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Knowledge is power...
🏝️
Finding paradise...
Finding paradise...
Knowledge is power...
The definitive eSIM comparison for digital nomads. Airalo vs Holafly vs Nomad vs Yesim vs GigSky: real pricing, speed tests, throttling truth, and the exact setup for staying connected in 200+ countries.
Harris
Founder of NomadFast
If you are still buying physical SIM cards at airport kiosks, you are burning money and wasting the first hours of every trip. The average international traveler spends $200-400 per year on roaming charges and overpriced airport SIMs. An eSIM cuts that to $50-120 while giving you connectivity before wheels touch the runway.
This is not a quick overview. We tested and compared every major eSIM provider across six continents, tracked real-world speeds in popular nomad cities, and built the pricing tables you actually need. Whether you are a weekend traveler or a full-time digital nomad, this guide covers everything.
Before we dive deep, here is how the top providers stack up at a glance:
| Provider | Countries | Plan Type | Starting Price | Voice Calls | Unique Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 200+ | Data packs | $4.50/1GB | No | Largest marketplace, 300+ operators | Most travelers |
| Holafly | 200+ | Unlimited daily | $19/5 days | No | Unlimited data plans | Heavy data users |
| Nomad | 200+ | Data packs | $1.10/GB | No | Free 1GB trial, bundle discounts | Budget travelers |
| Yesim | 200+ | Data + daily | $0.48/500MB | Virtual number ($3.60/mo) | Virtual phone number | Business travelers |
| GigSky | 200+ | Data packs + unlimited | $2.55/GB | No | Free 100MB trial, airline partnerships | Occasional travelers |
| Ubigi | 200+ | Data packs | $2.33/GB | No | One profile for all destinations | Long-term nomads |
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a programmable SIM chip built directly into your phone. Instead of popping out a tray and inserting a plastic card, you download a carrier profile -- usually by scanning a QR code or tapping a link in an app.
How it works technically:
The dual-SIM advantage:
Most modern phones support dual-SIM, meaning you can run your home physical SIM (for calls and texts) alongside an eSIM (for cheap local data) at the same time. This is the setup most digital nomads use:
Your phone routes data through the eSIM and calls/texts through your physical SIM automatically. No manual switching required.
Airalo dominates the eSIM market for good reason. With 200+ countries, 300+ operator partnerships, and the most polished app in the category, it is the provider most digital nomad communities recommend first.
Why Airalo leads:
Airalo pricing examples (February 2026):
| Destination | 1 GB | 3 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | 20 GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $4.50 | $11.00 | $14.00 | $19.00 | $32.00 |
| Japan | $4.50 | $11.00 | $14.00 | $19.50 | $34.00 |
| Indonesia | $5.00 | $11.00 | $15.00 | $21.00 | $35.00 |
| Portugal | $4.50 | $11.00 | $14.50 | $20.00 | $33.00 |
| Colombia | $5.00 | $12.00 | $16.00 | $22.00 | $36.00 |
| Europe (39 countries) | $4.50 | $13.00 | $16.00 | $26.00 | $42.00 |
| Asia (17 countries) | $5.00 | $14.00 | $18.00 | $28.00 | $44.00 |
| Global (130+ countries) | $9.00 | $18.00 | $27.00 | $45.00 | $69.00 |
All plans are 30-day validity unless noted.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: The majority of travelers and digital nomads who primarily need reliable mobile data. If you are unsure which provider to pick, start here.
Get Airalo and save on your first plan
Holafly carved out a niche by offering what no other major provider does: unlimited data plans for 200+ destinations. If your biggest fear is running out of data mid-Zoom call, Holafly removes that anxiety.
Why Holafly stands out:
Holafly pricing examples (February 2026):
| Duration | Single Country | Europe (32 countries) | Global |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | $19.00 | $27.00 | $37.00 |
| 10 days | $34.00 | $42.00 | $57.00 |
| 15 days | $44.00 | $54.00 | $69.00 |
| 30 days | $54.00 | $74.90 | $99.00 |
| 60 days | $74.00 | -- | -- |
| 90 days | $99.00 | -- | -- |
The throttling reality:
Holafly markets "unlimited data" aggressively, but independent testing reveals a more nuanced picture:
Pro tip: If you consistently use under 2 GB per day, Holafly is genuinely unlimited for you. If you use more, expect slower speeds in the afternoon and evening.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: Travelers who want peace of mind and use 1-2 GB per day. Remote workers on video calls all day will hit throttling limits.
Nomad (getnomad.app) has quietly become a favorite among budget-conscious nomads by offering some of the lowest per-GB pricing in the market, starting at $1.10 per gigabyte on larger plans.
