In 2018, as we embarked on our global adventures, Google Fi was our go-to choice for international phone plans, offering convenience and affordability in over 200 countries (Read: International phone plan options for travel – Google FI Review). However, five years down the road, our preferences have shifted as technology let us tap into new products that were more convenient and even more budget-friendly alternatives. In this post, we’ll detail why we bid farewell to Google Fi, introduce you to our current choices, provide pricing insights, and share some exclusive deals to maximize your savings. Are you ready to dive in?
Why We Said Goodbye to Google Fi
While Google Fi boasted coverage in 200+ international countries, it was originally designed for primarily domestic use in the USA. This policy, although initially lenient, began to change around 2021. Some of our friends reported service interruptions when abroad, and though we were enjoying a COVID-19-free life in Taiwan at the time, we experienced this shift in early 2022. Google Fi notified us that our international data plan would be suspended until our return to the USA.
A closer look at Google’s Terms of Services reveals their stance on Google Fi usage outside the USA.
So if you are planning on being outside of the USA for more than 3 months, you won’t be able to use their service effectively and you will have to return to the USA to get your account suspended.
The Emergence of e-SIM: A Game-Changer for Mobile Plans on the Go
In 2017, Apple introduced the e-SIM with the iPhone XS, but we only embraced this technology in 2022 when we upgraded from an iPhone X to an iPhone 12.
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The introduction of the e-SIM marked a significant shift in the cellular plan landscape. It allowed users to purchase and activate cellular plans without the need for a physical SIM card.
The Top Players in the e-SIM Game
The e-SIM space has become highly competitive, with several companies offering e-SIM phone plans. After extensive testing, we are delighted to introduce the options that have worked best for us.
Option #1: Airalo
What is Airalo
Launched in 2019, Airalo offers a comprehensive platform for e-SIMs. As of our latest update, they provide e-SIMs for over 200 countries, ensuring connectivity in virtually any destination.
What sets Airalo apart is their versatile range of e-SIM options:
- Local e-SIMs: Specific to individual countries (e.g., USA, Taiwan, Thailand)
- Regional e-SIMs: Designed for broader regions (e.g., Africa, Asia, Europe)
- Global e-SIMs: Covering most of the world (up to 130 countries as of our last update)
Airalo Pricing (as of November 2023):
- Thailand: 50 GB of data / 100 mins of calls for 10 days – $9.90
- Thailand: Unlimited data & calls for 15 days – $19.95
- France: 1 GB for 7 days – $4.50
- France: 2 GB for 15 days – $7.50
- Canada: 3 GB for 30 days – $15
- USA: 3 GB for 30 days – $11
Airalo Discount code
For extra savings, use the discount code CEDRIC8634 to enjoy $3 USD off your first e-SIM data pack from Airalo or sign-up using our Airalo sign-up link
Option #2: RedteaGO
What is RedteaGO
RedteaGO, touted as the world’s best travel gadget, offers e-SIM with global data packages in 100+ countries, featuring competitive local rates. RedteaGO provides both country-specific and regional plans, such as Europe (36 countries) and Asia (11 countries).
RedteaGo Pricing (as of November 2023):
- Thailand: 1 GB of data for 30 days – $2.69
- France: 1 GB of data for 30 days – $2
- Canada: 1 GB of data for 30 days – $5
- Canada: 3 GB of data for 30 days – $13.99
- USA: 3 GB of data for 30 days – $8.95
RedteaGO Discount code
For extra savings, use the discount code ADVE0002 to enjoy a $3 USD credit after signing-up or sign-up using our RedteaGo sign-up link.
Option #3: Eskimo
What is Eskimo
Eskimo, is another E-Sim provider. It offers plans that are available worldwide (in 80+ countries) and valid up to 2 years. Like the other providers we mentioned in this blog post they also offer country-specific and regional plans. But Eskimo also let your transfer your data, meaning that if you travel with someone and they ran out, you can help them out!
We like Eskimo because it give you a free 500 Mb plan (without having to purchase anything when you sign-up). It is a great way to get started to e-Sim plan.
Eskimo Pricing (as of January 2024):
- Thailand: 10 GB of data for 6 months – $22
- France: 10 GB of data for 6 months – $31
- Canada: 10 GB of data for 1 year – $33
- Canada: 3 GB of data for 1 year – $14
- USA: 3 GB of data for 6 months – $10
- Europe: 10 GB for 1 years – $33
Eskimo Discount code
Get 500 Mb for free (without any purchase and valid for 2 years!) when you sign-up using our Eskimo sign-up link. (Or use our promo code CEDRIC110301) when you sign-up.
Our Bottom Line
Between Airalo, Eskimo and RedteaGO, we have unlocked access to virtually every country and region worldwide, all while enjoying incredibly cost-effective mobile plans on the go. The adoption of e-SIM technology has streamlined the process, eliminating the need to visit physical stores or provide proof of ID. These plans activate instantly and offer reliable coverage based on our experiences.
These plans are known for their competitive pricing, challenging even the biggest phone operators. Whether you’re avid travelers like us or someone who resides in one place for most of the year, it’s worthwhile to compare these cost-effective options with your current plan.
