Traveling internationally can be an exciting adventure, but staying connected is key. An eSIM makes it easy and affordable to get data coverage in another country, allowing you to map routes, translation languages, contact home and share photos without incurring expensive roaming charges. But with so many eSIM providers available, how do you choose? This comprehensive guide examines the top eSIM options to find the best eSIM for international travel.
What is an eSIM and Why Use One?
An eSIM – short for embedded SIM – is a digital SIM card stored on a chip inside your phone, tablet or smartwatch. Unlike a physical nano-SIM card that slides into your device, an eSIM lets you quickly download a data plan and activate it remotely.
eSIMs first emerged around 2016 when Apple added eSIM support to its iPad Pro models. Since then, eSIM adoption has steadily grown thanks to the convenience and flexibility they offer:
- No SIM card tray required – Being embedded means eSIMs don’t require a SIM card slot. This saves space and is one reason newer iPhones ship without physical SIM card support.
- Remote provisioning – eSIM activation is handled remotely through a mobile app. No need to insert, remove or swap out SIM cards.
- Multiple profiles – Have separate personal and business lines or data plans for different countries. Switch between eSIM profiles as needed.
- Enhanced security – eSIM profiles are stored securely on a chip and can’t be physically removed like a SIM card. This reduces the risk of SIM swapping fraud.
When traveling internationally, an eSIM subscription lets you access affordable data coverage at your destination without incurring expensive roaming fees from your domestic carrier. You can use eSIM data alongside your regular number or temporarily port your number to the eSIM. It’s an extremely convenient, fuss-free way to stay connected abroad.
Now let’s examine some of the top eSIM providers to find the optimal service for different international travel needs and budgets.
How to Choose an eSIM for Travel
All eSIMs offer cellular data internationally through partnerships with telecoms in other countries. But coverage areas, plan options and pricing can vary significantly between providers.
Here are key factors to consider when selecting the best eSIM for your next trip:
Destinations Covered
Check if your desired eSIM covers all the places you intend to visit. Some focus on certain regions like Europe while others offer wide global coverage spanning over 190 countries.
Duration
eSIM plan durations typically range from 1 day to 1 month. Opt for a duration that fits your trip. Certain “rolling” eSIM plans automatically top up if you exceed the plan’s data limit while still within the duration period.
Data Limits
Data-only eSIM plans limit how much mobile data you can use. Options range from 500MB to unlimited data. Assess your expected usage before deciding on a reasonable cap. Streaming video and music consumes data quickly.
Budget
eSIM pricing is generally more than local SIM card options but can cost less than paying your domestic carrier’s international roaming rates. Expect to spend around $5 to $50 depending on the destination and duration.
Carrier Reviews
Check reviews and testimonials regarding an eSIM provider’s network coverage, speed and reliability at your intended destinations. Online forums like FlyerTalk have useful crowd-sourced reviews.
Best eSIM Providers for International Travel
After comparing various aspects like pricing, network quality and ease of use, here are our top recommendations on the best eSIM for international travel:
Overall: Airalo
Airalo is our choice for the best all-round eSIM provider. This Ireland-based startup has swiftly expanded coverage to over 195 countries through partnerships with leading local carriers. Airalo plans are competitively priced and offer great connectivity even in remote areas.
We found Airalo’s mobile app and account dashboard simple and intuitive to use. The company also provides excellent customer assistance through 24/7 chat and email support.
Key features:
- Inexpensive local data packages for 120+ countries
- Global eSIM covering 190+ countries
- Regional Europe, Americas and Asia-Pacific eSIMs
- Flexible 1-30 day durations with auto-refills
- Supported on iPhone and Android devices
For versatile, reliable eSIM data on trips abroad, Airalo is hard to beat both on connectivity reach and user experience.
![Airalo website screenshot][]
Best Global Coverage: DENT
Next on our list of top international eSIMs is DENT. Boasting coverage in over 200 destinations globally, it’s an extremely versatile option whether you’re backpacking solo across continents or road tripping through Europe.
