Best eSIM for USA Travel in 2026: 5 Providers Compared
Gohub sells USA eSIMs, so we have a stake in this comparison. Competitor prices are copied from their own websites, and we say where a competitor does better.
For most visitors, the best eSIM for the USA is a prepaid plan on T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon that matches your trip length and how much data you use. If you also want a US phone number, pick a plan that bundles calls and texts, such as Gohub's Call & SMS plan on T-Mobile 5G.
Quick picks (Gohub prices on October 8, 2026)
| Your trip | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 days, maps and messaging | 2 GB per day, 3 days | $5.30 |
| About a week, heavy use or need a US number | Call & SMS with unlimited data, 7 days | $20.16 (promotion; regular $22.40) |
| 10 to 15 days, everyday use | 20 GB, 15 days | $20.52 |
| A month | 20 GB, 30 days | $24.30 |
| USA plus Canada or Mexico | USA + Canada + Mexico, 3 GB, 5 days | from $7.90 |
As a rule of thumb, maps, ride apps, WhatsApp and Instagram use up to about 1 GB a day. Video calls and streaming use 2 GB or more.
Check that your phone supports eSIM · Choose your USA plan
An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone. You buy the plan online, scan a QR code, and you are online when you land. Your home SIM stays on for bank codes and calls, so there is no roaming bill and no queue at an airport SIM kiosk.
USA eSIM comparison: Gohub vs Airalo, Holafly, Nomad and Ubigi
Gohub's Call & SMS plan is the cheapest 7-day unlimited option here, at $20.16 on promotion or $22.40 regular, and it adds calls and texts. The best data-only alternative is Ubigi: $23 for 7 days with 25 GB guaranteed at full speed. Airalo also sells plans with a US number, and Airalo and Ubigi have the cheapest entry plans at $4.
| Provider | US network | Cheapest plan | 7-day unlimited | Hotspot | Calls / US number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gohub | Verizon (data plans), T-Mobile 5G (Call & SMS plans) | 2 GB/day, 3 days: $5.30 | $20.16 promo, $22.40 regular, with calls and texts | Yes | Yes, on Call & SMS plans |
| Airalo | T-Mobile, Verizon, U.S. Cellular | 1 GB, 3 days: $4.00 | $32.00 | Not listed on its USA page | Yes, on data + minutes plans |
| Holafly | AT&T, T-Mobile | Unlimited, 3 days: $11.90 | $27.50 | Up to 1 GB/day | No |
| Nomad | Verizon, AT&T | 1 GB, 7 days: $5.00 | $23.00, then 512 kbps after a daily allowance | Yes | Not listed on its USA page |
| Ubigi | T-Mobile (not Alaska) | 1 GB, 7 days: $4.00 | $23.00, 25 GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps | Yes | No |
Where each one wins, and the catch
- Gohub: cheapest 7-day unlimited with a US number. The catch: the Call & SMS plan needs your phone's ID numbers at checkout, and only one can be on a phone.
- Airalo: cheapest way to try a small plan, and offers a US number. The catch: its 7-day unlimited plan is the most expensive here.
- Holafly: every plan is unlimited, so there is nothing to count. The catch: hotspot is limited to 1 GB a day and there are no small plans.
- Nomad: low-cost small plans. The catch: unlimited drops to 512 kbps once the daily allowance is used.
- Ubigi: the most guaranteed full-speed data on a data-only plan. The catch: no calls or US number.
How we compared
On October 8, 2026, we checked each provider's public USA page and used the price shown without discount codes. We compared the network, the cheapest plan, the 7-day unlimited price, hotspot rules and whether calls or a US number are included. We have not run our own speed tests on competitor plans. Saily is not included because we could not load its USA prices.
How to choose an eSIM for the USA
- Your phone. iPhone XR, XS and later support eSIM, as do most recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models. The phone must also be unlocked, meaning not tied to your home carrier. Check your phone.
- The network. Every travel eSIM uses T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon, and all three cover cities and highways well. T-Mobile scored highest for 5G coverage in Opensignal's January 2026 report. All networks are weak in remote parts of national parks such as Yellowstone, so download offline maps.
