Benefits of an eSIM: What are the advantages and disadvantages of an eSIM over a physical SIM card?

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM, or an embedded subscriber identity module, is a virtual SIM card that you download onto your phone. You might be familiar with a SIM card that you put in and take out of your phone, but eSIMs are embedded (hence the name) into your device. Like an old school SIM, eSIMs are a way to get budget-friendly mobile data while you’re traveling. 

Unlike purchasing a physical SIM card at a store, all you need to do is download an app to get an eSIM. Once you download the app, it’ll give you instructions on how to activate your data plan, and in a minute or so, you’ll be able to search for the highest-rated bakery in your area or let your mom know that you survived the €10 flight. 

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of eSIM cards compared to physical SIM cards.

What is the difference between a SIM card and an eSIM card?

The big difference between a SIM card and an eSIM card is that SIM cards can easily be removed from your device, and eSIMs cannot. Your eSIM is built directly into the smartphone itself, and when you need a new SIM profile, you download it — often via an app, like Saily.

Physical SIM cards are intended to be inserted and removed with relative ease, though in practice, this can be quite an annoying, time-consuming process. 

If you travel to a new country, you might buy a local SIM card and place it in your phone. To get online with an eSIM, however, you’d just download a profile onto the embedded SIM inside your device. 

Benefits of an eSIM vs. a physical SIM 

In a direct eSIM vs. a physical SIM card comparison, an eSIM comes out on top in a lot of ways. It’s much easier to use, since you don’t need to mess around with physical chips and SIM trays — just download your new SIM profile, or activate a data plan through an eSIM app, and you’re all set. When traveling, an eSIM plan is usually a much cheaper option than a physical SIM, too. Let’s dive into six advantages of eSIM cards that make them a worthy opponent of physical SIM cards.

Avoid wild roaming charges

Downloading an eSIM app is almost always the easiest way to use your phone without roaming charges while traveling. International roaming is often expensive because of the flat fee you pay per day — using your data for five minutes or ten hours makes no difference to your service provider. A great way to avoid this expense is by getting an eSIM plan. For instance, with the Saily eSIM app, you’ll have the option to select a plan with as little as 1 GB over the course of seven days, which starts for as low as US$1.99. 

Local SIM cards are another popular choice for travelers wary of roaming charges. When you arrive at your destination, you might want to get your mobile data situation out of the way and conveniently buy one at the airport. But just like those cheeky US$7 water bottle prices, some airports jack up the prices of SIM cards, too. 

The bottom line — local SIM cards are good if you want to make phone calls, since you’ll be given a local phone number and a certain amount of minutes for domestic and international calls. But the benefits of an eSIM card outweigh those of a local SIM if you’re just looking for affordable internet access during your travels. 

Enjoy flexible data plans

Another one of the major advantages of eSIM cards is that you can easily find a data plan that suits your travel needs without overspending. eSIM plans start with as little as 1GB of data, which is perfect for a weekend trip. But let’s say you drained your data by watching a video about the Roman Empire on the train (an all-too common scenario these days) — you can easily top up your data plan through the app. Some physical SIMs come with instructions to top up on data online, but sometimes, you’ll need to get a new SIM card altogether if you want more GBs. 

Not only can you choose a data plan that works for you, but you can also decide when to activate your eSIM. Our recommendation is to activate it before you catch your flight, but do whatever floats your boat (or should we say “sails” your boat)? Just remember that you’ll need a stable internet connection to set it up.  

One more point of flexibility with eSIMs: you can switch between SIM plans (like between your home and travel one) if needed. Newer phones can handle a physical SIM card and an active eSIM (or multiple eSIMs) at the same time.  

Install your eSIM ASAP

Another one of the eSIM benefits in this non-exhaustive list is that it takes seconds to install an eSIM, and you can do it whenever you feel like it. All you need is a reliable Wi-Fi network (meaning, one that won’t cut out halfway through eSIM installation) to download the app and activate the eSIM. You can do this at home before you leave. In fact, we suggest you do so! That way, you’ll have data to entertain yourself while you drag your luggage around the city, waiting for that mid-afternoon hostel check-in. 

One important reminder before committing to an eSIM is to check whether your phone is carrier-locked or not. If it is, don’t worry — you’ll usually be able to unlock it. You may just need a code from your mobile service provider or the vendor you bought your phone from. You’ll find instructions on how to unlock your device on your mobile service provider’s website. 

