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The days of printing out MapQuest directions to help us navigate new cities or bringing guidebooks with us on vacation are long gone. With the rise of new travel technologies and apps, we can access restaurant reviews, flight tickets, hotel reservations and Google Maps from our phones.
It’s hard to travel without a smartphone these days, as you often need one to order shares, access e-tickets and much more. It’s also useful for letting your loved ones know you’ve arrived safely at your destination and sharing photos with friends. But how can you use your phone abroad without costing a fortune?
Travelers usually try to buy physical SIM cards when they land in a new country, but there’s a new SIM in town that’s much easier to use – the eSIM! With eSIMs, you can easily purchase an internet and phone plan directly from your phone. They are compatible with many of the popular smartphones manufactured since 2019, from brands such as Apple, Sony, Samsung and Nokia.
We decided to investigate further and take a look at aloSIM, one of the newest companies shaking things up in the eSIM industry. (Spoiler alert: aloSIM is crushing it!)
AloSIM Coupon Code: Get a 10% discount on any eSIM plan from aloSIM using our link.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital replacement for physical SIM cards that you can buy directly through your phone to access the internet and mobile data. It has no physical components, allowing it to work alongside a regular SIM card or another eSIM. You can effortlessly switch between mobile operators, depending on the number you want to use or where you are. Just download the eSIM to a phone and it’s ready to use!
Which devices are supported by eSIM?
While eSIMs are a fantastic new invention, they are just that – new, which means that not all devices are equipped to use eSIMs yet. Fortunately, the technology has been around long enough that most devices from 2019 or later are compatible with it. Here are some of the devices equipped to handle eSIM:
- iPhone XR or XS
- iPhone 11 or later
- iPad with 4G connectivity (manufactured since 2019)
- Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer
- Google Pixel 2 and newer
- Windows Surface Pro 7 and newer
- Windows Surface Go 2 and 3
AloSIM is compatible with over 15 mobile phone manufacturers. Here you can check your phone’s compatibility with aloSIM’s useful device checker.
What is aloSIM?
AloSIM is a Canada-based technology company designed to provide budget-friendly prepaid eSIMs to travelers in over 130 countries. While the company may be new to the eSIM gig, the brains behind it have been in the messaging and mobile data game for years. They launched Hushed, an award-winning app that facilitates temporary and secondary phone numbers, in 2012, so they have a solid decade of experience in the industry.
AloSIM allows you to buy prepaid SIM cards by country or region and by duration. Packages do not include a phone number, voice calls or messages – only data. This is still a great way to stay connected without breaking the bank, given that many of us use messaging apps (such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger) instead of calling and texting when we’re out and about. Of course, you can use aloSIM with another SIM or eSIM if you want the ability to send messages or make calls.
How to buy an aloSIM eSIM
There are two ways to purchase and download an eSIM from aloSIM. We recommend downloading the aloSIM mobile app, but you can also purchase from its website on a laptop, tablet or phone. After verifying its compatibility with your device, search for the country or region you plan to visit and all available plans will be displayed.
Before jumping into the bigger data plan, we highly recommend using aloSIM’s data calculator. When you change the sliders to match your usage for messaging, downloads, gaming and social media, the calculator will show you an estimate of your daily, weekly and monthly usage. (Note that most hotels and guesthouses have free Wi-Fi, so you can always download music and movies in advance without using up data.)
Once you’ve narrowed down an eSIM area, you can browse the different packages and prices to find the eSIM duration and data amount that suits your itinerary. Once you’ve chosen a package, simply create an account and upload a payment method, and then your travel eSIM is ready to install!
How to install an aloSIM eSIM
You have several options for installing an eSIM, some of which depend on the device you have. The process is quick and aloSIM provides step-by-step instructions on how to install the eSIM for your device.
There are three main ways to install the eSIM, depending on your device:
- Automatic installation it is the easiest and fastest way. This feature is only available through the aloSIM mobile app.
- You can also install eSIM with one QR code scan. This is useful if you are buying a package for your phone on a laptop or tablet.
- Manual installation includes following step-by-step instructions on how to adjust your device settings to allow eSIM.
Once you’ve installed the eSIM, you just need to activate it when you reach your destination and you’re ready to start surfing! You don’t even need Wi-Fi or data to activate your eSIM.
What are the advantages of using an aloSIM eSIM?
Easy purchase and download process
The whole process of buying an eSIM from aloSIM is quick and easy, especially thanks to the automatic installation feature, which few other eSIM companies offer. The website and app are both extremely user-friendly – you won’t have to read long instructions or search YouTube for a video to get it right.
Great packages and budget prices
Our favorite thing about aloSIM, aside from the affordable eSIM, is that it doesn’t try to sell you on bundles. With its travel data calculator, you can find out realistically how much data you will need for your trip. The prices are also extremely reasonable. You can get budget plans like 5GB for 30 days in Canada, which costs only $18 (USD), or 5GB for 30 days in Spain for the low price of $11.50! If you’ve ever used your personal phone plan abroad, you’ll know that these prices are a steal.
Data sharing
Some other eSIM companies, such as Holafly, do not support data sharing, but aloSIM allows you to use your personal hotspot and connect other devices to the Internet. This is especially useful if you are working remotely!
Quality Plan and Transparency
AloSIM does a great job of being transparent about its plans, which is one of the reasons we think it has the best eSIM for international travel. Before you buy a package, you can see the partner networks you will connect to in that country and the speed availability for the plan (3G, 4G, 5G or LTE). This isn’t common with eSIM companies and users often don’t think about it before they buy, but it shouldn’t be hard for eSIM companies to tell you this up front!
No one wants to pay for a data plan slower than the airport security line, so aloSIM partners with trusted networks and is honest about what you can use with each plan. We tip our hats to the integrity of this Canadian company.
Easy filling
Unlike other eSIM companies, aloSIM lets you easily add more data when you’re running out instead of buying and downloading a whole new travel eSIM. Just log into your account and use the card on file to top up in seconds!
Fantastic customer service
AloSIM makes sure that you will have the easiest experience using this new technology. You won’t have to track down contact information to get someone to answer your questions, because AloSIM has an automated chatbot that can answer frequently asked questions or connect you directly to an agent. The website and app also have an extensive support section that covers many specific questions about billing, troubleshooting, eSIM management and much more. It’s that opening we love again for aloSIM!
What are the disadvantages of using an aloSIM eSIM?
There is no phone number
Although this is not a massive concern, not having a phone number abroad can pose problems for some travelers. However, as we said earlier, you can still use messaging platforms like email, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger only with data. You can also buy a regular SIM card or use your own together with aloSIM. If you like to use SMS or voice calls to contact hotels, tour groups or other services in the country you’re visiting, it may be inconvenient to just use an aloSIM eSIM.
There are no unlimited plans
If you plan to rely heavily on mobile data while traveling, you can look for an unlimited plan. Unfortunately, it seems that aloSIM has no (or at least very few) options for unlimited data packages.
What is the verdict?
Like the days of physical SIM cards for travelers, we’ve come to an end. We can see that aloSIM has provided solutions to issues that other eSIM providers have ignored, from its affordable plans and auto-installation feature to excellent customer service. We’re going to swipe right on aloSIM and hope it works for you too!
