Whether it's to switch mobile plans more easily or to travel abroad, the eSIM is much more practical than the good old physical SIM card in many scenarios. But which eSIM operator should you choose? We have selected the best network providers in the industry.
They have been essential for many years, but in the long run, it is likely that physical SIM cards will disappear. And we already have their replacement with eSIM plans, which have become more widespread in France since the beginning of the 2020s. These are much more practical, because they allow you to change your plan on the fly, not having to wait to receive your SIM card, and not having to change your mobile's SIM card when traveling abroad. For smartphone manufacturers, it's also a boon to be able to get rid of the SIM card slot, which takes up space and imposes space restrictions on product design.
| Best eSIM Plans | |
|---|---|
| No. 1 | Ubigi |
| No. 2 | Saily |
| No. 3 | GigSky |
| No. 4 | Airalo |
| No. 5 | GoMoWorld |
In the United States, Apple has already been selling iPhones with eSIM only, without the option to insert a physical SIM card, since the release of the iPhone 14. This could soon be the case in Europe as well with future generations. And as we all know, Apple is a trendsetter: it's likely that Android manufacturers will follow suit shortly after, such as removing the charger included in the smartphone box, for example.
As you can see, eSIM is already appealing to consumers for its practicality, and could soon become mandatory, imposed by operators or smartphone manufacturers. To help you see things more clearly, we have compared several offers including an eSIM option, both from major operators with established reputations and from lesser-known providers, but which should still be considered.
Which devices are eSIM compatible?
More and more smartphones are eSIM compatible. It is important to check that yours supports this technology before subscribing to an offer. At Apple, it's simple: all of the brand's smartphones from the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max generation onwards support eSIM, even the entry-level iPhone SEs.
Within the Android ecosystem, it's inevitably more confusing, with each manufacturer following its own rules. Most recent high-end smartphones are eSIM compatible, but it's not a standard set in stone. At Samsung, for example, all foldable smartphones and Galaxy S models since the Galaxy S20 are compatible. Some mid-range models are too, like the Galaxy A54, the Galaxy A55, or the Galaxy A56 that we recently tested.
Xiaomi has been integrating eSIM into its core range of smartphones for several years, while all Google Pixel phones sold in France include this feature. Some models are eSIM compatible from Honor, Sony, Motorola, Oppo, Huawei, Nokia, Sharp, and Fairphone. OnePlus and Vivo have announced eSIM support on some phones, but in practice, users may encounter difficulties activating it.
Furthermore, a number of secondary devices that support mobile connectivity, such as tablets or smartwatches, can also benefit from eSIM. This has been the case for iPads and Apple Watches for several years. At Samsung, the Galaxy Tab S9 and Tab S10 are compatible, as are the Galaxy Watch since the 4th generation.
eSIM is also starting to arrive on premium ultraportable PCs under ARM that offer 4G and 5G connectivity. A number of connected objects, such as surveillance cameras, are also making the switch to eSIM, which is even making its way into our vehicles.
How to activate eSIM on your smartphone?
The procedure for activating eSIM on your device can vary depending on the chosen provider. In most cases, it involves scanning a QR code with your mobile or installing the operator's application to activate eSIM. You also need to manually unlock the eSIM functionality on your compatible smartphone, via the network options in Settings (Android) or Settings (iOS). We explain in more detail in this article how to convert your physical SIM card to an eSIM on Android and iOS.
Which eSIM operator should you choose?
Several players stand out from the crowd in the eSIM market, which is young, but has already attracted many providers from all over the world. We have selected for you those that caught our eye.
Ubigi: the most practical eSIM for traveling abroad
One of the benchmarks in the eSIM market is Ubigi. The service from the telecom company Transatel offers plans particularly suited to users who travel abroad frequently, whether tourists or business travelers. The advantage of this operator is that it provides its customers with a highly customizable offer. You can subscribe to an annual, monthly, or one-off plan for just a few days, depending on your needs. It is also possible to choose precisely the amount of mobile data required and the country in which you want to use your phone. In short, it is one of the most adaptable solutions currently available.
