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eTravelSim SIM card review: Benefits and drawbacks
Is eTravelSim the best eSIM provider for your trip? Read on to find out. We break down its coverage, pricing, and real user feedback to help you decide.
So, you’re planning a trip and need reliable mobile data without the headache of costly roaming charges. You’ve probably come across eTravelSim, but is it actually a good deal or just an eSIM provider with flashy promises?
This eTravelSim review is here to give you the real picture — what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth your money.
We’ll go over the plans, pricing, coverage, and actual user experiences (including what people are saying on eTravelSim review Reddit threads).
If you’re trying to decide whether to go with eTravelSim or look elsewhere, keep reading.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
How does eTravelSim work?
eTravelSim is a digital SIM (eSIM) that lets you stay connected without swapping physical SIM cards. After purchasing a plan from the eTravelSim website or app, you’ll receive a QR code via email.
Simply scan the code or follow the in-app instructions to activate the eSIM on your phone. Once installed, it connects to local networks in your destination country, giving you access to data without roaming charges.
You can manage your plan, monitor data usage, or recharge through the eTravelSIM mobile app.
eTravelSim eSIM review: The breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of all the core features of eTravelSim, including what users are really saying about the service.
1. eTravelSim pricing and plans
eTravelSIM offers preset data plans with set durations and data limits. The Global eSIM starts at $50.99 USD for 6 GB with a 15-day validity.
To continue using data after this period, you’ll need to purchase a recharge instead of extending the plan.
Recharges also follow fixed options. For the Europe eSIM, recharges start at $17 USD for 5 days with unlimited data and 100 minutes of calls. Available options include:
- 5, 7, 14, or 30 days (unlimited data)
- 1 GB, 4 GB, 10GB, 25 GB, or 50 GB (30 days validity)
2. Network coverage and quality
Like most eSIM providers, eTravelSim uses local telcom companies to provide its customers with a reliable connectivity as they travel.
At the time of writing (February 2025), the company has eSIM plans for over 100 destinations available on its store, and the Global eSIM covers 114 destinations.
eTravelSim’s network performance is a mix of positives and potential concerns about routing and reliability.
For example, a few users on Reddit have raised concerns about eTravelSim’s network backbone, specifically that it routes data through Taiwan, which could impact speeds and cause app compatibility issues in certain cases.
While this won’t be a dealbreaker for everyone, it’s something to keep in mind if you rely on high-speed internet for work or streaming.
3. Customer service and technical support
eTravelSim has a 3.9-star rating on Trustpilot. While roughly two in three reviews are five stars, one in five are one star, often citing connectivity issues and slow response times.
One reviewer mentioned being passed to a third-party service that asked them to pay for additional assistance. Another reviewer, who couldn’t get their eSIM to work in China, claimed they had to contact support multiple times before getting a refund.
3. eTravelSim app
eTravelSim offers a mobile app for managing eSIMs, but its availability and user feedback are quite limited.
The app is designed to help with purchasing, activating, and managing eSIMs without relying on QR codes.
It’s available on:
- Google Play Store: No user ratings or reviews.
- Apple Store: Listed with a 5-star rating, but this is based on only one review, making it hard to gauge overall user satisfaction.
As soon as you open the app, it automatically checks if your phone is eSIM-compatible, ensuring you don’t accidentally purchase an incompatible plan.
Setting up an account is quick, with the option to sign in using Gmail or iCloud. From there, you can browse available eSIM plans based on your destination, select the one that suits your trip, and complete your payment directly within the app.
4. eTravelSim refunds
eTravelSim does offer refunds. You can request a refund within five days of purchase, but only under specific circumstances:
- If you never received the eSIM due to an email issue
- If the eSIM has irreparable defects and the eSIM isn’t working
- If the product is not as described, but this is reviewed case by case and requires approval
However, there’s no refund if your phone isn’t eSIM-compatible. So if you buy without checking, you’re out of luck.
Even if your refund is approved, eTravelSim charges a fee — $5 or 30% (whichever is higher) of the order value.
This can be a significant deduction, especially on pricier plans. Finally, refunds can take up to 15 days to process.
5. eTravelSim member program
eTravelSim offers a loyalty program that lets you earn travel points every time you buy an eSIM or recharge.
For every $1 spent, you get 5 points, and once you’ve collected 100 points, you can redeem them for $1 off your next purchase.
There’s also a referral program—when you share your unique referral link with a friend, and they make a purchase, both of you earn rewards.
While this is a nice perk, the program doesn’t offer cashback, free data, or exclusive perks like Holafly’s HolaCoins system, which lets you earn 5% cashback on purchases and redeem points for bigger discounts.
Choose unlimited data. Choose Holafly.
If you’re looking for flexible plans with uninterrupted internet access and no extra costs on international roaming, look no further than Holafly.
With instant activation, unlimited data, and wider coverage, Holafly makes staying connected easier and more convenient.
Installation process? Done in a couple of minutes. Just scan the QR code from your email, and you’re online.
Prefer a manual setup? That’s covered too. Plus, unlike some providers, Holafly lets you keep your WhatsApp number so you can keep chatting without interruptions.
With customizable plans ranging from 1 to 90 days, you’re never stuck paying for more than you need.
For example, Holafly’s Global eSIM covers over 200 destinations across America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with prices starting at $9.90 for 1 day and dropping as low as $3.93 per day for 90 days. You also get up to 1GB per day for hotspot use, so you can share data with other devices when needed.
Traveling to Taiwan or Hong Kong? Just complete a quick ID verification before activation. And if you’re heading to China, Holafly includes a built-in VPN, so you can access the internet without restrictions.
If seamless setup, reliable service, and unlimited data matter to you, Holafly is a great choice for your next trip!
Connect to the fastest networks
International eSIMs, local networks. Enjoy the best of both worlds with Holafly.
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Based in Mumbai, Sharan Kaur Phillora has 6+ years of experience in the B2B writing industry. She has written for brands like Pocket52, Nexweave, Maze, NaNLABS, and Userpilot. When she's not working, Sharan can be found immersed in murder mystery novels or exploring Mumbai's streets on her bicycle in search of the perfect slice of pizza.
