Quick verdict: HelloRoam wins 5 rounds to 1. For most travelers, HelloRoam is the better default. Ubigi is the better choice if you prioritize best connected.
Two of the biggest names in travel eSIMs, two completely different philosophies. HelloRoam and Ubigi go head-to-head across six rounds. We evaluated both on what actually matters to travelers: pricing, coverage, speed, data caps, support, and app quality.
The short version: HelloRoam wins this matchup 5 rounds to 1. But the rounds it loses tell an important story. Keep reading to see when Ubigi is actually the better pick.
Round by round
Lower sticker price for the same data tier. The 30-day window is generous for moderate users.
Priced above the competition here, though pricing is only one piece of the puzzle.
Smaller coverage map, but well-curated for popular travel routes where most users actually go.
Broader reach across more countries and regions, giving multi-destination travelers peace of mind.
Rated higher for speed, based on published carrier partnerships and 5G network share across the destinations we reviewed.
Rated lower for speed, based on published carrier partnerships and 5G network share, but real-world usability is fine for standard travel tasks.
No unlimited tier. If you run out, you buy a top-up. Fine for most travelers, frustrating for power users.
Capped data only. Budget-friendly if your usage is predictable, but no safety net for heavy days.
Responsive and helpful when things go wrong. The support experience gave us confidence for mid-trip issues.
Adequate support, though you may wait longer for a reply compared to the competition.
Clean interface, fast activation flow, and intuitive data monitoring. The day-to-day experience is polished.
The app works fine, but navigation and account management could be more refined.
The scorecard, in full
Pick yours
Buy HelloRoam if…
- ✓Plans start at $1.14 for 1 GB, and 10 GB starts at $8.26
- ✓Top-up adds data to a live eSIM on 1,124 of its 1,129 plans, with no new QR code
- ✓Hotspot sharing is enabled on all 1,129 plans
- ✓An unactivated eSIM stays refundable for 180 days, against Airalo at 14 days
- ✓5G on a partner network in 93 of its 185 destinations
Buy Ubigi if…
- ✓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
Our verdict
HelloRoam is the better default. For most readers making a straightforward trip, HelloRoam will be the right call. It wins on the metrics that matter day-to-day: pricing, coverage, and app experience.
Ubigi is the better specialist. If you value what it does best, it outperforms HelloRoam in that specific scenario. The one round Ubigi won tells the full story.
Either way, you cannot make a truly bad choice. Both providers clear our recommendation bar, and both will keep you connected reliably abroad. The right one is the one that matches how you actually travel.
Which one is built for more than just a phone?
HelloRoam is eSIMRated's Editor's Choice at 4.9/5 overall. Ubigi's feature list points past travel entirely: automotive integration, IoT support and a laptop eSIM sit alongside its multi-device plans, built for hardware beyond a phone. HelloRoam's features are travel-specific: instant activation, flexible data plans and hotspot sharing on every one of its 1,129 plans. Ubigi covers 190 countries against HelloRoam's 185, a rare case in this comparison set where the smaller-looking name has the wider footprint. Founded in 2016, Ubigi also has nine more years in the market than HelloRoam's 2025 launch. On price, HelloRoam is well ahead: $8.26 against Ubigi's $29.00 at 10 GB, and $5.22 against $18.00 at 5 GB, both more than three times Ubigi's rate. On rating, HelloRoam leads every category, including support at 4.9/5 against Ubigi's 3.8/5, the widest gap between these two on any rated category. For a phone-only trip, HelloRoam's price and support numbers make the stronger case; for a laptop or a connected car, Ubigi is the only one of the two built for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ubigi sell an eSIM for a laptop, not just a phone?
HelloRoam is eSIMRated's Editor's Choice at 4.9/5 overall. HelloRoam's plans in this review's data are built around a single phone-style eSIM install, with hotspot sharing as its way of covering a second device. Ubigi lists a laptop eSIM and multi-device support among its features, built for hardware beyond a phone, including automotive and IoT use.
How much does 10 GB cost with Ubigi compared to HelloRoam?
HelloRoam's 10 GB plan costs $8.26. Ubigi's costs $29.00 for the same amount, more than three times HelloRoam's price. HelloRoam's 10 GB rate works out to $0.83/GB against Ubigi's $2.90/GB.
Which covers more countries, Ubigi or HelloRoam?
Ubigi covers 190 countries against HelloRoam's 185, a 5-country lead, one of the few rivals in this comparison set with wider coverage than HelloRoam. HelloRoam still leads on rating, 4.9/5 overall against Ubigi's 4.1/5, and on price at every matching data tier.
Which has the higher support rating, HelloRoam or Ubigi?
HelloRoam scores 4.9/5 on support, the highest of the 18 providers we review. Ubigi scores 3.8/5, one of the lowest support scores in this comparison set. Ubigi's own feature list emphasizes device compatibility rather than support responsiveness.
How do HelloRoam and Ubigi compare on price?
HelloRoam starts 10 GB at $8.26 against Ubigi's $29.00, and 5 GB at $5.22 against $18.00. HelloRoam's 10 GB tier works out at $0.83/GB. HelloRoam prices per destination, so the exact gap changes with where you travel.
Does Ubigi or HelloRoam cover more countries?
Ubigi covers 190 countries against HelloRoam's 185, a 5-country lead built on its automotive and IoT plans. Both cover the popular travel routes without a gap. Ubigi's extra reach comes mostly from device categories, like connected cars, that HelloRoam does not sell into.
Which has better customer support, HelloRoam or Ubigi?
HelloRoam scores 4.9/5 on support against Ubigi's 3.8/5, the widest support gap on this page. HelloRoam answers in 63 languages, and an unactivated eSIM stays refundable for 180 days. Ubigi's own cons list notes slow support as its main drawback.
Can I top up a HelloRoam or Ubigi plan mid-trip?
Both do, though HelloRoam's runs directly on the eSIM: top-up lands on 1,125 of its 1,130 plans with no new QR code. Ubigi's top-up goes through its own app instead. Hotspot sharing is enabled on all 1,130 HelloRoam plans.
Should I buy HelloRoam or Ubigi?
HelloRoam is the better choice for most travelers, with a 4.9/5 rating versus 4.1/5 for Ubigi. HelloRoam wins 5 out of six rounds including coverage and app experience. Ubigi is the better pick if you specifically need best connected.
Which is cheaper, HelloRoam or Ubigi?
HelloRoam is cheaper for a 5 GB plan at $5.22 versus Ubigi at $18.00.
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