Our top pick for the best eSIM in 2025 is Saily, for its diverse range of plans and features, and easy, intuitive support.
ESIM technology has been around for almost a decade, being introduced with the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch in 2016. Once an exciting tech, now it's usually buried in the specs sheet of a phone, treated as a casual feature. But the reality is, an eSIM is a great way to enjoy flexible phone service that allows you to connect when travelling, switch between carriers easily, and even try a service out first before committing. Not all eSIMs (and their respective plans) are created equal, though, so we rounded up the best eSIMs for your particular needs, so you can more easily find the one that works for you.
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Summary: Our Top Picks for Best eSIMs
| Category | Provider | International Support | Phone + Data Service | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |
|
Yes – 200+ countries | 1GB – Unlimited | |
| Best For International Travel |
|
Yes – 200+ countries | 1GB – Unlimited | |
| Best for tTavel in the U.S |
|
Yes – 200+ countries | 1GB – Unlimited | |
| Best for Travel in Europe |
|
Yes – 100+ countries | 1GB – 500GB | |
| Best Free Trial |
|
No | Unlimited talk, text, and data | |
| Best for Data-Only (Tablet) Plans |
|
No | 1GB – Unlimited | |
| Best Prepaid |
|
Yes – as an upgrade | 2GB – Unlimited |
Best Overall eSIM
- Affordable.
- One eSIM for all destinations (don’t need to install multiple ones when travelling).
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Doesn't offer plans shorter than 7 days.
- No talk & text included.
ESIMs are heavily used by travel services that allow you to connect to a local network wherever you are in the world as international SIM cards. Whether you’re travelling abroad, or are a visitor to the U.S., there are plenty of options available. Our next three picks focus on general international/global travel, and travel to the U.S. or Europe specifically.
Best eSIM for International Travel
- Affordable.
- International coverage.
- Can buy either a data-only or a data plus talk & text plan.
- Doesn't offer plans shorter than 7 days.
Best eSIM for Travel in the U.S
- Uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
- No credit checks.
- Flexible data and duration options.
- Doesn't offer plans shorter than 7 days.
- No talk & text included.
Best eSIM for Travel in Europe
- Can include talk & text with a real mobile number (based in France).
- One eSIM for seamless travel between countries in Europe.
- Mobile hotspotting included.
- Doesn't offer plans shorter than 7 days.
Best eSIM with a Free Trial
- Includes unlimited talk, text, and premium data (prioritized on their network).
- Full 30-day trial for maximum testing.
- Mobile hotspot included (up to 250GB).
- Can keep your current carrier and phone number while testing T-Mobile out.
- Only works on carrier-unlocked devices.
- Current T-Mobile or T-Mobile partner customers (Metro or other T-Mobile MVNOs are not eligible).
Best eSIM for Data-Only (Tablet) Plans
- On T-Mobile's network.
- Affordable.
- Mobile hotspot included (uses your regular plan’s allotment unless you’re on the Unlimited plan, which allows for an extra 5GB of hotspot usage).
- Mobile hotspot usage may not be enough for heavier data users.
Best Prepaid eSIM
- Ability to choose between networks: AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon (Dark Star).
- Unlimited Data plans come with mobile hotspot (20GB – Unlimited).
- Switching between networks can cost $2/transfer.
- No physical store for in-person assistance.
Methodology: How We Picked the Best eSIMs
ESIM technology itself is the same regardless of which carrier you get it from, offering a seamless digital activation that’s easily managed through your phone. What makes one eSIM different from another is the actual nontechnical management part, which we broke down into three elements to pick the best ones:
Affordability. We know that for travel purposes, international roaming can get very expensive very quickly. We only looked for options that would be more affordable than adding on a roaming package from your own provider.
Reliability. We looked at real customer reviews and cross-checked the network partners each provider works with to determine the ones that won’t leave you hanging.
Flexibility. We picked eSIMs covering a diverse range of data and phone plan options, so you can find the right service whatever your needs are.
Each of these factors is considered with its own weight, leading to a score that helps us determine the best picks.
Beginner's Guide to eSIMs
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital version of a SIM card that's built into your device, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card. The “e” stands for “embedded” but an eSIM can also be called a virtual SIM card or a digital SIM card.
Once activated, an eSIM functions just like a traditional SIM card, allowing you to connect to cellular networks (even internationally), make calls, and use mobile data.
>> Read More: What is an eSIM? How Does it Work? eSIM vs. Physical SIM
How Does an eSIM Work?
An eSIM works just like a physical SIM card, allowing your device – be it a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, etc. – to connect to a mobile network. The difference is that instead of inserting a physical card, an eSIM is digitally added to your phone (downloaded via a link or QR code) and can therefore be programmed remotely. You can store multiple eSIM profiles on a device and switch between them without having to swap out physical cards and contact your carrier to approve the swap.
Note, however, that your phone must be eSIM compatible. You can check your phone model on the manufacturer’s website specifically to confirm its compatibility.
Types of eSIMs
ESIMs all work the same, but there are distinctions between them with regard to the types of services you can get:
Prepaid eSIMs. These eSIMs are made to provide you with a prepaid phone service, which requires a payment up front before you receive the service, eliminating the need for credit checks or potential to affect your credit score if you’re late on payment.
