The US is big, car-dependent and app-driven: ride-hailing, navigation between cities and mobile tickets all need data. Mobile data costs more here than in most countries, which makes choosing the right plan size matter. Here's what a US eSIM actually costs.
Saily for unlimited and short trips; Airalo slightly cheaper for 5–20 GB
US data is pricey, and that flips the usual advice: Saily's 7-day unlimited plan ($24.99) costs about the same as 10 GB for 30 days ($22.99), so for trips of a week or so, unlimited is the better buy — and Saily was the cheapest unlimited option from 5 to 30 days. For longer trips on a fixed amount, Airalo's 30-day 5, 10 and 20 GB plans were about 50 cents cheaper.
See Saily's USA plans →Fixed-data plan prices
Holafly only sells unlimited plans here, so fixed data is Saily against Airalo. Validity matters as much as price: a plan that expires after 7 days is only cheap if your trip is 7 days. Highlighted: the cheaper 30-day option.
| Data | Saily | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $3.997 days | $4.003 days |
| 3 GB | $8.9930 days | $8.503 days$9.007 days |
| 5 GB | $13.9930 days | $12.507 days$13.0015 days$13.5030 days |
| 10 GB | $22.9930 days | $21.507 days$22.0015 days$22.5030 days |
| 20 GB | $36.9930 days | $36.0015 days$36.5030 days |
| 50 GB | — | $42.0030 days |
Prices in USD from saily.com and airalo.com, checked 29 September 2026.
What that means: at 30-day validity Airalo is about 50 cents cheaper for 5, 10 and 20 GB, while Saily is cheaper for small plans (3 GB for 30 days at $8.99 versus $9.00 for Airalo's 7-day plan). Airalo's 50 GB for $42 is striking value next to its 20 GB at $36.50.
Unlimited plan prices
| Days | Saily | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | $11.99 | $11.50 | $11.90 |
| 5 | $17.99 | $18.50 | $20.50 |
| 7 | $24.99 | $25.00 | $27.50 |
| 10 | $33.99 | $34.00 | $36.50 |
| 15 | $45.99 | $46.00 | $50.50 |
| 30 | $67.99 | $68.00 | $73.90 |
Prices in USD from each provider's USA page, checked 29 September 2026. Highlighted: cheapest for that length. — = not sold at that length.
Saily was the cheapest unlimited option from 5 to 30 days, and also sells a 1-day unlimited plan for $3.49 — handy for a layover. Airalo was cheapest for 3 days. Holafly costs a little more but is the only one to name both AT&T and T-Mobile as its networks.
"Unlimited" rarely means unlimited full speed. Saily states 5 GB per day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps, with no hotspot restrictions. Holafly states a fair-usage policy that can slow speeds for up to a day, and lets you share 1 GB per day as a hotspot. Airalo's page didn't list its unlimited limits, so check the plan details before buying.
Which one to pick
- Trips up to about two weeks: Saily unlimited — the cheapest from 5 to 30 days, and about the same price as a big fixed plan for a week.
- A month with moderate use: Airalo's 30-day 10 GB ($22.50) or 50 GB ($42) plans.
- A layover or one busy day: Saily's 1-day unlimited ($3.49).
- Road trips through rural areas and national parks: coverage varies by network there, so Holafly's two named networks (AT&T and T-Mobile) are worth the small premium.
Networks and coverage
The three nationwide US networks are AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Travel eSIMs roam on one or more of them:
- Saily: didn't name its US networks on its plan page; it lists 3G/4G/LTE/5G depending on the local network.
- Airalo: T-Mobile, plus one other network listed on its site.
- Holafly: AT&T and T-Mobile, with 5G where available.
None of the three includes a local phone number — they're data-only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling.
USA tips
- Coverage is excellent in cities and along interstates, but national parks, mountain roads and deserts have real dead zones. Download offline maps before long drives.
- Free WiFi is everywhere — hotels, coffee chains, airports — and so are shared networks worth protecting with a VPN. See the best VPN for hotel and airport WiFi.
- Some US services send verification codes by SMS to a US number. A data-only eSIM can't receive them. Saily offers an optional US phone number with a text plan, but check that the service you need accepts it.
- Tethering a laptop is common on work trips. Saily states no hotspot restrictions; Holafly allows 1 GB a day of hotspot sharing.
How much data you need
Using the rates from the trip data calculator — three hours a day of maps, messaging and browsing, an hour of social media and an hour of music, with 40% of your time on WiFi:
- 7 days: about 3.6 GB → a 5 GB plan
- 14 days: about 7.2 GB → a 10 GB plan
- 21 days: about 10.9 GB → a 20 GB plan, or 10 GB plus another small plan
Streaming video or tethering a laptop changes the picture fast — put in your own habits with the calculator.
Setting up before you fly
- Check your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. A phone locked to your home carrier won't accept another provider's eSIM.
- Install the eSIM at home over WiFi. Installation needs a connection; activation can wait. Saily plans can be activated any time within 180 days of purchase and switch on automatically when you arrive.
- On landing, set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it. That's normal for travel eSIMs and doesn't cost extra.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM so it can still receive calls and texts without running up charges.
More country guides: Japan · Thailand · Turkey.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for the USA?
On 29 September 2026, Saily had the cheapest unlimited plans from 5 to 30 days (for example $24.99 for 7 days), while Airalo was about 50 cents cheaper for 30-day 5, 10 and 20 GB plans and sells 50 GB for $42.
How much is an eSIM for the USA?
Prices started at $3.99 for 1 GB (Saily, 7 days). A 10 GB plan cost about $22.50–$23 for 30 days, and unlimited data cost about $25 for a week or $68 for 30 days from Saily or Airalo.
Is unlimited data worth it in the USA?
Often, yes. Because US data is expensive, a week of unlimited data from Saily ($24.99) costs about the same as a 10 GB plan ($22.99), so unlimited is usually the better value for trips of around a week.
Which network do US travel eSIMs use?
Airalo lists T-Mobile as its primary network and Holafly lists AT&T and T-Mobile. Saily doesn't name its US partners on its plan page.
Can I get a US phone number with a travel eSIM?
Standard travel eSIMs are data-only. Saily offers an optional US phone number with a call and text plan as an add-on in its app.