eSIM: Experiences with different providers?

[CO-guy]

In the past year or so we've switched from using a rented mobile hotspot to purchasing eSIMs whenever we travel out of the country. I've used Airalo eSIMs in Europe, the Caribbean and recently in Japan. In all cases, it was easy to see how much better cellular service was and how much better cellular data speeds were compared to friends, family and others on roaming plans. Same with my better-half, but she has been using Saily eSIMs for comparison and because their plans were a few dollars cheaper. Both Airalo and Saily have easy to use apps, and the eSIMs are easy to install, activate and use.

Has anyone here used Holafly, Maya, Jetpac or other eSIM providers? Curious how they might compare.

 

[SnowballCamper]

I got one through us mobile for my daughters trip to France last year and it worked fine. DW and her are going to Japan in a few days so I got a couple more. It was pretty simple through usmobile.

 

[Zona]

We prefer Keepgo SIMs when we travel overseas. Excellent customer service and they just recently introduced a "no expiration" policy for unused GB. They have multiple eSIMs that cover different parts of the world depending on where you're going (although there is also one called "Tucana Global"). Easy to transfer data from one eSIM to another.

We actually will use our "Tucana" SIMs when we go to Alaska this week as our normal US carrier won't have good coverage.

 

[Cobra9777]

We've use Airalo eSIMs for travel in the Dominican Republic and several trips to various parts of Europe, including a 30-day trip last Fall. The prices are ridiculously cheap. And they're super-easy to use. So I've never compared. A few years ago when I first started using data-only eSIMs for international travel, Airalo was the only real game in town. Lots more competition now, so maybe it's worth comparing.

But yeah, WAY better than international roaming plans we used back in the the day. Better speeds, better coverage, no weird limitations, local prioritization. I'm a huge proponent of: (1) dirt-cheap MVNOs as a base plan (I'm on the $7/mo Tello plan with 2GB of data); and (2) data-only eSIMs for international travel.

 

[walkinwood]

When you use a data-only e-sim, can someone still call you on your phone? They'd use your normal US number?

So far, we've used T-mobile's international roaming plan at $50/mo and that has worked very well for us.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

When you use a data-only e-sim, can someone still call you on your phone? They'd use your normal US number?

So far, we've used T-mobile's international roaming plan at $50/mo and that has worked very well for us.

I also have T-Mobile. One of the reasons was to use their included international roaming feature. It has worked well for me. But, I came close to using up the 5GB of data a couple times on longer trips.

So I started adding in a localized Airalo eSIM into the mix. Newer iPhones support dual SIMs. I leave the T-Mobile one active so my friends and family can text and call my usual number. I would also use that for calls while traveling. The Airalo data-only eSIM becomes a second phone number that I use for data only. The user interface changes slightly to show both phone numbers. But it’s easy to figure it out. Basically you tell it to use eSIM 2 for data. That has worked well for me. I’m about to go to the UK for almost 3 weeks and I will do this again. 20GB of data for $35 or so is worth it to me.

 

[CO-guy]

When you use a data-only e-sim, can someone still call you on your phone? They'd use your normal US number?

So far, we've used T-mobile's international roaming plan at $50/mo and that has worked very well for us.

My MIL also has T-mobile and uses the international roaming plan. Frequently, she lacks enough data speed to do basic things like google maps for navigation or use the camera function in google translate. My better-half has no issues with an eSIM and has download speeds fast enough that she can stream video etc.

My understanding is that US carriers like T-mobile have carrier agreements with some European carriers, but not all and often with speed limitations. However, many eSIMs have agreements with all or nearly all carriers, so often the phone will simply jump to whatever cell network is fastest in any given area. We noticed this happening in Japan as well.

 

[MdaPetralia]

When you use a data-only e-sim, can someone still call you on your phone? They'd use your normal US number?

Yes, most phones allow you to configure which sim to use for phone calls, text and data if you phone supports dual esims.

The Airalo data-only eSIM becomes a second phone number that I use for data only.

