PickedTravel
Buying guide

Best eSIM for the UK (2026)

There is no single “best” UK eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For a 7-day unlimited plan, Airalo listed $27.00 and Holafly listed $27.50. For light data, Saily’s table listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4.49, while the same official page also says plans start from US$3.99; Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4.50. Saily’s clearly listed mid-size plans included 10 GB / 30 days at $18.99 and 20 GB / 30 days at $30.99, versus Nomad’s $17.50 and $25. This is not a ranked award.

By PickedTravel Editorial TeamLast updated Pricing checked Nov 10, 2026

How this page was made: this is a research-based comparison built from official pricing pages, plan or policy wording, and product documentation. We haven’t tested these products or policies ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.

Quick answer

There is no single “best” UK eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For a 7-day unlimited plan, Airalo listed $27.00 and Holafly listed $27.50. 7-day unlimited, lowest official price we can cite: Airalo, from $11.50. Lowest official mid-size fixed plans we can cite: Nomad, from $4.50.

Last updated Pricing checked Nov 10, 2026

Key facts at a glance

Key facts (prices checked Nov 10, 2026)
PickProductBest forPrice
7-day unlimited, lowest official price we can citeAiraloA 7-day or 30-day official unlimited UK plan at the lower listed unlimited prices listed on the official pagesOfficial unlimited UK prices from $11.50 / 3 days to $69.00 / 30 days, including $27.00 / 7 days, November 10, 2026.
Lowest official mid-size fixed plans we can citeNomadOfficial mid-size fixed UK plans, including 10 GB / 30 days at $17.50Official fixed UK prices from $4.50 for 1 GB / 7 days to $25 for 20 GB / 30 days, November 10, 2026.
Unlimited days with a published UK network listHolaflyUnlimited UK days with a published five-network list and a 1 GB-per-day hotspot ruleOfficial unlimited UK prices from $11.90 / 3 days to $76.50 / 30 days, including $27.50 / 7 days, November 10, 2026.

We compared official United Kingdom plan pages from Airalo, Saily, Nomad, and Holafly, plus Airalo’s official unlimited fair-use policy, all checked November 10, 2026. We have not run speed tests, we do not invent scores, and we report official price conflicts as they appear on the page. Confirm the live checkout price, the network list, and that your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible before you buy. For Japan-only plans, see best eSIM for Japan. For regional Europe coverage that includes the UK, confirm the country list on those official regional pages — they are different products from the UK-only plans in this table.

Which should you buy? Our quick picks

7-day unlimited, lowest official price we can cite
Airalo
Official UK unlimited ladder includes 7 days at $27.00 and 30 days at $69.00. Network listed as EE, plus two other networks not named on the official page. Fixed-data UK prices are not listed on the official page.
Check price (opens in a new tab)
Lowest official mid-size fixed plans we can cite
Nomad
Official fixed plans include 1 GB / 7 days at $4.50 and 10 GB / 30 days at $17.50. Networks listed as 3, EE, and Vodafone. Unlimited UK prices were not on the official page. Activate within 60 days or the plan starts automatically.
Check price (opens in a new tab)
Unlimited days with a published UK network list
Holafly
Official 7-day unlimited plan $27.50; 30 days $76.50. Official networks: Orange UK, T-Mobile UK, H3G UK, VirginMediaO2 UK, and Vodafone UK. Official hotspot is 1 GB per day of the plan. Fair-use slowdown possible, generally for no more than one day.
Check price (opens in a new tab)

How do they compare?

