Is eSIM better than Physical SIM: Signal, Speed & Usage

eSIM adoption has been steadily increasing worldwide, with more smartphones and mobile operators supporting eSIM technology.

Major smartphone brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, Huawei, Motorola, Xiaomi, and more have already incorporated eSIM support in their devices for a good few years. And almost any new phone is now equipped with an eSIM.

Additionally, many eSIM service providers have emerged in countries worldwide, offering eSIM plans and data packages specifically designed for travelers. These eSIM service providers let you purchase and activate eSIMs remotely, making travel extremely convenient.

It has made looking for the most convenient package a breeze, as you can shop online to find the best eSIM plan for your needs. It’s indeed become the quickest way to get online, practically as soon as you land in another country.

In 2026, finding travel and tourist eSIM packages is extremely easy, thanks to various eSIM marketplaces where you can browse and purchase eSIM plans from different network providers and with different benefits.

Most eSIM marketplaces provide eSIM plans for a long list of countries, if not the whole world.

Buying your eSIM on a trusted eSIM marketplace is the safest and most affordable way to quickly find the plan that best suits your travel itinerary and budget.

While there are countless eSIM marketplaces, you can easily find the right eSIM plan for your travel needs with a combination of Ubigi, Sim Local, and Airalo.

Ubigi

Superb coverage in 200+ destinations

Plus fantastic regional plans for Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Carribean, and Oceania

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Sim Local

200+ destinations

Great selection of fixed and unlimited data eSIM plans and plans with a number

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Airalo

200+ destinations

Affordable for short and long trips

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1. Ubigi

Ubigi is a well-known name and one of the travel eSIM pioneers, having started offering eSIM options for travelers in 2018. They are a reliable option for getting you online while traveling.

The thing we like most about Ubigi is that they offer fixed and unlimited data plans for an incredibly wide range of countries. In addition, they have fantastic regional plans, especially for Europe – we had a great experience with using Ubigi in London.

You can now save 10% on your first Ubigi eSIM with the code SHIPPEDAWAY (automatically applied at checkout when you follow this link).

2. Sim Local

Sim Local is another big name in the eSIM market, offering great plans not only online but also at select airports in Europe.

We used Sim Local’s unlimited data plan in the Dolomites and Albania and had a great experience. In addition to data-only plans, they also offer plans with a phone number so you can make calls and send text messages (depending on the destination).

3. Airalo

Airalo, considered the first eSIM marketplace, provides eSIM plans for over 200 destinations worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North and South America.

Airalo’s eSIM plans are some of the best on the market and often the most affordable options for both short and long trips.

We’ve used Airalo on countless trips and have had a good experience. However, the selection of plans isn’t always the best and doesn’t always cover our needs.

Use the code MATEJ1033 to save $3 on your first Airalo eSIM purchase.

It’s now been a good few years since the eSIM technology became a regular thing. It’s a practical innovation that we especially appreciate as frequent travelers.

We no longer have to deal with manually taking out our primary SIM and replacing it with a SIM of our new destination. Now we get to keep our home number active while using the new local SIM for internet access.

• Check everywhere we’ve been

In addition to lessening the hassle of dealing with a physical SIM card, which can get broken, scratched, or generally damaged, we also don’t have to visit any physical store anymore.

While having to spend an extra 10 to 15 minutes on arrival to a new country sounds like a first-world problem, it’s another tiresome step before we can get to our hotel and wind down after a long travel day.

Now, before traveling to a new country, we simply hop on one of our favorite eSIM marketplaces, choose and buy an eSIM, and install it on our phones. Then, when we arrive, it automatically connects to the local network, and we’re online!

For multi-country trips, regional eSIM packages are a great option. You only need to install the regional eSIM once, and on arrival in a new country, it automatically switches to the correct network.

We’ve used the regional eSIM many times in South East Asia, as it’s convenient, and the prices are still quite acceptable.

You can also get a global eSIM plan, but, of course, those are more expensive than single-country or regional plans.

