eSIM: Experiences with different providers?

[frank05]

Remember always turn off OS and app auto updates over cellular when using a foreign esim if you want to save on data. If your phone auto backups your photos to the cloud turn this off for cellular.

 

[hesperus]

I tried a couple beyond Airalo and the biggest difference was how “normal” the data felt, some providers route you through random countries and certain sites get weird. Maaltalk didn’t do that for me, it just worked for maps and messaging without drama.

 

[target2019]

If you have time, practice now with an inexpensive us esim plan.

I was surprised at misteps with Airalo, although I'd probably go with them again.

You really need to pace yourself through the process, to see what's ahead.

 

[SouthernHeaven]

I’ve used Airalo across multiple countries during our travels and have never run into any issues. It’s incredibly convenient not having to hunt down a local SIM card after landing—especially in places where the language barrier can make things tricky. I typically buy the eSIM before we leave home, so once the plane touches down, all I need to do is activate it in my iPhone’s cellular settings.

So far, Airalo has worked flawlessly for me in Portugal, Madeira Island, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Turkey, and Morocco.

 

[grasshopper]

Love Airalo, used it all over the Mediterranean, here comes the but. After a problem getting out of Greece in Sept Ms G wanted a plan with a phone number. We were able to use Google voice a couple of times in Greece, but wasn't 100% dependable. So we are trying Bouygues Telecom 15 days, 20 gb and a French phone number $24. We are in Italy France and Spain next month I will give a report.

 

[elvis76]

I know this thread is from last year, but I found it while searching for eSIM comparisons. I've used Airalo and Holafly, and more recently tried Cardtonic because I already had their app for gift cards. For a trip to Thailand and Vietnam, the regional plan worked well. Hotspot supported, and speeds were on par with Airalo. Holafly was fine but pricier.

One thing I like about Cardtonic: you can pay in local currency (NGN or GHS) if that helps. Still, Airalo is the most reliable overall. Just adding my late experience in case others find this thread.

 

[anethum]

I used Airalo in France last year, but their eSims were expensive for Ecuador & Morocco. I selected Maya Mobile eSims for both countries. They were much cheaper than Airalo for those 2 countries and worked just as well as Airalo had in France. In Morocco a few months ago, my Maya Mobile eSim used the Orange network. Maya Mobile eSims used the Movistar network in Ecuador last December.

 

[camfused]

For our upcoming trip to Europe, I figured out our solution for eSims: none. We are just going to switch to Mint. Then, for $20 (each), we can get a Minternational Pass and just use our phones over there, and not mess with eSims. Special (for me) bonus: the phone also “just works” in Canada, and we won’t need to get eSims for that either.

 

[MdaPetralia]

For our upcoming trip to Europe, I figured out our solution for eSims: none. We are just going to switch to Mint. Then, for $20 (each), we can get a Minternational Pass and just use our phones over there, and not mess with eSims.

Similarly, US Mobile offers roaming (in Italy for example) starting at $15 for 1GB data, 150 mins and 150 text. Alternatively, their eSim starts at $10 for 5GB data (only).

 

[easysurfer]

I don't travel out of the country, but not too long ago bought a power bank hotspot. A Solis Go to be exact. This is mainly for use in hotels where the wifi isn't secure. I had been using a travel router but that was sort of a pain to set up. With the Solis Go I could by different pay as I go coverage like unlimited just for a few days at a time.

 

[tulak]

I use US Mobile for my carrier and my plan has roaming included. I’ve used it many times traveling internationally and it’s worked without issue.

 

[explanade]

Similarly, US Mobile offers roaming (in Italy for example) starting at $15 for 1GB data, 150 mins and 150 text. Alternatively, their eSim starts at $10 for 5GB data (only).

That's a horribly overpriced rate.

But for the convenience of keeping one number, it might be worth it to some people.

However, a lot of people overseas won't dial a US number just to reach you -- just as you wouldn't dial a foreign number of a visitor you run into at home. For that, you're better off with WhatsApp.

So the only advantage of having just your US number is for people back home to call you.

But that also includes the usual telemarketers and other scammers too.

Do you really want to receive those calls while you're overseas on vacation?

Also newer phones now support having 2 active eSIMs, one for your regular service and one for prepaid. You can have the prepaid one be used to provide data.

 

[Sunset]

For our upcoming trip to Europe, I figured out our solution for eSims: none. We are just going to switch to Mint. Then, for $20 (each), we can get a Minternational Pass and just use our phones over there, and not mess with eSims. Special (for me) bonus: the phone also “just works” in Canada, and we won’t need to get eSims for that either.

That's an attractive improvement as now it works in Canada. Previously I had to buy some roaming time to use and it was a bit awkward.

 

[Sunset]

.....

However, a lot of people overseas won't dial a US number just to reach you -- just as you wouldn't dial a foreign number of a visitor you run into at home. For that, you're better off with WhatsApp.

So the only advantage of having just your US number is for people back home to call you.

But that also includes the usual telemarketers and other scammers too.

Do you really want to receive those calls while you're overseas on vacation?

Also newer phones now support having 2 active eSIMs, one for your regular service and one for prepaid. You can have the prepaid one be used to provide data.

We found that WhatsApp is considered standard, people just expected we had it (tour operators).

I do want my home number to work when traveling, as my alarm company and friends, etc might call/text.

I'm looking to get a 2 sim/e-sim phone for my next phone, as traveling with 2 phones is a pain.

