Best eSIM for United Kingdom: compare and travel (2025)

With 128.4 million arrivals in the UK by 2024, it remains a top travel destination. Whether you're sightseeing in London or exploring the countryside, having a strong internet connection is important. eSIMs provide instant activation and high-speed data, making it easier to stay online while traveling.

Among the best eSIM providers for the UK, Holafly, Truphone, and Ubigi stand out for their unique offerings. Holafly is the top choice for travelers who need unlimited data, with plans starting at $20.90 for 5 days and extending up to 90 days. Truphone provides more budget-friendly options with plans like 12GB for $17. However, it requires an app for activation and lacks flexibility in plan durations. Ubigi is most affordable for short-term use. For its unlimited data, reliable coverage, and easy activation process, Holafly remains the best option.

This article compares leading eSIM providers in the UK. It also explains network coverage across the UK, highlights device compatibility requirements, and explores alternatives such as local SIM cards from major carriers like Vodafone, O2, and EE. 

Does eSIM work in the United Kingdom?

Currently, within the UK, local operators allow the use of virtual SIM cards as long as you have a compatible phone. Being a tourist, buying this service locally can be demanding, so we recommend using virtual stores to get an digital SIM card. 

View in the streets of the United Kingdom. Source: Pexels

Many international providers facilitate the purchase of virtual SIM cards for tourists. Do not worry about the quality of the service because even when purchased online, they use the networks of the operators in the UK to work. Some of the most critical operators in the country are Vodafone, O2, and Three. If the online store offers you coverage from any of these, you will be assured of service during your adventure.

eSIM United Kingdom card need-to-know information:

As virtual SIM cards are completely unseeable, they are still new technology, which is why some cellular devices are not yet compatible with them, but so that you don’t have any problems when you travel to the UK. Here is a list of things you should have in mind before buying an eSIM card.

• First, make sure that your cellphone is compatible with eSIMs. In addition, also check with the operator or provider with which you will connect on your journey.
• You must have an email address in order to register and receive your digital SIM card.
• To activate your eSIM, you must have an internet connection, as your profile is downloaded from the carrier’s servers. For this reason, we recommend you do it before your trip or if you are in the UK from a secure network.
• Some providers will require you to install their App to download the eSIM.

If your smartphone does not support this type of SIM cards, we recommend purchasing a traditional physical SIM card.

(You may be interested in Best eSIM for Europe)

Mobile eSIM card providers for travel to the UK

It is crucial that you are aware of the virtual SIM card providers for the UK, so we have created a shortlist of the main companies offering this service to the country. Please note that these companies sell international eSIM cards primarily for use in business or leisure travel.

• Holafly
• Truphone
• Ubigi

Rates and data plans from eSIM providers for travel to UK

Now that you know the providers, the next step is to find out about their plans and prices. Here is a list with information about each provider, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.  If you travel to different EU countries, we recommend you bring a prepaid eSIM for Europe.

Keep in mind that the difference in prices can be due to several reasons, such as roaming agreements with each company and their coverage, so remember that sometimes a very cheap virtual SIM card may not cover all the destinations you will visit.

Holalfy

This store has positioned itself more and more as one of the leading solutions for tourists. They have a virtual SIM card for the UK that you can buy for days of service that fits your visit. You will find options from 5 to 90 days plan. They offer unlimited data on all alternatives with costs between $21 and $140, depending on the duration. 

The website and the purchase process are very user-friendly and allow any type of customer to purchase an eSIM easily. In case of a question, you can use their 24/7 multilingual customer service, which will help you with your problem. They have several payment methods, such as credit and debit cards, PayPay, G Pay, and Apple Pay.

Pros Holafly

• Easy purchase and installation process
• Coverage with Vodafone UK, one of the best phone companies in the country.
• Unlimited data accounts
• Keep your WhatsApp number on your cellphone.
• You’ll have 24/7 customer service from Holafly’s support team
• You can easily buy a top-up to extend your service with Holafly.
• You can use Holafly’s mobile App to manage your eSIM on your iPhone.

