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Top 6 best eSIM for France in 2024
Find out what the best eSIM is. Get to know which one offers more data, additional features, and prices to travel to France in 2024.
July 18, 2024
+1M
Unlimited data
Limitless data plans in more than 170 destinations
Holafly saves you +30% compared to other roaming fees
Plans that may interest you
Traveling to France and looking for the best way to stay connected? Using eSIM cards has become the go-to option for millions of travelers worldwide, and there are plenty of providers that offer coverage in France.
That said, choosing the right service isn’t easy. To help you out, we’ve come up with a list of 6 of the best options to consider, complete with their plans, pricing, and features.
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Why should I get an eSIM for France?
Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France
Using online maps, translation apps, getting a ride, or simply checking out places to eat at — nearly everything we do as tourists is linked to using the internet nowadays. And while eSIM cards aren’t the only way to get internet connection, it’s often the cheapest and most convenient option available.
You could use pocket WiFi or buy a local physical SIM card, but that requires more effort than setting up an eSIM and usually costs more. You can choose to pay for data roaming charges, it doesn’t require any additional devices or cards, but it’s still more expensive than using an eSIM.
Buying and setting up an eSIM takes only a few minutes and can be done anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. On top of that, you have plenty of plans and providers to choose from, so you’re not limited to whatever you can find at the airport upon arrival.
The only thing you need to know before buying an eSIM is that you need an eSIM-compatible device to use it. That said, most modern cell phones, as well as some smartwatches, laptops, and tablets support eSIM technology, so it shouldn’t be an issue for most users.
Which is the best eSIM for France?
The best eSIM for France depends on your own personal needs and preferences. What works for you might not fit someone else. That’s exactly why we’ve compiled a list of options worth considering to help you choose one that’s right for you.
But before we start digging deeper into what each provider has to offer, let’s take a quick look at how they compare when it comes to some of the main eSIM features.
| eSIM features | Holafly | Flexiroam | Ubigi | Alo SIM | Bouygues | Orange |
| Unlimited data | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Top-Up | No, not needed since all plans include unlimited data | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Voice Calls | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
1. Holafly
Holafly is beloved by travelers for including unlimited data in all its plans. And with 200 destinations to choose from, you’ll surely find a plan for you when planning your next holiday.
Plans and pricing
As with all Holafly plans, their eSIM for France includes unlimited data. You only have one thing to choose — the number of days you need the eSIM. This choice is completely flexible, and you can pick any number of days between 1 and 90.
The plans start at US$6 for the 1-day plan and go up to $139 for 90 days of unlimited coverage. All plans also include up to 500 MB of data sharing daily, so you can share internet with those around you without buying any additional plans.
If you’re planning a European trip and will be traveling to countries outside of France, you may also want to consider Holafly’s Europe regional plan, which provides coverage in more than 30 European countries.
The best part about it is that the price of the European plan is exactly the same as that of the France plan, so you can roam all over Europe without paying extra.
It’s worth noting that all Holafly plans are data-only. They don’t include local phone numbers for phone calls or SMS messages. That said, you can still use apps like WhatsApp, Viber, or FaceTime with your regular phone number, and with unlimited data always available, you can make as many calls as you want.
Key features
On top of offering affordable plans, Holafly seeks to provide a great user experience with 24/7 customer support, dedicated apps for iOS and Android, and an easy purchase and activation process that only takes a few minutes from start to finish.
You have multiple payment options to finalize your purchase. After that, you’ll instantly receive a QR code with activation guidelines.
If you encounter issues with the service and the customer support team isn’t able to help, Holafly has a flexible refund policy, which ensures that you’ll either get a quality service or get your money back.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Unlimited data with all plans;
- 24/7 customer support;
- Apps for iOS and Android;
- Flexible refund policy.
Cons
- No local phone number for calls or messages.
2. FlexiRoam
With coverage in more than 170 coverage and a decent list of eSIM data plans for France, FlexiRoam is one more eSIM provider to consider whenever you visit Europe.
Plans and pricing
FlexiRoam offers both unlimited and fixed data plans for France, with a total of 12 options to choose from.
Fixed plans
- 1 GB for 7 days for $4;
- 2 GB for 15 days for $7.50;
- 3 GB for 30 days for $10;
- 5 GB for 30 days for $14;
- 10 GB for 30 days for $23;
- 20 GB for 30 days for $36.
