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.

Best SIMeSIM for USA - Plans and costs

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:

USA eSIM plans
USA eSIM plans

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.


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