Best eSIM India 2026: comparison of the 6 providers
The golden triangle between Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, a month of yoga in Rishikesh, the Kerala backwaters, the beaches of Goa, or a business trip to Bangalore: in India, you need internet constantly, because everything goes through your phone: Uber and Ola for getting around, WhatsApp to talk to a driver or a hotel, Google Maps, IRCTC train tickets, and calls to family with a 3.5 to 4.5 hour time difference. An India eSIM is installed before departure, activates upon landing, and saves you from the carrier counter, where getting a local SIM is quite an ordeal: passport, visa, proof of hotel stay, photo, and sometimes a refusal. You keep your French SIM for calls and SMS.
Two things to know before you leave. The first is your plan: India is included in Free 5G+ and Free Max, but it is outside the included zones of other French operators, where data can lead to out-of-bundle charges as soon as you land. The second is the network: Jio, the country's leading and fastest operator, is not used by any travel eSIM, which all go through Airtel or Vi. We scrutinized 6 providers using the same criteria: price per GB, network used on-site, coverage in Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Rajasthan, and Kerala, support, simplicity of the app and activation, and the flexibility of the plans. The ranking first, then each offer in detail.
voilà eSIM: Airtel 5G network, and 24/7 human support
The Airtel network, the second largest in the country and the best rated for gaming, online calls, and file transfers, announced with 5G, at €1.59/GB for the 50 GB plan, the cheapest 1 GB option in the comparison for a layover, "no blocked applications" written in black and white, a two-minute installation from an easy-to-use app, and human support reachable 24/7. Ubigi, Yesim, and Esimzon perform better on price per GB alone, but this offers the most solid value for money based on our criteria.
How these eSIMs were ranked
Each eSIM is rated on six criteria, weighted for India. The price per GB and network coverage carry the most weight, because the country is like a continent and the advertised network changes everything as soon as you leave the metropolitan areas. Three operators share the field: Jio, the leader by subscriber count, elected the best network in the country with a median download speed of 107 Mbit/s; Airtel, second, which wins the games with 58 Mbit/s for online calls and file transfers; and Vi, third, at 25 Mbit/s, according to the Opensignal report from February 2026. No travel eSIM uses Jio: they all rely on Airtel, on Vi, or on both. Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Goa, and Kerala are well-covered in 4G and increasingly in 5G; the Himalayas, the Thar Desert, and the countryside are covered in patches, as shown by the nPerf coverage map. The real difference is therefore decided by price, the advertised network, and plan flexibility. The ratings are the editorial staff's opinion, not an average of customer reviews.
- Price per GB25 %
Cost per gigabyte based on the cheapest plan from each provider, excluding occasional promotions.
- Network coverage25 %
Get signal in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Goa, Kerala, and on overnight trains between cities.
- Reliability15 %
Connection stability, reliability of the partner operator, and the provider's reputation.
- Support15 %
Available channels, hours, human or automated response, with a 3 h 30 to 4 h 30 time difference.
- Activation and application10 %
Simplicity of installation, clarity of the app, consumption tracking.
- Flexible plans10 %
Choice of data volumes and durations, unlimited, top-ups, data sharing, long stays.
Based on these criteria, voilà eSIM comes out on top thanks to the Airtel network announced in 5G, the cheapest 1 GB plan in the comparison, its 50 GB plan, its app, and its 24/7 human support, despite a price per GB of €1.59/GB that places it fourth out of six: Ubigi, Yesim, and Esimzon perform better on price per GB alone, and it is stated in every fact sheet. Ubigi takes second place with the lowest price per GB by far, and the cheapest unlimited plan for every duration. Esimzon is third, the only one to name two networks, Airtel and Vi.
Scores are the opinion of the eSIMrat editorial team, based on the criteria above, not customer reviews. eSIMrat earns a commission on links to its partners, which does not affect the ranking.
The ranking of eSIMs for India
The 6 eSIMs compared, from the highest rated to the lowest rated. The price per GB shown is that of the cheapest plan per gigabyte for each provider: a 50 GB 30-day plan with voilà eSIM and Ubigi, a 30 GB plan with Yesim, a 20 GB plan with Saily, a 15 GB plan with Esimzon, and a 20 GB 15-day plan with Airalo, where the same volume over 30 days amounts to €1.70 per GB. A small one-week plan costs one to two times more per GB, except with voilà eSIM, where the 1 GB 7-day plan is priced at €2.20.
