Nomad eSIM Review
Nomad is one of the big names in the travel eSIM world. In our Nomad eSIM review, we put the eSIM through its paces, evaluating its features, pricing, usability, speed and more.
— Last Updated: 2025-04-11T18:55:59+00:00 Facts checked by Igor Kurtz
Key Takeaways: What Is Nomad eSIM & Is It Good to Use?
- Nomad is an international mobile data-only service for eSIM-compatible phone models (unlocked devices). It offers a variety of plans from 1GB to 90GB, with a range of validity periods.
- In addition to standard plans, Nomad sells day plans in some locations. These plans are customizable depending on how much high-speed data you want to use per day.
- Based on our experience, Nomad is a good eSIM provider with a reliable network, though it can take a while to resolve any problems via the customer support live chat.
Top Use Cases for Nomad eSIM
- International prepaid data use: To skirt around roaming charges from your usual carrier, travel eSIM providers like Nomad let you pay for a set amount of data in advance.
- High-speed connectivity: Nomad supports 4G and 5G for compatible devices (though this can fluctuate in remote areas and at peak times), which allows travelers to browse, watch videos and use messaging apps at high speeds.
- Access to broad coverage: Nomad provides data plans for regions in addition to individual countries. This means travelers don’t have to keep switching plans every time they head somewhere new.
If you’re planning a jaunt overseas and your mobile device is eSIM-compatible, using a travel eSIM plan like those Nomad offers may make your life easier. However, the digital eSIM marketplace is vast and ever-growing, which doesn’t help if you’re not sure which provider best caters to your needs. That’s why we’ve put together this Nomad eSIM review.
Nomad is one of the most prominent travel eSIM carriers, and it stands out for its flexible and affordable data plans for both occasional and frequent travelers. The company has garnered largely glowing reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, which inspires confidence, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will suit everyone’s needs. The competition is fierce.
For those who are undecided, we endeavor to clear up any of your burning questions about Nomad eSIM service and give you a glimpse into what it is like to use.
What Is Nomad eSIM & Who Is It For?
Nomad is an eSIM company providing data-only mobile plans for more than 190 countries. Customers can opt for a data plan serving one country (local plans) or a region, and the data is provided by local carriers. Nomad is designed for travelers who want to save money on roaming fees by opting for a prepaid data plan.
- Release date: 2020
- Owner: LotusFlare
- Platforms: Android, iOS
- Devices: Various modern iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and Xiaomi models, and others
- Notable features: Flexible plan options, data-only
- Pricing: Varies by plan
The Cloudwards Expert Opinion
The Cloudwards Expert Opinion
I like Nomad’s easy-to-use app and its flexible pricing, which includes a wide variety of regional plan types and — in many locations — the option to tailor your own custom plan based on how many days of high-speed data you need. On the other hand, customer support, though clearly eager to help, can take a while to find a solution to certain issues.
Nomad eSIM Pros & Cons
How Does Nomad eSIM Work?
eSIM plans, like those Nomad offers, are used in lieu of a physical, local SIM you might buy when traveling abroad. (Learn more about eSIMs in our “What Is an eSIM?” guide.)
Nomad is compatible with phones that support eSIM technology, like most modern Androids and iPhones. It is purchased and managed via an app, compared to traditional SIM cards, which require physical SIM card insertion.
When you buy a Nomad eSIM data plan for a country or region, you get a certain amount of phone data that’s valid for a set period. This varies by plan; learn more about it by checking out the pricing information in this review. You can even buy more than one plan, if you wish, because eSIM-compatible phones have the capacity to manage multiple eSIMs.
| Features |  |
|---|---|
| Payment methods | Credit card, Debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay |
| OS | iOS, Android |
| Device support | Modern iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Huawei, Xiaomi |
| Global | 113 |
| Regional | 36 |
| Country | 190 |
| Ad-blocker | |
| Virtual location | |
| Web protection |
User-Friendliness & Hands-On Testing
Nomad’s app is easy to navigate. When you buy a Nomad plan, you’ll get an initial installation prompt, but you can also choose to install it later. If you skip the initial installation prompt, just go to the “manage” page in the app (for some plans) or scan a QR code to install the plan at a later time.
