Best Global eSIM for Travel | Your 2025 Complete Guide

Trying to figure out the best way to stay connected while travelling across multiple countries? Global eSIMs make it easier than ever to get online while traipsing around the world. But not all global eSIMs are created equal – some offer incredible value, while others charge premium prices for convenience you might not need.

In this guide, we’ll compare the best global eSIM providers, break down pricing for 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB plans, and show you how to save money by combining regional eSIMs with country add-ons. We’ll also cover key tips to know before buying, like phone compatibility and hotspot support, so you’re fully prepped before your next trip.

What Is a Global eSIM and How Does It Work?

Let’s start at the top. A global eSIM is a digital SIM card that works across multiple countries, making it ideal for international travel. Instead of swapping out a tiny plastic SIM every time you cross a border, a global eSIM lets you activate data plans instantly on your phone, no matter where in the world you are. As someone who travels a fair bit for work and pleasure, I can confidently say it’s one of the most underrated travel hacks, that is, if you don’t mind paying for the convenience.

What Does “Global” Mean in the Context of eSIMs?

When we talk about global eSIMs, we’re usually referring to an eSIM plan that works across dozens (or even hundreds) of countries. Instead of being tied to just one region, like Europe or Asia, global eSIMs give you the freedom to hop between continents with the same eSIM installed on your phone. Some plans are truly global, while others focus on the most common travel hubs.

At ZenSim, for example, our global travel eSIM covers 119 countries, which includes most of the major tourist and business destinations. That means less time researching SIM cards and more time exploring. The catch? Some global plans offer smaller data limits or higher prices compared to regional ones, which is why it's worth comparing based on where you’re headed.

How Does an International eSIM Work for Travel?

Using a global or international eSIM is surprisingly easy. Once you’ve bought your plan, you’ll receive a QR code or activation link. From there, it’s just a matter of installing it on your device (make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible), switching it on when you land, and waiting a few moments for it to connect.

Usually, you’ll be online in under a minute. I’ve found that turning on flight mode, waiting 30 seconds, then turning it off again helps your phone connect faster in new countries. That said, it can sometimes take up to 15 minutes to latch onto the local network for the first time, especially in more remote regions. Don’t panic if it doesn’t kick in instantly - just give it a moment and maybe grab a coffee while it connects.

Once it’s on, you’re good to go. Hot spotting, checking maps, uploading travel pics - all without hunting for Wi-Fi or paying for roaming.

Why Use a Worldwide eSIM for Travel?

Global eSIMs aren’t just a tech upgrade - they’re a massive stress-saver. If you’ve ever travelled across multiple countries, you’ll know the pain of finding a SIM card kiosk, downloading another app, or switching out SIMs mid-transit. A worldwide eSIM solves all of that. With one installation, you’ve got coverage across dozens of countries, often over a hundred, depending on the provider.

Now, as someone who works at ZenSim, I’ll be the first to say that using a regional eSIM and adding a few countries as top ups can be a cheaper route in many cases. But the sheer convenience of knowing you’re already covered in your next destination is pretty hard to beat.

Convenience

If juggling multiple eSIMs or researching local SIM cards isn’t your idea of fun, a global eSIM is your best friend for those around the world type trips where you’re hopping continents. It’s the simplest solution for international travel - one plan, one installation, and you’re good to go.

With that said, ZenSim lets you add multiple countries to the same eSIM if you’re looking to save a bit and don’t mind adding top ups to your other destinations in the app. But if you’d rather just know that you’re set across 100+ countries without needing to think twice, global coverage makes the whole trip smoother. I’ve used both approaches depending on the itinerary, and sometimes convenience really is worth the few extra bucks.

One eSIM, Multiple Countries

One of the best parts about a global travel eSIM is that it just works. Land in a new country, turn off flight mode, and wait a few seconds - you’re online. There’s no need to download anything new or mess around in settings. As long as the countries you’re visiting are included in the plan, you’ll stay connected automatically.

Most international eSIMs support 100+ countries these days, which usually covers the major tourist routes. Unless you’re heading deep into lesser-known regions, chances are your destinations are included. Still, it’s always worth checking the list before you purchase.

Avoiding Roaming Fees With International Data eSIMs

Roaming fees are brutal. If you’re from Australia like me, you’ve probably seen roaming charges anywhere from $5 to $15 per day. That adds up fast. A month-long trip could end up costing more in roaming than your flights did.

Global eSIMs offer international data for a fraction of the cost. For less than the price of a roaming pack that covers just a handful of countries, you can get a global eSIM that works in over 100 different destinations.

