The eSIM is one of the most innovative features in the world of cellular phones. A brilliant use case of eSIMs is in international travel – you can keep one ready in your smartphone and connect to the internet the moment you land. Here are some of the best eSIM apps for international travel on your iPhone and Android devices!
If you’re someone who doesn’t use a new SIM card and continue to use an international roaming plan – you can consider an eSIM for your travel. You can still retain your primary sim on your phone and save all the additional charges. Before you proceed, ensure your smartphone supports the eSIM functionality – open Settings – > Mobile Network and check if you see an option to add an eSIM.
These apps let you install the eSIM through a QR code and will get activated the moment it can find a network signal in the supported region. Once you purchase a plan, installing an eSIM will not take more than five minutes.
1. Airalo: Best All-Round eSIM Card for International Travel
Airalo is one of the most popular applications that lets you install an eSIM on your smartphone. The app supports over 200 countries and regions, and you can either purchase a sim for an individual country or a sim for a set of countries at once.
Further, you can also buy a global eSIM that covers over 130 countries. Most eSIM plans on Airalo come with only internet (data) services, and do not support calls or SMS. However, you can purchase a global sim that supports the latter as well.
Pricing :
- Local eSIM: Starts at $4.50 for 1GB with 7 days validity.
- Regional eSIM: Starts at $5 for 1GB with 7 days validity.
- Global eSIM: Starts at $15 for 1GB of data, 10 minutes of calling, and 10 SMS for 7 days of validity.
2. Nomad eSIM: eSIM App With Built-In Text Messenger
Nomad is another well-designed app that provides an eSIM for your international travel. It supports over 165 countries, and you can either purchase an eSIM for a single country or one for a region that provides connectivity for multiple countries.
There’s also something called a ‘Global Plan’ for 139 countries. While most eSIM services only provide internet service, Nomad also has an SMS plan where you can send and receive text messages from a virtual phone number using the built-in messenger. This is a unique feature that makes Nomad stand out from other eSIM apps for iPhone and Android devices.
Pricing :
- Local eSIM: Starts at $6 for 1GB with 7 days of validity.
- Regional eSIM: Starts at $5 for 1GB with 7 days of validity.
- Global eSIM: Starts at $19 for 1GB with 7 days of validity.
- Nomad SMS Messenger Plan: Starts at $4 for 100 texts with 30 days of validity.
3. DENT: One eSIM for All Countries
DENT is an eSIM app for your iPhone and Android devices that offers services in more than 70 countries. DENT works differently than other eSIM apps – you can install the eSIM on your device, and you are provided access to all 74 countries the service supports. You can then purchase, and top up your data package on your eSIM. The eSIM is valid for 365 days.
Interestingly, you can also sell your remaining data package in the local app currency called DENT. Similarly, you can also store the DENT tokens, and buy data from data that is being sold within the app. You can also purchase voice minutes to make voice calls with the app using your DENT tokens.
Pricing :
- Data Plans start at $5 for 1GB with 30 days of validity.
- Voice plans start at 716 DENT tokens ($0.65) for 50 minutes of voice for 90 days validity.
4. Holafy: Enjoy Unlimited Data While You Travel
Holafy provides eSIM services for iPhone and Android in more than 160 countries. A key advantage of Holafy is that it has several plans that provide you with unlimited data. This can be helpful if you work remotely while you are traveling.
Holafy also has dedicated guides that help you understand the installation process without any confusion. This is helpful if you are new to the world of eSIMs. Like other eSIM apps, you can either purchase an eSIM plan for a single country, or multiple countries at once with a regional plan.
Pricing:
- Local eSIM: Data plans start at $19 for unlimited data with 5 days of validity.
- Regional eSIM: Data plans start at $27 for unlimited data with 5 days of validity.
5. ESIM Plus: Virtual Phone Number for Calls and Texts
ESIM Plus provides eSIM services for over 150 countries on your Android or iPhone. You can purchase a mobile data-only plan, or a virtual phone number for international calls, and messages. You can purchase a plan for a single country, a regional plan with multiple countries, or even a global one supporting 133 countries.
You can use virtual coins present in the app to purchase a voice and text message plan. With the Global plan on ESIM Plus, you can avail unlimited data services for all countries. The app is quite easy to use as well, and the dedicated support section helps you clarify all your queries by using an eSIM on your smartphone.
Pricing:
- Local eSIM: Data Plans start at $10 for 5GB with 30 days of validity.
- Regional eSIM: Data Plans start at $8 for 350MB with 7 days of validity.
- Global eSIM: Data Plans start at $20 for unlimited data with 30 days of validity.
- Virtual Number: Starts at 7 coins per month. (1 coin = $1)
Choose the Best eSIM for International Travel
We hope this list helps you discover some of the best international eSIM apps for international travel on your iPhone and Android devices. Go through the features of each of the apps, and pick one that fits your budget and fulfills all your needs!
While staying connected during international travel is crucial, keeping track of all the flights you’ve booked is important, check this out: Best flight tracking apps for iPhone and Android.
Last updated on 13 December, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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