Planning an overseas trip is exciting, but dealing with cell phone service abroad can be a real headache. You want to stay connected without spending a fortune on international roaming or hunting down local SIM cards in every country.
That’s where eSIM technology comes in handy – it lets you digitally download a mobile plan to your phone.
Two players in the eSIM market are US Mobile and Airalo. Both offer data plans for globe-trotting, but how do they stack up in real-world use?
I put them to the test on a recent trip to Italy to see which one delivered the goods. Let’s dive into the details so you can figure out the best option for your next adventure.
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What Are eSIMs and Why Use One?
First, a quick primer on eSIMs (embedded SIMs). Unlike physical SIM cards that you swap in and out, an eSIM is built right into your phone.
As long as your device supports it, you can activate a data plan through the eSIM without needing to visit a store or wait for a physical SIM card delivery. It’s all done digitally through an app or website.
The beauty of eSIM is that you can have multiple “profiles” or data plans active at once. So you could use your regular carrier at home, then switch to an eSIM plan with a different provider while traveling. Your phone number stays the same since it’s tied to your primary plan.
Using an eSIM while abroad has some big advantages:
- No need to physically swap SIM cards when you change countries
- Keep your regular phone number active for texts/calls
- Affordable data plans with generous high-speed allowances
- Digital setup through an app
- Wider coverage by connecting to local partner networks
Sounds pretty slick, right? I thought so too, which is why I was excited to try the eSIM offerings from US Mobile and Airalo.
Putting US Mobile’s eSIM to the Test
I’ve been a happy US Mobile customer for a while now. For $25/line, our family of four gets unlimited talk, text, and data on Verizon’s network. Plus some nice perks like streaming service discounts. But the real standout was their international data.
The US Mobile website made it sound so simple – just scan a QR code when you arrive at your destination and bam, you’re online abroad. I was stoked to put this to the test on our trip to Italy.
Spoiler alert: things did not go smoothly.
When we landed in Venice, I dutifully scanned the QR code and waited for the plan to activate. And waited. And waited some more. 15 minutes later, still no dice. Thinking it might just need more time, we left the airport to catch our boat to the hotel.
Of course, Murphy’s Law struck and I needed data to contact the hotel about our arrival. With no service, we had to backtrack to the airport, hop on WiFi, and then trek to the docks again. Not the best way to kick off a vacation.
I figured 30+ minutes was plenty of time for the eSIM to sort itself out. But when we finally made it to the hotel, my phone had a big fat goose egg for service. My wife’s was in the same boat (not literally, though that would’ve been nice given how much walking we did).
Time to contact support. US Mobile had me restart the phone, update APN settings, and try a bunch of other troubleshooting steps. Nothing worked. Honestly, I think they were just grasping at straws. We decided to take a post-travel nap and see if the service gods would smile upon us.
Spoiler #2: they did not. Hours later, still no connectivity. At this point, I threw in the towel and started looking for a Plan B.
Airalo to the Rescue
Doing some Googling, I found Airalo, an eSIM marketplace with plans for tons of countries. Italy was on the list, so I downloaded the app and took a peek at the pricing:
- 1 GB for 7 days: $4.50
- 3 GB for 30 days: $9
- 5 GB for 30 days: $13
- 10 GB for 30 days: $22
Pretty reasonable, especially compared to the international day passes from major US carriers (looking at you, Verizon and AT&T). I opted for the 10 GB/30 day plan for maximum flexibility.
Purchasing and activation couldn’t have been easier. Once I paid through the app, the eSIM profile downloaded within seconds. A quick toggle in my iPhone’s settings and I was online. Speeds were great too – I consistently got 50+ Mbps down and 10+ Mbps up on LTE. More than enough for navigation, web browsing, and the occasional Instagram story.
Coverage was solid as well. Whether strolling the streets of Rome or hiking the hills of Cinque Terre, I rarely encountered dead zones. The only notable one was inside some of the thicker-walled historical buildings. But that’s to be expected and it came back as soon as I stepped outside.
I also appreciated that Airalo’s eSIM “just worked” in the background. Once activated, it operated smoothly without any further babysitting. No random downtime, no eating into my regular data plan, no accidental roaming charges. It was a seamless experience, which is exactly what you want from your phone service when traveling.
What About US Mobile?
I didn’t completely abandon US Mobile while abroad. A few days into the trip, I tried activating their eSIM again. Lo and behold, I had a signal! But the victory was short-lived – speeds topped out at a dismal 0.1 Mbps on 3G. Technically usable for basic messaging, but a far cry from the LTE speeds Airalo delivered.
Even worse, I kept getting a weird “PDP authentication failure” error when trying to load websites. It redirected me to some Polish telecom page that Google Translate couldn’t make heads or tails of. Not exactly confidence-inspiring.
My sneaking suspicion is that US Mobile doesn’t operate its own eSIM network overseas. Instead, it likely bulk purchases eSIM capacity from third-party operators and resells it. That would explain the technical hiccups and lack of direct support.
To be fair, I applaud US Mobile for trying to offer international data to its subscribers at no extra cost. It’s a great idea on paper. But until they work out the technical kinks, I wouldn’t rely on it as your only connection abroad.
The Verdict: Airalo Wins for International eSIM
After this trip, it’s clear that Airalo beats US Mobile hands-down for international eSIM service. The difference really comes down to three things:
- Reliability – Airalo worked flawlessly from activation to final Instagram post. US Mobile’s connectivity was sporadic at best and unusable at worst.
- Speed – With Airalo, I consistently clocked 50+ Mbps down over LTE. US Mobile? 0.1 Mbps on 3G. ‘Nuff said.
- Ease of use – Airalo’s in-app purchasing and automatic activation made it painless to get online overseas. Meanwhile, US Mobile’s QR code scavenger hunt was an exercise in frustration.
The only area where US Mobile comes out ahead is price, since the international data is included for free with select plans. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. I’d gladly shell out a few bucks for Airalo’s stellar performance. It’s still way cheaper than the other international roaming options out there.
Of course, your mileage may vary and I’m just one data point. But based on my experience across multiple regions of Italy, Airalo is the clear winner. It delivered the reliability, speed, and convenience factor I expect from a “SIM (pun intended) at home, SIM away” provider.
To be clear, I’m not ditching US Mobile anytime soon. The core service at home is still an excellent value. But for future trips abroad, you can bet your bottom euro that I’m packing an Airalo eSIM.
Tips for Using eSIM Abroad
Inspired to give eSIM a whirl on your next international jaunt? Learn from my experience with these tips:
- Make sure your phone supports eSIM. Most newer iPhones and flagship Androids do, but it’s worth double-checking your exact model.
- Set up your eSIM before you leave. The last thing you want is to be fiddling with APN settings while jetlagged in a foreign country.
- Start with a small data package and top up as needed. Plans are generally cheap enough that you can add more data if you miscalculate your usage.
- Keep your regular SIM active for texts and calls. Most eSIM plans only include data, so you’ll need your primary number for other functions.
- Download offline maps and entertainment before your flight. eSIM data isn’t always active right when you land (as I found out the hard way), so have some backups ready to go.
- Consider an international day pass from your carrier as a Plan C. If your eSIM craps out or you blow through your high-speed data, it’s good to have one last option to fall back on.
With a little planning, an eSIM can be your secret weapon to staying connected abroad. It’s not always foolproof (side eye to US Mobile) but providers like Airalo make it pretty darn painless.
So the next time you’re packing your bags and checking your passport, don’t forget to add “set up eSIM” to your pre-trip checklist. Because take it from me, when it works well, it’s a game-changer.
Happy travels and may the eSIM odds be ever in your favor!
