Roaming fees can be so expensive that a few minutes of “just checking maps” turns into a budget surprise. For example, some U.S. carriers list pay‑as‑you‑go international data at $2.05 per MB.[^1] That’s about $2,099 for 1 GB (1,024 MB × $2.05). Yes—one gig.[^1]

The good news: you can usually dodge this completely with an eSIM app.

What an eSIM app does (and why it avoids roaming fees)

An eSIM is a digital SIM profile you download to your phone (no plastic card). With an eSIM app, you typically:

  • Buy a prepaid travel data plan for the country/region you’re visiting
  • Install the eSIM in minutes (often from inside the app)
  • Use the eSIM for mobile data abroad, while keeping your main SIM for calls/texts (if you want)

The money-saving trick is simple: you’re using prepaid local/partner data from the eSIM provider instead of your home carrier’s roaming billing.

The “no surprise bill” setup I use on iPhone and Android

This is the checklist I run through before a trip (and it’s what I looked for while comparing the apps below):

  • Confirm your phone is eSIM-capable and unlocked
  • Install the eSIM before you travel (hotel Wi‑Fi is fine too)
  • In your phone settings:
    • Set Cellular Data = eSIM
    • Turn Data Roaming OFF on your primary (home) SIM
    • Leave your primary SIM ON for calls/texts if you want, but keep its data disabled
  • Enable Low Data Mode / Data Saver if you’re cost-sensitive
  • Track usage in the eSIM app (most have a dashboard)

A concrete “why you care” calculation (real carrier rates)

If your phone accidentally uses pay‑per‑use roaming:

  • 500 MB (half a gig) at $2.05/MB ≈ $1,025.[^1]
  • And on some airline connections, one carrier lists $10.24/MB—so 200 MB could be about $2,048.[^2]

That’s why eSIM apps are such a spending-habit win: you prepay a fixed amount and you can’t “oops” your way into a four‑digit data bill.

5 eSIM apps that work well for avoiding roaming fees

I’m writing this as someone who actually went through each app’s flow: I downloaded the apps, checked coverage lists, compared plan types (local vs regional vs global), looked for top‑ups and usage tracking, and reviewed how “installation” is handled inside the UI.

1) Airalo — best for choice (local, regional, global)

Airalo is the “menu with lots of options” pick: tons of destinations, plus local/regional/global eSIMs.[^3]

What I liked when testing it

  • Very clear separation between local vs regional vs global plans
  • Easy browsing for destinations and plan sizes
  • Good for families who want to match spend to a specific trip length

Pros

  • Wide destination coverage (Airalo markets 200+ locations)[^3]
  • Local/regional/global options make budgeting straightforward
  • Lots of plan sizes so you can avoid overbuying

Cons

  • Plan choice can feel overwhelming (you’ll want to compare validity days)
  • Many plans are data-only, so you’ll still use WhatsApp/FaceTime, etc., for calls

2) Holafly — best when you hate data caps (but read the fine print)

Holafly is known for “unlimited” plans in many destinations, which is great if you don’t want to babysit your usage.[^4]

What I liked when testing it

  • Simple “pick destination → pick days” purchase flow
  • App is built around travelers who want fewer decisions

Pros

  • Holafly states unlimited data plans for 160+ destinations.[^4]
  • Good for heavy users (video, uploads, lots of map use)
  • Clear guidance inside the app for installation and tracking[^5]

Cons

  • “Unlimited” may still involve fair‑use policies and possible speed reductions depending on the network operator.[^4]
  • Hotspot/tethering limits can vary by destination (so it’s not always ideal for sharing with a family tablet/laptop).[^4]

3) Nomad — best for simple prepaid data (and a nice free-trial angle)

Nomad is a clean, practical prepaid eSIM app with broad availability.[^6]

What I liked when testing it

  • Straightforward onboarding and plan browsing
  • The app experience is calm: fewer distractions, quick checkout

Pros

  • Nomad promotes service in 200+ destinations.[^7]
  • App availability is broad (Nomad says iOS in 175 countries/regions and Android in 177).[^6]
  • Budget-friendly feel: you can pick plans tightly around your trip length and expected usage

Cons

  • Like many travel eSIMs, it’s commonly data-only (great for messaging apps; less great if you need standard voice/SMS)
  • You may need to be a bit more deliberate about choosing the “right” network/plan variant for your destination

4) Ubigi — best for repeat travelers (one eSIM you keep topping up)

Ubigi’s positioning is “install once, reuse, and top up.” The App Store listing emphasizes one eSIM used across many destinations with top‑ups.[^8]

What I liked when testing it

  • The idea of a “persistent” eSIM is great if you travel often
  • The app clearly highlights top‑ups and plan management

