Key takeaways
Based on a single traveler report from Iran and our own tests, no provider has enough evidence behind it for us to recommend it yet. The one report, for GoMoWorld, describes no internet on landing in May 2026, the week Iran's five-month shutdown began to lift. On the providers' own pages, Holafly is the only one that names its network (MCI) and sells unlimited data for up to 15 days, but in our test its speed was capped from the start. Roamless names two networks and states no speed limit, but is among the dearest for larger data needs. Airalo and Saily sell no Iran eSIM at all.
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The best eSIM for Iran is a harder call than for almost any other country we cover. The two biggest brands, Airalo and Saily, sell no Iran eSIM at all [7] [8], Yesim has suspended its Iran plan [9], and only two providers name their Iranian network on their own pages: Holafly on MCI [4] and Roamless on Irancell and RighTel [5]. We also have just one traveler report from Iran, and it describes an eSIM that never connected.
The timing explains that report. According to NetBlocks, Iran's networks were shut down almost completely from 8 Jan to 26 May 2026, the longest nationwide shutdown it has recorded, and mobile service came back only in part afterwards, with WhatsApp restricted and new limits on app stores. So install your provider's app and your eSIM before you fly, not on arrival. Coverage outside the cities is the other gap: Holafly's own Iran page warns that service may be weak or unstable in deserts, mountains and jungles [4], which covers the Alborz, the Zagros and the two central deserts.
Two more facts matter. A local SIM is cheap but needs passport registration at an official shop, and Iran's first local eSIM licence, granted to Irancell on 24 Sep 2025 [3], serves residents with a national ID card, not visitors. Travel guides agree that international Visa and Mastercard do not work in Iran under sanctions, so a travel eSIM bought at home is the one thing you can still pay for by card. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Iran and warns that the land crossings to Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan can close at short notice [2]; if your route runs through Turkey, our Turkey guide covers that leg.
Article Contents
Best eSIM Providers for Iran
eSIM plans in Iran at a glance
- Cheapest plan GoMoWorld €3.99 1.5 GB 7 days
- Cheapest 5 GB plan Global YO $20.99 5 GB 30 days
- Cheapest 10 GB plan Global YO $31.99 10 GB 180 days
- Cheapest 20 GB plan Global YO $49.59 20 GB 365 days
- Most data Ubigi $390 200 GB 360 days
- Longest validity Roamless $299.25 15 GB 999 days
- Lowest price per GB Global YO $125.99 100 GB 365 days
How well each provider's eSIM works in Iran
The Vefru score is our overall rating of the provider. The percentage shows how many reviewers said their eSIM worked well in Iran. Since unhappy customers review more often, it is best used to compare providers with each other.
7.8Our score
Worked well in Iran
0 of 1 reviewers
0%
8.8Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
8.0Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
8.4Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
6.3Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
7.2Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
7.1Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
7.5Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
6.1Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
6.6Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
7.1Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
6.9Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
8.1Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
7.1Our score
Worked well in Iran
No traveler reports yet
How we got these numbers: we read 1 public customer review that mentions Iran or a place in it, published in June 2026, and counted a report as "worked" when the reviewer said the eSIM connected, even with small hiccups. We treat 20 or more reports as strong evidence, 3 to 19 as limited, and fewer than 3 as too few to judge. A count like 23 of 25 means the eSIM worked well for 23 of the 25 travelers who reported from here; each provider section says what went wrong for the rest. The Vefru test score is a separate number: our own hands-on test of the provider, run outside Iran, so it says how the provider behaves, not how the network performs here. Local operator prices in the text were checked on 25 September 2026; provider ratings, the plan tables and the price-per-GB chart are live and update on their own.
| Provider | Vefru test score | Worked in Iran (reports) | Best for | Network in Iran | Speed cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoMoWorld | 7.8 | 0 of 1 (too few) | Not a top pick here, the one report failed | unknown, 4G listed in our comparison tool | No throttling in our test |
| eSIM4Travel | 8.8 | no reports yet | Dearer than usual here, human help desk | reported: MCI | Fixed data, no cap in our test |
| Global YO | 8.0 | no reports yet | Global plan, long validities | unknown | No cap in our test |
| Maya Mobile | 8.4 | no reports yet | Multi-country trips, unlimited | unknown | Unlimited: 5 GB/day, then slowed |
| Ubigi | 6.3 | no reports yet | Cities only, top-up at 0 data | RighTel [6] | No throttling in our test |
| Nomad | 7.2 | no reports yet | Not a top pick here, no Iran plan found | no Iran plan found | n/a |
| Roamless | 7.1 | no reports yet | Light users, named networks | Irancell + RighTel [5] | None stated on its Iran page [5] |
| Airalo | 7.5 | no reports yet | Not a top pick here, no Iran plan | no Iran plan [7] | n/a |
| ByteSIM | 6.1 | no reports yet | Not a top pick here, no Iran plan found | no Iran plan found | n/a |
| Yesim | 6.6 | no reports yet | Not a top pick here, country plan suspended | none, country plan suspended [9] | Unlimited: throttled, limit unstated |
| Holafly | 7.1 | no reports yet | Unlimited data, widest-reach network | MCI [4] | Capped from the start (our test); fair use unquantified |
| Jetpac | 6.9 | no reports yet | Not a top pick here, no Iran plan found | no Iran plan found | n/a |
| Saily | 8.1 | no reports yet | Not a top pick here, no Iran plan | no Iran plan [8] | n/a |
| GigSky | 7.1 | no reports yet | Buy more data without Wi-Fi | unknown, page empty when checked | No cap stated; unstable in our test |
How we pick the Best group: traveler reports from the country first, price position second, our hands-on test third, and a provider needs at least 3 reports from Iran before we recommend it. No provider reaches that bar here: GoMoWorld has 1 report, too few to judge, and the other 13 have none. So this page has no Best group and no overall pick. All 14 providers are in the next section, in our usual order, with what the files show about each one in Iran. The two with the best-documented Iran offer are Holafly and Roamless, the only ones whose own Iran pages name a network [4] [5]; neither has a report from Iran yet.
