Nomad eSIM Review: data plans, prices, customer support in 2024

What is Nomad eSIM?

Nomad eSIM was developed by LotusFlare and launched in 2020. The eSIM service provides flexible, reasonably priced data plans for travelers. One of the reasons Nomad eSIM has become incredibly popular is its ease of use. It only takes a few minutes to purchase and activate a Nomad eSIM card. Plus, the Nomad app is very user-friendly.

Nomad has data plans for travelers visiting 110+ countries. It offers 5G and 4G in most locations. I’ve found reviews where users said they got 3G and LTE, so network speeds may depend on location.

Nomad eSIM pros and cons

Nomad eSIM stands out from other eSIMs in many ways. It’s also lacking in some respects. Here’s a breakdown of some pros and cons of this eSIM service:

Nomad eSIM countries

Nomad eSIM offers local eSIM plans in an impressively large number of locations, including popular countries like:

• US
  
• UK
• Japan
• Canada
• Australia
• France
• Spain
• China
• India
• Mexico
• Italy

Besides top travel destinations, I was thrilled to see that Nomad eSIM’s coverage extends to less popular locations like Kazakhstan, Guernsey, and Nigeria.

Here’s a breakdown of all the countries Nomad eSIM is available:

Nomad eSIM data plans

Nomad eSIM has a variety of data plans. In addition to local plans for all the countries listed above, the eSIM service also has an array of regional plans to keep users connected in every part of the globe. Plus, Nomad makes it easy to top-up its eSIMs with more data.

Local eSIMs

One of the things I love most about Nomad eSIM is the flexibility of its plans. It has a data plan for every traveler. Users can opt for a Day Plan or one of Nomad’s Regular Plans.

• Day Plans: These plans come with 1 GB to 3 GB per day, which resets every 24 hours. Nomad allows users to continue browsing the web even after this daily allotted data runs out. The catch is that internet speeds are throttled at 512kbps until the plan resets. The maximum duration of Nomad’s Day Plan is 10 days, so it’s not ideal for long-term travel.

• Regular Plans: Nomad eSIM’s Regular Plans come with varying data limits and durations. Unlike Day Plans, there’s no safety net once the data runs out. The only option is to top-up the eSIM. Here’s an overview of Nomad’s Regular Plans:

The availability of these plans varies from country to country.

Note: Currently, only Nomad eSIM’s plans for the US and Canada support SMS. The company is working to expand support for text messaging to other locations, but there’s no clear timeline for that.

Regional plans

Nomad eSIM has diverse regional plans for travelers visiting Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and Africa. I was disappointed to see that Nomad doesn’t have regional plans for South America, but its global plans cover many South American countries.

Nomad’s regional and global plans are similar to its regular local eSIM plans in terms of their data allowance and duration.

It’s a shame Nomad eSIM doesn’t offer longer regional plans, but the fact that users can top-up compensates for that.

How much does Nomad eSIM cost?

While many Nomad eSIM plans are affordable, its prices are pretty expensive for some locations. For example, Nomad eSIM has a US local data plan that costs only $14 for 5 GB (valid for 30 days). I usually pay more for internet monthly, so it’s a good deal. However, the same 5 GB plan costs up to $45 for travelers visiting Samoa. In comparison, Airalo has a similar 5 GB local plan for Samoa for just $27.

Thankfully, Nomad offers a discount on many of its plans. Check the “Limited Time Offer” section on its homepage for these deals. It’s worth noting that I didn’t find any discount offers on the Nomad eSIM app; it seems to only be available on the Nomad eSIM website.

How to get a Nomad eSIM card?

It’s easy to get a Nomad eSIM card via the company’s website or app.

Here’s how to get a Nomad eSIM card via the company’s website:

1. Visit the Nomad eSIM website. Click “Limited Time Offer,” “Local eSIMs,” or “Regional eSIMs” and browse through the plans.
2. Choose a plan and click “Buy Now” at the bottom of the screen. I selected the 10 GB plan for Brazil (valid for 30 days).
3. Sign up to create an account and complete the purchase. Nomad eSIM accepts various payment methods, including credit/debit/prepaid cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
   
4. Nomad eSIM will forward an email with a QR code and instructions on how to set up the eSIM.

Here’s how to purchase a Nomad eSIM card via the app:

1. Download and install the Nomad eSIM app from Google Play or Apple’s App Store. There’s a link to download the app on the Nomad eSIM homepage.
2. Open the app and browse through the countries.
3. Select a data plan, and click checkout to purchase it. I selected the 10 GB local plan for Brazil (valid for 30 days).
4. Sign up to create an account and complete the purchase.
5. Nomad will send an email with a QR code and step-by-step instructions on how to install and activate the eSIM.

How to use Nomad eSIM?

Nomad works like any other eSIM. After purchasing a Nomad eSIM card, the next steps are to install the eSIM profile and activate the plan. Nomad provides detailed instructions on how to go about it.

There are two ways to install a Nomad eSIM: automatically or manually.

