Best eSIM for Digital Nomads
Working remotely while travelling has specific connectivity needs: reliable data for video calls, hotspot capability for your laptop, and plans that last longer than a typical holiday. Here's what to look for and which eSIM providers cater to the digital nomad lifestyle.
What digital nomads need from an eSIM
Reliable data for video calls
Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime use roughly 1.5 GB per hour for video calls. If you have 2–3 hours of calls per day, that's 3–4.5 GB daily on calls alone. You need a plan with enough headroom, and the network needs to be stable enough for real-time video.
Hotspot and tethering
Most remote workers need to connect a laptop to the internet. Not all eSIM plans allow hotspot/tethering — some providers restrict it, especially on unlimited plans. This is a dealbreaker for anyone who needs to work from a laptop.
Longer durations
Holiday eSIM plans typically last 7–14 days. Nomads need 30, 60, or 90-day plans to avoid constantly buying and installing new eSIMs.
Multi-country coverage
If you're hopping between countries (e.g., a month in Portugal, then Spain, then Italy), a regional plan that works across borders saves you from buying separate plans at each stop.
How to estimate your data needs
Remote work is data-heavy compared to casual travel use. Here's a rough daily breakdown:
- Video calls (2 hrs): 3 GB
- Email and messaging: 100 MB
- Web browsing and research: 500 MB
- Social media: 300 MB
- Maps and transport apps: 100 MB
Total: ~4 GB per day, or roughly 28 GB per week.
That said, you'll likely use Wi-Fi for most heavy work (co-working spaces, cafés, accommodation). Mobile data is your backup and your on-the-go connection. In practice, 10–20 GB per month is enough for most nomads who have regular Wi-Fi access.
Use our data calculator for a personalised estimate based on your actual habits.
Best eSIM options for nomads
CocoRoam
We offer regional plans covering Europe (30+ countries) and Asia with durations up to 90 days. All plans support hotspot and tethering at no extra cost, with the same 4G/5G speeds locals get.
Best for: Nomads who want guaranteed hotspot support and flexible multi-country plans sized to actual usage.
Airalo
Airalo offers local and regional plans in 200+ countries. They have a wide selection and competitive pricing on smaller bundles. Some destinations offer unlimited plans, though hotspot support varies.
Best for: Nomads in niche destinations where other providers lack coverage.
Holafly
Holafly's unlimited plans are appealing for heavy data users. Plans are sold by duration, so you don't need to worry about running out. Hotspot support varies by plan and destination.
Best for: Heavy users who prioritise unlimited data over hotspot capability.
Nomad eSIM
Nomad offers both capped and unlimited plans. Their unlimited plans cap high-speed data at 1 GB/day before dropping to 512 kbps. Decent option for light users but the daily cap can be limiting for remote work.
Best for: Budget-conscious nomads with light data needs.
Tips for digital nomads using eSIMs
Have a backup plan
Don't rely solely on mobile data for critical work calls. Always know where the nearest café or co-working space with good Wi-Fi is. Use mobile data as your reliable backup.
Test before you commit
Install and activate your eSIM before an important work day. Make a test video call to check quality and stability. Some networks perform better than others depending on your location.
Download what you can on Wi-Fi
Large file downloads, software updates, and cloud syncs should happen on Wi-Fi. Set your laptop and phone to only sync on Wi-Fi to avoid burning through mobile data.
Consider two eSIMs
Some phones support multiple eSIM profiles. Having a backup eSIM from a different provider gives you a fallback if one network has issues in your area.
Check the co-working scene
In popular nomad hubs (Lisbon, Chiang Mai, Bali, Mexico City, MedellÃn), co-working spaces with fibre internet are plentiful and cheap. Your eSIM is for everything in between.
The bottom line
For digital nomads, the best eSIM is one that offers hotspot support, enough data for video calls, and multi-country coverage. Match the plan to your actual usage rather than over-buying on unlimited.
Browse our plans or estimate your needs with our data calculator.
