 30 countries, it remains our go-to recommendation for most travelers. What sets Airalo apart isn't just their extensive coverage – it's their consistent reliability and user-friendly experience.
Their partnerships with major operators like Orange, Vodafone, and Telefónica mean you're getting genuine carrier-grade connectivity, not some second-tier MVNO experience. We've consistently achieved download speeds averaging 35-45 Mbps across European cities, which is more than adequate for video calls, streaming, and intensive work tasks.
The mobile app deserves special praise – it's intuitive, provides real-time data usage tracking, and offers seamless plan management. Their customer support responded within 2 hours when we had connectivity issues in rural Portugal, providing specific APN settings that solved the problem immediately.
Pros: Extensive global coverage, reliable performance, excellent app, responsive customer support
Cons: Not the cheapest option, limited unlimited plans
Holafly - Best for Unlimited Data
Coverage: 190+ destinations
Data plans: Unlimited data only
Pricing: From $19 for 5 days unlimited
Validity: 5-90 days
If you're a heavy data user who streams Netflix, uploads photos to the cloud, or works with large files while traveling, Holafly is your best bet. Their unlimited data model eliminates the anxiety of monitoring usage, though "unlimited" comes with some important caveats.
During our month-long testing in Mexico, we used Holafly's unlimited plan extensively – video conferencing, streaming, and even using phones as hotspots for laptops. The performance was impressive, with consistent speeds around 25-30 Mbps. However, after consuming roughly 1-2GB daily, we noticed some throttling during peak hours, though it never dropped below usable levels.
Their strength lies in Latin America, where they have direct partnerships with Movistar, Claro, and Tigo. The network handoffs between carriers are seamless, and coverage extends well beyond major cities.
Pros: Truly unlimited data, excellent Latin American coverage, no usage anxiety
Cons: Fair usage policies not always clear, more expensive for light users
Orbit eSIM - Best Value High-Speed Data
Coverage: 190+ countries and regions
Data plans: From 1GB to 50GB
Pricing: From $2.99 for 1GB
Validity: 7-180 days depending on plan
Orbit eSIM has rapidly emerged as one of the most compelling alternatives in the eSIM market, and after extensive testing across multiple continents, we understand why they're gaining traction so quickly. What sets Orbit apart is their ability to deliver premium network speeds at budget-friendly prices – a combination that's surprisingly rare in this space.
With coverage spanning 190+ countries, Orbit has strategically focused on quality over quantity, ensuring their network partnerships deliver consistent high-speed performance rather than simply maximizing destination count. Their partnerships with tier-1 carriers including Orange, Vodafone, and Deutsche Telekom provide the foundation for this impressive performance.
During our recent testing in major European cities, Orbit consistently delivered download speeds averaging 40-55 Mbps, often outperforming providers charging twice as much. What impressed us most was their flexible validity options. Unlike many providers that lock you into 7 or 30-day periods, Orbit offers plans ranging from 7 days up to 180 days, making them ideal for both short business trips and extended digital nomad adventures.
Their 20GB plan for $27.99 with 180-day validity represents exceptional value – that's enough data for months of regular travel use. The setup process is refreshingly straightforward, with their mobile app providing instant QR code generation, real-time data tracking, and seamless plan management.
In terms of coverage quality, Orbit excels in both urban and rural environments. During testing in remote areas of Scotland and rural France, we maintained consistent 4G+ connectivity where other budget providers struggled. Their network selection algorithms seem to prioritize the strongest available signal, resulting in more reliable connections overall.
Pros: Exceptional value pricing, high-speed performance, flexible validity periods, strong rural coverage
Cons: Newer brand with limited track record, customer support still scaling
Orange Holiday Europe - Best for European Travel
Coverage: 30 European countries
Data plans: 20GB and 50GB options
Pricing: $38 for 20GB, $60 for 50GB
Validity: 14 days
For European travel, nothing beats having access to a genuine Tier 1 carrier network. Orange Holiday Europe eSIM provides exactly that – direct access to Orange France's network plus roaming partnerships across Europe that prioritize your traffic.