- 1voilà eSIM€1.59/GBAirtel7.7/10
- 2
Ubigi€0.98/GBLocal networks7.5/10 - 3
Esimzon€1.47/GBAirtel and Vi7.2/10 - 4
Yesim€1.28/GBLocal networks7.0/10 - 5
Airalo€1.65/GBVi6.7/10 - 6
Saily€1.72/GBLocal networks6.3/10
Prices checked on September 12, 2026 on the providers' sites. eSIMrat partners' prices come from the comparator and refresh on every build.
Every India eSIM in detail
- 7.7/10
1. voilà eSIM
€1.59/GBAirtelData plans, 1 to 50 GB, 7 to 30 daysAirtel 5G network, 1 GB for €2.20, 50 GB for 30 days, no blocked apps, 24/7 human support
voilà eSIM uses Airtel, the second Indian network, which Opensignal ranks first for gaming, online calls, and file transfers, with 5G announced in major cities. On its India page, the brand writes "no blocked apps": Google Maps, WhatsApp, Uber, banking apps, and video calls all work, and hotspotting is unlimited, which matters when traveling as a pair with a single plan.
Regarding the price, €1.59/GB on the 30-day 50 GB plan at €79.30, it is the fourth lowest price per GB out of six: Ubigi, Yesim, and Esimzon do better, between €0.98 and €1.43. Where voilà eSIM is truly unique is on smaller volumes: 1 GB for 7 days at €2.20, the cheapest entry-level plan in the comparison, one euro cheaper than the others, and 3 GB for 15 days at €5.90. The code ESIMRAT gives a 5% discount, which can be found on the promo code page, further improving the value for money.
What makes the difference is everything else: the eSIM installs in two minutes via an easy-to-use app, with top-ups and data usage tracking all in one place, the brand promises a refund in case of problems, and the human support responds 24/7 on WhatsApp, which is useful when landing in Delhi at three in the morning. The limitations: no unlimited data, only one network announced compared to Esimzon's two, and a price per GB that is less competitive than three competitors on one-month plans.
Pros
- Airtel network announced, 5G in cities, unlimited data sharing, 50 GB for 30 days
- 1 GB at €2.20, the cheapest entry-level plan in the comparison, "no blocked apps"
- Simple to install eSIM, easy-to-use app, 24/7 human support
Cons
- Fourth lowest price per GB out of six, behind Ubigi, Yesim and Esimzon
- No unlimited plans, only one network advertised
- 7.5/10
2. Ubigi
€0.98/GBLocal networksData plans from 1 to 50 GB, unlimited from 7 to 30 daysThe lowest price per GB, by far, the cheapest unlimited data for every duration, prices in euros
Ubigi belongs to Transatel, a subsidiary of the NTT group, and it is the outlier in this comparison: €0.98/GB on its 30-day 50 GB plan for €49, the lowest price per GB, 30 cents below the second, and its 25 GB plan for €25 comes out to exactly €1 per GB. Its prices are displayed in euros, top-ups are done via the app without reinstalling a profile, and support responds via ticket, in French, which remains rare in this comparison.
Its unlimited plan is also the cheapest in the comparison for every duration: €24 per week, €46 for 15 days, €68 per month, ahead of Yesim, Saily, and Airalo every time. The limitations: the provider does not announce the Indian carrier before purchase, and its small plans are expensive, €3.50 for the 1 GB 7-day plan, €7 for the 3 GB plan.
Pros
- The lowest price per GB in the comparison, 50 GB for 30 days at 49 €, 25 GB at 25 €
- Cheapest unlimited for every duration, €68 per month, prices in euros, support via ticket in French
Cons
- Indian operator not specified before purchase
- Small expensive plans, €3.50 for 1 GB
- 7.2/10
3. Esimzon
€1.47/GBAirtel and ViData plans 1 to 15 GB, 30 daysTwo named networks, Airtel and Vi, 4G and 5G, 15 GB for €21.50
Esimzon is the only one of the six to name two Indian networks, Airtel and Vi, in 4G and 5G: on a night train between Jaipur and Jodhpur, the phone connects to whichever one has the best signal. Its five plans are all valid for 30 days: 15 GB for €21.50, which is €1.47/GB, the third lowest price per GB, 10 GB for €15.48, 5 GB for €12.04.
