Provider comparisons
Best eSIM for the United States in 2026: five providers compared
Compare HolySim, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad for the United States on price, data plans, networks, 5G, hotspot, and travel profile.
🇺🇸 United States
Current eSIM deals for United States
Choose the plan that suits your trip. The displayed price is the price used when you continue to checkout.
In this guide
The best eSIM for the United States depends on your route, trip length, and data use. A small fixed plan often fits a short city break better than unlimited data. For two weeks in Florida, 10 to 20 GB is a useful comparison point. On a long road trip, the partner network, hotspot policy, and offline preparation matter more than the lowest starting price.
Short answer: Airalo most closely matches a seven-day city trip with 5 GB on the reference date. HolySim offers a strong 15 or 20 GB combination for two weeks in Florida. There is no overall winner for a long road trip: first compare the confirmed networks along your route, then choose between a large fixed plan from HolySim or Airalo, Nomad's long validity, or unlimited data from Holafly or Saily.
Reference date: August 18, 2026. Prices and specifications from external providers were checked on their official product and help pages on that date. HolySim's top-up behavior was checked against its own order system. Promotional prices, exchange rates, and plan terms can change. Euro and US dollar prices have therefore not been converted.
The comparison at a glance
| Provider | 5 GB | 10 GB | 20 GB | Large plan | Unlimited or daily plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HolySim | No fixed 5 GB plan; 15 GB costs €19.99 for 30 days | No fixed 10 GB plan | €27.99, 30 days | 50 GB for €36.99, 30 days; 100 GB for €69.99, 31 days | 1, 2, 5, or 10 GB of high-speed data per day from €3.64 per day; then reduced speed under fair use |
| Airalo | €12.50, 30 days; €11.50 for 7 days | €20.50, 30 days | €33.00, 30 days | 50 GB for €37.50, 30 days | Unlimited from €10.50 for 3 days; €61.00 for 30 days |
| Holafly | Not offered as a fixed plan | Not offered as a fixed plan | Not offered as a fixed plan | Not offered as a fixed plan | Unlimited: €23.90 for 7 days, €43.90 for 15 days, and €63.90 for 30 days |
| Saily | US$13.99, 30 days | US$22.99, 30 days | US$36.99, 30 days | No larger fixed USA plan on the checked product page | Unlimited from US$48.99 for 15 days; 5 GB per day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps |
| Nomad | US$16, 30 days | US$25, 30 days | US$34, 30 days, promotional price | 50 GB for US$45, 30 days; 75 GB for US$89, 180 days | Unlimited: US$32 for 7 days, US$55 for 15 days, and US$65 for 20 days |
The table uses the public price without a discount code. Nomad marked its 20 and 50 GB prices as temporary offers on the reference date; the crossed-out regular prices were US$38 and US$52. Always recheck the current HolySim plans for the United States and the other provider's official product page before buying.
Networks, 5G, hotspot, and activation compared
| Provider | Confirmed network and speed information | Hotspot | Top-up | Calls and texts | Activation and support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HolySim | Current product metadata lists AT&T and Verizon with 3G, 4G, and 5G for several USA plans. Check the selected plan because not every option displays equally complete metadata. | Daily plans explicitly allow sharing. The public status is not filled in for every fixed plan. | With supported fixed plans, you can add data and validity days through your My eSIM page on the same profile. No new QR code is needed. Availability depends on the plan. | Data-only. Regular calls and texts use your own SIM. | Several plans start on the first connection to a supported network. Support by email, listed as available 24/7. |
| Airalo | The current USA product page lists T-Mobile and Verizon. 5G is plan-dependent and should be shown beside the network in the additional information. | Allowed if the device and network support it. | Only for plans marked as rechargeable in the app. | A choice of data-only or separate plans with data, minutes, and texts. | You can install in advance; start and validity remain plan-dependent. Multilingual support is available 24/7. |
| Holafly | The official USA page lists AT&T and T-Mobile, with 4G/LTE and 5G where available. | Up to 1 GB per day for the checked USA product. | No traditional top-up; extending requires buying a new plan. | The USA travel product is data-only. WhatsApp calls use data. | Starts when the eSIM connects to a supported network at the destination. Support by chat and email, 24/7. |
| Saily | The USA page lists 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G but does not publish the names of US partner networks. | Unlimited hotspot use according to the USA product page. | Auto top-up is available. | Data plans are data-only; a US number with a call and text plan can be added separately. | Automatically on arrival when the eSIM and roaming are enabled; the plan starts no later than 30 days after purchase. 24/7 in-app chat. |
| Nomad | Network varies by plan. The selected product header lists AT&T and Verizon; a lower section on the same official page also names T-Mobile. Check the exact plan details. 4G and 5G depend on the plan and location. | Most Nomad plans support hotspot; the device and local network can affect operation. | Add-ons are available for supported plans, not every product. | USA plans are data-only and do not include a usable phone number. | Usually on the first connection at the destination; some plans require manual activation. Support by app and website chat. |
A network name is not a coverage guarantee. Even if a product lists AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, reception depends on the plan, phone, supported frequencies, local congestion, and exact location. For a road trip, use the official coverage map of the confirmed partner network and download maps for offline use.
