Top eSIM Services for Travel Abroad in 2025

When summer finally arrives, most people travel. One of the most annoying aspects to consider when planning a vacation is roaming charges for data and calls. Fortunately for all voyagers, now it is becoming easier with travel eSims available. When deciding on which eSIM is best, it is important to take into account all the essential factors, such as the countries you will be visiting, how many days you plan to spend there, and whether SMS, calls, or internet options are included in your package. This piece is created to assist you in making just the right choice.

What Is an Esim?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a simple-to-install SIM card with wide network coverage, mainly used for international trips lasting 5 to 30 days. As it is easier to get, you no longer have to stand in long queues to buy one, just after you have landed. You can buy one instantly through a mobile app or a website anytime and activate it without any problems.

Digital SIMs are built directly into your device, and you can switch between different network providers depending on your location. This is more convenient because there is no need for physical SIM swapping. Additionally, plans are usually more affordable when travelling abroad than roaming services.

Advantages of eSIMs

• Leveled-Up Security. ESIM provides increased security compared to physical SIM cards. No one can steal them from your hands or take them out of your smartphone. And some even have a self-destruct feature, which is triggered if all authentication attempts fail. 
• Multiple providers. Esim allows you to use multiple providers and a physical SIM card on one device at the same time. You do not need to carry several smartphones or insert and remove SIM cards every time you need to make a call from another number.
• Reliable connection. Physical cards can become old, erased, and damaged over time, especially if they are swapped frequently. This can affect the quality of the connection or mobile internet. E-SIM cards are resistant to physical damage, meaning they are less likely to have problems with a weak signal.

The Best SIMs for International Travel in 2025

Unfortunately, there is no perfect SIM card — one service works well in one country, while another performs better elsewhere. That’s why it’s so important to consider all the nuances when choosing one. We analyzed the following services by using their official websites, apps, pricing, and regional availability.

Airalo

This is an application for purchasing an eSIM. The card is activated immediately after payment and downloaded to your phone. There are SIM cards for specific countries, regions, or for the whole world at once. It is more profitable to purchase a SIM card for a specific country with the maximum amount of data.

Approximate Costs:

• Europe, 7 days: ~$3 for 1 GB
• Asia, 7 days: ~$3 for 1 GB
• USA, 7 days: ~$3 for 1 GB

Pros:

• More than 190 countries of coverage
• No monthly payment or automatic renewal of service
• Simple interface and clear package selection system
• Support for regional eSIM cards: Europe, Asia, Latin America, etc.
• Possibility to buy an eSIM for 7 to 180 days
• Instant receipt of eSim

Cons:

• No calls or SMS
• No second phone number
• Prices are higher compared to some competitors
• Unused traffic is burned after 7-30 days.
• You must buy a package for certain countries at once
• Transfer of eSIM to another device is only possible through support

If you’re looking for an eSIM with the largest available internet package, you can install the Airalo app, choose a plan, pay, and activate your eSIM. It only takes a few minutes.

Yesim

The service has a mobile app with different eSIMs. Country-specific SIMs or country packages are available. A pay-as-you-go tariff with a per-gigabyte payment is very popular because it’s convenient, as there’s no need to purchase traffic packages.

Approximate Costs:

• Europe, 7 days: ~$2.5 for 1.5 GB
• Asia, 7 days: ~$2.5 for 1.5 GB
• USA, 7 days: ~$2.5 for 1.5 GB

Pros:

• Lowest prices among all reviewed services 
• The second phone number feature 
• Support for calls and SMS on some plans: You can buy a number to receive SMS
• Coverage in more than 180 countries
• You can top up your balance and choose from different packages from different countries
• Supports USD, EUR
• There are unlimited plans and free promotional packages
• Convenient application
• Instant receipt of eSIM
• There is a tariff with a per-GB payment, Pay As You Go.

Cons:

• Unused traffic is burnt after 14 or 28 days, except for pay-as-you-go
• You cannot make calls or send SMS
• Not all countries have a local number
• The app may be less intuitive.

If you’re looking for the lowest prices among eSIM services with per-gigabyte payments, you can install the Yesim app, choose a plan, pay, and activate your eSIM. It only takes a few minutes.

Drimsim

One more application for eSIM, which is suitable for those who want a stable connection and aren’t afraid to pay a little more for convenience. 

Approximate Costs:

• Europe, 7 days: ~$4 per 1 GB
• Asia, 7 days: ~$4 for 1 GB
• USA, 7 days: ~$4 for 1 GB

Pros:

• Excellent call quality
• Easy-to-use application
• Reliable internet connection, according to customer reviews
• Supports a wide range of countries
• Perfect for digital nomads

Cons:

• More expensive than competitors: you have to pay 10 euros for the eSIM at once
• Limited validity of packages
• No calls/SMS and no second number

If a convenient and stable connection is most important to you, for example, for your work while traveling, you should consider using the Drimsim app. You can pay for a SIM card on the website or in the app and activate it in just a few minutes.

Saily

Founded by the creator of NordVPN, the most famous VPN service globally nowadays, Saily provides users with eSIMs with a huge volume of data without any limitations. Indeed, by choosing Saily eSIM, you will enjoy up to 100 GB of data in more than 140 countries around the world.