The limitations are clear: nothing beyond 15 GB, no unlimited data, small expensive plans, €3.01 for 1 GB, prices displayed in dollars on its website (the euro follows the daily exchange rate), and support via email or chat, in English. Yesim offers better rates per GB on larger volumes, but without naming its network.
Pros
- Airtel and Vi networks included, 4G and 5G, 15 GB for 30 days at €21.50
- Five simple plans, all valid for 30 days
Cons
- Catalog capped at 15 GB, no unlimited plans
- Prices displayed in dollars, support in English
- 7.0/10
4. Yesim
€1.28/GBLocal networksData plans from 1 to 30 GB, unlimited from 1 to 30 daysUnlimited sold day by day, 30 GB at €38.50, second lowest price per GB
Yesim sells unlimited day by day: €4 for 24 hours, €28 for the week, €72.50 for the month. You pay exactly for the duration of your stay, and for 1 to 6 days, it's the cheapest unlimited option in the comparison; beyond that, Ubigi takes the lead.
Its volume-based plans are good: 30 GB for 30 days at €38.50, which is €1.28/GB, the second-best price per GB, and 20 GB at €30.80. The limitations: the provider does not announce the Indian carrier before purchase, and support is limited to chat. The eSIM can be reused from one trip to another.
Pros
- Unlimited sold day by day, €4 for 24 hours, the cheapest for 1 to 6 days, reusable eSIM
- 30 GB for 30 days at €38.50, second lowest price per GB
Cons
- Indian operator not specified before purchase
- Unlimited is more expensive than Ubigi starting from 7 days, chat support only
- 6.7/10
5. Airalo
€1.65/GBViData plans from 1 to 20 GB, unlimited from 3 to 30 daysComplete app, announced Vi network, unlimited from 3 to 30 days
Airalo, the market pioneer, has the most comprehensive app of the six, featuring top-ups and data usage tracking, and announces the Vi network on its India page, the third in the country, the slowest of the three according to Opensignal. Its best price per GB, €1.65/GB, comes from a 20 GB 15-day plan at €32.50; the same volume for 30 days costs €34, which is €1.70 per GB, the fifth-lowest price in the comparison.
Its unlimited plan is the most expensive in the comparison for every duration, from €18.50 for 3 days to €88 per month, and its short-term plans are expensive per GB, at €4 for 1 GB for 3 days. Support, in English, can be slow.
Pros
- Complete app with built-in top-up, Vi network announced
- Unlimited available from 3 to 30 days, 20 GB for 15 days at 32.50 €
Cons
- Fifth lowest price per GB out of six over 30 days, Vi network the least fast of the three
- Most expensive unlimited plan in the comparison, €88 per month
- 6.3/10
6. Saily
€1.72/GBLocal networksData plans from 1 to 20 GB, unlimited from 5 to 30 daysAd blocker and tracker blocker, 24/7 chat
Saily is the eSIM from Nord Security, the publisher of NordVPN. The app is simple, featuring an ad and tracker blocker and built-in web protection, and the chat responds 24/7 in English. On the Wi-Fi of a guesthouse in Rishikesh, it's a real plus.
The price is the highest in the comparison: €1.72/GB for the 20 GB 30-day plan at €34.49, and a 1 GB 7-day plan at €3.49. Its unlimited plan, ranging from €24.99 for 5 days to €87.99 per month, remains above Ubigi and Yesim for every duration, and it does not disclose the Indian carrier before purchase.
Pros
- Integrated ad and tracker blocker, 24/7 chat
- Unlimited available from 5 to 30 days
Cons
- The highest price per GB in the comparison
- Indian operator not specified before purchase, 20 GB maximum
Which India eSIM according to your profile?
The eSIM we recommend for every type of traveler.
- Three weeks between Delhi, Rajasthan and Goavoilà eSIM€1.59/GB on 50 GB, Airtel 5G network, no blocked apps, and 24/7 human support despite the time difference.
- The lowest price per GBUbigi50 GB for 49 €, 30 cents cheaper per GB than the second option, with prices in euros and support available in French.