Which eSIM fits your trip?
Seven-day city break
For New York, Chicago, Boston, or another city, 5 GB is often a useful starting point for maps, rideshare, messages, and some social media. Airalo offers 5 GB for seven days for €11.50 on the reference date. Saily offers 5 GB for US$13.99 with 30 days of validity. Nomad charges US$16 for 5 GB and 30 days.
HolySim starts with a fixed 15 GB plan for €19.99. That is more than many city visitors need, but can fit frequent photo uploads or sharing after hotspot support has been confirmed. Holafly's unlimited data mainly makes sense for deliberate heavy video use; with normal city use, you may be paying for unused capacity.
If 15 GB still proves insufficient, a supported fixed HolySim plan can be topped up through your My eSIM page while the eSIM remains valid. The extra data and days are added to the same profile, so there is no new installation. Confirm that the selected plan supports top-up before buying.
Best match for this profile: Airalo for a measured seven-day 5 GB plan. Choose Saily if longer validity and app features matter more than an exact trip-length match.
Two weeks in Florida
For 14 days covering Miami, Orlando, the Keys, or the Gulf Coast, 10 to 20 GB is a practical comparison point. HolySim offers 15 GB for €19.99 and 20 GB for €27.99, both valid for 30 days. Current product metadata lists AT&T and Verizon for several of these USA plans. Airalo offers 10 GB for €20.00 or 20 GB for €32.50 with 15 days of validity.
Holafly costs €43.90 for 15 days of unlimited data and fits better if you stream daily or use a lot of data on the phone. Its 1 GB daily hotspot limit makes it less suitable for intensive laptop use. Saily and Nomad remain alternatives if you prefer their app management or plan terms, but their prices are displayed in dollars.
Best match for this profile: HolySim for 15 to 20 GB and a Dutch purchase route. Airalo fits if you want exactly 10 GB. Holafly fits heavy phone-only data use.
Longer US road trip
On a road trip through California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, or several regions, choose the network before the plan size. The large fixed plans from HolySim and Airalo are close on the reference date: 50 GB costs €36.99 and €37.50 respectively. HolySim lists AT&T and Verizon in current product metadata; Airalo displays T-Mobile and Verizon. The better combination depends on your route.
For heavy phone use without a fixed GB cap, Holafly and Saily are candidates. Note the hotspot and fair-use rules: Holafly limits sharing to 1 GB per day, while Saily slows to a maximum of 1 Mbps after 5 GB per day. For a stay lasting several months, Nomad offers 75 GB with 180 days or 100 GB with 365 days of validity, but check the networks for that exact plan.
Top-up makes a fixed HolySim plan more flexible, but it does not replace route planning. Adding data only works on a supported profile that has not expired, and you need a connection to arrange the purchase. Download offline maps before remote stretches even when top-up is available.
Best match for this profile: there is no overall number one. Choose HolySim or Airalo after matching confirmed partner networks to the route. Choose Nomad for long validity. Choose Holafly or Saily only when their unlimited model and hotspot terms fit your use.