Unlike Airalo’s fixed packages, DENT has an innovative multi-tiered pricing model based on a currency called DENT exchange (DENTX). The more DENTX credits you purchase upfront, the lower the rate at which your data balance gets deducted. Large 100GB+ pools can work out to just a few cents per GB.
We found DENT’s huge selection of local, regional and bundled “megabyte passes” appealingly flexible even for infrequent travelers. Their app also makes monitoring balances easy. Support assistance could however be more responsive.
Key features:
- 200+ global destinations covered
- Innovative, cost-effective pay-as-you-go pricing
- 1-Day, 7-Day and 30-Day Data passes
- Intuitive account dashboard and app
- Available on iOS and Android devices
For maximum travel flexibility paired with a unique usage-based pricing model, DENT is a compelling option to consider.![Dent website screenshot][]
Most Affordable: KnowRoaming
If minimizing expenditure is your priority, check out KnowRoaming. This Canada-based eSIM provider consistently offers some of the most aggressively priced international data plans. KnowRoaming pricing can undercut average local SIM card rates by 20-50% in many destinations.
But that doesn’t mean compromising on quality – they still deliver excellent network performance through partnerships with 650+ carriers globally. KnowRoaming specializes in short validity 1-14 days passes catering to short trip travelers. Their app isn’t as polished as some rivals but getting set up is fairly straightforward.
Key features:
- Inexpensive data packages in 190 countries
- Both local and multi-country options
- Flexible 1 to 14 day durations
- Supported on iOS and Android devices
- Straightforward setup process
For unlocked devices, KnowRoaming should undoubtedly be on your list of eSIM options for international trips if getting the lowest rates takes priority.![Knowroaming website screenshot][]
Best Customer Service: Truphone
British carrier Truphone earns its spot on our list for top-notch customer support – a vital aspect for travelers relying on connectivity overseas. The provider offers competitively priced international packages through eSIM and physical SIM options.
However, Truphone’s key strength lies in user experience. Their customer assistance team is easily reachable 24/7 through the mobile app, email, web-chat and phone internationally. Support agents are knowledgeable regarding troubleshooting account or network issues. Truphone’s self-service account management tools also work reliably.
Key features:
- Contactable 24/7 multi-channel customer support
- Competitive local and global data rates
- Both eSIM and physical SIM forms
- Intuitive account dashboard
- 1-30 day validity durations
For the reassurance provided by outstanding user assistance, Truphone is hugely recommended as the best eSIM for international travel.![truphone website screenshot][]
Most Convenient: GIGSKY
Living up to its motto of “Easy World Connectivity”, GIGSKY makes signing up effortless with ultra-fast eSIM activation through QR codes or EID linking. Once set up, their visually intuitive app provides at-a-glance tracking of data balances across all your active and previous eSIM profiles.
We found GIGSKY very tourist-friendly with competitive rates for 90+ popular holiday destinations globally. Their economical 1GB 5-day starter packs are handy for short vacations. While GIGSKY coverage isn’t as extensive as some rivals, they offer reliable connectivity options focused mainly on travel hotspots. Support responsiveness could however improve.
Key features:
- Swift self-activation via QR codes
- Easy monitoring of balances across profiles
- Specialized tourist destination plans
- iOS and Android supported
- 1-30 day durations with autopurchase
For fuss-free, tourist-tailored data connectivity abroad, GIGSKY hits the sweet spot both on convenience and pocket-friendliness.![gigsky website screenshot][]
How Do eSIMs Compare to Local SIM Cards When Traveling?
Many frequent travelers have traditionally opted for local SIM cards available widely at overseas airports and shops. But the growth of reliable, affordable eSIM alternatives has been giving SIM cards tough competition.
Here’s an overview of how eSIMs stack up as the preferred choice for international roaming:
Convenience – eSIMs win hands down by letting you activate data instantly from your phone compared to locating then inserting a SIM card.