You can read our guides on how to install an eSIM on an Android if you want step-by-step instructions. Prefer iOS? We also have a detailed walkthrough for installing an eSIM on an iPhone.

Avoid losing or damaging your SIM

Physical SIM cards are delicate little things. If it’s in the wrong place at the wrong time, you risk losing, crushing, drowning, scratching, bending, or pulverizing it (plus whatever other verbs you can come up with). If you damage your SIM card, you may experience a bunch of annoying problems like a weakened signal, issues receiving or making calls and texts, and no internet access.

The fact that you can’t lose an eSIM is one of the biggest advantages of an eSIM over using a physical SIM. Installing an eSIM through an app means you don’t need to fidget with the tiny SIM tray, which puts you at risk for all those aforementioned mishaps to your SIM card.

Avoid having your data stolen by hackers

The last on our list of eSIM card benefits is that, unlike a traditional SIM card, an eSIM is safer because it can’t be stolen and reused. A quick way to put a damper on your trip is getting a notification that someone has gone on a shopping spree with your credit card. Hackers can swipe sensitive info like your banking details if they get their hands on your SIM card. 

eSIMs, on the other hand, can only be “stolen” if your phone is stolen. This is our second reminder in a row to be mindful of your belongings at all times! 

Benefits of eSIMs for travelers

Using an eSIM app is a great option for travelers — especially those who like to plan ahead. You can download your eSIM in advance and then, on arrival at your destination, your device will automatically connect to a local mobile network. Travelers who use their eSIM also don’t need to waste time lining up at SIM card kiosks, making the airport experience a lot easier. Then there’s roaming fees — with an eSIM, you won’t end up overpaying. Instead, you pay for the specific plan you want, and top up only when you need to. 

Disadvantages of an eSIM vs. a physical SIM 

While eSIMs have a lot going for them, they do have some areas of weakness when compared to a physical SIM card.

Limited device compatibility

Not all devices actually work with eSIM technology. Most smartphones produced after 2020 do, so this isn’t a major problem, but it’s something to be aware of. Before traveling, check that your phone is eSIM-compatible, either by looking into your phone settings or searching the model online.

Difficult to quickly switch carriers or devices

When you switch devices, bringing your SIM profile with you from one eSIM to another isn’t always as simple as swapping a card. With a physical SIM, you can simply move the card from one phone to another in seconds. eSIMs, on the other hand, usually require reactivation—such as scanning an eSIM QR code or logging into your carrier account—which adds an extra step.

You can also encounter carrier-related friction. Some providers limit how often you can transfer an eSIM or require manual verification, and you’ll typically need an internet connection to download the profile. These factors mean eSIMs aren’t always as instantly interchangeable as traditional SIM cards, especially if you switch devices often.

Internet connection required for activation

To download and activate your eSIM plan, you’ll need internet access — this means that, to begin with, you have to have another source of data that isn’t the eSIM itself. That’s not a huge problem — if you’ve got Wi-Fi, you’re all set. But it’s yet another reason why you should get your eSIM set up before traveling, rather than leaving it to the last minute.

Advantages and disadvantages of eSIM vs. physical SIM compared  

Let’s compare the key differences between these two technologies. Using an eSIM app is usually a lot easier and more cost-effective than seeking out and buying a physical SIM card, especially when you’re traveling.

The big difference is the convenience of acquiring and setting up these two options. Physical SIMs can be small and annoying to handle, and must be sourced from a store or other vendor. Contrast this with eSIMs, which can be managed entirely through your smartphone. Need a new data plan? Just download it with the tap of a button. Want to top up the plan? Take care of it in your eSIM app of choice.

eSIM benefits: Is converting to eSIM a good idea?

The benefits of an eSIM vs. a physical SIM are surely enough for you to try out an eSIM for your next trip. eSIMs are a quick and affordable way to get mobile data while you travel. You won’t have to wait in line to buy a physical SIM card, especially at the airport, where they’re likely to cost more. eSIMs are also a better option for security reasons — you won’t have to worry about having a physical card stolen, damaged, or lost. Last but not least, the mobile data plans you get with an eSIM are flexible. You can pick a plan that works for your trip, and if you end up needing more data, you can easily top up in the app. Plus, you can activate your plan whenever you feel like it.

Whether you’re prepping to have some wild hostel experiences or to soak up the sun by the sea, make sure mobile data is taken care of and download an eSIM before you leave!