Other eSIM Providers for Iran
Every provider we have tested, in the order of our sort rule: GoMoWorld first because it is the only one with a report, then the rest by their general price position. Seven have a plan covering Iran in our comparison tool, two more (Holafly and Roamless) sell Iran on their own pages but were not in our tool at export, and five sell nothing for Iran that we could find.
GoMoWorld eSIM in Iran: the one report failed
- Purchase process8/10
- Mobile app8/10
- eSIM installation8/10
- Customer support6/10
- Speed test10/10
- Prices7/10
- Customer feedback7.6/10
- Coverage8/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
GoMoWorld is the travel eSIM brand of Irish operator eir, with plans in 202 countries. Every destination has the same four euro prices, and we saw no throttling at all. The catch is that everything happens in the app, and human support works only in office hours.
Key facts
202 countries
iPhone app 4.8
Android app 4.6
Top-ups
Hotspot
No throttling
Trustpilot- 3.8/51,987 reviews
Payments- Credit or debit card
Apple Pay
Google Pay
Pros and cons
Very fast, no throttlingAmong the cheapest from 5 GBClean, easy appStart the plan when you land
App only, no QR codeHuman support only in office hoursApp stops when your data runs outWeaker in the US, Japan and ChinaGoMoWorld eSIM in our hands
GoMoWorld is the only provider with a traveler report from Iran, and it worked well for 0 of 1 travelers who reported from Iran (0%): too few to judge. The reviewer wrote on 6 Jun 2026 that they had "no internet when i landed", on a trip that began on 30 May 2026, four days after the national shutdown started to lift. The review also says GoMoWorld knew the eSIM was not working in Iran when it sold it. That is one data point from the worst possible week, not a verdict on the network, but it is the only one we have.
What it sells: Iran plans of 1.5 GB for 7 days and 7, 15 or 23 GB for 30 days, listed as 4G in our comparison tool, with tethering, and the clock starts only when you activate the plan. That last point caught us in our test: the plan does nothing until you press Start or schedule it in the app, a common cause of "not working" complaints. Which Iranian network it uses we could not confirm; its site was behind Cloudflare when the research pass tried in September 2026. The eSIM is app-only (never emailed, one account per device) and the help desk has humans in office hours only, so set everything up at home. In our test it ran at full speed with no throttling, and it sits below the market average in our price analysis; our GoMoWorld review has the details. GoMoWorld plans for Iran are in the table below.
GoMoWorld eSIM Plans in Iran
Selection of the best eSIM data plans for GOMOWORLD in Iran.
eSIM4Travel eSIM in Iran: dearer than usual, no reports
- Purchase process8/10
- eSIM installation8/10
- Customer support10/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices10/10
- Customer feedback8.8/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of seven categories from our own paid test and customer reviews. eSIM4Travel has no app, so we do not score one.
eSIM4Travel is a US eSIM seller with plans for 158 destinations and no app. It was the cheapest provider in our price database, and its support was the best we have tested. Without an app, you cannot reach the store to top up once your data runs out.
Key facts
- 158 destinations
- No app
- Web only
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- No throttling
- Trustpilot
- 4.4/5202 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit card
PayPalApple Pay
Pros and cons
Cheapest provider we trackQuick, helpful human supportFast, no throttlingWebsite in 41 languagesNo app: out of data, you need Wi‑Fi to top upUS dollars only, no Google PayUnlimited slows after 3 GB a dayNo refund after 10% of data usedeSIM4Travel eSIM in our hands
eSIM4Travel is usually the cheapest provider in our comparison, but not in Iran: its two Iran plans sit at or above what the other providers charge for the same amount of data in our comparison tool, so it loses the place it normally earns on price. There are no traveler reports from Iran yet. Its plan names read "Iran (MCI)", so the network is MCI by the provider's own labelling; we treat that as reported rather than verified, because its Iran page could not be retrieved in September 2026 and its prices differed between two of its site locales at the time.
The plans are 1 GB for 7 days and 3 GB for 30 days, data only, with tethering, and the validity starts when the eSIM first connects, so installing at home is safe. The mechanics are what our eSIM4Travel review found: purchase on the website, QR code by email, no app, and a help desk that put us one click from a person who solved the problem. The downsides stay: no app, no Google Pay, and no way to buy more data without Wi-Fi once the plan runs out. It suits someone who wants a small fixed plan on MCI and a human help desk, and who has checked the price against the table below first. eSIM4Travel's Iran page lists both plans.
eSIM4Travel eSIM Plans in Iran
Selection of the best eSIM data plans for ESIM4TRAVEL in Iran.
