Overview: Alternative Global Cloud SIMs (Cellular Plans)

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While not suitable for our core audience of US-based nomads, if they work, global Cloud SIM hotspots and eSIMs may be useful for those with occasional or hypermobile international excursions.

We track some of the global hotspot and eSIM options available and often them when we go international for short bursts.

While this Gear Center entry does not go in-depth on particular systems, we do keep a list of interesting Global Cloud SIMS - and are always on the lookout for systems that are highly applicable to US-based RVers and Cruisers.

Here is our guide to international options for US-based travelers:

• International Mobile Internet Options for US Based Travelers

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Global SIM/Hotspot Providers:

• Airalo - Airalo bills itself as an eSIM "store" that provides access to eSIM-based data-only plans in various countries.  Using the mobile app, customers can sign up for data plans on phones that support eSIM.  Prices vary by country but are typically around $3 per GB.
• Airhub - Sells data plans using eSIM via an Airhub app for the US and several other countries. GB limits and prices vary by location. 
• AlwaysOnlineWireless - Sells SIM cards for use in phones, hotspot devices, or tablets by the hour, day or megabyte in over 45 countries. If you've got an iPad device with an Apple, you can skip the SIM cards ordering and get a plan directly.
• Amigo.US - Short and long term rentals of hotspot devices, Blackberry devices, or a SIM card for BYOD. Pricing and data usage varies by country.
• Boost Mobile - eSIM coverage in 100+ countries.
• Dent Wireless - A mobile data cryptocurrency based eSIM provider offering worldwide data plans in bucket up to 10GB. Dent aims to be the currency for mobile data allowing users to trade their excess data to other users in exchange for DENT tokens.
• eSIMDB - This website conglomerates a variety of international and U.S. based eSIM options for travelers.
• GigSky - Data only services, no voice or text. GigSky offers regional data plans with differing data allotments that vary from 300mb per day to 5GB for 30 days.  No unlimited options are available. Compatible with eSIM devices (including dual-sim iPhones), but they also sell SIM cards for $10 on Amazon. GigSky does not sell or rent devices, customers must bring their own unlocked, compatible device. Data purchases and account management are made through the website or companion app.
• GlocalMe - Data plans based on the country of travel with differing data allotments and lengths of use before expiration. Offering 3 different types of hotspots, GlocalMe devices are portable, SIM-free, and support a maximum of five devices. The G2 and G3 devices can serve as powerbanks in addition to hotspots. One of the biggest differences we noted between the devices is battery life. This is not a US-based company, as evidenced by the poor English translation on their website. 
• Holafly - eSIM provider focusing on data connectivity for tourists at various regions around the world.
• iRoam - Prepaid, International roaming SIM which roams in the U.S. on AT&T, and in Canada on Rogers. Phone or data-only plans available - although data buckets are quite small (2GB/30 days).
• iWiFiTravel - "Unlimited" 4G global data for $10/day.  Targeted to short-term travelers.  Customers pay in advance and receive a global hotspot in the mail which must be returned at the end of the rental period.
  • The unlimited 4G service comes with the following restriction: "The data that you receive is unlimited, but the rate at which you use the data must stay within the International Fair Usage Policy. This simply means that you cannot stream video or use excessively large amounts of data for more than short periods at a time. All telecom companies that offer unlimited Internet access still require you to follow this policy."
  • US Coverage is provided by AT&T, Europe, India and Australia coverage is through Vodaphone. Coverage in other countries is available by emailing iWiFiTravel support.
• KeepGo - Hotspots and global SIM cards for watches and data devices.
• KiMiFi -An Indiegogo funded global mobile hotspot. Data price info not yet available.
• KnowRoaming - eSIM based service offering up to 5GB/month in the U.S. 
• Mighty WiFi - Offers a global hotspot for sale or rent with T-Mobile-based US options plus data plans for most countries.
• MyWebSpot - Provides a global mobile hotspot and up to 2GB/ data a day, depending on the country.
• Nommi - Provides a global mobile hotspot with up to daily unlimited data, depending on the country.  It also acts as a Wi-Fi extender and can offload its connection to Wi-Fi networks over an included VPN when Wi-Fi is available.
• PokeFi - A product of travel-centric company, SmartGo, PokeFi's hotspot device must be purchased up front (and is pricey). You can then purchase data as a day pass (actualy data usage limits unknown), or in GB allotments.
• RedPocket - Offers data-only SIM cards for either $9/ first GB, then $8/GB for 30days or $15/ first GB then $14/GB for 30days - dependent on country of travel.
• RoamingMan - The data plan for RoamingMan is deceiving - technically 'unlimited', but after 500MB of high-speed data per day, you are throttled to 384kbps until the next day. $9.99 per day. Cellular based. Must rent device - no purchase option.
• Ryoko - Offers a global hotspot for sale which can be paired with their global data plans of up to 10GB. 
• Saily - Data plans starting at $3.99 for 1GB. eSIM only. Select your country you are traveling to, download app, select data plan.
• Sapphire - Sapphire sells an international mobile hotspot that works in over 130 countries. Their data plans are either pay-as-you-go or prepaid. Data plans can be purchased for either individual countries, or for regions covering multiple countries. Rates vary depending on the plan and coverage. They also offer plans for military members in combat zones.
• SIM2Fly - Uses both AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S.
• Simo Wireless - An app-based, data-only option priced per-GB depending on location available to a limited number of Android smartphones with eSIMs.  Uses Solis's (formerly Skyroam) network access.  The data cost is $6/GB in the US and around $9/GB in other countries.
• SmartSIMPro - Offers SIM cards and data plans in low end WiFi devices. Sells data packages in 500MB-30GB increments for in US and in Europe.
• Solis (formerly Skyroam) -Solis offers two hotspot devices and a variety of different plans - Unlimited, Capped Data, Pay-per-GB, and Global Day Passes. They also offer plans for Canadian, European, and Asian citizens for use in those locations.
• Stork Mobile - Offers eSIMs for International Travel across Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia. 10GB for $98 for one month; lower data amounts are also available. Hotspotting data is permitted. iOS/iPadOS and Android devices that are eSIM-compatible and unlocked can be used with Stork Mobile’s eSIM. Devices that are SIM locked can’t be used.
• tep - A global data plan rental vendor, tep offers rented hotspots for between $10.95/day (3GB/LTE) to $12.95/day (5GB/LTE), with additional fees for chargers and device insurance. After LTE data is used, speeds are slowed to 256kbps for the remainder of the day.
• Travel WiFi - Travel hotspot from a France-based company that focuses primarily on France and Europe: unlimited 4G data in France, 5G/day in Europe and 1GB/day for rest of world.
• TruPhone - A purveyor of global cellular options, typically limited to 5GB plans. Uses eSIM, so must have eSIM eligible phone or tablet device.
• Ubigi - eSIM based service offering up to 50GB/month in the U.S.
• urozetta - Offers devices, SIMs and data for a variety of countries.
• US Mobile - Prepaid roaming plans vis eSIM in 70+ countries.
• Vision Global Wifi - Global hotspot you can pick up from an airport, data price depends on location and amount.
• We.Stream - The data plans from We.Stream appear lackluster. The "unlimited" plan only included 2GB of high-speed data a month, and then speeds drop to being only suitable for text and email.
• WorldSIM - Offers data-only and phone SIMS for a variety of countries - up to 5GB is available per 30 day period.

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