Best eSIMs for Digital Nomads: Top Plans Compared

TL;DR: For digital nomads needing a reliable mobile connection when working abroad, Holafly Plans offers unlimited monthly data with hotspot access from €45.95/month. Saily Ultra provides monthly data and strong security tools starting at $29.99 USD/month. Nomad Global-EX gives long-lasting prepaid data, such as 10 GB for 180 days at $39.00 USD. Airalo Discover has broad global coverage and optional calls/texts from $8.50 USD for prepaid packages. Choosing the best global eSIM depends on your data needs, how often you travel, and whether you need extra features like security or a separate phone number.

Imagine you’re on a video call with a client from a café in Lisbon, or uploading important files for a project while sitting by a beach in Thailand. Suddenly, the local Wi-Fi cuts out. For a digital nomad, this isn’t just an inconvenience; it can mean missed deadlines or lost income. That’s why having a strong, reliable mobile data connection is just as vital as your laptop or passport when you live and work across different countries. An eSIM can be your lifeline, making sure your home number stays active while you switch countries without hassle.

When you work as you travel, you need more than just enough internet data for maps or sending messages. You might need to join video calls, send large files, use online tools, or share your phone’s internet with your laptop if the Wi-Fi at your hotel or a café isn’t good. An eSIM allows you to set up a plan that works in many countries before you even leave your home. You can then use the internet in different places and still keep your usual phone number active on your device, provided your phone is compatible.

It is important to understand that there is no single best choice for every person who works from different locations. For example, a monthly plan that offers unlimited data could be a very good fit if you are someone who travels and moves between many countries regularly. On the other hand, a prepaid plan that lasts for a very long time could actually offer better value and save you money if you mostly use mobile data only sometimes, perhaps as a backup when Wi-Fi is not available. This guide compares different eSIMs for digital nomads. We will look at how many countries they cover, monthly plans, plans that last a long time, if you can use them as a hotspot, any limits on how much data you use fairly, and other important features for staying connected when your work depends on it.

Best eSIM Providers for Digital Nomads: A Quick Look

Here is a quick overview of some top eSIM providers for people who work and travel:

Provider	Best For	Starting Price
Holafly Plans	Monthly global data and sharing internet with your laptop often. Get 25 GB or unlimited data across 160+ countries.	From €45.95/month
Saily Ultra	Online security tools, travel benefits, and monthly data. Offers a set amount of fast data, then slower unlimited data in 121 countries.	From $29.99 USD/month
Nomad Global-EX	Prepaid data that lasts a long time. Offers fixed data for 180 or 365 days, covering 98 countries.	From $39.00 USD
Airalo Discover	Wide prepaid coverage and options for calls and texts in 170 countries.	From $8.50 USD

Please note that prices and plan details can change based on where you are, your currency, and any special offers. Providers might also show prices in different currencies. Always check the provider’s own website for the newest information before you make a purchase. Many of these eSIM plans are priced in US dollars or euros. It is a good idea to check what these costs mean in your local currency, like pounds, before buying.

What are Holafly Plans?

Holafly Plans are made for people who travel a lot, work from different places, and digital nomads who want an eSIM that renews every month. The Unlimited plan costs €59.95 per month. Both the Unlimited and Light plans let you share your internet with several devices using a hotspot, which is a great feature for remote work Holafly. The Unlimited plan is generally considered a more practical and effective choice if you frequently need to connect your laptop to the internet, or if you regularly join important video meetings, or if you often move between various countries during your travels.

This plan also gives you a phone number. However, its calling and texting features might not be the same as a regular mobile phone contract you have in the UK. The plan renews every 30 days, and you can stop it without having to commit for a long time. It’s important to know that the billing starts as soon as you buy the plan, not when you begin your trip.

Holafly also has “fair-use” rules. This means that if you use a lot of data very quickly, local phone networks might temporarily reduce your internet speed for a short time. The Light plan cannot be refilled with more data, but you can change it to the Unlimited plan if you need more. Holafly is good for full-time travellers who want their plan to renew automatically each month, covers many countries, and offers generous hotspot access.

What is Saily Ultra?

Saily Ultra offers a monthly eSIM plan that works worldwide, along with tools for online safety and travel perks Saily. The Standard plan begins at $29.99 USD per month and gives you 5 GB of fast data. The Plus plan offers 10 GB for $44.99, and the Premium plan provides 30 GB for $59.99.

Once you use up the fast data included in your plan, you still get unlimited data, but at slower speeds of up to 1 Mbps. This slower speed is usually quite enough for basic online activities such as sending and receiving messages, checking your emails, and performing simple internet browsing. However, it might not provide sufficient speed for reliable, high-quality video meetings, or for uploading very large files to cloud storage services, which require a faster connection.

