Are you traveling across multiple countries and tired of arranging a new SIM card in each one? We have a solution for you. MobiMatter offers many regional data eSIMs, allowing you to travel across entire continents without having to change or configure anything at the borders. Let´s dive into Mobimatter review and find why it is wort it.
📱 Not sure what an eSIM is yet? Read our article. 📱
We first heard about MobiMatter in early 2023 as a cheaper alternative to Airalo, which we were using. We didn’t know much about it back then, so we stuck to our tried and tested provider. However, during our autumn trip through the Balkans, we realized how complicated and expensive it would be to get a new SIM or eSIM in each country, and decided to give it a try. Now, we’re here to share why we think it’s one of the best eSIM providers.
eSIM Offerings
MobiMatter is a relatively new eSIM provider, established in Dubai in 2022. It’s not exactly a typical eSIM provider but more of a comparison platform for various providers or even operators. Often, you’re not buying an eSIM from a local operator but from another provider, which means you can find eSIMs at very competitive prices.
The platform mainly focuses on data eSIMs, although you might occasionally come across eSIMs with a few minutes of calling. The standout feature is that it frequently offers one eSIM that covers multiple countries.
Coverage
Even though MobiMatter has only been on the market for a short time, it offers eSIMs for over 200 countries and has one of the largest selections of regional and global eSIMs.
You can find eSIMs for the Caribbean, the Middle East, Latin America, and the classics like all of Europe or Asia. Plus, Europe truly includes most European countries, including the entire Balkans, as well as Israel and Turkey.
You can also find unique combinations, like an eSIM for the USA, Australia, and Thailand all in one.
Data Volume
MobiMatter does not offer unlimited eSIMs. You will typically find plans for 3, 5, 10, 20, or 50 GB. They even have a 100 GB eSIM for Europe, sold through AirAlo at the same price.
If you wish to top up your eSIM with more data, this is possible in most cases. You can even add data for the USA to a European eSIM, avoiding a new eSIM installation. However, we haven’t tried this ourselves, and we would honestly be a bit hesitant and prefer going through the installation process again.
Pricing
As mentioned, eSIMs from MobiMatter are very affordable, largely due to their extensive offerings. For countries in Africa, the Balkans, Latin America, or the Caribbean, it would be difficult to find anything cheaper.
Given the wide variety of plans, you’ll need to browse through the options to find the best deal. Example: If you’re traveling to Japan but also planning to visit Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, it’s worth paying an extra $3 for an eSIM that covers all four countries instead of just Japan.
Validity
eSIM validity periods are usually 7, 15, or 30 days, often tied to the data volume. However, there are also one-day options or even annual eSIMs, which are hard to find elsewhere. Additionally, 1 GB is usually only valid for 7 days, but here you can get 1 GB data plans valid for 30 days, which can be helpful if you only want a backup eSIM in case you need to block your bank card or call a taxi.
For some plans, the validity starts when you connect to the specific network in the destination country; for others, it begins upon installation. Because some plans include the Czech Republic, we recommend delaying the installation until just before departure. Note that the installation must be done within three months of purchase.
MobiMatter Website and App Usability
The website and app are available only in English. They are among the less user-friendly options, but I’d still recommend MobiMatter. The design has improved, and I appreciate the eSIM installation directly from the app.
You’ll need to carefully explore the available plans for your destination to find the best one for you. If you’re planning to visit multiple countries, you can try searching for all of them at once, and with a bit of luck, you’ll find an eSIM valid for all the countries on your list.
Although the website provides answers to common questions, like how to install an eSIM or track its usage, you’ll need to contact support for more specific issues during the purchase or usage process.
How Complicated is Buying and Installing an eSIM?
Payments can only be made in USD, either with a credit card or via Apple or Google Pay. Recently, they even added cryptocurrency options (Bitcoin, Ethereum, PayPal USD, USD Coin, and Tetherum) and direct payments through Binance.
After purchasing, you’ll receive an email, and a QR code will also appear on your phone screen. MobiMatter’s preferred installation method is via QR code, which requires a second device for scanning. Fortunately, you can also install the eSIM manually in your phone’s settings using the code sent in the email. MobiMatter doesn’t explicitly mention this, but you can rely on our guide.
The simplest way is to buy and install it directly through the app. The purchased eSIM will appear, and you can click on “Install,” and it’s done in no time.
Remember, the installation must be completed within three months of purchase, and to ensure the eSIM works, your phone must support eSIM technology.
Can I Share Data via Hotspot?
Since MobiMatter does not offer any unlimited data plans, you can freely use a hotspot to share data across other devices. Just be aware that the data will deplete faster.
Loyalty Program
The loyalty program is designed for frequent users. With each purchase, you can choose either an immediate 3% discount or 10% cashback. You can use the credits on your next purchase. However, this only benefits heavy eSIM users since you need to collect over $15 before you can redeem them. If you don’t make a purchase within a year, the credits will expire.
Refer a friend and get 50% (up to $5) of their first purchase amount as cashback. Your friend will also receive the same amount but only as credits, which can be used once they collect at least $15.
💸 Use the discount code to get 50% cashback up to $5 for even cheaper data 💸 Mobimatter code JEJDA23913
Customer Support
If you need assistance, you can contact MobiMatter via their contact form, available on both the website and the app. Be prepared to communicate in English. It takes a bit of navigating to reach the form, as you’ll be directed to their FAQ section several times, which may not always be helpful. However, once you submit your question, you’ll receive a response fairly quickly. We received a reply within an hour on a weekday. Response times might be slower on weekends, as they don’t advertise 24/7 support.
