In this comparison, we have a look at the key eSIM offers in India, their network coverage, and the advantages of different providers so that you can make the best choice for your trip or stay in India.
What is an eSIM, and is my phone compatible?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that can be loaded directly onto a compatible device without the need for a physical SIM card. This type of SIM card is particularly convenient for travellers because it is easy and quick to buy and activate online without having to worry about a physical SIM card.
You will find numerous providers of eSIM plans on the Internet. With most of them, you buy a one-off prepaid plan for a certain number of days and data volume. After expiry, there are no further costs and you do not need a subscription.
Unfortunately, not all smartphones support an eSIM. You have good odds with an iPhone 11 / 12 / 13, but also with an Android smartphone, e.g. Google Pixel 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 or Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, or Note 20. You can find a list of smartphones that support eSIM here: Which devices support an eSIM?
If your Android smartphone does not support eSIM profiles, eSIM.me is a physical SIM card that you can use with eSIM profiles.
Most eSIM providers only offer data volume and no free minutes. Since these are also prepaid plans, outgoing calls are generally not supported. With some smartphones, e.g. iPhones, you can still be reached via your normal SIM card and make calls.
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Plans Compared
Here you can easily find the right plan. Simply select your travel period and the required data volume, and suitable eSIM plans will be displayed for you:
Cheapest Providers
While in countries like Namibia there is hardly any choice of eSIM providers, or the Maldives are very expensive, in India you have a good selection of providers. Prices aren’t as low as in Hong Kong, but they’re not excessively expensive either.
If you need a lot of data, Monty eSIM, SimOptions, and ETravelSim are recommended, as with these providers, you can often get 10GB for well under €20. We can also offer a 15% discount code for ETravelSim.
If you need only a little bit of data, you can also check out Roamify, for which we have a 5% discount code, and Roamless, for which we have a $5 discount code. With them, you can get 1GB for around €3, minus the discount.
No Time Limit
If you travel to India frequently, it can be practical to choose a plan without an expiry date, so you don’t have to buy a new plan each time. The cheapest providers for this are Roamless (with a discount), BNESIM (with a discount), and Yesim (with a discount).
With Unlimited Data
For heavy data users, there are also plans with “unlimited” data. The quotation marks are intentional, as almost no plan offers unlimited data without throttling speeds significantly after just a few GB or even MB. If that doesn’t bother you, you’ll find options with ESIMTravel, Firsty, Roamify, and many other providers. For everyone else, it’s usually cheaper to choose a time-limited plan with a high data volume.
Pay As You Go
Even for so-called “pay as you go” plans, there are quite a few choices in India, which is rare. Both Roamless and Yesim, as well as MTX Connect and Red Bull Mobile, offer usage-based plans. However, only Roamless and Yesim are pricewise comparable with prepaid plans.
The Best Network in India
In India, the largest mobile providers – Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL – each have different advantages depending on region and use. Jio and Airtel are particularly strong in urban areas, offering excellent network quality and fast data connections.
Jio has a slight edge thanks to its affordable plans and extensive 4G coverage, while Airtel also offers a reliable connection and good value for money. In rural and remote areas, BSNL shows its strengths, as the state-owned provider offers better coverage in regions where others may be less present.
Vi, on the other hand, has solid coverage in cities but can be somewhat weaker in rural areas compared to Jio and Airtel. Overall, Jio and Airtel offer the best networks for urban use, while BSNL is the most reliable choice in remote areas.