- A month without countingUbigi68 € for 30 days of unlimited data, which is 2.25 € per day, the cheapest in the comparison.
- Two networks for trains and countrysideEsimzonAirtel and Vi named on the same eSIM, 15 GB for 21.50 €, valid for 30 days.
- A few days' stayYesimUnlimited sold day by day, €4 for 24 hours, without paying for an entire week.
- Three-day layover in Mumbaivoilà eSIM1 GB for 7 days at 2.20 €, the cheapest plan in the comparison, without touching your French plan.
eSIM or local Indian SIM?
A local SIM is unbeatable on price: prepaid plans from Airtel and Jio offer 1.5 to 2 GB per day for 28 days for a few hundred rupees, less than 5 €. But it's a hassle. Indian regulations require identity verification in-store, the KYC: original passport, visa, proof of accommodation with your first hotel's address, a photo taken on-site, and sometimes fingerprints, followed by an activation that takes anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, as detailed in this practical article on SIM cards for tourists in India. A tourist's SIM is deactivated upon visa expiration or after 90 days, and several travelers report being refused at Delhi airport counters due to a lack of a "local reference," an Indian number to provide as a guarantee. No Indian operator sells eSIMs online to tourists: the only eSIM you can buy before departure is a travel eSIM.
A travel eSIM costs more, between 1 and 1.75 € per GB in this comparison, but it is installed from your couch, activates upon landing, and lets you keep your French line for calls, SMS, and bank codes. Our rule: an eSIM for a stay of two to four weeks or a layover; a local Airtel or Jio SIM for a stay of several months, volunteering, or an internship, when an Indian number becomes essential for UPI payments and administrative tasks. You can combine both: an eSIM for the first few days, while you take the time to find a shop and complete the KYC without stress.
Jio, Airtel or Vi: which network is behind your eSIM?
This is the point that most differentiates providers in India. Jio has the largest number of subscribers, the largest 5G network, and the best speeds in the country, but it does not sign agreements with travel eSIMs: none of the six providers in this comparison use it. Airtel, the second network, is the choice of voilà eSIM, either alone or with Vi via Esimzon, and it is the best of the three for online calls and file transfers according to Opensignal. Vi, born from the merger of Vodafone and Idea, is the third, with the youngest 5G network and the lowest speeds; this is the one Airalo announces. Ubigi, Yesim, and Saily do not disclose their network before purchase.
In the field, Airtel and Jio are equally good in metropolitan areas, Goa, and Kerala. The difference is noticeable in the countryside of Rajasthan, in Himachal Pradesh, and on the roads of Ladakh, where Jio and Airtel still have coverage while Vi drops out. If your itinerary takes you outside of major cities, an eSIM on Airtel, or on both Airtel and Vi, is the safest choice, and offline maps remain indispensable in the mountains.
What you need to check on your phone and your plan before buying
Two conditions: an eSIM compatible phone and carrier unlocked. iPhones since the XR and Pixels, Galaxy S, and other recent models are; the complete list is on our eSIM compatible phones page. A phone purchased with a subsidy from a French carrier may remain locked: request unlocking before you leave. And check your plan: India is included in the Free 5G+ and Free Max plans, with 35 GB per month, as detailed in our article on countries included with Free Mobile. With Orange, SFR, and Bouygues, it is outside the zones included in standard plans: data will be charged as out-of-plan, or requires a paid option to be activated.
Once the eSIM is installed, keep your French SIM active for calls and SMS, disable its data roaming, and activate the India eSIM upon arrival. Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Goa, and Kochi are very well covered with 4G and 5G; night trains, mountain roads, and national parks still have network dead zones, so download your maps and IRCTC tickets offline. All plans in the India comparator are sold by providers that show compatibility before purchase, and if you continue to Nepal, Sri Lanka, or a layover in Dubai, multi-country plans are gathered on the Asia eSIM page, along with our best Dubai eSIM comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for India?
How much does an eSIM for India cost?
Is a travel eSIM allowed in India?
Do you need a passport for a SIM card in India?
Do WhatsApp, Uber, and Google Maps work with an eSIM in India?
Does the eSIM work in the Himalayas, Ladakh, and Rajasthan?
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