I first tried Ubigi on a weeklong trip through Portugal and Spain, swapping from my usual local SIMs because I wanted a single, reliable data plan that worked across borders without fuss. The setup took five minutes, my phone connected in two towns where my home carrier struggled, and I avoided frantic searches for physical shops after a late train. That experience set the tone for how I now choose eSIMs: reliability and simplicity beat the lowest price most of the time.
This review looks at Ubigi from the practical viewpoint of someone who travels a lot for work and for pleasure. I cover how the service works, where it shines, where it does not, and how it compares with other popular options such as Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad, GigSky, Jetpac, Alosim, Roamless, and Sim Local. If you are deciding what to buy for a two-week Europe trip, a month in Southeast Asia, or a multi-country business trip, read on.
How Ubigi works in plain terms Ubigi is an eSIM provider that sells both global and regional plans, delivered digitally to eSIM-compatible devices. After purchase you scan a QR code or install the profile through the app. Once active, your phone uses local mobile networks where Ubigi has roaming agreements. You can top up data from the app, and on many plans there is a dashboard that shows your usage and remaining credit.
One practical detail worth noting, from experience: activation times vary by country and plan. On most trips activation is immediate, but sometimes the profile requires a restart or a manual network selection. If you need connectivity the second you step off a plane, buy and install the eSIM while still on the way to the airport.
Where Ubigi performs well Reliable https://www.earthsims.com/esim/ multi-country coverage Ubigi is strong for travelers who move between countries in the same region. For Europe, the US, and parts of Asia, Ubigi uses well-established local networks, which generally translates into consistent signal and decent speeds. If your itinerary includes multiple short hops, Ubigi avoids the hassle of swapping physical SIMs.
Good app and dashboard The Ubigi app is simple and functional. It shows remaining data, expiration dates, and allows top-ups without creating a long paper trail of receipts. For remote workers who need predictable billing and the ability to add data quickly, that simplicity matters.
Flexible plan options Ubigi offers one-off plans and larger packages. If you need a small amount of data for a short trip, you can buy accordingly. If you prefer a longer plan for extended stays, there are monthly and multi-month options. That range makes Ubigi useful for backpackers who buy small refills and for business travelers who want a stable monthly allowance.
Works well on tablets and hotspots I use an iPad for note-taking and a cheap portable hotspot occasionally. Ubigi will often run on those devices, and many plans support tethering. That makes it practical for small group travel where one device supplies Wi Fi for several people.
Where Ubigi is not the cheapest If your only goal is to pay the absolute least for basic messaging and social updates, Ubigi may not be the cheapest. There are specialized rivals and local physical SIMs that undercut it on price, especially in places with low-cost domestic carriers. For budget backpackers who prioritize cost above convenience, the cheapest local SIM or a price-focused eSIM from certain providers can make sense.
Not every country gets the same performance Coverage quality varies by country. In major cities and tourist areas the service is generally solid. In rural or remote regions, especially outside major population centers, you may experience weaker coverage or slower speeds. Always check local network availability if you are going to islands, mountains, or sparsely populated areas.
Comparing Ubigi with other popular eSIM providers Below is a concise comparison of Ubigi and a selection of other providers. Think of this as a quick map of strengths; choose based on your priorities.
- Airalo: Huge marketplace of regional and local plans, extremely competitive pricing, wide device support, great for budget travelers and short trips across many providers. Setup and activation are typically instant. For the absolute cheapest regional data, Airalo often wins. Holafly: Known for unlimited data plans in some countries, Holafly markets heavily to long-stay travelers and family trips. Prices are higher, but the simplicity of true unlimited plans can be worth it when you need big data buckets without topping up. Saily and Nomad: Both sit between Airalo and Ubigi on pricing and coverage, with Nomad often focused on solid regional plans and Saily targeting competitive short-term packages. They are good alternatives when you want a balance of price and reliability. GigSky and Jetpac: Older players with a global footprint, useful for corporate travel and certain enterprise needs. Pricing fluctuates and they can be less user-friendly than newer apps. Alosim, Roamless, Sim Local: These are niche or regional specialists. They can deliver strong prices for specific countries or work well when you need a localized plan that big global players do not offer.
Best use cases for Ubigi Short multi-country business trips If you run between meetings in two or three neighboring countries, Ubigi saves time. One eSIM profile often covers several countries in a region, eliminating stop-and-swap interruptions. The app-based top-up also avoids inflight or airport kiosk hassles.
Temporary remote work where uptime matters When you need reliable mobile broadband for VPNs, video calls, and uploading files, Ubigi’s use of partner carriers tends to keep you connected. It is not a substitute for a wired office connection, but as a backup or primary mobile link it is dependable.
