Compare 4 top-rated eSIM providers as alternatives to Smartroam. Find better pricing, features, and coverage.
Smartroam has earned a solid reputation with a 3.7 rating on Trustpilot, but travelers in 2025 have plenty of reasons to explore other eSIM providers—whether you're chasing better rates, wider coverage, or higher customer satisfaction scores. We've compared four strong contenders—Airalo, Saily, UBIGI, and Roamless—to help you find the right fit for your next trip. Roamless stands out for budget-conscious travelers, while UBIGI takes the crown for top ratings among these alternatives.
Smartroam currently offers zero active plans and covers no countries via eSimGuide.com, which makes it impossible for us to compare at the moment. With a TrustPilot rating of 3.7, it sits in mid-range territory—not terrible, but not confidence-inspiring either. Travelers needing connectivity today might want to look at alternatives like Airalo, Saily, UBIGI, or Roamless, all of which have plans across multiple destinations.
Roamless emerges as the cheapest option among the alternatives, making it attractive for budget-conscious travelers who prioritize cost savings above all else. The lower price point doesn't necessarily mean compromising on service quality, but it's worth checking coverage in your specific destination and reading recent user reviews. Roamless typically appeals to travelers who know exactly where they're going and want straightforward, no-frills connectivity without paying for features they won't use.
UBIGI holds the highest customer rating among the alternatives, suggesting it delivers consistently on reliability, app experience, or customer support. High satisfaction scores usually indicate fewer connection issues, smoother activation processes, and responsive help when problems arise—all critical when you're navigating an unfamiliar city or need urgent access to maps and transportation apps. The rating advantage suggests UBIGI has invested in quality assurance and user experience, though this often comes at a premium compared to budget providers.
The trade-offs are clear: Roamless offers the lowest prices, but UBIGI provides the highest-rated experience, meaning travelers must decide whether saving money or maximizing reliability matters more for their specific trip. Business travelers or those visiting countries where connectivity is critical might justify UBIGI's likely higher cost, while backpackers on extended trips might stretch their budget further with Roamless. Airalo and Saily fall somewhere in the middle, offering balanced options when neither extreme budget nor premium service is the priority.
You might want to look at the SmartRoam website to see what plans they have active at the moment, but you may have better luck with the other options we have listed below.
Airalo stands out as a practical alternative with 1,260 eSIM plans covering 178 countries, paired with a solid 4.0 TrustPilot rating and an average cost of $0.53 per day. The sheer variety of plans means travelers can find options tailored to specific regions or individual countries, whether hopping between European capitals or spending a month in Southeast Asia. Pricing sits in a competitive sweet spot, making it accessible for budget-conscious travelers without sacrificing reliability or network quality.
For anyone planning multi-country trips or frequent international travel, Airalo's breadth of coverage and plan flexibility offer clear advantages. A backpacker touring South America or a digital nomad rotating between coworking hubs will appreciate the ability to switch plans country-by-country without hunting for new providers. The platform's user experience is straightforward—download the app, browse by destination, and activate within minutes. Where Smartroam might still appeal is for travelers who prefer a more curated selection or have had past success with a particular provider's customer service, though Airalo's 4.0 rating suggests most users find the support adequate when issues arise.
Airalo makes the most sense for:
Saily brings 816 data plans across 195 countries to the table, making it a compelling choice for travelers who need flexible options worldwide. With a Trustpilot rating of 4.0 and an average cost of $0.53 per day, it delivers solid performance at a price point that won't strain most travel budgets. The sheer variety of plans means whether you're hopping between European capitals for a week or spending a month working remotely across Southeast Asia, there's likely a configuration that fits your data needs without paying for excess capacity.
Where Saily particularly shines is for multi-country trips and travelers who value having choices. The 816 available plans mean you can fine-tune your selection based on trip length, data requirements, and specific destinations rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all approach. Budget-conscious digital nomads and frequent business travelers will appreciate the competitive daily rate, especially on longer trips where costs compound quickly. The main consideration is that Smartroam's established reputation may still appeal to travelers who prioritize brand familiarity, though Saily's 4.0 rating suggests it's built a reliable track record of its own.
For most travelers seeking broad geographic coverage without overpaying, Saily makes practical sense. The combination of nearly 200 countries, hundreds of plan options, and pricing under 55 cents per day addresses the core needs of modern travel: staying connected affordably across multiple destinations with the flexibility to adjust as plans change.
UBIGI brings 923 data plans across 200+ countries to the table, making it one of the most comprehensive eSIM providers available—particularly impressive when Smartroam's current plan catalog appears limited. The service earns a solid 4.1 on TrustPilot, reflecting generally positive user experiences, and pricing averages around $0.73 per day with comparable rates to Smartroam where overlap exists. Travelers gain access to an unusually broad network that covers everything from major destinations to less-visited markets, all managed through a single app without hunting for country-specific plans.
The sheer variety of options makes UBIGI especially practical for multi-country trips or anyone who travels frequently enough to benefit from having nearly 1,000 plans at their fingertips. A backpacker moving through Southeast Asia and Europe in the same month, for instance, can handle both regions without switching providers or juggling multiple apps. Regional bundles and flexible data increments mean you're not locked into one-size-fits-all packages. Smartroam might still appeal to travelers who prefer a more curated selection or have had positive experiences with their specific coverage in niche markets, but UBIGI's scale and slightly higher user rating give it a clear edge for those prioritizing flexibility and geographic reach.
For most travelers, UBIGI makes sense when:
Roamless stands out with its massive catalog of 4,367 plans spanning 194 countries, giving travelers far more flexibility than Smartroam's currently limited offerings. While pricing remains comparable between the two providers, Roamless delivers a much wider variety of data packages and regional options, making it easier to find a plan that matches specific trip needs. The TrustPilot rating of 3.5 sits just slightly below Smartroam's 3.7, suggesting similar real-world reliability without major service quality differences that would sway most travelers one way or the other.
For travelers hopping between multiple destinations or planning extended trips across several regions, Roamless becomes the practical choice. Someone visiting Southeast Asia for two weeks, then moving to Europe, can easily switch between regional plans without hunting for coverage gaps or settling for a global plan that costs more than necessary. The sheer number of plans means budget-conscious travelers can usually find a smaller data package for short stays, while digital nomads have access to larger, longer-duration options. Smartroam might still appeal to travelers who prefer working with a smaller, more curated selection of plans, especially if they've had positive past experiences with the provider's customer service or find the simpler plan structure less overwhelming.
Roamless makes the most sense for anyone who values choice and needs reliable coverage across diverse destinations. The 194-country reach handles most global itineraries, and the pricing competitiveness ensures travelers aren't paying a premium for that flexibility.
After comparing Smartroam with Airalo, Saily, UBIGI, and Roamless in 2025, the picture is clear: most travelers will find better value and reliability by switching. UBIGI stands out with the strongest user ratings and proven reliability across networks, making it the safest bet if you prioritize a hassle-free experience. Roamless consistently undercuts competitors on price without sacrificing quality, perfect for budget-conscious travelers who want solid coverage at the lowest cost.
Your best match depends on what matters most:
