The Best eSIM Apps for UK Travellers & Global Nomads

TL;DR: For UK travellers and those living abroad, top eSIM apps like Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and Saily offer various eSIM data plans for over 200 destinations. Airalo is great for broad choice and loyalty rewards, while Holafly focuses on unlimited data with 24/7 support. Nomad provides flexible packages and usage alerts, and Saily adds security features and automatic top-ups. Prices and features vary widely, so always compare before you buy to find the best eSIM app for your needs.

Imagine you’ve just landed in a new country, excited for your trip or move, but your phone won’t connect. Or worse, you’re trying to keep in touch with loved ones back home, and suddenly your UK phone number stops working because of high roaming fees. This is a common worry for people splitting their lives between countries. The good news is, eSIM apps are changing how we stay connected, allowing you to manage mobile data and often keep your home number active without the hassle of physical SIM cards or shocking bills.

Travel eSIM apps let you buy and control mobile data plans without needing to visit a phone shop or switch out your physical SIM card. For UK travellers and anyone who spends time living in different countries, a good eSIM app can make it easier to compare different plans, install an eSIM, check how much data you’ve used, and add more data while you’re abroad.

The best eSIM app for you isn’t always the one with the lowest price. Other things like network coverage, how long the plan lasts, rules for using your phone as a hotspot, how to activate the eSIM, and customer support can be just as important. This guide looks at some of the best eSIM apps available for UK travellers, focusing on how easy the apps are to use, how many places they cover, the types of plans they offer, how you can top up your data, security features, and any limits you should know before you buy.

Which are the Top eSIM Apps at a Glance?

Here’s a quick comparison of some of the leading eSIM apps:

App	Best for	Standout app feature
Airalo	Wide range of plans for single countries, regions, and worldwide, popular with people who travel often.	Easy top-ups and Airmoney cashback rewards.
Holafly	Unlimited data with helpful support, offering plans for countries, regions, and globally.	Simple plan management and 24/7 customer support.
Nomad	Flexible fixed data and unlimited data plans for local, regional, and global travel.	Easy installation, low data alerts, and add-on options.
Saily	Built-in security tools and automatic top-ups across local, regional, and global eSIM data plans.	Ad blocking and protection from harmful websites.

All four of these eSIM apps work on both iPhone (iOS) and Android phones. The plans available, their prices, which networks they use, hotspot rules, and data policies can change depending on where you’re travelling.

What Does Airalo Offer for Travelers?

Airalo is a great all-around choice if you want to compare many different plans – for single countries, regions, or even worldwide – all in one place. Its app covers more than 200 destinations, letting you buy, install, manage, and add more data to your eSIMs while you’re travelling Airalo. You can keep several different trips organised in your account, see installation guides, and buy more data if top-ups are available for your plan.

Airalo also has a loyalty program called Airmoney Airalo. When you first start using it, you get 5% cashback in Airmoney. As you use the app more, you can move up through different levels and earn up to 10% cashback.

It’s important to remember that Airalo plans are not all the same. The mobile networks they use, how you activate them, whether they support hotspots, and policies for “unlimited data” can differ from one package to another. Always read the specific details for each plan you consider. If you’re looking into different ways to get mobile data when you travel, it’s useful to understand the differences between an eSIM and a physical SIM.

Airalo is good for: Frequent travellers who want a lot of plan options, easy in-app top-ups, and rewards for their loyalty.

What Makes Holafly a Good eSIM Choice?

Holafly is most famous for offering unlimited travel data. Its app, available for both iPhones and Android phones, allows you to buy, install, activate, manage, and monitor your eSIM. Holafly states it offers access in over 200 destinations, with unlimited plans available in many of these places Holafly.

The Holafly app is helpful for keeping track of multiple purchases or contacting customer support without having to search through old emails. Holafly offers help around the clock, 24/7, through chat, WhatsApp, and email. If you need a refund, you can ask for one within six months of buying your plan, though certain conditions apply, and approval is not guaranteed.

Keep in mind that “unlimited” doesn’t mean you can do absolutely anything without limits. There might be fair-use policies and limits on how much data you can use for a hotspot. So, if you plan to share your internet with a laptop or other devices, check the specific rules for your destination.

Holafly is good for: Travellers who really need unlimited data on their phone and want easy access to customer support.

What Features Does Nomad Offer?