Ubigi covers more than 200 destinations, including 40 with 5G connectivity at no extra cost. If you're going to the United States on vacation or a business trip, for example, you can choose between 1 GB, 10 GB, or an unlimited plan for 7 days, or upgrade to 15 or 30 days while adjusting the data volume according to your anticipated consumption. This can be a much more economical and practical option than going through traditional French operators, or buying a SIM card from a US operator locally.
Recently, Ubigi has become even more attractive with the launch of a very useful feature: IP Location. This allows you to choose between a regional IP address of the country you are visiting or an IP address corresponding to your country of residence when browsing the internet. The first option, by default, allows you to normally access the content and services available in the country you are visiting. The second gives you the possibility of maintaining your habits by accessing TV channels and video streaming platforms from your home country, applications in your native language, or even your online banking without causing a security blockage.
The selection is made directly from the Ubigi mobile application and eliminates the need for a VPN, which would be an additional cost and require the installation of an additional platform. In addition, IP Location does not slow down the connection since traffic remains routed locally, while connecting to a VPN reduces latency.
We had the opportunity to try Ubigi during a trip abroad and the experience was satisfactory. The plan, purchased in advance, was automatically activated as soon as the mobile was taken out of airplane mode once arrived at the destination. Network connection is immediate, and the subscription allows you to connect to the infrastructures of major local operators. As promised by the offer, we were also able to access 5G connectivity.
The only small downside to note comes from the performance of the mobile connection. We compared Ubigi's plan with a local carrier's plan with a physical SIM card, and found higher latency (77 ms vs. around 46 ms) and lower speeds (34 Mbps vs. around 200 Mbps) with the eSIM. Still, browsing remains very comfortable and the offer is an excellent stopgap solution for accessing the mobile network at a lower cost and without any hassle abroad.
Saily: the new kid on the rise, but still lacking flexibility
You may not have heard of Saily yet, and for good reason: this eSIM provider has only been around since 2024. However, you are probably familiar with the company that launched this brand, since it is Nord Security, the company that publishes the NordVPN solution. The service works in a similar way to Ubigi. It particularly targets people who travel, with plans covering more than 200 countries.
However, it is a little less flexible than its competitor, so there is less chance of finding the ideal combination of number of days / data with Saily. For a duration of 7 days, for example, you can only get 1 GB of mobile data. If you need more, you have to turn to 30-day plans, even if you stay much shorter. And for 15 days, the only option is an expensive unlimited option, which is unavailable for a 30-day stay. This operator's offer will clearly not always be adapted to your specific needs.
Price-wise, they are reasonable if you find a plan that matches your usage and length of stay. It depends on the offer, but the rates are still higher than those of Ubigi in most cases. They are also expressed in US dollars, which makes it more difficult for consumers to compare with alternatives or know exactly how much they will have to spend in euros.
Saily, however, benefits from the security environment of the creators of NordVPN. It is possible to change virtual locations on the fly, as you do with a VPN, among a selection of 115 locations. An ad blocker can be activated for better browsing comfort, to speed up page loading, and to save your mobile data. A web protection tool limits online trackers and blocks malicious sites. This is especially useful abroad, as you can more easily fall into the trap of sites and services that imitate official portals.
GigSky: a free trial to test the service
A solution from the United States, GigSky is recommended for its free plan, which allows you to troubleshoot minor needs or try out the service before subscribing to a plan. This formula gives you access to 100 MB of mobile data, without the need to enter your credit card information. It's definitely a good idea to get started with the eSIM experience without taking any risks.
GigSky provides mobile network access in over 190 countries. The provider offers 1 GB of data for 7 days, 3 GB for 15 days, and 5 or 10 GB for 30 days. Unlimited plans are also available for 3, 7, or 15 days. Be careful, though: if mobile data isn't capped, connection speeds slow down after using 2.5 GB per day. As for the prices, they are quite close to what we find at Saily.
