GigSky eSIM: Best Travel eSIM? (REVIEW and PRICING)

Traveling and in need of reliable data on your phone? GigSky eSIM might just be the best travel eSIM on the market!

In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into WHY we think GigSky is one of the best eSIMs for travel.

We cover everything, from easy setup and plan variety to coverage quality, pricing, using your phone as a hotspot, customer support experiences, and even GigSky’s refund policy.

👉 SPOILER: there’s even a FREE TRIAL to get you started! To our knowledge, they are the only e sim for international travel offering a free trial (ranging from 100 MB to 500 MB).

 

What is an eSIM?

An embedded SIM (eSIM) is a digital SIM card embedded in your device.

Instead of inserting a physical SIM (like you always used to) when you travel, you download a carrier’s profile (in this case, GigSky’s) onto your phone.

It sounds quite technical, but it’s super easy. 

For us and many other travelers, an eSIM is a GAME-CHANGER.

What is GigSky?

GigSky is a veteran player in global SIM cards (founded in 2010) that has fully embraced eSIM technology. It’s known for flexible short-term plans and some unique offerings like cruise ship and in-flight connectivity.

For American travelers, GigSky provides a convenient way to get online throughout Europe without messing with local SIMs or outrageous roaming fees.

👉 DID YOU KNOW? GigSky was founded in 2010 in Silicon Valley and was one of the earliest players in eSIM for travel. It gained fame for being an APPLE PARTNER when the first eSIM-enabled iPhones launched (GigSky was featured as a data provider in the iPhone XS/XR’s eSIM settings). Today, it’s a top choice among e sims for travel, with over 1 MILLION (!) USERS and partnerships with carriers worldwide.

Key facts about GigSky eSIM

Discover GigSky’s key features at a glance in our summary table below:

Our experience with the GigSky eSIM

I gave GigSky a try during a two-week trip through Europe.

I wanted to see if this travel eSIM could keep me connected in both cities and also in very remote places.

My priority was a quick, painless setup. I didn’t want to spend hours fiddling with settings.

So in that regard, setting up GigSky was actually super fast. I downloaded the GigSky app, created a free account, and installed the eSIM profile on my iPhone in just a few minutes (all while still at home on Wi-Fi).

When I arrived in Europe, I simply turned on the eSIM in my phone, and within about 30 seconds, I had a local signal.

My GigSky esim connected to a 4G network immediately, and I was online, checking WhatsApp messages and maps before I even reached immigration.

Throughout the trip, GigSky’s service remained pretty solid.

In big cities like Brussels and Paris, we saw a 5G or 4G signal with good data speeds (plenty for video calls and uploading photos).

In rural areas and small towns, we got an okay coverage, which was to be expected.

Hotspot usage was also a lifesaver for us as travel bloggers.

We often work on our laptops during long car rides, so being able to write blog posts is essential. Luckily, it worked great during our trip with the GigSky esim, making it an ideal eSIM for international travel in our experience.

Is my phone compatible with GigSky?

Probably yes, if your phone is relatively new, it likely supports an e travel sim.

GigSky’s service works on any unlocked, eSIM-capable device. This includes:

• iPhone: All models from X and later.

• Samsung Galaxy: Recent Galaxy phones with eSIM, such as the S20 and newer, the Z Flip and Z Fold series, and Note 20/Note 21. New Samsung models generally have eSIM, but if you bought through a carrier like Verizon, they may have it disabled (contact your carrier to unlock it).

• Google Pixel: Pixel 4 and newer.

• Other devices: Many newer devices from Huawei (e.g. P40), Motorola (Razr 2019+), Sony Xperia (select models), Microsoft Surface Duo, and even some laptops and tablets have eSIM.

More information on the GigSky compatibility page!

👉 INSIDER TIP: Dial *#06# to check for an EID number. If it’s visible, your device supports eSIM.

GigSky coverage, plans, and pricing

For us, one of GigSky’s biggest selling points is the coverage and plan variety it offers.

This service is available in over 190 destinations worldwide, practically every destination you could think of.

Coverage

GigSky isn’t a traditional carrier.

It’s an independent service that partners with local mobile operators in each country.

When you use GigSky in a given country, your eSIM will piggyback on major local networks (for example, on AT&T or T-Mobile in the USA, Vodafone in Europe, Rogers/Bell in Canada, etc.).

