7 Best eSIMs for International Travel

Staying connected while traveling has never been as easy as it is today, and thanks to eSIM technology, it’s even more effortless to hook up your phone or tablet to a cellular network in another country. If you haven’t been introduced to the eSIM game yet, then let us do the honors. 

Simply put, an eSIM is a digital replacement for a SIM card that allows your phone or tablet to connect to a cellular network. Travelers can peruse packages by country, duration, or region to find flexible eSIM options tailored to your needs. This erases the headache of having to hunt down a store and physically swap out your SIM card, as you can download an eSIM from the comfort of your own home before leaving on holiday. 

Like many cell phone providers and SIM companies, there are several eSIM companies on the market, and narrowing down the best one for your trip can be tedious work, especially if you don’t know what to look out for. Well, that’s where we come in. 

We’ve tested some of the top eSIM companies and have compiled this guide to the best eSIMs for international travel on the market. Whether you’re a digital nomad looking to stay connected with unlimited data or a snowbird heading south for a few weeks, you’ll find the best travel eSIMs compared so that you can choose an eSIM package that fits your travels.

Best eSIMs for International Travel

It’s impossible to say that one eSIM company is truly better than another as each has its strengths and weaknesses. In the end, it comes down to the partnerships they’ve made and the packages they can offer. It’s always a good idea to compare prices and packages between companies in advance so that you can see which eSIM company is leading the way in which regions. With that being said, our personal favorite eSIM company is Airalo.

What is an eSIM? 

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital replacement for a SIM card that is purchased and downloaded via an app or website that allows the user to be connected to a cellular network. An eSIM can even be used in conjunction with a physical SIM card or other eSIMs. Simply purchase a package before traveling and then when you land at the airport, your eSIM will be ready to be turned on and activated. Once activated, you’ll instantly be connected and ready to go! The process is simple and straightforward that even the most technologically impaired person in your family could follow along. 

Now, not all travel eSIMs are made the same. Some providers only connect you to the internet while others offer data, calling, and texting packages. One thing that all the eSIMs have in common though is that they are a fraction of the price of using your home phone plan abroad, especially for North Americans who have some of the highest cell phone network costs in the world.

What Devices Are Compatible With eSIMs? 

Generally speaking, most devices made after 2019 are compatible with eSIM technology. This includes smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches. Every eSIM company listed above has a full list of compatible devices on their website and in their app, but here are a few of the most popular devices to give you an idea:

• iPhone XR or XS 
• iPhone 11 or newer
• iPads with 4G connectivity (made since 2019) 
• Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer 
• Google Pixel 2 and newer
• Windows Surface Pro 7 and newer
• Windows Surface Go 2 and 3

Before purchasing an eSIM, confirm that your device can use this technology as not all Apple and smart devices can. 

Things to Consider When Picking an eSIM for Travel

There are several factors to consider when purchasing an eSIM to ensure you’re getting the best package for your itinerary. From tethering abilities to the variety of data choices and ease of download, we’ll cover all this and more below. 

Where You’re Traveling

First things first, you want to ensure that the company you’re looking at covers where you’ll be traveling! The cool thing about travel eSIMs is they don’t only offer cellular connection for one country, but also multiple countries, regions, and even cruise lines. This is ideal for those planning multi-country trips or even multi-continent trips as some companies offer global plans. The companies above offer coverage in anywhere from 110-200 countries and regions around the world. 

Editor’s Note: Some eSIMs require you to complete an electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) form, in which you must verify your identity with a photo ID. This verification process can take a few days, so it’s advisable to complete it before your departure.

Ease of App/Website

While the process of downloading an eSIM is almost the same with every company, not all apps or websites are built the same. Some companies have glitchy apps that fail to automatically download the eSIM when requested, resulting in users having to manually download their eSIM. Manually downloading an eSIM is still very easy; however, if you’re not technologically inclined it could pose a bit of frustration. 

Some eSIM companies also offer extras on their website and app, such as a data calculator so you can get an idea of how much you’ll need for your trip or eSIM top-up options so that you don’t have to re-download an eSIM every time you purchase a package. 