One potential issue to note with the QR code is that some phone models require a second device to display the code due to a lack of support for camera roll scanning. Manual installation is also an option.
In the “manage” tab, you can see details about your current plans (like how much data you’ve used) and expired plans. To see how many Nomad points you have or to contact support, tap over to the “profile” tab.
Nomad eSIM Android & iOS Version Compatibility
If your Android or iOS phone was manufactured in the last few years, there’s a good chance it supports eSIM. There are exceptions, though, especially in some locations. For example, most iPhones from China and Hong Kong aren’t eSIM-compatible. There are a few ways to check if your phone is eSIM-compatible.
Here are two options:
- iOS: Go to “cellular” in your phone’s settings and look for “add eSIM.” If you see this, you’re good to go to get a Nomad plan.
- Android: Tap “connections” in your phone’s settings. In “SIM card manager,” look for the “add eSIM” option.
That said, if your carrier has locked your device, you won’t be able to add an eSIM plan. Only unlocked phones can use eSIMs.
How to Install Nomad eSIM
We launched the installation on an iPhone from within the Nomad app. According to customer support, some plans allow you to launch installation directly in the app, but not all. Check out “how to use” in the “manage” tab in the app to find out if you can do this on your device. You can also go over the steps for Android on Nomad’s site.
- Go to “Manage”
Once you’ve paid for your plan, go to “manage” in the Nomad app and tap “view details” on your plan.
- Go to “How to Use”
Tap the “how to use” tab on the “plan details” page.
- Tap “Continue”
Make sure you’re connected to the internet and tap “continue.”
- Start Installation
On the next page, read through the instructions, tap “install eSIM now” and follow the prompts. To see what the process looks like in full, scroll down to the guide below.
How to Activate & Use Nomad eSIM
Tapping “install eSIM now” launches installation and activation on your device, but you’ll also need to tweak a few phone settings to make sure you can use your Nomad plan when you get to your destination. Here’s what you’ll see as you go through the process.
- Allow Activation
After launching installation, you’ll see a prompt to activate your new eSIM plan. Tap “allow.” This may be worded differently if you’re on an Android — you may see a prompt like “download” or “add” rather than “allow.”
- Tap “Continue”
On the following page, tap “continue” (or the equivalent prompt on a different device) and wait for activation to finish. It could take a few seconds or minutes.
- Label Your Plan
To help distinguish your primary (usual) mobile plan from your Nomad plan, it’s a good idea to label each plan. In this instance, we used “Nomad.”
- Set Your Cellular Data Line
To use your Nomad data, select your Nomad plan as your cellular data provider. If you haven’t arrived at your destination yet, you can do this later in your phone’s cellular or mobile network settings. Toggling off data switching prevents your phone from switching back to your primary line and racking up roaming charges.
- Check Your Phone Settings
If you want to access your data, go into the “cellular” (iOS) or “mobile network” (Android) settings. Find Nomad and make sure it’s turned on, then turn data roaming on.
- Check the APN
In “cellular data network” (iOS) or “access point names” (Android), check that the APN is set and correct. On the Nomad app’s “how to use” page, scroll down to see the APN and change it in your phone’s settings if need be.
Once you go through all the installation and access steps, your plan should start to work automatically when you get to your destination.
Nomad eSIM Coverage: Countries & Regions
If you need travel coverage in some off-the-beaten-path countries, Nomad eSIM could be a good option for you. It offers coverage for over 200 countries and territories. That’s too many to list in this review, but you can see the full coverage list here.
and territories, as well as regional or global coverage.
We are happy to see Nomad eSIM coverage in less popular travel destinations, with country representation in all continents except Antarctica:
- Africa: 44 locations
- Asia: 43 locations
- Europe: 49 locations
- North America: 36 locations
- Oceania: 12 locations
- South America: 13 locations
Nomad also offers regional coverage, including full regions (ex: Europe, Africa, Middle East, APAC, etc.) and also popular three-country groupings (ex: Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand, Italy-France-Germany, etc.). It also offers a couple of global options, including 106/112 countries and 54/82 countries.