Official UK eSIM figures we can cite (checked November 10, 2026)
Airalo UKSaily UKNomad UKHolafly UK
7-day examplesUnlimited 7 days $27.00 (also 3 days $11.50, 5 days $18.50). Fixed-data UK rows are not listed on the official page.Table: 1 GB / 7 days $4.49. The same official page also says plans start from US$3.99. We report both official lines. An unlimited option was listed at $48.99 without a clearly labeled duration on the official page, so we don’t add a 7-day unlimited Saily price.1 GB / 7 days $4.50. No official 7-day unlimited price on the official page.Unlimited 7 days $27.50 (3 days $11.90, 5 days $20.50).
30-day or mid-size fixed plansUnlimited 30 days $69.00; also 10 days $34.50 and 15 days $48.00 on the unlimited ladder.3 GB / 30 days $8.99; 5 GB $12.99; 10 GB $18.99; 20 GB $30.99. 180-day official activation window, with automatic activation if unused.3 GB / 30 days $9; 5 GB $12; 10 GB $17.50; 20 GB $25. Official rule: activate within 60 days of purchase or the plan starts automatically.Unlimited 10 days $37.50, 15 days $51.50, 30 days $76.50.
Networks, as writtenEE, “+2 others” on the official page. We don’t name the networks the official page leaves unnamed.“The UK’s best networks,” without a named-carrier list on the official page.3 / EE / Vodafone.Orange UK / T-Mobile UK / H3G UK / VirginMediaO2 UK / Vodafone UK.
“Unlimited” and hotspot, as writtenAiralo’s official fair-use policy for unlimited plans: 3 GB per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps, resetting from activation time.Official UK page: “Hotspot: Unlimited access with no restrictions.” We did not find a daily fair-use cap for the $48.99 unlimited option on the official page, so we don’t add one here.Unlimited UK prices were not on the official page. The official hotspot FAQ is not listed on the official page, so we don’t add a tethering rule.Official FAQ: a possible operator fair-use slowdown, generally for no more than one day. Official hotspot / shareable data is 1 GB per day of the plan (a 7-day plan includes 7 GB). Always On: 1 GB backup data every 30 days in 150+ countries, if the eSIM stays installed.

The picks in detail

7-day unlimited, lowest official price we can cite

1. Airalo

Best for: A 7-day or 30-day official unlimited UK plan at the lower listed unlimited prices listed on the official pages

Airalo’s official UK page listed an unlimited ladder from $11.50 for 3 days to $69.00 for 30 days, including $27.00 for 7 days and $48.00 for 15 days. The official network line was EE plus two other networks that were not named on the official page. Airalo’s official fair-use policy for unlimited plans is 3 GB per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps. We did not find fixed-data UK checkout prices on the official page, so this is not a fixed-versus-fixed comparison for Airalo.

Pricing (Nov 10, 2026): Official unlimited UK prices from $11.50 / 3 days to $69.00 / 30 days, including $27.00 / 7 days, November 10, 2026. Source

Pros

  • Lowest official 7-day unlimited price ($27.00 vs Holafly’s $27.50)
  • A full official unlimited-day ladder through 30 days at $69.00
  • A published fair-use rule we can cite (3 GB then 1 Mbps)

Cons

  • Fixed-data UK prices are not listed on the official page
  • Only EE was named; the official “+2 others” were not listed on the official page
  • We have not speed-tested EE or the unnamed networks
Check Airalo pricing (opens in a new tab)
Lowest official mid-size fixed plans we can cite

2. Nomad

Best for: Official mid-size fixed UK plans, including 10 GB / 30 days at $17.50

Nomad’s official UK page listed fixed plans of 1 GB / 7 days at $4.50, 3 GB / 30 days at $9, 5 GB at $12, 10 GB at $17.50, and 20 GB at $25, plus separate data-plus-calls plans we are not treating as the default data-only comparison. Official networks are 3, EE, and Vodafone. Official installation language: buy and install now, but activate within 60 days of purchase or the plan starts automatically. The official unlimited section did not include prices on the official page, so this is not an unlimited-versus-unlimited comparison for Nomad.

