The top 6 best eSIMs for travelers in North America

Are you dreaming of a trip to North America? Or perhaps you’ve already booked your tickets and just need one last detail worked out – a solid eSIM solution for making calls, sending texts and checking emails on the go. Look no further! We have compiled the top 6 best eSIMs in North America that travelers should check out before they embark on their next journey. 

What is an eSIM and why do you need it to travel?

When it comes to international travel, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. First and foremost amongst those considerations should be your cellphone service. After all, what's the point of going on vacation if you can't document and share every moment of it with your friends and followers back home? 

Sure, you could just buy a local SIM card when you land at your destination. But let's be honest, that's a pain in the butt. Who wants to deal with the hassle of finding a store, buying a new SIM, transferring their contacts over, and then dealing with an unfamiliar interface? Nobody, that's who. That's where eSIMs come in. 

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that can be programmed remotely and doesn't require you to physically swap out your SIM card. In other words, it's the perfect solution for international travelers who want to avoid the hassle of buying a new SIM card every time they cross a border. 

The top 6 best eSIMs for travelers in North America

There are a lot of eSIM providers out there, but not all of them are created equal. To save you the trouble of doing any research yourself, we've gone ahead and compiled a list of the six best eSIM providers for North American travelers. So without further ado, here they are: 

T-Mobile 

T-Mobile is one of the most popular cellphone carriers in the United States. For just $5, you can get 512MB to use within 24 hours with T-mobile 1 Day Pass. If that's not enough for your plans, opt for 5GB which will last 10 days - at a price of $35! But if you're planning on staying away longer or need more gigs than ever before, there is always an option: The 15GB International pass provides ample connection time as well as up to 30 days worth of access for 50 bucks! Need some extra? Simply purchase another once your current one expires or runs out entirely.

AT&T 

AT&T is another major U.S. carrier that offers an excellent eSIM option for international travelers called "AT&T International Day Pass." For just $10 per day, AT&T customers can get unlimited talk and text in more than 190 countries around the world plus 100MB of high-speed data to use each day they're abroad. If you need more data than that, AT&T also offers an International Data Pass which gives you 250MB of high-speed data to use per day for $25 per day. 

Google Fi 

Google Fi is Google's own cellphone service and it's available in 170+ countries around the world (including Canada and Mexico). With Google Fi, you can get unlimited talk & text plus 2G speeds for just $20 per month when traveling internationally (data rates vary by country). If you need faster speeds than 2G, you can purchase high-speed data passes starting at $10 per GB—not bad! 

FreedomPop 

FreedomPop is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that piggybacks off of Sprint's network here in the United States. They offer a variety of plans starting at just $0 per month (yes, really!) But even their most expensive plan is only $20 per month—and that includes unlimited talk & text plus 1GB of 4G LTE data (data overage charges apply after 1GB). For international travelers, FreedomPop offers an excellent "Global Voice & Data" plan starting at just $5 per month which gives you 200 minutes of calling plus 200 texts plus 200MB of data to use each month while abroad—not bad! 

Telus 

Telus is one of Canada's largest cellphone carriers and they offer an excellent "Roam Mobility" service which gives Canadian travelers access to unlimited talk & text plus 2GB of high-speed data each month for just $9 CAD ($6 USD). And if 2GB isn't enough data for you, Telus also offers an "Unlimited" plan which gives you unlimited talk & text plus 5GB of high-speed data each month for just $19 CAD ($14 USD). Not bad! 

Textr eSIM 

Textr eSIM is one of the best flexible eSIM providers. Don't be locked to any carriers by mobile phone contracts. With Textr eSIM, you just need to shop data plans online, install an eSIM on compatible devices, and use it immediately. Textr eSIM also helps you connect to the most secure and reliable internet as it will look for the fastest local wireless networks for you - even in Alaska. Speaking of the prices, Textr eSIM US data plans are perfect for budget travelers who are searching for a big deal as low as $4.99. With Textr eSIM, you can totally forget about bulky physical SIM cards and costly roaming fees.

How to pick the best eSIM for your needs

When deciding on the best eSIM for your needs, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you'll want to make sure that the network provider is compatible with your device. Not all networks are compatible with all devices, so it's important to check before you commit. You'll also want to know what data and voice plans are available from that provider. Different plans offer different levels of service and coverage, so it's a good idea to compare several providers before selecting one.

Once you've selected a network provider, you can move on to choosing an eSIM plan that meets your needs. Think about how much data you need and how much time you'll be using the service abroad if applicable - this will help narrow down your options. Additionally, consider what kind of customer support is available from that provider as well as any fees associated with their services such as activation fees or roaming charges for international use.

Don’t forget to read and evaluate the customer reviews for each potential provider to get an idea of how satisfied other individuals have been with their service. This can give you valuable insight into what kind of experience you can expect when working with them in the future. Researching user feedback will also provide more information about the quality of customer service provided by each company and whether they are reliable when it comes to resolving customer issues quickly and efficiently.

By taking all these factors into account, you should be able to identify the best eSIM option for your needs and make an informed choice when selecting a plan. While researching various providers may seem like a daunting task initially, having some knowledge beforehand can save time in the long run - plus it could mean finding the perfect plan for your individual requirements!

How to Activate your eSIM

Activating your eSIM and using it on your next trip is a great way to stay connected while you’re away from home. To get started, you’ll need an eSIM compatible device – many modern smartphones come with this capability built-in, but if yours doesn’t, you can purchase an eSIM compatible device or adapter that will convert your current phone into one. Once you have the necessary hardware, here’s how to activate your eSIM:

Step 1: Purchase an eSIM plan from your carrier. Many carriers offer prepaid plans for travel so that you can easily pick the right amount of data and minutes for the duration of your trip. If you already have a cellular plan with a supported carrier, see if they offer an eSIM option as well.

Step 2: Download the appropriate setup app. Depending on what type of phone and mobile network operator you have, you may need to download and install a specific app in order to activate your eSIM. For example, Apple users will need to use the “My Carrier” app while Android users may need to use their specific carrier's app such as Textr eSIM, AT&T's “Smart Setup” or Verizon's “My Verizon Mobile”. Make sure that the app is up-to-date before proceeding.

Step 3: Scan the QR code provided by your carrier when purchasing an eSIM plan. The QR code contains all of the necessary information for activating your new SIM card, so make sure that it is scanned properly in order for activation to be successful.

Step 4: Activate the new line on your phone's settings menu. Once the QR code is successfully scanned, go into settings on your phone and navigate to where it says "Cellular" or "Mobile Data" – depending on what type of phone you have – then select "Add Line". On this page there should be an option for adding an eSIM; follow any additional steps there until activation is complete.

Step 5: Make sure that everything is working correctly by test calling a few numbers or connecting online using data services (WiFi hotspots are still recommended whenever possible). If everything looks good then congratulations – you're now ready to start using your eSIM on your travels!

Get eSIM for your North America Travel

Buying a physical SIM card upon arrival seems to be a good solution until you find out that your new carrier doesn’t have the best prices or most desirable coverage. Afortunately, changing your mind after you buy a physical SIM is not as easy as it should be. This is where eSIMs come in handy for global travelers. 

With an eSIM, all you need to do is activate your plan before departure and then add the profile of your chosen carrier onto your phone–no cutting or swapping required. If you’re planning on traveling to North America soon, you can check out Textr eSIM iOS or Android App to get the most flexible and affordable North America data plans.