Global YO eSIM in Iran: global plan only, no reports
- Purchase process8/10
- Mobile app8/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support5/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices10/10
- Customer feedback8/10
- Coverage8/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Global YO is a US eSIM provider aimed at young travelers, with plans in 195 countries. It is the second cheapest provider in our price data, and buying and installing took minutes. Its weak spot is support: quick to answer, slow to help.
Key facts
- 195 countries
- iPhone app 4.5
- Android app 3.8
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- Over 150 Mbps
- Trustpilot
- 4.0/51,293 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle Pay
Pros and cons
Second cheapest we trackBuy and install in minutesApple Pay, Google Pay, social loginHotspot and top-ups on every planSupport is slow to actually helpApp only, no buying on the webApp stops when your data runs outUnclear refund rulesGlobal YO eSIM in our hands
Global YO covers Iran only through its Global Explorer plan: no Iran-only plan, and no traveler reports from Iran yet. The plan family runs from 1 GB for 7 days through 3 and 5 GB for 30 days to 10 GB for 180 days and 20, 50 or 100 GB for a year, with top-ups and tethering. Which Iranian network it uses we could not confirm; the Iran coverage is reported by third parties, and the provider does not say.
Global YO is the second cheapest provider in our price analysis, and the long validities make the larger sizes useful for anyone who travels often. Against that, purchase is app-only, the help desk took a long time to reply in our test, the app stops working at 0 data, and a deleted eSIM cannot be reinstalled, so install at home and keep the profile. Our Global YO review has the full test. Global YO's site sells the Global Explorer plan in its app.
Global YO eSIM Plans in Iran
Selection of the best eSIM data plans for GLOBAL YO in Iran.
Maya Mobile eSIM in Iran: unlimited, network unverified
- Purchase process9/10
- Mobile app8/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support6/10
- Speed test9/10
- Prices8/10
- Customer feedback9/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Maya Mobile sells one product: a global unlimited eSIM plan for 165+ countries that you install once and switch on for every trip. It was fast in our test, and it is the cheapest global unlimited plan we have compared. There are no single-country plans, and nothing shorter than 3 days.
Key facts
- 165+ countries
- iPhone app 4.5
- Android app 4.7
- Auto Top-Up
- Hotspot
- 5.5 GB/day at full speed
- Trustpilot
- 4.5/512,788 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Cheapest global unlimited planVery fast: 785 Mbps on 5GWorked for 91% of travelersQuick checkout, many ways to payNo country or short plansPushes auto top-up hardClunky WhatsApp support“Unlimited” has a hidden daily limitMaya Mobile eSIM in our hands
Maya Mobile sells one thing: a global unlimited plan for 3, 7, 14 or 30 days that lists Iran among its countries, with 5 GB a day at full speed before it slows, hotspot allowed and top-ups. No traveler has reported from Iran yet. Its Iran page carried unedited placeholder text when the research pass found it in September 2026, and our comparison tool lists a carrier for the plan that is not one of the three Iranian operators, so we treat its Iranian network as unknown.
In our test Maya had the fairest unlimited rule of the providers we tested, a QR code by email within seconds, and a help desk that answered through a form and templates. It is the cheapest global unlimited plan in our price analysis, and for a trip through several countries it sidesteps the question of who sells Iran at all. The catch is that nothing on its page tells you what to expect inside Iran. Our Maya Mobile review has the test. Maya Mobile's site sells the global plan by trip length.
Maya Mobile eSIM Plans in Iran
Selection of the best eSIM data plans for MAYA MOBILE in Iran from 2 GB.
Ubigi eSIM in Iran: smallest operator, weak support
- Purchase process4/10
- Mobile app3/10
- eSIM installation8/10
- Customer support2/10
- Speed test9/10
- Prices7/10
- Customer feedback8.2/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Ubigi is the travel eSIM brand of Paris operator Transatel, with one reusable eSIM for 200+ destinations. Data was fast in our test, and its 3 GB, 10 GB and 30-day unlimited plans are cheap. Its weak point is support: a chatbot that ends in an email ticket, with no live agent.
Key facts
- 200+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.6
- Android app 3.7
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- 568 Mbps on 5G
- Trustpilot
- 4.1/547,238 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
eSIM by email in a minuteVery fast: 568 Mbps on 5GCheap 3 GB, 10 GB and 30-day unlimitedBuy more data even with none leftNo live support, only email ticketsConfusing website and appFew plan sizes, no 20 GBNo refund after you scan the QR codeUbigi eSIM in our hands
Ubigi reaches Iran through its World plan and its Middle East plan, not a country plan, and its partner list names RighTel as its only Iranian network [6]: the smallest of the three operators, and the one the research describes as large-city only. Iran is in Ubigi's World plan but left out of its cheaper Best World plan [6]. No traveler reports from Iran yet. World plans run from 500 MB for 30 days up to 200 GB for a year; the Middle East plan has 1 GB for 30 days and 3 GB for 15 days.
Ubigi's strengths from our test are its zero-rated top-up (you can buy more data with an empty balance), a choice of home or local IP address, and hotspot on every plan. Its weaknesses are the site, the app and a help desk that never answered our ticket; our Ubigi review covers both sides. On price it sits just below the market average in general. In Iran the RighTel-only network makes it a city-only option. Ubigi's site lists the World and Middle East plans.
