At a glance
- 1PelesimTrips that cross more than one region$47Global plan with 10 GB
- 2AiraloLong trips that need data to last for months$57Global plan with 10 GB
- 3UbigiShort multi-country trips on a set data budget$39Global plan with 10 GB
- 4NomadFrequent travellers who want data that lasts between trips$62Global plan with 10 GB
- 5HolaflyHeavy data users who want unlimited and nothing elseNot offered
What a global eSIM is for
A global eSIM is one data plan that works in many countries, so you install it once and it connects as you cross borders. It earns its price when a trip spans several regions, such as Europe then Asia, or when you travel often and do not want to buy a new eSIM each time. If you are staying in one country or one region, a country or regional plan is usually cheaper for the same data. See our lists for Europe, Japan, Thailand and the USA.
How we picked
We compared each provider’s global plan on how many countries it covers, the price of 10 GB, its unlimited option, top-ups and refunds. Prices were read from each provider’s own site on 2 November 2026. Pelesim prices are shown before VAT, which is added only for customers billed in Israel; other prices are as each site displayed them, and local taxes may apply. Where a provider’s site gives more than one country count, we used the number on its own country list.
Check your route against the country list
Every provider counts “global” differently, and the headline number can mix countries with territories. Holafly’s global page gives 142 countries in its country list, 121 in one answer and “more than 200 destinations” elsewhere, and Ubigi gives no count for each global plan at all. Open the plan’s own country list and check every country on your route before you buy.
Fixed data or unlimited?
For maps, messaging and social apps, 10 GB a month is plenty for most travellers, and a fixed plan costs less than unlimited. No unlimited plan here is unlimited at full speed: each gives a set amount of fast data, daily or for the whole plan, then slows down. Our unlimited data eSIMs list compares those limits in detail.
When the plan starts, and how long you have to use it
A global plan is often bought weeks before a trip, so check when its days start counting. Pelesim plans start on first use, and you have 180 days to install the eSIM. Nomad gives you 60 days after purchase to activate a plan, and its eSIM can only be installed once. Ubigi plans that are not activated within six months of purchase expire. On a long trip, Airalo’s 10 GB plan lasts 180 days and Nomad’s Global-EX plan 180 days, against 30 days on most others.
Your phone needs to support eSIM and be carrier unlocked. Install the eSIM at home while you are online, turn on data roaming for that line when you arrive, and keep your home SIM on for calls and texts so bank codes still reach you.
No. 1, our pick
Pelesim
Best for trips that cross more than one region
One global eSIM for 117 countries with both fixed-data and daily plans, plus country and regional plans in 200+ destinations for trips that stay in one place.
What we like
- 10 GB for 30 days for $47, across 117 countries
- Daily plans of 1 GB a day, then 384 Kbps, from 1 to 365 days
- Refund within 30 days of purchase if the eSIM is not activated
- Plans start on first use, with 180 days to install
Keep in mind
- Data only, no phone number
- Android app only so far (iPhone users manage it on the website)
- Countries
- 117 (global plan)
- 10 GB plan
- $47, 30 days
- Unlimited
- 7 days $42, 1 GB a day then 384 Kbps
- Top-ups
- Yes
- Refund
- Within 30 days, if not activated
No. 2
Airalo
Best for long trips that need data to last for months
The widest coverage of the five at 168 countries, long-validity plans, and a version that adds a US number with calls and texts.
What we like
- Covers 168 countries
- 10 GB lasts 180 days, and 20 GB lasts 365 days for $66
- Discover+ adds a US number with minutes and texts
- Apps for iPhone and Android
Keep in mind
- No 30-day 10 GB plan; the nearest 10 GB plan is $57 for 180 days
- Refunds in the app are paid as Airmoney, Airalo's in-app credit
- Countries
- 168
- 10 GB plan
- $57, 180 days
- Unlimited
- 7 days $45, 3 GB a day then 1 Mbps
- Top-ups
- Yes
- Refund
- In-app refunds as Airmoney credit
No. 3
Ubigi
Best for short multi-country trips on a set data budget
A low 10 GB price on its BEST WORLD plan and data sharing on every plan, but a short refund window.