Pricing (Nov 10, 2026): Official fixed UK prices from $4.50 for 1 GB / 7 days to $25 for 20 GB / 30 days, November 10, 2026. Source

Pros

  • Lowest official 10 GB and 20 GB / 30-day data-only prices in this table ($17.50 and $25)
  • A named official network list: 3, EE, and Vodafone
  • A clearly stated 60-day activation window

Cons

  • No official unlimited UK price on the official page
  • 1 GB / 7 days is $0.01 higher than Saily’s table price, before Saily’s “from $3.99” line
  • We did not find an official hotspot rule on the official UK page
Check Nomad pricing (opens in a new tab)
Unlimited days with a published UK network list

3. Holafly

Best for: Unlimited UK days with a published five-network list and a 1 GB-per-day hotspot rule

Holafly’s official UK page listed unlimited-day prices of $11.90 / 3 days, $20.50 / 5, $27.50 / 7, $37.50 / 10, $51.50 / 15, and $76.50 / 30, on Orange UK, T-Mobile UK, H3G UK, VirginMediaO2 UK, and Vodafone UK. Official hotspot language is 1 GB of shareable data per day of the plan. Official FAQ: a possible operator fair-use slowdown, generally for no more than one day. Always On is described as 1 GB of backup data every 30 days in 150+ countries if you keep the eSIM installed. Official coverage is England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, not the Republic of Ireland.

Pricing (Nov 10, 2026): Official unlimited UK prices from $11.90 / 3 days to $76.50 / 30 days, including $27.50 / 7 days, November 10, 2026. Source

Pros

  • A named official five-network list and a published 1 GB-per-day hotspot rule
  • Unlimited-day pricing with a written (if brief) fair-use slowdown disclaimer
  • Official Always On 1 GB monthly backup language, if the eSIM stays installed

Cons

  • Higher official 7-day and 30-day unlimited prices than Airalo’s listed $27.00 and $69.00
  • Official coverage does not include the Republic of Ireland; that is a different regional plan
  • The digital eSIM is data-only; official FAQ says it does not include a local UK number for traditional calls or SMS
Check Holafly pricing (opens in a new tab)
Best for A UK fixed-data ladder, after you read the official $3.99 vs $4.49 conflict

4. Saily

Best for: A UK fixed-data ladder, after you read the official $3.99 vs $4.49 conflict

Saily’s official UK table listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4.49, 3 GB / 30 days at $8.99, 5 GB at $12.99, 10 GB at $18.99, and 20 GB at $30.99. The same official page also says plans start from US$3.99. Those are not the same opening price, and we report both. An unlimited option was listed at $48.99 without a clearly labeled duration on the official page, so we don’t add a 7- or 15-day Saily unlimited checkout price. Official language: 180-day activation period, then automatic activation; hotspot “unlimited access with no restrictions.” The official page did not name the UK networks.

Pricing (Nov 10, 2026): Official UK table from $4.49 for 1 GB / 7 days to $30.99 for 20 GB / 30 days; the same page also says plans start from US$3.99. Prices checked November 10, 2026. Source

Pros

  • A complete official fixed-data ladder through 20 GB / 30 days
  • Official 180-day activation window, longer than Nomad’s official 60-day window
  • Official UK page states unlimited hotspot access with no restrictions

Cons

  • The official page lists both “from US$3.99” and a 1 GB / 7-day table price of $4.49; we cannot treat $3.99 as the 1 GB checkout price
  • No named UK network list on the official page, and no clearly labeled unlimited duration for the $48.99 option
  • Official 10 GB and 20 GB / 30-day prices are higher than Nomad’s listed $17.50 and $25
Check Saily pricing (opens in a new tab)

Also considered

Airalo, Saily, and Nomad official pages also showed regional Europe or global starting prices. Those plans are not UK-only and are not in this table; confirm the country list. Nomad’s official UK page also lists data-plus-calls plans, which we mention but do not treat as the data-only comparison.

Who should skip this guide

  • Readers who want a scored “best UK eSIM” or a speed-test winner. We have not tested these networks.
  • People shopping for a regional Europe plan rather than a UK-only plan. Official Airalo, Saily, Nomad, and Holafly pages also offer Europe or EU-and-UK plans; confirm whether the Republic of Ireland or EU roaming is included.
  • Travelers whose phone is locked or not eSIM-capable. Check the official compatibility list for your device.