Ubigi eSIM Plans in Iran
Selection of the best eSIM data plans for UBIGI in Iran.
Nomad eSIM in Iran: no Iran plan found
- Purchase process8/10
- Mobile app7/10
- eSIM installation8/10
- Customer support2/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices7/10
- Customer feedback8.6/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Nomad is a US travel eSIM brand run by LotusFlare, with plans for more than 200 destinations. It has a polished native app, fast data and prices close to the market average almost everywhere. Its weak spot is support: the chat is an AI bot with no route to a human.
Key facts
- 200+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.8
- Android app 4.5
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- 2 GB/day cap
- Trustpilot
- 4.3/544,625 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Quick, easy purchaseGreat app with a data widgetFast, full-speed dataFair prices almost everywhereSupport is a bot, no humanEasy to lose the install buttonApp stops when your data runs outNo refund after installNomad eSIM in our hands
Nomad has no Iran plan we could find: no Iran page on its site in September 2026 and nothing for Iran in our comparison tool, country or regional. Aggregators list a small Nomad plan for Iran, but we could not confirm it. No traveler reports from Iran yet, and no plan table.
If Nomad adds Iran, what our Nomad review found still applies: a fast native app with a home-screen data widget, QR by email, a plan that starts on first connection, and a help desk bot with no route to a human. Until then it is not an option here. Nomad's site is the place to check for a new Iran plan.
Roamless eSIM in Iran: two networks named, dear
- Purchase process5/10
- Mobile app7/10
- eSIM installation7/10
- Customer support7/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices5/10
- Customer feedback9/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Roamless is a US provider built around one global eSIM for 203 destinations, paid with pay-as-you-go credit. It was fast and unthrottled in our test, and travelers report it working in 91% of cases. Its weak point is buying: the website forces you into the app, and large data amounts cost more than most rivals.
Key facts
- 203 destinations
- iPhone app 4.8
- Android app 4.1
- Pay-as-you-go
- Unlimited hotspot
- No throttling
- Trustpilot
- 4.5/51,746 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle Pay
Pros and cons
One eSIM for 200+ destinationsFast, no throttlingWorked for 91% of travelersFree 500 MB trialWebsite pushes you into the appWe had to fix the APN to get dataCredit can expire after 12 monthsPricey for 10 GB and upRoamless eSIM in our hands
Roamless has the clearest Iran page of any provider we checked: it names MTN Irancell (3G, 4G and 5G) and RighTel (3G and 4G) as its networks, states no speed limit and allows unlimited hotspot [5]. It is the only provider that puts Irancell, the 5G-capable operator with the largest subscriber base, in writing. No traveler reports from Iran yet. Its Iran page lists 30-day plans of 1, 2 and 3 GB and a free 100 MB starter, plus pay-as-you-go credit [5]; our comparison tool held no Roamless plan for Iran at export, so there is no plan table here.
Price is the drawback. Roamless charges a flat rate per GB with no volume discount, which makes it one of the dearest providers for 10 GB and up in our price analysis, and the research pass found its Iran rate the highest of the provider pages it could open in September 2026. In our test the preselected APN did not work until we picked another one, and the help desk fixed it within half an hour; our Roamless review has the steps. The app offers calls and an optional second number. It suits a light user who wants a named network and a few hundred megabytes. Roamless's Iran page has the plans.
Airalo eSIM in Iran: no Iran plan
- Purchase process9/10
- Mobile app8/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support7/10
- Speed test7/10
- Prices5/10
- Customer feedback8.2/10
- Coverage7/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Airalo is an eSIM marketplace from Singapore with plans for 200+ destinations, some with calls and texts. It is easy to buy and install. But prices sit at the market median, and travelers report more failed connections than with any other provider we track.
Key facts
- 200+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.6
- Android app 4.3
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- No cap on fixed plans
- Trustpilot
- 4.1/545,721 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Buy on the web, no app neededWorks right after installFast, no speed cap on fixed plansMost plans with calls and textsAverage prices, not cheapLowest success rate we track: 72% workedApp stops when your data runs outClunky checkout, no QR downloadAiralo eSIM in our hands
Airalo does not sell an Iran eSIM: Iran is missing from its country list, which jumps from Iraq to Ireland [7]. Whether its Middle East regional plan covers Iran could not be confirmed, because the page does not list its countries. No traveler reports from Iran, no plan table.
Airalo once sold an Iran plan under the name Mehr Mobile and included Iran in its old regional plan, according to third-party listings; both are gone. Our Airalo review is the reference if that returns. For now, the biggest eSIM brand is not an option for Iran, and Airalo's site is only worth a look for the countries around it.
ByteSIM eSIM in Iran: no Iran plan found
- Purchase process4/10
- Mobile app4/10
- eSIM installation7/10
- Customer support2/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices5/10
- Customer feedback9.6/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
ByteSIM is a Hong Kong eSIM shop with a huge catalog: daily, fixed and unlimited plans for about 200 destinations. Data was fast in our test, and travelers report it working in 88% of cases. The checkout, the app and support were the weak points.
