Embedded SIM cards are slightly replacing traditional SIM solutions in the USA. This technology allows visitors and locals to connect to US mobile data without paying roaming fees and putting a plastic card into the smartphone. If you’re looking for the best eSIM for the USA, see this selection of the 10 prepaid options. All the selected plans support 5G/4G speeds and offer data in a prepaid format, which is cheaper than an unlimited connection.

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How to Choose the Best eSIM for the USA?

Mobile data for travelers varies depending on speed, coverage, and other factors. Before purchasing the first-ever data plan, see what to pay attention to:

    1. Price. Within prepaid data plans, you pay for s fixed amount of data. This is a good option for users who don’t need a lot of Internet and calls. If you’re constantly online, think about unlimited options instead. 

    1. Coverage. While all providers cover big cities and tourist destinations, you may need good coverage on the road and in small towns. See the coverage maps and customer reviews about your provider’s territory. 

    1. Speed. The USA mobile carriers already support 5G. Thus, choose eSIM providers with 5G technologies. 

    1. Activation ease. Most providers offer applications or QR codes instead of outdated manual activation. 

Extra features may also become a reason. Pay attention to loyalty programs if you travel a lot, or bonuses for new users if you have never installed eSIM before. 

Top 10 Prepaid Data Plans for the USA

See which eSIM companies offer prepaid options for the USA. Compare their pricing, speed, and advantages. 

“eSIM United States Standard” by Yesim

    • best for: tourists, business travelers, and short-term visitors; 

    • advantages: 500 MB plan, in-app installation, loyalty program;

    • drawback: the phone number is not included in the price.

Yesim offers versatile conditions for 190+ countries, including the USA. Apart from unlimited Internet, there are 5 prepaid options of eSIM for USA travel: 500 MB for 0.5 USD, 10 GB for 17.60 USD, 15 GB for 19.80 USD, 20 GB for 22 USD, and 30 GB for 27.50 USD. Regular discounts appear on the official site and in the application. 

The provider supports 5G/4G/3G Internet by AT&T, and VerizonUSA. Note that the price includes only mobile Internet without SMS and phone calls. Installation is available in the app and via the QR code. 

“Change” and “Change+” by Airalo

    • best for: long-term visitors who need phone calls and SMS;

    • advantages: easy setup, top-up options;

    • drawbacks: poor connection away from cities according to customer reviews.

Airalo offers two types of prepaid data for the USA. The same plans are available with phone calls and SMS or without them (online mobile Internet). The price varies from 4.50 to 42 USD depending on data volumes and extra services. For example, a 1 GB plan costs 4.5 USD, while 1 GB with SMS and calls comes at 7 USD. This is a convenient way to pay for the services you use without overpaying for unnecessary tools. 

The company offers in-app installation. The mobile Internet varies from 3G to 5G and supports only the T-Mobile network. 

“USA Travel eSIM” by Nomad

    • best for: trips for up to a month;

    • advantages: 7 data options, 5G support;

    • drawbacks: no phone calls and SMS.

Nomad eSIM for visiting USA offers 7 prepaid data offers for the United States:

    • 1 GB for 4.5 USD or 6 USD, depending on the speed;

    • 3 GB for 11 USD;

    • 5 GB for 14 USD;

    • 10 GB for 24 USD;

    • 20 GB for 35 USD;

    • 50 GB for 49 USD. 

Plans with more data are way more beneficial. If you need 50 GB and more, choose Nomad without a doubt, as the price for 1 GB lowers to 0,9 USD. The 5G connection is available almost everywhere. Yet, customers often complain about complicated activation options. 

“United States eSIM” by aloSIM

    • best for: first-time users, tourists, business travelers;

    • advantages: phone number is included in price;

    • drawbacks: 20 GB is the maximum volume.

aloSIM offers a convenient feature: a virtual phone number is automatically included in all data plans. This makes offers more expensive, but it is a good option for people who need SMS and calls in the USA. The provider supports two cell networks (AT&T and Verizon) and switches between them to offer the best connection at the moment. 

The United States by Instabridge

    • best for: tourists who prioritize extra features and data saving;

    • advantages: free data-saving browser, easy setup;

    • disadvantages: no application, unlimited plans, and phone numbers. 

Prepaid data by Instabridge is another option for tourists and short-term visitors who don’t need phone numbers and SMS. The price for prepared Internet starts at only 2 USD for 1 GB. The largest offer, 20 GB, costs 18 USD. Note that the 20-GB plan is available only for 7 days, which may be inconvenient for long-term visitors. After 7 days, unused Internet disappears. 

“eSIM for the United States” from Saily

    • best for: tourists, business trips;

    • advantages: regular gifts and discounts; 

    • drawbacks: no phone calls. 

Saily is an eSIM provider, developed by well-known NordVPN. The company offers 5 options for the USA, from 4 USD to 37 USD. By buying 5GB and more, you receive a gift – free data added to your plan.  The provider, however, doesn’t specify the used cell networks and Internet speed. 