A side note about regional eSIMs

Here’s a tip for you. If you haven’t come across them before, there are regional eSIMs that cover entire continents like Europe, Asia, or Latin America. These aren’t technically “global” eSIMs, but they behave the same way across multiple countries within that region - and they’re way cheaper.

If your trip is limited to just one part of the world, a regional eSIM might be all you need. For example, our Europe Travel eSIM works across 33 countries and can be topped up with a few add-on countries if you’re stopping over in places like the UAE or Singapore. It’s a great way to save money while still getting that “global” convenience.

Best Global eSIM Providers Compared

Not all global eSIMs are created equal. Depending on how much data you need, how long you’re travelling, or how much you value support, some providers might suit you better than others. I’ve pulled together a breakdown of four major global travel eSIM providers based on my own testing, community feedback, and what I see customers mention most often. Here's how they stack up.

ZenSim – Best for Support and Mid-Range Plans

ZenSim (yep, that’s us) covers 119 countries and has a 4.9-star rating on ProductReview.com.au, which honestly makes us proud. One of the biggest compliments we get is how easy our app is to use - topping up, checking your balance, or adding new countries takes just a few taps. And if anything ever goes wrong, our team replies fast, usually within minutes.

Our global eSIM is best suited to travellers who want that sweet spot of price and performance. The 10GB and 20GB plans hit the mark for most travellers and tend to be better value than other global options out there. You also get full hotspot support and no sneaky speed caps.

Airalo – Best for Low Usage and Long Validity

Airalo is a name that comes up a lot, and for good reason. It supports 137 countries and offers super long validity periods - up to 365 days on some plans. That’s great if you travel occasionally or only need a small amount of data but want to keep it active for the long haul.

That said, with a 3.7-star average on Trustpilot, reviews are mixed. Some folks love the convenience, while others run into issues with connectivity or getting support when something doesn’t work. If you’re a light user and don’t mind a bit of a risk with customer support, it can be a decent pick.

Saily – Great for Privacy-Focused Travellers

Saily is part of the NordVPN group, which is a big plus for anyone who values privacy and security. Their global eSIM covers 113 countries and includes a few extra perks tied to Nord’s ecosystem.

Saily scores a solid 4.6 stars on Trustpilot and tends to be priced similarly to Airalo, but with a slightly smoother interface. Validity is generous too - 60 to 365 days depending on your plan. It’s not the cheapest, but it ticks a lot of boxes for security-conscious nomads.

Ubigi – Best Coverage, But Pricey

Ubigi blows everyone else out of the water when it comes to coverage, with support for a massive 201 countries. That’s hard to beat. But here’s the catch - the pricing is steep. Their 3GB plan is already more expensive than most 5GB global eSIMs, and their 25GB plan will set you back around $148 USD for just 30 days.

With a 4.1-star rating on Trustpilot, they’re fairly well-reviewed, and the setup is straightforward. But unless you absolutely need coverage in somewhere very niche, you’ll likely find better value elsewhere. I usually only recommend Ubigi when someone needs the widest coverage and budget isn’t a concern.

Global eSIM Pricing Breakdown

To make it easier to compare global eSIM options, here’s a side-by-side look at the most popular data sizes: 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB. Each provider offers different pricing models and validity periods, which can make a big difference depending on your travel style.

Let’s break it down.

5GB Global eSIM Plans

• ZenSim
  A$49 ($31 USD) – 30 days
  119 countries
  4.9 stars – Best for support and local Aussie team
• Airalo
  A$55 ($35 USD) – 60 days
  137 countries
  3.7 stars – Good if you want longer validity
• Saily
  A$56 ($33.99 USD) – 60 days
  113 countries
  4.6 stars – Solid choice with added security features
• Ubigi
  A$66 ($40 USD) – 30 days (only 3GB, not 5GB)
  201 countries
  4.1 stars – Expensive for what you get

Best for:
ZenSim offers the best price for 5GB with excellent service and app usability to match.
If you need longer validity, Airalo or Saily are good alternatives, but you’ll pay more.

10GB Global eSIM Plans

• ZenSim
  A$79 ($51 USD) – 30 days
  119 countries
  4.9 stars – Fast support, easy top-ups, super clean app
• Airalo
  A$93 ($59 USD) – 180 days
  137 countries
  3.7 stars – Long shelf life if you don’t use much data
• Saily
  A$94 ($56.99 USD) – 180 days
  113 countries
  4.6 stars – Similar to Airalo but with better reviews
• Ubigi
  A$145 ($88 USD) – 30 days
  201 countries
  4.1 stars – Significantly more expensive

Best for:
ZenSim is great for shorter trips and responsive help when you need it.
Saily is a solid pick if you want better longevity