Key facts
- About 200 destinations
- iPhone app 4.6
- Android app 3.8
- No top-ups
- Hotspot
- 175 Mbps on 4G
- Trustpilot
- 4.8/54,279 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Cheap for 3–5 GB short tripsFast 4G, no throttlingWorked for 88% of travelers180 days to get a refundCheckout asks for phone and addressClunky app, auto-activation failedPromises 5G, gave us only 4GSupport didn't reply in our testByteSIM eSIM in our hands
We found no ByteSIM plan for Iran: no Iran page and nothing in our comparison tool. No traveler reports from Iran yet, and no plan table.
ByteSIM's catalogue is built around East Asia and local payment methods, and in our test the checkout asked for a postal address, the app failed at auto-activation and the WhatsApp help desk did not reply; our ByteSIM review explains. Not an option for Iran as things stand; ByteSIM's site is where a new Iran plan would appear.
Yesim eSIM in Iran: country plan suspended
- Purchase process6/10
- Mobile app7/10
- eSIM installation8/10
- Customer support2/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices5/10
- Customer feedback8.6/10
- Coverage8/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Yesim is a Swiss eSIM provider built around unlimited plans sold by the day, with one eSIM for 200+ destinations. Data was fast in our test. But its support was among the slowest we have tested, and its fixed-data country plans cost more than most rivals.
Key facts
- 200+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.6
- Android app 4.7
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- Possible slowdown
- Trustpilot
- 4.3/52,963 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Fast data in our testUnlimited plans by the dayPay with PayPal, Klarna or cryptoWebsite in 44 languagesAmong the slowest support we've testedPricey fixed-data country plansNo top-up once your data runs outSigns you up for marketing emailsYesim eSIM in our hands
Yesim's Iran page said "Data plan will be back soon" and listed 0 operators when checked in September 2026 [9], so its Iran plan is suspended. The page's logo wall shows networks that do not operate in Iran, which tells you it is a template [9]. No traveler reports from Iran. Our comparison tool still lists Yesim's Global Plus Package as covering Iran, with 5, 10, 20 and 40 GB at validities from 30 days to a year, and unlimited for 7 or 15 days flagged as throttled; the research pass found third-party Global Plus listings for Iran stale, so check Yesim's own country list before you buy.
In our test Yesim's plan started at purchase, not at first connection, so buy close to the trip, and its help desk was among the slowest we tested. Our Yesim review has the detail. On price its fixed plans are dear and its unlimited plans at market in our analysis. Yesim's site will show when the Iran plan returns.
Yesim eSIM Plans in Iran
Selection of the best eSIM data plans for YESIM in Iran from 2 GB.
Holafly eSIM in Iran: named network, capped speeds
- Purchase process7/10
- Mobile app7/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support6/10
- Speed test4/10
- Prices5/10
- Customer feedback9.4/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Holafly is an Irish eSIM provider built around unlimited data, with trip eSIMs for 200+ destinations. Travelers report it working more often than any other provider we track. Its weak points are speed and price: our test ran at about 30 Mbps on 5G, and its unlimited plans cost more than most.
Key facts
- 200+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.8
- Android app 4.7
- No top-ups
- Hotspot 1 GB/day
- 30 to 40 Mbps
- Trustpilot
- 4.7/5113,513 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Truly unlimited dataMost reliable we track: 92% workedOne-tap install, no QR code6 months to refund an unused eSIMSlow: about 30–40 Mbps on 5GPricier than other unlimited eSIMsSaved our card without askingNo top-ups, buy a new eSIM insteadHolafly eSIM in our hands
Holafly is the one provider whose own Iran page is verified on every point that matters: it connects to MCI, sells unlimited data only, for 3 to 15 days, data only with no phone number, hotspot capped at 500 MB a day, and it warns that coverage may be weak or unstable in deserts, mountains and jungles [4]. In our test, Holafly's speed was capped from the start: enough for maps, messaging, browsing and streaming, slow for large downloads, uploads, cloud backups and laptop work. No traveler reports from Iran yet. The plan cannot be topped up, so a longer stay means a second eSIM, and 15 days is the longest it sells here [4].
MCI is the network the research puts first for reach outside the cities, which is why Holafly's offer is the best documented here even without a report. On price, its unlimited plans sit above the other unlimited providers in our price analysis. Our comparison tool held no Holafly plan for Iran at export, so there is no plan table; Holafly's Iran page has the plans by day count. Our Holafly review has the speed test.
Jetpac eSIM in Iran: no Iran plan found
- Purchase process5/10
- Mobile app5/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support5/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices5/10
- Customer feedback9.4/10
- Coverage9/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Jetpac is a Singapore eSIM provider with plans in 129 countries. It adds extras like in-app calls, free WhatsApp and Google Maps after your data runs out, and lounge access on delayed flights. Its website, app and support are rough, so it suits travelers who can fix small issues themselves.
Key facts
- 129 countries
- iPhone app 4.0
- Android app 4.1
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- 3 GB/day cap
- Trustpilot
- 4.7/53,528 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle Pay
Pros and cons
WhatsApp and Maps keep working without dataUnlimited hotspotCheap calls in the appFree lounge if your flight is lateSlow website, confusing checkoutNo top-up once your data runs outSlow, technical supportPricey for 3–20 GBJetpac eSIM in our hands
Jetpac sells no Iran plan that we could find, and its own travel blog said in July 2026 that travel to Iran was not advisable. Nothing in our comparison tool, no traveler reports, no plan table.
