Best Yesim Alternatives 2026: Cheaper eSIMs with Better Support

Yesim has built a solid reputation as a Swiss-based eSIM provider with coverage in 200+ countries, a free VPN feature, and virtual phone numbers. For many travelers, it works well. But Yesim isn't without issues — and depending on your needs, there are better alternatives available.

Whether you've experienced Yesim's limitations firsthand or you're comparing options before buying, this guide covers the best Yesim alternatives in 2025 — including which provider beats Yesim on price, coverage, support, and reliability.

Why Travelers Look for Yesim Alternatives

Yesim holds a 4.3/5 rating on Trustpilot from 2,400+ reviews — decent, but lower than top competitors. Common complaints include:

• Slow customer support: Live chat isn't available 24/7, and response times can stretch to 24+ hours when you need help urgently
• Unlimited plan throttling: Users report speed throttling after 70GB on "unlimited" plans — not truly unlimited
• Android signal issues: Multiple reports of Android eSIMs having no signal or connection problems that require reinstalling
• Auto-activation on purchase: Plans activate immediately after buying — no option to delay until you arrive at your destination
• Reconnection problems: Users traveling through remote areas (Patagonia, rural regions) report issues reconnecting to networks
• Mixed connection quality: Some users experience fast, stable connections while others report slow speeds and frequent drops
• Refund delays: While Yesim offers refunds, processing can take up to 30 days
• VPN speed impact: The included VPN uses IPsec protocol, which can slow down your connection

Yesim works for many travelers, but if you've hit these limitations — or want a provider with better support and more consistent performance — here are the top alternatives.

Best Yesim Alternatives Compared

1. Simbye — Best Overall Yesim Alternative

Coverage: 190+ countries
Starting price: Free 100MB trial, paid plans from ~$3
Best for: Travelers who want lower prices, reliable connections, and support that actually responds

Simbye consistently beats Yesim on the fundamentals that matter most: price, support response time, and connection reliability. Where Yesim has gaps, Simbye delivers.

Why Choose Simbye Over Yesim

• Significantly cheaper: Direct price comparisons show Simbye undercutting Yesim across most destinations — often by 20-40%
• 24/7 human support: 15 support agents across 12 languages via WhatsApp, Telegram, and live chat. No waiting 24+ hours for responses.
• Free 100MB trial: Test the service completely free before committing — Yesim doesn't offer this
• No auto-activation: Install your eSIM at home, activate when you land — you control the timing
• Premium network partners: Local carrier partnerships (like NTT docomo in Japan) for reliable indoor and outdoor coverage
• Flexible top-ups: Add data anytime without buying a new eSIM
• Hotspot included: Share your connection with laptops and tablets
• Instant QR delivery: Get your eSIM immediately after purchase
• Better Android compatibility: Fewer reported signal issues than Yesim

What Yesim Does Better

• Built-in VPN: Free VPN included with plans (though it can slow speeds)
• Virtual phone numbers: Available for some countries at extra cost — Simbye doesn't offer this
• Pay-as-you-go global plan: Data that doesn't expire — useful for infrequent travelers

The Verdict

Unless you specifically need Yesim's VPN or virtual phone numbers, Simbye is the better choice: cheaper, faster support, more reliable connections, and a free trial to test before buying.

→ Try Simbye free (100MB trial, no credit card)

2. Holafly — Best for True Unlimited Data

Coverage: 200+ destinations
Starting price: ~$6/day
Best for: Heavy data users frustrated by Yesim's throttling

If Yesim's "unlimited" plan throttling after 70GB bothers you, Holafly offers genuinely unlimited data without the same aggressive speed limits.

Holafly vs. Yesim

• True unlimited data: Higher fair-use thresholds than Yesim before any throttling kicks in
• No auto-activation trap: Better control over when your plan starts
• Regional plans: One eSIM covers multiple countries — great for Europe or Asia trips
• Higher Trustpilot rating: 4.5/5 from 70,000+ reviews vs. Yesim's 4.3/5
• 24/7 support: Faster response times than Yesim

Holafly Limitations

• More expensive: Unlimited comes at a premium — often 2x capped plans
• No VPN feature: Unlike Yesim, no built-in VPN
• No virtual phone numbers: Data-only like most competitors
• Overkill for light users: If you only need 2-3GB, you're overpaying

The Verdict

If you stream, video call, or work remotely and need genuinely unlimited data without worrying about throttling, Holafly beats Yesim. For lighter users, Simbye offers better value.

3. Saily — Best for Security-Focused Travelers

Coverage: 150+ countries
Starting price: ~$1.99
Best for: Privacy-conscious travelers who want better security than Yesim's VPN

Both Yesim and Saily include VPN-like features, but Saily's come from NordVPN's parent company — the industry leader in VPN security.

