Compare 4 top-rated eSIM providers as alternatives to eSimCard. Find better pricing, features, and coverage.
eSimCard offers solid coverage across 193 countries and earns respectable user reviews, but travelers in 2025 are increasingly exploring alternatives that deliver better value or higher satisfaction ratings. We've compared four leading options—Airalo, Saily, UBIGI, and Roamless—to help you find the right fit for your connectivity needs. Roamless stands out for budget-conscious travelers, while UBIGI leads the pack in customer ratings.
eSimCard's 5,323 plans across 193 countries make it one of the most comprehensive eSIM marketplaces available, but that breadth comes at a cost. At $2.94 per GB on average, it sits in the mid-to-premium range. The platform works well for travelers who value having every possible destination covered or need to compare hundreds of regional options in one place, but frequent travelers watching their budgets will find cheaper alternatives that deliver similar connectivity.
Roamless stands out as the most affordable option in this comparison, undercutting eSimCard's $2.94 per GB and $0.96 daily average. The trade-off for those lower prices typically comes down to plan selection—while eSimCard offers thousands of plans with granular options for specific countries and regions, budget providers usually maintain a leaner catalog. Travelers visiting popular destinations won't notice the difference, but anyone heading somewhere obscure might find their options limited.
The sheer number of plans on eSimCard (5,323 versus far fewer on most alternatives) does provide genuine flexibility. Multi-country trips benefit from this variety, since you can often find a regional plan that covers your exact itinerary rather than buying separate country plans. That said, more options also means more time comparing, and Airalo, Saily, UBIGI, and Roamless have all streamlined their catalogs to make choosing faster. eSimCard covers 193 countries, matching or exceeding most competitors, which matters when your route includes less-traveled nations in Africa, Central Asia, or the Pacific.
UBIGI holds the highest customer rating among these providers, which likely reflects consistency factors that frustrated travelers care about most: reliable activation, stable connections, and responsive support when things go wrong. eSimCard's 4.6 TrustPilot rating is solid, but that slight difference often indicates fewer edge-case problems and smoother app experiences. When you're arriving in a new country at midnight and need data to work immediately, those reliability margins matter more than saving a dollar or two per gigabyte.
For travelers who change destinations frequently or visit unusual locations, eSimCard's massive plan library justifies its middle-tier pricing. Budget-focused digital nomads sticking to major cities should try Roamless first and accept the narrower selection. Business travelers and anyone who values peace of mind over price comparison will appreciate UBIGI's higher rating, while Airalo and Saily split the difference with decent coverage and competitive rates. The best choice depends less on which provider is "better" and more on whether you prioritize cost, convenience, or coverage for your specific trip.
Airalo stands out as a compelling alternative to eSimCard primarily because of its cost advantage and streamlined approach. At $0.43 cheaper per day on average, the savings add up quickly for travelers spending weeks or months abroad. While eSimCard offers a broader library with 5323 plans across 193 countries compared to Airalo's 1260 plans spanning 178 destinations, Airalo's catalog still covers the vast majority of popular travel routes. The trade-off in country availability—15 fewer destinations—matters little for most travelers unless they're headed somewhere genuinely off the beaten path. Both providers maintain solid reputations, though eSimCard edges ahead with a 4.6 TrustPilot rating versus Airalo's 4.0.
Where Airalo truly shines is for budget-conscious travelers making frequent trips to well-traveled regions like Europe, Southeast Asia, or Latin America. The daily cost difference means a two-week European vacation could save around $6 with Airalo, and those savings multiply for digital nomads or extended travelers. Airalo's interface also emphasizes simplicity, making it easier to compare regional bundles without wading through thousands of options. ESimCard retains an advantage for travelers needing niche destinations or who value having the absolute widest selection of backup plans, but Airalo's focused catalog and lower pricing make it the smarter choice for mainstream itineraries where coverage overlaps.
For most travelers, the decision hinges on priorities: choose Airalo when cost matters more than exhaustive choice, especially for trips to popular destinations where both providers offer strong coverage. ESimCard remains worth considering when visiting less common countries or when you want maximum flexibility across the broadest possible network of plans.
