Top 10 eSIM Providers for Tourists

When it comes to travel eSIMs, the one that tops our list is BNESIM. Aside from the fact that they have been voted the best eSIM provider for five years now, we like that they offer useful features like mobile hotspot, one-click installation, military-grade VPN, and an optional phone number — all at an affordable price. Browse BNESIM’s single-country and regional plans here, and book with our coupon code TRAVLISTS to get a 30% discount.

In a nutshell

• What is an eSIM? Short for embedded SIM, an eSIM is a digital SIM card that functions like the traditional SIM card, except that you don’t have to insert it into your phone. For travelers, this means that you won’t have to purchase a physical SIM card at the airport — all you need to do is download an eSIM before your trip and turn it on upon arrival in your destination.
• Features of eSIMs. Depending on your selection, you can get an eSIM with unlimited data, phone number, VPN, mobile hotspot, and more. Plus, all the eSIM providers in this guide offer 24/7 customer support, which traditional SIM cards typically do not.
• Best eSIM providers for travelers. For unlimited data, we recommend getting an eSIM from this provider. They offer flexible uncapped data packs as well as a free VPN for iPhone users. If you’re someone who needs a phone number, you can get this eSIM from a reputable operator instead. (Book any with our promo code TRAVLISTS to get up to 15% off your purchase!)

eSIM Providers with Promo Codes

Best eSIM Providers for Travelers

But first, what is an eSIM? Also known as a digital SIM card, an eSIM or embedded SIM is a downloadable SIM card that can be used on iPhones, Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android smartphones. It is also compatible with select tablets, laptops, smart watches, and luxury vehicles. Travel eSIM providers also offer short-term and long-term data plans at price points that are typically cheaper than traditional SIM cards and rental pocket WiFi devices.

In popular tourist destinations like Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, Africa, & South America, eSIM usage is rapidly increasing. This means that wherever your next holiday or business trip takes you, you will find an appropriate eSIM provider for your needs. Below, let’s take a look at the best options for both leisure and business flyers:

1. BNESIM

Best overall

My personal favorite is BNESIM, an eSIM provider that has won five times at the World Travel Tech Awards. I like that their digital SIM card is easy to install — they have a one-click installation feature for iPhone and Android smartphone users. (This makes connecting to the internet simple, even for first-time users.) I also like that BNESIM’s eSIM gathers up to 5G signals from local carriers. This provides users with the same fast browsing experience that locals enjoy. In terms of price, BNESIM is one of the most affordable operators that you can find. If you are traveling to Australia, China, Turkey, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, and France, you can get an eSIM starting at an average price point of $2. (Get a 30% discount when you book with our coupon code TRAVLISTS.)

• FEATURES: Optional lifetime plans (non-expiring), one-click setup, mobile hotspot, optional military-grade VPN, optional phone number, referral program, cashback offers, & 24/7 customer service
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhones, iPads, Google Pixel, Google Tablets, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Galaxy Tabs, Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo, Sony, Motorola, Sharp, Vivo, Honor, & Nothing Phone

2. Yesim

Unlimited data eSIM provider

A Swiss-based company, Yesim is another major eSIM provider that our team at Travlists loves. They are our go-to option if we need unlimited data for work while we’re on a trip. We like how they have uncapped data packs for a day and up to a month, ensuring that we enjoy nonstop connectivity. But the best part is that all of Yesim’s eSIM comes with a free VPN for iPhones (great for enhanced web privacy and changing your virtual location) and an optional phone number to use services and apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and more.

• FEATURES: Free VPN for iOS, mobile hotspot, SwitchLess Network function, optional virtual phone number, refer-a-friend program, & 24/7 customer service
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhones, iPads, Google Pixel, Huawei, Motorola, OnePlus, Samsung Galaxy, Sony, Xiaomi, Doogee, Fairphone, Gemini, Sharp, Rakuten, myPhone, Hammer, Honor, Microsoft Surface, Oppo, Nuu, Nokia, Nothing Phone, RealMe, Asus, & Vivo

3. Airalo

Popular

Airalo is the world’s first eSIM marketplace, with more than 20 million users as of May 2025. They are known for their straightforward eSIM data plans, which start at only $4.5. They also offer data for 7-30 days as well as mobile hotspot capability. But what we like most about Airalo is their tiered cashback offers. They reward their loyal users handsomely with more than 10% cashback, which other eSIM providers do not offer.

• FEATURES: Mobile hotspot, calls and texts in select countries, cashback offers, & referral program
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhones, iPads, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Hammer, Honor, Huawei, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Oppo, Rakuten, Sharp, Sony, TCL, T Mobile, Vivo, Xiaomi, Fairphone, Gemini, Nothing Phone, Nuu, RealMe, Asus, & ZTE. Airalo also supports select Windows laptops from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, & Surface.

