Ubigi Review: Our Honest Opinion about Ubigi’s eSIM (2024)

Looking for an honest opinion about Ubigi’s eSIM plans? As frequent travellers, we’ve tested various eSIM solutions over the years and will give you a candid Ubigi review in this post.

As frequent travellers, we’re always on the move, discovering new cities around the world. Staying connected is crucial for us to quickly find hip coffee shops in the area, spontaneously look up the history of a landmark, or simply translate a street sign.

Over the years, we’ve found that eSIM cards are the best option for staying connected when travelling internationally.

There are many eSIM providers on the market that we’ve tried out, including Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad. Now, we’re here to share our in-depth Ubigi review. We’ll tell you what Ubigi eSIM is, how it works, the pros and cons, and our honest opinion about Ubigi.

Table of Contents Hide

1. What is Ubigi eSIM?
2. How Ubigi eSIM Works
3. Ubigi Coverage
4. Pros & Cons of Ubigi
5. Ubigi’s Network Operators
6. Ubigi eSIM Data Plans & Cost
7. Who Should Use Ubigi?
8. Alternatives to Ubigi eSIM
9. Ubigi Review: Our Honest Opinion
10. FAQ: Ubigi eSIM Cards
11. Our Verdict: Ubigi eSIM Review

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What is Ubigi eSIM?

Ubigi eSIM is a virtual SIM card (eSIM) that provides mobile data connectivity for travellers, digital nomads, and anyone needing internet access on their mobile devices without a physical SIM card. 

Here’s a quick breakdown for you:

• eSIM: Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, eSIMs are digital SIM cards that are embedded directly into a device. This eliminates the need to swap physical SIM cards when travelling.
• Mobile Data Connectivity: Ubigi focuses on providing data plans so you can access the internet on your phone, tablet, or other compatible device.
• Global Reach: You can purchase international data plans for over 200 destinations (check their website for specifics).

Did you know? The brand name Ubigi is pronounced “You-bee-gee”. It originates from the Latin prefix ubig (“everywhere”) + gi for “giga” (“see gigabytes”).

How Ubigi eSIM Works

Wondering how to buy, activate, and set up your Ubigi eSIM for the first time? Below is a quick guide so you can see how easy it is!

1. Requirement 1 – eSIM Compatibility: Ensure your device supports eSIM. Most modern mobile phones, tablet models, and some laptops have this capability. Check out Ubigi’s list for specific models.
2. Requirement 2 – No Carrier Lock: A locked phone is typically restricted to using SIM cards from the specific carrier you purchased it from. This restriction prevents using SIM cards from other carriers, including Ubigi’s eSIM profile. So, if your phone is carrier-locked, unfortunately, Ubigi’s eSIM won’t work for you.
3. Download the Ubigi App: If your phone is both eSIM compatible and unlocked, download the Ubigi app from your device’s app store. It’s available for iPhone, Android phone, and Windows laptops.

4. Create a Ubigi Account: Open the app and click on “Sign Up”. You’ll need to provide some basic information and verify your email.

5. Install the eSIM Profile: Follow the on-screen instructions to get your free eSIM profile on your device. The app guides you through the simple installation process. There are two options to install the eSIM profile:
   • Scan the QR Code: Once you created your Ubigi account, you’ll receive your eSIM data plan as a QR code. You can scan this QR code using your device’s camera.
   • Manual Installation: Alternatively, you can enter the eSIM details manually if the QR code method isn’t available.

6. Choose Your First Data Plan: Browse and select a prepaid data plan that suits your needs. Ubigi offers a variety of plans tailored for different usage patterns, including local, regional, and global options. And you can also easily top up your plan at any time in case you run out of data.
7. Manage Your Ubigi eSIM data plan: Once you purchased your first data plan and arrived at your destination, you can enjoy immediate access to the internet on your device. Use the Ubigi app to monitor your data usage in real time, top up your plan, and manage your account.
   You’ll also receive notifications to warn you when you’re approaching your data limit. The Ubigi app generally provides a user-friendly interface to keep track of your connectivity needs.

