3 Best eSIMs for International Travel in 2024

Are you a frequent international traveler looking for the best way to stay connected abroad without breaking the bank? Look no further than eSIM technology.

eSIMs have revolutionized the way we access mobile data while traveling. No more hunting for physical SIM cards, choosing confusing local plans, or paying exorbitant roaming fees. With eSIM, you can simply install a digital SIM card on your compatible phone and purchase an affordable data plan through an app, all before you even leave for the airport.

But with dozens of eSIM apps now on the market, which ones are the best for your travel needs and budget in 2024? We’ve done the hard work for you, extensively testing and comparing 25 of the most popular international eSIM apps.

Whether you’re a casual traveler taking a couple trips per year, a data-hungry power user, or a perpetual globetrotter abroad for months at a time, we’ve identified the top apps for each use case.

Before diving into our recommendations, let’s cover a few eSIM basics to make sure you’re ready to take advantage of this game-changing travel tech.

What is an eSIM and how does it work?

An eSIM, short for “embedded subscriber identity module,” is a digital version of the traditional physical SIM card. Rather than inserting a tiny plastic chip into your phone, an eSIM is downloaded and installed through software.

The eSIM stores the same information as a physical SIM – it’s what identifies and authenticates your device on a cellular network. The key difference is that a single eSIM can host multiple “profiles” or digital SIM cards from different carriers and service providers. This makes it perfect for frequent travelers who need affordable data in many different countries.

Is my phone eSIM compatible?

For an eSIM app to work, you need a device that supports eSIM functionality and it must be carrier unlocked.

All iPhone models from the XS/XR and newer have eSIM support, as do cellular versions of the iPad Pro 11-inch (1st and 2nd gen), iPad Air (3rd and 4th gen), and iPad Mini (5th gen). Many newer Android phones from Google, Samsung, Huawei and others also work with eSIM.

To verify if your iPhone supports eSIM, go to Settings > General > About and look for a category labeled “Digital SIM” or “eSIM.” You can also check your carrier lock status under Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock.

If your phone doesn’t have eSIM or is carrier locked, stay tuned. Later in this guide we’ll share an affordable way you can still use eSIMs while traveling.

How much data do I need?

Determining how much data to purchase largely depends on the length of your trip and your expected usage.

If you mainly need data for basics like messaging, navigation, light web browsing and posting a few photos, 5-10GB will likely last you a couple weeks. Those who plan to stream video/music, game online, use hotspot or travel for longer will want to budget more data or look into “unlimited” plans.

Okay, I’m ready for eSIM – what are the best apps?

We tested eSIM plans from 25 different providers across several sample countries – Italy, Georgia, Chile, South Africa and Thailand. We evaluated each on criteria like:

• Supported countries
• Ease of use and setup
• Data allowances
• Speeds and performance
• Customer support
• Price and overall value

Here are our top picks for the best eSIM apps, broken down by three common traveler profiles:

Best eSIM app for typical travelers: Airalo

For the second year running, Airalo is our top pick for the average international traveler – someone taking a few trips per year lasting a couple weeks each.

Airalo offers eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regional plans covering multiple countries. 5GB plans cost a reasonable $10-15 in most destinations. Their regional bundles, while pricier, provide the flexibility to country-hop without juggling multiple eSIMs.

The well-designed Airalo app makes browsing plans and installing eSIMs a breeze. Direct eSIM installation is supported – just tap to install without scanning any QR codes. In-app support is responsive and helpful.

I used Airalo extensively across 20+ countries this past year and it worked flawlessly. The generous data packages at affordable prices make Airalo an easy top choice for most travelers.

Best eSIM app runner-up: SimyFiber

Singapore-based SimyFiber is a newer player giving Airalo serious competition. Its clean app, easy setup, and competitive pricing earn it a strong second place finish.

Like Airalo, SimyFiber offers eSIM data plans for 120+ countries starting at $10-15 per 5GB. While it doesn’t yet support as many destinations as Airalo, it covered all but one of the locations I searched.

I especially like that SimyFiber accepts Apple Pay for frictionless checkout. However, it lacks the convenient direct installation option – you still need to scan a QR code to set up your eSIM.

Both Airalo and SimyFiber plans include mobile hotspot, so you can share your data with other devices. Just be sure to disable your default home carrier to avoid roaming charges, and enable data roaming for the eSIM line for it to work abroad.

Best eSIM app for data-hungry travelers: OyaFly

Prefer binge-watching Netflix over sightDoing? Posting lots of Reels and TikToks? Need to set up a hotspot workspace? If you expect to blow through more than 10GB of data, skip the a-la-carte packages and opt for OyaFly instead.

OyaFly specializes in short-term unlimited data plans, currently offered in over 150 countries. A week of unlimited data runs about $25 on average, with 5-90 day packages available.

One downside: you can’t purchase plans directly through their barebones app, which can only track usage. You have to buy plans on the website, although Apple Pay speeds up checkout.

I recommend printing or saving the QR code you receive after purchase. Then you can easily scan it to activate your plan once you arrive at your destination and are connected to airport WiFi.

Keep in mind “unlimited” plans from OyaFly and other providers often have speed caps after a certain threshold. You’ll still have data, just slower after the first 10GB or so per day. OyaFly also doesn’t include hotspot on unlimited plans – a strange omission given their heavy data focus.

A nice perk is that OyaFly does include a local phone number and 2 hours of talk time with some unlimited plans. But I find most travelers rely on data messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage or Telegram these days anyways.

Best eSIM app for full-time digital nomads: Google Fi

Perpetual travelers working remotely and country hopping for months at a time will find the most value in Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan.

For $65/month for one line (less for groups), you get unlimited talk, text and data across 200+ countries. Calls are a reasonable 20 cents per minute. The plan also includes full-speed hotspot tethering.

Google Fi now supports eSIM activation on compatible iPhone and Android models. You can pause and resume service as needed online.

While more expensive than local eSIMs, Google Fi offers the ultimate flexibility and convenience for remote workers and digital nomads. The peace of mind of always-on connectivity justifies the price for those constantly on the go.

What if my phone is carrier-locked?

Many carriers require paying off your phone in full before they’ll unlock it for use with other SIMs – a cost that can run hundreds of dollars. Does that mean you’re locked out of eSIM data abroad?

Not necessarily, thanks to an affordable piece of hardware called the eSIM Lynk. No affiliation, it’s just a nifty gadget.

The eSIM Lynk is a battery-powered WiFi hotspot that’s eSIM compatible. Pair it with an affordable data eSIM from Airalo, OyaFly or other apps and connect your phone (and other devices) to it like any WiFi network.

I tested the eSIM Lynk recently and it worked as advertised, providing an easy and reasonably-priced way for those with carrier-locked devices to still access eSIM data overseas.

Wrapping up

eSIM is a must-have tool in any traveler’s connectivity toolkit. Being able to inexpensively access data as soon as your plane touches down provides tremendous peace of mind and convenience.

In our extensive testing, Airalo and SimyFiber offered the best eSIM experience for most casual travelers. OyaFly is the top pick for heavy data users, while Google Fi provides always-on eSIM connectivity for full-time nomads.

For those with carrier-locked devices, the eSIM Lynk WiFi hotspot is an affordable way to still tap into the eSIM ecosystem while abroad.

Whichever eSIM app and plan you choose, make sure to get set up ahead of time, do a test run, and create a checklist so you can quickly install and activate as soon as you land.

With the right eSIM app and a bit of preparation, you’ll be able to stay connected abroad reliably and affordably, letting you focus on the more important parts of travel. Bon voyage!