Saily Ultra also comes with online security features like NordVPN, NordPass, NordLocker, and Incogni. You also get special customer support, ad blocking, protection for browsing the web, and tools to change your online location. Depending on the plan you pick and what’s available, you might also get benefits like access to airport lounges and fast pass services at airports. Your plan starts right when you buy it and renews every month. To stop it from renewing, you need to cancel at least two days before your next payment is due. Saily Ultra is a good choice for digital nomads who care about online security and travel benefits, in addition to having a monthly global internet connection.

What is Nomad Global-EX?

Nomad Global-EX is a different option for those who do not want a monthly plan. It offers prepaid data plans. For example, plans start at $39.00 USD for 10 GB of data that lasts for 180 days Nomad. There are also bigger plans, like 20 GB for $59, 30 GB for $79, and 50 GB for $129. All these larger plans are good for 365 days.

This type of plan is helpful if you use mobile data as a backup and not as your main internet for work. A single plan can remain available during several trips without running out at the end of every month. You can also use your phone as a hotspot to share internet with other devices. If you need more data or want your plan to last longer, you can buy add-ons for the same eSIM. These add-ons will start working after your first plan finishes.

The main limitation you should be aware of when considering Nomad plans is the range of countries they cover. For instance, Global-EX plans work in 98 countries. This number of countries is quite a bit narrower compared to the much longer lists of global destinations offered by other providers like Airalo, Holafly, and Saily. So, make sure to check if all the places you plan to visit are covered instead of just assuming a year-long plan will work everywhere. Nomad Global-EX is good for nomads who mostly use Wi-Fi at co-working spaces or hotels and need a long-lasting prepaid mobile data backup.

What is Airalo Discover?

Airalo’s Discover Global eSIM offers set data plans, such as 5 GB for 60 days and 20 GB for 365 days. They also have some unlimited data plans for shorter periods Airalo. Airalo is very helpful if you want wide coverage around the world but don’t want to sign up for a monthly plan.

You can share your internet using a hotspot, if your phone and the local network allow it. Many plans can be topped up (meaning you can add more data) or set to renew on their own when you have only 10% of your data left.

Airalo’s Discover+ plans also give you calls, texts, and a phone number from the US Airalo. This can be useful for keeping your work calls separate from your personal UK phone number. However, the amounts for calls and texts are limited. Also, the US number might not work for all banking, verification, or business services you use.

It is important to note that the lowest-priced Airalo packages are unlikely to support much remote work if your job involves heavy data use. Video calls, downloading software, and backing up files to the cloud can consume a small data allowance very quickly. So, you should compare the larger packages with regional or country-specific alternatives. Airalo is a good choice for travellers who want wide prepaid coverage, flexible packages, and the option to include calls and SMS messages.

How Can a Digital Nomad Choose the Best eSIM?

Choosing the best eSIM means looking closely at your travel and work needs. Here are some key things to think about:

• Check Every Place You Will Visit: Not all global plans cover every country. Make sure to look carefully at less common places, islands, or overseas areas, as they might not be included in all eSIM for digital nomads plans.
• Understand Fast Data vs. Unlimited Data: Some plans might offer “unlimited” data, but the internet speed could get slower after you use a certain amount, like 5 GB or 10 GB, each month. Be sure to check this limit when comparing eSIM plans for digital nomads.
• Prioritize Hotspot Access: If you need to connect your laptop to the internet often, make sure the eSIM plan allows hotspot sharing (tethering). Also, check if there are any daily limits on how much data you can share.
• Compare Monthly Subscriptions and Prepaid Plans: Monthly plans that renew automatically are easy for people who travel all the time. But a prepaid plan that lasts 180 or 365 days could be cheaper for occasional mobile data use.
• Consider Calls and Important Texts: Most travel eSIMs only provide data. Some, like Airalo Discover+ and newer plans from Saily or Holafly, offer features related to phone numbers. However, these might not fully replace your personal UK phone number, especially for services that need a UK number for verification.
• Look at When the Plan Starts: Monthly plans can often start right away after you buy them. Prepaid packages might begin when you first connect to a network, or they might have a set date by which you must activate them.
• Compare Prices for Local and Global Plans: If you plan to stay in one country for many months, a local eSIM or a regular phone plan from that country may provide more data for less money than a global eSIM for digital nomads.
• Seek Out Good Customer Support: If your internet connection stops working, it can be a big problem when you have a client call or a work deadline approaching. Good and quick customer support is very important for digital nomad mobile data.

How Do I Install and Manage an eSIM for Remote Work?