I think you meant to say "....The Airalo data-only eSIM becomes a second phone number esim that I use for data only", correct?

 

[Closet_Gamer]

We are using Airalo right now. Works great. We leave our domestic eSIM active only for calls and sms in case there is an emergency and someone needs to call us on that line. Shutdown data roaming on the primary line when traveling.

Works great so far.

 

[tulak]

I have 1GB roaming included with my US Mobile plan. It has worked flawlessly for me in Europe and Canada. The only issue is 1GB is not enough.

In Europe, I have a local number and buy an inexpensive data plan that I can use throughout the EU. I’m thinking of upgrading to the more expensive US Mobile plan that offers 10GB-20GB of roaming data per month (amount depends on country). But it’s $120/year more, so not sure it’s worth it. I would like to try it in more countries before I commit.

Otherwise, I’ve used Airalo when visiting Canada and it’s worked fine. DS has used a cheaper provider and that’s worked well for him too. I don’t remember who he uses.

 

[HarveyS]

I use UBIGI eSIMs in the US and Europe. I do not have a cellular provider in the USA. No problems at all. Coverage is great and cost for an annual plan is $29 for 2GB/mo in USA, $24 in Europe. Easy to get a 50% off coupon via referral as well.
No local cell number. I make and receive all calls via google voice (my primary number) or WhatsApp. You can direct dial emergency services using the local equivalent of 911 on UBIGI. And the emergency operator knows exactly where you are. (first had experience in Scotland).

 

[DrRoy]

Used Airalo in Europe and Egypt. All good.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I think you meant to say "....The Airalo data-only eSIM becomes a second phone number esim that I use for data only", correct?

It's been a few months, so perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the second eSIM still has a phone number associated with it. It just doesn't support voice calls. The phone number is used for identification with data-only apps such as What's App.

 

[JoeWras]

When you use a data-only e-sim, can someone still call you on your phone? They'd use your normal US number?

So far, we've used T-mobile's international roaming plan at $50/mo and that has worked very well for us.

DW and I have modern Android that support a physical SIM plus e-SIM. We did exactly what you ask with our Consumer Cellular plan.

Here's how:
- Called Consumer Cellular and specifically disabled international data roaming
- Verified that our international calling and texting was enabled
- Installed the Airalo ahead of time, then enabled it when we landed at the Athens airport

Boom, we had international calling to help arrange some local transportation, using our regular number. When we needed to surf the web, it used the Airalo. We had peace of mind that family could call and get us for emergency purposes. Likewise, we had our regular phone to call for help if required.

Consumer Cellular charged us a few cents for each international text, and about 8 cents per minute for calls. Same number. I called my sister back to the US simply adding the +1 in front. I called locally using the country code to arrange transportation and wake up the hotel clerk during siesta. (Just kidding, she took a break and locked the place up, but gave us instructions to get in.)

All said and done, the two of us spent about $6 on calls and texts on a 12 day trip. We kept our calls to business, not chatting. We surfed freely and used a few GBs of data.

There was one downside to this plan: texts with photos were rejected.

BTW, I noticed that Consumer Cellular have dropped their international rates since last year. Texts are down to 1 penny. Roaming data is less than $8/Gb. If you are careful, this may work OK. We don't travel internationally enough to get a plan that includes it in a monthly fee. It would be a waste of money for us.

One last tip: I recommend you enter phone numbers in your phone using the international standard, i.e. for your USA numbers, enter the "+1" like "+1-616-345-6789". When you are overseas, just press call and it works seamlessly. It still works locally.

 

[MdaPetralia]

It's been a few months, so perhaps I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure the second eSIM still has a phone number associated with it. It just doesn't support voice calls. The phone number is used for identification with data-only apps such as What's App.

I used an Airalo data-only eSIM in Italy last year and I did not get/use a phone number with it. I just used my Ooma VOIP app to make/receive calls using my existing phone number associated with that app.