Get 10% off your first Ubigi eSIM data plan purchase with our discount code AWAY10.

Ubigi Coverage

Ubigi covers over 200 destinations across the world. You can purchase data plans for a specific country, an entire region, or even a global plan. 

They offer a variety of plans to suit your needs:

• Country-Specific Plans: Perfect if you know exactly where you’ll be roaming. Some popular destinations with Ubigi coverage include Hong Kong, Japan, Bali, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Spain, Italy, USA, and New Zealand.
• Regional Plans: Ideal for exploring multiple countries within a specific area, like Asia or Europe. 
• Global Plans: Stay connected virtually anywhere Ubigi operates, offering ultimate peace of mind.

We love that there’s an option to purchase regional and global plans. When we travelled to South Korea and Taiwan, we bought a regional Ubigi plan (“Best Asia” plan). That way, we didn’t need to worry about switching plans or data limits as we crossed borders. This saved us so much time and hassle on our travels!

Pros & Cons of Ubigi

We’ve used Ubigi on trips to several countries. In this Ubigi review, we want to share with you the benefits and biggest drawbacks of Ubigi to help you decide:

Key Benefits of Ubigi eSIM

• Access data in over 200 destinations
• Easy activation and easy top-up process directly through the app
• Supports data sharing (hotspot)
• Large choice of affordable data plans
• Compatible with in-car Wi-Fi
• Flexible plans (country-specific, regional, global)
• Reliable and consistent download speeds
• Unlimited data plans in multiple regions available
• Secure connection, unlike public Wi-Fi hotspots (learn more about how a VPN can help you with your security)

Ubigi’s Areas for Improvement 

• Customer service via email only (potential slow response times)
• App design isn’t as visually appealing compared to some competitors 
• Ubigi plans don’t include phone calls or text messages
• Difference in user experience between Android and iOS users (Google Play Store rating of 4.0/5 vs iOS App Store rating of 4.6/5)

Ubigi’s Network Operators

Ubigi is a brand of Transatel, a well-known telecommunications company headquartered in France and operating since 2000. Transatel is part of the NTT Group, a major global player in the telecommunications industry.

But Ubigi itself isn’t a traditional network operator. They partner with local network operators in different countries and continuously expand their coverage. What we love about Ubigi is that 5G internet is included at no extra cost (in covered areas).

If you’re interested in the network operator for a specific country, have a look at Ubigi’s mobile network partners by country.

Ubigi eSIM Data Plans & Cost

Ubigi provides a wide range of cost-effective data plans to suit different travel styles and budgets. Here’s a summary:

• Plan Types: Ubigi offers one-off plans for short trips, monthly plans, and even annual plans for extended travel. You can easily top up or switch to a new data plan on your trip.
• Data Allowances: Ubigi plans typically have a data limit ranging from 500MB to 60GB. Plus, they also have unlimited data plans for multiple regions.
• Validity Periods: Plans typically have validity periods ranging from 1 day to 30 days.
• Destination: You can buy a Ubigi eSIM plan for a specific country/territory, region, or even the entire world.
• Prices: Prices start at $2.50, making Ubigi a cost-effective option compared to roaming charges. The prices vary depending on the plan type, data allowance, validity period, and destination. We have a few cost examples further down in this post.

Who Should Use Ubigi?

Ubigi is a good choice for a variety of travellers and owners of cars with internet. Here’s a breakdown of who could benefit the most from using Ubigi’s eSIM technology:

• Frequent Travellers: If you’re always on the go and visiting multiple countries (like us!), Ubigi’s good coverage in over 200 destinations makes it a reliable choice. You can easily switch between country-specific, regional and global plans.
• Digital Nomads: For those who work remotely and need internet access on the move, Ubigi is an excellent choice. The ease of activation and top-up through Ubigi’s app ensures you stay connected wherever you are. And if you need large amounts of data (e.g. if you want to stream Netflix), you can choose an unlimited data plan from Ubigi.
• Occasional Travellers: Ubigi’s easy setup and cost-effective plans make it a convenient option if you only travel occasionally. You can enjoy your holiday without worrying about finding local SIM cards or dealing with roaming charges.
• Connected Car Owners: Ubigi has the great advantage that it’s the only eSIM for cars with internet. The data plans can be used in a car’s infotainment system with compatible car models, including brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, Jeep, or Fiat. This feature enhances your driving experience and ensures you stay connected on the road.