Postpaid eSIMs. Alternatively, postpaid eSIMs provided by the “Big 3” (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) on their premium plans can only be activated alongside a postpaid plan, which bills you after the month of service. This also usually requires a contract for a set period (12-36 month terms), as well as a credit check.
International eSIMs. These eSIMs are able to connect to local networks internationally for a more affordable data service while you’re abroad (usually cheaper than data roaming fees or packages from your local service provider).
Local eSIMs. These cards have coverage specifically for one country (e.g. Spain) that will allow you to travel within that country comfortably but will require you to swap out your SIM card if you cross borders.
Which Phones Work with an eSIM?
While eSIM technology was introduced in 2016, it only recently has become widely adopted by manufacturers. You should check with your phone model’s manufacturer using its website to verify it lists eSIM support, but here is a general breakdown of popular models that do support eSIM:
| Apple | Google Pixel | Samsung | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone XR, XS, XS Max | Pixel 3a/3a XL | Galaxy S21 series | Motorola Razr 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 |
| iPhone 11 series | Pixel 4 series | Galaxy S22 series | Huawei P40 series |
| iPhone 12 series | Pixel 5 series | Galaxy S23 series | Sony Xperia 10 III Lite, Xperia 1 IV and newer |
| iPhone 13 series | Pixel 6 series | Galaxy S24 series | |
| iPhone SE series (2020 & 2022) | Pixel 7 series | Galaxy Note 20/Ultra | |
| iPhone 14 series (eSIM only) | Pixel 8 series | Galaxy Z Fold 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | |
| iPhone 15 series (eSIM only) | Pixel 9 series | Galaxy Z Flip 3, 4, 5, 6 | |
| iPhone 16 series (eSIM only) |
What are the Advantages of an eSIM?
There are many advantages to using an eSIM, including:
Ease of set-up. No physical card means no rummaging around for something thin enough to use as tool to pop out the SIM card tray, then trying to follow (sometimes) complex instructions for activation.
No waiting. ESIM delivery is instantaneous, so you can get your service up and running right away – no need to go to a store or wait around for a mail delivery.
Flexible. ESIMs allow you to switch between carriers and services seamlessly, without swapping out cards and resetting profiles, an especially useful benefit for travelling.
Eco-friendly. No physical card means less plastic waste.
What are the Disadvantages of an eSIM?
Limited carrier support: Not all carriers support eSIM activation yet (TextNow does not currently support eSIM, but is working on it!). Check directly with whatever carrier you're considering to ensure it has eSIM compatibility.
Limited to newer devices: Since eSIM is still a relatively new technology, it's only supported by relatively newer devices.
No physical backup: While eSIMs can make your life easier, they can also create problems when your phone no longer works. If you have issues with connecting to a network, or your phone truly is dead or damaged and you need to switch to a new one, it's no longer as easy as taking out the physical SIM and swapping it over. It also limits your options for troubleshooting if you start having issues with the SIM.
How to pick out the best eSIMs
The best eSIM is intuitive to activate, requires minimal to no customer support, and comes with a reasonably priced service plan. There are also some technical necessities to consider, so follow this easy guide before selecting your desired eSIM:
Find out if your phone is eSIM compatible or requires a physical SIM card. Unfortunately, not all phones support eSIMs. Figure out if your phone can support one (confirmed on the manufacturer website), before you purchase one.
Determine if your phone is dual-SIM compatible. While it’s not necessary, it does make activating an international eSIM significantly easier if your phone has a dual-SIM capacity. If it doesn’t, then you will need to temporarily disconnect your existing local SIM card to activate the international one while you’re travelling.
Find out how much data you need. Before you start shopping around, you can calculate how much data you’ll need and narrow down your choices between a limited data plan, an unlimited data plan, or even a no data plan (talk & text only).
Decide between a prepaid or postpaid eSIM. This decision may be largely based on your budget but can also be determined by your need for flexibility (being able to switch carriers easily), and whether or not you’d like to undergo a credit check.
Set your budget. Be realistic about what you can afford and make sure that you’re reading the fine print. Also, check whether any promotional prices you’re getting as a new customer are part of a “pre-pay up front for a multi-month bundle” or expire after a certain time (as pointed out in our Mint Mobile review).
Know your coverage. Lastly, only look at eSIMs from providers that are on the network that works best in your area.
How to Activate an eSIM
Once you pick the phone plan you want – with an eSIM – the carrier will send you instructions for activating the eSIM, which will either include a QR code or setup link to scan and activate on your device. (If you're getting a new number, check out steps you should take before changing your phone number.) Note that you'll need to be on Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM.
Step-by- Step eSIM Activation instructions
Request an eSIM from your carrier: Reach out to your carrier and ask for an eSIM. It will provide you with a QR code or setup link that lets you download the eSIM profile to your device.
Scan the provided QR code: Using the device where you want the eSIM activated, scan the code to activate.
a. iPhone: Open the camera app or a QR code scanner to begin the activation process.
b. Android: Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager, then tap Add mobile plan or Scan QR code.
Follow the on-screen setup instructions: After scanning the QR code, or installing from the link provided, your mobile device will prompt you to confirm or enter additional details. Once you complete all the steps, your eSIM will be ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions About eSIMs:
Got questions or comments? Send us a note at [email protected]!
