Thorough review of all 10 overseas eSIM service providers! A guide to choosing by purpose and region

Traveling abroad or on business trips, securing communication on-site is essential. With overseas eSIMs, setup is easy and costs are kept low, leading to increasing consideration among users. However, many questions remain, such as “Which overseas eSIM should I choose?” and “Is it compatible with my smartphone?”

In this article, we thoroughly evaluate 10 popular overseas eSIM services based on three axes: price, communication speed, and speed restriction tolerance. We support you in choosing the service that best fits your travel style.

List of 10 evaluated overseas eSIM services

World eSIM (Vision), Glocal eSIM (GlocalNet), Ubigi (Transatel), eSIM square (Telecom Square), airalo (AIRALO), DHA SIM (DHA SIM), TRAVeSIM (a2network), Holafly (Holafly), Trifa (Trifa), SkyeSiM (FREEDiVE)

Details of evaluation axes

Axis ①: Cost competitiveness
Comparison of actual pricing plans in various regions

Axis ②: Communication quality
Measured speeds during video streaming, SNS browsing, and website use

Axis ③: Data capacity restriction characteristics
Presence of speed restrictions during high usage, ease of restriction

【Top-class overall performance】World eSIM vs Glocal eSIM

World eSIM: Top-tier speeds in Korea and Hawaii

Score: 4.68/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

The overseas eSIM provided by Vision supports over 200 countries. Using the app offers a 10% discount and centralized data management, which is convenient.

Strengths:

• Achieves fast speeds suitable for video viewing in Korea and Hawaii
• No restrictions even after consuming 15GB in Korea
• Pricing in Thailand is among the cheapest, Korea and Hawaii are also reasonable

Points to note:

• Taiwan’s pricing is set relatively high

Glocal eSIM: A balanced choice

Score: 4.36/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

Offered by GlocalNet, this overseas eSIM features flexible plans from 3 to 30 days. Monthly and yearly options are also available. Supports 5G and Japanese language support.

Strengths:

• Provides speeds suitable for video viewing in Korea
• No restrictions after using 15GB in Korea
• Thailand offers the lowest prices; Hawaii, Korea, and Taiwan are also affordable

Points to note:

• Speed drops during certain times in Hawaii have been observed
• Prices in Italy are relatively high

【Region-specific options】 Ubigi, eSIM square, airalo

Ubigi: Recommended for Hawaii users

Score: 4.21/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

Provided by Transatel. Supports over 200 countries, with plans from 7 to 30 days, plus monthly and yearly options.

Strengths:

• Sufficient speed for video viewing in Hawaii
• Low risk of restrictions with 1-day use in Korea
• Prices are affordable in Hawaii and Italy

Points to note:

• Speed in Korea is insufficient for SNS browsing
• Limited selection of 3-day plans
• Activation may take some time to be recognized

eSIM square: Strong option for business trips to Korea

Score: 4.17/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

Provided by Telecom Square. Covers over 200 countries and regions, supports additional data purchases, and offers 24-hour Japanese chat support.

Strengths:

• Ensures speeds suitable for video viewing in Korea and Hawaii
• No restrictions after using 15GB in Korea
• Korean SIM prices are affordable

Points to note:

• Prices in Hawaii and Italy are high
• 3-day plans for Taiwan and Thailand are not yet available

airalo: Top candidate for cost-conscious users

Score: 4.08/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

Offered by AIRALO from Singapore. Usable in over 200 countries and regions, supports 53 languages, and flexible international payment options.

Strengths:

• 15% discount with promo codes
• Lowest prices in Korea, Hawaii, Italy, and Taiwan
• Low risk of restrictions for site browsing with 1-day use in Korea

Points to note:

• 3-day plans in Thailand are not available
• Speeds may be insufficient for video viewing in Korea and Hawaii

【Next-best options based on region and features】 DHA SIM, TRAVeSIM, Holafly

DHA SIM: Competitive pricing in limited countries

Score: 4.02/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

Provided by DHA Corporation. Offers both eSIM and SIM card options. eSIM is easily activated via QR code (mail delivery available).

Strengths:

• Supports video viewing speeds in Korea and Hawaii
• Cheapest prices in Taiwan; affordable in Korea and Hawaii

Points to note:

• 3-day plan in Thailand and 7-day plan in Italy are not yet available
• Long-term SNS and website use in Korea may lead to restrictions

TRAVeSIM: Balanced in cost and convenience

Score: 3.99/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

Prepaid service provided by a2network. Supports over 140 countries, offers multi-country travel plans, supports 5G, and provides 24/7 Japanese support.

Strengths:

• Low risk of restrictions during 1-day video use in Korea
• Affordable prices in Korea, Taiwan, Hawaii, and Italy

Points to note:

• Video speeds in Korea and Hawaii are insufficient
• 3-day plans for Thailand are not yet available

Holafly: Good option with unlimited plans

Score: 3.82/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

Originating from Spain, Holafly offers unlimited plans in over 120 countries, with monthly and annual plans for 30 days or more. Has a discount system via HolaCoins.

Strengths:

• Reasonable prices in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Hawaii, and Italy
• Low risk of restrictions during 1-day video viewing in Korea

Points to note:

• Browsing speeds in Korea and Hawaii are somewhat limited

【Worth considering but with challenges】 Trifa, SkyeSiM

Trifa: High restriction tolerance but watch overall costs

Score: 3.72/5 (as of December 17, 2025)

Provided by Trifa. Supports over 200 countries and regions, easy purchase and activation via app. 24/7 Japanese chat support, extensive data plans.

Strengths:

• Supports video viewing speeds in Hawaii
• No restrictions after using 15GB in Korea

Points to note:

• SNS and website browsing speeds in Korea are low
• Overall pricing is relatively high

SkyeSiM: Limited to Hawaii as an option

Score: 3.71/5 (as of December 22, 2025)

Offered by FREEDiVE, this refreshed eSIM service covers over 120 countries, with flexible daily options. No app needed, easy purchase from the website.

Strengths:

• Relatively low prices in Hawaii

Points to note:

• Prices in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Italy are high
• Unavailable unlimited 7-day plan in Italy
• Instability in SNS browsing in Korea and Hawaii
• Tends to restrict SNS use in Korea

3-step guide to choosing an overseas eSIM

Step 1: Confirm your travel regions
Check each service’s supported regions and plan options. Verify if short-term plans like 3 days are available.

Step 2: Set your priorities
If speed is most important, choose World eSIM; for cost savings, airalo; for a balanced approach, Glocal eSIM, and so on, based on your priorities.

Step 3: Check support systems
Prepare for possible travel troubles by confirming the availability of Japanese support.

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

Note: The supervisor only reviewed the “how to choose” aspect. The products and services listed are not selected or endorsed by the supervisor. MyBest independently verifies and ranks them based on their own evaluation.