GigSky eSIM review: I tested this eSIM service in Canada. Is it worth it for travel in 2026?

What is GigSky and how does it work?

GigSky is both a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and an eSIM app, allowing travelers to purchase prepaid mobile data plans to avoid incurring international roaming fees. While GigSky isn’t a traditional network operator like Verizon, which owns some of its cell towers, GigSky manages its own US-based eSIMs. On their website, they claim that “Unlike resellers, we have direct control over our network and can promptly address any issues that arise.”

And “What is an eSIM?,” you ask? In short, it’s a digital SIM card. That means you won’t have to buy a physical SIM card at the airport or network operator’s kiosk when you get to your travel destination — you can simply purchase a plan through an eSIM app like GigSky and install a virtual SIM card onto your phone or tablet. Opting for an eSIM instead of a SIM card helps you save time and lets you have internet access the moment you arrive at your destination. 

GigSky offers data plans in over 190 countries, and also offers coverage for more than 200 cruise ships and 19 airlines. GigSky also offers a free 100 to 3 G plan trial for 175 destinations without needing to enter your payment details — a great offering if you’re new to eSIM technology. 

As of February 2026, GigSky has a 4.1/5 star rating on Trustpilot based on 1,200+ reviews. For reference, Saily has a 4.7/5 star rating on Trustpilot based on 19,000+ reviews even though the company was launched significantly later, in 2024.  

Disclaimer: This GigSky review is based on a 1 GB data plan for Canada that I tested on October 30, 2025. The plan was purchased by the team at Saily. 

GigSky pros and cons at a glance

Like any eSIM service, GigSky comes with its pros and cons. The following is based on my experience using GigSky, as well as information taken from Trustpilot reviews, Reddit discussions, and GigSky's official website.

Gigsky pros:

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  Both fixed and unlimited plans available.

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  Regional and World plans available.

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  World plans cover more destinations than competing eSIM apps.

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  One-time eSIM installation.

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  Coverage on cruise ships, ferries, offshore locations (Gulf of Mexico and North Sea), and flights.

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  Free 100 MB to 3 GB plan trial for 175 destinations.

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  Unlimited hotspot sharing.

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  Can activate plans up to 365 days after purchase.

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  Subscription options with GigSky One.

Gigsky cons:

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  More expensive plans than competing eSIM services.

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  Less available destinations compared to competing eSIM services (190+).

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  No 24/7 in-app live chat support.

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  No built-in security features.

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  No 2FA during login.

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  Numerous app popups that feel intrusive.

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  Slow initial connection speeds in Canada, according to my experience.

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  For unlimited plans, less available high-speed data before throttling compared to competing eSIM services.

How to buy a GigSky eSIM and install it on your phone

You can purchase a GigSky eSIM plan either through the company website or the app. If you purchase a plan through the website like I did, you’ll get a QR code to scan and install your eSIM. 

Before purchasing a GigSky eSIM:

1. Make sure your device supports eSIM technology. Most smartphones manufactured in 2019 or later do, though some exceptions apply. You can find a list of eSIM-compatible devices on GigSky’s website.

2. Ensure your phone is carrier unlocked (i.e. able to connect to networks outside of your home country). 

3. Download the GigSky app through the App Store or Google Play. 

How to purchase a GigSky eSIM in the app

1. Search for the destination you’re traveling to and choose a data plan. If you want to try GigSky out without paying, you can opt for a free trial.

2. Once you tap “Buy plan,” you’ll be directed to a login page — log in or sign up using Apple, Google, or your email.

3. Once you’re logged in, tap “Buy plan” again to proceed to checkout. 

You’ll receive instructions on how to install your eSIM immediately. 

How to install your GigSky eSIM

1. Make sure you’re connected to a secure, reliable Wi-Fi network.

2. If you’ve purchased your GigSky eSIM through the app, go to “My plans” and tap “Install eSIM.” If you’ve purchased your eSIM through GigSky’s website, go to “My plans” and scan the QR on an eSIM-compatible device.

   

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install your eSIM — this could take a few minutes.

   

4. Once the installation is complete, make sure to toggle the switches beside “Turn on this line” and “Data roaming” for your GigSky eSIM.

5. Disable data roaming for your home plan to avoid international roaming charges.

I purchased my GigSky eSIM through the website, not the app. It’s worth noting that the first couple of times that I tried scanning the QR code from the site, it didn’t work. The eSIM installation process took a bit longer than I’m used to with other eSIM service providers — about 3 to 4 minutes. I eventually got a notification saying, “You can continue using your phone while your eSIM is activating.” I’ll chalk it up to my Wi-Fi network’s speeds.  

