10 Cheapest Countries for Mobile Data with eSIM
Which countries have the cheapest eSIM data plans?
Not every destination offers the same eSIM data prices. In some countries you can get a full gigabyte of mobile data for next to nothing. In others you will pay several times more for the same amount. It depends on how strong local competition is between carriers, how much the country has invested in infrastructure, and how the market is regulated. The 10 countries below are among the most affordable in the world. Three of them are in Southeast Asia, where fierce carrier competition has pushed prices to a global low. The other seven are spread across Central Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region, and each has its own reason for keeping prices so low. Before you travel, browse all available plans for your destination in the eSIM comparison tool at vefru.com.
Generated 02.06.2026 20:57
1. Malaysia
Malaysia tops this list for one reason: competition. Four major carriers are actively fighting for customers, which pushes prices down and forces each of them to improve network quality. For travelers that means affordable eSIM data that works reliably across the peninsula and in larger cities. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Langkawi are all well covered. The one area to watch is Borneo. Sabah and Sarawak have fewer towers and bigger gaps between towns, so if your trip takes you inland it is worth downloading offline maps before you go.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
2. Vietnam
Vietnam is a long country, over 1,600 kilometers from north to south, and mobile internet speeds there have improved a lot in recent years. The dominant carrier Viettel had more than 30,000 base stations in operation by the end of 2025, covering all provincial cities, airports, and major tourist spots. In the Ookla report from August 2025, Vietnam ranked 16th in the world with an average download speed of 152 Mbps, a strong result backed by fast network investment. For travelers moving between Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, the connection is fast and stable. A mid-sized data plan is enough for a typical holiday. You can find a full plan comparison in our eSIM guide for Vietnam.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
3. Thailand
The Thai mobile market changed significantly in 2023 when True Move H and DTAC merged. Two strong carriers now compete, and for travelers that means reliable data in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket with average speeds of 30 to 50 Mbps in cities. The popular islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao have good coverage on land. Signal naturally drops on ferries midway between them, and the most remote parts of the northern highlands can be patchy at times. Those are exceptions, not the rule. On the vast majority of tourist routes, Thai eSIM plans give you solid value for a destination where you use data constantly. You can find all available plans in our eSIM guide for Thailand.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
4. Austria
Many travelers are surprised to see Austria on a list of countries with affordable eSIM data in Europe. Three carriers, A1 Telekom, Magenta, and Drei, compete nationwide, which keeps prices lower than you might expect. In Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck data is fast and uninterrupted. The Alps bring one honest limitation: in deep mountain valleys like Oetz or Kaunertal signal can be weaker, but ski resorts and the main alpine passes are generally well covered. If you are combining Austria with neighboring countries, a regional European eSIM plan often includes the Czech Republic or Hungary in the same package. Not sure how much data to buy for a trip like that? Our guide on how much data you need can help.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
5. Poland
Poland is a large country by European standards and has historically been slower than its western neighbors in rolling out 5G, but 4G in bigger cities is fast and reliable. Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, and Poznan are all well covered, and trains between them have usable signal throughout the journey. On most tourist routes, whether that is Krakow's old town, the Tatra Mountains, or the Baltic coast, data will not be an issue. The areas where it is worth expecting weaker coverage are rural southeastern Poland and the Bieszczady region, where towers are sparse. Poland is also one of the more affordable destinations in Europe, so cheap eSIM plans fit naturally with a budget trip. If you want to get more out of your data, check out our tips for saving data while traveling.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
6. Laos
Laos is a landlocked, mountainous country that is still building out its network beyond the main cities. In Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng you will get solid data for everyday travel needs: maps, messages, and transport bookings. Beyond those centers you need to adjust your expectations. The Bolaven Plateau and the more remote southern provinces have real coverage gaps, and the hilly terrain between towns limits what any carrier can realistically offer. Unitel holds around 50 percent of the mobile market and has the widest coverage, making it the most reliable choice for travelers moving between regions. The reason Laos appears on this list at all is straightforward: the price per GB is genuinely low for a destination that still feels off the beaten track. If you are combining it with Vietnam or Thailand, check the vefru.com comparison tool for regional plans that cover all three countries.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
7. Israel
Israel has four mobile carriers operating in a territory smaller than Slovenia. That level of competition keeps eSIM data prices low compared to what you pay for almost everything else there. Each carrier has its strengths. Cellcom has the widest coverage outside major cities, which is useful if your itinerary includes the Dead Sea, the Negev Desert, or the Galilee region and not just Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Partner focuses on urban coverage density and performs well across greater Tel Aviv. Pelephone benefits from Bezeq's backhaul network for getting data to towers, which can mean higher peak speeds at individual sites. For a trip that sticks to the main tourist circuit, any of the three will serve you well.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
