Counter 08 · eSIM & Connectivity
Verified 06 Aug 2026
Nomad eSIM
NOApp-first eSIM from LotusFlare, fast activation and easy top-ups
Nomad eSIM (built by LotusFlare) focuses on a clean app for buying, installing, and topping up eSIMs across 200-plus destinations without restarting your phone. It positions itself as cheaper than incumbents on a per-GB basis in several markets. Note: its long-time domain getnomad.app now redirects to nomadesim.com, which is the current live site.
What is Nomad eSIM?
Nomad eSIM is a travel data service built by LotusFlare that sells digital SIM cards (eSIMs) for over 200 countries and regions through a single app, so you get local or regional mobile data without swapping a physical SIM. It's data-only: your phone keeps its original number for calls and texts while a second eSIM profile handles internet access, the standard setup nomads use to avoid roaming fees.
How pricing works
Nomad prices by the gigabyte and the rate varies a lot by country: roughly €0.54/GB in Turkey versus €0.71/GB in the USA and €1.20/GB in Canada. A plan in a cheap data market can cost less than half the same amount of data in an expensive one. For people who move across many countries in a year, Nomad also sells regional and global plans that cover many countries at once instead of buying a fresh local eSIM every time you land. Both options are prepaid: no subscription, no auto-renewal.
The Nomad angle
The product runs through the app instead of a browser checkout: buy, install via QR code, monitor usage, and top up from your phone in a few minutes. That matters when you're switching countries every week or two and don't want to hunt for a local SIM shop. Most country plans support hotspot/tethering, so you can share the eSIM's data to a laptop, which is what most remote workers actually need it for when a hostel or coworking space has bad Wi-Fi. Nomad uses multiple network partners in many countries for redundancy rather than locking you to one carrier.
The catch
Per-GB pricing means heavy data users (video calls, large uploads, tethering a laptop all day) can burn through a plan fast and need add-ons. It isn't automatically the cheapest option for someone who streams a lot; a flat-rate unlimited plan from a different provider can work out cheaper in high-usage countries. Nomad's older domain, getnomad.app, has been retired and now redirects to nomadesim.com, so check you're on the current site before entering payment details. As with any eSIM, coverage and speed depend on which local network your device connects to, and activation requires a compatible, unlocked phone.
What works
- Works in 200+ destinations through one app, no need to source a local physical SIM in each country
- Per-GB pricing in cheaper markets (Turkey, much of Southeast Asia) undercuts flat-rate competitors
- Hotspot/tethering supported on most country plans, useful for laptop work on the road
- Prepaid with no subscription or auto-renewal, top up only when you need more data
What to watch
- Per-GB rates vary widely by country and add up fast for heavy data users or daily video calls
- Data-only: no local phone number for calls or SMS, so you still need another line for voice or texts
- The affiliate program's exact commission isn't publicly disclosed, and the brand recently moved off its original getnomad.app domain to nomadesim.com
Questions at the counter
Is Nomad eSIM worth it for digital nomads?
It's worth it if you move between countries often and want app-based setup instead of hunting down physical SIMs. The per-GB pricing rewards travelers who plan their data use and top up as needed, though someone who streams or tethers all day might find a flat-rate unlimited plan elsewhere cheaper.
How does Nomad eSIM pricing compare to buying a local SIM?
In cheaper markets, around €0.54/GB in Turkey for example, Nomad's rate can beat what you'd pay a local carrier in cash. In pricier markets like Canada (around €1.20/GB), a local prepaid SIM bought in-country is often cheaper for heavy use.
Does Nomad eSIM work for hotspot and tethering?
Yes, most country plans support hotspot and tethering so you can share the eSIM's data connection to a laptop or tablet. Availability can vary by specific plan, so check the plan details for your destination before you rely on it for work.
What happened to getnomad.app?
getnomad.app was Nomad eSIM's original domain and it now redirects to nomadesim.com, the current live site and app. If you bookmarked the old URL, update it before buying a plan.