Approximate Costs:

• Europe, 7 days: ~$3 for 2 GB
• Asia, 7 days: ~$3 for 2 GB
• USA, 7 days: ~$3 for 2 GB

Pros:

• Huge data volumes: up to 100 GB 
• Support for 140+ countries 
• User-friendly app 
• Suitable for long trips and work

Cons:

• No calls or SMS
• No second number
• Less coverage than Airalo and Yesim
• The price is sometimes higher than budgetary services.

For long-term trips, we recommend using Saily. You can install the app and activate an eSIM in just a few minutes.

Nomad

This eSIM is known to offer the cheapest travel plans for short trips, such as 7 or 15 days. If you’re travelling to Europe, North America, or Asia, Nomad has the best prices for data usage. However, plans for countries in Latin America and Africa are considered quite expensive.

Approximate Costs:

• Europe, 7 days: ~$2 for 1 GB
• Asia, 7 days: ~$2 per 1 GB
• USA, 7 days: ~$2 for 1 GB

Pros:

• Lowest prices
• eSIMs for more than 150 countries
• Easy-to-use app
• Often offers promotions and promo codes

Cons:

• No calls or SMS
• No second number
• Limited functionality
• Fewer reviews and coverage information compared to other services

For budget traveling, we recommend using Nomad. You can install the app and activate an eSIM in just a few minutes.

Unisim

This service does not have an app. The payment is organised through the site with any credit or debit card. After payment, the QR code of the SIM card is sent to your email. 

You can also refill your SIM through the website using your IMSI number. To do this, you need to visit the Unisim website and enter the command *187# on your smartphone. Once you view your balance and IMSI information, you can use this number to refill your eSIM on the website.

Approximate Costs:

• Europe, 7 days: ~$2–$3 for 1–2 GB (depends on consumption)
• Asia, 7 days: ~$2–$3 per 1–2 GB
• USA, 7 days: ~$2–$3 for 1–2 GB

Pros:

• The SIM card is perpetual, the balance does not expire. All unspent balance can be saved for the next trip.
• Automatic connection to the best local operator
• Payment only for used data (per KB)
• Coverage in 170+ countries
• Supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local payment systems
• Install via email – no need to download the app

Cons:

• No calls or SMS
• No second number
• Lesser-known than other services
• The SIM costs $2, but it’s free if you top up with $15 or more 
• Transferring the SIM to another phone is only possible through support.

If you’re looking for a flexible, budget-friendly eSIM provider, choose Unisim. Although there is no mobile app, you can easily buy an eSIM on the website and install it instantly.

How to Install an eSIM on Your Smartphone

One of the advantages of using an eSIM for travel and business trips is its ease of installation. It does not require any special effort or knowledge to install, just follow the instructions below.

Installation of eSIM: Airalo, Drimsim, Saily, Nomad

1. Go to the website of the selected operator
2. Select a country or region
3. Buy a package that suits your purposes
4. Receive the QR code in your email
5. Go to Settings → Mobile Data → eSIM
6. Scan the code
7. Activate eSIM in Settings.

Installation of eSIM Unisim:

1. Go to the Unisim official website
2. Create an account with your email address
3. Refill your balance
4. The service will send a QR code to your email.
5. Go to Settings → Mobile data → eSIM.
6. Scan the QR code
7. After scanning eSIM will be installed and will start working automatically.

Installation of eSIM Yesim:

1. Download the Yesim app from the App Store or Google Play
2. Create an account
3. Click Buy eSIM
4. Select a country or region
5. Buy a suitable package
6. The app will automatically download the eSIM
7. Turn on mobile data and check the connection while travelling.

Final Thoughts

After a thorough analysis of all the travel eSIMs available on the market, we have made useful conclusions and would like to share them with our readers:

• If you are traveling to one country, we recommend buying local packages.
• If you are traveling to several countries, you should choose regional packages.
• The best alternatives for budget vacations are Nomad and Yesim.
• For long-term trips, we recommend considering Saily for their huge traffic volumes or UNISIM for their flexibility.
• For a first trip, Airalo or Yesim are your best choices, as they have very easy-to-use mobile apps.

FAQ

Is My Phone Compatible with Esim?

As a rule, this feature can be found in the specifications of your device. Another option is to check it at once. In order to check if your smartphone supports eSIM, you should try dialing *#06#. If an EID number appears on your smartphone’s screen, you can use eSIM on your phone.

Do I Need to Use a Different Esim for Each Country I Visit?

No, you do not have to use a separate eSIM for each country. You can choose a regional package that works in several countries, for example, in Europe or Asia, or you can use a global eSIM that covers many countries.

If you are traveling in one country, it is more appropriate to choose a local eSIM because you are not going anywhere else. However, we recommend the regional or global option for those travelers who are going to several countries in one trip or are digital nomads constantly changing their place of living.

Will Esim Work Together with a Physical SIM Card?

This is really possible and incredibly convenient. The feature of using two SIM cards simultaneously, physical and SIM, is called Dual SIM. This is very useful for active travelers or those who want to stay in touch with home or work on their business trips. You don’t need to physically replace the card in your phone, just switch between them with a simple action in the smartphone settings.

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