An eSIM for the USA is a real advantage when traveling! Not only do you save on data roaming costs abroad, but you can also easily go online wherever you are. Discover the best eSIM plans for the USA.
Although the eSIM is often referred to as an eSIM card, it is not actually a SIM card that needs to be inserted or exchanged in a smartphone. An eSIM is an integrated chip that is permanently installed on the circuit board of a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. This fact is also indicated by the letter "e" in eSIM, which stands for "embedded." eSIMs can be activated online with little effort, e.g., by scanning a QR code or using an app.
However, the eSIM function is not available on all mobile devices. Although most smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets of the newer generations are equipped with eSIM, you should definitely research whether your device is compatible before purchasing an eSIM for your journey to the USA. If your smartphone is from an older generation and cannot yet be used with an eSIM, you can purchase a physical SIM card for the USA.
There is a wide range of eSIMs available for usage in the USA. Depending on your travel plans and habits, different tariffs may be more or less advantageous for you.
We have taken a closer look at the best eSIM providers for the USA:
| Providers | TravSIM | Flexiroam | Airalo |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Recommendation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Go to provider* | Go to provider* | Go to provider* | |
| Price | from € 26.99 | from € 2.32 | from € 4.18 |
| Running time | from 7 days | from 3 days | from 7 days |
| Network | T-Mobile USA | T-Mobile USA | T-Mobile USA, Verizon |
| Data volume mobile Internet | 50 GB / unlimited | 500 MB - 10 GB | 1 GB - 20 GB |
| Customer support | Contact form, chat, phone | Contact form, chat, phone | Contact form, chat, phone |
| Features | Unlimited data, calls, and text, hotspot with 3G speed | Data plan can be shared, flexible start date after activation | Valid after eSIM connects to a supported network, top-up option |
| Activation | Online | Only via App | Online + App |
The provider TravSIM* offers a wide range of eSIMs for the USA. The various eSIM rate plans each include a data package for Internet use, a text message flat rate, and calls within the USA with good network quality from T-Mobile. If you want to call friends and family at home more often, you can also opt for an international telephony option that allows calls to up to 30 countries.
First, think about which package best suits your travel plans in the USA. The following durations are available with 50 GB data volume at 4G or 5G speeds and unlimited hotspot at 3G speed:
If you need advice on the various tariff options, TravSIM's multilingual customer service team is available by phone or email. Once you have decided on a plan that meets your requirements, you can activate your eSIM in just a few steps:
Advantages of the eSIM from TravSIM at a glance:
Founded in 2011, Flexiroam is a reliable partner for travelers. The provider has a huge variety of eSIM tariffs that give you mobile data access in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Flexiroam's wide range of offers gives you a choice of different data volumes and durations. The eSIM tariffs specifically for the USA start at around € 2.30 (500 MB, 3 days) and range up to around € 25 (10 GB for 24 days). Frequent travelers can also choose from regional tariffs for the entire American continent and global tariffs for 140+ countries with durations of up to 360 days.
Flexiroam's eSIM is activated in three simple steps:
Advantages of the eSIM from Flexiroam at a glance:
The eSIM marketplace Airalo* was founded in Singapore in 2019 and offers an eSIM for almost every country in the world. You can find different providers and packages for the USA, North America, or the rest of the world on the Airalo website or in the app.
For the USA, you can find the following eSIM tariffs from the provider Change via Airalo:
The eSIM can be easily managed via the Airalo app. Your steps for activation are:
Advantages of the eSIM from Airalo at a glance:
Which eSIM plan suits you best depends entirely on the length of your stay, your travel route, and your personal habits.
Is your stay in the USA only brief? Or would you like to consciously do without your smartphone when traveling and only research important information such as news, weather, or travel routes? Then you'll find great plans for small data packages at Airalo. If you need a lot or even unlimited data volume to work while traveling? Then take a look at the TravSIM plans. And if you're on a round trip and want to visit other countries on the American continent or in the world, the global data packages from Flexiroam are just the right thing for you.
These are the best eSIMs for short stays, frequent travelers, and people who use the internet a lot:
| For intensive usage | For short stays | For frequent travelers |
|---|---|---|
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50 GB / unlimited ✔️ 4G/5G speed |
From 1 GB – 20 GB ✔️ Validity from 7 to 30 days |
From 500 MB - 10 GB ✔️ Wide range of tariffs |
| Buy now* | Buy now* | Buy now* |
More and more travelers are using an eSIM for the USA to access the Internet while on the move. The eSIMs that are permanently integrated into smartphones have many advantages over conventional SIM cards, but also a few disadvantages.
The practical eSIM offers many advantages over a conventional physical SIM card:
Affordable plans: The most convincing argument for an eSIM is its price. When traveling, it is usually much cheaper than a physical SIM card for the USA. And since the eSIM does not have to be sent to you by mail, there are no additional shipping costs.
