Comparison table
| Brand | Price | Medical | Baggage | Repatriation | Rating |
|---|
Our methodology
Our commitments
Who is it for?
FAQ
Best travel eSIM 2026
The eSIM (virtual SIM card) replaces the physical SIM. Activatable in 5 minutes via QR code, it avoids roaming fees and is much more practical than a local SIM. We tested 8 providers on 6 real destinations (Thailand, Japan, Mexico, USA, Morocco, Italy) over 4 months.
Direct answer : top 3
| Position | eSIM | Score | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ฅ 1. Airalo | 9.1 / 10 | Global versatility, unbeatable unit-data pricing | |
| ๐ฅ 2. Holafly | 8.8 / 10 | Heavy users, unlimited data | |
| ๐ฅ 3. Saily | 8.5 / 10 | Security (by NordVPN), interface |
For 90% of travelers: Airalo offers best value, especially < 10 GB per trip.
For intensive data (streaming, remote work): Holafly offers unlimited day/week/month plans.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Airalo | Holafly | Saily | Nomad | Ubigi | Yesim | Maya Mobile | aloSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations covered | 200+ | 170+ | 150+ | 170+ | 200+ | 130+ | 130+ | 200+ |
| Price 1 GB Thailand | $4.5 | N/A (unlimited) | $3.99 | $4.5 | $6 | $5 | $4 | $5 |
| Price 5 GB Thailand | $13 | N/A | $12.99 | $13 | $21 | $17 | $13 | $16 |
| Unlimited day plan | No | $6.90 | Yes (from $4) | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Unlimited week plan | No | $34 | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Regional plan (continent) | Yes (Asia, Europe, etc.) | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Hotspot allowed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instant activation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | โญโญโญโญ | โญโญโญโญ | โญโญโญโญโญ | โญโญโญโญ | โญโญโญ | โญโญโญ | โญโญโญ | โญโญโญ |
| Phone number provided | No | No (except Germany, US) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Validity before use | 6-12 months | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months | 6 months | 12 months |
| FR customer support | Chat 24/7 | Chat 24/7 English | Chat | Email FR open | Chat | |||
| Overall score | 9.1 / 10 | 8.8 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 | 8.3 / 10 | 7.9 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 | 7.7 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 |
Methodology
14 criteria across 4 categories:
| Category | Weight | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Data-to-price | 35% | Per GB, by destination, comparable comparison |
| Country coverage | 20% | Number of countries, real coverage (rural vs urban) |
| Speed + quality | 20% | On-site speedtest measurements |
| UX and flexibility | 25% | App, top-up, validity, hotspot, regional |
In-vivo test
Purchase of identical 5 GB Thailand 30-day plans on the 6 tested destinations, activation iPhone 15 + Samsung S24, measurement 3 times daily for 14 days in urban and rural zones. Average download / upload speed, % network interruption.
Top 5 eSIM : detail
1. Airalo : 9.1 / 10
Best for: occasional or heavy travelers (< 10 GB), covered in 200+ countries.
- Most competitive per-GB pricing for most destinations.
- Regional plans available (Discover Global, Asia, Europe, etc.).
- Open marketplace: choice of local operators based on coverage.
- Flexible top-ups directly in app.
- Welcome promo code: $3 off first purchase.
2. Holafly : 8.8 / 10
Best for: heavy data users, remote work, streaming.
- Unlimited data day / week / month: major differentiator.
- US / Germany phone number for some plans.
- French chat 24/7.
- Pricier per GB than Airalo, but unbeatable if > 20 GB.
3. Saily : 8.5 / 10
Best for: security-conscious users, those already using NordVPN.
- Edited by Nord Security (NordVPN). Integrated VPN.
- Modern interface, superior UX.
- Unlimited day plans from $4.
- 150+ country coverage.
4. Nomad : 8.3 / 10
Good generalist, prices close to Airalo. Well-built interface, email support.
5. Ubigi : 7.9 / 10
Often included in some connected cars and long-haul aircraft (Air France-KLM partner). Native iPad/MacBook integration.
Recommendations by destination
| Destination | Recommended eSIM | Optimal plan |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Airalo (Sayonara) | 5 GB / 30 days : $13 |
| Japan | Airalo (Moshi Moshi) | 5 GB / 15 days : $14 |
| Vietnam | Airalo (Xin Chao) | 5 GB / 30 days : $11 |
| Mexico | Airalo (Mexico) | 5 GB / 30 days : $12 |
| USA | Holafly unlimited | 7 days : $27 |
| Morocco | Airalo (Salaam) | 3 GB / 30 days : $12 |
| Indonesia (Bali) | Airalo (Connect Lah!) | 5 GB / 30 days : $14 |
| Europe multi-country | Airalo Eurolink | 5 GB / 30 days : $15 |
| World tour | Airalo Discover Global | 10 GB / 180 days : $50 |
| UK | Airalo (Uki) | 5 GB / 30 days : $11 |
eSIM vs local SIM vs French roaming
| Travel eSIM | Local SIM | French operator roaming | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase | Online 5 min | At airport / shop 30-60 min | None |
| Typical 5 GB price | $12-15 | $5-15 by country | โฌ30-80 by destination |
| French number kept | Yes (parallel) | No (except dual SIM) | Yes |
| Outside Europe zone | Yes | Yes | Very expensive |
| Reusable trip to trip | Yes (top-up) | No | N/A |
Conclusion: eSIM = best compromise in 90% of cases. Local SIM only if you stay 1+ month and need a local number. French operator roaming = only Schengen + some Brazil, Russia, Switzerland, USA by plan.
eSIM FAQ
Is my phone eSIM-compatible?
- iPhone: XS and newer (2018+).
- Samsung Galaxy: S20 and newer.
- Google Pixel: 3 and newer.
- Huawei: P40 Pro and newer. Check by going to Settings > Cellular Network > Add eSIM. If the option exists, your phone is compatible.
My phone is carrier-locked, does it work?
No. Ask your French operator for sim-lock removal (free after 3 months of contract). For US iPhone: check itโs not AT&T or Verizon locked.
Can I keep my French number?
Yes. The travel eSIM adds in parallel to your French SIM. You keep calls/SMS and use the eSIM for mobile data. Switch between the two in settings.
Which GB plan to choose?
- 2-week holidays: 5 GB enough for mail, maps, WhatsApp, photo uploads. Streaming adds = 10 GB.
- Long-haul month: 10 GB minimum, 20 GB for remote work.
- 4-month nomad: Holafly monthly unlimited (~$80).
How much does an eSIM cost for 1 week of vacation?
$8-15 typically for 3-5 GB. Always a thousand times less than French operator roaming (โฌ30-60 for a week in Asia).
What to do if coverage is bad?
- Check in settings that eSIM is active and data roaming is on.
- Test by restarting the phone.
- Force another network in Settings > Data > Operator Selection > Manual.
- If really stuck: 24/7 chat support (Airalo, Holafly, Saily).
Update methodology
Quarterly updates + immediate trigger if a provider significantly changes pricing.
Last revision: May 22, 2026.
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Comparator written by Marie L., Asia traveler 12 years. Last updated: May 22, 2026.