Unlimited plans
- 5 days for $19;
- 7 days for $27;
- 10 days for $34;
- 15 days for $47;
- 20 days for $54;
- 30 days for $64.
It’s worth noting that even though you can get unlimited data plans, they’re not the best for heavy data users. That’s because all plans are subject to a download speed limit after the first 3 GB is used daily. You’ll still have a connection after that, but it will be better suited for simple tasks like using maps or translators.
Key features
FlexiRoam checks the two essential boxes when it comes to features — there’s 24/7 customer support and dedicated apps for iOS and Android.
Their refund policy isn’t exactly clear, though. There’s no separate document or page describing refund conditions. All you get is a few mentions of possible refunds in the Terms of Service, spread out throughout the document. So whether or not you can actually expect a refund with FlexiRoam is most likely decided on a case-by-case basis.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Both limited and unlimited data plans;
- 24/7 customer support;
- Apps for iOS and Android.
Cons
- Download speed limits on unlimited data plans;
- Unclear refund policy.
3. Ubigi
Ubigi is yet another global eSIM provider on this list, with coverage in 200+ destinations and a long list of eSIM options for France.
Plans and pricing
Ubigi offers several types of eSIM — one-off, monthly, and annual — but since monthly and annual plans require you to commit to the service for a long time, the one-off plans are the only viable option for most travelers.
- 3 GB for 30 days for $5;
- 10 GB for 7 days for $7.50;
- 10 GB for 30 days for $9;
- Unlimited data for 7 days for $24;
- 50 GB for 30 days for $32;
- Unlimited data for 30 days for $44.
There’s a lack of flexibility when it comes to plan durations, with all plans limited to either 7 or 30 days. Other than that, the plans offer enough options for most users, with low-data affordable plans and unlimited data plans to choose from.
Key features
Ubigi has apps for iOS and Android which makes it easy to buy and manage your eSIM cards. Their instant setup process is quick and easy to follow. However, if you encounter a problem and need help, the customer support team may not be there to help you.
Ubigi does not have a live chat option, and there’s no indication that the customer support team works 24/7. The only way to get in touch is by filling out a customer support ticket, and you may have to wait quite a while for a response.
On top of that, there’s no possibility for a refund after an eSIM is activated, and all refund requests can only be done within 15 days of making the purchase. So if you buy an eSIM well in advance of your trip, you may not even get a refund before you activate the card.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Both limited and unlimited plans;
- Apps for iOS and Android;
- Affordable pricing.
Cons
- No 24/7 customer support or live chat;
- Questionable refund policy.
4. aloSIM
While aloSIM has a slightly smaller network than some other providers on this list, it offers some viable prepaid eSIM options in the 175+ destinations where it does have coverage.
Plans and pricing
All aloSIM plans for France are limited data plans, with no unlimited options available. Therefore, it’s mostly used by travelers who don’t need tons of data but simply want to stay connected and always have access to the likes of Google Maps or translator apps.
- 1 GB for 7 days for $4.50;
- 2 GB for 15 days for $7.50;
- 3 GB for 30 days for $10;
- 5 GB for 30 days for $14;
- 10 GB for 30 days for $23;
- 20 GB for 30 days for $36.
All plans allow data sharing and even offer an international phone number. However, it’s not a local French number, instead, you get choices of either a US or Canadian number that only works via the internet.
Key features
aloSIM has apps for iOS and Android as well as 24/7 customer support via a live chat. You’ll have to answer quite a few questions from their chat bot before getting to an actual support agent, but the option is there.
The only notable issue is related to the refund policy, as the company clearly states that it does not accept cancellations, refunds, or exchanges. So once you buy your plan, the money is firmly in aloSIM’s pocket, even if the service doesn’t work as intended.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Apps for iOS and Android;
- International US or Canada phone number with all plans;
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- No unlimited data plans;
- No refunds.
5. Bouygues
Bouygues Telecom is a curious case — it’s a French provider that deals both with eSIMs and physical SIM cards, but doesn’t have a dedicated eSIM plan for France. Instead, all their plans are regional and limited to Europe.
Plans and pricing
There are 4 international data plans to choose from with Bouygues, each of which provide coverage in 52 countries, making them great options for Euro trips.
