Travel eSIMs you may like:
I have fond memories of my first trip to India… bustling bazaars, grandiose Rajasthani castles, watching an old, wispy-bearded man trotting an elephant through peak-hour traffic. Despite its glaring imperfections, India evokes a weird mysticism that intoxicates even the most battle-hardened traveller.
Given the hassle of local SIMs, the best way for foreigners to stay connected in India is to pre-purchase an eSIM. Owing to their reliability and convenience, many Indian-Australians are switching to eSIMs when visiting home as well.
Looking for the best-value India eSIM? We’re comparing some of the leading options.
WHAT IS AN ESIM?
If you’re new to the term, you might be wondering, “wtf is an eSIM?” Basically, it’s a digital SIM profile stored on your device. Instead of sliding a plastic SIM card with a microchip into your phone, you download and install the eSIM via a QR code or an app.
Once set up, the eSIM starts working automatically when it detects a local mobile network, typically when you touchdown in India. Most eSIMs only include data, no voice or text. But don’t worry. You can get by just fine using WhatsApp, Messenger, or Telegram in India.
These days, most modern smartphones are eSIM compatible. Confirm yours with our compatibility checker tool.
WHY USE AN ESIM IN INDIA?
eSIMs sit in the sweet spot between convenience and cost.
As most well-travelled Aussies know, global roaming can set you back a small fortune, even just for browsing social media or streaming the odd video. Although convenient, Aussie roaming plans offer minimal gigs at a maximum price – they’re not good value.
The other option is a local SIM bought on-the-ground in India. Shady salesmen aside, India has a bit of a bureaucracy problem. A local SIM requires handing over your original passport and visa, a passport-sized photo, proof of address, and, oftentimes, a reference from a local resident, whom you may or may not have to pay.
If you manage to get through all that, you still have to wait several hours (sometimes a full day) for your SIM to activate. Good luck getting a fair-priced taxi at the Delhi Airport without internet access.
An eSIM makes things easy. You can compare prices online and pre-install a plan that automatically activates as soon as your plane touches down. Set up takes about five minutes, and you can monitor usage and top up data on the go through a mobile app.
No juggling tiny plastic SIM cards, haggling with hard-bargaining clerks, or stressing about excessive roaming fees. eSIMs make getting connected in India affordable and hassle-free.
THE BEST INDIA ESIMS FOR AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS
To ensure a true apples-to-apples comparison, we’re only looking at pricing for three tiers: 10GB, 20GB, and Unlimited.
| Provider | 10GB (30 days) | 20GB (30 days) | Unlimited (30 days) | Feedback score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZenSim | A$35 | A$55 | A$129 | 4.9 / 5 |
| Airalo | A$36 | A$56.50 | A$147 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Saily | A$36 | A$58.50 | A$148.50 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Holafly | N/A | N/A | A$176 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Jetpac | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4.8 / 5 |
ZENSIM
ZenSim is a small, up-and-coming Australian-owned brand. In addition to local mobile plans, ZenSim specialises in well-priced travel eSIMs for various regions and countries, including India. Despite the low price tag, ZenSim partners with Jio (Reliance), India’s largest network and the second-largest single-country operator on Earth. Expect great nationwide coverage.
Its user-friendly app lets you top up data, extend your trip, or add extra countries on the fly. ZenSim allows unlimited hotspotting, handy for media streamers and laptop-packing remote workers. Responsive, Australia-based support provides helpful advice via WhatsApp almost 24/7. Unconvinced? ZenSim boasts an industry-leading 4.9/5 rating on ProductReview.
- 10GB 30 days - A$35 AUD ($24 USD)
- 20GB 30 days - A$55 AUD ($36 USD)
- Unlimited 30 days – A$129 ($83 USD)
Pssst, you can get better prices for Unlimited data by switching to the ZenSim Asia eSIM.
AIRALO
As one of the world’s best-known eSIM brands, Airalo has served over 20 million customers worldwide in 201+ locations. The Singapore-born brand stands out for its flexibility, with standard data plans available for 3, 7, 15, and 30 days. Airalo also partners with Jio, but as you can see, their prices are higher than ZenSim's, especially for unlimited data.
Airalo’s app lets you top up and monitor data, and customers can install the product through a QR code. Airalo has an unimpressive TrustPilot score of 3.9, suggesting a large portion of customers run into issues. We found their connection speeds a tad sluggish during testing for a different post.
- 10GB 30 days - A$36 ($24 USD)
- 20GB 30 days - A$56.50 ($38 USD)
- Unlimited 30 days – A$147 ($99 USD)
SAILY
From the makers of NordVPN, Saily spruikers its security expertise to attract privacy-conscious consumers. Specifically, you get a built-in ad blocker, browsing protection, and a virtual location tool to access geo-restricted content. Some premium eSIMs are bundled with the Nord Security suite for even more protection, though at a hefty cost.
Saily doesn’t always perform well in remote, lesser-known locations. If you’re escaping India’s traffic-choked cities and heading to the Himalayas, you might run into issues. Saily doesn’t clearly disclose its partner network in India, and the brand has a 30-day activation limit, so don’t purchase yours too far in advance. Nevertheless, Saily has a good TrustPilot score of 4.7/5.
