Yesim Hands-On Review: Is This eSIM Worth It for International Travel?
During our recent travels across North America and the UK, we tried out Yesim, an eSIM provider that got our attention thanks to their affordable data plans in over 200 countries.
In this review, we'll break down our firsthand experience with Yesim, covering what we loved, what didn’t quite hit the mark, and how the service fared in terms of speed and reliability in different locations. Let’s dig into whether Yesim lives up to the buzz and might be the right fit for your travels.
What we find great about Yesim
It's easy to buy and activate an eSIM
Getting started with Yesim is quite simple. From the moment you sign up on their app (or website, if that's more your style—the process is very user-friendly).
Navigating through the options is as easy as it gets: you choose where you're heading, pick a plan that fits your needs, and you’re almost done.
Buying and activating a plan couldn’t be more direct either. With just a few taps, you can complete your purchase by picking your preferred payment method.
The eSIM's activation process was a piece of cake, too. We like to keep things simple, so we just opted for the automatic installation (you can do it if you use a device with iOS17) and Yesim did the rest.
But you can also use the option to scan the QR code or go with the manual option—you just need to follow a set of instructions. In their instructions, Yesim makes sure you’re not left puzzled by tech jargon, so it should be relatively straightforward.
What really seals the deal for us is the instant connectivity. Once you’re set up, you're ready to connect to the internet straight away. Remember to switch on "Data Roaming" on your new eSIM, and if you find yourself needing to connect more devices, know that you can use Yesim’s hotspot capability.
This feature is incredibly handy for those of us who might need to share our connection with our partner or friends while traveling.
Your destination is probably covered
As full-time travelers who hardly ever stay in one place for too long, we've found their global reach incredibly reliable. Yesim covers over 200 countries, so no matter where your adventures take us, you can count on them to keep you connected.
But it's not only about the extensive coverage. Yesim also offers a multitude of plans:
- Country-specific eSIMs are designed for when you're headed to just one place (e.g. the UK)
- Regional plans are for when the travel bug's bitten you and you want to include multiple countries in your itineraries (e.g. North America).
- Global plans are for frequent destination hoppers who plan to visit many countries in a short period of time (watch out for potential usage limits though!)
You can say goodbye to unused data
What was really a relief when using Yesim is their pay-as-you-go eSIM plans.
It's exactly how it sounds: with their international eSIM, there’s no stress about wasting unused data. Whenever we need more, we could just top up. This is the cherry on top for those trips that don’t always go as planned (let's face it, most trips don't go as planned) or when we decide to stay a bit longer somewhere unexpectedly.
Limited Time Offer: 3 EUR OFF all Yesim eSIMs
Use the promo code "Freaking3" at checkout to receive 3 EUR OFF on all Yesim eSIM plans.
Claim Your DiscountMobile data prices are very reasonable
Talking about costs, Yesim's pricing feels fair overall. Depending on where we were headed and our data needs, we found their rates quite reasonable. They have plans for both casual use and heavy data demands, which is great because sometimes we just needed basic access, and other times we were streaming or uploading large files. Obviously, the unlimited plans set you back a bit more, but it's a given.
Here are a few popular destinations to give you a sense of their standard plan pricing:
| Country/Region | 3GB (7 days) | 5GB (15 days) | 10GB (30 days) | 20GB (30 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | $12.10 | $15.40 | $23.10 | $28.60 |
| Thailand | $11.00 | $15.40 | $22.00 | $30.80 |
| Spain | $9.90 | $14.30 | $19.80 | $28.60 |
| Europe | $9.90 | $14.30 | $20.90 | $27.50 |
| Global | $26.40 | $38.50 | $64.90 | $82.50 |
Looking at the prices, we can safely say that Yesim holds its own against other eSIM providers. To give you an idea, a 10GB plan for a trip to Italy costs about $19.80 with Yesim, which is more affordable than some other services like Airalo, where the same amount of data might cost closer to $24. This makes Yesim a solid choice for keeping travel costs down without sacrificing connectivity.
Limited Time Offer: 3 EUR OFF all Yesim eSIMs
Use the promo code "Freaking3" at checkout to receive 3 EUR OFF on all Yesim eSIM plans.
Claim Your DiscountAnd if you want to save even more, something we like is that you can score free data with Yesim's loyalty program. Their Ycoins are like travel rewards: you can earn them by referring friends (who also get a discount) and using them towards your next eSIM. For instance, 100 Ycoins = $1.10 USD, so you can easily see how it adds up fast! To take advantage of this program, you can find your special referral link in your account and simply start sharing it.
Customer support is fast and friendly
During a busy week in New York, I faced a technical glitch that left me disconnected. I was going crazy trying to understand what was happening, and typically it might have ruined my day. But we reached out to Yesim's customer support and the situation quickly turned around.
Their live chat was impressively responsive: within a minute, I was talking to someone who could help. The rep was patient and we kept chatting until everything was confirmed to be working. It turned out it was a simple setting gone wrong on my phone.
This responsiveness is invaluable for us, especially when you're relying on your phone for literally everything (who isn't?).
You can also get a virtual phone number
During our stay, we got to appreciate yet another feature of Yesim's—the virtual phone number. It was super handy for getting those annoying yet necessary, SMS codes for two-factor authentication. You know, the kind you need to keep your accounts secure while you're hopping from one spot to another.
But here's where it really came into its own: we could now make dinner reservations, and even sign up for a local fitness class without jumping through hoops to prove we weren't just tourists. Honestly, I really wish more eSIM providers would add virtual phone numbers like they do.