Nomad provides prepaid eSIM data plans for more than 200 destinations. Depending on where you’re going, you can choose plans with a fixed amount of data, daily data allowances, or unlimited data packages. You can then install the eSIM quickly using a one-tap installation or a QR code Nomad.

The Nomad app sends you alerts when your data is running low or when your plan is about to expire. Some eSIMs also let you add more data to your current plan. Generally, you can use your phone as a hotspot or tether other devices with Nomad plans.

It’s worth noting that some plans might need you to activate them manually. Also, some unlimited data packages might slow down your internet speed after you’ve used a certain amount of high-speed data each day. Always check the details of your chosen package and the installation email for specific instructions.

Nomad is good for: Travellers who want flexible data plans, alerts about their usage, hotspot support, and options to add more data.

What Are Saily’s Main Benefits?

Saily combines travel data with built-in security features. Its app, available for iOS and Android, offers plans for single countries, regions, and global use in more than 200 destinations. You can find plans with fixed data amounts or unlimited data Saily.

The Saily app includes an ad blocker, protection against harmful websites and trackers, and a feature to change your virtual location Saily. Saily also supports manual top-ups if you need more data, and an optional automatic top-up feature that renews your package when your data runs out.

You need the Saily app for setting up and managing your eSIM. Most plans generally need to be activated within 30 days of purchase. Saily also suggests buying and activating your eSIM before you arrive in Turkey, as their website and top-up features might not work there.

Saily is good for: Travellers who want data, security tools, and automatic plan renewal all in one app.

How Can I Pick the Right eSIM App for My Travels?

The app’s design and how easy it is to use are important, but the travel plan itself is the most crucial part of your purchase. When choosing the best eSIM app, make sure to:

• Search for your exact destination: Don’t just rely on a regional name like “Europe.” Check if the plan covers specific countries, islands, and territories you’ll visit.
• Compare the entire package: Look closely at the amount of data, how long the plan is valid, which mobile network it uses, the price, and any fair-use policies that might limit your “unlimited” data.
• Understand activation rules: Some plans might start automatically when you first connect to a network abroad, others need you to activate them manually, and some have a deadline for activation after you buy them.
• Check data usage and top-up options: It’s helpful to have a clear view of your remaining data, get alerts when your data is low, and have easy ways to add more data if you have a fixed allowance.
• Review hotspot rules: Even an unlimited data plan can have limits on how much data you can share with other devices (tethering) or might slow down your speed after heavy use as a hotspot.
• Look at customer support: Being able to chat with support directly in the app or get practical help with problems is really important when you’re already in a foreign country.
• Compare UK roaming costs: The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, advises checking your home mobile network’s current roaming prices and any bundles they offer before you travel. This is especially important for those who wish to keep their UK number active abroad.

Do eSIM Apps Use Their Own Mobile Networks?

No, a great-looking app doesn’t create the mobile signal you get when you’re abroad. Travel eSIM apps and companies connect you to the internet through local partner networks in different countries. This means the speed and coverage you get depend on the specific plan you choose, your destination, your phone, and the local network conditions.

This is why the same eSIM app might perform differently on various trips. One plan might give you access to several partner networks and 5G speeds, while another might use just one 4G network that has weaker coverage in rural areas.

Before you buy, make sure to check:

• Which local mobile network or networks the plan uses.
• Whether 4G or 5G internet speeds are included.
• If the plan is only for data, or if it includes calls and texts.
• Whether using your phone as a hotspot is allowed.
• When the plan’s validity period actually begins.
• Any daily speed limits or fair-use limits on data.

User reviews can tell you if an app is easy to navigate, but they can’t promise good coverage on your specific route. For that, the detailed plan information and local network coverage maps are much more helpful. Understanding what happens to your number when you move abroad can help you decide if an eSIM is right for you.

How Do I Get and Use an eSIM App?

