The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Overseas eSIM and International SIM Cards | In-Depth Reviews & Rankings

When traveling abroad for business or leisure, the quality of your communication environment significantly influences your travel experience. Overseas eSIMs and international SIM cards offer high-speed connectivity easily and are more cost-effective than traditional roaming services, making them popular choices among travelers.

However, when choosing a service, there are many points to consider, such as “which plan suits my needs,” “does it support the countries I want to visit,” and “is the communication speed practical.”

In this article, we compare and evaluate 10 popular overseas eSIM and international SIM card services based on three criteria: cost-effectiveness, practical communication speed, and ease of data restrictions. We clarify the features of each service and present them in a ranking format. Please use this as a reference for your service selection.

Points for Comparing and Evaluating Overseas eSIM and International SIM Cards

Our evaluation is based on the following three aspects:

• Verification ①: Competitiveness of usage fees
• Verification ②: Actual measured communication speed
• Verification ③: Likelihood of encountering speed restrictions

Best Service Rankings for Overseas eSIM and International SIM Cards

【1st Place】World eSIM (Vision)

Score: 4.68 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Highly rated for high-speed communication in Korea and Hawaii, and competitive pricing

World eSIM provided by Vision is a dedicated overseas eSIM platform specializing in data communication. It supports usage in over 200 countries and can be easily purchased and activated via a dedicated app or website. It also features tethering functionality as standard, allowing connection to multiple devices. A 10% discount applies when purchasing through the app.

Advantages:

• Sufficient speeds for video streaming in Korea and Hawaii
• No speed restrictions observed during a 15GB test in Korea
• Cheapest options in Thailand; competitive rates in Korea and Hawaii

Disadvantages:

• Relatively higher prices in Taiwan

【2nd Place】Glocal eSIM (Glocal Net)

Score: 4.36 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Excellent balance of stable communication quality and affordable pricing. Recommended for all users except Italy

Glocal Net’s Glocal eSIM is known for its convenience among overseas eSIM services. After purchase, simply scan a QR code to start using immediately, with flexible usage periods from 3 to 30 days. Supports 5G and offers comprehensive Japanese-language customer support.

Advantages:

• Achieved speeds suitable for video streaming in Korea
• No restrictions during 15GB usage in Korea
• Cheapest in Thailand; affordable in Hawaii, Korea, and Taiwan

Disadvantages:

• Speed fluctuations observed during certain times in Hawaii
• Higher charges in Italy

【3rd Place】Ubigi (Transatel)

Score: 4.21 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Outstanding high-speed performance in Hawaii, but regional price differences are a concern

Ubigi by Transatel covers over 200 countries. It offers short-term plans from 7 to 30 days, as well as monthly and annual subscriptions. Users can monitor data consumption in real-time via the app and easily purchase additional data.

Advantages:

• Maintains high speeds in Hawaii, suitable for video viewing
• Low risk of data restrictions after a day of video streaming in Korea
• Affordable in Hawaii and Italy

Disadvantages:

• Speeds may be insufficient for SNS browsing in Korea
• No short-term 3-day plans, limiting options for short stays
• Activation may involve a time lag before the SIM is recognized

【4th Place】eSIM square (Telecom Square)

Score: 4.17 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Performs at the highest level in countries supporting high-speed communication, but overall prices are relatively high

eSIM square by Telecom Square has a proven track record in over 200 countries and regions. It supports data recharge and offers 24-hour Japanese chat support.

Advantages:

• Achieves video-capable speeds in Korea and Hawaii
• No restrictions after using 15GB in Korea
• Relatively low-cost Korean SIMs

Disadvantages:

• Higher prices in Hawaii and Italy
• No 3-day plans available in Taiwan and Thailand

【5th Place】airalo (AIRALO)

Score: 4.08 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Significant discounts available with promo codes; room for speed improvements

Based in Singapore, AIRALO’s airalo service supports over 200 countries. It offers multilingual support in 53 languages and multiple currency options, with 24/7 customer service. A wide variety of plans are available.

Advantages:

• 15% discount with dedicated promo codes; favorable rates via MyBest
• Cheapest in Korea, Hawaii, and Italy; affordable in Taiwan
• Suitable for web browsing in Korea, with low risk of restrictions after one day

Disadvantages:

• No 3-day plans in Thailand
• Speeds may be insufficient for video streaming in Korea and Hawaii

【6th Place】DHA SIM (DHA SIM)

Score: 4.02 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Limited supported countries but excellent cost performance within regions

DHA Corporation’s DHA SIM offers both eSIM and physical SIM options. The eSIM can be activated easily via QR code, though the QR code is sent by mail.

Advantages:

• Tested sufficient speeds for video in Korea and Hawaii
• Cheapest in Taiwan; cost-effective in Korea and Hawaii

Disadvantages:

• No 3-day plans in Thailand or 7-day plans in Italy
• Possible restrictions during long SNS or web browsing in Korea

【7th Place】TRAVeSIM (a2network)

Score: 3.99 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Competitive pricing but speed issues may affect user experience

a2network’s TRAVeSIM is a prepaid overseas SIM/eSIM service supporting over 140 countries, with multi-country roaming plans. It supports 5G and offers 24/7 Japanese support.

Advantages:

• No restrictions during a 1-day video test in Korea
• Reasonable prices for Korea, Taiwan, Hawaii, and Italy SIMs

Disadvantages:

• Insufficient speeds for video in Korea and Hawaii
• No 3-day plans in Thailand

【8th Place】Holafly

Score: 3.82 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Low prices stand out, but basic browsing speeds can be a concern

Holafly, originating from Spain, offers unlimited data plans in over 120 countries, tailored for travelers. Monthly and yearly plans are also available. Points (HolaCoins) earned through purchases and referrals can be used for discounts on future purchases.

Advantages:

• Affordable prices in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Hawaii, and Italy
• Low speed restriction risk during one-day video streaming in Korea

Disadvantages:

• Even when browsing websites in Korea and Hawaii, speeds can be limited

【9th Place】Trifa (Trifa)

Score: 3.72 points (as of December 17, 2025)

Less frequent speed restrictions, but speed and pricing issues affect experience

Trifa by Trifa supports over 200 countries and regions. It offers easy app-based purchase and activation, 24/7 Japanese chat support, and a wide range of plans from short to long term.

Advantages:

• Achieved video streaming speeds in Hawaii
• No restrictions during 15GB use in Korea

Disadvantages:

• Low speeds during SNS and web browsing in Korea
• Overall higher prices, less suitable for cost-conscious users

【10th Place】SkyeSiM (FREEDiVE)

Score: 3.71 points (as of December 22, 2025)

Higher prices outside Hawaii; inconsistent standards for speed restriction assessment

FREEDiVE’s SkyeSiM is an upgraded version of the previous SkySiM. It allows selection of data volume and period on a daily basis, supporting over 120 countries. Can be purchased directly from the website without app downloads, with multiple payment options.

Advantages:

• Relatively low prices in Hawaii

Disadvantages:

• Higher prices in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Italy
• No unlimited 7-day plan in Italy
• Occasional speed drops during SNS browsing in Korea and Hawaii
• Tendency for restrictions during SNS use in Korea

Supervised by: Atsushi Ishikawa (Mobile & Smartphone Journalist)
Guide: Kenji Takayama (Former Mobile Salesperson / MyBest Telecom & Carrier Specialist)

Note: The supervisor of this article only reviewed the “how to choose” aspect; the selection of products and services listed was conducted independently based on detailed verification processes.