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Best eSIM providers for Korea in 2024
Get the best eSIM for Korea with Holafly, RED, Klook, Get your Guide and YeSIM. For get about roaming or other expensive options!
July 16, 2024
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Plans that may interest you
Looking for the best eSIM to travel to South Korea? Before you buy one, you might want to know the pros and cons of the top eSIM providers in the country to help you decide. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the main options to consider, complete with the essential information of what they have to offer.
Which eSIM is best for South Korea?
Before we dive deeper into what the top eSIM providers in South Korea have to offer, let’s take a look at how they compare when it comes to some of the main eSIM features.
| eSIM Features | Holafly | Korean eSIM RED | Klook | FlexiRoam | YeSIM |
| Charge for eSIM | No | No | No | No | No |
| Top-Up | No, not needed, since all plans include unlimited data | No | No | No | Yes |
| App | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Unlimited Data | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
1. Holafly
If you want to use the internet without having to restrict yourself on your holiday, Holafly eSIM for South Korea might just be the best option for you. With unlimited mobile data included in all plans and a completely flexible plan duration, it gives you as much convenience and freedom as you can get.
Plans and pricing
Holafly South Korea eSIM plans start at US$6 for a 1-day plan and go all the way up to $139 for a 90-day plan. One of its main advantages is that you can choose the exact number of days you need to cover your holiday, so you won’t end up overpaying for extra days just because there are no suitable plans.
All plans include unlimited bandwidth and allow up to 500 MB of data sharing daily. This means that you can enjoy unlimited internet and take care of the basic connection needs of those arond you, all with a single plan.
The only slight downside to Holafly services is that all plans are data-only. This means that you don’t get a local phone number which you could use for messages and calls. That said, you can still call and message people via the internet by using apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, or Viber. So that shouldn’t be an issue for most users.
Key features
Outside of the pricing and data limits, there are two main things to consider when choosing an eSIM provider — ease of use and customer support.
Holafly offers 24/7 customer support in multiple languages, so if you ever encounter any issues with the service, you’ll get help as fast as possible.
On top of that, the eSIMs are super easy to buy, activate, and use. You can buy one on the Holafly website or by using dedicated iOS and Android apps. Once you complete your purchase, you’ll receive a QR activation code or you can simply activate the plan on the app.
Whatever you do, the whole process takes no more than a few minutes.
For your convenience, there are multiple payment options, which include using your credit or debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple pay.
As for the use itself, you really don’t have to worry about anything after activating your eSIM. All plans are unlimited, so you don’t need to track your data usage or worry about running out. Simply enjoy the best of what South Korea has to offer in complete peace.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Unlimited data with all plans;
- 24/7 multilingual customer support;
- Apps for iOS and Android;
- Flexible plan duration;
- Multiple payment options.
Cons
- No local phone number for calls or SMS messages.
2. Korean eSIM RED
The Korea SIM is a local eSIM option in South Korea that offers several different packages and options in terms of connecting to the internet, receiving calls, and other perks. However, it’s not solely an eSIM provider, which is evident by looking a lack of eSIM-oriented features offered by the service.
Plans and pricing
Korea SIM eSIM plans are quite confusing. There are three choices: eSIM Red, eSIM Red+, and eSIM Sky. That said, the Red+ plans all include messaging and phone call functionality but only offer airport pickup. There’s no option to set it up remotely, which defeats the purpose of getting an eSIM for most users.
The eSIM Sky does offer a way to set up an eSIM with a local phone number remotely, but it’s only available on iOS devices. Therefore, the only viable option for Android users is their eSIM Red plan without the local phone number.
There are 10 total options for you to choose from, all of which include unlimited data.
- 1 day for $4.50;
- 3 days for $12.30;
- 5 days for $18.80;
- 7 days for $23.90;
- 10 days for $26.30;
- 15 days for $37.60;
- 20 days for $41.30;
- 30 days for $48.90;
- 60 days for $73.10;
- 90 days for $97.70.
Key features
With Korea SIM being a provider that deals with physical SIM cards as well as WiFi in physical stores, its digital services are lacking.
Perhaps most importantly, there’s no 24/7 customer support. The customer support times are limited to 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Seoul time Monday through Friday. If you’re having issues at any other time, you’re out of luck.
On top of that, while many other eSIM services, including Holafly, have reasonable refund policies, Korea SIM doesn’t offer refunds at all. So the unlimited data and affordable price may look nice, but if you encounter any issues, you can be left with no connection and no way to get your money back.
The only positive here is that they do have apps for iOS and Android that you can use to make your user experience a bit better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Unlimited data with all plans;
- Apps for iOS or Android;
- Possibility to get a local phone number for calls and messages (airport pickup required).
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support;
- Confusing purchase process;
- No refunds.
3. Klook
Klook is a global eSIM provider, so you won’t face as many comfort issues as you do with Korea SIM. And while it’s far from perfect, it does have some appealing options for those traveling in South Korea.
Plans and pricing
The plan selector on the Klook website is extremely confusing. You’re not presented with all prices of plans up front. Instead, you have to select all the different eSIM features that you want separately, and then the website gives you a price for your selection.
It’s tough to say how many combinations you can possibly come up with, and changing a plan to compare prices takes quite a long time. The cheapest plan only costs $1.45, which is as cheap as it gets in the world of eSIMs. That will get you 1 GB of data for 5 days.
The most expensive plan available as of the writing of this post is the unlimited data play for 20 days, which costs $36.80. That said, it seems like the available plans may differ from day to day, depending on what the company has to offer.
Key features
If you’re lost in the confusion of selecting a plan, or if you’re having issues with the service, Klook offers 24/7 customer support to help you out. There are also iOS and Android apps available, which is particularly convenient for tracking your data usage if you buy a limited data plan.
