BNESIM eSIM Honest Review

BNESIM is an eSIM provider I started using while traveling because I wanted data that didn’t expire (I had lost unused data too many times with other providers). It gives you mobile data in 200+ countries without needing a physical SIM, plus extras like a built-in VPN and local calling features that actually help when you move around a lot. Here’s what to know before getting an eSIM from this provider.

BNESIM Top Features

I’ve used BNESIM in a few different countries now, and it has a few things most other eSIM providers don’t. Some of them may feel small at first, but when you travel often, they start to make a real difference.

It covers 200+ countries

BNESIM offers one of the widest coverages available, which in practice means you rarely need to switch providers as you move between destinations. You can choose between country plans (best if you’re staying in one place), regional plans (when moving across nearby countries like Europe or Southeast Asia), and global plans (one plan that works basically everywhere).

Your data doesn't expire

This is probably one of BNESIM’s biggest differentiators. With certain plans, you can buy data once and keep using it across multiple trips instead of rushing to finish it before it expires. The only trade-off is that you need to keep track of your balance yourself, but if you travel regularly, this kind of flexibility is genuinely valuable.

You can enable automatic top-ups

BNESIM allows you to switch on automatic top-ups when your data drops below 100MB. It sounds like a small feature, but in practice, it does prevent you from suddenly going offline right before a work call, or when you urgently need internet. If you rely heavily on connectivity for work, this one is for you.

They offer virtual phone numbers

Unlike most eSIM providers that only focus on data, BNESIM also supports virtual phone numbers and internet-based calls. You load credit and pay per minute, depending on the country you’re calling, and regardless of where you are physically. This is super useful for reservations, verifications, or any situation where messaging apps don’t work and you need a proper phone call.

Earn cashback with every purchase

BNESIM also runs a simple loyalty scheme built around repeat usage. Every time you buy a plan or top up, you earn a small cashback (around 5%) in BNE Coins, which are stored in your account wallet and can later be used for discounts, credits, or future purchases. One nice detail is that BNE Coins don’t expire, so the more you use BNESIM over time, the more value you accumulate instead of losing rewards.

eSIMs come with a built-in VPN

BNESIM includes a built-in VPN called BNE Guard. It’s not quite the same as full-featured VPNs like NordVPN or Surfshark in terms of advanced privacy tools, but it does add a lightweight safety layer when you’re on public Wi-Fi networks.

They offer 24/7 multilingual support

BNESIM offers round-the-clock customer support in multiple languages. When something stops working while you’re abroad (often at the worst possible moment) being able to reach a real human, in your own language, can make a big difference.

You can pay with Crypto

BNESIM also accepts payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This won’t matter to everyone, and I've never tried this myself, but for travelers who operate partially in crypto or prefer alternative payment methods, it adds flexibility that many competitors still don’t support.

BNESIM: The Pros and Cons

How Much Does BNESIM eSIM Cost?

BNESIM pricing depends on three key factors:

1. Location

First, you choose where you need coverage. If you’re traveling to just one country, country plans are usually the cheapest option. However, BNESIM also offers regional and global plans (which cost a bit more) but give you flexibility if you’re moving across multiple countries without needing to switch eSIMs.

2. Validity

Second, you can choose between 3 different validity styles, depending on how you travel:

One-time prepaid plans (fixed duration)

This is the straightforward option most travelers are used to. You pay once for a set amount of data that lasts a specific number of days, usually 30. When the data runs out, or the time expires, the plan simply ends. It’s ideal for short trips or when you just want something simple that works without thinking too much about it.

No-expiry “pay-as-you-go” plans

This is where BNESIM feels different from most eSIM providers. You can buy, for example, 5 GB of data that never expires and use it whenever you want. If you only use part of it on one trip, the rest stays there for the next one. Personally, I really like this. I’ve lost unused data many times with other providers, so seeing it roll over instead of disappear feels definitely better. Yes, these plans usually cost a bit more per GB than fixed-duration ones, but the flexibility if you travel often is hard to beat.

Subscription plans (monthly auto-renewal)

If you tend to stay longer in one place or travel continuously, this is usually the most cost-efficient option. The price per GB is often lower than short-term plans, and you can cancel anytime before the next renewal, so you’re not locked in. It’s simple, predictable, and works well if you don’t want to keep thinking about buying data every few weeks.

3. Data amount

Lastly, you choose how much data you expect to use on your trip. Like most providers, the more data you buy, the cheaper it becomes per GB. Small plans are convenient, but larger packages usually offer better overall value.

Here’s a rough idea of how pricing typically looks for Thailand:

Data	Validity	Approx. Price
1 GB	30 days	$2.49
3 GB	30 days	$2.99
5 GB	30 days	$3.49
10 GB	30 days	$5.99
50 GB	30 days	$19.99

(Prices may vary slightly depending on promotions and plan type.)

Compared to competitors, BNESIM pricing usually sits somewhere in the middle. It’s not always the absolute cheapest, but it’s rarely overpriced either.

