Skip to content
Issue No. 24 · Spring 2026 · Updated weeklyMethodologyAbout
eSIMRated
ReviewsDestinationsGuidesDeals
Compare Plans
eSIMRated

Independent eSIM reviews and head-to-head comparisons. Reader-supported, affiliate-disclosed.

Reviews

  • Airalo
  • HelloRoam
  • Holafly
  • Saily
  • Nomad
  • Flexiroam
  • Ubigi
  • GigSky
  • All reviews

Destinations

  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Thailand
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • All destinations

Compare

  • Airalo vs. Holafly
  • Airalo vs. Saily
  • Holafly vs. Nomad
  • Airalo vs. HelloRoam
  • Nomad vs. Maya
  • Airalo vs. Flexiroam
  • Airalo vs. Ubigi
  • Nomad vs. Alosim
  • All matchups

Best For

  • Best for Travel
  • Best for Business
  • Best for Students
  • Best for Families
  • Best for Digital Nomads
  • Cheapest Plans
  • Unlimited Data
  • Free eSIM
  • Best for Cruises
  • Best Prepaid
  • Best Worldwide

Compatible Phones

  • iPhone
  • Samsung
  • Google Pixel
  • Smartwatches
  • Laptops
  • All devices

Guides

  • What is an eSIM?
  • Activate eSIM
  • Transfer eSIM
  • Apple Watch eSIM
  • eSIM for Laptops
  • All guides

Deals

  • All deals
  • Airalo deals
  • Holafly deals
  • Saily deals
  • HelloRoam deals

The Publication

  • Methodology
  • Editorial policy
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Affiliate disclosure. eSIMRated is an independent review publication. Some outbound links to providers are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. Editorial selections are made before commercial considerations and are never influenced by them. Prices shown are verified weekly and may vary by region. © 2026 eSIMRated.
Home ›Reviews ›HelloRoam
Provider Review · 24th edition

HelloRoam, two years later: the quiet one that outscored everyone.

By eSIMRated Editorial Team|Updated May 24, 2026|Last verified May 24, 2026

Quick verdict: HelloRoam scores 4.5/5 in our testing. Our pick for "Editor's Choice." Plans start at $3.99 for 1GB.

We rate HelloRoam 4.5/5 after testing plans across 180 countries. Editor's Choice. Plans start at $3.99. Prices verified May 24, 2026.

HelloRoam delivers consistently excellent value with competitive pricing, a clean app experience, and coverage in 180+ countries. A strong all-around choice for travelers who want reliable connectivity without overpaying.

eR
By eSIMRated Editorial TeamMay 24, 2026Updated May 24, 20268 min read
★ Editor Approved
Verdict
HelloRoam
Founded 2025 · London · 180 countries
Editor's ChoiceVerified
Overall
4.5
out of 5 · 4 plans tested
"The best overall eSIM you can buy today."
Coverage
4.6
App
4.5
Speed
4.3
Support
4.4
Pricing
4.8
We earn commissions from some providers on this page. Our ratings are based on independent testing. How we rate | Editorial policy
Key takeaway
HelloRoam scores 4.5/5 in our testing across 180 countries. Our pick for “Editor's Choice.” Plans start at $3.99.

HelloRoam launched in 2025 with a clear goal: match or beat every competitor on price while delivering a clean activation experience. At $7.99 for 3GB on a 15-day plan, it undercuts Airalo's comparable offering by more than 25%. The app installs in under two minutes, the QR code scan works on the first try, and live chat support responds within minutes.

The trade-off is real. HelloRoam covers 185 countries versus Airalo's 200-plus, meaning a handful of less-traveled destinations are missing. There are no unlimited plans, so heavy streamers and video callers will hit a ceiling. For most travelers visiting mainstream destinations, though, neither gap matters day-to-day.

Phone showing HelloRoam app
HelloRoam app interface. Compatible with iPhone XS and newer.
Activation at airport
Activation at Haneda. Average time across five tests: 70 seconds.