Klook offers refunds for users who haven’t activated their plans, which saves the users who don’t have an eSIM-compatible device. However, there are no refund options after the plan is activated, so you won’t be able to get your money back if the coverage itself doesn’t work as it’s supposed to.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Both unlimited and limited data plans;
- Some options are very affordable;
- 24/7 customer support;
- Apps for iOS and Android.
Cons
- Plan selection/purchase process is confusing and not intuitive;
- No refunds for a poor-quality service;
- No local phone number for calls or messages.
4. FlexiRoam
FlexiRoam is another global eSIM provider with coverage in over 200 destinations, South Korea being one of them. It may lack the plan flexibility that Holafly offers, but is a solid, reliable eSIM provider overall.
Plans and pricing
There’s a total of 9 eSIM data plans to choose from with Flexiroam, 5 of which are limited data plans, with the other 4 offering unlimited data.
Fixed plans
- $7.50 for 1 GB for 7 days;
- $15 for 2 GB for 15 days;
- $21 for 3 GB for 30 days;
- $32.50 for 5 GB for 30 days;
- $49 for 10 GB for 30 days;
Unlimited plans
- $19 for 5 days;
- $27 for 7 days;
- $34 for 10 days;
- $47 for 15 days.
The plan duration choices are quite limited and may not be perfect for all. On top of that, the fixed plans are a bit more expensive compared to some other competitors, while the unlimited plans aren’t truly unlimited. They allow up to 3 GB of data daily with unlimited speeds. After you’ve used the 3 GB, a download speed limit is imposed.
So if you want to engage in more data-heavy activity, such as watching movies or playing online games, look for a provider that allows more bandwidth before throttling your connection.
Key features
FlexiRoam offers 24/7 customer support and has apps on iOS and Android. In other words — the two main things you’d expect to have are there. It might be worth noting that their eSIM plans can only be activated via the app, so you have no option but to download it onto your phone.
Their refund policy is a curious case. There’s no separate refund policy page on the website, instead, it’s all tangled up in separate sections of their Terms and Conditions. If you don’t want to sit down with your lawyer to analyze it, it’s not exactly clear which cases are subject to a refund and which are not.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Both limited and unlimited data plans;
- Apps for iOS and Android;
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- No local number for phone calls or messages;
- Unclear refund policy;
- Limited flexibility in plan choices;
- Download speed cap on unlimited plans.
5. Yesim
Yesim is yet another well-rounded eSIM option for those traveling to South Korea. It ticks all the essential boxes without standing out in any department. That said, if you see a plan that seems to match your needs perfectly, Yesim is a provider worth considering.
Plans and pricing
The Yesim plan choices are limited to 8 options. There are 4 unlimited data plans, and 4 limited data plans to choose from.
Limited plans
- $14.30 for 3 GB for 7 days;
- $18.70 for 5 GB for 15 days;
- $26.40 for 10 GB for 30 days;
- $41.80 for 20 GB for 30 days.
Unlimited plans
- $7.70 for 1 day;
- $37.40 for 7 days;
- $59.40 for 15 days;
- $75.90 for 30 days.
The limited plans are cheaper than the likes of Flexiroam, but the unlimited plans are the most expensive on this list. Not only do you have very little flexibility when it comes to plan durations, but even if the number of days fits you perfectly, it’s still more expensive than an identical eSIM plan with Holafly.
Key features
If the fairly high price of Yesim plans doesn’t scare you, you’ll be glad to know that they offer 24/7 customer support and intuitive apps for iOS and Android. There are plenty of payment options to choose from as well, so you’ll surely find one that suits your needs.
The refund policy doesn’t directly state that Yesim won’t refund activated plans, either. So if the service isn’t working as it’s supposed to after activation, you may still get a refund.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Both limited and unlimited data plans;
- 24/7 customer support;
- Apps for iOS and Android.
Cons
- More expensive than most alternatives;
- No local number for phone calls or messaging.
Why is eSIM the best option for tourists traveling to South Korea?
When traveling to a foreign country, you want to have an internet connection available to you at all times. Whether it’s to check the maps app, use a translator to communicate with the locals or get a ride to your hotel. And an eSIM just so happens to be the best way to stay connected.
Getting an eSIM for South Korea is cheaper than paying for data roaming charges or buying a physical SIM card locally. It’s also super convenient since you can buy, set up, and activate an eSIM within minutes. You won’t need to visit a carrier, either. It can all be done from the comfort of your home or your hotel room.
You’ll have internet access all throughout the country as soon as you activate your eSIM and won’t have to worry about finding a free WiFi hotspot whenever you need to do something online.
The only slight downside is that you need an eSIM-compatible device in order to use eSIMs. That said, it’s becoming less and less of an issue every day, with most modern cell phones, smartwatches, and even some laptops supporting eSIM technology.
Which is the best eSIM for Korea?
If you’re looking for an eSIM that offers unlimited data, affordable and flexible plans, is easy to use, and has a solid refund policy — Holafly is the way to go. The only good reason to choose a different provider is if you’re on a tight budget and prefer to buy a limited data plan instead of enjoying unlimited bandwidth on your holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
The reliability of the eSIM service often depends on which carrier the eSIM provider collaborates with. Holafly works with Korean Telecom and SK Telecom, two of the biggest carriers in the country, which ensures a steady connection anywhere you go.
You can connect through a local or international SIM card, Pocket WiFi, or use data roaming. These options may be expensive and inconvenient, though, which is why many travelers nowadays choose to use eSIMs instead.
To buy an eSIM for Seoul, visit the Holafly website, choose a plan that suits your needs, and complete your purchase on the website or via the Holafly app. You’ll get a QR code for activation within seconds of your purchase.