Cons Holafly

• Does not include a local number in the United Kingdom, only data to use as you prefer
• You cannot share data with other devices.
• You must have a phone compatible with the technology.

Truphone

This is a UK-based company that sells this type of SIMs to more than 114 countries around the world. They have an app for Android and Apple that you can use to purchase their services. Additionally, they have options for iPad and Apple Watch in case you need connectivity on those devices as well. 

For the UK, they have eight data plans for their virtual SIM card, two of which are one-day plans with 100MB or 1GB of browsing. There are also thirty-day options from 3GB and up to 100GB of browsing. Costs range from $5 for the one-day option to $60 for the 100GB option.

Pros of Truphone

• App in Android and Apple
• Coverage in more than 130 countries.
• You can use the Truphone eSIM on iPad and Apple Watch.

Cons of Truphone

• Only offers plans with a duration of 30 days and one day only, with limited flexibility.
• You can not purchase through their website, only through their APP, and you need to register.
• The app is not available in many countries in the world.

Ubigi

Another remote option to buy a digital SIM card for the UK is Ubigi. This store has an app on Android and Apple as well. They offer service to many destinations worldwide and even some regional solutions with coverage in multiple countries. You can see all the information about their plans on their website.

Their virtual SIM card for the United Kingdom has two monthly options. The first one of 3GB of browsing for 7$ and a second one of 10GB of browsing for 8$. In both options, you only have data and no local calls or messages. Among the payment methods are international credit cards.

Pros of Ubigi

• High-speed 4G and LTE networks.
• No need for a contract.
• Fast refill.

Cons of Ubigi

• They only offer data plans for one month.
• Not compatible with many phones.
• Users have to pay monthly for the use of the app.

Comparison of eSIM providers UK

Table 1. Comparison of eSIM providers for connecting to the Internet in the UK.

Features of eSIMs for Travel to the United Kingdom

Visiting the UK is one of the best experiences you will ever have in your life, and what better way to keep this wonderful memory forever than with your phone? Nowadays, we can do this without any problem thanks to technological advances, and to make the most of your service, here are the main features of these virtual cards.

• For the most part, these cards for travelers do not offer analog calls, only data. If you plan to communicate by voice, you can do it with Apps like Skype or WhatsApp.
• Do not remove your digital SIM card if it ever has problems, as eSIMs can only be installed once, so if there are any problems, it is recommended that you contact your eSIM provider. Do not remove it from your device.
• With eSIM technology, you can add multiple data plans to your phone, depending on available memory. Although you can only use one at a time, the advantage is that you don’t have to change your cellphone number every time you travel.
• You will have Unlimited data.
• Some eSIMs set up the APN automatically.
• The eSIM will return to your dual SIM phone, so you can keep your local SIM when you travel to the UK.

(You may be interested in Best eSIM for the USA)

Mobile Internet coverage map for travel to the UK

Before deciding on the perfect virtual SIM card for you, remember to check the coverage of each provider in the UK carefully, as depending on the plan and price, it may not provide sufficient coverage. Always keep in mind the coverage maps of the major national carriers. These are the companies with which eSIM providers have the most roaming agreements. 

• Vodafone
• O2
• EE

Vodafone UK 4G coverage map

Vodafone coverage map in the UK. Source: GSMA

O2 UK 4G coverage map

Map of O2 coverage in the UK. Source: GSMA

Map of EE’s 4G coverage in the UK

Map of EE coverage in the UK. Source: GSMA

Local phone carriers offering eSIM in the United Kingdom

For UK residents wishing to switch from a traditional physical SIM to an eSIM, three telecom companies offer this service, but remember that before making the switch, you must meet the above requirements and some extra requirements that may be requested by each provider.

• Vodafone
• O2
• EE

Frequently asked questions about eSIM United Kingdom

We hope you have found this article useful and that you will be able to buy the best digital SIM card for yourself. If you still have questions or want to know more about virtual SIM cards, here are some frequently asked questions that people who buy an eSIM in the UK often have.

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