eSIM Comparison: Which eSIM is Right For You?

Which is the best eSIM for 2025?

Planning on travelling in 2025? For frequent flyers, an eSIM has become an essential part of any holiday packing list - these downloadable SIMs allow international visitors to get online in foreign countries, just like they would at home - without the roaming fees.

Despite being a relatively recent invention, travel eSIMs occupy a rapidly growing sector of the market. Unlike a local SIM card, eSIMs mean there's no more need to keeping tab on separate miniscule plastics cards, or wait in line to purchase a new SIM card in every new country. Today, there are dozens of eSIM providers to choose from, with varying results. Not all eSIMs are created equal. It’s essential to be informed, and ensure your journey is made easier and more affordable with a reliable eSIM. Here, we compare some of the most popular travel eSIM providers on the market to help you find the best one for your journey. 

What Sets BetterRoaming Apart?

A glance at the above table shows that BetterRoaming eSIMs are more feature-rich than other major eSIM suppliers, despite offering lower prices in many locations.

Book a plan anytime - even with no internet connection

Need to get online now? The whole point of a travel eSIM is the freedom of being able to connect to mobile internet wherever, whenever. No more running around looking for Wi-Fi or risking unsecured public networks. Even the largest eSIM providers, however, will require an initial internet connection to install their eSIM and book a data plan – except for BetterRoaming. As a 1GLOBAL brand, BetterRoaming is the only eSIM provider that lets users download an eSIM, choose a plan and get online without needing an internet connection first. 

It's the easiest and safest way to book a travel eSIM and means travellers can get connected wherever they are, even last minute. 

eSIM Pricing Explained – Which is the Cheapest eSIM in 2025?

There’s no single answer to this, as the cheapest travel eSIM for 2025 depends on the destination and duration of the journey.

The table below compares the price of a 7-day eSIM from different providers in a range of popular travel destinations. All prices are shown in USD and accurate at the time of writing.

The BetterRoaming eSIM is the most affordable option for all destinations in the table above. However, the prices can vary between suppliers and destinations, so it's always worth shopping around. For example, Holafly’s unlimited data plans usually cost more initially but may prove to be better value for travellers who require larger data volumes. Most major eSIM providers offer a range of plans for each destination, as well as the option to top-up and buy more data on-the-go if required.

If budget is the sole concern, it’s best to compare costs from a few different eSIM providers before committing to a purchase. It's also worth looking out for free trials, as many providers will occasionally offer these to new customers.

eSIM Connection Speeds

All eSIM providers mentioned offer 4G and 5G data speeds in selected locations – the connection speed will vary based on the local mobile network availability.

eSIM Coverage

Coverage ranges from 160+ countries with BetterRoaming to over 200 with a Holafly or Airalo eSIM. All listed providers also offer multi-country plans that allow the user uninterrupted mobile data use across a single region, such as Latin America. It’s important to note that only BetterRoaming smartphone plans are available in 160+ countries – iPad and Apple Watch eSIM plans are available in 61 and 7 countries, respectively. 

An Overview of the Most Popular eSIM Providers

Saily

Saily are a relatively new eSIM company that have enjoyed a rapid rise over the past year due to their easy-to-use products and wide choice of destinations. As a relative newcomer, they don't offer the same range of coverage as industry heavyweights like Airalo or Holafly, or the added features of BetterRoaming. Their service still covers over 190 global destinations, making Saily a worthwhile option. Founded by the team behind NordVPN, Saily eSIMs come with a built-in VPN that masks the user's real-world location while online. While it’s not GSMA-certified, this is a welcome additional layer of security in an eSIM service.

Holafly

Holafly are one of the most popular eSIM providers, known for their unlimited data deals. Most eSIM providers, including BetterRoaming, sell prepaid eSIM plans with specific data volumes. If the customer needs more data, they simply purchase a top-up to their original data plan. This is ideal for the short-term needs of most travel eSIM users, such as a holiday, work trip or family visit.  

Holafly unlimited data plans tend to be more expensive in the short term than their competitors, though can prove to be better value for customers who require exceptionally high data volumes when travelling (for example, using their smartphone as a mobile hotspot to connect multiple devices). 

Airalo

Airalo are one of the oldest and largest eSIM providers, though this is a relative term in the budding eSIM marketplace. As elder statesmen of the eSIM provider companies, they offer eSIM plans in a wide range of countries. While not as feature-rich as BetterRoaming (users will still require an initial internet connection to sign up for the first time, making them a less viable option for downloading a travel eSIM on the fly), Airalo eSIMs are a reliable choice. 

BetterRoaming

BetterRoaming travel eSIMs are both budget-friendly and packed with features that help them stand out in the crowded eSIM marketplace. The GSMA-certified network makes them a secure option for business travellers, while low prices and a choice of data volumes for each destination makes them a great all-around option as well.

The Best eSIM for Business Travellers

For most business travellers, and especially those who plan on accessing sensitive information such as company documents, financial information or online meetings, two factors stand out when it comes to choosing an eSIM: security and reliability. While most of the eSIM providers mentioned here offer similar data speeds and coverage, only BetterRoaming eSIMs are GSMA-certified, meaning they adhere to the highest industry security standards set by the leading mobile network industry body.

Travel eSIM Plans

United States

Mexico

United Kingdom

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Apple Watch eSIM Plans

BetterRoaming provide dedicated eSIM plans for Apple Watches. Apple are famously choosy with their partners - Apple Watches will only accept eSIMs from a small number of mobile networks, including BetterRoaming. Currently, BetterRoaming offer Apple Watch eSIM plans in seven countries.

Apple Watch Plans

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iPad eSIM Plans

Apple’s partnership with BetterRoaming extends to their cellular iPads. Newer models of the iPad mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro are able to download a mobile data plan and get online, just like a smartphone 

As a fully-licensed mobile network operator and Apple Partner, BetterRoaming provide cellular iPad plans in over sixty countries and regions around the world.

iPad eSIM Plans

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