The SIM card (it stands for Subscriber Identity Module, by the way) has been with us since the early days of the cell phone revolution but it hasn’t changed a whole lot in that time (apart from getting smaller). Down the years, the ritual of moving SIM cards from old phones to new phones has been a traditional part of the upgrade experience.
Now though, we’re starting to see a serious shift in the tech, with the popularization of eSIM technology. These eSIMs (electronic SIMs) don’t use physical cards, but instead are loaded on your phone like an app or a file would be. If you want to learn more about eSIMs and are wondering “what eSIM should I buy?”, you’re in the right place. According to Juniper Research, there were already 1.2 billion devices using eSIMs in 2025, with a 30% growth expected in 2026, which makes this a good time to make the switch.
Best eSIM providers for international travel:
How We Chose These eSIM Providers
With dozens of providers competing for travelers’ attention in 2026, we focused on those that hold up well across the criteria that matter most in real-world use. Our selection process looked at five factors: global coverage (minimum 150 destinations), pricing transparency and value per GB, ease of setup and app quality, data plan flexibility (plan length, top-up options, hotspot support), and built-in security or privacy features. We also checked compatibility with both iOS and Android devices, and dropped any provider with a pattern of unresolved customer complaints. The six providers below are the ones that came out on top for international travelers in 2026.
What’s an eSIM?
Before we get into any comparison eSIM talk, it’s worth knowing what an eSIM actually is. Like a physical SIM, it identifies your cell phone on a network. It tells the network who you are, so the calls and messages from your friends and family reach the right destination. The key difference is that there’s no card to pop in or out of your phone.
You can think of an eSIM like a profile page for a social media account. It’s stored on your phone, together with your number and some key details, and that information is then relayed to your chosen network. For this to work, you need a phone with eSIM support, but that’s now standard on most modern devices. One question travelers often ask is “eSIM vs physical SIM, which is better?” For international travel, the answer is almost always eSIM: no waiting for delivery, no swapping cards, and you’re online as soon as you land.
One of the key benefits is the quick and easy setup process. There’s no need to open up your phone to fit a physical SIM, or to wait for a new one to arrive in the post. Changing your number or contract is as simple as downloading or updating an app. You can even run two eSIMs on the same phone and switch between them whenever you need to.
Typically, eSIMs give you more control over how much you pay than traditional SIMs, and let you jump between countries and network providers more easily. They’re the modern way of managing your phone’s identity, and they give you a lot more flexibility in how you get connected.
Comparative Overview of Top eSIM Providers in 2026
If you’re asking “what eSIM should I buy?” in 2026, the good news is there are many different providers and plans out there. No matter your budget or travel habits, you should be able to find something that fits, whether you need a cheap eSIM for a weekend trip, a data roaming solution for a business journey, or an affordable eSIM to cover the whole summer.
1) Ubigi – Our Top Pick
Load up the Ubigi site and you’ll find it has extensive eSIM coverage for personal users, business users, and even connected cars. With a range of flexible data plans and solid 5G support, it’s not hard to find a plan that suits you, and once you’ve signed up you get easy app management and dedicated customer support. Ubigi is by far one of the best eSIM providers for Europe and has one of the best coverage options in the U.S.
One of the reasons to go with Ubigi is the selection of recurring monthly subscriptions it offers if you want to save money by committing for longer. It’s also one of the better options for hotspot connections from eSIMs, which are often restricted in some way by competing services.
2) Saily
The friendly Saily tries to make eSIMs as simple as possible, starting with an intuitive app on your phone. The provider has global coverage, a good range of affordable and flexible plans, and built-in security features like virtual locations and ad blocking. There’s an emphasis on sustainability too, with everything handled virtually, and it’s a solid contender for the best eSIM provider overall.