 

[OldShooter]

TLDR. I have never felt the need for a e-sim. I just have a standard Google Fi SIM and it has worked almost everywhere I have traveled, including getting calls dialed to my US number in, for example, Bulgria. They claim international access to 200 countries. IIRC the only places I have had problems were in Vietnam and Myanmar. I don't think it is the cheapest data plan but we use very little data anyway so that is not an issue.

A couple of years ago they added a phone subscription plan where I pay like $10-15/month and get a new upgraded phone every couple of years. Right now their offer is for a Pixel 10a @ $10.38/month for 24 months, though I have not snapped for it. My Pixel 9a is now past 24 months, so no more subscription fees and it works fine.

 

[FIYes]

I use an eSIM with a data only plan for international travel. I currently have KeepGo on my phone and Roamless on DH’s phone. Both eSIMs are non expiring since we use so very little data when we travel. We want to have the option to use data if we need it. We use WhatsApp when traveling.

Our main phone plan is a dirt cheap prepaid plan that doesn’t offer a roaming option. We don’t have to worry about getting hit with a roaming bill. A friend recently went overseas and sent a few texts and ended up with a $500 bill! She was going to contact her company and try to get some relief…I don’t know how that turned out. She is eighty and not tech savvy when it comes to phones.

 

[Henry Lili]

We used Orange esim a couple weeks ago in Portugal. Ordered at home and turned on upon landing.Unlimited text and talk in the EU, limited talk (30 minutes) and text (200 messages) to the US. 20 GB of data. We didn't have to make any calls but texted the US a little bit. Data was our main use and it worked flawlessly.

 

[Cobra9777]

I use Airalo data-only eSIMs when traveling internationally. They are dirt cheap, super-easy to buy/use, and IME they get better priority than roaming on a US carrier. Performance has always been very fast and reliable. We use Whatsapp locally and Google Chat/Voice for communicating with family back home.

At home, I'm still on the Tello $7/mo plan, which gets me 2GB of 5G data on T-Mobile. I mainly use WiFi so the 2GB rarely gets used up. If it does, I just renew a few days early.

For phones, I like to buy 1-year-old flagships. Current phone is a Pixel 9 Pro XL. I just bought it for $419. It was $1100 at launch last year. With Amazon, you get 90 days to evaluate refurbs and return if it doesn't meet your expectations.

 

[CO-guy]

For our upcoming trip to Europe, I figured out our solution for eSims: none. We are just going to switch to Mint. Then, for $20 (each), we can get a Minternational Pass and just use our phones over there, and not mess with eSims. Special (for me) bonus: the phone also “just works” in Canada, and we won’t need to get eSims for that either.

I'm interested to hear how this works out. Our experience traveling with relatives using international plans with their US carriers struggled to do much beyond talk and text in many locations because of slow data speeds.

I don't travel out of the country, but not too long ago bought a power bank hotspot. A Solis Go to be exact. This is mainly for use in hotels where the wifi isn't secure. I had been using a travel router but that was sort of a pain to set up. With the Solis Go I could by different pay as I go coverage like unlimited just for a few days at a time.

I will often buy a US esim from Airalo for domestic travel and then use my phone as a hotspot to avoid ever being on hotel/airport wifi. No additional device needed.

 

[MdaPetralia]

Do you really want to receive those calls while you're overseas on vacation?

Also newer phones now support having 2 active eSIMs, one for your regular service and one for prepaid. You can have the prepaid one be used to provide data.

Yes, that's what I do. Use my regular U.S. Mobile service eSIM with international roaming enabled (so I can continue to recv calls from my US mobile number). Then I also use an Airalo eSIM for a cheaper data plan.

 

[FIYes]

I have considered switching to a cellular provider that offers some international coverage such as Mint Mobile or US Mobile. However, I like knowing that I will get absolutely no roaming charges from my current provider since it doesn’t offer international roaming. I have found that WiFi calling works very well for any calls or texts back to the US.

 

[pdxgal]

I have considered switching to a cellular provider that offers some international coverage such as Mint Mobile or US Mobile. However, I like knowing that I will get absolutely no roaming charges from my current provider since it doesn’t offer international roaming. I have found that WiFi calling works very well for any calls or texts back to the US.

WhatsApp an in-country phone number has worked OK for me to EXCEPT on several occasions when I've needed to call a US company and their CRM system dropped my call when it did the 'warm transfer' (connects to a live person). I think it's because the CRM system is set up to accept North American phone numbers, and when it encounters a foreign one, or none at all in the case of WhatsApp, it can't show a number to the CS rep. Wifi calling can be OK if the wifi is decent, but all too often it hasn't been in my travels. So personally I choose to have roaming capability as a backup.

 

[FIYes]

I can see that if you needed to call a US company my solution might not be sufficient. For my needs WiFi calling plus a data only sim has been sufficient.

 

[tulak]

I’ve been happy with US Mobile. When I first signed up, I had their cheaper plan which offered 1GB of international roaming. Worked great, but for longer trips I’d need to get an esim for more data.

Last year I upgraded to their premium plan, which gives me 20GB. That’s more than enough data (for me) and I get a smart watch plan included.

I also use Whatsapp, both at home and when traveling.

 

[pdxgal]

I can see that if you needed to call a US company my solution might not be sufficient. For my needs WiFi calling plus a data only sim has been sufficient.

For most people your solution would probably work just fine. I just wanted to let others know about the one potential pitfall I've encountered in case it could be relevant. This discussion, and others, have been a great help for my travel planning!