💡 Pro tip: I’d recommend installing your eSIM before departing for your trip. As long as you’ve turned on your eSIM and enabled data roaming for your GigSky plan, you’ll have internet access as soon as you arrive at your destination country.

GigSky for cruise ships: Does it really work?

GigSky offers both Land + Cruise and Cruise packages that let you access cellular data while at sea, which is made possible with “Cellular at Sea” technology (cell towers on cruise ships). GigSky offers network coverage on 39 cruise lines, amassing over 280 cruise ships worldwide. I didn’t have the pleasure of embarking on a seaward journey to test GigSky’s cruise coverage myself but online user experiences are generally positive. On Cruise Critic forums, travelers report that GigSky works well for basic needs like email, messaging, and social media, but struggles with video streaming and large downloads.

But pause — don’t cruise ships come with Wi-Fi? They do, but oftentimes you have to pay for Wi-Fi access and prices can be extraordinarily steep. However, GigSky’s Cruise eSIMs aren’t exactly cheap, either. 

GigSky Cruise eSIM vs. onboard internet access packages cost comparison:

*Based on both basic and premium Wi-Fi packages from the MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian (NCL), Carnival, and Holland America cruise lines. 

Important limitations of using GigSky’s Cruise eSIM plans:

• Performance is typically better at port than at sea. 

• Not all areas of large ships have a consistent cell signal.

According to online feedback, GigSky’s Cruise plans work best for: 

• Email and messaging apps

• Social media

• Basic web browsing

If you need to stream video calls for work, on the other hand, you might experience some slowdowns. 

GigSky eSIM review: Pricing and plans

GigSky offers a variety of fixed data plan options as well as unlimited data plans in selected destinations. Its fixed plans start at 512 MB that can be used over 1 day (for cruise only), and its largest fixed plans for long-term travelers include 100 GB, which can be used over 180 days (in select destinations). GigSky offers flexible unlimited plans with validity periods ranging from 1 to 30 days and several regional plans that offer data coverage in multiple countries. However, its World plan (more commonly known as a Global plan amongst competing eSIM apps) and World plan lite data options are extremely limited and expensive.

These prices were taken from GigSky’s plan pricing pages on February 17, 2026. Prices and plans are subject to change over time.

GigSky vs. competing eSIM apps

Take a look below at GigSky’s plan pricing to see how it stacks up against Airalo and Saily.

These prices were taken from GigSky, Airalo, and Saily’s plan pricing pages on February 17, 2026. Prices and plans are subject to change over time.

As you can see, GigSky is the most expensive option compared to Airalo and Saily. GigSky’s 10 GB plan for Thailand is nearly 4x more expensive than Saily and Airalo’s same plans, and its unlimited plan for Thailand is almost US$10 more expensive.

GigSky network speed and performance

Right after I finished installing my GigSky eSIM, I was connected to 3G instead of LTE, despite having my voice and data settings configured for LTE. I ran an internet speed test a few minutes later and the result was “slow,” with download speeds at 3.85 Mbps and upload speeds at 1.34 Mbps. My GigSky data then stopped working entirely and I received a “Could not activate mobile data network” notification. After a couple of minutes, the connection switched to LTE and performance improved. The second speed test came back as “fine,” with download speeds at 12.4 Mbps and upload speeds at 1.49 Mbps. The service remained at 5 bars for the rest of my testing period. 

Videos loaded without buffering, apps functioned normally, and web browsing was responsive. The connection felt reliable once it stabilized.

If you opt for one of GigSky’s unlimited data plans, please note that “unlimited data” doesn’t actually mean “unlimited high-speed data” due to its fair usage policy. Within each 24-hour period, you’ll get 2.5 GB of high-speed data, and then speeds will be throttled (slowed) for the remainder of the period. 

Overall, GigSky’s network performance was satisfactory, but the initial setup period required a bit of patience. 

How to troubleshoot slow internet speeds for a GigSky eSIM:

• Wait 10-15 minutes after installing your eSIM — it may take a bit of time to connect to the best local network. 

• Toggle airplane mode on and off to refresh your connection. 

• Check that data roaming for your GigSky eSIM has been enabled in your device’s settings. 

• Restart your device. 

• If all else fails, contact GigSky’s customer support. 

Customer support

GigSky offers a couple of ways to reach out to its customer support team but less than competing eSIM apps. To get help with your GigSky eSIM, you can:

• Submit a request through the Help Center on the website.

• Get live chat support on the website. 

• Browse through articles and FAQs in the Help Center. 

