Let me get something out of the way: I love eSIMs. I think they’re one of the smartest travel tech inventions in recent years. If you’ve ever juggled physical SIM cards in a taxi, halfway awake after a red-eye flight, you probably love them too. But here’s the thing — just because I believe in eSIMs doesn’t mean I recommend every one of them. And I think it’s important to say that out loud.

Too many “top 10 eSIMs” lists or affiliate-driven articles gloss over the reality: not all eSIM providers are worth your time or money. So today, I’m going to walk you through why I don’t blindly promote every eSIM I come across — and what you should look out for before you download your next digital SIM.

The eSIM Boom: A Blessing… and a Bit of a Mess

When eSIMs first hit the scene, it felt like a quiet revolution. Suddenly, you could land in Tokyo, New York, or Cape Town and activate data in minutes. No more hunting for kiosks or getting scammed at the airport. But as with any booming industry, a flood of new providers followed — some innovative, some just opportunistic.

Today, there are dozens (if not hundreds) of eSIM companies out there. Some are solid, with real infrastructure and partnerships with major carriers. Others? They’re basically middlemen with fancy websites and zero customer support. That’s where the problem begins.

My Inbox Is Full of eSIM Pitches

Running a travel tech site means I get emails almost daily from eSIM companies looking to collaborate. Some are genuinely exciting—they’re innovating, solving real traveler problems, and backing it up with solid tech and support.

Others? They’re just getting started or relying on white-label platforms without much added value. Some even offer flashy commissions or promotions that don’t align with what travelers actually need.

I’m always open to partnerships—but only when the service is strong, transparent, and truly useful for travelers. I’d rather recommend fewer, better options than list everything for the sake of clicks.

So yes, I turn down a lot of offers—but I’m always happy to talk with companies doing it right.

Why I’m Picky With My Recommendations

Here’s my simple rule: if I wouldn’t use it myself while traveling — I won’t recommend it to you. I test services. I read the fine print. I look at coverage maps and real user reviews. I check if the provider actually has roaming agreements with local networks or if they’re just piggybacking on others.

And I ask questions like:

• What happens when something goes wrong?
• Can a customer reach real support in under 24 hours?
• Is the pricing clear, or are there hidden activation fees?
• Does the provider throttle speeds after a certain limit?

If a company can’t answer those questions well, they don’t make it to my blog or shop.

The Red Flags I Watch For

Let’s get into specifics. These are the biggest warning signs that an eSIM provider isn’t up to par:

1. No transparency.
If the website doesn’t clearly state what networks they use in each country or how much data costs after the plan expires — walk away.

2. Over-the-top marketing.
You’ll see phrases like “Unlimited worldwide data for €1 a day” that sound amazing. But read the fine print. That “unlimited” is usually capped at 500MB/day with brutal throttling afterward.

3. No real support.
If a company only offers a chatbot or takes three days to reply to emails, that’s a problem — especially if you’re stuck at an airport trying to connect.

4. Shady refund policies.
Some providers won’t refund you even if the eSIM never connects. Others will point fingers at your phone model instead of solving the issue.

5. White-label overload.
Many “eSIM brands” are actually just resellers using the same backend provider. That doesn’t automatically make them bad, but if they add no value or customer service layer on top, what are you paying them for?

But What About the “Good” Ones?

I don’t want to sound cynical — there are excellent eSIM providers out there. Some are truly working to make travel connectivity better. They offer global plans, solid local options, intuitive apps, and yes — responsive, helpful support.

They’re the ones I happily recommend and even partner with. But I don’t do that lightly.

Before I suggest any eSIM on Alertify or in my newsletter, I test it on the ground (or get detailed feedback from real users). I compare pricing, check for hidden fees, and monitor performance across destinations.

Some brands are better for short trips, others for long-term digital nomads. Some are great in Europe but weak in Asia. It’s not one-size-fits-all. That’s why a little research goes a long way.

I’d Rather Be Honest Than Popular

Let me be blunt: I probably lose affiliate income by refusing to promote every eSIM out there. But I sleep better at night knowing I’m not leading travelers into a bad experience.

Trust is hard-earned — especially in the travel tech world. I’ve built Alertify to be more than just a product directory. It’s a place for real advice from someone who actually uses this stuff, not just someone chasing SEO rankings.

That’s why you won’t find every eSIM brand on my site. And if I do recommend one, it’s because I genuinely think it’ll work for you.

Here’s What You Can Do

If you’re shopping for an eSIM (whether through my site or somewhere else), here are a few tips to make sure you’re getting a good deal:

• Check compatibility. Make sure your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.
• Compare offers. Look at local vs. regional vs. global plans. Sometimes a “local” eSIM in France is cheaper and faster than a “Europe-wide” one.
• Read the refund policy. Only buy from companies that offer fair refunds if things don’t work.
• Look for reviews from real travelers. Forums, Reddit, or even Trustpilot (with a grain of salt).
• Don’t fall for ultra-cheap promises. If it’s too good to be true, it usually is.

At the end of the day, my goal isn’t to sell you something — it’s to help you make smarter choices. I want travelers to understand how this space works and find the eSIM that actually fits their trip, not just the one with the flashiest ad.

Final Thoughts

eSIMs are amazing. They’ve made travel lighter, faster, and more connected. But the market is growing fast — and not always in the right ways. As more brands pop up, it’s easy to get lost in the hype.

So if you see me not recommending a new eSIM that’s suddenly everywhere on social media, now you know why. I’m not here to ride every trend. I’m here to give you tools that actually work, based on real-world experience.

Stick with the eSIMs that are tested, supported, and transparent. Your future self — sitting in a café, uploading photos, and not screaming at your phone — will thank you.