Why Nomad is worth considering:
Nomad pricing examples (February 2026):
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 1 GB | 7 days | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Thailand | 5 GB | 30 days | $14.00 | $2.80 |
| Thailand | 10 GB | 30 days | $20.00 | $2.00 |
| Japan | 3 GB | 30 days | $11.00 | $3.67 |
| Japan | 10 GB | 30 days | $22.00 | $2.20 |
| Europe (35 countries) | 5 GB | 30 days | $15.00 | $3.00 |
| Europe (35 countries) | 20 GB | 30 days | $41.00 | $2.05 |
| Global | 10 GB | 30 days | $32.00 | $3.20 |
| Global | 30 GB | 365 days | $105.00 | $3.50 |
The bundle deal: Buy a 100 GB bundle for around $110 and divide it into plans as needed -- that is $1.10/GB, the best rate in the industry. Use promo code MAC26 for an additional 26% off (valid through March 2026).
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: Budget travelers, long-term nomads who can plan data usage, and anyone who wants to test before buying.
Yesim is a Swiss-based provider that differentiates itself with virtual phone numbers -- something most eSIM providers do not offer.
Why Yesim fills a gap:
Yesim pricing examples (February 2026):
| Destination | 500 MB/3 days | 3 GB/30 days | 5 GB/30 days | Unlimited daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $0.48 | $5.50 | $12.00 | $7.49/day |
| Japan | $0.99 | $7.00 | $14.00 | $8.49/day |
| Europe (40+ countries) | $0.99 | $7.00 | $15.00 | $7.99/day |
| Asia (15 countries) | $0.99 | $8.00 | $15.00 | $8.49/day |
| Global | $1.49 | $10.00 | $20.00 | $9.99/day |
Important note on the virtual number: The virtual number supports incoming SMS only -- it is designed for receiving OTP codes and service verifications, not for making outbound calls. For voice calls, you will need to use VoIP apps like WhatsApp or Telegram over your data connection.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: Business travelers who need a second number for SMS verification, and travelers who want a built-in VPN.
GigSky has been in the eSIM space longer than most competitors, with partnerships with airlines and device manufacturers. Their standout feature is a free 100 MB global plan -- no credit card required.
GigSky pricing highlights:
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 100 MB | 7 days | $0.00 |
| USA | 5 GB | 30 days | $18.00 |
| Europe | 5 GB | 30 days | $19.00 |
| Global (GigSky One) | Monthly sub | 30 days | $33.99/mo |
| Large data | 50 GB | 90 days | $86.99 |
| Max data | 100 GB | 180 days | $130.49 |
GigSky One subscription covers 120+ countries at $33.99/month with a 50% discount on the first month -- good for nomads who want a single subscription instead of buying plans per trip.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: First-time eSIM users who want to try for free, and frequent flyers who prefer a monthly subscription.
Ubigi takes a different technical approach: instead of installing a new eSIM for each country, you install one Ubigi profile and activate different data plans on it as you travel. No reinstallation needed when crossing borders.
Ubigi pricing highlights:
| Destination | 3 GB | 10 GB | 50 GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | $7.00 ($2.33/GB) | $19.00 ($1.90/GB) | $44.00 ($0.88/GB) |
| USA | $9.00 | $22.00 | $49.00 |
| Japan | $8.00 | $21.00 | $46.00 |
| Global | $12.00 | $35.00 | $89.00 |
Plans valid up to 365 days on larger tiers.
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: Long-term digital nomads who change countries frequently and want to avoid reinstalling eSIMs every border crossing.
| Country | Airalo 5GB | Holafly 15 days | Nomad 5GB | Yesim 5GB | GigSky 5GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $14.00 | $44.00 | $14.00 | $12.00 | $18.00 |
| Japan | $14.00 | $44.00 | $15.00 | $14.00 | $19.00 |
| Indonesia | $15.00 | $44.00 | $15.00 | $13.00 | $19.00 |
| Vietnam | $14.00 | $44.00 | $14.00 | $13.00 | $18.00 |
| Malaysia | $14.00 | $44.00 | $14.00 | $13.00 | $18.00 |
| South Korea | $14.50 | $44.00 | $16.00 | $14.00 | $19.00 |
| Asia Regional | $18.00 | $54.00 | $17.00 | $15.00 | $20.00 |
Pro tip: If you are visiting 2+ Asian countries in a month, the regional plan is almost always cheaper than buying separate country plans. Airalo's Asialink covers 17 countries; Nomad's APAC covers 21.