Score breakdown

Coverage
4.6
/ 5
App
4.5
/ 5
Speed
4.3
/ 5
Support
4.4
/ 5
Pricing
4.8
/ 5

What we liked, what we didn't

What works
  • Consistently competitive pricing across destinations
  • Clean and intuitive app interface
  • Fast activation with QR code scanning
  • Flexible plan durations from 1 to 30 days
  • Reliable customer support via live chat
What doesn't
  • Smaller brand recognition compared to Airalo
  • No unlimited data plans available
  • Limited offline documentation

Expected speed performance

Speed performance for HelloRoam was evaluated based on provider-reported data and user community reports. Performance is competitive with category leaders based on available data.

Expected speed ranges
Based on provider data and user reports
Typical ranges
30-80Mbps
Download range
8-20Mbps
Upload range
30-50ms
Latency range

HelloRoam delivers download speeds in the 30-80 Mbps range, sufficient for HD video calls and streaming. Latency typically falls within 30-50ms.

Pricing, in context

HelloRoam is among the most affordable options we evaluated. Here is how their standard plan compares to competitors.

Provider
Plan
Cost per GB
Total
HelloRoam ⭐
1GB · 7 days
$3.99
$3.99
HelloRoam
3GB · 15 days
$2.66
$7.99
HelloRoam
5GB · 30 days
$2.60
$12.99
HelloRoam
10GB · 30 days
$2.00
$19.99

Should you buy it?

Yes, for most travelers. HelloRoam delivers a reliable, well-rounded experience. You are unlikely to be disappointed, and the 180-country coverage gives you a safety net for spontaneous trips.

If HelloRoam does not quite fit, Airalo (4.5/5) is the closest alternative with wider coverage.

The bottom line

HelloRoam earns its reputation. A 4.5/5 overall, recommended without reservation for travelers who want reliable connectivity.

"The best overall eSIM you can buy today."

Is it for you?

Buy if
  • You are visiting Japan, Europe, Southeast Asia, or North America and want the lowest per-GB rate available
  • You want an eSIM that installs in under two minutes with no setup confusion
  • You are comfortable with fixed data plans and can estimate your usage in advance
Skip if
  • You need unlimited data for heavy streaming or video calls (Holafly is better for this)
  • You are traveling to one of the 15-plus countries not in HelloRoam's catalog (verify before buying)
  • You want a provider with years of established brand history and a larger user review base

HelloRoam destination coverage

HelloRoam offers plans in these destinations. Click to read the destination guide.

🇯🇵Japan🇰🇷South Korea🇹🇭Thailand🇺🇸United States🇬🇧United Kingdom🇫🇷France🇮🇹Italy🇪🇸Spain🇩🇪Germany🇹🇷Turkey🇦🇺Australia🇨🇦Canada
Cheapest HelloRoam plan
$3.99
1GB · 7 days
Visit HelloRoamCompare to Airalo
Affiliate link. We may earn commission.
At a glance
Coverage180 countries
Founded2025
HQLondon
Unlimited planNo
HotspotAllowed
Top-upManual
SupportLive chat

How we test

Every eSIM provider is tested by purchasing a real plan, activating it on an iPhone 15 Pro, and measuring download speed, upload speed, and latency across multiple locations. Ratings reflect coverage breadth, pricing competitiveness, app quality, connection speed, and customer support responsiveness. Read our full methodology.

Keep reading

Other providers we've tested.

All 20 reviews →
Airalo
Provider review

Airalo: still leading the pack

Airalo is the market leader in eSIM services, offering the widest coverage and a polished ...

★★★★★ 4.511 min read
Saily
Provider review

Saily: worth a look

Saily, backed by the team behind NordVPN, brings a privacy-first approach to eSIM services...

★★★★ 4.410 min read
Instabridge
Provider review

Instabridge: worth a look

Instabridge combines eSIM data with their popular WiFi hotspot network, giving travelers a...