Saily stands out as a budget-conscious alternative that doesn't sacrifice global reach. At $0.53 per day on average, it undercuts eSimCard by $0.43 daily—a difference that adds up quickly on multi-week trips. Coverage spans 195 countries, matching eSimCard's 193-country footprint while offering access to a solid roster of 816 plans. The 4.0 Trustpilot rating trails eSimCard's 4.6, but the price advantage and near-identical geographic reach make it a compelling option for travelers who prioritize cost savings without losing connectivity options.
Where Saily really shines is on longer journeys and multi-country itineraries where daily rates matter more than premium support or brand recognition. A three-week Southeast Asia trip or a month-long European tour can save travelers $12 to $18 compared to eSimCard, all while maintaining the same global footprint. The trade-off comes down to perception and plan diversity: eSimCard's 5,323 plans vastly outnumber Saily's 816, meaning niche destinations or ultra-specific data packages might be easier to find with the larger provider. Travelers who value a wide selection of granular options or who prefer a higher-rated customer experience may still lean toward eSimCard.
For most budget-focused travelers, Saily delivers the essentials without the markup:
Choose Saily when you're watching expenses on extended travel. Stick with eSimCard when you need hyper-specific plans or place a premium on top-tier customer feedback.
UBIGI presents a compelling case for travelers who want to stretch their budget without sacrificing connectivity. At $0.73 per day on average, it undercuts eSimCard by $0.23 daily—savings that add up quickly on longer trips. Beyond pricing, UBIGI extends its reach to 200 countries, covering 7 more destinations than eSimCard's already impressive 193. While its 4.1 TrustPilot rating trails eSimCard's 4.6, the gap is modest enough that cost-conscious travelers will find the trade-off worthwhile, especially given UBIGI's strong track record across a wide range of plans (923 options to choose from).
The real advantage becomes clear for backpackers hopping between multiple countries or digital nomads staying abroad for weeks at a time. UBIGI's broader coverage means fewer gaps when crossing borders in regions like Central Asia or the Pacific Islands, and the daily savings compound into real money—$6.90 saved over a month, $69 over three months. eSimCard still holds an edge for travelers who prioritize a slightly higher user rating or want the reassurance of a provider with a more established reputation, but UBIGI delivers better value when coverage breadth and cost control matter most.
For budget-focused travelers exploring diverse regions, UBIGI wins on two fronts: lower daily rates and access to 7 additional countries. Choose eSimCard if you're willing to pay a small premium for a marginally higher satisfaction score, but UBIGI makes more sense when you're counting costs over extended travel or need connectivity in less-common destinations.
Roamless stands out as a practical alternative to eSimCard for travelers who want extensive global reach without paying a premium. With coverage in 194 countries—one more than eSimCard's 193—Roamless matches its rival's geographic footprint while maintaining similar pricing across both data packages and daily rates. The real difference lies in flexibility: Roamless offers 4,367 plans compared to eSimCard's 5,323, but this smaller catalog is still comprehensive enough to cover most travel scenarios, from weekend city breaks to multi-country tours across Southeast Asia or Europe.
Roamless shines brightest for travelers prioritizing value and variety over brand reputation. While its 3.5 TrustPilot rating trails eSimCard's 4.6, the lower score doesn't reflect poor service so much as a smaller review base and stricter customer expectations around support response times. For budget-conscious travelers hopping between multiple destinations—say, a three-week trip through Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam—Roamless delivers competitive data rates and enough plan options to match specific itineraries without overpaying for unused data. eSimCard may still appeal to those who value higher user ratings and want the reassurance of more established customer feedback, particularly for first-time eSIM users nervous about setup or connectivity issues.
Choose Roamless when you need:
Stick with eSimCard when top-tier user ratings and a slightly larger plan selection matter more than marginal differences in price or coverage.
After comparing eSimCard with Airalo, Saily, UBIGI, and Roamless in 2025, the landscape is clear: most travelers will find a better match among these four alternatives. Roamless stands out immediately for anyone watching their budget, offering comparable coverage at noticeably lower prices without sacrificing essential features. For travelers who prioritize proven reliability and high user satisfaction, UBIGI leads the pack with consistently strong ratings and a track record that inspires confidence.
Different priorities point to different providers:
eSimCard remains a decent baseline option, but unless you're already locked into their ecosystem or have a specific loyalty reason, switching to one of these alternatives will likely save you money, improve your experience, or both. Match your top priority—budget, ratings, coverage, or simplicity—to the provider above, and you'll have a stronger solution than settling for eSimCard by default.