| Plan | Airalo | Holafly 30 days | Nomad | Yesim | GigSky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 GB | $16.00 | -- | $15.00 | $15.00 | $19.00 |
| 10 GB | $26.00 | -- | $28.00 | $24.00 | $32.00 |
| 20 GB | $42.00 | -- | $41.00 | $38.00 | $52.00 |
| Unlimited | -- | $74.90 | -- | $7.99/day | -- |
Key insight: For Europe, Holafly's unlimited 30-day plan at $74.90 only makes sense if you use more than 3 GB per day consistently. For most travelers using 1-2 GB daily, Airalo or Nomad's 10-20 GB plans are significantly cheaper.
| Country | Airalo 5GB | Nomad 5GB | Yesim 5GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | $15.00 | $16.00 | $16.00 |
| Mexico | $14.00 | $14.00 | $13.00 |
| Colombia | $16.00 | $15.00 | $14.00 |
| Brazil | $16.00 | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| Argentina | $15.00 | $15.00 | $14.00 |
| Provider | 5 GB/30 days | 10 GB/30 days | 20 GB/30 days | Monthly Sub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | $27.00 | $45.00 | $69.00 | -- |
| Nomad | $25.00 | $32.00 | $55.00 | -- |
| GigSky | $28.00 | $45.00 | -- | $33.99/mo |
| Yesim | $20.00 | $35.00 | $58.00 | -- |
| Ubigi | $25.00 | $35.00 | $60.00 | Available |
Bottom line on global plans: They cost 40-60% more than regional plans. Only use a global plan if you are visiting 3+ regions in a single trip. Otherwise, buy regional plans for each leg.
eSIM speeds depend on the local carrier partner, not the eSIM provider itself. Here is what to expect in popular nomad destinations:
| City | Typical 4G Speed | 5G Available | Network Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 30-50 Mbps | Yes (AIS, True) | Excellent |
| Chiang Mai | 20-40 Mbps | Limited | Good |
| Bali (Canggu) | 15-30 Mbps | No | Moderate |
| Tokyo | 40-80 Mbps | Yes | Excellent |
| Lisbon | 20-60 Mbps | Yes (MEO, NOS) | Excellent |
| Medellin | 15-30 Mbps | Limited | Good |
| Mexico City | 20-40 Mbps | Limited | Good |
| Budapest | 25-50 Mbps | Yes | Very Good |
| Tbilisi | 10-25 Mbps | No | Moderate |
| Cape Town | 15-35 Mbps | Limited | Good |
What speeds do you actually need?
Most eSIM plans deliver 10-50 Mbps on 4G, which comfortably handles everything except 4K streaming. For video calls, you want at least 10 Mbps -- achievable in most urban areas across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Some eSIM plans now include 5G access in supported cities. Key points:
Our take: Unless you specifically need ultra-fast speeds for large file transfers, 4G/LTE is more than sufficient for travel. Do not pay extra for 5G plans.
Providers that offer "unlimited" data use Fair Usage Policies (FUP) to manage network load:
| Provider | Throttle Threshold | Post-Throttle Speed | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly | ~2-3 GB/day | 1-5 Mbps | Usable for basics |
| GigSky (unlimited) | ~10 GB total | 0.5-2 Mbps | Severely limited |
| Yesim (daily unlimited) | ~3 GB/day | 2-5 Mbps | Usable for basics |
Pro tip: Providers with fixed data caps (Airalo, Nomad, Ubigi) do not throttle -- you get full speed until your data runs out, then connectivity stops entirely. This is actually preferable for most users because you know exactly what you are getting.
eSIM is supported on:
Important: US-purchased iPhone 14 and later models have no physical SIM tray -- they are eSIM-only. International models retain the physical SIM slot.
eSIM is supported on:
Warning: Some Samsung phones sold by carriers may have eSIM locked. Check with your carrier if eSIM does not appear in settings.
eSIM is supported on:
iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About. Look for "Available SIM" or "Digital SIM" -- if you see it, eSIM is supported.
Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs. If you see "Add eSIM" or "Download SIM," you are good.
Universal test: Dial *#06# on your phone. If you see an EID (eSIM Identifier) number, your device supports eSIM.
Pro tip: Even if your phone supports eSIM, carrier-locked phones may block third-party eSIM activation. Contact your carrier to confirm your phone is unlocked before purchasing an eSIM plan.
The ideal nomad phone setup:
Configure in phone settings:
This way, you receive calls and SMS on your home number while all internet traffic goes through the cheaper eSIM.
WiFi calling lets you make and receive calls on your home number using your eSIM data connection, even if your physical SIM has no signal in the country you are visiting.
To enable:
Pro tip: Enable WiFi calling before you leave home and test it. Some carriers require you to activate WiFi calling while connected to your home network for the first time.