Its extras (in-app voice packs, free WhatsApp and Maps after the data runs out, lounge access on a delayed flight) do not apply here. Our Jetpac review covers them for the countries it does serve; Jetpac's site lists those countries.
Saily eSIM in Iran: no Iran plan
- Purchase process7/10
- Mobile app9/10
- eSIM installation9/10
- Customer support10/10
- Speed test8/10
- Prices4/10
- Customer feedback9.4/10
- Coverage8/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
Saily is the travel eSIM from the company behind NordVPN, with plans for about 200 destinations. It has the smoothest install we have tested, a polished app and a built-in VPN. But prices run above the market in most big European destinations, and traveler reports sit below average.
Key facts
- About 200 destinations
- iPhone app 4.7
- Android app 4.5
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- 3 or 5 GB/day cap
- Trustpilot
- 4.7/531,741 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayGoogle Pay
Pros and cons
Easiest install we've testedFast 24/7 human supportFree VPN and ad blockerPlan starts only when you landPricey in big European countriesApp required, no eSIM by emailLess reliable than averageApp stops when your data runs outSaily eSIM in our hands
Saily does not sell an Iran eSIM: its Middle East and North Africa regional plan lists 18 countries and Iran is not one of them [8], and there is no Iran page. Whether its global plan includes Iran could not be confirmed. No traveler reports, no plan table.
This matters because Saily is the provider we point first-time eSIM users to elsewhere, for its app, its install and its help desk; our Saily review explains why. For Iran it is simply not available, so Saily's site only helps for the countries before or after.
GigSky eSIM in Iran: page empty when checked
- Purchase process7/10
- Mobile app6/10
- eSIM installation8/10
- Customer support9/10
- Speed test6/10
- Prices4/10
- Customer feedback8.6/10
- Coverage8/10
Average of eight categories from our own paid test and customer reviews.
GigSky is a US travel eSIM that works like its own operator, with plans for 190+ destinations plus cruise, ferry and in-flight plans. Its app stays partly online after your data runs out. But its fixed-data plans are the most expensive of the 12 providers we compared.
Key facts
- 190+ destinations
- iPhone app 4.5
- Android app 3.9
- Top-ups
- Hotspot
- 3.5 GB/day cap
- Trustpilot
- 4.3/57,194 reviews
- Payments
- Credit or debit cardApple PayPayPal
Pros and cons
Buy more data even with none leftCruise, ferry and in-flight plansHuman support answered right awayCheap 1-day unlimited passesMost expensive per GB we trackApp required, no Google PayClunky, web-like appLess reliable than averageGigSky eSIM in our hands
GigSky lists Iran plans of 1 GB for 7 days, 3 GB for 15 days and 5 GB for 30 days in our comparison tool, but its Iran page returned an empty body when the research pass opened it in September 2026, so we could not confirm which network it uses or whether the plans were on sale. No traveler reports from Iran yet.
GigSky's useful trait from our test is that its app stays partly online when the data runs out, so you can buy more without Wi-Fi, which is rare and handy where Wi-Fi may be filtered. Its help desk answered at once. Against that, it is the most expensive provider overall in our price analysis, purchase needs the app, and its speeds felt unstable in our test; our GigSky review has the details. Open GigSky's Iran page in a browser before relying on it.
GigSky eSIM Plans in Iran
Selection of the best eSIM data plans for GIGSKY in Iran.
Best eSIM Plans for Iran
Price per GB in Iran by eSIM Provider
How much does each provider charge per GB in Iran? The chart below compares plans of 1 to 10 GB that last 6 to 14 days, the usual range for a one- or two-week trip. Provider websites show only their own plans, so this side-by-side view is one you would otherwise have to work out yourself. A shorter bar means a lower price per GB.
Generated 02.11.2026 07:55
Country plans for Iran in our comparison tool run from 1 GB (eSIM4Travel, GigSky) and 1.5 GB (GoMoWorld) up to 23 GB (GoMoWorld). Above that you are on a global plan from Global YO, Ubigi or Yesim, where the longer validities pay off only if you travel more than once. Unlimited data comes from Holafly on its own Iran page, from Maya Mobile's global plan and from Yesim's global package, each with its own cap or fair-use rule described above. Many trips pair Iran with a stop in Turkey or the Gulf: compare plans that cover Iran and Turkey together, and see our UAE guide if you connect through Dubai.
2 GB in Iran
Comparison of offers for 2 GB data plans in Iran from the most popular eSIM providers.
5 GB in Iran
Comparison of offers for 5 GB data plans in Iran from the most popular eSIM providers.
10 GB in Iran
Comparison of offers for 10 GB data plans in Iran from the most popular eSIM providers.
20 GB in Iran
Comparison of offers for 20 GB data plans in Iran from the most popular eSIM providers.
Unlimited data in Iran
Comparison of offers for unlimited data plans in Iran from the most popular eSIM providers.
Best eSIM for Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz
No provider has a city-level report from Iran, so there is no city pick: the table shows the places most visitors go, and the advice below rests on the network information, not on reports.
| Where you are going | What the reports show | Our pick |
|---|---|---|
| Tehran | too few reports | No pick yet, no provider has 3 reports from Iran |
| Isfahan | too few reports | No pick yet, no provider has 3 reports from Iran |
| Shiraz | too few reports | No pick yet, no provider has 3 reports from Iran |
Visitors concentrate on Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Kashan and Mashhad, with Tabriz and Kish Island after that, and the research consensus is that all three operators are strong in those cities and weak outside them. 5G is point coverage, with Tehran and Alborz province first, according to the reports the research pass found; nothing official confirms it, because Iran's regulator last updated its English statistics in March 2023 [1]. In a city, then, the network a provider uses matters less than whether the provider sells Iran at all and whether its app works once you land.