Transparency

While pursuing plans on an eSIM app or website, the best companies are open and honest about who their partnering network(s) is in that country and what kind of speeds will be available. There is nothing more frustrating than spending money on an internet connection only to be stuck on a 3G or LTE network. You want to know what you’re getting and whether the partner network offers good coverage in your planned travel areas, so keep this in mind when choosing a company. 

Tethering Ability

You may be thinking of purchasing an eSIM and using it to work on your laptop or sharing the package with a friend via tethering. Not all eSIM companies allow this feature, so if you’re someone who likes to hotspot to other devices, ensure the eSIM company allows this. 

Rewards and Referrals

If you’re an avid traveler who will be using eSIMs for the foreseeable future, then you might want to consider an eSIM company that offers rewards for referrals or reward points after purchasing an eSIM. Who doesn’t like a little cash back after purchasing a product? Many companies have their own point system that can offer anywhere from a few cents to a few bucks off your next purchase. 

Downloading Process

While most eSIM companies offer an automatic download process, meaning you click ‘download eSIM’ and it will instantly be in your phone, that’s not the case with all of them. Some require users to scan a QR code in an email or enter the eSIM information manually. Depending on your techy skills, a manual or QR code download could be a turnoff since it’s a bit more complex. In other words, if Grandma needs an eSIM, make sure she picks a company that will make it as easy as possible for her!

Full Package vs. Data Package

As previously stated, some companies offer full packages that include a phone number with local texting and calling minutes along with data while others offer only data packages. With full packages, travelers can make use of calling and texting to make dinner reservations, call a tour to let them know you’re running late, or contact your hotel if you need an early check-in. However, don’t dismiss data-only packages as they are often the more budget-friendly option and still offer great connections through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage. Keep in mind that eSIMs can also be used in conjunction with other eSIMs and physical SIM cards, so you could still use your home phone number abroad and supplement the data with an eSIM. 

Currency Accepted

While the type of currency accepted is a minor detail to consider, it’s still worth considering if you plan on purchasing a travel eSIM. Every eSIM company accepts at least three different currencies; usually USD, GBP, and EUR. However, that leaves users from other countries like Australia and Canada on the outs and usually with an additional fee from their bank for the conversion. This shouldn’t be your main deciding factor when choosing an eSIM, but if you’re between two different eSIM companies, this could be the tiebreaker. 

Skinny MVNO vs Light MVNO vs Heavy MVNO

If you really want to get into the details of what makes a great eSIM company at its core then you first have to learn the three levels of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). Now a traditional local cellphone provider, such as Vodafone, Bell, and AT&T, are known as MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) and they own the rights to certain radio spectrums and licenses which is how service gets delivered to our devices in that country. 

MVNOs do not own the rights to these frequencies and licenses, so they must create partnerships and rent space on a frequency. Think of it like a toll highway; the MNOs own the highway and the MVNOs pay the toll so their customers can also use the network in that country. Simple, right? 

While eSIM companies (the MVNOs) don’t own the rights to access any radio spectrums, they can invest in their own network delivery system that offers benefits to their customers. This is where the three types of MVNOs come in. 

Light MVNOs are on the bottom of the spectrum as they don’t invest in their own network so they rely completely on the MNO’s network to provide the packages. Simply put, they are just resellers with their own customer service. 

Now in the middle of the spectrum, there are skinny MVNOs, who invest a bit more in their network to provide certain ability perks to their customers but haven’t gone all out on creating a smooth network. 

Lastly, you have the big boys, the heavy MVNOs. These companies have invested heavily in their core networks and infrastructure to provide the best services possible. What does this mean for the user? MVNOs that invest in their core network can offer automatic carrier switching, meaning your device will always automatically connect to the strongest server in your area, as well as better overall coverage in remote/country areas and ultimately a better variety of customizable options. Companies that are heavy MVNOs usually advertise that they are such so that tech-savvy travelers can make an informed decision. 

Now that you have all the knowledge, you’ll be able to compare eSIM companies and packages like a pro and hunt down the perfect eSIM for your travels abroad.