★★★★ 4.310 min read
trifa
Provider review

trifa: worth a look

trifa brings Japanese design sensibility to the eSIM market with a polished, multi-languag...

★★★★ 4.310 min read
Head to head

How HelloRoam compares.

HelloRoam vs. Airalo

Coverage, pricing, and app compared side by side. See who wins.

HelloRoam vs. Holafly

Coverage, pricing, and app compared side by side. See who wins.

HelloRoam vs. Saily

Coverage, pricing, and app compared side by side. See who wins.

HelloRoam vs. Nomad eSIM

Coverage, pricing, and app compared side by side. See who wins.

Frequently asked questions

How long does HelloRoam eSIM activation take?+
HelloRoam eSIM activation takes 30 to 120 seconds from QR code scan to active data connection. The process works entirely within the HelloRoam app. You scan the QR code shown after purchase, accept the device-level installation prompt, and set the HelloRoam line as your data source in Settings. A quick airplane mode toggle confirms the connection. Most users are online before they close the app.
Does HelloRoam support hotspot tethering?+
HelloRoam permits hotspot sharing on its standard data plans in most destinations. There is no separate hotspot cap or secondary throttle tier. You share data from your plan allowance, so a 5GB plan gives you 5GB of combined device-plus-hotspot use. Hotspot functionality depends on local network rules, and a small number of destinations restrict tethering at the carrier level regardless of provider.
How does HelloRoam pricing compare to Airalo?+
HelloRoam consistently undercuts Airalo by 15 to 30 percent on comparable plans. A 5GB 30-day Japan plan costs $12.99 on HelloRoam versus $16.50 on Airalo. A 3GB Thailand plan is $5.99 on HelloRoam versus $8.00 on Airalo. The gap widens at the 10GB tier, where HelloRoam charges $19.99 versus Airalo's $26.00. HelloRoam's lower pricing does not come with a reduction in network quality on shared carrier routes.
Does HelloRoam offer unlimited data plans?+
HelloRoam does not offer unlimited data plans. The largest plan tier is 10GB over 30 days at $19.99. Travelers who need unlimited data for heavy streaming, video calls, or hotspot use should consider Holafly, which offers genuinely unlimited plans starting at $19.00 for 5 days. HelloRoam's 10GB plan covers most travelers for a two to three week trip with moderate usage including maps, messaging, and occasional video.
How many countries does HelloRoam cover?+
HelloRoam covers 185 countries. This is 15 fewer than Airalo's 200-plus country catalog. HelloRoam covers all major travel markets: the entire European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Brazil, and Mexico. The gap versus Airalo shows mainly in less-frequented Pacific island nations, some Central Asian countries, and select African markets.
What networks does HelloRoam use?+
HelloRoam partners with tier-one carriers in each market. Key partnerships include NTT Docomo in Japan, SK Telecom in South Korea, AIS in Thailand, Singtel in Singapore, T-Mobile in the United States, Rogers in Canada, Orange in France and Spain, Telekom in Germany, EE in the United Kingdom, and TIM in Italy. Carrier partnerships are destination-specific and listed during plan checkout, so you can confirm your exact network before purchase.
Is HelloRoam reliable for business travel?+
HelloRoam is reliable for business travel on mainstream routes. The 10GB 30-day plan at $19.99 handles email, video calls, document access, and map navigation comfortably for a two-week trip. Live chat support responds within five minutes during business hours. The app shows real-time data usage so you avoid surprises. Business travelers visiting multiple countries need separate plans per destination, as HelloRoam does not offer a single global or regional multi-country plan.

Related content

HelloRoam vs AiraloHelloRoam vs HolaflyHelloRoam vs SailyHelloRoam Deals & Promo CodeseSIM JapaneSIM United StatesBest eSIM for TravelFlexiroam Review
HelloRoam
Get HelloRoam