One of the key benefits is that you can use the same eSIM for any destination, which is ideal when jumping between countries. You don’t need to register a new eSIM each time you cross a border. Users report not always getting the very top speeds with Saily, though they’re by no means slow. It’s also worth keeping in mind that calls and texts aren’t supported with Saily eSIMs, only data.
Saily has been developed by Nord Security (the company behind NordVPN) and has quickly become one of the best eSIM providers in the world. In 2026, Saily is widely rated as the best eSIM for security-conscious travelers, as Nord Security has a well-established reputation for online privacy, which matters a lot when connecting to foreign networks. Saily puts that expertise to work in a reliable and easy-to-use eSIM service for international travelers.
With coverage in over 200 destinations (countries and regional plans), Saily keeps you connected in popular spots like the US, Europe, Asia, Turkey, Thailand, and beyond. It supports 5G where available as well as 4G/LTE. Saily has a variety of data plans to suit different travel needs, including short-term plans from 7 to 30 days, plus regional and global plans for extended travel across multiple countries.
The regional plans cover areas like Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East, while global plans cover over 100 countries. Pricing is competitive: 1GB of data in Europe costs just $4.99. Saily has 24/7 customer support so you can get help whenever you need it, and a refund guarantee if you run into issues installing your eSIM, which is another reason it ranks among the best eSIM providers in 2026.
While Saily is strong in most areas, it only has data-only plans with no traditional calls or SMS (and no local phone number). That said, the same is true of the other eSIM providers on this list. Before you buy, take a look at our exclusive Saily coupon code for 15% off all eSIM plans.
3) Airalo
International travel is the particular focus of Airalo (though you can of course use these eSIMs at home too) and you’ll find a broad selection of destinations here, along with competitive pricing and easy activation once you’ve picked the right plan. It’s a provider with a strong brand reputation, and eSIM sharing is included as well.
What helps Airalo stand out is the loyalty bonuses that often come up if you stick with it over time, though these vary by location. It tends to cost a bit more than some competitors, but you get reliable service and solid performance in return.
4) Holafly
With wide coverage and a focus on unlimited data plans, Holafly is a strong pick for your eSIM provider (and one of the best eSIM services for the U.S.). The pricing is simple to work out: just pick the number of days you need, and 24/7 customer support is available if anything goes wrong.
When it comes to the mobile app, Holafly has one of the best in the business. There are some restrictions on what you can do with your eSIM, though: you can’t share data with other devices, for example, and there’s no calling or texting, so keep that in mind when deciding “what eSIM should I buy?”.
5) Jetpac
Jetpac is a Singapore-based eSIM provider with data plans in over 200 destinations, fast 4G/5G connectivity, and prices starting as low as $1 for 1GB for new users, which puts it among the most budget-friendly options here. Plans are mainly data-only, though Jetpac has recently added a voice beta for iOS users, with outgoing calls to 50+ countries from $1.99.
The feature that really sets Jetpac apart is its SmartDelay program. If your flight is delayed by 60 minutes or more, you and up to five travel companions get free airport lounge access. No other eSIM provider on this list has anything like it. Jetpac also keeps WhatsApp, Uber, Google Maps, and Grab running even after your data runs out, which is handy when you’re finding your way around somewhere new. There’s no affiliate deal in place for Jetpac, but their plans are easy to find on their website.
6) AloSIM
AloSIM is a Canadian eSIM provider founded in 2022, with prepaid data plans across 200+ destinations. Its main selling point is that many plans include a free international phone number via Hushed, which is unusual for a data-only provider and useful for booking confirmations, two-factor authentication, or staying reachable without giving out your main number.
Prices are reasonable, with local plans from around $4.50 for 1GB, and regional plans covering Europe (35 countries), Asia, and the Americas. The app is clean and easy to use, with QR code or manual activation. One thing to note: AloSIM has no global plans, so if you’re visiting several different regions you’ll need to buy separate plans for each. There’s no affiliate deal in place for AloSIM, but plans are on their website.