- Data. Up to about 1 GB a day covers maps, ride apps and social media. Plan for 2 GB or more if you stream or make video calls.
- Hotspot. Check this if you will share data with a laptop. Holafly, for example, limits sharing to 1 GB a day.
- A US number. WhatsApp and FaceTime work on any data plan. A US number helps when a restaurant, driver or US app needs to call or text you.
Gohub USA eSIM plans
All Gohub USA plans allow hotspot and come with 24/7 support on WhatsApp. Prices are from the Gohub USA page on October 8, 2026.
Data plans: best value for most trips
| Plan | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2 GB per day, 3 days | $5.30 |
| 2 GB per day, 30 days | $44.10 |
| 10 GB, 15 days | $12.90 |
| 20 GB, 15 days | $20.52 |
| 20 GB, 30 days | $24.30 |
When the data runs out, speed drops to 256 kbps, which is enough for messages only. You can top up from your Gohub account. Other day counts for the 2 GB per day plan are on the plan page.
Call & SMS plans: unlimited data and a US number on T-Mobile 5G
| Plan | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 7 days | $20.16 (promotion; regular $22.40) |
| 10 days | $32.00 |
| 15 days | $48.00 |
The plan includes unlimited local calls and texts, so restaurants, drivers and US apps can reach you. The page lists no full-speed data cap.
Daily 500 MB plans on Verizon. These give 500 MB a day at full speed, then unlimited data at 10 Mbps, from $10.70 for 3 days. For most trip lengths, one of the plans above costs less. It mainly suits travellers who want unlimited data but cannot use the Call & SMS plan, for example because their phone already has a T-Mobile eSIM.
How to set up your USA eSIM
- Buy the plan before you fly. For a Call & SMS plan, checkout asks for two ID numbers of your phone, the EID and IMEI. Dial *#06# to see both. Gohub then emails activation steps within 4 hours. Follow them as soon as they arrive, because the activation window is short, and use the eSIM within 30 days.
- Add the eSIM on Wi-Fi. Scan the QR code from your email:
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) > Add eSIM. On iOS 17.4 and later you can also long-press the QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add eSIM.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM.
- Set it as your data line. Name it "USA" and choose it for mobile data. Keep your home SIM on for calls and SMS codes.
- Turn on Data Roaming for the USA eSIM when you land. This costs nothing extra because the plan is prepaid. Leave Data Roaming off on your home SIM so your home carrier cannot charge you.
On a Call & SMS plan, dial #686# to see your US number.
Timing tips:
- Daily 500 MB plans start counting days as soon as you install them, so install them on the day you fly. The 500 MB refills at noon New York time and 9 a.m. Los Angeles time, or an hour earlier from November to March.
- Data plans: check on the plan page when the days start counting before you install early.
No signal after landing?
- Check that Data Roaming is on for the USA eSIM.
- Check that the USA eSIM is selected for mobile data.
- Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off.
- Restart your phone.
- Still nothing? Message Gohub on WhatsApp with your order number. Support is open 24/7, and Gohub replaces an eSIM that does not work within 1 hour. See the refund policy for when you can get your money back.
FAQ
What is the best eSIM for USA travel?
For unlimited data with a US number, Gohub's Call & SMS plan is the cheapest 7-day option we found. For a data-only plan with guaranteed full speed, Ubigi's 7-day unlimited plan is a strong choice. For a short trip, a small fixed plan from Gohub, Airalo, Nomad or Ubigi costs $4 to $6.
Can I keep my home number while using a USA eSIM?
Yes. Keep your home SIM on for calls and SMS codes, but switch off Data Roaming on it so your home carrier does not charge you for data.
Does a USA eSIM work in Canada or Mexico?
USA-only plans do not. Choose a plan that covers all three countries.
Can I share data with my laptop?
On Gohub, Nomad and Ubigi, yes. Holafly limits sharing to 1 GB a day.
What happens when I use up my data?
On Gohub data plans, speed drops to 256 kbps until you top up. On daily 500 MB plans, it drops to 10 Mbps until the next day.
Get your USA eSIM before you fly
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