Getting started with an eSIM app is quite straightforward, but there are a few important steps to follow:

• Check if your phone can use an eSIM. Your device must support eSIM technology. You can find a list of Apple’s eSIM-compatible iPhone models on their website. Many Android phones also support eSIMs.
• Make sure your phone is unlocked. If your phone is locked to a specific network, it might not work with a travel eSIM.
• Download the official app. Always use the link provided on the eSIM provider’s official website to download their app from the App Store (for iPhones) or Google Play (for Android).
• Choose the right plan. Carefully check the amount of data, how long the plan lasts, the network it uses, how it activates, and any hotspot rules.
• Install it using reliable Wi-Fi. Follow the app’s instructions or use a QR code to install your eSIM before you leave your home country.
• Give your phone lines clear names. For example, you might name your home SIM “UK SIM” and your new eSIM “Travel eSIM.”
• Select the eSIM for mobile data. Turn off any setting that automatically switches between mobile data lines. This helps stop your home SIM from using costly roaming data.
• Turn on roaming for the eSIM. Most travel eSIMs need mobile data roaming to be switched on so they can connect to their partner networks abroad.
• Keep the app installed. You might need the app to check your data usage, add more data, or contact customer support. For a deeper dive into this technology, you can read our guide on how eSIMs work.

Why Should I Use an eSIM App When I Travel or Live Abroad?

Using an eSIM app puts most of your mobile connectivity tasks in one place, making it much simpler to manage your phone service when you’re away from home. You can buy a plan before you leave, install it at home, keep an eye on your data usage abroad, and add more data without having to search for a local phone shop.

Other benefits include:

• No physical SIM card to swap or lose: You don’t have to worry about changing tiny cards or keeping your home SIM safe.
• The option to keep your home number active: With a dual-SIM phone, you can keep your UK or other home number working for calls and texts while the travel eSIM handles your data. This is very useful for those who frequently split their time between countries, like maintaining an Australian number abroad.
• Local, regional, and global plans in one account: You can often manage different plans for various trips all within the same app.
• Prepaid spending that’s easier to control: You pay upfront for your data, which helps you manage your spending and avoid unexpected bills. This is a key part of financial planning for those moving abroad.
• Quicker access to top-ups and support: If you run out of data or have a problem, you can usually solve it quickly through the app.

The main risk is assuming that an app you’re familiar with will always offer the best eSIM data plan for every destination. It’s always wise to compare packages each time you travel or move to a new country. Thinking about your options, like Google Voice vs. keeping your number, is crucial for long-term international connectivity.

Ways to Make Your Travel Spending Simpler

Buying an eSIM data plan through one of these eSIM apps often means you’ll be paying in a foreign currency. It’s worth thinking about how a multi-currency card can help with this. A multi-currency card lets you spend money in over 40 currencies across more than 150 countries. When you spend, your home currency is converted at the mid-market exchange rate, which is often the fairest rate available. There’s typically only a small, clear conversion fee, and you can avoid foreign transaction fees that traditional banks often charge.

Such cards usually have a small, one-time fee to order. You can also make free ATM withdrawals up to a certain amount each month, with a small fee applying to any amounts above that limit. Just be aware that some independent ATM networks might charge their own fees too.

Common Questions About eSIM Apps

Which is the best eSIM app to use?

There isn’t one single best eSIM app for everyone, as needs differ. Airalo is a strong marketplace with many choices, Holafly focuses on unlimited data plans, Nomad offers flexible packages and add-ons, and Saily stands out for its security tools. The ideal choice depends on where you’re going and how much data you plan to use.

Are eSIM apps safe to use?

Yes, eSIM apps are generally safe. To ensure safety, always download the app using the provider’s official link, protect your account with a strong password, and check the app’s permissions. Apple notes that an eSIM can be more secure than a physical SIM in one way: it cannot be physically removed from your device if your phone is lost or stolen.

Do I need to keep the app after installing an eSIM?

The eSIM itself might work fine without the app being open. However, it’s very useful to keep the app installed for checking your data usage, buying add-ons, and contacting customer support if you have any issues. Some providers rely more heavily on their app for managing your eSIM data plan.

Can I keep my UK number while using an eSIM app?

Usually, yes. If you have a phone that supports two SIMs (a dual-SIM phone), you can keep your UK phone line active for calls and texts while the travel eSIM handles your mobile data. However, your UK provider might still charge you for calls, texts, or roaming activities on your home number, so it’s always important to check your home plan’s details before you travel, as recommended by Ofcom. For more information on keeping your original number, read our guide on how to keep your German number abroad.

Can one eSIM app cover several countries?

Yes. Most leading eSIM apps offer regional and global eSIM data plans in addition to plans for specific countries. However, always check the exact list of countries covered, as similarly named regional plans can sometimes include different destinations.