What we didn't like about Yesim
The live chat isn't 24/7
I've had really positive experiences with Yesim's customer support, but I've also run into a snag due to their live chat not being available 24/7. There was one night when I needed help because my data stopped working. I tried to hop on the live chat, only to find out it was offline. Turns out, it was out of hours for their support team.
We had to wait until the next morning to get things sorted out. The time difference can definitely be a bit of a hassle, especially when you're dealing with something time-sensitive and there’s no one immediately available to help. To be completely clear, the reps themselves are super helpful once you get in touch, but that waiting period can be a turnoff.
You can't top up standard and unlimited plans
Another hiccup with Yesim is the lack of flexibility when it comes to topping up your data. To be clear: if you go for their international eSIM with the pay-as-you-go plan, you're fine, but if you have a standard or unlimited plan, you can't top up. During our trip to the UK, I had a standard plan and halfway through the trip, I realized my data was running low.
Long story short, instead of simply adding more data to the existing plan, I had to purchase a new plan, which meant going through the setup process all over again (a good thing that automatic installation is fast). This can be a bit frustrating, especially if you’re just short of a few gigs to get you through your last few days abroad.
It isn't cheaper than local SIM cards (yet)
Yes, Yesim's plans generally offer good value for eSIM standards, but sometimes local SIM cards are cheaper, particularly in countries where they practically throw mobile data at you. Still, we're all in with eSIMs and the ease of use that Yesim provides has its own value.
Think about it: no need to navigate a foreign electronics store, no dealing with language barriers, and no confusing instructions in another language. For people like us who value convenience and time, paying a bit more for Yesim is a worthwhile trade-off. To be honest, this convenience has been a lifesaver for me during my hectic schedule. Without eSIMS, finding a store and setting up a local SIM would have eaten into valuable travel time.
Our Experience Using Yesim in 4 Different Countries (+ Speed Test Results)
During our series of trips, we really put Yesim through its paces, using it across four countries on two continents: the US, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and the UK.
Since network reliability can make or break your travel experience, we decided to run some speed tests to see how Yesim held up.
| Country | Speed Test (download) | Connection Quality |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 110.2 Mbps | Great |
| Mexico | 26.8 Mbps | OK |
| Dominican Republic | 10.3 Mbps | Unstable |
| United Kingdom | 56.9 Mbps | Great |
In the UK and USA, Yesim performed brilliantly, allowing us to stream videos, join video calls, and manage online tasks with ease. But things took a less pleasant turn when we hit Mexico, the speed dipped to 26.8 Mbps. While this was enough for general browsing and emails, we noticed a bit of lag during heavier internet usage.
The most challenging test came in the Dominican Republic, where speeds fell to just 10.3 Mbps. In other words, the connection was noticeably unstable, which to be completely honest, was a bit frustrating at times. But it's fair to point out that this isn't on Yesim: the network quality depends heavily on the local infrastructure. Even other eSIM providers we tried during the same trip had a tough time in that particular location!
Experience in the Dominican Republic aside, Yesim delivered a robust service. In the US, it exceeded our expectations by reaching 5G speeds on my iPhone 14 Pro, an unexpected surprise since it was advertised for 4G capabilities!
Limited Time Offer: 3 EUR OFF all Yesim eSIMs
Use the promo code "Freaking3" at checkout to receive 3 EUR OFF on all Yesim eSIM plans.
Claim Your DiscountAre There Any Alternatives to Yesim?
It’s always a good idea to have options because one size definitely doesn’t fit all. Let me share a couple of popular alternatives and see how they compare to Yesim:
Yesim vs Airalo
Airalo is a solid option for those who venture beyond typical tourist paths. They offer coverage in over 200 countries, so it’s likely they’ve got you covered wherever you're headed. Airalo is one of our go-to's, and we tested it many times, including in Thailand, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Georgia, and even Morocco.
From our experience, they’re a reliable choice, although their prices can be a bit steep per gigabyte compared to Yesim, and they don’t always have unlimited data plans. On the flip side, Airalo rewards its users with Airmoney every time they buy an eSIM. The points accumulate quickly and can be used towards future purchases. So, if you’re watching your budget and your destination is within Yesim's network, you might want to stick with Yesim.
Yesim vs Holafly
Another contender in the eSIM space is Holafly, which boasts an impressive footprint with service in over 200+ destinations and a variety of unlimited data plans. We've tapped into their service in places like Thailand, Portugal, Spain, and Mexico, among others and in these places, the connection was always reliably strong. Their customer support is also top-notch, always ready to assist with any queries or issues.
But just like Airalo, Holafly tends to be pricier than Yesim, and they limit the option to use your phone as a hotspot to 500MB a day, which can be a dealbreaker for those of us who need to connect multiple devices.
Is Yesim Worth It? Our Final Considerations
We've been using Yesim for a while now, and we honestly find it to be a reliable eSIM. Sure, it might cost a bit more than some of the local SIMs we could hunt down, but the time and frustration we save are worth it for us. I just land, turn on my phone, and I’m connected. It’s that simple. Plus, their pay-as-you-go plans have been pretty handy. They give you flexibility, so if you decide to extend your stay or pop over to another country last minute, you're covered.
And about that virtual number feature—it’s a small thing, but can make a big difference. It’s a great bonus and allows you to book local services seamlessly.
If you’re someone who travels a lot and prefers things straightforward without any fuss, Yesim could be a good fit. Consider giving Yesim a try to see if suits your connectivity needs while traveling.
Limited Time Offer: 3 EUR OFF all Yesim eSIMs
Use the promo code "Freaking3" at checkout to receive 3 EUR OFF on all Yesim eSIM plans.
Claim Your DiscountReady to Give Yesim a Go?
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