The performance difference is noticeable. While other eSIM providers might give you 15-20 Mbps in Paris, Orange consistently delivered 60+ Mbps download speeds. This becomes crucial when you're trying to upload client work from a café in Rome or join a Zoom call from your hotel in Amsterdam.
The plan includes 30 minutes of calls to 120+ countries and unlimited calls within Europe, plus 1000 SMS. For a two-week European trip, this eliminates the need for separate communication solutions.
Pros: Premium network access, includes calls and SMS, genuine carrier experience
Cons: Europe-only coverage, limited validity period
Google Fi - Best for USA and International
Coverage: USA + 200+ international destinations
Data plans: Flexible (pay-per-GB) and Unlimited
Pricing: $20/month + $10/GB or $60-80/month unlimited
International: Same rates in 200+ countries
Google Fi represents the gold standard for seamless international connectivity, especially if you're US-based or frequently travel between the US and other countries. Their partnerships with T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Three create a network that intelligently switches to provide optimal coverage.
What impressed us most during six months of testing was the consistency. Whether we were in rural Montana, downtown Tokyo, or a beach in Thailand, Fi maintained reliable connectivity with minimal manual intervention. The automatic network switching works seamlessly – your phone simply connects to the strongest available signal.
For Pixel users, the integration is particularly smooth. eSIM activation takes literally two taps, and the network management is entirely automatic. Even iPhone users benefit from Fi's intelligent network selection, though the setup process requires a few more steps.
Pros: Seamless international usage, intelligent network switching, excellent US coverage
Cons: Requires US-based billing, can be expensive for heavy international users
GigSky - Best Pay-As-You-Go Option
Coverage: 190+ countries, cruise ships, airlines
Data plans: 100MB to 50GB
Pricing: From $3.99 for 100MB
Validity: 1-30 days
GigSky's strength lies in its flexibility and unique coverage areas. They're one of the few providers offering connectivity on cruise ships and select airlines, making them invaluable for specific travel scenarios.
Their pay-as-you-go model works well for unpredictable usage patterns. During a recent business trip where we weren't sure how much data would be needed, GigSky's ability to purchase small increments and top up as needed proved invaluable. The 100MB starter plan for $3.99 let us test coverage and speeds before committing to larger purchases.
Coverage in remote areas is surprisingly good, thanks to partnerships with local carriers that other providers might overlook. In rural New Zealand, GigSky connected to Spark's network where other eSIM providers failed entirely.
Pros: Flexible pay-as-you-go, unique coverage (cruises, flights), good for testing
Cons: Can be expensive for heavy usage, complex pricing structure
Nomad - Best for Asia-Pacific
Coverage: 180+ countries with strong Asia focus
Data plans: 1GB to 20GB
Pricing: From $8 for 1GB
Validity: 7-30 days
For Asia-Pacific travel, Nomad consistently outperforms competitors through strategic partnerships with regional carriers. Their agreements with Singtel, AIS, Globe, and NTT Docomo provide coverage that matches domestic performance levels.
During our month-long Southeast Asia testing, Nomad's regional package provided seamless connectivity across Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. The network intelligence impressed us – in Bangkok, it automatically connected to AIS during peak hours when True Move networks were congested, then switched back based on signal strength.
Their global packages offer decent value for multi-continent trips, though regional packages provide better performance and pricing for focused Asia-Pacific travel.
Pros: Excellent Asia-Pacific coverage, intelligent network switching, competitive regional pricing
Cons: Limited customer support hours, fewer European partnerships
Maya Mobile - Best Value for Money
Coverage: 190+ countries
Data plans: 1GB to 50GB
Pricing: From $4.99 for 1GB
Validity: Up to 180 days
Maya Mobile wins on pure value, especially for travelers who need longer validity periods or larger data allowances. Their 180-day validity makes them ideal for digital nomads or extended travelers who want to avoid the hassle of frequent plan renewals.
