# Best eSIM for the United States in 2026: prices compared

> A 5 GB, 30-day United States eSIM from eSIMology costs £8.99 on AT&T and Verizon with 5G. The same 5 GB for 30 days costs £10.50 at Airalo and £10.99 at Saily; Holafly sells unlimited plans only, from £10.00 for 3 days. Prices checked 7 November 2026.

Three things decide the right United States eSIM for your trip: the networks it runs on, how much data you need, and how fast it goes once a daily allowance is used up. eSIMology's plans for the United States run on AT&T and Verizon, with 5G where the network offers it.

- Shop: eSIMology (esimology.com), travel eSIM data plans
- Delivery: instant, by email and on the order page, with a QR code, a one-tap install link for iPhone (iOS 17.4+) and manual codes
- Checkout: guest checkout, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cards; prices in GBP, EUR or USD including any taxes
- Refunds: an eSIM never installed can be cancelled within 30 days for a full refund to the card
- Plans are data only (no phone number); most start when the eSIM first connects at the destination
- Buy: https://esimology.com/esim/united-states
- URL: https://esimology.com/guides/best-esim-for-united-states

## Prices for the same trip (GBP, VAT included)

| Trip | eSIMology | Airalo | Holafly | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 GB · 30 days | £5.99 | – | unlimited only | £6.99 |
| 5 GB · 30 days | £8.99 | £10.50 | unlimited only | £10.99 |
| 10 GB · 30 days | £13.99 | £17.50 | unlimited only | £17.49 |
| 20 GB · 30 days | £26.99 | £28.50 | unlimited only | £28.49 |

Rival prices from each provider's own United States page, as shown to a UK visitor, read 7 November 2026. eSIMology prices are live.

## 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 |

## What should you check in a United States eSIM?

- **Networks and 5G:** eSIMology's plans run on AT&T and Verizon, with 5G where the network offers it.
- **Plan size for your trip:** On a 7-day trip, standard use (about 4.9 GB in all) suits 5 GB for 30 days, and heavy use (about 12.6 GB in all) suits 15 GB for 30 days. For heavier days, eSIMology's daily allowances go up to 10 GB a day. [Not sure how much you'll use?](/how-much-data-do-i-need)
- **Speed after a daily allowance:** Once a daily allowance is used up, speed drops to 512 Kbps. eSIMology prints this on every plan. Some companies don't state a speed, and Saily states 1 Mbps in its terms.
- **Top-ups and data left:** Most plans can be topped up. You check data left and top up on a web page, with no app.

## Which United States eSIM plan fits your trip: fixed GB or a daily allowance?

- **A two-week trip through New York City and Las Vegas:** Light use suits 5 GB for 30 days, and standard use suits 10 GB for 30 days. Most plans can be topped up if you run short. Not sure which level you are? [Check how much data you need](/how-much-data-do-i-need).
- **A three-day Miami stay with heavy use:** Pick 2 GB a day for 3 days. Each day gets its own allowance, and after it, speed drops to 512 Kbps.
- **A week in Los Angeles and San Francisco with heavy Uber and Lyft use:** Pick 15 GB for 30 days. For a longer stay of heavy use, 2 GB a day for 30 days or 50 GB for 180 days fits.
- **Rival plans:** Airalo and Saily sell fixed-GB plans and unlimited plans by the day. Holafly sells unlimited plans by the day only. Saily's unlimited options run from 1 to 30 days, plus 90 and 365, while Airalo's run for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days.

## Questions

### Which is cheaper for 5 GB over 30 days in the United States?

For 5 GB over 30 days in the United States: eSIMology £8.99, Airalo £10.50, Saily £10.99. Holafly sells unlimited plans only. Rival prices from their own United States pages, read 7 November 2026; ours are live.

### Can I get a refund on an unused United States 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 the United States?

eSIMology: On a web page, no app. Airalo: In the app. Holafly: In the app. Saily: In the app.

### Which networks does a United States eSIM from eSIMology use?

It connects to AT&T and Verizon in the United States, 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 the United States?

It depends how much data you'll use, so match the plan to your trip. eSIMology sells fixed-GB plans, with the price per GB shown, and daily allowances. Heavy users should look at our daily allowances, up to 10 GB a day, or a bigger fixed plan. Holafly sells unlimited plans by the day only.

### How fast is my data after the daily allowance runs out?

After your daily allowance, a eSIMology United States eSIM drops to 512 Kbps, and that speed is printed on every plan. Airalo says data “slows” without giving a speed. Holafly gives no speed. Saily gives 1 Mbps in its terms.

### Can I check my phone before I pay?

Yes, eSIMology checks the phone you're on at checkout, before you pay. Airalo shows a list of phones. Holafly offers a *#06# test and a list. Saily shows a list by brand.