eSIM for Usa: Virtual SIM card

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If you’re traveling to the USA and don’t want to pay a fortune in roaming, you have the option to buy a digital data eSIM and activate it upon arrival. This way you have the Internet to order a cab, find the train station, or write to any friend or family member on WhatsApp from the first moment of your trip.

It used to be very popular to use a pocket wifi in the United States, but now it’s quite inconvenient because you have to pick up the device at the airport, carry a piece of junk with its battery on it and then save time to return it before leaving. You also have to be very careful not to damage it because otherwise you have to pay for the device.

Another option is to buy a USA data SIM card with unlimited data like Holafly’s. Buying the physical SIM card you will have to wait one or two days for it to arrive home before the trip, but you will still have internet from the first moment of landing.

In this article we review the best eSIM for USA that you can find to buy and compare them by price, amount of data and days of duration.

Let’s get started!

WHAT IS AN ESIM?

eSIM are virtual cards that are placed in the hardware (a specific chip) of your mobile or any other device, so you do not have to place any card in any slot. Its name comes from the term “embedded Sim”, eSim, which means integrated SIM card.

This virtual card offers you the same services as a normal data SIM (physical SIM) but with the difference that you do not have to wait for the postman to arrive at your house. You will have it immediately after you make the purchase and the installation process depends on the company you buy it from.

It’s as easy as getting an email (in QR code), scanning it and having it activated or, downloading an application, registering in the application, making the purchase and finally installing your eSIM.

But let’s look at all these options in more detail so that you can choose the one that best suits you 😉

ESIM OPTIONS FOR THE Usa

In addition to being more convenient to use, eSIMs are usually better priced than physical tourist cards, although we still don’t find them with unlimited data. In this article we will analyze the eSIMs for USA of Holafly, Gisky, Ubigi and Travelsim.

  • First, we will start with a price comparison in which we will analyze the days and the amount of data offered by each company.
  • Second, we will look at important aspects of buying an eSIM such as ease of installation, compatibility with operating systems and ease of contacting them for help.
  • Third, we will conduct a brief analysis of each company based on the information collected and explain the purchase and installation process of each eSIM.
  • And finally we will give you our opinion on what is the best eSIM option for the United States.

1. ESIM PRICE COMPARISON FOR THE USA

BrandDaysGBPriceP/dayP/GB
Holafly7332,3€4,6€10,7€
Holafly15541,8€2,8€8,3€
Holafly30754,15€1,8€7,7€
Gigsky119,9€9,9€9,9€
Gigsky15325€1,7€8,33€
Gigsky30540€1,3€8€
Ubigi30329€0,96€9,7€
Travelsim30595,59€3,2€19,1€
Differences in price and data from the eSIMs for the United States

2. ANALYSIS OF EASE OF INSTALLATION, SUPPORT, AND COMPATIBLE SYSTEMS OF HOLAFLY, GIGSKY, UBIGI AND TRAVELSIM

It’s not all days and GBs, if you’re going to need internet on your trip it’s important that you don’t stay offline at any time and that you don’t have to study to set anything up.

Let’s see then other points like support, difficulty of configuration and if it requires you to download an application or not.

BrandLanguageSupportFormatCompatible
HolaflySpanishChat, emailQR CodeiOS and Android
UbigiEnglish, French, ChineseFormDownload ApplicationiOS and Android
GigskyEnglishFormDownload ApplicationAndroid 10
TravelsimEnglishFormQR CodeiOS and Android
Differences between the USA eSIMs of Holafly, Gigsky, Ubigi, MTX and Truphone

3. ESIM COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS FOR THE USA OF HOLAFLY, UBIGI, GIGSKY AND TRAVELSIM

a. ESIM Holafly

Holafly is the one that offers you the most data of all the options we will mention. If we look only at the price, it seems that it is more expensive than a SIM from Gisky or Ubigi, but if we analyze the data provided by each company and the days it covers, it is really much better than what the other companies offer.

