Comparisons & guides

Helpful guides. Clear comparisons.

Practical advice and up to date comparisons to help you find the best free trial eSIM for your travels, with clear information and no jargon.

In-depth comparisons
Step-by-step guides
Up-to-date information
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65 results

1 GB

3 days

Providers

Nomad Free Trial eSIM

1 GB · 3 days · 48 destinations

Nomad gives new accounts 1 GB of free data for 3 days, with no card required. You claim it in the app rather than on the website.

100 MB to 500 MB

7 days

Providers

GigSky Free Trial eSIM

100 MB to 500 MB, depending on the country · 7 days · 200+ destinations

GigSky runs the longest free window we track at 7 days, giving 100 MB to 500 MB depending on the country. A card must be set as your default payment method first.

1 GB

Granted on app sign up

Providers

Instabridge Free Trial eSIM

1 GB · Granted on app sign up · Varies by destination

Instabridge grants 1 GB when you sign up in the app. No payment card is required, and coverage depends on your destination.

About 500 MB

No expiry on pay as you go credit

Providers

Roamless Free Trial eSIM

About 500 MB, given as $1.25 of credit · No expiry on pay as you go credit · Most destinations

Roamless gives new accounts about $1.25 of credit, which buys roughly 500 MB in most countries. Because it is credit rather than a plan, it does not expire.

Unlimited at reduced speed

Ongoing

Providers

Firsty Free Trial eSIM

Unlimited at reduced speed, paid for with adverts · Ongoing · 120+ destinations

Firsty gives ongoing free data in 120 or more destinations, paid for with adverts you watch every few hours. The speed is heavily reduced.

500 MB

1 day

Providers

iRoamly Free Trial eSIM

500 MB · 1 day · 100+ countries

iRoamly gives 500 MB free for 1 day across 100 or more countries, with no payment card required.

No trial

Buy a plan to test

Providers

Airalo: Is There a Free Trial?

Airalo has no general free trial. It ended the open offer in 2025, and the remaining welcome credit of roughly 200 MB to 300 MB is now a Mastercard cardholder benefit.

No trial

Buy a plan to test

Providers

Holafly: Is There a Free Trial?

Holafly has no standalone free trial. The 1 GB people refer to is bundled into its paid Always On plans, so you cannot get it without buying first.

No trial

Buy a plan to test

Providers

Saily: Is There a Free Trial?

Saily has no free plan and no free trial. Testing the network means buying the smallest plan it offers.

No trial

Buy a plan to test

Providers

Ubigi: Is There a Free Trial?

Ubigi has no free trial. Testing the network means buying the smallest plan it offers.

Guides

What is esim

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into a device that lets you activate a mobile phone plan without inserting a physical SIM card.

Guides

How does esim work

An eSIM is a SIM built into a phone, tablet, smartwatch or laptop. It stores a carrier's digital SIM profile instead of using a removable plastic card.

Guides

Is esim better than sim

eSIM is the better choice for most people because it is easier to activate, supports multiple mobile plans, and simplifies international travel.

Guides

Should i convert to esim

eSIM is the better choice for most people whose phone and carrier support it. An eSIM is more convenient, reduces one security risk if your phone is lost…

Guides

What is esim data

eSIM data is mobile internet service delivered through an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card. The eSIM is a digital SIM built into a compatible device.

Guides

How to activate esim on iPhone

eSIM activation on an iPhone is done from Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. Your carrier may label this menu Mobile Service instead of Cellular.

Travel Tips

Best eSIMs for Popular Travel Destinations

A provider covering 200 destinations tells you nothing about the signal where you are standing. Here is what to check per region before you claim a trial.

Explainers

Do I Need an eSIM for International Travel?

An eSIM is not the only way to get data abroad. Here is how it compares with roaming and a local SIM, and the trips where you can skip it entirely.

Comparisons

Free eSIM vs Paid Travel eSIM

A free trial is a test, not a plan. Here is what 1 GB really covers, and the trip lengths where paying is the better call.

Guides

How to Install an eSIM

Installing an eSIM takes about two minutes on home wifi. Activating it at the right moment is the part that decides whether your trial is wasted.

Guides

Which Phones Support eSIM?

Most phones sold since 2019 take an eSIM, but carrier locking and regional variants break the rule. Here is how to check yours before you claim a trial.

Guides

Why my esim cannot be activated

An eSIM activation failure is usually a problem with the phone, carrier plan, or activation code.

Guides

How to get esim qr code

An eSIM QR code is a carrier-issued code that downloads a mobile plan to a compatible phone.

Guides

How to activate esim on android

An eSIM on an Android phone is activated through the phone's SIM settings and your carrier's setup process.