However, GigSky does not offer 24/7 live chat support in the app — a feature that competing eSIM apps like Saily offer.

When I needed help with my eSIM plan for Canada, the only option I was given in the app was to submit a request through GigSky’s Help Center. The system requires filling out multiple fields, which feels cumbersome compared to simple chat interfaces from other providers.

One nice feature of GigSky’s Help Center is that its search bar uses keyword recognition and suggests relevant articles, which can help you find answers faster.

The most troubling part of my customer support experience with GigSky is that I only received a response 12 hours later. This delayed response illustrates why having 24/7 in-app live chat support is so important for eSIM services. 

When it comes to GigSky’s refund policy, the company seems to offer less flexibility than competing eSIM apps as well. As of February 18, 2026, its terms of service state the following: 

“The SIM and any Top-Up once sold cannot be returned to GigSky and the cost of the SIM and any unused usage will not be refunded by GigSky, regardless of whether the card and/or Top-Up plan have been activated. GigSky shall not, in any circumstance, be required to refund any balance remaining in the Service or in any Top-Up purchased by the Account Holder.”

However, GigSky does offer full or partial refunds for its GigSky One subscription if it has been used minimally (1 GB or less) due to an issue with its service. You’ll need to contact customer support for a refund request. 

Overall, for an eSIM provider targeting premium travelers, the customer support experience could be more streamlined.

Additional features

GigSky offers several features that make it stand out in the eSIM app market, including: 

• Cellular at Sea technology. GigSky is one of the few eSIM apps that advertises mobile data connectivity on cruise ships, ferries, and offshore sites. 

• In-flight connectivity. GigSky offers coverage on 19 airlines, though availability varies by route and aircraft.

• Unlimited hotspot sharing: You can share as much of your GigSky eSIM data with travel companions as you want. 

• Automatic network switching. As a full MVNO, GigSky advertises that it can automatically connect you to the best available network without manual intervention.

• Referral code program. If you share your GigSky referral code with a friend, you will both get 25% a data plan.

• Visa benefits. Eligible Visa cards can unlock complimentary GigSky data plans and discounts. 

GigSky alternatives

While GigSky fills the eSIM app niche with its extensive cruise, ferry, and offshore coverage, most travelers can find better deals for plain ol’ data plans on land elsewhere.

*As of February 18, 2026, Saily’s US$1.99 price applies to the 1 GB plan for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic (Czechia), and Mayotte only. As of the same date, Holafly’s US$3.90 plan price applies to 111 destinations, Airalo’s US$3.50 plan price applies to the 1 GB plan for Tunisia only, and GigSky’s US$3.49 price applies to 100 destinations. 

**According to a study by West Coast Labs, Saily’s ad blocker helps you use 28.6% less data on average when enabled.

GigSky is best for: Cruise, ferry, offshore, and in-flight connectivity.

Saily is best for: Budget- and security-conscious travelers, and data-saving features. 

Airalo is best for: Budget-conscious travelers looking for flexible plan durations. 

Holafly is best for: Heavy data users.

For in-depth eSIM app comparisons, check out our Saily vs. Airalo and Saily vs. Holafly articles.

Final verdict: Is GigSky worth it?

For eSIM data coverage in Canada, GigSky wasn’t worth it because its service didn’t justify its higher-than-average plan price. I experienced challenges with network speeds and when I contacted customer support, I only heard back from them 12 hours later via email. GigSky is also significantly more expensive than competing eSIM apps like Saily and Airalo with its Thailand plan prices — its 10 GB plan is nearly 4x as expensive. However, GigSky offers truly unique cruise, ferry, offshore, and in-flight eSIM plans, and its free plan trials and Visa benefits do make the eSIM service’s offerings stand out. 

Choose GigSky if: 

• You want mobile data on a cruise at lower rates than pay-per-day Wi-Fi packages.

• You need offshore connectivity in the Gulf of Mexico or North Sea.

• You want in-flight internet access on select airlines.

• You want to buy an eSIM plan up to 365 days in advance.  

Consider alternative eSIM services if: 

• You want the cheapest eSIM options available. 

• You’re doing standard, land-based travel only. 

• You want built-in security features. 

• You want 24/7 live in-app support.

GigSky serves a specific niche very well. If you're traveling on a cruise, GigSky could save you hundreds on internet costs while providing better connectivity than ship Wi-Fi. But for regular international travel, you'll find better value with providers like Saily that offer competitive pricing, security features, and more user-friendly experiences that offer better a price-to-value ratio. Unless you need GigSky’s unique cruise or maritime features, you can get similar prepaid data plan options elsewhere for less money.

We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but eSIM service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!