Outside the cities the network does matter. MCI is the only operator the research credits with a village and highway footprint, and Holafly is the only provider that confirms MCI on its own page [4], with eSIM4Travel naming MCI in its plan names. Roamless rides Irancell and RighTel [5], and Ubigi only RighTel [6], which the research describes as a large-city network. For a drive between Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz, or anywhere in the Alborz or Zagros, that points to an MCI-based eSIM, with the caveat that no traveler has yet told us how any of them did there, and that Holafly itself warns about deserts and mountains [4].
Local SIM Cards and Operator eSIMs in Iran
A local SIM is far cheaper per GB than any travel eSIM for Iran, but you buy it in person with your passport, and there is no local eSIM for visitors. Travel guides report an airport SIM with about 10 GB at around USD 2 to 5 as of July 2026, against a travel eSIM premium that one guide puts at 3 to 5 times for short plans. The gap pays for data from the moment you land, no passport handover and no line registered in your name. Neither option gets around Iran's filtering.
Where to buy: MTN Irancell sells a Visitor SIM at kiosks in every international airport and in its Digital Centers, with English menus and, as reported, a limit of 3 visitor SIMs per trip. MCI has a tourist SIM through its own stores and dealers and the deepest rural coverage; its English tourist page could not be opened by the research pass. RighTel has no tourist package that the research could find, and no counter at Imam Khomeini airport, as of 2024. Registration against a passport (ID card, green card or residence permit also accepted) is mandatory for foreigners and takes 15 to 30 minutes at an official shop. A SIM registered to someone else can be cut off without warning, so do not borrow one.
Operator eSIMs exist but not for you: Irancell received Iran's first commercial eSIM licence on 24 Sep 2025 [3], and both Irancell and MCI tie activation to a smart national ID card, so it is a product for residents. Passport-based activation was described as planned in late 2025, and the research pass found no progress since. A travel eSIM is the only eSIM route for visitors.
When a local SIM wins: a stay of weeks, heavy data, or a need for a local number for calls and SMS, and you do not mind the queue and the registration. When a travel eSIM wins: a short trip, data from the aircraft door, a card payment made at home, and no passport handover. Several providers in our tool sell plans from 1 to 3 GB that cover a few days; the search form below shows them with live prices.
Mobile Networks in Iran
Iran has three operators: MCI (Hamrah-e Avval), the oldest and the one with the widest reach; MTN Irancell, with the largest active base, the first 4G network and the first eSIM licence [3]; and RighTel, a distant third focused on large cities. All three still list 3G alongside 4G, and MCI and Irancell run 5G at selected sites, with Tehran and Alborz first. No official coverage figures are available: the operator sites block automated checks, and the regulator's English statistics page was last updated in March 2023 [1]. Ookla has removed Iran from its speed index, according to Iranian technology outlets in September 2026, so there is no measured national mobile speed either.
Which provider rides which network: Holafly on MCI, confirmed on its page [4]; Roamless on Irancell (3G, 4G, 5G) and RighTel (3G, 4G), confirmed on its page [5]; Ubigi on RighTel only, from its partner list [6]; eSIM4Travel on MCI, by its plan names only. GoMoWorld, GigSky, Maya Mobile and Global YO do not say. The research leans towards MCI as the best network for reach and Irancell for speed where 5G exists, but flags that no regulator or independent test settles it, and we treat it that way.
What this means for a trip: the network you cannot see is the shutdown. According to NetBlocks, connectivity after 26 May 2026 was at roughly 80 to 86 percent of the level before January, with mobile reconnected, WhatsApp restricted and a filtering system in place; Kentik measured actual traffic flow lower still. No provider's page promises anything about that, and none of them can. Pick a provider that names its network, install before you fly, and carry a plan B, for example a second provider's small plan. If you want to switch networks on the road, our guide to eSIMs with several networks explains how.
How to Set Up an eSIM for Iran
Do everything before you fly. App stores were restricted after the May 2026 restoration, according to NetBlocks, and three of the providers that sell Iran (GoMoWorld, Global YO, GigSky) need their app to buy or install. The steps:
- Check your phone takes an eSIM and is unlocked; our first-eSIM guide has the checklist.
- Buy at home and install at home. Most plans start on first connection in Iran: eSIM4Travel says so on its plans, Ubigi and Maya Mobile did so in our tests. GoMoWorld is the exception that needs you to press Start in its app, and Yesim's plan started at purchase in our test, so buy that one last.
- Add the eSIM: scan the emailed QR code (eSIM4Travel, Maya Mobile, Ubigi, Yesim, Holafly) or let the app install it (GoMoWorld, Global YO, GigSky, Roamless). Our iPhone guide and our Samsung guide show the screens.
- Turn on data roaming for the eSIM line and set the APN where the provider needs one: Maya Mobile and Global YO use "globaldata", Ubigi "mobiledata", GigSky "gigsky", and Roamless needed a manual switch away from its preselected APN in our test.