“United States” by Jetpac

    • best for: new eSIM users, visitors of tourist destinations;

    • advantages: discounts, airport lounge access;

    • drawbacks: poor reviews about Internet speed.

Jetpac gives 1 GB of data at 1 USD for new customers. Add this option to the cart, pay, and use the first GB within your plan at 1 USD. This is a great way to check the Internet speed and coverage. Despite 5G support, many users say that Jetpac is slow in the USA. 

Another unique feature of Jetpack is its cooperation with airport lounge services. By buying a data plan from Jetpac, you receive free access to the lounge in a chosen airport. 

“USA+” by Maya Mobile

    • best for: long-term stays in the country;

    • advantages: all plans last up to 180 days;

    • drawbacks: only 3 prepaid options.

Maya provider focuses on mobile connectivity and convenience: you can install and track Internet usage in the application, and pay with mobile payment solutions (Apple Pay and Google Pay). Prepaid options include 5G, 10 GB, and 20 GB – all with a 180-day duration. This is a good option who those who come to the USA for several months. 

The United States by Sparks

    • best for: tourists, business trips;

    • advantages: 8 prepaid options for the US;

    • drawbacks: no connection outside cities. 

Sparks suggests 8 prepaid variants for the US, from 1 GB for a week to 50 GB for 120 days. This is a convenient option for long-term travelers, plus the price gets lower once you buy large-scale plans. Yet, many tourists say that Sparks often disconnects from the Internet, and you still need Wi-Fi for major purposes. You may still try this provider due to low prices. 

“United States eSIM+” by Global Yo

    • best for: travelers and digital nomads in a budget;

    • advantages: low prices, many options to choose from;

    • drawbacks: 5G is not available. 

Global YO focuses on cheap data plans with any volume. You can purchase 50 GB of data for only 22 USD – yet, the 5G speed is not available. In most cases, the speed and coverage will be enough for chatting, but the carrier cannot replace Wi-Fi and 5G mobile Internet. 

The Cheapest Prepaid Offers in the USA

While Sparks and Global YO are the cheapest providers (a single GB may cost less than a dollar), customers are rarely satisfied with the speed. If you need a stable 5G connection, consider Yesim, Nomad, and Saily. This is still considered a budget travel, as large-volume plans offer 1 GB for 1–2 USD, but you get a stable connection without stress. 

The Best eSIM Options for Tourists, Traveling to the USA

Most carriers lower the Internet prices for those who buy 20+ GB for a month or more. Yet, you may not need so much. If you travel for a week and need only 1–3 GB of reliable data, think about Instabridge and Yesim. They offer 1-GB plans at 1.76–2 USD. Moreover, you can buy 500 MB at 50 cents from Yesim and use this data for 3 days. 

How to Activate Your eSIM for the USA Trip?

The details of activation depend on your carrier. Here are general instructions. See which ways of activation are available and learn the key steps.

Via QR codeIn the eSIM applicationManually
Receive a QR code for activation in your email.Open the message on your PC/laptop or print it. Open settings on your mobile device. Choose Choose “Cell Data”>” Add a New Plan” (the points may be called differently depending on your operating system).Choose the QR code activation. Scan the QR code with your smartphone camera and wait for the installation. Once the plan details are installed, confirm and set the new data plan as a default option. Turn the data roaming on. Download an official application from your eSIM provider.Buy a new plan or log into your account with a purchase. Choose “Activate the plan” or “Install” depending on your carrier. Wait for the installation. Alternatively, scan the QR code within the app. Set the new plan by default once you’re at the destination. Receive the activation email from your eSIM provider. Open the mobile device settings. Choose “Cell Data” > ”Add a New Plan” > “Enter details manually”.Use the technical details from your email to manually download the plan.After the installation, set the new plan by default and turn on the roaming. 

Conclusion

eSIM is the best solution for staying connected abroad in 2025. When visiting the US, avoid roaming costs and get a 5G connection with the help of reliable providers. Among the 10 trustworthy providers, each offers great services for different clients. Choose the plan depending on the amount of data, Internet speed, price, and additional features. 


Buy your eSIM from Yesim!

Skip the high roaming fees in the USA with Yesim!
Get unlimited mobile data in minutes and save 10% with code

TRAVELBIZ10

Which carrier offers the cheapest prepaid plans for the USA?

Technically, Sparks’ 50-GB offer is the cheapest, as you pay only 0.8 USD for 1 GB. Yet, users often complain about the speed. if you need a stable connection, it is better to overpay a little. 

What is cheaper – prepaid or unlimited Internet?

Generally, prepaid data plans cost less. At the same time, unlimited Internet is more beneficial if you use a lot of data to work, download files, post on social media, etc. 

Which cell providers are the best in the USA?

Verizon and T-Mobile are the largest providers, supporting 5G speed. Cater to eSIM companies that offer cell data from them.

What prepaid options are the best in terms of speed?

5G Internet in the USA is available at Yesim, Nomad, and Saily. 

Can I top up my balance after I run out of data?

Airalo and Nomad offer convenient top-up options. You can also buy additional gigabytes from Yesim and aloSIM without changing your virtual number from the previous plan. 

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