Pros

  • Ubigi advertises coverage in 200+ destinations.[^8]
  • Emphasis on top‑ups makes it easy to avoid overbuying up front
  • Tethering/hotspot is explicitly supported in the app description (useful for families).[^8]

Cons

  • Plan selection is still destination-specific, so you need to compare validity and sizes
  • Some features and experience can vary depending on where you’re traveling and which partner network you land on

5) aloSIM — best if you want a straightforward travel-data app

aloSIM is a simple eSIM store-style app focused on prepaid travel data, marketed as a way to avoid roaming charges.[^9]

What I liked when testing it

  • Clear “buy → install → activate” flow
  • Easy to understand what you’re getting: prepaid data, no contracts

Pros

  • aloSIM markets prepaid travel data in 200+ countries.[^10]
  • Good for financially conscious travelers who want predictable prepaid spend
  • In-app tracking/top-ups are part of the core pitch (useful for staying on budget)[^9]

Cons

  • As with others, your real-world experience depends on destination partner networks
  • If you need “traditional” calling/texting, you’ll likely rely on your main SIM or internet calling apps

Trends that matter right now (so you don’t buy the wrong thing)

  • Roaming is still big money, which is why pay‑per‑use pricing can be so punishing. One telecom market forecast projects global wholesale roaming revenue growing from $9B (2024) to $20B (2028).[^11]
  • eSIM adoption is accelerating. GSMA forecasts global eSIM adoption reaching 55% of mobile connections by 2030, and 88% in the U.S. by 2030.[^12]
  • More providers are pushing app-first travel connectivity, including plans framed as “global” and subscription-like offerings (handy if you travel frequently).[^13]

Conclusion

If you’re the kind of person who watches spending closely, eSIM apps are basically a cheat code: you prepay, control your data line, and keep roaming “accidents” from ever landing on your bill. Pick the app style that matches you—maximum choice (Airalo), minimal caps (Holafly), clean prepaid value (Nomad), top‑up convenience (Ubigi), or straightforward travel data (aloSIM)—and you’ll travel with far fewer nasty surprises.

References

[^1]: Verizon — “International Plans: Pay As You Go” (pay‑as‑you‑go data rate listed as $2.05/MB). https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/pay-as-you-go/
[^2]: AT&T — “International (PPU): Pay As You Go Call, Text & Data Rates” (pay‑per‑use data rates incl. $2.05/MB on land/cruise and $10.24/MB on airlines). https://www.att.com/international/pay-per-use-rates/
[^3]: Airalo — “Buy eSIMs for international travel” (200+ locations; local/regional/global). https://www.airalo.com/en
[^4]: Holafly Help Center — “Does Holafly Offer eSIMs with Unlimited Data?” (unlimited plans, FUP/speed reduction notes; updated Jan 26, 2026). https://esim.holafly.com/faq/about-esims/are-there-esims-with-unlimited-data/
[^5]: Apple App Store — “Holafly eSIM: Unlimited Data” (coverage claims, app features). https://apps.apple.com/us/app/holafly-esim-unlimited-data/id1629600786
[^6]: Nomad Help Center — “Which countries is the app available in?” (app availability counts). https://www.getnomad.app/help-center/en/articles/9886382-which-countries-is-the-app-available-in
[^7]: Nomad — Homepage (200+ destinations; plan browsing). https://www.getnomad.app/
[^8]: Apple App Store — “Ubigi: Travel eSIM & data plan” (200+ destinations; top‑up; setup). https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ubigi-travel-esim-data-plan/id1375857674
[^9]: Apple App Store — “aloSIM: 5G Prepaid Travel eSIM” (positioning and app features). https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alosim-5g-prepaid-travel-esim/id1535815057
[^10]: aloSIM — “What is an eSIM?” (definition + 200+ countries claim). https://alosim.com/what-is-an-esim/
[^11]: Juniper Research (via GlobeNewswire) — “Global wholesale roaming revenue to double by 2028” ($9B in 2024 to $20B by 2028). https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/01/14/3009012/0/en/Juniper-Research-Finds-Global-Wholesale-Roaming-Revenue-to-Double-by-2028.html
[^12]: GSMA — “eSIM-Only has arrived…” (adoption chart: global 55% and U.S. 88% by 2030). https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/industry-services/gsma_resources/esim-only-has-arrived-what-operators-do-next-will-define-their-future/
[^13]: TechRadar Pro — “Holafly debuts its… Global Data plan…” (example of subscription/global-plan trend). https://www.techradar.com/pro/phone-communications/holafly-debuts-its-one-of-a-kind-esim-global-data-plan-that-comes-with-a-phone-number