20GB Global eSIM Plans

• ZenSim
  A$137 ($88 USD) – 30 days
  119 countries
  4.9 stars – Reliable, great support, simple to manage
• Airalo
  A$108.50 ($69 USD) – 365 days
  137 countries
  3.7 stars – Cheapest option with long validity
• Saily
  A$110 ($66.99 USD) – 365 days
  113 countries
  4.6 stars – Best balance of value and reputation
• Ubigi
  A$244 ($148 USD) – 30 days (technically 25GB)
  201 countries
  4.1 stars – Massive coverage, but pricey

Best for:
Airalo and Saily offer unbeatable value for long-term, low-stress travellers.
ZenSim is a slightly more expensive option, but you’re getting top-rated support and a friendly local team that actually replies.
Ubigi is a fallback if you’re going very off-grid.

Summary

• Best value for 5GB or 10GB plans: ZenSim – lowest price and strongest support
• Best value 20GB: Saily – great price, generous validity, excellent reviews
• Best local support and app experience: ZenSim – ideal for shorter trips and hands-on help
• Best if you need coverage almost everywhere: Ubigi – 201 countries, at a large premium

If you're on a tighter budget and your route is covered, ZenSim’s pricing is tough to beat on the 5GB and 10GB plans. For slower travellers spreading out their data, Saily and Airalo give you longer validity without needing a top-up.

Cheaper Alternatives to Global eSIMs

Global eSIMs are great, but they’re not always the best deal. A lot of travellers only visit a few countries at a time, and in that case, there are smarter ways to save. If your trip stays mostly within one region, you can often get more data for less by picking up a regional eSIM and adding on a few extras as needed.

This is one of the reasons we built ZenSim to support flexible country add-ons – it gives you global-like coverage without the global-level price tag.

Why Global eSIMs Aren’t Always the Best Value

The idea of a single eSIM that works everywhere sounds appealing, but in reality, most of us aren’t travelling to 119 countries in one go. Global eSIMs offer unbeatable convenience, but you usually pay more per GB, and you might not end up using most of the countries included.

If you're visiting five or six destinations in the same part of the world, a global plan might be overkill. Regional eSIMs are a great alternative I HIGHLY RECOMMEND as you likely pay less and get more data – you can even add top-ups on the fly as you travel around, so you don’t have to go and purchase them all at once.

Regional eSIMs + Add-On Countries = Big Savings

At ZenSim, we designed our system so you can start with a regional plan (or any plan really) – like Europe, Asia, or Latin America – and then simply add countries as a top-up later. If you’re heading to Europe but have stopovers in Dubai or Singapore, just select them as add-ons instead of going all-in on a global plan. You can add any country on a Global eSIM as an individual top up so the coverage is the same.

Not only is this more cost-effective, but it also means you’re not paying for 50 countries you’ll never visit. In most cases, this combo gives you more data for a lower price, compared to full global plans.

Example: Europe + Stopovers

Here’s a real-world example. Let’s say you’re flying to Europe with a quick layover in Dubai and a few days in Singapore on the way back. You could buy a 20GB global eSIM from ZenSim for A$137 – which is still great value for full global coverage.

But if your main destination is Europe, you could instead grab our 20GB Europe eSIM for A$35, then add Dubai and Singapore as extra countries during checkout for $10-$30 depending on the data you need. You’d save heaps of money and get the exact same level of access,

Things to Consider Before Buying a Global Travel eSIM

Before you click buy on a global eSIM, there are a couple of small but important things to check. These are the sorts of details that can make your trip feel smooth instead of frustrating. Luckily, they’re easy to tick off – and once they’re sorted, you’ll be free to roam.

Is Your Phone eSIM-Compatible?

First things first – not all phones support eSIMs. Most recent iPhones, Google Pixels, and Samsung Galaxy models do, but it’s always worth checking. You don’t want to land in a new country, ready to activate your eSIM, only to find your phone isn’t compatible.

To make things easier, we built a quick checker tool you can use:
Check if your phone is eSIM-compatible

Can You Hotspot With a Global eSIM?

One of the biggest concerns we get from travellers is: can I hotspot from my global eSIM?

The short answer is yes. All the providers featured in this guide – including ZenSim, Airalo, Saily, and Ubigi – support tethering. That means you can share your data with your laptop, tablet, or your partner who forgot to buy their own plan.

To Finish Up

Global eSIMs are a game-changer for hassle-free travel, but they’re not always the most cost-effective option. If your trip sticks to one region, a regional eSIM with add-on countries can give you better value and more data. ZenSim offers both, along with top-rated support if you ever need a hand. Still not sure which option’s right for your trip? Reach out – we’re happy to help you get sorted before you fly.