You have 3 plans but we will analyze the options of 15 and 30 days to be able to compare with the other companies:

15-day plan: 5 GB of data for 41.8 When analyzed only by price it is more expensive than the 15 day Gigsky option (25 Euro). If the analysis is based on the amount of data offered by Holafly’s eSIM it is much more favourable in data (5GB Vs 3GB) and the price you are paying for each GB is exactly the same (8.33 Euro) with both Holafly and Gigsky. The difference lies in choosing what suits you best and what you need most, more data (Holafly) or, paying a lower price for less data (Gigsky).

30-day plan: 7GB of data for 54.15 This eSIM in terms of price package would be the 3rd option but, if you analyze its price per GB (7.7 euro) it would be the best option of all. Again, it depends on your needs:

  • More data (7GB with holafly for 54.15 euro) or less data (3GB with Ubigi for 29 euro)
  • But you should keep in mind that although per package you see better price with Ubigi, actually for every GB you pay with Ubigi (9.7 euro) you are getting much more expensive than a GB with Holafly (7.7 euro).

INSTALLATION OF THE ESIM HOLAFLY

This eSIM both the purchase process and the installation is very quick and easy. You enter Holafly’s website, choose the plan you want and start the purchase by filling in your details as if you were buying a dress. Once you finish the purchase process you automatically receive a QR code directly on the web or in your email (both options) which you must scan and ready you have your eSIM installed. No need to download or install any application.

eSIM Holafly Source purchasing process
eSIM Holafly Source purchasing process: Holafly.com

eSIM compatible with iOS and Android operating systems

Apple devices:

  • iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS / XS Max
  • iPhone XR

Android devices:

  • Google Pixel 3 / 3 XL / 4 / 4 XL
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20+ / Z Flip
  • Samsung Galaxy Fold
  • Microsoft Surface Pro

Please note: As you see the only option with support in spanish by chat and whatsapp is for now Holafly, the rest must be in english and in some cases only by form, which generates a little fear in case you have configuration problems.

If you are interested in this option we leave you the discount code TRAVELISTOS to save 5% on your purchase.

b. ESIM UBIGI

For the price it seems to be the best option, but for the amount of data it is one of the most deficient eSIMs. That is, with Ubigi you are paying 9.7 euros per GB much more expensive than the other options and, to be honest, 3 GB of data is not enough for 30 days of tourism in the USA.

This option might interest you if you’re one of those who doesn’t need a lot of data and think that 3 GB is enough for 30 days. If your trip is not for tourism and you want to stay for more than 6 months, with this company you will find plans for more than 6 months in which they give you 2GB each month and charge you 79 euros for the 6 months. That is, every day would cost you 0.43 euros and every GB would cost you 6.58 euros, but I still don’t think 2GB per month is enough.

ESIM UBIGI INSTALLATION

Regarding the analysis of the ease of installation, to be able to buy an eSIM with Ubigi you will have to download an application on your mobile (App) and follow several steps in which you have to create a profile, then install that profile and finally create your account so you can later buy your eSIM and start the installation.

eSIM Ubigi purchasing process Source
eSIM Ubigi purchasing process Source: cellulardata.ubigi.com

This eSIM is compatible with the following mobile models: iOS and Android

  • iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, X S , X S Max, X R
  • Google Pixel 4, 4 XL, 3, 3a, 3a XL
  • Huawei P40, P40 Pro
  • Samsung Galaxy Fold, S20, S20 +, S20 Ultra, Z Flip 
  • Gemini PDA

To be noted: the support for a possible eventuality will be through a form that you must write in their website and the languages in which they provide support are English, French and Chinese. If you only speak Spanish, it will be difficult for you to express your concern.

c. ESIM Gigsky

He currently offers two plans:

15 day plan: 3GB of data for 25 If we analyze it by days it’s great because you’d be paying only 1.7 euros per day, however, for each GB you’d be paying 8.33 euros. That is to say, the price would be quite good and, we consider that if you are one of the ones who do not need so much data with 3GB it would be good for 15 days. That is, you should save your data so you don’t get left behind.

The 30 day plan: 5GB of data for 40 Euros is the second cheapest option comparing the price you would pay per day (1.3 Euros) and also ranks second in price per GB (8 Euros). It’s not the one that offers more in terms of quantity of data but 5GB is not bad at all.

