SignalRank

Best eSIM for every destination
355+ cities ranked

Independent eSIM rankings for every major travel destination. 48 cities have full performance data — coverage scores, real download speeds, and MVNO routing analysis. The remainder show global provider rankings.

355cities covered
48with full data
5providers compared
1,200+traveller reports

Top destinations — full analysis available

Real performance data

Browse by region

Asia

95 cities

Europe

79 cities

Americas

88 cities

Middle East

14 cities

Oceania

20 cities

Africa

59 cities

How we rank eSIM providers

SignalRank scores are calculated from 1,200+ verified traveller reports, Speedtest CLI measurements, and MVNO routing analysis — drawing on 11 years in telecoms pre-sales consultancy to identify which wholesale carrier each provider actually uses in each country. This matters: in cities like Tokyo and Singapore, the difference between network operators can be 20–40 Mbps.

Weighted scoring

  • Coverage · 30%
  • Speed · 25%
  • Reliability · 25%
  • Value for money · 20%

Coverage methodology

  • City centre (40%)
  • Transport hubs (30%)
  • Suburban areas (20%)
  • Rural fringes (10%)

Affiliate disclosure: SignalRank earns a commission (10–40%) from purchases through our links. Commission rates do not affect ranking position. Rankings are determined by performance scores only. Data last updated: May 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best eSIM for international travel?

The best eSIM depends on your destination. For Asia, 4S eSIM has direct MNO agreements in Japan, Thailand, and Singapore — delivering speeds up to 95 Mbps. For Europe and the Americas, Holafly offers genuinely unlimited data on Orange and T-Mobile networks. Airalo has the broadest coverage at 200+ countries. Compare providers for your specific city using our rankings above.

Which countries do these eSIM providers cover?

Airalo covers 200+ countries, Holafly covers 170 countries, Nomad covers 130, Amigo covers 100, and 4S eSIM covers 80 countries specialising in Asia. All five cover the major travel destinations in Europe, Asia, Americas, and the Middle East.

Is an eSIM better than buying a local SIM at the airport?

eSIMs activate before you leave home — no airport queues or SIM shops to find. They use the same underlying carrier networks as local SIMs. The cost difference: tourist eSIMs typically run 10–25% more than local SIMs for equivalent data. For trips under 10 days, the convenience is worth the premium. For month-long stays, a local SIM may save £20–50.

How do I know which carrier my eSIM uses in each country?

Most eSIM review sites don't answer this — but it's the most important question. The network carrier determines your real-world speeds, subway coverage, and rural signal. SignalRank's MVNO routing analysis identifies the underlying carrier for each provider in each country. For example: in Japan, 4S eSIM uses NTT Docomo directly (fastest). Nomad also uses Docomo but via an intermediary (slightly slower). Airalo may use IIJmio depending on the plan you buy.

Do eSIMs work on all phones?

eSIMs work on iPhone XS and later (2018+), Samsung Galaxy S20 and later (2020+), Google Pixel 3 and later, and most mid-range Android phones from 2021 onwards. To check compatibility: go to Settings → Mobile/Cellular Data → Add eSIM. If that option appears, your device is compatible. Note: some carrier-locked phones have eSIM disabled by the network.