Monty eSIM Review: Cheap Alternative for Travel Data in 2024?

Traveling abroad and looking for a quality and affordable alternative to a local SIM card? Monty eSIM might be your solution. It’s a relative newcomer to the market, but it’s clear that it’s serious about competing with the best providers. We show you that in our Monty eSIM review.

Monty eSIM was launched on September 1, 2022, and since then it has been struggling to compete with the big players in the industry. The pricing in particular has caught our attention, but we also appreciate the intuitive user experience.

This is a company that belongs to a telecom innovator and it is clear that they have everything under control technically. So let’s take a look at what you can expect from this provider.

Monty eSIM Review

Monty eSIM has one of the widest offers with very good prices.

Coverage

The platform boasts over 190 countries on offer, making it one of the top performers and even beating some of the more established eSIM vendors. Most eSIMs work in multiple countries at once, which comes in handy if you’re going to be visiting several of them in a while.

Of course, regional and global packages are also available. But be careful – just because they’re global doesn’t mean they’ll work everywhere. Always check the number and list of countries offered on a particular plan before you buy.

Data volume

Monty eSIM offers data plans from 500 MB up to a respectable 20 GB. It may be a little different for each country, but you’ll find at least that 10GB in the vast majority of countries.

Conversely, don’t expect unlimited data. It’s not even available in Thailand, for example, where the competition has it. We’ll see if that changes in the future.

Prices

As always, the number of data is important, but with Monty, the length of validity also plays a role. You’ll often find that you have a certain amount of data for 7 – 30 days. Of course, the shortest period is also the cheapest.

The prices are especially friendly within Europe, which is good news in Switzerland and Turkey, for example. There you can buy 1 GB for as little as $1.99.

Unfortunately, Balkan countries like Albania, Montenegro and others are not very cheap.

The paradox for me is Martinique and Guadeloupe. These countries are part of France, and although they are in the Caribbean, the rules are the same as in the EU. So you should be fine with an EU SIM, which you can get for as little as $2.15 for 1 GB instead of $6.99.

In most countries, you’ll also be able to top up your eSIM on the spot, so there’s no need to buy and install a new one.

Validity

As I wrote above, the validity of Monty is quite wide and the price depends on it. Usually you can choose between 7 and 30 days.

The validity starts when you connect your phone to your local network (always check this). Also be careful where your purchased plan is valid. Many plans work in multiple countries, so you may accidentally activate your plan early.

For example, you buy a 5 GB eSIM for Switzerland. It is valid in 34 countries, including the Czech Republic. You install it today, but you won’t be traveling for a few days. However, it will also connect to the network in the Czech Republic, so it will start to expire. I recommend to install and activate the package as late as possible. And before you arrive at your destination, leave the eSIM switched off.

📱 Read more o about eSIM actiavtion. 📱

Monty eSIM website and app clarity

With Monty, you may be a little surprised by the way you sign up and log in. You simply enter your email address and receive a code that you enter in the next step. Every login will be the same way. It can be a little annoying, but the only time you really need to log in is when you make a purchase.

Both the app and the website are very easy to use and anyone should be able to get the hang of it. You can quickly find the package you need. Once you click on it, you’ll see the details and if you like it, you’re ready to buy.

How complicated is it to buy and install an eSIM?

I wrote above that the purchase is absolutely simple. Once you select your package, you pay directly. Before you buy, the system will ask you if you are sure you have a device that supports eSIM.

You can pay by card, ApplePay and GooglePay. Currency is in dollars only. Once the transaction is complete, you will receive an email with a QR code. Simply load it onto your device and you’re done. The provider has clear instructions on their website. Similarly, the app has a “User Guide” section where you can see the step-by-step instructions.

Can I share data via hotspot?

Yes, you can run the hotspot on any plan and let other devices connect. Just be careful, as this means your data will run out much faster. However, you can easily top up your eSIM.

Loyalty program

Monty eSIM offers one of the highest cash back rates at 10%. This means that for every purchase you make, ten percent of the amount paid will be credited back to your Monty account. Since the provider wants to insure you, the cashback will only happen after your third purchase. After that, it’s every time you make a purchase.

Like most providers, Monty eSIM offers refunds. This is not via a code, but via a unique link. You send it to a friend and when they make a purchase, you get $3. Unfortunately, it’s not like other merchants and your friend gets nothing.

Customer support

The provider can be contacted via web form, email and Whatsapp. They claim to be available 24 hours a day. I wrote to support at 10pm, so I guess this can be confirmed. Anyway, if you email or use the form, you get a message to contact them via Whatsapp. So the two channels are a bit redundant. There is definitely room for improvement here, as not everyone uses this app.

Apart from that, the support is fast and you feel like you are chatting with a real person. However, be aware that even the chat is only available in English, as is the entire site.

Monty eSIM Review: Final rating (pros and cons)

Monty eSIM is one of the better providers. It offers a great selection of countries, data packages and often at very good prices. So I can definitely recommend it.

I have somewhat mixed feelings about the loyalty program. It is not very attractive for occasional users. On the other hand, if you use the Monty eSIM regularly, it is definitely worth it.