There’s no better time to travel the world, but you’re going to want to stay connected to folks back home. Many cellphone providers offer international service, but it costs a ton, opens you up to overage charges, and imposes strict limits on data. You can end up spending more than the cost of your plane ticket on just a few check-ins.
If you travel frequently, or if you’re planning on spending more than a few days abroad, you need a better plan. Sure, you can purchase a physical SIM card tagged to a local provider, or opt for regional short-term eSIM cards for each country, but swapping them out is expensive and annoying. That’s where Nomad eSIMs come in. In our review, we were impressed by its simple app that walks you through the eSIM process in plain language, as well as its many different coverage options.
Nomad presents three main types of plans. For one-destination trips, they offer targeted SIM subscriptions by country, with prices varying depending on the level of infrastructure and access they have, so developed countries in Europe will have you paying less than someplace like Zimbabwe. Traveling from country to country? Their regional plans bundle multiple countries together for one price. Real jet-setters opt for the Global plan, which gives you access in any country Nomad covers for a flat rate of 7.20 per gigabyte. If you sign up before the end of the year, you can save 30% on any plan using the code PCMAG30.
Nomad eSim
200+ countries, 4G / 5G, use code PCMAG30
$5.04
at Nomad
$7.20
Save $2.16
Plan prices vary depending on their length, with the shortest at seven days. Each plan has a data cap, but they also offer unlimited data prices for many of the local and regional plans. The longer your plan, the less you pay per day, but there are enough options that you’ll be able to pick a deal that fits you. Influencers and Netflix bingers might want to go for the Global EX, which gives you up to 50GB of service for a full year.
Nomad’s plans are data-only over 4G and 5G networks, meaning that basic voice calls and SMS messages are not supported. That’s why most international travelers use apps like WhatsApp for communication. You will be able to check emails, browse the Internet, access your social media accounts and more. You can also use your eSim device as a mobile hotspot to connect laptops, tablets and other tech for when you don’t trust public WiFi networks.
Recommended by Our Editors
Nomad eSim Free Trial
Still not sold? Nomad is so confident in their service that they offer a 24-hour free trial. Just download the Nomad app and sign up here with your travel destination from 76 eligible countries to get 1GB of data on them. It’ll automatically connect you to their network when you arrive at your destination.
Want to save even more on all your travel tech? Our deals page has you covered.
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About Our Expert
K. Thor Jensen
Contributing Writer
Experience
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
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