8. Singapore
Singapore is a city-state of 733 square kilometers where coverage gaps basically do not exist. What matters here is speed and reliability, and on both counts Singapore consistently ranks among the best in the world. Average mobile download speeds sit around 164 Mbps according to current Ookla data. Even on the MRT subway the signal stays stable throughout the entire route. The affordable eSIM prices for Singapore are exceptional value given that network performance: you get top-tier connectivity at a price comparable to developing-world destinations. Three carriers, Singtel, StarHub, and M1, actively compete, and that is the main reason prices stay reasonable. If you are using Singapore as a stopover between other Asian countries, check whether a regional Asia-Pacific plan covers your full route. Not sure if your phone supports eSIM? Our phone compatibility guide has a full list.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
9. Spain
Spain has one of the more developed telecoms markets in the EU, with four major carriers and strong regulatory support for network investment. In Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville data is fast and stable, including underground. According to the Opensignal report from February 2025, Movistar leads on overall user experience with an average download speed of 77.5 Mbps. The Canary Islands and Balearic Islands are well covered in tourist areas, while rural inland regions like Extremadura or parts of Castile can be patchy in places due to lower population density. Spain is a longer trip for most visitors, so getting the size of your data plan right matters more than it would for a short city break. Our guides on what 5 GB covers and what 10 GB covers will help you pick the right amount before you book.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
10. Belgium
Belgium has an unusual mobile history. Brussels, the home of the EU, was one of the last major European capitals to get a working 5G network. Strict local electromagnetic radiation regulations blocked it until the city relaxed them in mid-2023. Since then the rollout has moved quickly. Field tests in January 2026 in Brussels, Ghent, and Kortrijk confirmed stable 5G availability including on trains between cities. The country is compact: you can get from the North Sea coast to the Ardennes hills in under two hours and signal holds the whole way. Proximus and Orange Belgium share a radio access network, which strengthens their combined reach. For travelers visiting multiple EU countries, Belgium is often included in regional eSIM plans that can bring the effective price per GB down even further. Compare all your options at vefru.com.
- Cheapest eSIM package:
- Cheapest eSIM package 5GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 10GB:
- Cheapest eSIM package 20GB:
- eSIM package with most GB:
- eSIM package with longest validity:
- Package with lowest price per GB:
What next?
Southeast Asia dominates the top of this list because Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand have each built a competitive multi-carrier market that keeps eSIM prices genuinely low. The European entries tell a more varied story. Austria and Spain have mature telecoms markets with significant network investment. Poland and Belgium offer affordable data at different stages of their network development. Israel and Singapore are the most interesting exceptions: two small, densely connected countries where carrier competition has pushed prices well below what you would expect given their cost of living. Wherever you are going, compare plans before you travel at vefru.com. And if you are new to eSIM technology, our guide on everything you need to know about eSIM explains how it works and which devices support it.
What is eSIM?
eSIM allows you to use a digital SIM card instead of a traditional plastic one. This enables you to purchase a SIM card online for the country you're traveling to.
The most well-known eSIM providers on the market are Airalo, Holafly, eSIM4Travel, Yesim, Saily and others.
Frequently asked questions about eSIM:
- Does my phone have eSIM?
- How to add eSIM to iPhone or Samsung?
- How to install eSIM on an older phone?
- What are the most affordable and best phones with eSIM support?
How to compare eSIM?
Here you can compare eSIM data packages for more than 170 countries, such as UK, USA, Egypt and others. And that for any duration and amount of data.
Along with additional information, such as provider ratings and whether the website is available in Czech.
Compare all eSIMs
Why can you trust Vefru?
Founders František and Jan experienced problems with mobile data every time they traveled outside the EU. As technology enthusiasts, the idea of traveling abroad without a data connection or risking truly insane roaming fees was unacceptable to them. Regardless of how adventurous the story of walking across Toronto on a winter night without an online map might be, it's not something they would want to repeat.
After the emergence of eSIM and later eSIM travel data package providers, they learned a lot about the technology and industry and decided to share their findings and the comparison tool they created for themselves with others. It now contains more than 10,000 updated eSIM mobile data packages from the most popular providers for more than 170 countries around the world.
Every time you read a guide on Vefru, it is created in the same way the author would research the topic themselves. From contacting locals about the best network operators, to recommending the most advantageous plans for what you really need, to technical guides on how to create a QR code for eSIM or how to troubleshoot eSIM issues. Most articles are created based on topics that the authors themselves have dealt with and for which they found the best solutions.
Technology experts
instead of copywriters
We test everything we
write about
We compare 10 thousand
eSIM data packages