Carrier support varies. Most major US carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) support WiFi calling internationally. European and Asian carriers are less consistent -- check with your provider.
The biggest headache for nomads: your bank sends an SMS verification code, but your physical SIM has no reception in Thailand.
Solutions ranked by reliability:
Pro tip: Before every trip, log into all critical accounts (banks, email, crypto) and ensure you can access them without SMS verification. Switch to authenticator apps wherever possible.
If you run a location-independent business, you can register a WhatsApp Business account with a virtual number:
This keeps your personal WhatsApp on your home number and gives clients a dedicated business line.
eSIM is not always the best option. Consider a local SIM when:
Best combo for long stays: Buy a cheap local SIM for data ($5-10/month unlimited in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) and keep your home SIM active in the eSIM slot for calls/texts. Yes, you can reverse the typical setup.
Reality: Every "unlimited" eSIM provider applies a Fair Usage Policy. Expect throttling after 2-5 GB of daily usage with Holafly, and after 10 GB total with GigSky unlimited plans. Post-throttle speeds of 1-5 Mbps are enough for WhatsApp and email but painful for video calls.
Reality: eSIM and physical SIM connect to the exact same cell towers using the same radio frequencies. There is zero speed difference between the two technologies. Speed depends on the carrier and plan, not the SIM type.
Reality: Your home phone number stays active on your physical SIM. The eSIM is an additional line running simultaneously. You do not lose, replace, or modify your existing number.
Reality: For short trips (1-2 weeks), eSIM plans are comparable or cheaper when you factor in the time cost of finding a SIM shop, waiting in line, and dealing with language barriers. For stays over a month, local SIMs in Southeast Asia and Latin America are genuinely cheaper (often $5-15 for 30-100 GB).
Reality: Modern phones can store 8-10+ eSIM profiles simultaneously. You can only have one or two active at a time, but you can switch between stored profiles instantly without rescanning QR codes. This means you can keep your Thailand, Japan, and Europe profiles all saved and ready to go.
Reality: You need internet (WiFi) to download the eSIM profile initially. Once installed, the eSIM connects to cellular networks like any physical SIM -- no WiFi required. Install your eSIM before your trip, and it will connect automatically when you arrive.
Reality: eSIM uses the same power as a physical SIM. However, running dual-SIM mode (physical + eSIM active simultaneously) does use approximately 5-10% more battery than running a single SIM, because your phone maintains two network connections.
Follow this step-by-step process before every international trip:
7 Days Before Departure:
3 Days Before Departure:
At the Airport / On the Plane:
After Arrival:
Pro tip: Take a screenshot of your eSIM QR code and save it in cloud storage. If you switch phones or need to reinstall, you will have the code accessible. Some providers also email you the QR code -- do not delete that email.
Still not sure? Match your travel profile:
Pick: Airalo or Nomad
Pick: Airalo regional plan
Pick: Local SIM + Airalo backup
Pick: Ubigi or Nomad bundle
Pick: Holafly unlimited + WiFi backup
Pick: Yesim + Airalo
Can I use eSIM on a carrier-locked phone? Usually no. Most carrier-locked phones restrict eSIM to the locking carrier only. Contact your carrier to request an unlock before purchasing a third-party eSIM.
What happens if I run out of data? With data-cap providers (Airalo, Nomad), your data connection stops. You can top up in the app using WiFi. With unlimited providers (Holafly), you never "run out" but may experience throttled speeds.
Can I share my eSIM data via hotspot? It depends on the provider and plan. Airalo, Nomad, and Ubigi generally allow tethering. Holafly restricts hotspot on many plans. Check the plan details before purchasing.
Can I transfer my eSIM to a new phone? Most eSIM profiles can be transferred during phone setup (iPhone to iPhone via Quick Start, for example). Some providers require you to contact support for a re-issue. Always save your QR code as backup.
Do I need to remove eSIM profiles after each trip? No, but it is good practice. Your phone can store 8-10+ profiles, but unused active profiles can cause battery drain. Delete profiles you won't reuse; keep ones for destinations you visit regularly.
For most travelers, Airalo is the safest choice -- widest coverage, transparent pricing, and the best app experience. Start there.
For budget nomads on long trips, Nomad offers unbeatable per-GB pricing with their bundle system.
For unlimited data peace of mind, Holafly works well if you accept the 2-3 GB daily throttle threshold.
For business travelers who need a virtual number, Yesim fills a gap no one else covers.
For country hoppers who hate reinstalling eSIMs, Ubigi's single-profile system saves real hassle.
The days of hunting for SIM card shops in foreign airports are over. Pick a provider, install before you fly, and land connected. It is one of those small upgrades that makes the entire nomad lifestyle smoother.
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