- Keep the eSIM switched off until you land if the plan starts on first connection, then switch it on and set it as the data line.
- No signal after landing? Toggle airplane mode, pick the network by hand in the phone settings, and work through our troubleshooting guide. Remember that the one report we have from Iran dates from the week the shutdown lifted; a dead eSIM may be the country, not the provider.
Calls and SMS in Iran
Iran's calling code is +98, and no travel eSIM for Iran in our comparison tool includes minutes or texts; Holafly's Iran page says the same of its plan [4]. Calls over an app are the normal route, but WhatsApp has been restricted in Iran since 26 May 2026 according to NetBlocks, so a "keep your WhatsApp number" promise does not survive contact with the network. Roamless offers in-app calls and an optional second number, and Global YO outgoing internet calls, both from our tests; whether those apps are reachable inside Iran we cannot say.
If you need a local number that works for ordinary calls and SMS, the answer is a local SIM registered to your passport, bought at an airport kiosk or an operator shop as described above. A dual-SIM phone can carry that SIM for calls alongside a travel eSIM for data.
Free eSIM Data for Iran
Roamless gives a free 100 MB starter on its Iran page [5], enough to test the connection on landing before you spend credit. GigSky's free 100 MB trial and GoMoWorld's free 1-day trial exist in general, but neither page says whether they apply to Iran, and GoMoWorld's eligibility was unstated when checked in September 2026. Our free eSIM guide lists every trial we know of and the catch in each one.
Frequently Asked Questions About eSIMs in Iran
Which eSIM works best in Iran?
Does Airalo work in Iran?
What is the cheapest eSIM for Iran?
How much data do I need for Iran?
Can I buy an Iran SIM card as a tourist?
Will WhatsApp work in Iran with a travel eSIM?
Can I get a local number with an Iran eSIM?
Summary: the best eSIM for Iran
Iran is the one country where our usual method gives no winner. One traveler report, for GoMoWorld, and it failed in the week of May 2026 when the five-month shutdown was lifting; no other provider has a report at all. So we recommend nobody on evidence yet. What we can say from the providers' own pages: Holafly is the only one that names its network, MCI, the operator with the widest reach, and it sells unlimited data for up to 15 days, with its speed capped from the start in our test and a hotspot limit of 500 MB a day. Roamless names Irancell and RighTel and states no speed limit, but charges a flat rate that makes it dear beyond a few gigabytes. GoMoWorld sells the biggest plans and sits below the market average, but needs its app and a manual start. eSIM4Travel is on MCI by its plan names and has the best help desk we tested, but is not cheap here.
Airalo and Saily sell nothing for Iran, Yesim's plan is suspended, and Nomad, ByteSIM and Jetpac have no Iran plan we could find. Whatever you choose, install before you fly, expect filtering, and carry a second small plan. We will update this page as reports come in; until then, the best eSIM for Iran is the one whose page tells you which network you will be on.
Sources
We cite only regulators, government travel advice, the operators' and the providers' own pages.
Links last checked
Opens in a new tabRegulators and official bodies
-
1
Communications Regulatory Authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The regulator's English site, whose statistics page was last updated in March 2023; the reason no current official coverage or speed figures appear in this article.
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2
Foreign travel advice: Iran
The UK advice against all travel to Iran and its warning that land borders to Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan can close at short notice.
Official provider pages
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3
Official inauguration of eSIM launch in Iran by Irancell
Irancell's announcement of Iran's first commercial eSIM licence, behind the point that local eSIMs are a product for residents, as stated by Irancell.
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4
eSIM Iran
Holafly's Iran page: MCI as its network, unlimited plans of 3 to 15 days, the 500 MB a day hotspot limit, no phone number, and its warning about deserts and mountains, as stated by Holafly.
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5
Iran eSIM
Roamless's Iran page: Irancell and RighTel as its networks, no speed limit, unlimited hotspot, the plan sizes and the free 100 MB starter, as stated by Roamless.
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6
Ubigi eSIM data plans
Ubigi's site and partner list: RighTel as its Iranian network, and Iran's place in the World plan but not the Best World plan, as stated by Ubigi.
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7
Local eSIMs
Airalo's country list, from which Iran is absent, as stated by Airalo.
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8
Middle East and North Africa eSIM
Saily's regional plan page listing 18 countries without Iran, as stated by Saily.
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9
Iran eSIM
Yesim's Iran page with its plan marked as coming back soon and no operator listed, as stated by Yesim.
Compare All eSIM Plans for Iran
Every Iran plan from the 14 providers in this article, in one comparison with live prices.
Showing 30 of 45 plans
- 3 days
Islamic Republic of Iran
AD
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ZM- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 15 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- App works after data exhausted
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- App has calling functionality
BQ
GM
GU
MC
MP
NG
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SD
SL- 7 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- App has calling functionality
- 15 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- Excellent customer support
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- App works after data exhausted
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
BI
BZ
CV
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GL
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HT
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MR
NC
NR
SB
SR
SS
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TG
TO
WS- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
MV- 14 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 180 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- App has calling functionality
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- No expiration
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 90 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 365 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- App has calling functionality
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 30 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- No expiration
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 180 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 7 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 365 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- App has calling functionality
- No expiration
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 90 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- No expiration
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- 15 days
- Islamic Republic of Iran