4. Ubigi

Reusable eSIM

Ubigi, pronounced as you-bee-gee, delights with eSIMs that are reusable. For travelers, this means that after you install Ubigi, you will not have to do so again on the same phone. On your future trips, just purchase a data pack for any destination of your choice and activate the digital SIM card upon arrival. Furthermore, Ubigi has an offline top-up feature. In case you lose data in the middle of the trip (or in the middle of nowhere), you can always buy a data pack with no internet connection required. (Traveling to Japan? We recommend using Ubigi, a subsidiary of a local Japanese network!)

• FEATURES: Mobile hotspot, offline top-up, & reusable eSIM
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhones, iPads, Crosscall, Doogee, Fairphone, Gemini, Google, Hammer, Honor, Huawei, Motorola, Nokia, Nuu, OnePlus, Oppo, Rakuten, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Surface, Xiaomi, Sharp, Vivo, Asus, TCL, Mobile, and MyPhone. Ubigi is also compatible with select Windows laptops from Asus, Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Samsung, and Surface.

5. aloSIM

Tourists who need to call or text their family, friends, or colleagues back home can use aloSIM. Their eSIM comes with a free international phone number (from their sister company, Hushed) and credits for voice and SMS. In terms of data, aloSIM also provides up to 5G connectivity in various destinations, making them a solid choice for those who need internet, calls, and texts while traveling.

• FEATURES: Free international phone number, voice and SMS credits, mobile hotspot, & cashback (in the form of aloCASH)
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhones, iPads, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Note, Google Pixel, Motorola, Huawei, Oppo, Nuu, Gemini, Rakuten, Hammer, Nokia, Xiaomi, OnePlus, T-Mobile, TCL, Oukitel, Doogee, Honor, Fairphone, Sharp, Sony, Vivo, Acer, Dell, Asus, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft.

6. Nomad

Reliable customer service

While widely used nowadays, embedded SIMs are still a fairly new concept to many. If you think you will need some help installing an eSIM on your phone, you can count on Nomad’s excellent customer service team to give you friendly assistance. This level of support will also be helpful in the rare case you need help troubleshooting your eSIM.

• FEATURES: 24/7 customer service via chat and email, & mobile hotspot
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Huawei, Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, Sony, Nokia, Rakuten, Nuu, Sharp, Surface, Doogee, Fairphone, Gemini, Hammer, Honor, and OnePlus.

7. World eSIM

Recommended for first-time users

Another favorite of Travlists, World eSIM is an eSIM provider from the company behind Japan’s No. 1 pocket WiFi rental service. If you’ve traveled to Japan, used Ninja WiFi (booked more than a million times), and liked your experience, you will also love World eSIM. Their virtual SIM cards are among the simplest to use, which is great for those who have not used an eSIM before. World eSIM also offers free trial data packs and daily data plans, which you will find perfect if you are a light to moderate internet user.

• FEATURES: Mobile hotpot, easy one-click installation, & 10% discount coupon reward for every successful referral
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iOS and Android smartphones

8. Saily

With great security features

Saily, an eSIM provider from NordVPN, delights travelers with virtual SIM cards that offer security features unlike other options. These include Web Security Protection and VPN-like functions, which allow users to change location and block ads. If you are traveling to countries with restricted internet access, like China, getting an eSIM from Saily would be your best choice.

• FEATURES: 24/7 live chat support, in-app data calculator, security features, & data saver
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Huawei, Xiaomi, Motorola, Sony, Oppo, Nokia, Rakuten, Nuu, Sharp, Surface, Honor, OnePlus, Hammer, Vivo, T-Mobile, TCL, T-Mobile, Gemini, & others

9. Roamless

With in-app calls to 200+ destinations

Another provider of eSIMs with calls is Roamless. While they don’t offer digital SIM cards with a phone number, Roamless users get to make calls to 200+ destinations starting at only $0.01 per minute. This eSIM operator also offers free trial eSIMs as well as mobile hotspot for an unlimited number of devices — perfect if you need to connect multiple devices at the same time.

• FEATURES: In-app calls to 200+ destinations, mobile hotspot, & free trial
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Huawei, Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, Sony, Nokia, Rakuten, Nuu, Sharp, Surface, & Honor

10. Airhub

Airhub App, or simply Airhub, offers branded eSIMs, but they also have eSIM data plans from carriers like Vodafone and other carriers. This is great if you are looking to purchase an eSIM offered by local carriers.

• FEATURES: 24/7 customer support, local phone number with calls and texts (select destinations), & unlimited data plans (select destinations)
• COMPATIBLE DEVICES: iPhone & Android smartphones