Guides

Why is my airalo esim not working

An Airalo eSIM is unavailable when it is outside its coverage area, is not selected for mobile data, needs data roaming or an APN, or connects to an…

Guides

How to transfer esim from one iPhone to another

eSIM Quick Transfer is the easiest way to move a cellular plan from one iPhone to another.

Guides

How to delete esim from iPhone

Deleting an eSIM from an iPhone is a five-step process. Open Settings. Tap Cellular. In some regions, this may be labelled Mobile Service or Mobile.

Guides

How to transfer sim to esim

To transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM, open your phone's cellular or SIM settings, choose the active physical SIM, and select the option to convert or…

Guides

What happens if i delete esim

Deleting an eSIM is the removal of that carrier's mobile profile from your phone.

Guides

How to recover deleted esim on iPhone

You cannot restore a deleted eSIM from iPhone settings or an iCloud backup. To restore service, contact your mobile carrier and request a replacement eSIM…

Guides

Does iPhone 11 have esim

The iPhone 11 is compatible with eSIM. Standard models support one physical nano-SIM and one eSIM, so you can use two phone numbers or add a separate…

Guides

Is my phone esim compatible

eSIM compatibility is usually confirmed by an Add eSIM option or an EID number in your phone's settings. The check takes about 30 seconds.

Guides

What iphones have esim

The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone SE (3rd generation), and newer models support eSIM.

Guides

Is iPhone 17 esim only

The U.S. iPhone 17 is eSIM-only. It has no physical nano-SIM tray, so you cannot insert a removable SIM card. Instead, the U.S.

Guides

Does samsung galaxy 20 fe have a esim

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE does not support eSIM. This applies to both the Galaxy S20 FE 4G and Galaxy S20 FE 5G. Verification date: The U.S.

Guides

How to get esim in china with local number

The easiest way for most visitors to get a mainland Chinese number is to buy a physical SIM from China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom at an official…

Guides

How to avoid roaming charges

The safest way to avoid roaming charges is to turn on Airplane Mode, reconnect to Wi-Fi manually, and keep cellular data roaming turned off.

Guides

What is the best esim for japan

Ubigi is the best eSIM for Japan for most travelers. As checked on , its Japan plan offers a strong mix of price, validity, network access and hotspot…

Guides

How does an esim work for international travel

An eSIM for international travel is a downloadable mobile carrier profile stored on your phone instead of a removable SIM card.

Guides

What is the best esim for europe

Nomad is the best overall eSIM for Europe for most travelers. Its Europe plan currently offers 10GB for 30 days at $18 and 20GB for 30 days at a sale price…

Guides

What is the best esim

Airalo is the best overall travel eSIM for most people. It offers local, regional and global plans in more than 200 countries and regions, supports hotspot…

Guides

Does US cellular have esim

Last verified: UScellular supports eSIM on compatible smartphones and tablets. An eSIM activates a UScellular wireless plan without a physical SIM card.

Guides

How to get a free esim

The easiest way to get a free eSIM with mobile service in the United States is to use an official carrier trial.

Guides

Airalo esim mobile data plans how it works

Airalo eSIM mobile data plans let you buy prepaid mobile data for a destination, install the plan digitally on an eSIM-compatible phone, and connect to a…

Guides

Is saily a good esim

Saily is a good travel eSIM for most international travelers, especially if you want prepaid data, broad destination coverage and an app-based setup.

Guides

What is a mobile hotspot

A mobile hotspot is a feature that lets a phone or portable device share its cellular internet connection with other devices over Wi-Fi.

Guides

How to use mobile hotspot

A mobile hotspot is a feature that shares a phone or computer's internet connection with another device.

Guides

What is my mobile hotspot password

Your mobile hotspot password is in your phone's hotspot settings. Open Settings. Tap Personal Hotspot. Check the Wi-Fi Password field.

Guides

Why is my mobile hotspot not working

A mobile hotspot problem is usually caused by one of five things: mobile data is unavailable, your carrier restricts tethering, hotspot settings are…

Guides

Does mobile hotspot use data

A mobile hotspot is a way to share your phone's cellular data, such as a 4G LTE or 5G connection, with another device.

Guides

What cell phone plans offer unlimited data?

The best low-cost unlimited data plan for most single-line users is Visible at $25 per month, with taxes and fees included.

Guides

How do shared data plans help smes reduce costs?

Shared data plans help SMEs reduce mobile costs by combining several employees' or devices' data allowances into one pool.

Guides

Do unlimited data plans actually have limits

An unlimited data plan is a mobile plan that lets you keep using data after you reach a stated allowance, but it may limit speed, network priority, hotspot…

Guides

Do unlimited data plans include hotspot access?

An unlimited data plan is not the same as an unlimited high-speed hotspot plan. Many unlimited plans include mobile hotspot access, but they usually set a…

Guides

How does xfinity mobile data plans work?