What we like
- BEST WORLD 10 GB for 30 days for US$39
- Says its eSIM works in 200+ destinations
- Data sharing allowed on every plan
Keep in mind
- No country count stated for each global plan, so check your route
- Refunds only for unused plans, within 14 business days
- Countries
- 200+ destinations (Ubigi's figure)
- 10 GB plan
- US$39, 30 days
- Unlimited
- 8 days US$49, 25 GB fast then 2 Mbps
- Top-ups
- Yes
- Refund
- Unused plans, within 14 business days
No. 4
Nomad
Best for frequent travellers who want data that lasts between trips
Fixed-data global plans in 123 destinations, and a Global-EX plan that stretches 10 GB over 180 days for people who travel often.
What we like
- Global plan in 123 destinations
- Global-EX 10 GB for 180 days for $39, in 98 destinations
- Hotspot supported
- Full refund within 30 days if not installed or activated
Keep in mind
- 10 GB for 30 days costs $62
- No global unlimited plan
- Countries
- 123 (Global)
- 10 GB plan
- $62, 30 days
- Unlimited
- Not offered
- Top-ups
- Add-ons while the plan is active
- Refund
- Within 30 days, if not installed or activated
No. 5
Holafly
Best for heavy data users who want unlimited and nothing else
Unlimited data in 142 countries, priced by the day with a long refund window, but no fixed-data plans and hotspot capped at 1 GB a day.
What we like
- Unlimited data in 142 countries, from 1 to 90 days
- Refunds can be requested for up to 6 months
Keep in mind
- Unlimited only, from $46.90 for 7 days to $161.50 for 30 days
- Hotspot capped at 1 GB a day, and no data top-ups
- Countries
- 142
- 10 GB plan
- Not offered
- Unlimited
- 7 days $46.90, fair use
- Top-ups
- Extra days only
- Refund
- Up to 6 months; full refund if not activated
Compare all five
| Our pickPelesim | No. 2Airalo | No. 3Ubigi | No. 4Nomad | No. 5Holafly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countries | 117 (global plan) | 168 | 200+ destinations (Ubigi's figure) | 123 (Global) | 142 |
| 10 GB plan | $47, 30 days | $57, 180 days | US$39, 30 days | $62, 30 days | Not offered |
| Unlimited | 7 days $42, 1 GB a day then 384 Kbps | 7 days $45, 3 GB a day then 1 Mbps | 8 days US$49, 25 GB fast then 2 Mbps | Not offered | 7 days $46.90, fair use |
| Top-ups | Yes | Yes | Yes | Add-ons while the plan is active | Extra days only |
| Refund | Within 30 days, if not activated | In-app refunds as Airmoney credit | Unused plans, within 14 business days | Within 30 days, if not installed or activated | Up to 6 months; full refund if not activated |
Common questions
What is the best eSIM for international travel?
For most trips, Pelesim is our pick: one global eSIM covers 117 countries, with 10 GB for 30 days for $47 or daily plans of 1 GB a day, and country and regional plans in 200+ destinations when you only visit one place. Airalo suits long trips, with 10 GB lasting 180 days, and Holafly suits people who only want unlimited data.
How much does a global eSIM cost?
In prices checked on 2 November 2026, 10 GB on a global plan cost $47 for 30 days at Pelesim, US$39 for 30 days on Ubigi's BEST WORLD plan, $62 for 30 days at Nomad, and $57 for 180 days at Airalo. Holafly sells only unlimited global data, from $46.90 for 7 days.
Is a global eSIM better than a country eSIM?
Only if you visit several countries. A global plan covers many countries on one eSIM, but a plan for a single country or region usually costs less for the same data. Pelesim's Europe plans, for example, start at $2.50 and cover 41 countries. Buy a global plan when your route crosses regions or is not fixed yet.
Do global eSIMs come with a phone number?
Most do not. Pelesim, Ubigi, Nomad and Holafly global eSIMs are data only, so you call over apps like WhatsApp. Airalo's Discover+ plan adds a US number with a set number of minutes and texts. To call landlines and businesses from a data-only eSIM, use an app that rings real phone numbers, such as CallTuv.
Can I get a refund on a global eSIM?
It depends on the provider. Pelesim refunds within 30 days of purchase if the eSIM has not been activated, and Nomad within 30 days if it is not installed or activated. Holafly accepts refund requests for up to 6 months, Ubigi only for unused plans within 14 business days, and Airalo pays in-app refunds as Airmoney credit.
