Nomad eSIM Review: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re currently choosing an eSIM to stay connected to the internet during your vacation, business trip, or study abroad, you’ll find our Nomad eSIM review helpful. We tested this provider on a trip to Asia, already having experience with eSIMs and looking for alternatives to the well-known provider, Airalo. Nomad had a special offer, so we got a data package at a discounted rate and decided to each buy an eSIM from a different provider to compare. Read on to discover the advantages and disadvantages we found.

📱 Not sure what an eSIM is? Check out our article. 📱

Nomad eSIM Packages

Like most eSIM providers, Nomad primarily offers data-only packages without calls and SMS. However, Nomad is gradually expanding its services and already offers SMS packages for the USA, Canada, and the UK. The website also mentions that more countries will be added for SMS packages in the future.

Coverage

Nomad currently offers coverage in over 190 countries and regions. While this isn’t as extensive as some other providers, it’s generally sufficient for most people traveling to popular tourist destinations. Nomad also offers regional packages (e.g., Asia or Middle Eastern countries) and global packages covering 106 or 113 countries worldwide.

One feature I like is that when you click on a country, you immediately see which network you will connect to and the expected internet speed (5G or 4G). This information is also provided in the details of each country’s package.

Data Volume

With Nomad, you can get packages ranging from 1 GB to 50 GB of data, with some options even offering unlimited data. The selection is more varied compared to Airalo, with most countries offering at least three package options (typically 1, 3, and 5 GB). Unlimited data packages are available for some Southeast Asian countries (like Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, or Singapore).

For many countries, you can also choose daily plans, where you select the number of days and the amount of data per day. The price is then calculated accordingly. For example, in Australia, you can get a 10-day package with 2 GB of data per day. If you exceed the daily limit, the internet speed will be reduced.

Some packages also offer the option to top up data on an existing eSIM (which also extends its validity). While this doesn’t save you money, it does spare you from going through the installation process again.

Prices

Prices vary depending on the data volume and the destination country. The most cost-effective packages are generally for Asia, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. For these regions, you can get 1 GB of data for about $4-6 and 10 GB for around $20. Nomad also allows you to choose from multiple operators in some countries, which can sometimes bring the price down compared to other eSIM providers.

Packages for most African countries, South America, or the Caribbean can be quite expensive, with 1 GB sometimes costing up to $25!

The regional and global plans didn’t impress me much. The Europe package doesn’t include most Balkan countries, the global package is excessively priced with a maximum of 5 GB of data, and overall, the only one I’d consider is the Asia package.

It’s definitely worth checking out Nomad if you’re considering buying an eSIM, as they often display discounts on the homepage, and you can frequently get up to 50% off the original price.

Validity Periods

You can purchase packages with a validity period of 7 to 30 days. The seven-day packages are limited to 1 GB of data, so most packages come with a 30-day validity. The validity period starts when you first connect to the network in the destination country. For some eSIMs, this isn’t clearly specified in the app, so we recommend installing your eSIM just before you leave. Also, eSIMs must be activated within 30 days of purchase!

User-Friendliness of Nomad eSIM’s Website and App

The website and app are pretty intuitive and user-friendly, even for beginners. The installation process includes a step-by-step illustrated guide, and the app shows you how much data you’ve used and when the eSIM will expire.

However, there are still some drawbacks. The website is available in 5 languages. Also, the help center has limited answers, and they don’t include images, making it difficult for non-English speakers.

How Easy is Buying and Installing an eSIM?

Before purchasing an eSIM, make sure your phone supports this technology and that it is unlocked.

You can buy an eSIM on the website or in the app, which we find easier. Nomad accepts payments in five currencies (euro, USD, CAD, GBP, or CHF) and offers payment via credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Unfortunately, virtual wallets like PayPal aren’t accepted.

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After purchasing, the app will guide you through an illustrated setup process. However, since it’s all in English, it may take some effort to find the correct settings on your phone.

You have two options for installation: either using a QR code (which requires another device to display the code) or manually setting it up in your phone’s settings (which can be challenging for first-timers).

If you’re new to eSIMs, it might seem a bit complicated. We have an article to guide you through installation and activation here.

Can I Share Data via Hotspot?

Nomad states on its website that hotspot sharing is allowed for all plans, including those with unlimited data. We’ve only tested this with a 30 GB eSIM so far, and it worked perfectly. However, keep in mind that data will deplete faster with multiple devices connected.

Loyalty Program

Nomad frequently offers promotional discounts, allowing you to get eSIMs at great prices.

Additionally, you earn Nomad Points in the app, which you can use for future purchases. This sounds promising, but here’s what bothers me about their loyalty program.

For completing your personal details, you get 50 credits, equivalent to $0.5.

You can earn 700 points ($7) by referring a friend, who will receive the same discount on their first purchase. However, you can only earn rewards for up to five referrals.

You can also earn cashback points for your purchases. The offer varies depending on how many GB you buy, and the specifics are shown during checkout.

But here’s the catch: all accumulated points expire after six months. Plus, you can only use the discount once you’ve collected 100 points, meaning you’d need to buy more frequently than just one vacation per half-year.

Customer Support

Nomad offers live chat support where you first communicate with a bot. If the bot can’t resolve your issue, it will pass your request on to a human representative.

Customer support is said to be available 24/7. Responses are generally quick, within minutes during business hours, but communication is only in English.

Nomad eSIM review Conclusion (Pros and Cons)

Nomad is a reliable eSIM provider with fantastic deals, making it possible to get affordable data for your travels. However, I’d recommend it to those who understand English or already have some experience with eSIMs.

Here’s a list of the pros and cons we noticed during our use, which may help you decide.

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