Travelers who dislike physical SIMs I have carried a small pile of physical SIMs on rare trips and it is awkward. Ubigi keeps things clean, particularly on locked phones where swapping SIMs is impossible. It also avoids headaches with lost or damaged physical cards.
Tablet and IoT use If you want a data plan for a tablet, eReader, or Wi Fi hotspot device, Ubigi often supports those devices and can be cheaper than tethering through a phone. For slow-moving long stays where devices stay in one place, this simplifies connectivity.
Quick checklist before buying Ubigi
- Confirm your device supports eSIM and the specific OS version required. Install the Ubigi app and add the eSIM while you have a stable connection. Check country-level coverage and whether your itinerary is inside the plan’s permitted region. Compare price per GB with alternatives for your exact countries and trip length.
Practical tips for use and avoiding surprises Install before you leave Buy and install the eSIM while connected to Wi Fi at home. That lets you troubleshoot without roaming charges and ensures activation is not delayed on arrival.
Keep a backup option Despite good performance, no single provider is perfect everywhere. I carry a small local SIM or have an Airalo local plan as backup on longer trips that include remote destinations. That redundancy is inexpensive insurance.
Understand data expiration Some plans expire quickly. If you buy a large bucket but will not use it within the validity window, you may lose data. Look for multi-month plans if you plan repeat visits or want to keep the profile dormant between trips.
Check tethering limits Not all plans allow hotspot tethering, and those that do may throttle speeds. If you intend to share your connection for video calls or streaming, verify hotspot allowances before relying on Ubigi as a group internet source.
Compatibility notes for devices and carriers Most modern iPhones and many Android phones support eSIM. Samsung devices, iPads, and some wearables do as well. However, older phones and some carrier-locked devices do not. If your phone is carrier-locked, check that your home carrier’s policies allow eSIM profiles from other operators. In a few countries carrier policies complicate activation, so double-check before you buy.
Pricing and value — what to expect Ubigi falls into a middle-price bracket: not the cheapest, but rarely the most expensive. Value comes from stable connections and a straightforward app experience rather than rock-bottom per gigabyte rates. If you are traveling through pricier markets like Japan, Korea, or the UK and need consistent speeds, Ubigi can be very cost effective versus repeatedly buying local prepaid SIMs. For budget destinations in Southeast Asia, you might find cheaper local SIMs or Airalo plans.
Choosing the best eSIM for your trip: a framework Decide whether your priority is price, simplicity, or coverage. If price is everything, compare local physical SIMs and marketplace providers like Airalo first. If you want the least amount of friction and consistent support, Ubigi or Holafly are sensible choices. For long-term nomads who want large data allowances, check whether the provider offers monthly or multi-month plans and whether tethering is allowed.
Special cases where Ubigi is a strong pick Traveling through Europe with tight schedules Cross-border trains and short stays make Ubigi convenient. No shops, no language barriers, no waiting.
Business travel with frequent top-ups The app and corporate-friendly billing options can fit travel expense processes better than ad hoc local SIM purchases.
Trips including the United States and Mexico Ubigi often offers regional plans that include North America, which removes the need to buy separate plans for the US and Mexico.
When another option might beat Ubigi Two weeks in a single country with heavy data use If you will spend two weeks in a single place and plan heavy streaming, a local prepaid SIM with an unlimited or very large bucket may be cheaper. Holafly can be a contender here if you want unlimited data and are willing to pay more.
Backpacking through multiple low-cost countries Budget backpackers may prefer the cheapest per-GB rates from Airalo or picking up tiny local SIMs. Ubigi’s convenience is valuable, but cost per gigabyte tends to be higher in a few regions.
Final judgment and recommendation Ubigi is not always the absolute cheapest, but it pays dividends in convenience, predictable performance, and low administrative overhead. For travelers who value reliability, who move across borders within the same region, or who need a simple app-managed plan that works on phones and tablets, Ubigi is a solid daily driver.
If you are choosing between Ubigi and alternatives, let your itinerary decide. Short hops across Europe or North America, frequent business travel, and multi-device needs point toward Ubigi. If you want the cheapest per-gigabyte option or true unlimited in a single country, research local SIMs, Airalo, and Holafly as potential better fits.
A parting note from the road Connectivity is a small part of travel logistics, but when it fails, the consequences feel large. Choosing an eSIM is a trade-off between money, time, and stress. My experience with Ubigi has been that it reduces stress. For many international travelers that is worth paying a modest premium.