 

[FIYes]

I have used KeepGo and Vegolink for international data. Both worked well. For our upcoming trip I am using KeepGo for my phone and Roamless for DH’s phone (first time to try Roamless). We use very little data when traveling. For calling back to the US we use wifi calling. Our data only eSIMs are used for Google Maps, Google Translate, and WhatsApp. I download maps and the language that will need translation before we leave to cut down on data needed. Because we use so little data, I prefer a plan with a very long or no expiration date.

 

[audreyh1]

When you use a data-only e-sim, can someone still call you on your phone? They'd use your normal US number?

So far, we've used T-mobile's international roaming plan at $50/mo and that has worked very well for us.

Each eSIM has a different number AFAIK. If you have a dual SIM phone both numbers will work. I like having just the one number that works everywhere for texting and calls.

We don’t pay T-Mobile an extra $50 because our existing plan provides each of us 5G a month high speed international data, and slower international after you use that us. So far that’s been enough for us overseas. We have the option to buy more high speed data for a week/month, but haven’t needed to.

 

[surprising]

Just got back from 3 weeks in the Philippines and used Globe Telecom eSIM. I got a Philippine phone number and 30GB of data for about $2. Philippines turns out is a highly connected country and I had good signal even in the more rural parts of my trip.

 

[grasshopper]

Another happy Airalo customer.

 

[walkinwood]

My MIL also has T-mobile and uses the international roaming plan. Frequently, she lacks enough data speed to do basic things like google maps for navigation or use the camera function in google translate. My better-half has no issues with an eSIM and has download speeds fast enough that she can stream video etc.

My understanding is that US carriers like T-mobile have carrier agreements with some European carriers, but not all and often with speed limitations. However, many eSIMs have agreements with all or nearly all carriers, so often the phone will simply jump to whatever cell network is fastest in any given area. We noticed this happening in Japan as well.

The basic international roaming that is included in most US T-mobile plans only allows 2G or 3G speeds. The optional $50/mo (and you can use it for just the month you travel), allows full speed 4G/5G service. There are data volume limits, but that hasn't been an issue for us.

I'll look into eSim for our next trip abroad since we seldom use the phone / sms function while traveling, but need to have it to log into some internet sites.

 

[CO-guy]

The basic international roaming that is included in most US T-mobile plans only allows 2G or 3G speeds. The optional $50/mo (and you can use it for just the month you travel), allows full speed 4G/5G service. There are data volume limits, but that hasn't been an issue for us.

I'll look into eSim for our next trip abroad since we seldom use the phone / sms function while traveling, but need to have it to log into some internet sites.

That explains the issue with my MIL's phone, and probably most folks complaining about slow internet on their phones will traveling. They're also paying $10/day for that 2G/3G international roaming.

The last time I was out of the country for 2 weeks, and when I turned off the esim and turned my number back on, I had close to 200 spam texts, a few robocall voicemails and only a single call/text from a friend who had forgotten I was traveling. I cleared out all that garbage while walking to immigration.

 

[walkinwood]

That explains the issue with my MIL's phone, and probably most folks complaining about slow internet on their phones will traveling. They're also paying $10/day for that 2G/3G international roaming.

I don't know about other carriers/plans, but my plan (50+ plan) with T-mobile doesn't have that $10/day fee for 2G/3G roaming.

 

[audreyh1]

I don't know about other carriers/plans, but my plan (50+ plan) with T-mobile doesn't have that $10/day fee for 2G/3G roaming.

That’s certainly not T-Mobile.

 

[CO-guy]

Maybe it's AT&T? I thought it was T-Mobile. Whichever it is, the service hasn't been good for the price.

 

[audreyh1]

Maybe it's AT&T? I thought it was T-Mobile. Whichever it is, the service hasn't been good for the price.

Many T-Mobile plans include international access at no additional cost. The higher end plans ($10 extra a month per line, not day) even include 5 GB of high speed data per month internationally. That’s bundled in with several other perks including mobile hotspot which is useful when traveling domestically too, and texting/internet on planes. So, when we travel internationally we pay $0 in addition unless we make a phone call which is $0.25 per minute. We almost never make a local call and they are fast. Also we use WiFi calling when calling back to the US and this is free.