Flexibility – eSIMs better support switching providers or destinations without needing to obtain new SIM cards. Most eSIMs also offer duration extension if you’re staying longer.
Rates – In some countries, local SIM card prepaid data can cost less than eSIMs but not always. Promotional eSIM deals can match or even beat SIM pricing.
Network Quality – eSIM carriers rely on linking you with reliable local networks. But SIM cards connect directly to a single provider so can have more consistent service.
Coverage – Getting dropped calls when moving around is likelier with virtual eSIM networks compared to local SIMs directly plugged into a static tower network.
Security – eSIM profiles are safer from tampering. Remote profile deletion also helps secure devices against theft versus removable SIM cards.
Key Steps for Getting Started With eSIMs
Here is a quick checklist summarizing the key things to do when getting your first international roaming eSIM:
- Choose Device – Ensure your smartphone, tablet or wearable supports eSIM functionality. Most recent models by Apple, Google, Samsung and other brands are eSIM-compatible.
- Compare Providers – Decide which eSIM carrier best meets your destination, budget and usage needs among our recommended list.
- Order Online – Purchase your preferred data package from the eSIM provider’s website. Opt for delivery by email.
- Install Profile – Activate your data plan by scanning the QR activation code or linking using the EID reference number supplied.
- Connect – Save the installed eSIM connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot to share data access with other devices as needed.
- Manage Usage – Monitor your balances and top up data through the eSIM carrier’s app to avoid interruptions abroad.
By pre-ordering your ideal eSIM package in advance of a trip and activating it remotely once at your destination, you’ll stay conveniently connected on-the-go – avoiding exorbitant international roaming fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled this section of commonly asked questions travelers have regarding eSIM adoption to help you use this technology seamlessly:
Is an unlocked device required for using an eSIM?
Most carriers will only provide eSIMs for unlocked phones not locked to any particular domestic operator. Check if your device meets that prerequisite.
Can eSIMs fail? What happens if connectivity gets disrupted?
Like any cellular service, eSIMs rely on signal quality which can fluctuate based on location and network traffic. A failed activation shouldn’t be common but does happen rarely. Contact customer support immediately if your eSIM stops working since you can’t physically reseat a profile. Alternately, reconnect via Wi-Fi and try restarting the device. Switching airplane mode on and off can also help revive signal.
How many eSIMs can my phone support simultaneously?
Most eSIM-equipped smartphones can store over 5 profiles but only one data plan can remain active at a time. So you can conveniently switch between saved country profiles. On iPhone 13 models, having two active eSIMs concurrently is supported.
Can I use an eSIM alongside my usual physical SIM card?
Yes, your regular SIM card will function in parallel unless you specifically paused it. This allows separating personal and work lines or retaining your regular number functionality like SMS and calls or home country access.
Is there a significant battery life impact from using an eSIM?
In theory keeping two active subscriber identity profiles can lead to slightly higher power draw. However multiple tests have shown in real usage eSIMs produce quite negligible battery drain versus just using a single physical SIM card.
Should I cancel automatically renewing eSIM plans to avoid billing surprises?
Some eSIM providers default to auto-renewal once an existing plan’s tenure and quotas expire. Manually disabling auto-renew where applicable helps avoid inadvertent top-ups. Most allow immediate plan cancellation without penalties.
Summary
An eSIM subscription makes getting affordable phone connectivity abroad a breeze compared to hunting for stores selling local SIM cards. Top virtual carriers like Airalo now offer prepaid data packages covering anywhere you travel.
We highly recommend Airalo as the overall best eSIM for international travel thanks to unmatched value, extensive network reach plus an effortlessly smooth application. Globetrotters wanting maximum location flexibility paired with pay-as-you-go rates will appreciate trailblazer DENT. For ultra-budget-conscious jetsetters, aptly named KnowRoaming provides delightfully economical data-only coverage almost everywhere.
Hopefully this guide has helped demystify eSIM technology and presented you with great providers to consider for your next trip anywhere across the globe! Let us know if you have any other questions. Safe travels!
