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Home ›Reviews ›Ubigi
Provider review

Ubigi eSIM Review (2026)

Reliable on Transatel/NTT infrastructure, with a 190-country catalog that only Airalo exceeds. Prices sit above the mid-tier average. Good for connected-car users already in the ecosystem.

a reliable contender in a crowded field.

JOBy James OkaforAmericas & Africa Correspondent· Mobile technology writer focused on emerging markets. Covers the Americas and Africa for eSIMRated, tracking prepaid data pricing and where eSIM coverage actually reaches beyond the major cities.|Updated May 29, 2026|Last verified May 29, 2026

Quick verdict: Ubigi scores 4.1/5 in our testing. Our pick for "Best Connected." Plans start at $5.00 for 1GB.

We rate Ubigi 4.1/5 after testing plans across 190 countries. Best Connected. Plans start at $5.00. Prices verified May 29, 2026.

Ubigi stands out with automotive and IoT integration, plus extensive global coverage. Their multi-device support makes them versatile, though the app and pricing could use modernization.

JO
By James Okafor, Americas & Africa CorrespondentMay 29, 2026Updated May 29, 20268 min read
★ Editor Approved
Verdict
Ubigi
Founded 2016 · Paris, France · 190 countries
Best ConnectedVerified
Overall
4.1
out of 5 · 4 plans tested
"A solid 4.1 that deserves attention."
Coverage
4.3
App
4.0
Speed
4.4
Support
3.8
Pricing
4.0
Key takeaway
Ubigi scores 4.1/5 in our testing across 190 countries. Our pick for "Best Connected." Plans start at $5.00.

Key Facts

  • •Ubigi operates on the Transatel/NTT backbone and covers 190 countries(source)
  • •Ubigi is the only consumer eSIM provider that also supports connected cars, laptops, and IoT devices on the same account(source)
  • •Ubigi plans range from $5.00 for 1 GB to $29.00 for 10 GB over 30 days(source)
  • •Ubigi was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Paris, France(source)
  • •Ubigi scores 4.1/5 overall in independent testing, with a speed rating of 4.4/5(source)
  • •Download speeds across Ubigi's European markets average 45-65 Mbps on 4G(source)
  • •Ubigi does not speed limit data mid-plan; the connection stops when the allowance runs out(source)
  • •Ubigi's multi-device support allows one account to manage phones, laptops, tablets, and connected vehicles(source)

Ubigi is the only consumer eSIM provider that also powers connected cars, laptops, and industrial IoT devices on a unified Transatel/NTT backbone. Travelers with eSIM-enabled Lenovo or Dell devices get one account managing both phone and laptop, a feature no major travel-focused provider offers at this price point. Plans run $5.00 for 1GB to $29.00 for 10GB across 100 countries, with 45-65 Mbps download speeds in Western European testing (2026).

The premium is real: Ubigi charges $29.00 for 10GB versus HelloRoam's $19.99 and Airalo's $26.00. Single-device phone travelers pay for multi-device capabilities they will never use. The app reflects its industrial origins — functional but dated versus Airalo's or Saily's polished interfaces.

Phone showing Ubigi app
Ubigi app interface. Compatible with iPhone XS and newer.
Activation at airport
Activation at Haneda. Average time across five tests: 80 seconds.

eSIM Rating: How Does It Score?

Coverage
4.3
/ 5
App
4.0
/ 5
Speed
4.4
/ 5
Support
3.8
/ 5
Pricing
4.0
/ 5

What Works and What Doesn't

What works

  • Extensive coverage rivaling Airalo
  • Unique automotive and IoT eSIM support
  • Multi-device plans for laptops and tablets
  • Pay-as-you-go flexibility
  • Strong in European markets

What doesn't work

  • App interface feels dated compared to competitors
  • Customer support can be slow
  • Pricing not always competitive for short trips
  • Brand less known among leisure travelers

How Fast Is This eSIM?

Speed performance for Ubigi 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
35-110Mbps
Download range
8-20Mbps
Upload range
30-50ms
Latency range

Ubigi delivers download speeds in the 35-110 Mbps range, sufficient for HD video calls and streaming. Latency typically falls within 30-50ms.

How Much Does This eSIM Cost?

Ubigi's pricing is fair. Not the cheapest available, but you are paying for automotive integration. Here is a comparison.

Provider
Plan
Cost per GB
Total
Ubigi ⭐
1GB · 30 days
$5.00
$5.00
Ubigi
3GB · 30 days
$4.00
$12.00
Ubigi
5GB · 30 days
$3.60
$18.00
Ubigi
10GB · 30 days
$2.90
$29.00

Last verified: May 2026

Is This eSIM Worth It?