Performance varies by location, but in major destinations, speeds are perfectly adequate for typical travel needs. During testing in popular destinations like Istanbul, Bangkok, and Mexico City, we consistently achieved 20-25 Mbps – sufficient for video calls, social media, and navigation.
Their customer support, while not as polished as premium providers, proved helpful when we needed assistance with APN settings in rural Morocco. Response times averaged 6-8 hours, which is reasonable for a budget-focused provider.
Pros: Excellent value pricing, long validity periods, decent performance in major cities
Cons: Variable performance in rural areas, limited customer support hours
Major Network Operators Entering eSIM Space
Traditional carriers are increasingly offering direct eSIM services to international travelers, often providing better performance than third-party alternatives:
Verizon Travel Pass
Verizon's eSIM travel passes provide access to their premium US network plus international roaming. Expensive but unmatched for coverage quality in the United States.
AT&T International
AT&T's international eSIM plans offer their extensive US network with competitive international rates. Particularly strong for business travelers needing reliable US connectivity.
EE (UK)
EE's eSIM roaming passes provide excellent European coverage through their parent company Deutsche Telekom's network partnerships.
Telstra (Australia)
Telstra's international eSIM options excel in Asia-Pacific regions, leveraging their extensive partnerships with regional carriers.
Comparison Table: Key Metrics
Based on our testing across multiple destinations, here's how the top providers compare:
| Provider | Coverage | Avg. Speed | Price/10GB* | Best For |
| Orbit eSIM | 190+ countries | 40-55 Mbps | $19 | Value + performance |
| Airalo | 200+ countries | 35-45 Mbps | $37 | Overall reliability |
| Holafly | 190+ countries | 25-35 Mbps | $47** | Heavy data users |
| Orange Europe | 30 EU countries | 50-70 Mbps | $60*** | European travel |
| Google Fi | USA + 200 countries | 40-55 Mbps | $120**** | US-based travelers |
| Maya Mobile | 190+ countries | 20-30 Mbps | $24 | Budget travelers |
*European destination pricing for 30-day validity
**Unlimited plan with fair usage policies
***20GB plan with calls/SMS included
****Monthly unlimited plan
Our Final Recommendations
After extensive testing, here's our honest advice based on different travel scenarios:
For First-Time eSIM Users
Start with Airalo. Their user-friendly app, reliable customer support, and consistent performance make them the safest choice for beginners. The slight premium you pay is worth the peace of mind.
For European Business Travel
Orange Holiday Europe provides carrier-grade performance that's crucial for video conferences and large file uploads. The included calls and SMS eliminate the need for additional services.
For Digital Nomads
Google Fi (if US-based) or Nomad for comprehensive coverage. Both offer the reliability needed for remote work, with Fi excelling in seamless transitions between countries.
For Budget-Conscious Travelers
Maya Mobile offers the best value without compromising too much on performance. Their long validity periods are perfect for extended travel on a budget.
For Heavy Data Users
Holafly's unlimited plans eliminate usage anxiety, though be aware of fair usage policies that may apply during peak usage periods.
For Performance-Focused Value Seekers
Orbit eSIM strikes the perfect balance between performance and affordability. If you need high-speed data for work or streaming but don't want to pay premium prices, Orbit delivers carrier-grade speeds at budget-friendly costs. Their flexible validity options make them particularly attractive for extended travel.
The eSIM landscape continues evolving rapidly, with traditional carriers increasingly offering competitive direct services. Our advice? Test multiple providers in your key destinations to find what works best for your specific needs. Most offer small starter plans that let you evaluate performance before committing to larger packages.
Remember: the "best" eSIM provider ultimately depends on your specific travel patterns, data usage, and budget. This guide provides a foundation, but your personal experience may vary based on timing, location, and local network conditions.