Xfinity Mobile is a phone service with two main unlimited plans: Mobile Select and Mobile Plus.

Guides

Where to buy unlocked phones

The best place to buy an unlocked phone is Apple for a new iPhone, Samsung for a new Galaxy, Best Buy for brand choice and local pickup, Swappa for used…

Guides

Are straight talk phones unlocked

A Straight Talk phone purchased directly from Straight Talk is usually carrier-locked.

Guides

Are US cellular prepaid phones locked or unlocked

Most UScellular prepaid phones are locked to UScellular when you buy them. Unless the listing specifically says "unlocked," assume the phone will initially…

Guides

Are prepaid phones unlocked

A prepaid phone is not automatically unlocked. A prepaid plan describes how you pay for wireless service, not whether the phone can work with another…

Guides

What is the difference between locked and unlocked phones

A locked phone is restricted to one mobile carrier, while an unlocked phone can be used with compatible SIM cards or eSIMs from different carriers.

Guides

Which cell phones support dual sim cards?

A dual SIM phone is a phone that supports two mobile lines. The examples below include 2024, 2025, and 2026 models, and dual SIM support usually takes one…

Guides

How does dual sim work

Dual SIM lets one phone use two mobile lines at the same time. Each line can have its own phone number, carrier, call plan and data plan.

Guides

IPhone 13 is dual sim or not

Yes, the iPhone 13 is a dual-SIM phone. Most iPhone 13 models support: One physical nano-SIM and one eSIM Two active eSIMs Two phone numbers for calls and…

Guides

Does dual sim use more battery

Using 2 active SIMs is usually more demanding on battery than using 1 active SIM.

Guides

Does iPhone support dual sim with two esims

iPhone supports Dual SIM with two active eSIMs on the iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone 13 or later.

Every provider, side by side

The same nine points checked on all of them, including the 4 that have no free trial at all. 6 providers currently offer one.

How we rank providers

We compare providers using factors including free data allowance, trial duration, supported countries, eligibility requirements and payment requirements. Providers offering a genuine free trial are listed first, then those that do not.

Affiliate commission rates do not determine our rankings. Any paid placements would be clearly labelled Sponsored. There are none on this page.

eSIM providers compared by free trial data, trial length, countries covered and the conditions attached.
Provider	Free data	Valid for	Countries	Card needed	Who can claim	App or account	When it runs out	The catch
Nomad	1 GB	3 days	48 destinations	No card needed	New accounts only	App only, not the website	The trial stops. You buy a plan to carry on.	You have to claim it in the app. The website does not offer it.
GigSky	100 MB to 500 MB, depending on the country	7 days	200+ destinations	A card must be set as your default payment method	New accounts	App and account required	The trial stops. Paid plans start in the app.	The card requirement is the trade for the longer window. Inflight and cruise plans are excluded from the trial.
Instabridge	1 GB	Granted on app sign up	Varies by destination	No card needed	New accounts	App sign up required	The trial stops. Paid data is bought in the app.	The allowance is tied to signing up in the app, so it is one per account.
Roamless	About 500 MB, given as $1.25 of credit	No expiry on pay as you go credit	Most destinations	No card needed to claim the credit	New accounts	App and account required	The credit runs out. You top up to carry on.	This is account credit, not a data plan, so how many megabytes you actually get depends on the local rate where you are.
Firsty	Unlimited at reduced speed, paid for with adverts	Ongoing	120+ destinations	No card needed	Open to everyone	App and account required	Watch a short advert every few hours to keep the data running.	The free speed is heavily reduced. It carries messaging and maps, and it will not carry video. Paid tiers lift the speed.
iRoamly	500 MB	1 day	100+ countries	No card needed	New accounts	App and account required	The trial stops after 24 hours.	One day is a test of activation, not of a trip. There is no live chat if it fails.
Listed so you do not go looking: these providers have no free trial
Airalo	No general free trial	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	Mastercard cardholders only	App and account required	Not applicable	Airalo ended its open free trial in 2025. The welcome credit of roughly 200 MB to 300 MB for about 3 days is now a Mastercard cardholder benefit rather than an offer anyone can claim.
Holafly	No standalone free trial	Not applicable	Not applicable	Purchase required	Paying customers	App and account required	Not applicable	The 1 GB people refer to is bundled into the paid Always On plans. You cannot get it without buying a plan first.
Saily	None	Not applicable	Not applicable	Purchase required	Paying customers	App and account required	Not applicable	There is no free plan. Testing the network means buying the smallest plan.
Ubigi	None	Not applicable	Not applicable	Purchase required	Paying customers	App or account required	Not applicable	There is no free trial. Testing the network means buying the smallest plan.

Checked 15 September 2026. Trial terms in this category change often, so confirm the offer on the provider’s own page before you rely on it. Each provider page links out, and some of those links earn us a commission. How that works.