Mobimatter Review: Conclusion (Pros and Cons)
On our 14-day trip through five different countries, the eSIM worked flawlessly and was a fraction of the cost we would have paid elsewhere. MobiMatter is highly advantageous for those traveling between multiple countries and wanting one eSIM that works everywhere. You’ll find eSIMs at great prices, though this comes at the cost of a less user-friendly website and app. It might be a bit tricky for first-time eSIM users, especially if they don’t speak English.
Pros
- Wide selection of regional and global plans
- Low prices
- Hotspot support
Cons
- App usability
- No 24/7 support
- Credits expire after a year
Only until the esim does not work and Mobimatter charge processing fee for a refund.
We are sorry to hear about such issues, Vuot. We have always been satisfied with Mobimatter and have not encountered any problems. Refund fees may be due to various reasons, such as transaction fees, charges imposed by the partner operator, or some reasons from the provider itself (try asking for more information). Unfortunately, fees are a part of today’s world, and sometimes they are unavoidable even in such situations.
I was happy with MobiMatter, too, in my trip to Europe. On last week trip to Canada, I feel MobiMatter robs me on the refund fee for its non working product.
Breeze gave me a full refund when its eSim does not work.
You should have mentioned this in your review to be throughout.
They sell a package (esim Japan) that doesn’t work on Android phones and they say nothing about when you purchase it. When you are lucky enough to contact support, they make you waste your time taking screenshots and making tests knowing that there is no solution. They refuse to refund your money.
I purchased the ‘Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand 30GB eSIM’ from MobiMatter, expecting it to work normally in Thailand. However, after activation, I discovered that the eSIM assigns a Hong Kong IP address, which caused unexpected restrictions – services like OpenAI and TikTok were completely blocked, even though they work fine in Thailand.
Nowhere in the product description was this critical information disclosed before purchase. Customers have no way of knowing that their connection will be routed through Hong Kong, resulting in these limitations.
I contacted MobiMatter support, and they acknowledged the issue but refused to issue a refund or update their product page with this essential information. This is completely unacceptable. Transparency is essential in the eSIM market, and misleading customers like this is bad business practice.
I strongly advise potential buyers to be cautious when purchasing from MobiMatter unless they are prepared to deal with undisclosed restrictions.
This isn’t just a Mobimatter issue – it’s actually common among most eSIM providers. We’re currently in Malaysia, and my wife is using an Airalo eSIM that assigns a Singaporean IP. I’m also using a Mobimatter eSIM, which gives me a Hong Kong IP. We’ve often had different IP locations than expected. For example, I’ve had a Polish IP in Thailand before (i think with Nomad), and both Polish and Belgian IPs in the UAE and the Balkans. It all depends on which network the eSIM provider partners with for data.
If you specifically want a local SIM in Thailand from a provider like dtac, it’s best to purchase an eSIM explicitly labeled as such. Both Airalo and Mobimatter sell dtac eSIMs, which should connect directly to Thai networks.
For the “Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand 30GB” eSIM from Mobimatter, the product description does mention: “This is a 3 Hong Kong prepaid eSIM and comes with a Hong Kong (+852) phone number.” This suggests that the connection will be routed through Hong Kong, which likely explains the restrictions you encountered.
This type of routing has both pros and cons. For example, in places like China, it can be beneficial as it allows access to blocked services. But in your case, it caused unintended limitations. If you travel frequently, having a VPN can help bypass such issues, as local networks or routing policies can impact access to various services.
I completely understand that some eSIM providers use home routing, but not all of them do. The problem here isn’t the technical limitations—it’s the deliberate lack of transparency from MobiMatter.
Not all eSIMs use home routing. Many providers (especially traditional operators) use local breakout, meaning the internet connection is established directly in the country where the eSIM is being used. This is standard practice for most physical SIMs and many eSIMs from well-known carriers.
Nowhere in the product description, FAQs, or Terms & Conditions did MobiMatter disclose that this particular eSIM routes all traffic through Hong Kong, causing services like OpenAI and TikTok to be blocked—even though they are accessible in Thailand. Instead, this crucial information was buried in a Troubleshooting article, which no reasonable customer would check before purchasing.
When I contacted their support, they lied repeatedly, claiming that this information was “clearly mentioned in the FAQ.” I personally verified their FAQ page, and this was completely false.
Fortunately, Revolut fully refunded my purchase after reviewing my complaint, but this situation highlights a major issue: MobiMatter engages in deceptive business practices by deliberately misleading customers and refusing refunds when their omissions cause problems.
Had they been upfront about the Hong Kong home routing in the product description, I would never have purchased this eSIM, and this discussion wouldn’t exist.
Of course, I wasn’t referring to local operators but rather intermediaries like Airalo, Saily, Airhub, MobiMatter, etc. With these providers, there is always a high chance that the connection will be routed through a different country than where you are physically located. In this regard, MobiMatter is actually relatively good because they at least mention that you will have a Hong Kong eSIM and thus a Hong Kong phone number, which gives some indication of the routing. Most other providers don’t even mention this. So I completely agree that more transparency would be beneficial in this area.
As I mentioned, this issue has multiple layers. If you were to buy a local eSIM or SIM card in Turkey, China, or Hong Kong, you would also face restrictions on accessing certain services. When you purchase an eSIM, you are essentially getting a kind of VPN, which allows you to use services like Messenger, WhatsApp calls, or OpenAI. Sometimes, however, this can backfire, as in this case. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a VPN while traveling. You never know when a local government might decide to block certain services or websites anywhere in the world.