The Best Global eSIMs for International Travel  

E-sim is one of the top essentials when you travel globally and when your home mobile operator does not support roaming (or it is too expensive) in different countries or remote areas. Locals Insider experts regularly find themselves country-hopping to cover the latest stories from Uruguay to Uganda.  

Until recently, one of the biggest stresses of regular international travel has been staying connected to the internet. Should you buy a local SIM and purchase a bundle? Or have you been happy to wait until you reach a hotel or café so you can connect to the public WiFi?  

The emergence of eSIMs and eSIM providers has changed all this, making it much easier to stay connected on the go.

The numbers show just how fast adoption is growing. In 2025, more than 40% of international travelers are expected to use digital SIMs instead of physical ones. Spending on travel eSIM plans is set to exceed $3.3 billion this year, with the average traveler paying less than $15 per trip for coverage.

Usage is climbing rapidly—growing nearly 50% each year—and forecasts suggest global adoption will surge by over 400% in the next five years. By 2026, about 60% of new smartphones are already eSIM-ready, and between 2 and 3 billion mobile connections worldwide are expected to rely on eSIM technology.

In short, eSIMs offer flexibility, savings, and simplicity—all activated through a QR code or app. And that kind of peace of mind is exactly what frequent travelers are looking for.

In this article, we’ll walk you through five of the best eSIM providers in 2025—so you can stay connected no matter where you are.

First, what is an eSIM & how does it work?  

An eSIM—embedded SIM—is a digital version of the standard SIM card you place on your phone. It provides a connection to a network, enabling you to make calls, send and receive texts, and access data bundles to use apps and surf the web.  

One of the most significant advantages of eSIMs is that they’re not beholden to one network, as is usually the case with standard SIMs. So, when you travel, you can connect your eSIM to the local network in the country you’re visiting, giving you affordable and effortless internet access.  

However, you must ensure your phone is eSIM enabled to buy a package from a provider. All the latest iPhones (15, 14, 13, 12, XS Max, etc.) have eSIMs, while Android phones like the Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy series, and several Huawei phones have this tech enabled.  

So, before proceeding with our recommendations below, ensure your phone has an eSIM enabled. This will be hugely beneficial if you plan to travel worldwide.  

The Best eSIM providers for travel in 2025 & 2026

As our writers cover stories from Idaho to Iceland, accessing an eSIM and compatible network saves much hassle. We can effortlessly use data no matter where we are and call and message our loved ones to let them know we’re safe.  

Each year, more and more eSIM packages become available on the market, so we asked our writers for their recommendations. Below, we reveal the best eSIM mobile card and data providers to consider, explaining what features you can expect from each:  

1: Airalo – The best all-rounder for international travel  

• More information 

• Global data-only bundles from $9.00 for 1GB 

Airalo works in over 200 countries worldwide, making it the best all-rounder for an eSIM for international travel in 2025.  

If your phone is eSIM enabled, download the Airalo app for free, choose which destination you’re visiting, browse the packages, and install your SIM.  

Numerous packages are available from Airalo. If you’re staying in a specific place, you can opt for a local or regional eSIM or the global eSIM if you’re traveling to numerous destinations. Data-only and call, data, and text bundles are available.  

Though you can select from several different packages, you can use the table below for an idea of the costs of an Airalo global eSIM:   

We think the 3 GB data package for 30 days is more than sufficient for most people. When you’re in your hotel or Airbnb, you can switch to WiFi to save on your data usage.  

2: Saily – Best for in-app security features and affodable esim 

• More information  

• Country-specific data-only bundles from $3.99  

Granted, security might not be top of your list of priorities when using an eSIM, but it’s still important. Saily, from the company behind NordVPN, is highly secure and available in over 150 countries.  

We love that Saily comes with an ad blocker feature to save your data. You can also toggle on web protection, which keeps you safe when browsing on public WiFi. As you might expect from NordVPN, you can also set any virtual location that you like.  