- Travel Basic — data only, 15 GB for 15 days for €19.90;
- Travel Basic+ — 20 GB and unlimited calls for 15 days for €21.90;
- My European eSIM — 30 GB and unlimited calls for 30 days for €39.90;
- My European eSIM 60 GB — 60 GB, unlimited calls, and unlimited messages for 30 days for €41.90.
All pricing is only displayed in €, so if you’re using a different currency to pay, the exact cost will differ slightly depending on the exchange rage.
One of the main benefits that Bouygues offers is a local French phone number which you can use to make calls and send SMS messages all over Europe. So while there are no unlimited plans, and the overall selection is quite limited, if you must have a local phone number, Bouygues is the way to go.
Key features
Bouygues doesn’t only deal in eSIMs, which is also reflected in their services. They do have apps for iOS and Android, but they’re mostly aimed at the users of their long-term local users rather than eSIMs for travelers.
The customer support team only works 8 AM to 8 PM local time Monday through Saturday, which isn’t great if you land at the airport late at night and can’t get your eSIM to work. There’s no clear information about refunds on eSIMs either, as all refund-related information only describes refunds for physical SIM cards.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Local French phone number for calls and messages;
- Attractive plans for those traveling all around Europe.
Cons
- No local French eSIM plan;
- No unlimited data plans;
- No dedicated eSIM apps;
- No 24/7 customer support;
- Unclear refund policy.
6. Orange Travel
Orange Travel positions itself as a global eSIM provider, but with coverage in just over 100 countries, it has a smaller field of coverage than most providers on this list. That said, it has great coverage in Europe, which is why Orange Travel made it onto the list of the best eSIMs for France.
Plans and pricing
Orange offers a total of 4 different eSIM plans for France, which include not only data, but phone calls and SMS messages as well.
- 1 GB, data only, for 7 days for €4.99;
- 12 GB, unlimited calls in France, 30 minutes of calls worldwide, and 200 messages for 14 days for €19.99;
- 30 GB, unlimited calls in France, 120 minutes of calls worldwide, and 1000 messages for 14 days for €39.99;
- 100 GB, unlimited calls in France, 120 minutes of calls worldwide, and 1000 messages for 28 days for €49.99.
As with Bouygues, all prices are in €, so the pricing for other currencies will depend on the exchange rate on any given day.
It’s worth noting that their Orange Holiday Europe eSIM plans have exactly the same pricing as the Holiday France plans, but offer coverage in all of Europe instead, complete with the same number of calls and messages. So getting the Europe plan sounds like a far better deal since you can stay connected even if you decide to go out of France and visit nearby countries.
Key features
Orange Travel has dedicated apps for iOS and Android, as well as 24/7 customer support. That said, it should be noted that the 24/7 support is only available via email, which may mean longer response times. There is a live chat option, but it’s only available from 8 AM to 12 AM Monday through Friday.
Their refund policy states that you must ask for a refund within 14 days of your purchase, and the product cannot be used before asking for a refund. So if you activate your card and the service isn’t working as it should, you’re probably not getting your money back.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plans offer calls and messages;
- Identical pricing for a Europe-wide plan;
- Apps for iOS and Android;
- 24/7 email support.
Cons
- No unlimited plans;
- No 24/7 live chat support;
- No refunds after activation.
Best eSIM plans for France: Which one to choose?
It’s up to you to decide which eSIM plan is the best for your trip to France. It all depends on whether or not you need unlimited data, a local phone number, and if you feel like you need 24/7 customer support.
Holafly includes unlimited data with all plans, great coverage in France and all over Europe, 24/7 customer support, and a flexible refund policy if things go wrong. Therefore, it’s an excellent option for all travelers who don’t need a local phone number for calls and messages.
eSIM for France FAQS
Yes. Different mobile carriers provide this service. Some options are Bouygues, Orange, SFR, and others.
Based on reviews, Airalo only offers mobile data with their eSIMs for France, and they don’t have phone calls with their eSIMs. Holafly on the other hand offers unlimited data and data-sharing, which makes it a better option.
Bouygues Telecom and Orange Travel both offer phone numbers with their eSIM services, which allow you to make voice calls and send SMS messages. Alternatively, you can use mobile data from any eSIM provider to make VOIP calls on apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Messenger.
Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom all support eSIM technology in France. They also collaborate with global eSIM providers, which allows you to get more plan options and a more convenient user experience, all while connected to a local network in France.
