Esima vs Ubigi: which travel eSIM is better in 2026?
Ubigi is a Transatel (NTT Group) brand with deep B2B roots — also embedded in many car infotainment systems. Here's how Esima compares on what actually moves the needle: price, plan flexibility, refund window and coverage.
The verdict
For most travellers, Esima is the better value — consumer-friendly pricing 30–50% below Ubigi on most plans. Choose Ubigi if enterprise-grade reliability backed by NTT matters more for your trip.
Esima vs Ubigi at a glance
The differences that change which one you should actually buy.
| Criterion | Ubigi | |
|---|---|---|
| Refund window | 30 days, unused eSIMs | 14 business days, and ANY data usage voids the refund; support-only (form + receipt). |
| Pricing | Per-plan, transparent — no daily-rate lock-in | Premium per-GB pricing. Plans are reliable but rarely the cheapest in any country. |
| Payment methods | Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal | Card, PayPal |
| Regions covered | 190+ countries | 190+ countries |
| Account required to buy | No — instant checkout | Typically yes |
Refund window
30 days, unused eSIMs
Ubigi
14 business days, and ANY data usage voids the refund; support-only (form + receipt).
Pricing
Per-plan, transparent — no daily-rate lock-in
Ubigi
Premium per-GB pricing. Plans are reliable but rarely the cheapest in any country.
Payment methods
Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal
Ubigi
Card, PayPal
Regions covered
190+ countries
Ubigi
190+ countries
Account required to buy
No — instant checkout
Ubigi
Typically yes
Ubigi details sourced from www.ubigi.com · prices and policies change, so confirm on their site before buying.
- Consumer-friendly pricing 30–50% below Ubigi on most plans.
- Cleaner checkout — no account creation friction.
- Larger unlimited inventory at the consumer end of the market.
- Enterprise-grade reliability backed by NTT.
- Preinstalled in many Tesla, BMW and Audi vehicles.
- Broad country list including some markets others skip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Esima cheaper than Ubigi?+
In most country plans at the 5–20GB range, yes. Ubigi is often more competitive at the very low end (1GB) and on unlimited-daily plans. Compare the live pricing on any country page before buying.
Is Ubigi a legitimate eSIM provider?+
Yes — Ubigi is a legitimate company founded in 2016. The comparison here is about pricing, plan flexibility and refund terms, not legitimacy.
Can I use both Ubigi and Esima eSIMs on the same phone?+
Yes. Modern phones support multiple eSIM profiles — most iPhones store up to 8. You can keep a Ubigi eSIM installed and add an Esima eSIM alongside it, then toggle which one is active.
What is Esima's refund policy compared to Ubigi?+
Esima offers a clearly-stated 30-day refund on unused eSIMs. Ubigi: 14 business days, and ANY data usage voids the refund; support-only (form + receipt).
Why pick Esima over Ubigi in 2026?+
Consumer-friendly pricing 30–50% below Ubigi on most plans. That said, Ubigi is the better fit for enterprise-grade reliability backed by ntt..
Browse Esima country plans
Transparent pricing in your currency, real 5G, instant install — no account needed.