This is about equal coverage as Saily eSIM (over 200 countries) and Holafly eSIM (over 200 countries), all of which offer better representation than what’s on offer with Airalo eSIM (130 countries).
Nomad eSIM Speed
Most Nomad plans support 5G, though there are exceptions. For example, we noticed one of the China plans supports 4G only. You can check this by consulting the “speed” metric on the plan’s “details” page. Moreover, as with all SIMs, location and time may impact speed, such as if you’re in a remote area or are accessing the internet at peak times.
We tested our Nomad eSIM plan in a French city, so we had no problem getting 5G coverage. We were able to stream YouTube videos buffer-free and browse the web without any issues.
Once your plan’s high-speed data runs out, you will have unlimited data but with throttled speeds for the rest of your validity period.
Nomad eSIM Pricing Plans: How Much Does Nomad eSIM Cost?
As is typical with eSIM providers, Nomad offers three plan types: local, regional and global plans covering multiple countries. New customers get a one-day trial eSIM worth 500MB — you can redeem it via the Nomad app for one of 48 destinations.
These tables below show regular pricing examples for some of the locations Nomad covers; you can see the full list of Nomad eSIM plans here.
All prices shown in the tables below are the usual prices. Some plans are frequently on sale (including at the time of writing), so they may be priced differently than what’s shown here. This could change at any time. All Nomad plans are data-only. The only exception is the 50GB plan for Thailand, which also allows for calls.
Sample Local Plans
| Country: | 1GB: 7 Days | 3GB: 30 Days | 5GB: 30 Days | 10GB: 30 Days | 20GB: 30 Days* | 30GB: 30 Days | 50GB: 30 Days* | 90GB: 90 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $4.50 | $9 | $13 | $24 | $35 | N/A | $49 | N/A |
| U.K. | $5/$6* | $8 | $14 | $17 | $30 | N/A | $45 | N/A |
| China | $4/$7* | $7 | $10 | $22 | $30 | $35 | $49* | $90 |
| Turkey | $4.50/$7* | $9 | $15 | $21 | $24 | N/A | $34 | N/A |
| Japan | $6 | $8 | $11 | $22 | $34** | N/A | $57** | N/A |
| UAE | $8 | $11 | $15 | $22 | $35 | N/A | $69 | N/A |
| Morocco | $8 | $20.50 | $25 | $45 | $55** | N/A | N/A | N/A |
**45-day validity (the stated period may differ in some countries.)
Regional Plans
| Region: | Pricing | GB Options | Validity Range | Coverage (Countries) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe (35-country plan) | $5-$45 | 1GB-50GB | 7 days-365 days | 35 |
| Europe (36-country plan) | $5-$45 | 1GB-20GB | 7 days-30 days | 36 |
| Italy-France-Germany | $4-$24 | 1GB-20GB | 7 days-30 days | 3 |
| Asia Pacific (14-country plan) | $5-$72 | 1GB-50GB | 7 days- 45 days | 14 |
| Asia Pacific (21-country plan) | $7-48 | 1GB-20GB | 7 days- 45 days | 21 |
| China-Japan-South Korea | $4-$33 | 1GB-20GB | 7 days- 45 days | 3 |
| Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand | $4-$22 | 1GB-20GB | 7 days-30 days | 3 |
| Southeast Asia-Oceania | $6-$60 | 1GB-30GB | 7 days-60 days | 8 |
| Caribbean | $9-$92 | 1GB-20GB | 7 days-30 days | 24 |
| Latin America | $9-$109 | 1GB-30GB | 7 days-365 days | 7 |
| North America | $6.50-$53 | 1GB-20GB | 7 days-30 days | 3 |
| Africa (10-country plan) | $15-$99 | 1GB-10GB | 7 days-30 days | 10 |
| Africa (11-country plan) | $11-$45 | 1GB-10GB | 7 days-30 days | 11 |
Middle East | $9-$64 | 1GB-20GB | 7 days-30 days | 8 |
Global Plans
| Plan: | Pricing | GB Options | Validity Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global (106-country plan) | $19-$36 | 1GB-5GB | 7 days-30 days |
| Global (112-country plan) | $25-$45 | 1GB-5GB | 7 days-30 days |
| Global-EX (54-country plan) | $30-$125 | 10GB-50GB | 180 days-365 days |
| Global-EX (82-country plan) | $40-$170 | 10GB-50GB | 180 days-365 days |
Pricing Plan Breakdown
In general, Nomad’s eSIM plans are priced similarly to top competitors, though of course there are variations from location to location. For us, Nomad’s flexibility in terms of the range and types of plans helps it stand out. We also like that there’s an option to select a smaller bundle of countries for some regions, like the Italy-France-Germany plan.