INSTALLATION OF THE ESIM GIGSKY

Now let’s see how easy your installation, communication and compatibility is:

To be able to install a Gigsky eSIM you must install an application on your mobile (App), then add your data plan and make the purchase so you can finish with the installation.

eSIM Gigsky Purchase Process Source
eSIM Gigsky Purchase Process Source: gigsky.com

The Gigsky eSIM for the United States only supports the following devices:

  • Google Pixel 4, 3a y 3

Important: the support for a possible eventuality will be through a form in the English language. If you only speak Spanish, it will be difficult for you to express your concern.

d. ESIM Travelsim

This company has only 30-day plans and the only thing that changes is the amount of data that each plan offers. Please note that the prices shown on the website are prices without VAT and that at the time of the purchase process you will be applied the corresponding VAT. In addition, you have the option to add credit to make local calls in the United States that can be from 10 € to 100 €.

Let’s see the data plans:

  • 1 GB for 30 days for 18 €+ VAT 3.78 €= Total to be paid 21.78 €
  • 2 GB for 30 days for 34 €+ VAT 7.14 €= Total to be paid 41.14 €.
  • 3 GB for 30 days for 49 €+ VAT 10.29 €= Total to be paid 59.29 €.
  • 5 GB for 30 days for 79 €+ VAT 16.59 €= Total to be paid 95.59 €.

As we can see Travelsim’s eSIMs are the most expensive and the amount of GB does not exceed offers from companies like Holafly either in data or price per GB.

INSTALLATION OF THE ESIM TRAVELSIM

The purchase and installation process is similar to the Holafly option. You must choose your plan, add to the cart, fill in your details, finish the purchase and you will be sent a QR code. It’s really as easy as installing Holafly’s eSIM.

Purchasing process eSIM Travelsim Source
Purchasing process eSIM Travelsim Source: Travelsim.com

eSIM compatible with iOS and Android operating systems

Apple devices:

  • iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS / XS Max
  • iPhone XR

Android devices:

  • Google Pixel 3 / 3 XL / 4 / 4 XL
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 / S20+ / Z Flip
  • Samsung Galaxy Fold
  • Microsoft Surface Pro

Please note: if you require any assistance, you can only communicate with them through the form on their website and in English.

WHAT IS THE BEST CHOICE OF ESIM FOR usa?

If your trip is only for a maximum of 3 days you might want to buy 1 GB per day with Gigsky which would be £29.7 in total for the 3 GB for 3 days, but bear in mind the (rather complicated) purchase process and support. Besides, it’s only compatible with 3 Android models (check if your phone is compatible before buying)

If your trip is for more than 3 days the best option would be an eSIM from Holafly that provides you with a good amount of data at an excellent price per GB. You will only have to choose the eSIM plan you need depending on the days you will be in the USA, make a single purchase and no hassle for installation. In addition, they provide 24 hour support in Spanish in case you have any questions and most importantly, compatibility with both iOS and Android systems.

installation esim holafly
Scan the QR code and you have your Holafly eSIM for the United States

Another reason is that except for Holafly and Travelsim, in the rest of the companies you will have to download an application (it does not allow to install directly with QR code)

For all these reasons, we believe that in the case of looking for internet in the USA, Holafly’s eSIM is much more comfortable and interesting than renting a pocket wifi or any other alternative.

WHERE TO BUY ESIM FOR USa FROM HOLAFLY AT A DISCOUNT

The prices of Holafly’s eSIM card mentioned in this article have a 5% discount applied to them, which you can keep if you make your purchase through the button. Click on the button and the discount is applied automatically.

When you buy it check your mailbox and there will be the email with your QR. Now just scan it to add the data plan and save a lot of money on the internet on your trip.

Find out more travel tips to the USA

Accommodation, documentation and requirements, currency exchange, travel insurance, physical data SIM card among others.

About the author

Herman Rosero

Soy diseñador, me gusta la empatía y entender las necesidades de los demás. En Travelistos te ayudaré a (diseñar) organizar tu viaje, dándote a conocer lugares, actividades, opiniones; que te pueden ser útiles antes, durante y después del viaje.

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