Installing and managing your eSIM correctly is key to staying connected. Follow these steps:

• Check if Your Device Works with eSIM: Most newer smartphones support eSIMs. But it’s a good idea to check with the company that made your phone to be sure. iPhone users can find supported models on Apple’s support page.
• Ensure Your Phone is Unlocked: If your phone is locked to your home network in the UK, it might not let you use an eSIM from a different company. You might need to contact your provider to unlock your phone first.
• Review Country Lists and Activation Rules: Always check which countries your eSIM plan covers and how to start using it. If you buy a plan that starts right away, get it just before you need to use it.
• Install with Good Wi-Fi: When you install your eSIM, use a strong and reliable Wi-Fi connection. Also, save the setup instructions somewhere you can look at them even if you don’t have internet.
• Clearly Name Your Phone Lines: Give clear names to your different phone lines, for example, “My UK SIM,” “Travel eSIM,” or “Local eSIM.” This helps you know which one is which.
• Choose the Travel eSIM for Data: Set your phone to use the travel eSIM for mobile data. Make sure to turn off any setting on your phone that might automatically switch your mobile data between different SIMs. This important step helps prevent your UK phone line from unexpectedly using expensive roaming data when you are abroad.
• Turn On Data Roaming for Your Travel eSIM: Most global eSIMs need you to turn on data roaming to connect to partner networks in other countries.
• Test Hotspot Sharing: Before you depend on it for work, connect your laptop to your phone’s hotspot. Make a quick call or run a speed test to make sure it works well.
• Keep Track of Renewals and Data Use: Remember to cancel any plans you no longer use. Also, top up your prepaid plans before you have important work to do.
• Understand Roaming Charges: The communications regulator, Ofcom, advises you to check what your UK phone company charges for roaming. They also suggest turning off roaming on your UK SIM card when you are abroad. This helps avoid surprising costs Ofcom. For a broader explanation of how eSIMs work, you can read our guide.

Why Should Digital Nomads Use an eSIM?

eSIMs offer many benefits for people who work and travel around the world:

• Internet Right After You Arrive: One great advantage is that you can get online and start using the internet very soon after you arrive in a new country, often without needing to find local Wi-Fi first.
• One Plan for Many Countries: You can use a single eSIM plan across several different places without needing to buy a new SIM card each time. This is great for smooth travel, whether you’re working in France or Australia.
• Fast Hotspot Access: If the Wi-Fi at your location stops working, you can quickly turn your phone into a hotspot to keep your laptop or other devices connected for your eSIM for remote work.
• No More Physical SIM Cards: You don’t need to deal with small, easy-to-lose plastic SIM cards, or worry about swapping them when you change countries.
• Keep Your UK Phone Number Active: You can often keep your personal UK phone number working for calls and texts while using the eSIM for data, as long as your phone supports it. You can learn more about what happens to your number when you move abroad. For example, managing your phone number when moving to Germany requires careful planning.
• Easy-to-Track Costs: Whether you choose a prepaid or monthly plan, it’s usually simpler to keep an eye on how much you’re spending on digital nomad mobile data.
• App-based Top-ups and Support: You can often add more data or get help through an app on your phone, making management straightforward.

Common Questions About eSIMs for Digital Nomads

What is the best eSIM for digital nomads?

The best eSIM depends on what you need. Holafly Plans is great if you use a lot of data every month and share your internet often via a hotspot. Saily Ultra is good for travelers who also want online security tools. Nomad is ideal for prepaid data that lasts a long time. Airalo is helpful if you need wide coverage and the option to add calls and text messages. These are all top eSIM for digital nomads.

Can an eSIM replace Wi-Fi at a co-working space or hotel?

An eSIM can replace Wi-Fi for a short time, but it’s risky to rely only on mobile data. The signal strength, internet speed, and rules about how much data you can use fairly (fair-use limits) can all change. Your main internet connection should usually be a stable Wi-Fi, with the eSIM acting as a backup.

How much data does a digital nomad usually need?

Simple tasks like sending emails, messages, and browsing websites don’t use much data. However, video calls, syncing files to cloud storage, uploading media, and downloading software use a lot more. It’s a good idea to check how much data your phone and laptop have used recently before you choose an allowance for your digital nomad mobile data.

Can I keep my UK phone number while using a global eSIM?

Yes, usually you can. Phones that support Dual SIM cards allow you to keep your UK phone line active for calls and texts while the eSIM handles your internet data. However, your UK phone network might still charge you for any calls, texts, or roaming activities on your UK number. Always read their terms and turn off mobile data for your UK number when you are abroad. Find out more about keeping your number when you are moving to Thailand from the UK or any other country.

Can I share my internet (tether) my laptop with a travel eSIM?

Most of the eSIM plans in this guide let you share your internet using a hotspot. But there can be different rules. You should check for any daily limits on hotspot data, limits on fast data, and fair-use rules before you use an eSIM for regular meetings or sending large files.

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