Ubigi eSIM Review: 20+ Trips Later, Is It Worth It? (2025)

Curious if Ubigi’s eSIM plans are right for you? We’ll share our honest thoughts after using Ubigi on over 20 trips.

As frequent travellers, staying connected is essential for us. It helps us 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 simplest and most convenient way to stay online when travelling abroad. But with so many eSIM providers out there (Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad, to name a few), it can be tricky to choose the right one. 

In this post, we’re focusing on Ubigi. We’ll cover how it works, its pros and cons, and whether we’d recommend it for your next trip.

Table of Contents Hide

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

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What is Ubigi eSIM?

Ubigi eSIM is a virtual SIM card (eSIM) that provides mobile data to 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 standard SIM cards, eSIMs are built into your device, so you don’t have to swap anything when you travel.
• Mobile Data Connectivity: Ubigi focuses on data plans, keeping you online whether you’re using a phone, tablet, or even a laptop.
• Global Coverage: You can grab an international data plan that works in over 200 destinations (check the Ubigi website for details).

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

Ubigi’s Coverage

Ubigi offers eSIM plans in over 200 destinations across the world. You can choose from:

• Single Country Plans – Best if you’re visiting just one destination. Ubigi covers popular destinations like Japan, Hong Kong, Greece, Iceland, Spain, the USA, and New Zealand.
• Regional Plans – A great option for travellers moving between multiple countries in areas like Europe or Asia.
• Worldwide Plans – One eSIM that works across a huge number of destinations without switching plans.

We absolutely love the option to purchase regional and global Ubigi eSIM plans. When we travelled to South Korea and Taiwan, we bought a regional plan (“Best Asia” plan). That way, we didn’t need to worry about switching plans when we crossed the border. It made things so much easier!

Pros & Cons of Ubigi

Having used Ubigi on over 20 trips across various countries, here’s a breakdown of its key benefits and drawbacks:

Key Benefits of Ubigi eSIM

• Access data in over 200 destinations worldwide
• Easy activation and easy top-up process directly through the app
• Allows hotspot usage, letting you share data across multiple devices
• A large choice of affordable data plans
• Flexible data plans (country-specific, regional, global)
• Reliable and consistent download speeds in the 20+ destinations we’ve visited
• 5G internet is included at no extra cost (in areas where it’s available)
• Unlimited data plans in multiple regions available
• Secure internet 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 mainly via email (which can be slow); though live chat is available, the chat icon is hard to find
• Mobile app’s design isn’t as polished or user-friendly as 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 3.8/5 vs iOS App Store rating of 4.6/5)
• Since Ubigi relies on local providers, coverage in rural areas might not be as reliable

Ubigi’s Network Operators

Ubigi is a brand of Transatel, a well-known French telecommunications company that’s been around since 2000. Transatel is part of the NTT Group, a major global player in the global telecom industry.

However, Ubigi isn’t a traditional network operator. Instead, they work with local mobile operators in various countries and are constantly expanding their coverage. One of the things we really appreciate about Ubigi is that 5G internet is included at no extra cost in areas where it’s available.

If you’re wondering about the network operator in a specific country, you can easily check Ubigi’s list of mobile network partners by country.

Ubigi eSIM Data Plans & Cost

Ubigi has a variety of data plans to suit different travel needs and budgets, which makes it a great option for all kinds of trips. Here’s what you can expect:

• Plan Types – Ubigi has options for 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 – You’ll find plans with data limits ranging from 500MB to 60GB. They even offer unlimited data packages for several regions.
• Validity Periods – The plans are available with validity periods ranging from 1 day to 30 days.
• Destination Options – You can select a plan tailored to a specific country, region, or even a global plan for broader coverage.
• Prices – Prices start at $2.90, making Ubigi a cost-effective option compared to hefty roaming charges. Below, we provide two price examples.

For a 10GB plan in Japan, here’s how Ubigi compares (provided in US dollars for ease of comparison):

• Ubigi: US$14 (30 days validity) → CHEAPEST OPTION
• Holafly: US$29.90 for unlimited plan (only unlimited plans available for Japan)
• Airalo: US$14.50 for 10GB plan (30 days validity)
• Nomad: US$22 for 10GB plan (30 days validity)

Price Example 2 – 3 Days in Budapest

For a 3GB plan in Hungary, here’s how the prices compare:

• Ubigi: US$5 (15 days validity) → CHEAPEST OPTION
• Holafly: US$12.90 for unlimited plan (only unlimited plans available for Hungary)
• Airalo: US$8 for 3GB (30 days validity)
• Nomad: US$8 for 3GB (30 days validity)

These prices were accurate at the time of writing, but keep in mind that they might change, so it’s always best to check Ubigi’s website for the most up-to-date prices. And if you’re looking to save a little, don’t forget to use our code AWAY10 for 10% off your first purchase!

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.

Alternatives to Ubigi eSIM

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

Our Honest Opinion on Ubigi eSIM

After over 20 trips with Ubigi, we’ve had plenty of time to get familiar with their eSIM. As frequent travellers, we’ve tested various eSIM providers over the years, and we can confidently say that Ubigi stands out for its ease, convenience, and reliability.

Yes, physical SIM cards might sometimes be a bit cheaper. But when it comes to convenience, eSIMs are hard to beat. We can buy a data plan through the Ubigi app from home and activate it in just a couple of minutes. You’ll have internet access as soon as you land.

Ubigi’s coverage is pretty impressive, too, with service available in over 200 countries and territories. We’ve used it on multiple trips, such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the US, Australia, and across Europe (especially when we’ve run out of our EU roaming allowance).

What’s great is that Ubigi’s regular plans (which aren’t unlimited) are budget-friendly and won’t break the bank. For heavy data users, Ubigi’s unlimited plans are worth considering, but they come with a hefty price tag.

For our typical data needs (about 500MB to 1GB per day), Ubigi is the clear winner, with Holafly coming in second. Based on our experiences, we wouldn’t use Nomad or Airalo again.

Now, the app isn’t going to win any design awards, but we think in this case functionality matters more. It’s straightforward and does exactly what it needs to.

One thing we feel could be improved is Ubigi’s customer support. They started off with technical support via email only, and it’s sometimes taken a while to get a response. They did add live chat recently, but we’ve found the icon for live chat isn’t that easy to spot.

Our top tip: Get 10% off your first Ubigi eSIM data plan purchase with the discount code AWAY10.

FAQ: Ubigi eSIM Cards

Before wrapping up our Ubigi review, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about using Ubigi’s eSIM cards.

We’ve used Ubigi eSIM as a hotspot on some of our travels (to share it with a tablet or another person), and it worked great every time. 

Final Thoughts

After testing various eSIM providers over the years, we’ve found that Ubigi stands out as our top choice.

The coverage is impressive, with access to over 200 destinations worldwide. Plus, their competitive prices and data-sharing allowance make it an excellent option for travellers. Sure, the app might not win any design awards, but when it comes to reliability and functionality, it certainly delivers.

What about you? Have you tried Ubigi, and what was your experience? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share in the comments below.

And if you’re planning a trip across Europe, be sure to check out our favourite apps for Europe travel (Ubigi included) for a stress-free adventure.