First estimate how many GB you need for travel. The existing USA guide to coverage and road trips then helps you evaluate the network choice in the right order.
eSIM, home-provider roaming, or a local US SIM?
| Option | Best suited to | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Arrange data in advance, get online after landing, and keep the regular SIM beside the data line | Often data-only; network, hotspot, and activation vary by plan |
| Home-provider roaming | US use is already included or a provider pass fits the trip exactly | Daily or per-MB rates outside an allowance can be high |
| Local US SIM | Long stay, many local calls, or a US number is required | Purchase and activation take time; you need a compatible unlocked device |
Check your own mobile plan first. Dutch providers KPN, Odido, and Vodafone offer specific USA options for some contracts or passes. Current prices and terms are listed in roaming outside Europe. The general cost and usability trade-off is covered in eSIM versus roaming, keeping this page focused on US providers rather than repeating all roaming information.
Checklist before buying
- Confirm that your exact phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.
- Compare your route with the official coverage map of the confirmed partner network.
- Compare the total cost for the complete trip, not only the starting price.
- Check 4G/5G, fair use, hotspot, and top-up for the exact plan.
- Decide whether data-only is enough or you need a US number.
- Read when validity starts. Installation and activation are not the same.
- Check whether the plan supports top-up and read how adding and extending HolySim data works.
- Download maps, reservations, and installation details before departure.
Transparency and sources
HolySim publishes this comparison and sells eSIMs, so we have a commercial interest. Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad do not pay for inclusion and did not approve the text in advance. HolySim does not automatically receive first place; the recommendations follow the public price, specifications, and travel profile on the reference date.
The details were checked on the official pages of HolySim, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad. Their official help pages for hotspot, top-up, activation, calls, and texts were also used. HolySim's top-up behavior was additionally checked against its own order and delivery system. We did not conduct our own speed test, field test, or coverage measurement.
Frequently asked questions about the best eSIM for the USA
What is the best eSIM for the United States?
There is no fixed winner. Airalo suits a short city break with a small plan. HolySim is strong for 15 to 50 GB and a Dutch purchase and support route. Holafly and Saily fit heavy phone data use. Nomad is interesting for long validity. Always check the partner network first for a road trip.
Is 5 GB enough for the USA?
For a one-week city trip, 5 GB is usually enough for WhatsApp, maps, rideshare, tickets, and limited social media. For two weeks, frequent photo uploads, or a road trip, 10 to 20 GB is safer. Video, cloud backups, and a laptop hotspot can increase use quickly.
Which eSIM works for a US road trip?
Do not choose on price alone. Check which network the plan actually uses and compare it with the route. HolySim lists AT&T and Verizon for several plans; Airalo displays T-Mobile and Verizon. Always download offline maps because no travel eSIM guarantees reception in every national park or desert area.
Does 5G work with an eSIM in the USA?
Yes, if the exact plan, local network, phone, and location support 5G. HolySim, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad publish 5G information for at least part of their US range. With Airalo, 5G should be listed for the selected plan's network. Without 5G, the connection can fall back to 4G or LTE.
Can I use hotspot with a US eSIM?
It varies by product. Saily and most Nomad plans support hotspot. Holafly allows 1 GB of sharing per day on its USA product. Airalo requires device and network support. HolySim lists hotspot on daily plans; check it separately for a fixed plan.
Can I top up a HolySim eSIM for the United States?
Yes, if the selected fixed plan supports top-up and the eSIM is still valid. Through your My eSIM page, you buy extra data and validity days that are added to the same profile. No new QR code is needed. If no top-up offer appears, that plan does not support adding data and you need a new plan.
Will WhatsApp keep working with my current number?
Yes. WhatsApp remains linked to the existing number while the travel eSIM provides mobile data. Do not choose to change the number. Keep the regular SIM active only if needed for verification texts or calls, disable data roaming on that line, and prevent automatic mobile-data switching.
Can I keep using my regular number in the United States?
Yes, on a suitable dual-SIM phone. Use the travel eSIM for data and the regular SIM for the number. Regular calls, voicemail, and texts through that line may incur out-of-bundle charges. Check your home provider's US terms.
Is a local US SIM better than an eSIM?
A local SIM can fit a long stay or a need for a US number. A travel eSIM is generally faster to arrange in advance and works alongside the regular SIM. Coverage is not automatically better with a local SIM; in both cases, compare the network with the route.
Is roaming in the United States cheaper than an eSIM?
Sometimes. If the United States is included in your plan or your provider sells a suitable pass, roaming may be simpler or cheaper. Without included data, per-MB or daily rates can be high. Compare the full price, data allowance, duration, calls, and texts before departure.