Needs-based offers: When on vacation, more and more smartphone users are primarily utilizing online platforms and apps. Free minutes for calls and free text messages therefore no longer play a major role when choosing a suitable tariff. Although the eSIM plans are generally pure data plans without telephony and SMS, they are therefore completely sufficient for most travelers.
Instant availability: If you use a physical SIM card, it will have to be sent to you by mail (one to three days delivery time) or you will have to buy it on site in the USA. However, the eSIM is ready for use as soon as you land in America.
No SIM card exchange: You have to insert physical SIM cards into your smartphone yourself. You run the risk of losing the replaced card during your trip and having to get a new one later. The eSIM, on the other hand, is sent electronically to your smartphone and can therefore be used in addition to your physical SIM card – no need to change cards.
Uncomplicated activation: Activating an eSIM is very simple. Some providers send an email with a QR code that takes you to the activation page. In other cases, you can buy and activate your eSIM via an app.
Easy change of providers: Do you want to visit not only the USA but also neighboring countries? Then switching providers may be a good idea once you have found cheap tariffs for one or more countries. With an eSIM, you can change providers and plans quickly and easily without having to carry several SIM cards with you.
Despite the many advantages of an eSIM, there are still some limitations:
Older devices: Nowadays, most smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches have an eSIM chip, but unfortunately not all of them do. Therefore, make sure your device supports it before buying an eSIM. Otherwise, you can purchase a conventional, physical SIM card that you have to insert into your device manually.
Data-only plans: Would you prefer to make calls to your loved ones at home instead of using apps to communicate? Then you may have to search longer for a suitable eSIM, as these are usually data-only plans. Telephony and text messaging are rarely included.
If you can't or don't want to use an eSIM, you have the following alternatives:
You can find numerous offers from various providers for conventional, physical SIM cards that you can insert into your smartphone yourself. They can be ordered online before your journey or purchased locally in a store in the USA. In addition to a data volume for mobile internet, they also generally include text messages and free minutes or a flat rate for phone calls.
If you have ordered a physical SIM card online, it is usually delivered within the next 48 to 72 hours. In some cases, you can also get an express delivery within one day. The prices for physical SIM cards vary depending on the provider, data volume, and running time.
Another alternative to the eSIM for the USA is a portable router (pocket Wi-Fi), which you can use to access the Internet anywhere. A major advantage of pocket Wi-Fi is that it can be used by several end devices at the same time. You also don't need to install an app on your smartphone. However, you do have to rent or buy the device and transport it wherever you go.
Free Wi-Fi can be used in many places, e.g., airports, train stations, museums, parks, cafés, restaurants, and hotels. However, there are numerous disadvantages, such as a slow connection, a time or a data limit, or annoying processes of activation. For security reasons, public networks are also not recommended as they are more susceptible to hacks or cyberattacks.
Although you don't have to install any software on your smartphone with a conventional SIM card, data roaming is undoubtedly the most expensive alternative to an eSIM in the USA. In addition, the costs for data usage and phone calls abroad are billed via your usual telephone provider. You will, therefore, only get an overview of the actual costs after your travels.
Do you have any other questions about eSIM for the USA? You're sure to find the answer in our FAQ.
eSIMs are chips that are permanently installed in the latest generation of cell phones. They allow travelers to surf the internet with their smartphone abroad without having to replace the physical SIM card. You can purchase an eSIM data plan via the websites of various providers, e.g., TravSIM*, FlexiRoam*, or Airalo*. You can flexibly select your destination, length of stay, and desired data volume.
Most of the recent smartphone models from popular brands such as Apple, Google, Motorola, and Samsung have an integrated eSIM. Detailed information on the models and whether they are eSIM-capable can usually be found on the websites of the various manufacturers.
The largest providers on the American mobile phone market are AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile.
As you need an Internet connection to activate your eSIM, it's best to do this shortly before you depart on your flight to the USA. After landing, you can use your smartphone as usual to surf the internet.
There are different SIM providers with different validity periods for USA data packages. In most cases, you can choose between durations of 7 days up to 60 days. However, the provider FlexiRoam* also has eSIM offers with a short term of 3 days and a long term of up to one year.
Dual SIM phones enable two SIM cards to be inserted into a smartphone. This allows users to switch between a business and a private phone number, for example. Several contracts from different mobile phone providers can also be bundled.
eSIM tariffs often have data caps, but some providers, e.g., TravSIM*, also offer unlimited data packages.
If you want to share your data plan with another person, we recommend the provider Flexiroam*. The FlexiShare data plan allows you to share your data with an unlimited number of travel partners.
These tablets and laptops, among others, allow you to use the Internet via an eSIM:
The following smartwatches have an integrated eSIM:
With an ESTA, you can stay 90 days visa-free in the USA. Apply online now!