Best eSIM for China in 2026: prices compared
A 5 GB, 30-day China eSIM from eSIMology costs £6.99 on China Mobile and China Telecom with 5G. The same 5 GB for 30 days costs £12.00 at Airalo and £12.49 at Saily; Holafly sells unlimited plans only, from £10.00 for 3 days. Prices checked 7 November 2026.
The right China eSIM comes down to four things: which networks it uses, whether it has 5G, how much data you need, and how fast it runs once a daily allowance is used up. eSIMology's plans run on China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom.
China eSIM prices compared
| Trip | eSIMology | Airalo | Holafly | Saily | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 GB · 30 days | £4.99 | – | Unlimited only | £8.49 | Buy |
| 5 GB · 30 days | £6.99 | £12.00 | Unlimited only | £12.49 | Buy |
| 10 GB · 30 days | £13.99 | £20.50 | Unlimited only | £20.99 | Buy |
| 20 GB · 30 days | £23.99 | £31.00 | Unlimited only | £30.99 | Buy |
Rival prices from each provider's own China page, as shown to a UK visitor (GBP, VAT included), read 7 November 2026. Our prices are live; pay in pounds, euros or dollars.
What you get from each
| What you get | eSIMology | Airalo | Holafly | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy without an account | Yes: guest checkout, no app | Account needed before checkout | Yes: guest checkout | App sign-in needed to install |
| Refunds on unused eSIMs | Full refund to your card within 30 days | In the app as Airmoney credit; card refunds by request | Full if not activated, within 6 months; $3.50 fee on partial refunds | Full within 30 days if not installed |
| Speed after a daily cap | Printed on every plan | “Slows”, no speed given | No speed given | 1 Mbps, in its terms |
| Fixed-GB data plans | Yes, with the price per GB | Yes | No: unlimited by the day only | Yes |
| Data left and top-up | On a web page, no app | In the app | In the app | In the app |
| Phone check before paying | Checks the phone you're on at checkout | A list of phones | *#06# test and a list | A list by brand |
| Install | One tap on iPhone, QR code or codes, by email | In the app, QR code or codes | One tap in the app, QR code or codes | App-guided |
| Currencies | GBP, EUR, USD | 16 currencies, often charged in USD | USD and EUR in the app | GBP, USD, EUR, CHF |
From each provider's own public pages. Full comparison
What makes a good China eSIM?
- Networks and 5G: Your eSIM uses the networks named above, with 5G where the network offers it.
- Plan size for your trip: Match the data to your days. For a typical week, light use (about 1.8 GB in all) suits 2 GB for 15 days, standard use (about 4.9 GB in all) suits 5 GB for 30 days, and heavy use (about 12.6 GB in all) suits 2 GB a day for 7 days. Heavy users can choose a daily allowance up to 10 GB a day.
- Speed after your daily allowance: When you use up a daily allowance, your speed drops to 384 Kbps. Every plan prints this figure.
- Where your data goes and top-ups: Your data reaches the internet through Hong Kong. Most plans can be topped up, and you check data left and top up on a web page, with no app to install.
Which China eSIM fits your trip: fixed GB, a daily allowance or unlimited?
- A week in Beijing and Shanghai: Standard use over seven days comes to about 4.9 GB. For that, eSIMology's plan is 5 GB for 30 days, and the 30-day validity leaves room if the trip runs longer. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X (Twitter) are blocked, so plan around WeChat and DiDi.
- A three-day break in Chengdu or Xi'an: Light use over three days is about 0.8 GB. For that, eSIMology's plan is 1 GB for 7 days, a small bundle for a short visit.
- Heavy use, with DiDi rides and WeChat every day: For seven days of heavy use, eSIMology suggests 2 GB a day for 7 days. Daily allowances suit heavy users, and most plans can be topped up if you run short.
- Other providers: Airalo and Saily sell fixed-GB plans and unlimited plans by the day, while Holafly sells unlimited plans by the day only. Its plans run for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days.
China eSIM prices: questions
Which is cheaper for 5 GB over 30 days in China?
For 5 GB over 30 days in China: eSIMology £6.99, Airalo £12.00, Saily £12.49. Holafly sells unlimited plans only. Rival prices from their own China pages, read 7 November 2026; ours are live.
Can I get a refund on an unused China eSIM?
eSIMology: Full refund to your card within 30 days. Airalo: In the app as Airmoney credit; card refunds by request. Holafly: Full if not activated, within 6 months; $3.50 fee on partial refunds. Saily: Full within 30 days if not installed.
Do I need an app to check my data in China?
eSIMology: On a web page, no app. Airalo: In the app. Holafly: In the app. Saily: In the app.
Which networks does a China eSIM from eSIMology use?
It connects to China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom in China, with 5G where the network has it. Your phone picks the strongest signal by itself.
Is an unlimited or a fixed-GB eSIM better for China?
It depends on how you use data, so the right choice varies. Fixed-GB plans suit a set amount of data, and eSIMology prints the price per GB on each one. Heavy users should look at eSIMology's daily allowances and bigger fixed plans. Airalo and Saily sell both kinds, while Holafly sells unlimited plans by the day only.
What speed do I get after my daily data runs out?
On eSIMology, the speed after the daily allowance is printed on every plan, and for China it is 384 Kbps. Saily's terms state 1 Mbps. Airalo says its speed slows, without giving a figure, and Holafly gives no speed.
How do I know my phone works with a China eSIM?
eSIMology checks the phone you are on at checkout, so you find out before you pay. Airalo and Holafly give a list of phones, and Holafly also offers a *#06# test. Saily gives a list by brand.
Get your China eSIM
From £3.99 / €3.99 / $4.99. Delivered by email in seconds, installed in two minutes, and refunded in full if you never install it.