If you travel often, you’ve probably faced the same old hassle: hunting down a SIM card kiosk after a long flight, fumbling with tiny trays, or paying ridiculous roaming fees from your home carrier. That’s where eSIMs come in. They let you skip the physical SIM entirely and activate mobile data directly from your phone.

One of the bigger names in the eSIM space is Nomad, and I’ve been testing it across a few countries over the past months. This review will walk you through how Nomad works, how easy it is to use, where it shines, and where it could still improve.

What is Nomad eSIM?

Nomad isn’t a carrier itself—it’s more like a marketplace. Through its app, Nomad sells data plans powered by local and regional carriers worldwide. Instead of buying a SIM card when you land, you purchase a digital eSIM plan through the app and activate it on your phone in minutes.

Plans come in three flavors:

• Country-specific plans (e.g., just Japan or Spain)
• Regional plans (e.g., all of Europe or Asia-Pacific)
• Global plans (covering 100+ countries at once)

The biggest draw? You can set everything up before you leave home, so when you land, you’re instantly online.

Setting It Up

Getting started with Nomad is surprisingly easy:

1. Download the app (iOS or Android).
2. Create an account in less than two minutes.
3. Browse plans for your destination—filter by country, region, or global.
4. Purchase and install – you can install the eSIM directly from the app or scan a QR code provided.
5. Activate – switch it on before you travel or as soon as you land.

The whole process took me under 5 minutes on my iPhone. No physical SIM swapping, no paperwork, no airport queues.

Coverage and Performance

Because Nomad uses local carrier partners, the experience really depends on the country you’re in.

• Spain: Connected me to Orange with solid 4G speeds (60–80 Mbps in Barcelona).
• Croatia: Great in cities, but along the coast I occasionally dropped to 3G. Still usable for maps and messaging.
• United States: Connected to AT&T with excellent speeds (around 100 Mbps in New York City).

For big cities and popular destinations, coverage is usually as good as buying a local SIM. In rural or remote areas, it may lag behind.

Pros and Cons of Nomad eSIM

Pricing: Competitive, But Not Always the Cheapest

Nomad’s prices are fair but not rock-bottom. Here’s a taste of what I paid:

• Europe regional plan: €15 for 5GB (30 days).
• Japan plan: €8 for 3GB (7 days).
• Global plan: €25 for 5GB in 100+ countries.

For comparison, a local SIM in Italy sometimes offers 20GB for €10—so yes, local can be cheaper. But Nomad gives you convenience: no passport check, no queue, no SIM tray fuss. For many travelers, that trade-off is worth the extra few euros.

Check out some of the Nomad prices:

Where Nomad Stands Out

Here are the areas where Nomad really impressed me:

• Super easy setup – no tech skills needed, just follow the app prompts.
• Regional and global coverage – perfect for multi-country trips.
• Instant top-ups – add more data from the app in seconds.
• Real-time tracking – monitor your data usage so you don’t run out mid-trip.

Where It Falls Short

Nomad isn’t perfect. A few downsides to keep in mind:

• Data-only plans – no phone number for calls or SMS. Fine for WhatsApp and iMessage, but tricky if you need texts for two-factor authentication.
• Locked to one partner network – in some countries, you can’t switch to another carrier even if coverage is weak.
• Customer support delays – I once waited 18 hours for a reply on a billing issue. Not a dealbreaker, but not ideal if you’re stranded without data.
• Not the cheapest – budget travelers who don’t mind the hassle of local SIMs may feel they’re overpaying.

Who Should Use Nomad?

Nomad isn’t for everyone, but it’s a great fit for certain types of travelers:

• Business travelers – quick setup means you’re online the moment you land.
• Multi-country explorers – one plan across borders saves headaches.
• Short-term tourists – perfect for a weeklong trip or city break.
• Digital nomads – as a reliable backup when local SIMs fail.

Who Should Skip It?

On the flip side, Nomad might not make sense if you’re:

• An ultra-budget traveler – chasing the cheapest deal at every destination.
• A long-term expat – local carriers will always beat Nomad for monthly plans.
• Someone who needs a local phone number – since Nomad is strictly data.

More Nomad eSIM prices:

Real-Life Test: Croatia

Here’s a concrete example. I tested both a local SIM from Hrvatski Telekom (20GB for €12) and a Nomad Europe eSIM (€11.98 for 5GB):

• The local SIM had slightly better rural coverage and way more data.
• But getting it meant waiting in line, showing my passport, and swapping out my SIM tray.
• With Nomad, it was literally three taps in the app.

Yes, I paid more for less data—but I saved 45 minutes of hassle. After a long flight, that felt worth it.

The Nomad eSIM Scorecard

Coverage: 8/10 (strong in major cities, weaker in some rural spots)

Value for Money: 8/10 (convenient but not always cheapest vs local SIMs)

Ease of Use: 10/10 (super simple app and fast activation)

Flexibility: 8/10 (regional & global plans, but data-only)

Support & Reliability: 8/10 (generally stable, but support can be slow)

Total Score: 42/50

Final Verdict

Nomad eSIM delivers exactly what it promises: a fast, simple way to get data while traveling. It’s not always the cheapest option, but it’s one of the most convenient. Coverage is generally reliable, speeds are solid, and the app makes everything easy—even for first-time eSIM users.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely—especially if you value your time and sanity while traveling. If you’re a frequent flyer, business traveler, or hopping across multiple countries, Nomad is a lifesaver. If you’re an expat or hardcore budget traveler, you might still prefer a local SIM.

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