Which travel eSIM is cheapest?

For per-GB country plans, Beaver eSIM is consistently among the lowest — Japan, Korea and Thailand start at $1.40 for 1GB, versus $4.50 or more on the big-name apps for the same local networks. Unlimited-style plans (like Holafly's) cost more per day but suit heavy streamers.

Do more expensive eSIMs have better coverage?

No. Every travel eSIM connects to the same handful of local carriers in each country (in Japan, that's NTT Docomo or SoftBank). A higher price buys the brand's marketing budget, not a better signal.

Is Airalo or Holafly better?

Airalo sells per-GB plans similar in structure to Beaver but priced higher; Holafly sells unlimited daily plans that favor heavy users but cost more for a short trip. Beaver undercuts both on per-GB pricing while riding the same networks.

Best eSIM for Travel 2026 — Beaver vs Airalo vs Holafly (Honest Price Comparison)

The 1GB price test

The single fairest way to compare eSIMs is the price of 1GB on a country plan — same data, same networks, five popular destinations. Beaver's prices below are live from our catalogue; competitor figures are their publicly advertised starting prices (always check their current rates).

Destination · 1GB	🦫 Beaver eSIM	Airalo (typical)	Holafly*
🇯🇵 Japan	$1.40	~$4.50	unlimited only, from ~$6.90/day
🇰🇷 South Korea	$1.40	~$4.50	from ~$6.90/day
🇹🇭 Thailand	$1.40	~$4.50	from ~$6.90/day
🇺🇸 USA	$1.56	~$4.50	from ~$6.90/day
🇪🇺 Europe (per country)	from $1.08	~$5.00	from ~$6.90/day

*Holafly sells unlimited-data daily plans, not per-GB, so a direct 1GB price doesn't apply — it wins for heavy streamers on short trips but costs far more for light use. Competitor prices are indicative starting rates and change often; confirm on their sites. Beaver prices are live from our catalogue.

Feature for feature

	🦫 Beaver	Airalo	Holafly
Per-GB country plans	✓ from $0.99	✓ higher	✗ unlimited only
Install before you fly	✓	✓	✓
Keep your home number (dual SIM)	✓	✓	✓
Top up in-app	✓	✓	varies
Destination tips on the eSIM screen	✓ 35 countries	✗	✗
Pay by card, no account maze	✓	account required	account required

So which should you buy?

👉 Light to normal data use (maps, chat, socials, the occasional video) — a per-GB plan is far cheaper, and Beaver is the lowest of the three. A week in Japan on 3–5GB costs a few dollars, not $20+.

👉 Heavy streaming, every day, short trip — an unlimited daily plan like Holafly's can make sense despite the higher price. For everyone else, unlimited is money left on the table.

The honest bottom line: nobody's eSIM gives you a better signal than anybody else's in the same country — the towers are shared. The only thing a higher price reliably buys is a bigger ad budget. Beaver spends the difference on the price instead.

Popular destination guides

See coverage notes, local carriers and real prices for where you're headed:

Japan eSIM · Korea eSIM · Thailand eSIM · Europe eSIM · USA eSIM · How much data? · eSIM vs pocket WiFi? · How to install · All 35 destinations →

Frequently asked

Is a cheaper eSIM slower or lower quality?

No. In each country every eSIM provider connects to the same major carriers. Beaver in Japan uses NTT Docomo / SoftBank — the same networks the pricier apps resell. Price reflects marketing spend, not signal strength.

What's the catch with Beaver's low prices?

There isn't one. Beaver is a lean indie operation that doesn't run TV ads or airport billboards, so the per-GB price is lower. You pay by card, scan a QR, and you're online — same as the big brands, less money.

Does my phone support eSIM?

Any iPhone XS or newer, and most flagship Android phones from 2020 on (Pixel 4+, Galaxy S20+). If your phone has eSIM, Beaver works.

Can I use Beaver for a multi-country trip?

Yes — pick a regional plan (like Europe) that covers multiple countries on one eSIM, so you don't swap plans at every border.