GigSky often has agreements with multiple networks in the same country, so your phone can switch to another network if one signal is weak, maximizing your chances of staying connected.

GigSky offers several types of plans depending on your travel needs:

• SINGLE- COUNTRY: Ideal if you’re visiting just one country. You can buy a local data plan specifically for that country (say, you’re only traveling to Japan or Italy, you can purchase a dedicated plan for that country).

• REGIONAL PLANS: Perfect for multi-country trips in the same region. For example, GigSky’s Europe plan covers 40+ destinations across Europe under one plan, so you don’t need separate plans as you country-hop. They have regional bundles for Asia Pacific, Latin America, Caribbean, North America, Africa, etc.

• WORLDWIDE PLAN: GigSky’s World eSIM plan covers around 170+ countries across all continents. This is a fantastic option if you’re doing an around-the-world trip or traveling through multiple regions.

Additionally, GigSky offers specialty connectivity that most providers don’t: CRUISE SHIP PLANS and even IN-FLIGHT data plans.

If you’re taking a cruise vacation, GigSky’s Cruise+ plans combine cellular at sea and on land in port cities so you stay connected on the ship.

We did not get to try this ourselves, but we’ve seen other people report mixed results with the cruise service, as sometimes the ship satellite networks themselves can be slow and tricky. It stays impressive that GigSky has an option for it.

Plans and pricing

GigSky offers a wide range of plans, from short 1-day data passes to large multi-month packages.

Most plans are available in several data sizes: typically 500 MB, 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, etc., and often a couple of larger options like 50 GB or even 100 GB for long stays.

The validity (expiration) can range from 1 day for a small pack, up to 30 days for most standard plans, and even 60, 90, or 180 days for some of the large packages.

To give you an idea of pricing, here are some examples (prices in USD):

• Single-country (e.g. Japan) plans: 5 GB (30 days) for $16.99, 10 GB (30 days) for $28.04.

• Regional (e.g. Europe) plans: 5 GB (30 days) $19.54 and 10 GB (30 days) $33.99.

• Global plans: 25 GB (30 days) $17.00.

• Unlimited plans: GigSky’s “unlimited” options actually come with a generous daily cap. Currently, it’s about 2.5 GB to 5 GB per day of high-speed data (varies by plan). After you hit that in a day, speeds slow down until the next day.

Most GigSky plans are INE-TIME PURCHASE that you activate when needed. If you run out of data or your plan expires, you simply purchase another plan in the app. The app makes this easy and even suggests packages based on your location.

One thing we really appreciate is that GigSky’s eSIM profile can remain on your phone indefinitely. Once you’ve installed the GigSky eSIM the first time, you DO NOT need to install a new GigSky eSIM for each trip.

You can keep the GigSky eSIM on your device and simply purchase new plans whenever you travel, and it will AUTOMATICALLY REACTIVATE with the new data in the appropriate country.

How does the GigSky eSIM work?

If you’re new to eSIMs, don’t worry, setting up GigSky is very easy.

Here’s a quick STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE on how to purchase and activate a GigSky esim for your trip:

• Check device compatibility: First, ensure your phone supports eSIM (see the compatibility tips above).

• Get the GigSky app: The easiest way is via the GigSky app (available on iOS and Android). You can download it for free from the App Store or Google Play.

• Choose and purchase a data plan: In the app, you’ll see an option to “Store” or “Buy Data”. Select the country or region you’re traveling to, and browse the available plans. GigSky will show you the data amounts, prices, and valid duration for each plan. Pick one that suits your needs and budget.

• Download and install the eSIM: After purchase, the app will guide you to install the eSIM on your phone. It’s usually just a couple of taps, essentially, your phone will ask to add a new “cellular plan”. Approve it, and it will download the GigSky eSIM profile. If you bought the plan on the website instead, you will have received a QR code via email. In that case, on your phone, go to the cellular settings and choose “Add Cellular Plan”, then scan the QR code to install the eSIM.

• Set the eSIM as active (but don’t switch on data yet): Once the eSIM is installed, you’ll typically label it (e.g. “GigSky”). Keep the GigSky line off for cellular data until you’re ready to use it (so you don’t start the plan timer too early).