The operator also offers packages for using the internet on the plane with certain airlines, or at sea during a cruise. In this case, prices rise very quickly, but it can be a suitable solution in an emergency.
Unlike eSIM service resellers, who act as commercial intermediaries but do not have control over the infrastructure, GigSky has direct control over its network, allowing it to guarantee its customers security and performance. In case of problems, support is available 24/7.
Airalo: one plan for 138 country coverage
Like GigSky, Airalo offers a free trial eSIM to test the service. This provides 1 GB of mobile data for one day, but is limited to only a few destinations: the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, China, Japan, Turkey, and Greece. Afterwards, you must top up with standard plans.
One of Airalo's unique features is that it gives users the choice between a data-only plan, or one that includes data as well as SMS and phone calls. Most eSIM providers of this type only provide internet access and do not allow traditional voice calls and texts. We also appreciate the transparency of the offers. It is always specified whether the plan includes 5G or only 4G, and which local carrier networks are used (T-Mobile and Verizon in the case of the United States, for example).
Airalo is available in more than 200 countries. Regional and global eSIMs allow you to pay for a plan that works in several countries at once. Discover covers 138 countries, which can be useful if you plan to quickly move from one state to another during your travels. Packs for Europe, North America, or other continents are also available for greater flexibility.
Airalo, however, is less customizable than Ubigi. Six local plans are available: 1 GB for 7 days, 2 GB for 15 days, and then 3, 5, 10, or 20 GB for 30 days. There is no unlimited offer from this provider, whose prices are also generally higher than those charged by the other operators in this comparison.
GoMoWorld: Xavier Niel's eSIM operator
We conclude this comparison with a French eSIM solution, GoMoWorld. It was created by NJJ Télécom, a holding company owned by Xavier Niel. It is not directly linked to Free, but to the entrepreneur's other telecom activities abroad (Monaco Telecom, Salt in Switzerland, Eir in Ireland, etc.).
GoMoWorld covers more than 200 destinations, some of which are 5G (especially in Europe). To reassure consumers, the service guarantees a full refund if you are unable to activate the plan you purchase. It is also possible to purchase a data plan in advance and activate it later for added convenience. In addition, 1 GB of data is offered on selected destinations to test the platform.
GoMoWorld, on the other hand, is the least flexible provider in our selection. Apart from Europe, there are no regional, continental, or global plans; you must choose a specific country. Furthermore, only three plans are available: 2.5 GB for 7 days, 12 GB for 15 days, and 25 GB for 30 days. With such a limited selection, you won't necessarily find what you're looking for.
On the other hand, GoMoWorld is undoubtedly the operator that offers the best value for money. For the United States, for example, you only pay €19.99 for 25 GB of mobile data or €10.99 for 12 GB. These offers are more generous in data and cheaper than most of the plans offered by the competition. But be careful, remember that Ubigi, to name just one, offers the 5G network across the Atlantic, which GoMoWorld does not, which may also partly explain the price difference.
What offers do Orange, Free, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom offer?
Our good old major French operators have of course started offering an eSIM option to their customers. Unlike specialized eSIM providers, they generally do not offer specific eSIM plans, but only allow customers to do without a physical SIM card for their traditional subscriptions.
Unfortunately, whether with Orange, Free, SFR, or Bouygues Telecom, using eSIM does not allow them to avoid activation fees. With the four major operators, the eSIM should not be considered a temporary plan for a limited time, but a long-term subscription like any other. If you go abroad, you can subscribe to an international option with your provider, just as you would with a traditional SIM card.
Don't hesitate to consult our comparison of the best 5G mobile plans to find out more about the interesting subscriptions available from Orange, Free, SFR and Bouygues Telecom, as well as their low-cost subsidiaries (Sosh, Red by SFR, B&You) and some other competitors.
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