Best eSIM for United States
Updated November 2026
The short answer
The best eSIM for the USA is one that runs on a major national network rather than a regional reseller, because coverage between cities is what actually varies. Ours delivers instantly by QR code, keeps your regular number for calls and texts, and has no roaming bill at the end.
United States plans from Tonavira start at $1.99, with 326 plans to choose from. Every plan is a one-time payment with no subscription and no roaming bill afterwards.
Best for: Road trips and multi-city visits where you need reliable maps well outside the big metros.
When you should not buy from us
No eSIM suits every trip. These are the cases where something other than our United States plan is the better buy.
- You need a US phone number for deliveries, dating apps or two-factor codes, which a data-only eSIM cannot do.
- Your whole trip is in one city with Wi-Fi everywhere, in which case the smallest plan from anyone, including us, is what you want rather than the plan we highlight.
What to compare before you buy
The cheapest United States eSIM is rarely the best one. These are the things that decide whether a plan actually works for your trip.
- Price per gigabyte, not the headline price: a $5 plan with 1 GB costs more per gigabyte than a $13 plan with 5 GB.
- Whether hotspot and tethering are allowed. Many cheap plans block them, which matters the moment you open a laptop.
- What happens when the data runs out: can you top up the same eSIM, or must you buy and install a new one?
- What 'unlimited' means on that plan: almost always a daily allowance at full speed, then a much slower connection.
- Whether validity starts when you buy, when you install or when you first connect. Each of our plan pages says which.
- Whether there is a refund if the eSIM will not work on your phone, and whether a human answers when something goes wrong.
What actually matters in United States
- The distances are the problem, not the cities. National parks, desert highways and long stretches of the interstate have little or no signal on any network.
- Download offline maps before you leave a city; this saves more data and more frustration than any plan choice.
- Hotspot matters more in the US than elsewhere because so many travellers bring a laptop. Most of our plans allow it and the plan page says so before you buy, so check it there rather than assuming, with us or with anyone else.
How much data do you need for United States?
Allow 400–600 MB a day for a driving trip with constant navigation. For two weeks, 10 GB is the usual sweet spot.
Not sure? The data calculator works it out from how you actually use your phone.
Our United States plans
One-time payment. Each plan page says when its days start.
100 MB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$1.99
≈ $0.28 / day
1 GB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$2.99
≈ $0.43 / day
3 GB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$6.99
≈ $0.23 / day
5 GB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$9.99
≈ $0.33 / day
10 GB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$14.99
≈ $0.50 / day
15 GB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$20.99
≈ $0.70 / day
20 GB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$25.99
≈ $0.87 / day
20 GB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$31.99
≈ $0.36 / day
50 GB
Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G]
$69.99
≈ $0.39 / day
Not sure how much you need? Use the data calculator
Questions about eSIMs in United States
What is the best eSIM for United States?
Pick a plan that covers your whole stay with some data to spare. We offer 46 United States plans starting from $1.99, delivered instantly by email and in your account.
Which networks does the United States eSIM use?
It connects to Verizon [5G], AT&T [5G], and your phone switches to the strongest available network automatically.
Can I install my United States eSIM before I travel?
Yes, on the day you travel: install it on Wi-Fi before you leave. Some plans start counting when the eSIM is installed and others when it first connects in United States, so installing on the day keeps all your days.
Do I get a phone number with the United States eSIM?
No, it's data only. Call and message over WhatsApp, FaceTime or Telegram, and keep your regular SIM switched on to receive texts such as bank codes.
How much data do I need for a trip to United States?
Most travellers use 0.5–1 GB per day for maps, messaging and social media. Streaming video uses much more. Our data calculator gives a personal estimate.
Updated November 2026. Our prices are read from our live catalogue, so the figures above are what we charge today. Full United States plan details are on the United States destination page.