So what about you? Have you been using eSIM plans like the one we described before? Would you consider making the switch?
13 Comments
Linda · November 6, 2023 at 11:26 am
Thank you for sharing this post. It was very helpful.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · November 6, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Glad you enjoyed it!
Skip · November 6, 2023 at 11:35 am
Interesting to see other providers like Redteago enter the market. It’s always good to have more choices.
We have been using Flexiroam e-sim service for data for the past 1.5 years for the reasons you have mentioned. We typically purchase the global plans that are good for 360 days. We are not heavy data users, so 3 GB of data over that time period suits us just fine. They regularly run 70-80% off sales, which is really just a bunch of marketing BS, but it makes it pretty affordable. We just purchased 3 GB of data for 13.99, which should last us about a year.
We opted to keep one Google Fi line to make sure we don’t have difficulties with our financial institutions in the U.S. We have tested 2FA with our financial institutions using our Google Voice number and it seems to work fine. However, we have heard of too many people having difficulties with their financial institutions and losing access to their funds. So, we keep one Google Fi number. The $26-27/month is a small price to pay for the piece of mind it provides.
How y’all are doing well. Safe travels.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · November 6, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Hi Skip. Great to hear back! Never heard about Flexiroam so I guess this is another provider we should keep an eye on!
Darrell · November 6, 2023 at 6:37 pm
We have been using Ubigi for the same reasons you mention. We found it because Google Fi forced us to find an alternative data source after our 90 days ran out. We keep Google Fi because of 2 factor authentication. Some financial institutions are shifting to non-phone based authentication, but until they all get there we have to have access to SMS text.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · November 7, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Are you still be able to use Google FI if Google FI for SMS you to use an alternative data source? Or does SMS still works in your case? If so how much do you need to pay to keep just this option?
Rose · November 6, 2023 at 5:37 pm
Love it! Thank you for this post.
We’ve used Keepgo in Europe and have been happy with it. We have the same issue as Skip with needing to keep the US phone number because of 2FA with banks etc. We keep one of our phones on Mint Mobile for $15 a month just for that purpose. Maybe there will be another way to deal with 2FA in the future.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · November 7, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Thank you! The article is supposed to be non US specific but I might add a note about people needed to keep the same phone number over time for 2FA purposes. Have you considered using Google Voice for banks? It works for 90% of ours.
That being said we’ve switch from SMS based 2FA to application based 2FA. Much safer than relying on a phone number that can be swap relatively easy. Though some very old school bank haven’t switch to that (like Chase for instance).
BadBackPackers · November 17, 2023 at 3:01 am
When we travel and get a physical SIM card at the airport, it’s very cheap. Just got to Laos, and got 30 gigs of data for 30 days for $9. I use about 20 gigs of data per month to be able to use Google Voice and navigate with Google Maps, plus social media. Sure I could be more careful and only use wifi where possible, but I like not having to worry about it especially with our reliance on google maps to get everywhere.
Enter eSim. Eventually I will have an iPhone without a physical SIM slot. I look at the eSIM apps you mention and they are incredibly expensive for more data, if they even support 20 gigs per month. Not sure there’s an inexpensive option for me in the eSIM space. 🙁
Mr. Nomad Numbers · November 20, 2023 at 3:50 am
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, BadBackPackers!
I think it really depends on which destination you go to. We haven’t travelled everywhere but clearly it is cheaper in the US to use eSim data service provider than a local SIM Card. Utilizing eSIMs data service providers offers the convenience of accessing data when needed, whether it’s to contact our Airbnb host or use a ride-sharing service like Uber.
If local SIM cards are cheaper in a given country, a strategy we like to use is to buy an eSIM data place for the first day so we can book our Uber or interact with our Airbnb host if needed and then transition to a better local plan. Also we like that eSIMs eliminate the need for proof of ID, a requirement often associated with many local SIM card providers. The process is streamlined, involving a simple activation on your phone, bypassing the lengthy in-store procedures common with traditional SIM cards. Not to mention the added benefit of avoiding the initial challenge of choosing the right provider in a country we might not be familiar with.
Thoughts on these?
BadBackPackers · November 20, 2023 at 8:40 am
I love that idea of getting an eSim just to give time to find a local SIM card if that is the cheaper option. I think I will do that whenever it makes sense!
Sarah · February 20, 2024 at 3:49 pm
We tried buying physical sims in each country but they caused no end if problems. Airalo has big gaps in coverage but overall I’ll buy their esims without hesitation.
We did buy a physical sim that had lots of countries covered but I’d underestimated how much data we use and it got very expensive very quickly.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · February 25, 2024 at 1:08 am
Thank you for sharing your experience, Sarah. We’ve had excellent experiences with these providers thus far though we haven’t done every single country they support.
For instance currently, we’ve been utilizing Eskimo here in Penang (Malaysia), and I previously used them in Chiang Mai (Thailand) without any problems. I wasn’t aware that physical SIMs offering comparable coverage were also available. Do you mind sharing the name of the provider + cost associated with these?
We appreciate the convenience of eSIMs, as they afford us the flexibility to switch providers easily, allowing us to have multiple eSIMs on our phones and we dont have to show up to a kiosk to get them on our phones.