• Activate when you travel: When you arrive at your destination and you’re ready to start using data, go into your phone’s settings and turn on the GigSky eSIM for cellular data (and switch off data roaming on your physical SIM to avoid accidental usage).

• Enjoy your data, and top up anytime if needed: Now you can use mobile internet just like at home.

👉 INSIDER TIP: After installing the eSIM, we recommend double-checking your phone’s cellular settings. Make sure the GigSky line is labeled clearly (e.g. “GigSky Travel Data”) and set it as the active line for cellular data. If you have a physical SIM active for calls, we recommend turning off its data roaming just to be safe. On iPhone, you can do this under Settings > Cellular > [Your Primary SIM] > Data Roaming (set to off).

User experience and features

Beyond just the raw connectivity and cost, there are a few other aspects of using GigSky worth noting, like the mobile app experience, the fact that it’s data-only, and how customer support stacks up.

Mobile app & account management

The GigSky app (iOS and Android) is the hub for managing your eSIM and plans. It’s not the flashiest app design-wise. The interface feels a bit utilitarian and slightly dated in look, but it’s quite intuitive and gets the job done. We easily navigated it to find plans, check our data balance, and view remaining days on our plan.

One feature we liked is that the app shows notifications and usage info. It popped up an alert when we had used about 80% of our data, which was a nice reminder to top-up soon.

We could also see exactly how many MB were left and the days remaining.

No voice or SMS (data-only)

The main limitation is that GigSky is data-only, so there are no voice minutes or SMS included.

You’ll rely on internet apps like WhatsApp for calls and texts.

For us, most of the time a data-only plan is fine, but if you want to make a reservation at a restaurant, and you have to call them, there’s a small issue.

For 90% of travelers today, the lack of a local number is a non-issue; apps have you covered.

The no-refund policy (be aware)

One important thing to know: GigSky does NOT OFFER REFUNDS in most cases.

This is pretty standard among eSIM providers, but GigSky is explicit about it. If you buy a plan and activate it, you can’t get your money back for unused data.

Even if you accidentally purchase the wrong plan or your trip is canceled, their terms state no refunds on eSIM purchases.

The only scenario they consider refunds is if the service outright fails due to GigSky’s system (e.g., you bought a plan and for some reason it never provides any connectivity). In such cases, you’d need to contact support and they review it case-by-case.

Customer support

How is GigSky’s support if you run into a problem?

The company provides multiple support channels, which is reassuring.

Officially, they offer 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, and they have a pretty extensive Help Center with articles.

In our case, we didn’t need to contact support during the trip because everything worked smoothly.

One thing to note: GigSky’s refund policy is strict (they don’t refund unused data or if you simply change your mind). The support team will try to help if something truly doesn’t work, but don’t expect a money-back guarantee. 

Conclusion: Is GigSky the best eSIM for international travel?

In our opinion, yes, GigSky is absolutely one of the best eSIMs for travel, especially for U.S.-based travelers venturing abroad.

After our hands-on testing and evaluating its features, GigSky gets a big thumbs up 👍 from us.

GigSky excelled in delivering what travelers need most: reliable connectivity, simplicity, and value.

With coverage in over 190 countries, it’s hard to find a destination where GigSky won’t work. The global reach is a huge advantage for any e SIM for international travel.

We were impressed with the speeds and performance on quality local networks.

In urban areas, we enjoyed fast 4G/5G data, and even in rural regions, we stayed connected well enough to get by.

The ease of use is another highlight. GigSky’s app and setup process were among the simplest we’ve seen.

Cost-wise, GigSky offers GREAT BANG FOR YOUR BUCK. It’s not only cheaper than Verizon’s or AT&T’s travel packages, but also priced very competitively against other independent eSIM providers.

We appreciated the flexibility to buy small plans for short trips or bigger plans for longer stays, without breaking the bank.

Plus, the FREE 100 TO 500 MB trial is a nice touch.

Of course, no service is perfect. GigSky is data-only, so you won’t get a local phone number, which, for most of us using messaging apps, is no biggie.

All in all, GigSky proved to be a dependable and convenient travel companion. It allowed us to stay connected effortlessly across multiple countries, which is exactly what you want from an international eSIM. No one wants to stress over internet access while traveling.

So, is it the best e sim for travel? We’d say GigSky is certainly among the top contenders.