- 10GB 30 days – A$36 ($24 USD)
- 20GB 30 days - A$58.50 ($39 USD)
- Unlimited 30 days – A148.50 ($99 USD)
HOLAFLY
One of the world’s best-known travel eSIMs is Holafly, a Spanish-born startup specialising in unlimited plans. Holafly has become famous for its broad-reaching affiliate program, where bloggers and influencers earn a tidy commission for “recommending” the product. In India, Holafly partners with Jio and Airtel, and admits connections can get spotty outside urban areas.
Digitally frugal users should look elsewhere, as Holafly exclusively offers unlimited data plans in India. On the plus side, you can choose – and pay for – the exact number of days you need, which can help offset higher costs. Just be aware that Holafly has a 500MB hotspot limit and a highly ambiguous daily usage cap that varies by network. Holafly has a 4.6/5 score on TrustPilot.
- 10GB 30 days – N/A
- 20GB 30 days – N/A
- Unlimited 30 days – A$176 ($112.90 USD)
JETPAC
Jetpac is a well-known brand with a strong social media presence and a solid Trustpilot score of 4.8/5. The brand charges higher prices than most competitors, perhaps because of its high market share. Bargain-hunters should hold out for a sale, which occurs regularly (almost daily) on the site.
One unique benefit is that Jetpac users get free access to essential apps (WhatsApp, Uber/Grab, Google Maps) even after hitting their data limit. Some reviewers complain of difficulty getting set up or connecting to a partner network upon arrival.
INDIA ESIM VERSUS ASIA ESIM PLAN
If you’re planning to explore other Asian countries on the same trip, it’s worth investigating a regional plan. The ZenSim Asia travel eSIM gives you data in 17 Asian nations, including India and neighbouring Sri Lanka, for just a few bucks extra.
Due to some strange contractual quirks, the Asia plan actually works out cheaper for unlimited data than the India plan. You get the same great networks and service for a more wallet-friendly price. Don’t tell the boss I told you that, though, as it’s a bit of a trade secret.
- 10GB 30 days - A$45 AUD ($29 USD)
- 20GB 30 days - A$55 AUD ($36 USD)
- Unlimited 30 days – A$109 ($70 USD)
Learn more about why ZenSim is the best eSIM for Aussies travelling in Asia.
TOP CONSIDERATIONS FOR AUSTRALIANS PURCHASING AN ESIM FOR INDIA
Not sure what to look out for when comparing eSIMs? Here are the top considerations for Aussies visiting India.
- Networks: Reliable, well-established networks like Jio offer the best coverage and connection speeds.
- Support: Responsive support from an Australia-based team can help resolve any potential issues quickly.
- Transparency: The best brands have no hidden fees and provide upfront details on daily download limits.
- Hotspotting: Laptop users and TV streamers will want an eSIM with unlimited tethering.
- User-friendly apps: Travellers want to monitor usage and top up data through a streamlined mobile app.
- Feedback: Trustpilot and ProductReview reflect how users really feel about the service and connectivity.
- Cost: The smaller, lesser-known underdogs often offer better rates than big, well-established brands.
WHY GO WITH ZENSIM FOR YOUR UPCOMING INDIA TRIP
Budget doesn’t mean bad. Despite the bargain basement prices, ZenSim offers Australians in India a premium eSIM experience.
✅ Australian brand – ZenSim is proudly Australian-owned and operated
✅ Fast setups – Installing our eSIM only takes about 5 minutes
✅ Australia-based support – Rapid help through WhatsApp when you need it.
✅ Quality network– ZenSim partners with Zio, India’s largest network
✅ Flexible top-ups – Top-up data, dates, or add new countries on the mobile app
✅ Unlimited hotspotting – Tether forever in India
✅ Transparent fees – ZenSim is upfront about all our costs
✅ Low prices – We offer some of the world’s lowest eSIM prices for India
THE BEST TRAVEL ESIM FOR INDIA
Whether you’re a budget backpacker, a corporate white-collar worker, or a migrant visiting family, ZenSim offers a convenient and affordable way to stay connected on your trip.
Browse our India eSIM plans to pick the perfect package and get set up within minutes.
INDIA ZENSIM FAQS
WHAT NETWORK DOES ZENSIM USE IN INDIA?
ZenSim partners with Jio, India's largest mobile network provider.
DOES THE UNLIMITED PLAN HAVE A DAILY CAP?
Yes. All unlimited plans have a daily usage cap of 3GB. After that, speeds are throttled to 1 Mbps.
DOES THE ZENSIM INDIA ESIM INCLUDE VOICE CALLS?
No, ZenSim plans are data only.
HOW DO I ACTIVATE MY ESIM?
After being installed, your eSIM will automatically activate upon your arrival in India.
Travel eSIMs you may like:
Written by Harry Stewart
Australia-based content writer, fully-grown eater of party pies.
Harry is a remote-working article contributor zipping between picturesque places in his rusty, clapped-out motorhome. When he’s not patching holes in the roof, you’ll find him hiking national parks, researching eSIM plans, or dreaming of his next overseas getaway.
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