eSIM vs physical SIM vs pocket Wi-Fi
A travel eSIM is the easiest choice: you buy it online, install it in minutes and land connected. No shop queues, no SIM swaps, no extra gadget to carry, charge or return.
Travel eSIM
You buy online, the eSIM arrives by email in seconds, and you install it at home. Your home SIM stays in your phone, so you keep your number for texts and calls. Nothing to collect, nothing to post back.
Best for: almost every traveller with an eSIM phone.
Local physical SIM
You buy it after you land, usually at an airport desk or a phone shop. That means queues, opening hours, a passport check in many countries and a tiny tray to open. You also have to take out your home SIM and keep it safe.
Best for: phones without eSIM.
Pocket Wi-Fi
A small router you rent or buy, then carry, charge every day and often return. It can share data with several devices at once, but if the person holding it walks off, everyone loses signal.
Best for: large groups who stay together all day.
Side by side
| Travel eSIM | Local SIM | Pocket Wi-Fi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready when you land | Yes | After the shop | After collection |
| Keep your home number | Yes | Swap needed | Yes |
| Extra device to carry | No | No | Yes |
| Share data | Hotspot | Hotspot | Built in |
Our pick
For most trips, the eSIM wins on speed and ease. Need to share with a partner or the kids? Turn on your phone's hotspot. Check your phone supports eSIM, then choose your plan, for example for Japan.
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming with my home network?
Often, yes. A travel eSIM is a fixed price for a set amount of data, so you know your cost before you go.
Can I share eSIM data like a pocket Wi-Fi?
Yes. Turn on your phone's hotspot and other devices can join, where the phone and network allow it.