Device Compatibility and How to Check
Most phones sold today have eSIM support built in, but it’s still worth checking that yours is compatible before spending any money with one of these providers.
If you’re using an iPhone, open iOS Settings and tap Cellular. If you can see an Add eSIM option, you’re good to go. Any iPhone from the XS, XS Max, and XR onwards (2018 and later) is eSIM-compatible, as long as it wasn’t made for sale in mainland China.
With Android, the steps vary by phone. On Pixels, go to Settings, tap Network and Internet, then SIMs, then Add SIM. If you see a Set up an eSIM option, you’re all set. On Galaxy phones, go to Settings, tap Connections, then SIM manager, and look for Add eSIM.
You can also check with your phone manufacturer, your carrier, or an eSIM seller. Any of them should be able to tell you whether your device is compatible, and a quick online search for your exact model will usually answer the question too.
Activating and Setting Up Your eSIM
Once you’ve chosen a provider, there are a few ways to get your eSIM set up. The most common is a QR code sent by email: scan it and follow the on-screen steps to install the eSIM profile.
Alternatively, you can use an activation code. Follow the steps above for your device and you’ll be prompted to enter a code, sometimes alongside a confirmation code, both of which your provider will send you.
The easiest option for most people is the provider’s own app. Log in to your account and the app walks you through choosing and installing an eSIM without needing to dig through your phone settings.
Most modern phones can hold more than one eSIM, so you can keep your regular number active and add a travel eSIM on top. Switching between them takes just a couple of minutes.
Comparative Pricing and Plans
There are several ways to compare eSIM providers depending on what you need. Here’s how the current pricing for a UK eSIM across the main providers breaks down, to help you decide “what eSIM should I buy?” and from where.
Top eSIM providers for Europe in 2026:
| eSIM Provider | Duration | Data | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubigi | From 7 to 365 days | From 1GB to Unlimited | From $2.90 to $185 |
| Saily | From 7 to 180 days | From 1GB to Unlimited | From $2.99 to $179 |
| Airalo | From 7 to 180 days | From 1 to 100 GB | From $5 to $185 |
| Holafly | From 1 to 90 days | Unlimited | From $6.90 to $139.90 |
| AloSIM | From 7 to 180 days | From 1 to 100 GB | From $5 to $185 |
| Jetpac | From 4 to 30 days | From 1 to 40 GB | From $4 to $39 |
Prices verified as of June 2026. Always check provider apps for current rates before you book.
Security and Privacy with eSIM
eSIMs are generally considered safer than physical SIM cards, for a few reasons. They’re built into your phone, so there’s no SIM slot for anyone to pop open and walk off with your card.
Each eSIM profile also has a secure element that blocks unauthorized access, and if your phone is lost or stolen, you can shut down the number remotely. The card can’t be physically removed, either.
That said, eSIM security isn’t foolproof. You should still avoid sharing your account credentials with other people.
As always, watch out for phishing attempts, where scammers try to get you to hand over your eSIM account login. These can come by phone or email, so be cautious about sharing your username or password with anyone. If something seems off, contact your provider directly to check whether the request is real.
eSIM for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs across the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June through July, and millions of fans will be traveling between those three countries this summer. Staying connected without racking up roaming fees across three different networks is a genuine headache. All six providers on this list cover the USA, Canada, and Mexico, so any of them will work for World Cup travel. If cross-border coverage and security are your top priorities, Ubigi and Saily are our picks for the tournament.
Conclusion: Which Shall You Go For?
There are plenty of good reasons to switch to an eSIM, from the convenience of not carrying a physical card to better security if your phone gets lost. In many ways eSIMs are where mobile is heading: some newer phones already have no physical SIM slot at all.
Even in a crowded market, Ubigi stands out as the best eSIM provider because it does well across everything that counts: the pricing is competitive and flexible, it has coverage in a huge number of destinations, setup is straightforward through the Ubigi app, and it has ad blocking built in.