Search for travel eSIMs and you will find dozens of providers, each promising fast speeds and low prices. The differences show up in the details: how much data you really get, how easy the setup is, and what happens if something goes wrong. If you are trying to pick the best eSIM for your next trip, these seven questions will help you compare options with confidence.
Does My Phone Work?
If you want to compare something, be sure that your device is eSIM compatible. Many popular phones do: recent iPhone models (iPhone XS and newer), Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, and more. There are newer iPhones out that have no longer got a physical SIM slot in some markets.
Double check that your mobile phone is carrier unlocked. Your home provider could deny a plan from another provider if it is locked to your home provider. A reputable provider should allow you to test the compatibility before you commit to any payment, and may provide a refund if your phone doesn’t work on the plan. Check this policy in writing.
2. Is the Data Really Unlimited?
This is where there are the most differing plans. Some eSIMs have a prepaid amount (e.g., usage of a few gigabytes for a certain number of days). That’s fine if you’re just in need of messaging and a map search every now and then. A little allowance may go a long way if you are a streamer, a video caller, or sending photos or working remotely, and then you’re back to looking for Wi-Fi.
Unlimited plans do away with the worry, but take time to read the details. Some networks enforce a fair usage policy, and this may impact the speed limit for a brief period of time. A reputable provider will make this clear in the beginning, and not in the fine print.
3. What is the trend of the price over time?
Cheap isn’t always good. Consider per day costs – they tend to decrease with longer plans. Consider your actual dates as well: If your plan is too short, you will be missing data; if it is too long, you’ll be wasting money.
Don’t forget to take your travel routine into account. You will need to make a trip plan for one trip. If you’re traveling to multiple destinations, having a regional plan might be more cost-effective than multiple eSIMs. And if you are travelling overseas for long periods of time, it may be more cost-effective to sign up for a monthly or annual subscription than to keep taking short trips.
4. Easy to install?
The best eSIM is one that can be activated in just a few minutes without calling for assistance. Search for multiple installation methods: automatic installation via an app, QR code or manual codes. See if the provider provides you with direct instructions in email format and preferably provides you with an app where you can see your plan and remaining data.
Note that installation requires an Internet connection so do it at home on Wi-Fi. It’s a good practice to leave the eSIM off until you have landed and switch it on and activate data roaming for that line once you’re on the ground.
What About Calls, Texts and My Number?
The majority of travel eSIMs are data-only. This means that you cannot place and receive regular calls or SMS on that plan and no local phone number. This is okay for many travelers: Your regular sim card remains in your phone, your number doesn’t change and calls and messages are made through apps such as WhatsApp and iMessage using the internet.
If you do require a local number, see if you can get a plan that provides one. That’s available on some longer-term plans, but not on most single-trip plans. Regardless of what you do, make sure you disable data roaming on your primary SIM card so you won’t be charged by your home carrier for roaming.
6. What are your support and refund options?
Until it doesn’t, technology is great. If you are considering purchasing, be sure to learn how you can contact support. When things go wrong at midnight before a flight, a round-the-clock chat or email is a great help.
Also read the refund policy. Valid reasons for a refund are due to a cancelled trip, incompatible or locked device, or service-related connection issues. This is dependent on the policy and the time limits, so check around for one that details them explicitly.
7. What do other travelers say?
Reviews will not give you all the answers but they serve as a good reality check. Check the overall rating, number of people who have used the service, and what they have to say about set up, coverage and support. Few people are impressed by a handful of glowing reviews on the provider’s website, but a host of reviews on an independent site is more important.
Where Holafly Fits In
Let’s see how Holafly scores on these questions. The company provides unlimited data plans in over 200 countries and 4G/LTE/5G speeds where the local network supports. The installation is done via the app and/or a QR code. Chat support is available 24/7 and each eSIM has Always On, a monthly 1 GB backup of data while the eSIM is installed.
If the journey is longer, Holafly also has monthly and annual plans, including an Unlimited plan (local number included) and Light plan (25 GB of data). It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars with over 114,000 reviews on Trustpilot. As with all plans, read the specifics of the plan you’re interested in since some plans may include features that aren’t necessarily hotspot sharing.
Safe start-up checklist for trips.
- Check if your smartphone is eSIM and unlocked.
- Select a plan suitable for your destination and the period of time.
- Set up & configure the eSIM at home, and store a copy of your QR code.
- Turn off the data roaming until you land, then turn it on for that line.
- Switch off data roaming on home SIM.
- Keep in mind that travel eSIMs are designed for other countries, not your home country.
Final Thoughts
The best eSIM is a subjective question that can depend on where you are traveling, for how long and how you are using your phone. The thing that helps is asking the right questions: compatibility, data limits, price, setup, support and reviews. If you’re truthful about those, the decision is rather simple. Try that a few days before you travel and you can relax while traveling rather than worrying about your phone signal.
