Counter 08 · eSIM & Connectivity
Verified 06 Aug 2026
aloSIM
ALBudget eSIMs plus free US calling and texting
aloSIM covers more than 200 countries with pay-by-week or pay-by-data eSIM plans and bundles in free calling and texting through a Hushed number, which most pure-data eSIMs skip. It's a Canadian company built specifically for budget travelers rather than business travelers, and the pricing reflects that.
What is aloSIM?
aloSIM is a Canadian eSIM provider from the team behind the Hushed calling app. It sells prepaid mobile data packages for more than 200 countries, and unlike most data-only eSIM apps, it bundles in a free phone number for calls and texts through Hushed. Single-country and regional plans run roughly $3.50 to $5 for about 1GB over a week, and scale up from there (around $100 buys 10GB over 30 days at the pricier end), so the per-GB cost drops the more you buy at once. Prices vary by country, so check the current rate on alosim.com before you commit.
Why nomads use it
The free phone number is the main reason to pick aloSIM over a plain data eSIM. Most prepaid data plans include one automatically, it lasts as long as the data plan, and it carries a small pay-as-you-go credit for calls and texts. That covers verification codes and the odd local call without buying a separate SIM. You can land somewhere, buy a plan, and have a working number within an hour, which Airalo and most competitors don't do out of the box.
The honest downside
aloSIM does not sell a true multi-region global plan the way Airalo does. If you cross several continents in one trip, you buy separate country or regional packages instead of one pass, which adds up in both cost and effort. Data allowances on the 30-day plans also tend to be smaller than rivals at the same price, so aloSIM suits light-to-moderate use like maps, messaging, and email better than running a full remote job on eSIM data alone. It also needs an eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked phone, so older or locked devices are out.
What the pricing looks like
You pay per country or region rather than one flat rate per trip. Many plans support top-up and auto-renewal, so you can extend an active plan instead of buying a fresh package each time. For single-country stays of a week or two, especially in Europe or North America, the cost works out well. For continent-hopping itineraries, add up the total against a global plan first, since several separate packages can cost more than one pass.
What works
- Free phone number bundled with most data plans, plus a small call and text credit, so you get a working number alongside your data
- Coverage in 200+ countries, with plans starting around $3.50 to $5 for a week of data
- Top-up and auto-renewal let you extend an active plan instead of rebuying from scratch
- Simple app-based install with fast activation, useful when you land and need connectivity right away
What to watch
- No true global multi-country plan, so continent-hopping trips mean buying separate country or regional packages
- Data allowances on 30-day plans tend to be smaller than some competitors at the same price, better for light-to-moderate use than heavy remote-work data needs
- Requires an eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked phone, which rules out older or locked devices
Questions at the counter
Is aloSIM worth it for digital nomads?
Yes for single-country or single-region stays, especially if you want a working phone number without extra setup. The bundled Hushed number and calling credit cover a real gap most data-only eSIMs leave open, though heavy multi-country travelers may find Airalo's global plan more convenient.
How much does aloSIM cost?
Plans start around $3.50 to $5 for a week of roughly 1GB, and go up to around $100 for 10GB over 30 days depending on the country. Larger packages bring the per-GB price down, and top-ups let you add data to an active plan. Prices change by country, so check alosim.com for the current rate.
Does aloSIM give you a real phone number?
Most prepaid data packages automatically include a free number through Hushed, aloSIM's sister app, valid for the same length as your data plan and preloaded with a small pay-as-you-go credit for calls and texts.
Is aloSIM better than Airalo?
It depends on your route. aloSIM wins on the bundled phone number and simplicity for single-country trips; Airalo wins on broader global multi-country plans that cover a whole itinerary on one package. Compare the total cost for your specific route rather than assuming either is cheaper everywhere.