And yes, local physical SIM cards are often cheaper, but they require time, paperwork, and sometimes local registration. For convenience and instant setup, eSIMs are usually worth it in my opinion.

Setup Process: Is BNESIM Easy to Install?

Installing and activating BNESIM took me just a few minutes and worked on the first try. Here’s exactly how it goes:

1. Download the BNESIM app

Grab the app from the App Store or Google Play. Everything happens inside it (buying your plan, installing the eSIM, managing data), so you won’t need to mess with settings much.

3. Create your account

Open the app, sign up, verify your email, done. You can use their standard signup, Google, Apple, Facebook, or SMS verification.

4. Pick your plan

Choose your destination and the type of plan you want. The app makes this pretty clear, so you don’t really have to guess.

5. Buy the plan inside the app

Once you pay, your eSIM is ready instantly. They accept credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and your BNE Wallet balance.

6. Install the eSIM

Just follow the steps on screen. On some phones it installs directly, on others you scan a QR code. Either way, it takes about a minute.

7. Turn on the line and data roaming

Enable the BNESIM line in your mobile settings, turn on data roaming if required, and within a few seconds you should be connected!

Is the BNESIM App User-Friendly?

I wanted to talk separately about the BNESIM app because, in the end, this is what you actually use every day.

What I liked

• Everything in one place: Buying data, installing the eSIM, checking usage, topping up…
• Setup is genuinely easy: The installation flow is simple and guided. Even if you’ve never used an eSIM before, it’s very hard to mess up.
• Clear data tracking: You always know how much data you’ve used and what’s left.
• Smart Top-Up is underrated: Once enabled, you basically stop worrying about running out of data. It quietly keeps you online, which matters more than you think when you rely on connectivity.
• More than just data: BNESIM feels more like a full connectivity tool rather than just a data provider with their VPN, calls, and virtual numbers included in your eSIM

What could be better

• The interface feels a bit dated: It works well, but visually it’s not the most modern or polished app out there. Some newer eSIM providers definitely feel smoother.
• Slight learning curve at the start: BNESIM offers a lot (plans, credits, add-ons, features), which is great, but the first time you open the app it can feel a bit overwhelming until you understand how everything fits together.

My Experience Using BNESIM in 5 Different Countries

I’ve used BNESIM across a few trips now, in very different places, and the overall experience was pretty good! Speeds weren’t always identical (that depends on local networks more than the eSIM itself), but I was never left without internet.

United Kingdom

I used BNESIM quite a bit while moving around London and a few smaller towns, and the connection felt very stable throughout. I remember doing video calls from cafés, using hotspot on trains, and navigating constantly without any real slowdowns. It wasn’t “wow fast,” but it was dependable.

Spain

In Spain, most of my usage was in cities and along the coast, and overall it felt very similar to the UK. Maps loaded instantly, hotspot worked well for laptop sessions, and streaming was fine in the evenings. In smaller towns like Pamplona, speeds dipped a little, but nothing that made me notice or change how I used it.

Thailand

Thailand was definitely the best experience. I used BNESIM heavily in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Lanta, and it handled it without issues. Speeds felt fast and consistent, even during long work sessions. I remember expecting at least some drops, especially on the islands, but it just kept working.

North America (Regional Plan)

North America felt more dependent on where exactly I was. In big cities, the connection was strong and fast, and I could work normally without thinking about it. In more remote areas, speeds dropped slightly, but I still had enough for maps, messaging, and basic browsing.

BNESIM Alternatives

BNESIM is solid, but it’s definitely not the only player in the eSIM space. I’ve also used Holafly, Saily, and Airalo across different trips, and each one feels a bit different depending on what you value most.

Holafly

Holafly feels like the opposite of BNESIM in philosophy. Instead of credits, plans, and flexibility, Holafly is all about simplicity. You choose your destination, pick unlimited data or their monthly plans, install, and forget about it.

The trade-off is price. Holafly is usually more expensive, and speeds can sometimes be capped compared to local networks.

• Where BNESIM wins: flexibility, pricing, long-term use
• Where Holafly wins: simplicity, unlimited data, zero management

Saily

Saily feels more modern and polished, especially the app experience. Setup is extremely smooth, and everything feels very simple and clean. Fewer features than BNESIM, but easier to understand.

Performance was generally solid, especially in cities, but Saily is more of a straightforward data eSIM. No virtual numbers, no credit system, no extra tools, just connectivity. If you want something minimal and clean, it works well.

• Where BNESIM wins: more features, long-term flexibility
• Where Saily wins: smoother app, simpler user experience

Airalo

Airalo is probably the most widely known eSIM provider, and in many cases it’s slightly cheaper than BNESIM, especially for smaller data packages. It’s very simple, and coverage is strong globally.

In practice, Airalo feels reliable but basic. It doesn’t offer the same flexibility (no non-expiring data, fewer tools), and topping up frequently can become annoying if you use a lot of data.

• Where BNESIM wins: flexibility, non-expiring data, extra tools
• Where Airalo wins: price (especially small plans), simplicity

Ready to buy a BNESIM for your next travels?

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