One of the main advantages of eSIMs is their flexibility.

Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs can store multiple profiles, allowing you to switch between different networks without physically swapping out SIM cards. This is particularly useful for travelers like us, who frequently switch between different countries and networks.

One such scenario is vacationing in Thailand with a Thailand eSIM package and then going on a trip to Vietnam with a Vietnam eSIM. You save time twice, as you can buy both simply online.

Better yet, you can buy an Asia eSIM package and get connectivity in both countries (and more!). And if you travel frequently between continents, it’s worth checking out the Global eSIM.

In contrast, physical SIM cards require you to insert and remove the card from your devices physically. This can be inconvenient, especially when traveling or if you don’t have a dual SIM phone (most of us don’t).

And let’s not forget the stress of finding a good SIM card package on your arrival at the airport or in the city. With an eSIM, you can completely forget about that step of travel.

Another advantage of eSIM packages bought from eSIM marketplaces is that you often don’t need to go through the identity verification process with your passport. This is usually done at local SIM card stores.

However, that does depend on the type of package you buy. Some plans from one country might require it, while others (from the same country) don’t.

There are a few disadvantages to consider when using eSIMs. One of the main disadvantages is the limited availability and support for eSIMs. Not all smartphones and network providers currently support eSIM technology.

Additionally, eSIMs cannot be easily transferred to other devices. Unlike physical SIM cards that can be removed and inserted into different devices, eSIMs are tied to the specific device they were installed on. This can be problematic if you want to switch to a new device or share your eSIM with another device.

It is now possible to transfer an eSIM between different phones, but this depends heavily on the local network provider and the phone’s operating system.

Finally, there was one particular issue we personally had with the eSIM technology. Some time ago, we had an iPhone 11 with one of our home plans installed via eSIM. Then, when we traveled abroad, we wanted to keep the home number active and install another (local) eSIM.

Unfortunately, since the iPhone 11 only allowed one active eSIM at a time, this was not possible. So, we had to switch between the eSIMs by enabling/disabling them. Note: Newer phones support two or more eSIMs active simultaneously.

Activating an eSIM before traveling to a new country is quick and easy.

When you purchase an eSIM plan, the eSIM provider issues an eSIM QR code or activation code/link. You then use this to download/install the eSIM onto the device’s chip and make it available.

Before using an eSIM, make sure your device supports eSIM technology. While most of us install eSIMs on our smartphones, you can also use them on tablets, smartwatches, and laptops.

Please note that device compatibility may vary based on regional restrictions and carrier limitations. It’s important to check with your device manufacturer or eSIM provider to ensure compatibility before purchasing an eSIM.

You can check this convenient eSIM compatibility list.

While eSIM technology is designed to be user-friendly, you may encounter issues or difficulties with your digital SIM while traveling.

Here are some tips for troubleshooting common eSIM issues:

1. Contact your eSIM provider: If you are experiencing persistent issues with your eSIM, contact your eSIM provider for assistance. They can help troubleshoot the issue and provide guidance on resolving any connectivity or activation problems.
   
2. Restart your device: Sometimes, a simple restart of your device can resolve minor connectivity issues. Try turning off your device, waiting a few moments, and then turning it back on to see if the issue is resolved. Another similar trick is to switch the flight mode on and off.
   
3. Update your device firmware: Keeping your firmware up to date can help address compatibility issues and ensure optimal performance with eSIM technology. Check for any available updates for your device and install them if necessary.

Without a doubt, eSIMs really are a must-have and the most hassle-free way to stay connected on our travels.

Since we got phones supporting eSIM technology a few years back, we have switched our “home” plans to eSIM, and we also always buy local eSIMs whenever we travel. We haven’t inserted a SIM card in our phones in years.

Plus, over the years, we have saved much time and trouble by no longer needing to visit any mobile store and browse overpriced packages for a new SIM card. We’re online as soon as we land in a new country – simple.

We can’t think of any disadvantages of eSIM that would make us return to a physical SIM.

Happy travels!