Like Airalo, Saily is super easy to download. Find it on the Apple or Google Play Store and follow the instructions. You can then browse the destinations you would like to visit and buy the appropriate package.  

One thing we noticed with Saily is that the price of data varies hugely, depending on where you go. For instance, it only costs $3.99 monthly in Albania, but a package in American Samoa will set you back at least $59.90.  

Assuming you’re planning a summer trip to Paris, France, here’s how much a Saily eSIM subscription would cost:  

3: Holafly – Best for unlimited e-sim data packages  

• More information  

• From $6.90 per day for unlimited internet  

If you’re a digital nomad, streamer, or vlogger, you probably need unlimited data on your device when you travel to different parts of the world. This is the biggest advantage that Holafly has over Airalo and Saily, with unlimited packages available in different countries.  

We also love that you can buy regional plans rather than country-specific ones, which makes it much easier to use if you’re island hopping in the Caribbean or traveling around Europe by train.  

Holafly is also fully customizable, so you can specify how many days you would like the eSIM for and how many SIMs you need (perhaps one for you and your partner).  

Most Holafly eSIMs include unlimited data as standard, with fast and reliable internet all over the world. Below is an indication of how much Holafly’s unlimited data bundle costs when you travel to Europe:  

As you can see, unlimited data for one month in Europe costs $74.90 with Holafly. The fact that you can hotspot makes this a great option for digital nomads and remote workers, as you can get your work done without worrying about running out or finding a safe public WiFi network.  

4. Drimsim – Universal SIM with Pay-as-You-Go

Drimsim works in 190+ countries with one physical SIM or eSIM. Pricing is transparent: around €10 per GB (about $11), or as low as €0.01 per MB. There are no monthly fees — you top up once (€25 minimum) and use what you need.

The app shows costs before you call or text, tracks expenses in real time, and even includes free Drimsim-to-Drimsim calls. Customer support is 24/7 with real operators. For many, the flexibility is the main appeal: one SIM, no contracts, and full control.

5. Yesim – Swiss eSIM with flexible global plans

Yesim is built for international travelers who want one eSIM for 200+ destinations. Daily unlimited packages start from $1.24 in Thailand, $1.72 in Europe (UK, Germany, Italy, France, Albania), $1.92 in the USA, and around $2.50–3.00 in Japan, UAE, and China.

It has smart network switching, hotspot support, one-click setup, and a 100% money-back guarantee. Reviews highlight its reliability: Sandra J. noted strong coverage in Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, while Mohammed H. praised fast internet across six countries. With 27K+ ratings and a 4.3 TrustScore, Yesim has become one of the most trusted options for digital nomads and frequent flyers.

Which eSIM Provider Should You Choose?

Locals Insider’s Opinion:

• Best for most travelers: Airalo — wide coverage (200+ countries), clear bundles, affordable global plans.
• Best for security & casual users: Saily — built by NordVPN, with ad blocker and web protection.
• Best for heavy data users & nomads: Holafly — unlimited daily packages, hotspot-friendly, great for long trips.
• Best for flexibility: Drimsim — one universal SIM with pay-as-you-go rates, no contracts or hidden fees.
• Best for daily international travelers: Yesim — reliable coverage with smart network switching and very low daily unlimited rates.

If you want one simple choice for 2026, we’d recommend Airalo for overall value and Holafly if unlimited data is a must-have.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a reliable global mobile eSIM for international travel, Airalo is tough to beat. We love that you can order global, country-specific, and regional bundles, enabling you to tailor your data and call package to your trip.  

However, if you’re working abroad and know you will be in a specific country for a few weeks or a month, Holafly is perhaps a better option. Holafly’s regional data-only plans include unlimited data, meaning you can work from anywhere without losing your connection.  

If your phone has an eSIM enabled, take advantage of any of the providers above to stay connected on the road without always looking for WiFi hotspots.