Here’s how to install a Nomad eSIM automatically:

1. Click Manage on the Nomad eSIM app.
2. Choose the eSIM and select “Installation Instructions.”
3. Select the option to “Add automatically” and click on “Install eSIM now.”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Here’s how to install a Nomad eSIM manually:

1. On an iOS device, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan, and scan the QR code in Nomad’s email. On Android, go to Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager > Add Mobile Plan, and scan the QR code.

Once the eSIM profile is installed, the next step is to activate it. Here’s how to go about that:

Activating a Nomad eSIM on iOS:

1. Go to Settings > Mobile Data and choose Nomad eSIM.
2. Turn on data roaming.
3. It should be working now.

Activating a Nomad eSIM on Android:

1. Go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Mobile data.
2. Choose Nomad eSIM.
3. Turn on data roaming for the eSIM, and it’s activated!

Nomad eSIM customer support

Nomad is renowned for its excellent customer support. While the eSIM provider doesn’t have a live chat option, its customer support team responds to queries quickly.

While running tests for this Nomad eSIM review, I contacted Nomad’s support team by filling out the contact form on their site and received a quick response via email. The customer service agent explained things clearly and added screenshots for visual guidance.

Nomad eSIM recently launched a help center on Zendesk with FAQs and troubleshooting guides.

Why do you need Nomad eSIM?

Nomad eSIM is a reliable and cost-effective solution to the connectivity issues that many travelers face. Here are a few reasons why getting a Nomad eSIM is a great idea:

• Convenience: Nomad eSIM allows users to access the web from multiple locations across the globe without having to swap SIMs.
• Affordability: Using Nomad eSIM is far cheaper than paying for roaming. Plus, users can share data with friends and family to save money.
• Safety: Nomad eSIM eliminates the need to rely on potentially unsafe public Wi-Fi, ensuring users don’t fall into the snare of hackers and other malicious parties.

Is my phone compatible with Nomad eSIM?

Most new phone models are compatible with eSIMs like Nomad. The best way to confirm if a device is compatible with Nomad eSIM is to look through its specifications or check the manufacturer’s site.

Another way to check a device’s compatibility is by going to the phone settings and selecting Connections > SIM Manager. If there’s an option to add an eSIM, it’s most likely compatible with Nomad.

Nomad eSIM review on Trustpilot

There are many positive Nomad eSIM reviews online. Here are a few we found on Trustpilot:

“Amazing product, seamless purchase and installation. Coming from Canada where telecom’s is basically the most expensive in the world, you would have to be a fool to not use Nomad to travel even just to the US.”

Alexander Hibit, TRUSTPILOT

“Used Nomad through a month in Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland) and it worked beautifully. Smooth transitions between networks, and always fast enough speeds to run maps, socials, video calling, etc. I installed the app and paid for the plan before leaving, and it worked as soon as I landed in Germany.”

Allyssa, TRUSTPILOT

“It’s easy to buy and install! I was kinda skeptical because I need to fly all the way to the destination to see if it really works. In the end it works so well and I’m able to stay connected during my 14 day trip. Will purchase from Nomad again!”

Jordan, TRUSTPILOT

Conclusion: Is Nomad eSIM good?

Yes, Nomad is an excellent eSIM service. It has a vast network coverage and offers competitive prices in most countries. Nomad is also very easy to use.

I think Nomad’s regional plans are some of its strongest offers, and they cover a substantial part of the globe. While it doesn’t support calling and has limited support for text messaging, it’s a great service overall and guarantees uninterrupted connection.

---

You may also like to read:

Saily eSIM Review
aloSIM eSIM review
Airalo eSIM review
Instabridge eSIM review
Best eSIM for USA
Airalo vs Nomad
How to get cheaper flights in 2024
How to book hotels cheaper in 2024

---

FAQ

Does Nomad have good coverage?

Yes, Nomad’s network coverage extends over 170+ countries in five continents.

How does Nomad eSIM work?

Nomad works like any other eSIM service; users must purchase a plan, install the eSIM, and activate it. The service will start working automatically.

Is Nomad legit?

Yes, Nomad eSIM is a legitimate service. It has a stellar reputation, with many positive Nomad eSIM reviews from satisfied users.

Is Nomad eSIM secure?

Yes, Nomad eSIM is safe. It works with recognized local carriers in each country to provide connectivity to users.

What countries does Nomad eSIM cover?

Nomad’s network covers all the top travel destinations in the world and some less popular countries. In total, Nomad eSIM is available in over 170 countries across the globe.

Does Nomad eSIM work in Canada?

Yes, Nomad eSIM is available in Canada. The eSIM service works with local network providers like Rogers to provide internet access and support text messaging for users.

Does Nomad have eSIM for the Caribbean?

Yes, Nomad has eSIM plans for many Caribbean countries, including Grenada, Suriname, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Barthelemy, to name a few. While it doesn’t offer regional plans for the Caribbean, its global plan covers many Caribbean countries.

Can I make calls using Nomad eSIM?

No, Nomad eSIM is a data-only service; it doesn’t support calling. Currently, it only supports text messaging in the US and Canada.