How we test and rate eSIM providers
eSIMRated tests 20 eSIM providers on four devices (iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24, and Samsung Galaxy S25) across 100+ destinations. We rate each provider across 5 categories on a 0.0 to 5.0 scale. Prices are re-checked regularly and may vary by region. Prices last verified May 22, 2026.
eSIMRated tests every eSIM provider hands-on before publishing a review. We buy real plans at retail, activate them on four test devices, and check coverage, app quality, and price against the provider's own storefront. We publish no speed figure for any provider, because we run no throughput tests. Our ratings are independent editorial judgments, not influenced by advertising or affiliate relationships.
Independence statement: No provider can pay for a higher rating. Our scoring methodology applies identically to every provider reviewed on this site.
Testing devices
We test on physical devices, not emulators. All four devices run the latest available OS at the time of each quarterly review cycle. Testing on both iOS and Android catches activation differences, app quality gaps, and carrier compatibility issues that appear only on one platform.
- iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 17+)
- iPhone 16 Pro (iOS 18+)
- Samsung Galaxy S24 (Android 14)
- Samsung Galaxy S25 (Android 15)
Speed and network data
We publish no network speed figure for any provider. We do not run our own throughput measurements across 215 destinations, and a provider's own marketing number is not a test result. The Speed category score reflects published carrier partnerships and network generation, not a measured throughput.
Coverage and carrier data come from each provider's published network list, cross-referenced with GSMA network maps and OpenSignal. Pricing comes from the provider's own storefront, re-checked on the date shown on each page.
20 destinations where we buy and activate plans directly
- Japan
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Australia
- UAE
- India
- Turkey
- Egypt
- South Africa
Pricing verification
We re-check pricing against each provider's official website. All prices are in USD unless stated otherwise. We record the date of each verification and display it on review pages.
When discrepancies exist between what a provider shows in-app versus on their website, we use the lower published price. Prices are re-checked regularly and may vary by region. Every page carries the date its pricing was last verified, so you can judge how current it is before you buy.
Current verification date: Prices last verified May 22, 2026.
Coverage verification
We cross-reference provider coverage claims with GSMA network maps and OpenSignal data. We verify that listed carriers are active and accessible in each destination.
We do not claim in-country testing for all 185 destinations. Where we have verified data from direct testing, we note it clearly. Where we rely on provider-reported data, we state that on the page.
Five categories, 0.0 to 5.0 scale
We rate providers across five categories: Coverage, Speed, App Quality, Pricing, and Support. Each category scores 0.0 to 5.0 in increments of 0.1. The overall rating is a weighted average. The weights reflect what matters most to travelers making a purchase decision.
Editorial independence
eSIMRated is an independent comparison platform. Ratings reflect independent testing and editorial judgment. Every provider is evaluated using the same methodology and receives no preferential treatment in ratings or rankings.
We earn revenue through affiliate commissions when you purchase an eSIM through links on our site. No provider can pay for a higher rating, an Editor's Choice badge, or early access to reviews. Every provider review includes genuine negatives. If a provider has a flaw, we report it.
Our commitments
- Every provider is purchased and tested at our own expense
- Ratings are determined by test data, not affiliate revenue
- Genuine pros and cons reported for every provider
- Pricing re-checked against official provider sources, with the verification date published
- No provider previews or approves reviews before publication
- All providers evaluated using identical criteria regardless of affiliate relationships
Update cadence
Pricing: re-checked against official provider pages, with the date of the last check shown on every page. Coverage data: updated when a provider changes its network partners. Full reviews: refreshed on a quarterly cycle. Speed figures: none published, for any provider, in any destination.
What we do not do
- We do not personally travel to every country we cover
- We do not run throughput tests, and we publish no speed figure for any provider
- We do not time activation, and we publish no activation success rate
- We do not accept payment for higher ratings
- We do not guarantee that prices shown reflect real-time availability
- We do not allow providers to preview or approve reviews before publication
Questions about our methodology? Contact editorial@esimrated.com
Last updated: May 22, 2026