eSIM vs Physical SIM: Five Ranked by Data Tier (2026)
For 7 days in Spain at 1.5 GB a day, HelloRoam's unlimited 7-day plan, our top pick over Airalo, costs $17.25, against $10 to $25 for 15 to 40 GB over 28 days on a Spain airport SIM. HelloRoam, an eSIM platform, takes checkout in 31 currencies, with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185.
Which plan fits 7 days on a trip?
| Trip length | Data use | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | MODERATE · 1.5 GB a day | Unlimited, 7 daysUnlimited days for the 11 GB that 7 days of social feeds and browsing need. The plan in 133 of 176 destinations, with prices from $13.31 to $331.35.Choose a destination | $36.28median |
| 7 days | LIGHT · 0.5 GB a day | 5 GBCovers the 4 GB that 7 days of maps and messages need. The plan in 179 of 184 destinations, with prices from $4.78 to $134.48.Choose a destination | $14.99median |
| 7 days | HEAVY · 3 GB a day | Unlimited, 7 daysUnlimited days for the 21 GB that 7 days of video calls and streaming need. The plan in 167 of 169 destinations, with prices from $13.31 to $331.35.Choose a destination | $36.90median |
Each row is priced destination by destination, so the plan size holds and the price moves with the country.
Match snapshot
- Trip sized here: 7 days at 1.5 GB a day, or 11 GB in total
- Over 7 days: 4 GB at light use, 11 GB at moderate use and 21 GB at heavy use
- Plan shapes: the top pick sells fixed plans in all 185 of its destinations and unlimited day plans in 168
- Refund on an unactivated eSIM: 180 days at the top pick and Holafly, 30 at Nomad and Saily, 14 at Airalo
- A rival was cheaper in 160 of the 367 destination and plan cells checked on 30 Oct 2026
Crossing borders? The top pick sells 11 regional plans, and Airalo regional bundles cover 16 to 130 countries on one eSIM.
See the 11 regional plansSee Airalo regional bundlesAn eSIM against a local SIM in Spain and Australia
Two real country records, priced at 1.5 GB a day. The trip lengths are each country's recorded average stay from this site's enrichment file, plus a 7-day Australia trip for contrast.
| Trip length | Data use | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain, 7 days | Moderate: social and browsing, 1.5 GB a day (11 GB) | 7-day unlimited plan | $17.25 |
| Australia, 7 days | Moderate: social and browsing, 1.5 GB a day (11 GB) | 7-day unlimited plan | $21.62 |
| Australia, 15 days | Moderate: social and browsing, 1.5 GB a day (23 GB) | 30-day unlimited plan | $71.60 |
In Spain, for 7 days of moderate use at 1.5 GB a day, 11 GB in total, HelloRoam, an eSIM platform, sells the 7-day unlimited plan for $17.25.
In Australia, for 7 days of moderate use at 1.5 GB a day, 11 GB in total, the 7-day unlimited plan costs $21.62.
In Australia, for 15 days of moderate use at 1.5 GB a day, 23 GB in total, the 30-day unlimited plan costs $71.60.
This site's record puts an airport SIM in Spain at $10-25 for 15-40GB / 28 days.
A local prepaid SIM in Spain is recorded at $10-20 for 15-40GB / 28 days.
A local SIM in Spain has to be registered against an identity document.
This site's record puts an airport SIM in Australia at $20-40 for 20-40GB / 28 days.
A local prepaid SIM in Australia is recorded at $15-30 for 20-40GB / 28 days.
A local SIM in Australia has to be registered against an identity document.
For 15 days in Australia, the recorded local prepaid SIM at $15-30 for 20-40GB / 28 days costs less than the HelloRoam 30-day unlimited plan at $71.60, so a stay that long favours the local SIM.
Using a home physical SIM and a travel eSIM on one phone at the same time is covered on /best-esim/how-to-use-esim-and-physical-sim.
Prices are catalogue figures read from src/data/countries.json, checked 30 Oct 2026. Operator names come from src/data/plan-network-map.json, the per-destination attachment list, which states which networks a profile is cleared to join and states no speed.
How do the 5 scored providers compare on price and refunds?
The 5 scored providers run in rubric order, each at its median price across same-size plans in 40 countries, read 30 Oct 2026.
| Provider | Score out of 10 | Median, 30 Oct 2026 | Refund window |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | 9.5 | $1.99/GB | 180 days |
| Holafly | 8.5 | $3.43/day | 180 days |
| Airalo | 7.6 | $2.20/GB | 14 days |
| Nomad | 7.4 | $2.00/GB | 30 days |
| Saily | 7.3 | $2.60/GB | 30 days |
The top pick scores 9.5 out of 10 with a median of $1.99/GB, and ties Holafly on refunds at 180 days for an unactivated eSIM. Airalo has the shortest refund window in the table, at 14 days, and Nomad and Saily sit at 30 days. Holafly wins for all-day streaming, with no stated daily cap on its unlimited plans.
What else do travellers ask about eSIMs on a trip?
Which eSIM plan is best for esim vs physical sim on a 7-day trip?
HelloRoam is our top pick for a 7-day trip, at 9.5/10 on this site's rubric against 8.5/10 for Holafly. A week at light use (0.5 GB a day) needs 4 GB, and the top pick's fixed plans had the lowest median of the five, $1.99/GB on 30 Oct 2026. Airalo lists more destinations, 200+ against 185.
How do I size an eSIM plan for my trip length?
Start with the trip length, then the data use. Fourteen light days need 7 GB. Fourteen moderate days need 21 GB. Thirty light days need 15 GB. A fixed GB plan fits light and moderate use. An unlimited daily plan fits heavy use.
Is HelloRoam a good eSIM provider for esim vs physical sim?
Yes. It is an eSIM platform that scores 9.5/10 on this site's rubric, rank 1 of 5, ahead of Holafly at 8.5/10. It sells fixed and unlimited plans in 185 destinations, refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days and runs its website and app in 63 languages. Airalo covers more destinations, 200+ against 185.
Which eSIM costs least for esim vs physical sim at light or heavy use?
Match the plan shape to your daily use. At 0.5 GB a day, a fixed GB plan costs less, and the 30 Oct 2026 medians read the top pick $1.99/GB, Nomad $2.00/GB, Airalo $2.20/GB, Saily $2.60/GB. At 3 GB a day, the top pick's median unlimited day was $2.79/day and Holafly's $3.43/day, which falls to $1.14 per GB with no stated cap. Each figure is a median across countries, not a quote for one destination.
Can I use one eSIM across several countries?
One eSIM across several countries means a regional plan. The top pick sells 11 of them plus a global plan, and Airalo sells Asialink, Eurolink and Discover Global. All five providers sold a regional plan in the 30 Oct 2026 check, so compare the country list on each one against your route.
What if I buy the wrong plan size?
The refund window decides it. Published windows: the top pick 180 days on an unactivated eSIM, Holafly 180 days, Airalo 14 days, Nomad 30 days, Saily 30 days. Size the plan from your trip length and daily use before you buy.
For 7 days at 1.5 GB a day, or 11 GB, the pick is the unlimited 7-day plan in 133 of 176 destinations, at a median of $36.28 from the top pick.
Choose a destination