A prepaid eSIM is the cheapest and easiest way to get high-speed mobile data while visiting the United States. There are a few different plans designed specifically for visitors, so I’ve compared the most popular options to help you find the best prepaid eSIM data plans in the United States.
A quick note about prepaid data plans in the US
Many visitors to the United States are frustrated by the high costs and lack of prepaid data plans, especially since they are readily available in the rest of the world. So what’s the reason? There are several reasons:
- Most Americans use multi-year phone contacts: It’s common for most Americans to have multi-year phone contracts, so there aren’t many prepaid options.
- You may need a US credit card: Many carriers require a US credit card to purchase monthly plans. You can sometimes get around this problem by purchasing a prepaid VISA debit card at a grocery store and then using that card to sign up for service. Again, it’s a hassle.
- US carriers are slow to adopt eSIM plans: eSIMs make switching carriers easier, which carriers don’t like. I personally had to go through a lot of hoops with tech support to transfer my plan to an eSIM for my iPhone.
In short, don’t expect to find a prepaid data plan easily once you arrive in the US. That’s why I highly recommend purchasing a data plan before you arrive in the US if you don’t want to deal with the hassle.
Payment Simulation Options (Both physical SIM cards and eSIM plans) or HolaFly (eSIM only) for a few different options.
Best Prepaid eSIM Data Plans for the US
Let’s take a look at the best eSIM data plan options in the USA that I’ve found. Each eSIM plan I’ve listed in this guide will be slightly different, so take some time to look at the specifics. But here are the most important things to consider:
- Data allowance: Most plans give you a set amount of mobile data (i.e. 5GB, 10GB, 30GB, etc.), but other plans give you unlimited data over a set period of time (5 days, 15 days, 30 days, etc.).
- Plan length: eSIM data plans can be valid for anywhere from about 5 days to 90 days. It depends on your plan, so this is something to consider when choosing a plan.
- Mobile hotspot tethering: Most eSIM plans don’t let you use your phone as a mobile hotspot.
- Voice calls and SMS: Most eSIM plans are data-only, meaning the plan doesn’t include voice calls or SMS. This isn’t a big deal since you won’t be calling people anyway.
- Note: You can still use iMessage to send texts between Apple iPhones, but you can’t send messages between iPhones and Android phones. Or you can download WhatsApp to send messages over data (which most countries in the world already do).
Holafly Unlimited Data USA Prepaid eSIM Data Plan
HolaFly It’s a Spanish-based startup that offers multiple, affordable eSIM data plans – including a US plan. I’ve personally used Holafly and found it to work surprisingly well (read Holafly eSIM Review (To learn more).
Unlike other eSIM providers, Holafly gives you unlimited data (although they will throttle your data if you use it up). exaggerated Their plans range from 5 to 90 days. Holafly also connects to AT&T and T-Mobile, two of the largest mobile carriers in the United States.
In short, if you don’t want to worry about monitoring your data usage while traveling, HolaFly It is an excellent choice.
Holafly USA eSIM Plan Specifications:
- Unlimited Data Rates (Check) HolaFly For details)
- 5 days: $19
- 10 days: $34
- 15 days: $47
- 20 days: $54
- 30 days: $64
- 60 days: $84
- 90 days: $99
- Service speed: 4G/LTE
- Calls: no one
- Texts/SMS: no one
- Link: no
Three US eSIM cards valid for 30 days
the Three tickets for 30 days There’s another great eSIM plan that’s hard to beat in terms of price and data allowance. This data plan gives you 20GB of data for $35 and is valid for a month.
30 Day eSIM Plan Specifications:
- price: $35
- Data: 20 GB
- Includes texts or calls?: no
- Credit is valid for: 30 days
eSIM Card for Smart Traveler in the United States
The Smart Traveler eSIM is a cheap option for short trips as this plan is only valid for 10 days. If you are visiting the country for longer than 10 days, it makes sense to choose HolaFly or Three tickets for 30 days.
Smart Traveler eSIM Plan Specifications:
- price: $18
- Data: 6 GB
- Includes texts or calls?: no
- Credit is valid for: 10 days
Major Mobile Carriers in the United States
Below is a list of the largest mobile carriers in the United States. You’ll find it difficult (and sometimes impossible) to find any information about eSIM on their websites. In most cases, the only way to get an eSIM from them is to sign a long-term contract and have their customer service transfer the eSIM plan to your phone. T-Mobile This seems like your best bet if you want to go this route.
- Verizon Wireless: https://www.verizon.com/
- AT&T Mobility: https://www.att.com/wireless/
- T-Mobile USA: https://www.t-mobile.com/
- US Cellular: https://www.uscellular.com/
- TracFone Wireless (includes brands such as Straight Talk, NET10 Wireless, and Total Wireless): https://www.tracfone.com/
- Metro by T-Mobile: https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/
If you want to learn more about data plans using physical SIM cards in the US, visit my guide Best SIM Card Data Plans for Traveling to the USA.
Additional US Travel Tips from The Savvy Backpacker
I’ve written mostly about traveling to New York City, so here are some helpful articles for visiting New York City (and beyond):
James Vess is the founder of The Savvy Backpacker and author of The Savvy Backpacker’s Guide to Europe on a Budget. He has been blogging about budget travel in Europe since 2010.
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