Saily vs. Yesim

• Superior security tools: Ad blocker, web protection, virtual location — all from NordVPN's expertise
• Lower prices: Often cheaper than Yesim for equivalent data
• Better app experience: Cleaner, more intuitive interface
• Stronger Trustpilot rating: 4.6/5 vs. Yesim's 4.3/5

Saily Limitations

• Fewer countries: 150+ vs. Yesim's 200+
• No virtual phone numbers: Unlike Yesim
• App-only installation: Must use the Saily app
• Japan issues reported: Some users report weak signal in Japan

The Verdict

If security is your priority, Saily's NordVPN-backed features beat Yesim's basic VPN. But if you need maximum country coverage or virtual numbers, Yesim or Simbye are better choices.

4. Airalo — Best for Plan Selection

Coverage: 200+ countries
Starting price: ~$4.50
Best for: Travelers who want the widest variety of local plans

Airalo pioneered the travel eSIM market and offers more plan options per destination than almost any competitor, including Yesim.

Airalo vs. Yesim

• More plan options: Greater variety of data amounts and durations per country
• Loyalty program: Earn 5%+ back on purchases — Yesim doesn't offer this
• Larger user base: More reviews and community support

Airalo Limitations

• Support problems: Slow responses, chatbot runaround, refund difficulties reported widely
• Security concerns: Reports of unauthorized charges on Reddit
• No VPN: Unlike Yesim
• Pricing no longer competitive: Often more expensive than Simbye or Nomad

The Verdict

Airalo has selection but worse support than Yesim. Use it only when you need a specific local plan unavailable elsewhere — and pay via Apple/Google Pay for security.

5. Nomad eSIM — Best for Short Trips

Coverage: 190+ countries
Starting price: ~$1.30/GB
Best for: Weekend trips and budget-conscious short-term travelers

For trips under 15 days, Nomad often beats both Yesim and Simbye on price — especially in Asia and Europe.

Nomad vs. Yesim

• Cheaper short-term plans: 7 and 15-day options are highly competitive
• Unlimited options: Available in select countries
• No auto-activation: You control when your plan starts
• No connection fees: The listed price is what you pay

Nomad Limitations

• No top-up option: When your plan expires, you need a new eSIM
• No VPN or extras: Basic connectivity only
• Limited support: No 24/7 live chat
• Variable value: Less competitive for Latin America

The Verdict

For quick trips to Asia or Europe, compare Nomad with Simbye — one usually beats the other depending on destination.

6. Ubigi — Best for Speed

Coverage: 200+ countries
Starting price: Varies by destination
Best for: Remote workers and users who prioritize connection speed

In speed tests, Ubigi consistently outperforms most competitors including Yesim — important if you need reliable video calls or heavy uploads.

Ubigi vs. Yesim

• Faster speeds: Regularly tops speed benchmarks
• More reliable signal: Consistent performance in urban and rural areas
• No VPN speed penalty: Yesim's included VPN can slow connections

Ubigi Limitations

• No VPN feature: Unlike Yesim
• Basic app: Functional but not polished
• No loyalty program: No rewards for repeat purchases

The Verdict

If Yesim's speeds disappoint or the VPN slows you down, Ubigi delivers faster, more consistent performance.

Yesim Alternatives: Quick Recommendations

Based on what matters most to you:

• Best overall value + reliable support: → Simbye
• True unlimited without throttling: → Holafly
• Better security than Yesim's VPN: → Saily
• Widest plan selection: → Airalo
• Cheapest short trips: → Nomad
• Fastest speeds: → Ubigi
• Virtual phone numbers: → Stick with Yesim (unique feature)

What About Yesim's Unique Features?

Yesim offers two features most competitors don't match:

Built-in VPN

Yesim includes a free VPN with plans — useful for privacy on public WiFi. However:

• Uses IPsec protocol, which can slow your connection
• Not as robust as dedicated VPN services like NordVPN or ExpressVPN
• If you're already using a VPN app, Yesim's built-in option is redundant

Better alternative: Use Simbye for cheaper data + your own VPN app for better security.

Virtual Phone Numbers

Yesim sells virtual numbers for receiving SMS and signing up for services — genuinely useful for two-factor authentication abroad. No major competitor offers this.

If you need virtual numbers: Yesim remains your best option, or use a separate service like Google Voice.

Before Switching from Yesim

Check these details before choosing an alternative:

1. Confirm your destination is covered: Don't just check "190+ countries" — verify your specific country
2. Compare actual prices: Check the exact plan you need, not just "starting from" prices
3. Verify activation control: Make sure you can install before your trip and activate on arrival
4. Check support availability: 24/7 live chat matters when you're stuck abroad
5. Read recent reviews: eSIM quality can change — check reviews from the last 3 months
6. Test with a trial: Simbye's free 100MB lets you verify the service works before committing

Final Verdict: Best Yesim Alternative

For most travelers, Simbye is the best Yesim alternative: significantly cheaper, faster 24/7 human support, no auto-activation trap, and more reliable Android compatibility. The free 100MB trial removes all risk.

If you need true unlimited data without Yesim's 70GB throttling, choose Holafly.

If you want better security features than Yesim's basic VPN, choose Saily.

If you specifically need virtual phone numbers, Yesim is still your best bet — but consider using Simbye for data alongside a separate virtual number service.

The eSIM market has better options than Yesim for most use cases. Compare before you buy.

→ Try Simbye free (100MB, no credit card required)