Are you planning to travel abroad and haven’t found your ideal eSIM yet, or are you looking for more options? Take a look at eTravelSim review. You might be surprised by their offerings. Some packages even include free minutes for local calls or unlimited data plans.
eTravelSim is based in Singapore. Its history dates back to 1995 when Matrix Cellular was established in India, selling SIM cards to travelers. With the advent of eSIM technology, they created a new company focused on connecting people around the world using eSIMs.
📱 Not sure what an eSIM is? Read our article. 📱
eTravelSim review: eSIM Options
eTravelSim offers plans that cater to most regular travelers.
eTravelSim Country Coverage
You can choose from 101 countries, which may not sound very impressive at first. But as I mentioned earlier, it will be sufficient for many people. If you don’t find your destination, you can always check elsewhere.
They also offer regional packages like Europe (36 countries), North America, Asia, and even a Global plan that includes almost all the countries in their offering. If you’re considering buying one of these, make sure to check that your destination country is included. In Europe and North America, you can even get unlimited data plans.
Data Volume with eTravelSim
The offerings are quite diverse. It depends heavily on the specific country. In some places, you may have access to unlimited data, while in others, you may only be able to purchase a few gigabytes. This is why eTravelSim is more of an alternative option.
Be cautious with unlimited data plans. They’re not truly unlimited. You can use up to 4 GB per 24 hours (at least, that’s what the support team told us).
If you run out of data, you can simply top it up. There’s no need to buy a new package.
eTravelSim Package Validity
Just like the data options, the validity periods are varied. Usually, they range from 7 to 30 days, which is perfect for vacations.
If your package expires, you can purchase a new one.
eTravelSim Pricing
The prices are quite diverse, but generally comparable to Airalo or Nomad. Sometimes you might even find a better deal. Just browse around and see if anything suits your needs.
eTravelSim is one of the few providers that offer unlimited data. These packages can compete with Holafly or Maya Mobile in terms of pricing. The only downside, as mentioned earlier, is that they’re not truly unlimited, and they’re not available for all countries.
Website and App
eTravelSim falls short in this area. The website could use a modern update. It looks quite outdated, as if no one has touched it in a long time. On the plus side, it is relatively simple and easy to navigate.
Once you select your country, you have to click through each package to see the prices. It’s not terrible, but it could be done better.
The biggest letdown is the lack of a mobile app. However, the mobile version of the website runs smoothly, so it’s somewhat forgivable. Still, in this field, other providers have an edge. Many customers might prefer companies where they can automatically sign into an app and see all the details of their eSIM.
The user interface after logging in is mostly text-based. Simplicity is nice, but it could use some improvement.
How Complicated is Buying and Installing an eSIM?
The purchase process is a bit old-fashioned. There’s no option to sign in with Google or Apple accounts, for example. You’ll have to register by entering your name, email, and a password. Once your account is created, you can start shopping.
You can pay using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal.
Don’t be alarmed if you’re asked to enter your name, surname, and home address before entering your card details. Only then will you be able to fill in your card number.
After payment, you’ll receive an email with a QR code. Simply scan it on the device where you want to use the eSIM, and you’re done. Activation will begin at this point, so it’s best to wait until just before you leave for your destination.
To check your data usage and other details, you’ll need to log into your account on the website.
📱 Need help with eSIM installation? Check out our guide. 📱
Can I Share Data via Hotspot?
You can share data with eTravelSim only if you have a package with a limited data amount. If you have unlimited data, sharing is not allowed.
eTravelSim Call Options
Aside from the data and pricing variety, eTravelSim has one major advantage: the ability to make calls. With an eSIM, you get a phone number and a set amount of minutes for calls, usually 100 minutes included in the package. You can pay for additional minutes if needed.
However, note that, just like with unlimited data, calling is not available in all countries. Always read carefully to see what’s included in the package for your destination.
eTravelSim Loyalty Program
eTravelSim has finally launched a loyalty and referral program, which was missing for a while, but now they’ve come up with an offer.
You earn points for every purchase. For every dollar spent, you get 5 points. You can later use these points for discounts on future eSIM purchases. 100 points equal a $1 discount. So, you’ll need to buy an eSIM worth at least $20 to get a $1 discount on your next purchase.
You also earn points for referrals. There’s no referral code to share, but you can send a link. Your friend must click the link and complete a purchase for you to earn a reward.
Customer Support
Support is available via chat, email, a contact form, and even WhatsApp, through which you can call them. The chat starts with a bot, but if you’re not dealing with a specific order issue, it will connect you to a human agent, or so it seemed from the way the replies were written.
Support is available 24/7. From my experience, it was relatively responsive and answered the questions I had. However, they could improve on empathy and language skills, even in English.
eTravelSim Review: Conclusion (Pros and Cons)
The provider eTravelSim has its place in the market. It’s relatively popular and serves as a good alternative to other companies. You might find a great deal or unlimited data plan for the country you’re visiting.
One major advantage is the option to make calls. In Europe, you even get 100 minutes included with each plan for free, which can be handy.
These are things to consider when making your choice. If you don’t need to make calls, or you’re okay using apps like WhatsApp or Messenger, and competitors offer a similar price, eTravelSim might not have much else to offer.
The lack of an app and the outdated website are definite drawbacks. The website is manageable, but the user interface and payment system could use significant improvements. These could be the tipping points that sway customers toward the competition.
Pros
- Option for a local phone number
- Interesting selection of data packages
- Unlimited data
Cons
- Outdated website and no app
- Registration and payment system could be more modern