Best eSIM for the USA 2026: prices & providers compared
Contains affiliate links – how we work
Roaming in the USA is still expensive on many mobile plans. A travel eSIM is usually much cheaper – but which provider suits you? Our research (as of October 2026) shows that a different provider comes out on top depending on how you use your phone.
Contents
Comparison table
USA eSIMs compared side by side (as of October 2026, all prices in USD)
| Provider | Best offer | Unlimited | Network | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | 1 GB / 7 days $3.99 · 10 GB / 30 days $22.99 | 7 days $24.99 · 30 days $67.99 (from $3.49 for 1 day) | Operators not named by Saily | Best price for small packs; from the team behind NordVPN |
| Airalo | 1 GB / 3 days $4 · 10 GB / 30 days $22.50 | 7 days $25 · 30 days $68 (from $11.50 for 3 days) | T-Mobile, Verizon, U.S. Cellular | Narrowly the cheapest for packs of 5 GB and up; plans with a US number |
| Holafly | Unlimited only | 7 days $27.50 · 30 days $73.90 | AT&T, T-Mobile | Very heavy use (over 5 GB/day), no fixed daily limit |
- Offer:
- 1 GB / 7 days $3.99 · 10 GB / 30 days $22.99
- Unlimited:
- 7 days $24.99 · 30 days $67.99 (from $3.49 for 1 day)
- Network:
- Operators not named by Saily
- Best for:
- Best price for small packs; from the team behind NordVPN
- Offer:
- 1 GB / 3 days $4 · 10 GB / 30 days $22.50
- Unlimited:
- 7 days $25 · 30 days $68 (from $11.50 for 3 days)
- Network:
- T-Mobile, Verizon, U.S. Cellular
- Best for:
- Narrowly the cheapest for packs of 5 GB and up; plans with a US number
- Offer:
- Unlimited only
- Unlimited:
- 7 days $27.50 · 30 days $73.90
- Network:
- AT&T, T-Mobile
- Best for:
- Very heavy use (over 5 GB/day), no fixed daily limit
US networks: why coverage varies so much
Travel eSIMs for the USA connect to the networks of the major US operators: Holafly names AT&T and T-Mobile, Airalo names T-Mobile, Verizon and U.S. Cellular. Saily does not name its operators on the product page. In cities and along the interstates, coverage is generally good.
In national parks (such as Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon) and in sparsely populated areas generally, however, there is often no signal – whichever provider you choose. If you will be spending a lot of time out in the wild, download offline maps in advance.
Hotspot rules and the price advantage over local SIMs
Hotspot use (tethering) is handled differently from provider to provider: Saily allows it without restriction, according to its product page. Airalo says it also allows it on its unlimited plans, with the daily allowance applying to hotspot data as well. Holafly limits sharing to 1 GB per day.
On price, the eSIMs compared here are often cheaper than local US prepaid plans, which are mostly sold as monthly bundles including calls – and you set them up before you leave, with no trip to a shop.
Tip: the code HERMESINVEST gets you 5% off Holafly (last checked on 16 July 2026). More in our discount code guide (→ Holafly discount code 2026: save 5% with HERMESINVEST).
Our recommendation by type of user
- Average user (maps, social media, email)Saily 10 GB / 30 days for $22.99 – Airalo is practically level at $22.50. For small packs, Saily has the edge: 1 GB is valid for 7 days there ($3.99), compared with 3 days at Airalo ($4).
- Heavy user on a short tripUnlimited data for 7 days costs $24.99 with Saily and $25 with Airalo – each with 5 GB per day at full speed, then 1 Mbit/s. Holafly ($27.50) states no fixed daily limit and is only worth it if you regularly need more than 5 GB per day; hotspot use there is capped at 1 GB per day.
- A full month of unlimited dataSaily ($67.99) and Airalo ($68) cost practically the same for 30 days; Holafly costs $73.90.
Good to know
- Mobile coverage is generally patchy in national parks and rural regions – no provider can fully make up for that.
- Unlimited does not mean unlimited speed: Saily and Airalo throttle to 1 Mbit/s after 5 GB per day. Holafly states no fixed limit but points out that the network operators may temporarily reduce the speed (for one day at most) under a fair-use policy.
- Travel eSIMs are often cheaper than local US prepaid plans and can be set up before you leave, without visiting a shop.
FAQ
Is 10 GB enough for 2 weeks in the USA?
For most travellers, yes – maps, social media, messaging and the occasional bit of streaming run without any trouble. If you watch Netflix in your hotel every day, go for an unlimited plan.
Can I make phone calls in the USA with the eSIM?
Not with the plans compared here – they are data-only eSIMs. Calls work without any trouble over WhatsApp, FaceTime or Google Meet, though. If you need a US number: Airalo's “Change+” plans come with minutes and texts (from $6 for 1 GB / 3 days, as of October 2026; outgoing international calls are not possible), and Saily offers a US phone number as an add-on.
Can I set up the eSIM at home before I travel?
Yes, you can take your time and install it at home. The validity period only starts once the eSIM connects to a network in the USA. With Saily, a purchased plan is activated automatically after 180 days at the latest.
For most travellers to the USA, Saily is currently among the cheapest options – and hotspot use is allowed without restriction, according to the provider.
Go to SailyPrices in USD, as of October 2026 – subject to change.
Ali Cetinkaya is a business IT specialist with more than 15 years of experience in IT and online marketing. For DealsScout he evaluates plans, tools and deals – honestly, transparently and without jargon.