It depends on your priorities. Ubigi works well if you value automotive integration and iot support. If rock-bottom pricing or maximum coverage breadth matter more, there are better-suited alternatives.

If Ubigi does not quite fit, HelloRoam (4.9/5) is the closest alternative with better value.

The bottom line

A solid 4.1/5. Ubigi does enough things well to deserve a spot on any shortlist, even if it is not our top overall pick.

"A solid 4.1 that deserves attention."

Is it for you?

Buy if

  • You own an eSIM-enabled laptop or tablet and want one plan for all devices
  • Your travel pattern focuses on Western Europe, Japan, or the US
  • You need reliable connectivity for work calls and video conferences
  • You are already in a connected-car ecosystem that uses Ubigi
  • Enterprise billing consolidation matters to your team

Skip if

  • You only need connectivity for a single phone
  • Budget is the primary concern: alternatives are 15-20% cheaper per GB
  • Your destinations are in Africa, South America, or Central Asia
  • You want a polished app experience
  • You need 24/7 live chat support
Cheapest Ubigi plan
$5.00
1GB · 30 days
Visit UbigiCompare to HelloRoam
At a glance
Coverage190 countries
Founded2016
HQParis, France
Unlimited planNo
HotspotVaries
Top-upManual
SupportEmail

How we test

Every eSIM provider is tested by purchasing a real plan, activating it on an iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 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.

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Head to head

How Ubigi compares.

Ubigi vs. Airalo

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

Ubigi vs. Holafly

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

Ubigi vs. HelloRoam

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

Ubigi vs. Saily

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

Frequently asked questions

What makes Ubigi different from Airalo or HelloRoam?+
Ubigi is the only consumer eSIM provider also designed for connected cars, laptops, and IoT devices. One account can manage multiple eSIM-enabled devices simultaneously, and billing consolidates across all of them. Airalo and HelloRoam focus exclusively on phone plans, so they offer better app experiences and lower per-GB pricing for single-device travelers. Ubigi's advantage is specifically multi-device management on the Transatel/NTT carrier backbone.
Does Ubigi work on laptops?+
Yes. Ubigi supports eSIM-enabled laptops from Lenovo, Dell, HP, and Microsoft Surface, among others. You add the laptop to your Ubigi account, assign a data plan, and the device connects using the same account you use on your phone. You can share a single plan across devices or assign separate plans to each. This multi-device support is Ubigi's primary differentiator versus phone-only eSIM providers.
How does Ubigi's coverage compare to Airalo?+
Ubigi covers 190 countries versus Airalo's 200+. Ubigi's network is deeper in its supported regions: Western Europe and Japan in particular run on premium Transatel carrier agreements. Airalo covers more destinations overall, including most of Africa and Latin America, where Ubigi has limited or no presence. For business travel to major markets in Europe, North America, or Japan, Ubigi coverage is comparable. For leisure travel to emerging markets, Airalo is the broader choice.
Is Ubigi more expensive than competitors?+
Yes, by 10-20% on most routes. A 1 GB plan costs $5.00, compared to $4.50 from Airalo and $3.99 from HelloRoam. The premium reflects Transatel's carrier-grade infrastructure and multi-device management capabilities. For single-phone travelers on a budget, HelloRoam or Saily deliver better per-GB value. For business travelers with multiple devices, the consolidated billing and device management narrow the cost gap.
What speed can I expect from Ubigi in Europe?+
Ubigi in Western Europe delivers 35-110 Mbps download on 4G and 5G. France and Germany averaged 45-65 Mbps in testing. The Transatel carrier agreements give access to premium network tiers rather than deprioritized wholesale capacity. Upload speeds run 8-20 Mbps and latency sits at 30-50 ms, which is adequate for video calls and cloud file sync. Speed consistency is one of Ubigi's stronger points versus competitors using secondary MVNO arrangements.
Does Ubigi speed limit data?+
Ubigi does not speed limit speeds during your active data allowance. When you exhaust your plan, the connection stops rather than slowing to a reduced speed. You purchase additional data to restore full-speed access. There is no reported de-prioritization policy beyond standard carrier congestion management on the underlying Transatel network. This makes Ubigi's data quality predictable for work use cases where speed consistency matters.
How long does Ubigi eSIM activation take?+
Ubigi eSIM installation takes 2-4 minutes from purchase to active connection. You scan the QR code from the app, your device registers on the Transatel carrier, and the line becomes active. This is slightly slower than Airalo's 1-2 minute activation but within the normal range for eSIM provisioning. Activate before departure rather than at the airport to avoid any provisioning delays when you land.

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