Frequently asked questions

Which UK eSIM is cheapest for a week?
It depends on the plan type. On official pages checked November 10, 2026, Saily’s table listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4.49 (the same page also says plans start from $3.99) and Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4.50. Airalo’s 7-day unlimited plan was $27.00 and Holafly’s was $27.50. We did not find a Saily or Nomad 7-day unlimited checkout price.
Is Nomad cheaper than Saily for a month in the UK?
On the official mid-size fixed plans we can cite, yes. Nomad listed 10 GB / 30 days at $17.50 and 20 GB / 30 days at $25, versus Saily’s $18.99 and $30.99. Saily’s table was $0.01 lower on 1 GB / 7 days ($4.49 vs $4.50), before the “from $3.99” line on the same Saily page.
What does unlimited mean on these UK plans?
Airalo’s official policy is 3 GB per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps. Holafly’s official UK FAQ describes a possible operator fair-use slowdown, generally for no more than one day, without a daily gigabyte figure. Saily listed an unlimited option at $48.99 without a clearly labeled duration or daily cap on the official page. Nomad’s unlimited UK prices were not on the official page.
Does a UK eSIM work in Ireland?
Holafly’s official UK FAQ says the UK eSIM covers England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, not the Republic of Ireland, and points to a Europe plan for both. Confirm each provider’s live country list before you travel on both sides of the border.

Sources

Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 10, 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.

  1. Airalo: United Kingdom eSIMs official page — unlimited prices from $11.50 / 3 days to $69 / 30 days; EE listed (checked Nov 10, 2026) (airalo.com)
  2. Airalo: Unlimited Data Plans Fair Use Policy — 3 GB/day then 1 Mbps (checked Nov 10, 2026) (airalo.com)
  3. Saily: eSIM for the UK official page — table prices, “from US$3.99” line, $48.99 unlimited option without a clear duration (checked Nov 10, 2026) (saily.com)
  4. Nomad: UK eSIM official page — fixed prices, 3 / EE / Vodafone, 60-day activation (checked Nov 10, 2026) (nomadesim.com)
  5. Holafly: eSIM for the United Kingdom official page — unlimited-day prices, five-network list, 1 GB/day hotspot, Always On (checked Nov 10, 2026) (esim.holafly.com)
best of

The Best eSIM for a Europe Trip

If you want a clearly priced 7-day unlimited plan, Airalo listed $27 for 41 countries on November 10, 2026, with a written 3 GB-per-day then 1 Mbps fair-use rule. Holafly’s 7-day Europe plan listed at $27.50, with a 6-month refund window and a 1 GB-per-day hotspot cap. If you can use a fixed allowance, Saily’s 1 GB / 7-day plan was $4.99, and Nomad’s 20 GB / 30-day plan was $29.

guide

Best eSIM for Japan (2026): A Choice Guide, Not a Scorecard

There is no single “best” Japan eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For a 7-day unlimited plan, Airalo listed $26.50 and Holafly listed $27.50. For light data, Saily listed 1 GB / 7 days at $3.99 and Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4. For 10 or 20 GB / 30 days, Nomad’s official Japan page showed sale prices of $16 and $23, next to $18 and $26 struck through. Saily’s clearly listed 15-day unlimited plan was $48.99, with a written 5 GB-per-day then 1 Mbps rule. This is not a ranked award.

guide

Best eSIM for Travel (2026): A Choice Guide, Not a Scorecard

There is no single “best” travel eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For a one-week Europe trip, Airalo’s official 7-day unlimited plan was $27 and Holafly’s was $27.50. For light data, Saily’s official 1 GB / 7-day plan was $4.99. For a mid-size 10 or 20 GB / 30-day plan, Nomad listed $25 and $29. For a 30-day unlimited plan, Ubigi listed $62 and Airalo listed $71, with very different fair-use rules. Use the head-to-head pages for the full tables. This is not a ranked award.

comparison

Saily vs Nomad Europe eSIM (2026)

