Three ways to get online abroad, three very different experiences. Here's the honest breakdown — and the clear winner for most travelers.
| 🦫 eSIM | Pocket WiFi | Roaming | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | A few $ per trip | $5–10 / day rental | $10–15 / day |
| Setup | Scan a QR before you fly | Reserve, pick up, return | Nothing — it just works |
| Extra device to carry | No | Yes (and charge it daily) | No |
| Deposit / lose-it risk | None | Deposit; you owe if lost | None |
| Keep your home number | ✓ Dual SIM | ✓ (separate device) | ✓ |
| Bill-shock risk | None (prepaid) | Overage fees possible | High — the classic horror story |
| Best for | Almost everyone | Sharing 1 line across many devices | A single overnight, zero prep |
👉 For almost every traveler, an eSIM wins. It's the cheapest, there's no device to rent or charge, no queue at either airport, and no bill shock. You install it at home and you're online the second you land.
👉 Pocket WiFi only makes sense if you need to share one connection across several devices that don't support eSIM. Roaming only wins for a single overnight trip where you refuse to set anything up — and you pay dearly for that.
The reason eSIM keeps winning is simple: it uses the same local networks pocket WiFi and roaming ride on, without the hardware, the queues, or the daily fee. Beaver plans start at $0.99, and a normal week runs just a few dollars.