Great read incoming...
Backpack ready?
Backpack ready?
Great read incoming...
Compare the top eSIM providers for digital nomads and travelers. Airalo vs Yesim: pricing, coverage, data speeds, and which one to pick for your next trip.
If you are still buying physical SIM cards at airport kiosks, you are wasting time and money. eSIMs have completely changed the game for international travelers and digital nomads. You can activate a data plan before you even land, skip the queue at the mobile shop, and switch between countries without swapping cards.
In this guide, we compare the two leading eSIM providers -- Airalo and Yesim -- and help you decide which one fits your travel style.
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM built into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical card, you scan a QR code or install a profile through an app. Most phones released after 2020 support eSIM, including all iPhone models from XS onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Google Pixel 3+, and many others.
Key benefits for travelers:
Airalo is the world's largest eSIM marketplace, covering 200+ countries and regions. It has become the default recommendation in most digital nomad communities.
What Airalo does well:
Pricing examples (as of February 2026):
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | |------|------|----------|-------| | Thailand | 3 GB | 30 days | $5.00 | | Thailand | 10 GB | 30 days | $12.00 | | Europe (39 countries) | 5 GB | 30 days | $16.00 | | Asia (17 countries) | 5 GB | 30 days | $14.00 | | Global | 5 GB | 30 days | $18.00 |
Drawbacks:
Yesim takes a different approach. While Airalo focuses on data-only plans, Yesim offers plans with a virtual phone number, allowing you to make and receive calls.
What Yesim does well:
Pricing examples (as of February 2026):
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | |------|------|----------|-------| | Thailand | 3 GB | 30 days | $5.50 | | Thailand | 10 GB | 30 days | $13.00 | | Europe (40+ countries) | 5 GB | 30 days | $15.00 | | Asia (15 countries) | 5 GB | 30 days | $15.00 | | Global | 5 GB | 30 days | $20.00 |
Drawbacks:
| Feature | Airalo | Yesim | |---------|--------|-------| | Countries covered | 200+ | 150+ | | Regional plans | Yes (excellent) | Yes (good) | | Global plans | Yes (130+ countries) | Yes (100+ countries) | | Voice calls | Rare (data-only focus) | Yes (virtual number) | | Built-in VPN | No | Yes | | App quality | Excellent | Good | | Pricing | Slightly cheaper | Competitive | | Top-up / extend | Easy in-app | Easy in-app | | Referral program | Yes ($3 credit) | Yes |
Choose Airalo if:
Choose Yesim if:
Install before you fly. Download the eSIM profile while on WiFi at home. You can activate it when you land.
Check compatibility first. Not all phones support eSIM. Carrier-locked phones may also have restrictions. Check your phone settings under Cellular/Mobile Data.
Keep your physical SIM. Use eSIM for data and your regular SIM for your home number. Most modern phones handle dual-SIM seamlessly.
Buy regional plans for multi-country trips. If you are hopping between Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, a single Asia regional plan is cheaper and more convenient than three separate country plans.
Top up before you run out. Both Airalo and Yesim let you add data in-app, but it is easier to do while you still have a connection.
Delete old eSIM profiles. After your trip, remove expired eSIM profiles from your phone to keep things tidy. You can always reinstall later.
Both Airalo and Yesim are excellent choices for international travelers. For most digital nomads who primarily need reliable data, Airalo is the safer bet thanks to wider coverage and a better app. If you specifically need voice calls or want an integrated VPN, Yesim fills that niche well.
Either way, switching to eSIM saves you the hassle of hunting for SIM card shops in every new country. It is one of those small upgrades that makes the nomad lifestyle significantly smoother.
Check your destination on NomadFast for eSIM recommendations specific to each country.
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