On official Europe pages checked November 10, 2026, Saily listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4.99, 10 GB / 30 days at $35.99, and a 15-day unlimited plan at $49.99, with 35 countries, a 180-day activation window, and a written 5 GB-per-day then 1 Mbps unlimited rule. Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $7, 10 GB / 30 days at $25, and 20 GB / 30 days at $29, with a 35- or 36-destination option (the 36-country list includes Turkey), a 60-day activation window, and a 30-day unused-refund policy that calls unlimited plans non-refundable. Nomad’s unlimited section did not include prices on the official page.

comparison

Airalo vs Holafly eSIM (2026)

For a 7-day Europe trip, official list prices were almost the same on November 10, 2026: Airalo $27, Holafly $27.50. The useful split is policy, not a dollar or two. Airalo’s written fair-use rule is 3 GB of high-speed data per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps, with no tethering cap in that policy. Holafly’s Europe plan lists 1 GB of hotspot data per day, a 6-month refund window, and operator fair-use slowdowns generally lasting no more than one day.

guide

What “Unlimited” eSIM Plans Actually Allow (2026)

“Unlimited” on a travel eSIM is usually a daily high-speed allowance, then a slower speed, not uncapped 5G. Official Airalo policy is 3 GB per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps, resetting from the time you activated the eSIM. Official Saily policy is 5 GB of high-speed data per 24 hours, then about 1 Mbps. Official Holafly language describes operator fair-use slowdowns, generally lasting no more than one day, without a daily gigabyte figure. Read the live plan details before you buy. This is not a speed test.

guide

eSIM vs International Roaming: Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile

On official pages checked November 10, 2026, a 7-day Airalo Europe unlimited eSIM listed at $27 and Holafly’s 7-day Europe plan at $27.50. Verizon TravelPass and AT&T International Day Pass both list $12 per line per day in most destinations — $84 if you start seven 24-hour sessions — plus taxes and fees on Verizon. T-Mobile customers on a qualifying plan may already have 5 GB or 15 GB of high-speed data abroad, then 256 kbps, with calls at $0.50 a minute.

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Best eSIM for Italy (2026)

There is no single “best” Italy eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For a 7-day unlimited plan, Airalo listed $23.00 and Holafly listed $23.90. For light data, Saily’s official FAQ listed 1 GB / 7 days at $3.99, and Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4. Nomad’s mid-size fixed plans included 10 GB / 30 days at $18.50 and 20 GB / 30 days at $25. This is not a ranked award.

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Best eSIM for Thailand (2026)

There is no single “best” Thailand eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For light data, Saily listed 1 GB / 7 days at $2.99 and Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $5. For 7-day unlimited, Nomad listed $15, Airalo listed $21.00, and Holafly listed $27.50. Nomad also listed a 10-day unlimited plan at the same official $15 price. This is not a ranked award.

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Best eSIM for Mexico (2026)

There is no single “best” Mexico eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For 7-day unlimited data, Nomad listed $22, Airalo listed $23.50, and Holafly listed $24.50. For light data, Saily’s official FAQ listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4.99, and Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $5. Official activation windows differ: Saily lists 180 days (with an official example of automatic activation on May 10, 2027), while Nomad says activate within 60 days or the plan starts automatically. This is not a ranked award.

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Best eSIM for France (2026)

There is no single “best” France eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For 7-day unlimited, Airalo listed $23.50 and Holafly listed $27.50. For light data, Saily listed 1 GB / 7 days at $3.99 and Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4. Nomad’s official mid-size fixed plans include 10 GB / 30 days at $14 and 20 GB at $21. The official English Nomad France official page we checked did not find unlimited prices, and Saily’s official unlimited option was listed at $41.99 without a clearly labeled duration on the official page. This is not a ranked award.

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Best eSIM for Spain (2026)

There is no single “best” Spain eSIM on the official pages we checked November 10, 2026, and we have not speed-tested these networks. For 7-day unlimited, Airalo listed $23.50, Holafly listed $24.50, and Nomad listed $25. For light data, Saily’s official FAQ listed 1 GB at $3.99, and Nomad listed 1 GB / 7 days at $4. Official Holafly language says the Spain eSIM works on the mainland and in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Official Saily language says a Spain plan does not work in Portugal. This is not a ranked award.