Alternatives to Ubigi eSIM

Ubigi is a great eSIM provider, but there are several other options to consider. Here’s a comparison of Ubigi with three popular alternatives: Holafly, Airalo, and Nomad.

eSIM Provider Comparison Table

Choosing the best eSIM provider depends on your travel style and data usage. Here’s a quick comparison:

>> Scroll to the right to see the entire table

* (data as of May 2024)

Data Plan Examples

Below are price examples for two trips we’ve selected for you:

First Price Example: 7-Day Trip in Japan

Prices for 10GB plan in Japan (provided in US dollars for ease of comparison)

• Ubigi: US$17 for 10GB plan (both plans are valid for 30 days)
• Holafly: US$29 for unlimited plan (there are only unlimited data plans for Japan)
• Airalo: US$18 for 10GB plan (both plans are valid for 30 days)
• Nomad: US$22 for 10GB plan (both plans are valid for 30 days)

Related read: 14-day city itinerary for Japan

Second Price Example: 3-Day trip in Budapest, Hungary

Prices for 3GB in Hungary (provided in US dollars for ease of comparison)

• Ubigi: US$6 for 3GB plan (15 days)
• Holafly: US$19 for 5-day unlimited plan (no limited data plan for Hungary, 5-day plan is shortest)
• Airalo: US$9.50 for 3GB (30 days)
• Nomad: US$12 for 3GB (30 days)

Related read: Best things to do in Budapest, Hungary

Ubigi Review: Our Honest Opinion

We’ve explored over 50 countries, and eSIMs have been a game-changer for us. Ditching local SIM cards and number changes? Pure bliss! We’ve tested various eSIM providers, and Ubigi consistently stands out for its ease, convenience, and reliability.

Sure, physical SIM cards might be slightly cheaper sometimes. But the convenience of eSIMs is unbeatable. It takes a mere 2 minutes to purchase a data plan in the Ubigi app at home and activate it. Boom, internet access the moment you land!

Ubigi’s vast network coverage in over 200 countries/territories sets it apart from other eSIM providers. We’ve used Ubigi’s plans on trips to Japan, South Korea, the USA, Australia, and many more countries.

Their prices won’t break the bank, and it often balances out with the convenience factor. And Ubigi also allows data sharing, which is fantastic.

Let’s be honest, Ubigi’s app might not win any design awards. But functionality reigns supreme – it’s straightforward and gets the job done.

And for heavy internet users, Ubigi’s new unlimited plans are a great option. However, that convenience comes at a premium. For our data needs of about 500MB to 1GB per day, Ubigi remains the clear winner, followed by Holafly. We wouldn’t revisit Nomad or Airalo based on our experiences.

Get 10% off your first Ubigi eSIM data plan purchase with our discount code AWAY10.

FAQ: Ubigi eSIM Cards

Before wrapping up our Ubigi review, here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQ) we’ve come across about using Ubigi’s eSIM cards.

Our Verdict: Ubigi eSIM Review

After testing multiple eSIM providers over the years, Ubigi is our clear winner. Their vast network coverage in over 200 destinations worldwide, their competitive prices, and their data-sharing allowance make them incredibly convenient for travel. While the app might not be the most stylish, its functionality is top-notch, making Ubigi our preferred eSIM solution.

Which eSIM provider are you curious about? Have you tried out Ubigi? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

And if you’re planning a European trip, check out our favourite applications for travelling in Europe (including Ubigi) so you can travel worry-free!