In addition to the regular local plans shown in the first table, you can also opt for a “day plan” in some locations, which means you tailor your plan to the duration of your trip and how much high-speed data you’ll need on a daily basis. Once this high-speed data runs out, you still get unlimited data for the rest of your validity period, but at a throttled speed.
Nomad also offers business packages. To get a business account, you’ll need to fill out a form on Nomad’s website. The sales team will contact you to discuss your options.
Payment Methods
Nomad accepts the following payment methods:
You can also insert a promo code or use Nomad points to pay for data plans that cost more than $5 total. You collect Nomad points by making purchases.
Nomad eSIM Customer Support
Nomad’s customer support includes a help center and a live chat option. When you start a live chat, a bot asks you to provide information about your issue, then connects you to an agent if need be.
Live Chat Support Speed & Quality
We reached out to Nomad’s customer support team on a few occasions and had a mixed experience. In our first chat, a solution was found quickly. However, the second time we reached out we felt the responses weren’t very clear; it took us a little while to get a clear answer.
On a positive note, we were quickly connected to a support agent after initially speaking to a chat bot, which we greatly appreciated — some providers have you speak to a bot for a while. The support agents were friendly, thorough and did their best to help in spite of the occasional confusion.
Nomad eSIM Not Working: What to Do
A dysfunctional eSIM plan is often linked to incorrect cellular settings or other factors. Here’s a troubleshooting checklist:
- Make sure the eSIM plan’s line is turned on and selected as your cellular data provider in your phone’s cellular or mobile network settings.
- Check that data roaming is enabled for the eSIM plan.
- Switch airplane mode on and off to give the device another shot at finding a connection.
- You must be in the destination country.
- Try changing networks — go to “cellular,” then “network selection” (iOS) or “mobile network,” then “network operators” (Android) and turn off automatic selection. Choose another network from the list.
- Contact Nomad support.
Nomad eSIM vs Other Provider Services
Nomad has some tough competition, as there are plenty of well-reviewed, reliable eSIM providers out there. However, each one has advantages and challenges. Here’s how Nomad stacks up against two of its top competitors, Airalo and Holafly.
Community Feedback: Nomad eSIM Reviews on Reddit & Trustpilot
For the most part, Nomad’s data packages have been well received, as evidenced by the multitude of good and excellent reviews on Trustpilot. Here are some examples of what customers are saying on Trustpilot:
- “Would recommend Nomad 100%.”
- “Nomad is simple to use and provides the needed internet connection at good speeds.”
- “SIM worked as promised, slow connections in a few smaller towns but overall acceptable when fellow travelers had no signal.”
Not everyone was satisfied with their experience, though. One Reddit user said they had issues with activation and found resolving it to be a frustrating experience. However, several users on the thread defended Nomad’s performance.
The Verdict: Is Nomad eSIM a Good eSIM Service?
We consider Nomad eSIM to be a good eSIM provider based on its flexible plan options, competitive pricing, user-friendliness and mostly positive reviews from other customers. On the downside, customer support sometimes took a while to get a clear answer.
Have you purchased a Nomad plan? What has your experience been like so far? Share your thoughts with our other readers in the comments. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: Nomad eSIM App
Nomad eSIM offerings include prepaid mobile data plans for international travel. Nomad serves more than 190 locations.
Nomad is a data-only eSIM provider, whereas Airalo also offers call and text plans.
Some phone models aren’t eSIM-compatible. If you have an older phone, you’re more likely to miss out.
We consider Saily to be the best eSIM provider for the U.S. of all the ones we’ve tested so far, but Airalo, Nomad and Holafly are other popular providers.
