Best SIM/eSIM card for USA – Plans and costs

Owing to their convenience, eSIMs are now more popular than SIM cards for travelers going to the USA. Today some companies provide eSIM plans with numerous options of eSIM plans and this can make you overwhelmed to decide on the most suitable one to take. This article will help you review all the plans, and guide you to the best USA eSIM for USA trip.

I. Why eSIM for USA is the best choice?

The appearance of eSIM now has changed the way USA tourists connect to the Internet, here is why:

•  Allows visitors to easily switch between carriers or plans without the need to physically swap cards.
• Activate your eSIM before leaving home, streamlining your arrival process.
•  if your phone supports dual SIM functionality, you can keep your home number active while using a US-based plan, which is very flexible for communication.

Note: However, not all phones support eSIM technology (for example older models or budget devices). 

II. Best USA eSIM plans for Travelers

To help travelers in choosing the best USA eSIM plan, here is a comparison of eSIM USA options from leading providers:

Provider	Plan	Validity	Data	Network Coverage	Price	Additional Features
esimusa.net	Basic Plan	7 days	1 GB	T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon	$5	Data only, easy activation
	Standard Plan	14 days	3 GB	T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon	$15	Data only, QR code installation
	Premium Plan	30 days	10 GB	T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon	$30	Data only, supports 5G, hotspot/tethering
	Unlimited Plan	30 days	Unlimited	T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon	$96.90	Data only, no speed throttling initially
Airalo	Change 1 GB	7 days	1 GB	T-Mobile, Verizon	$4.50	Reliable 5G coverage
	Change 3 GB	30 days	3 GB	T-Mobile, Verizon	$11	Easy activation via QR code
	Change 10 GB	30 days	10 GB	T-Mobile, Verizon	$26	Multiple plan options
	Change 20 GB	30 days	20 GB	T-Mobile, Verizon	$42	High data volume plans
Nomad	Basic Plan	7 days	1 GB	Multiple US carriers	$6	Flexible plans, easy top-up
	Standard Plan	15 days	5 GB	Multiple US carriers	$14	High-speed 4G/LTE
	Premium Plan	30 days	10 GB	Multiple US carriers	$20	24/7 customer support
Yesim	Unlimited 7 Days	7 days	Unlimited	Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile	$25	No documentation required, app activation
	Unlimited 15 Days	15 days	Unlimited	Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile	$47	Easy activation via app
	Unlimited 30 Days	30 days	Unlimited	Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile	$64	Extensive network coverage
	Capped 3 GB	7 days	3 GB	Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile	$13	Affordable options
	Capped 20 GB	30 days	20 GB	Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile	$32	Multiple data options
Keepgo	Basic Plan	365 days	100 MB	AT&T, T-Mobile	$3	Long-term validity, large data bundles
	Standard Plan	365 days	10 GB	AT&T, T-Mobile	$60	High data volume plans
	Premium Plan	365 days	50 GB	AT&T, T-Mobile	$200	Suitable for extended stays

To choose the best plan for yourself, you should consider your own specific needs, such as the duration of your stay, data usage, and budget. Here are the overall recommendation

• If you need flexibility and are staying for less than a month, esimusa.net and Airalo offer a good balance of price and data options.
• For heavy data users, Yesim with its unlimited plans provides excellent value.
• If you want a long-term trip, opt for Keepgo as they offer the best long-term validity and data options.

III. Budgeting for a USA eSIM

To keep connected in the US and not worry about data limitations, here is the breakdown to help visitors consider:

• Short trip (under 1 week): 3-5GB is enough for basic tasks such as mapping, translating, or light browsing. Consider using the USA eSIM Unlimited 5 days from esimusa.net with just $16.9 for unlimited data during your travel.
• Extensive trip (over 2 weeks): For a long stay in the US, visitors need more data to stay connected here, 5-10GB is perfect to solve their tasks: streaming music, and videos or working with heavy tasks. USA eSIM 20 Days Plan with 38$ can be a good solution for your trip.

Find the best plan for your trip below:

IV. How to use USA eSIM

If you have never tried eSIM before, this is a step-by-step guide for USA travelers:

1. Check Compatibility
   • Ensure your device supports eSIM functionality, this is the eSIM supported list.
2. Purchase eSIM
   • Online: Visit the provider’s website (e.g., esimusa.net, Airalo, Nomad, Yesim, Keepgo) to select and buy a plan.
   • Airports: A lot of large airports have a store or a vending machine at which you can purchase an eSIM.
   • Mobile Carrier Stores: Go to physical shops of mobile carriers such as T-Mobile in the USA, AT&T, and Verizon.
   • Travel Agencies: Many travel agencies providing services also include eSIMs in their packages to their clients.
3. Prepare for Installation
   • Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi or another internet connection.
4. Install eSIM
   • Open the email that contains the QR code on another device or print it out, or use the QR code provided at the point of purchase.
   • Next, go to Settings on your phone > choose Cellular (or Mobile Data) > then choose Add Cellular Plan.
   • Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code
   • Follow the steps on your screen to finish setting up.
5. Activate eSIM
   • Ensure that the eSIM is activated. This typically happens automatically once installed.
   • Switch your data plan to the eSIM in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data.
6. Enable Data Roaming
   • Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming and toggle it on.
7. Use eSIM

• • Your eSIM is now ready to use. You can make use of mobile data as per your plan’s allowance.
  • For additional data, follow your provider’s instructions to top up or purchase more data if available.

V. Conclusions

In summary, selecting the right eSIM for your USA trip is key to staying connected affordably. By comparing plans and considering your needs, you can find the best option. With a suitable eSIM, you’ll enjoy reliable connectivity throughout your American adventure, enhancing your travel experience.