Counter 08 · eSIM & Connectivity
Verified 06 Aug 2026
Yesim
YEPay-as-you-go eSIM data that rolls over
Yesim runs on pay-as-you-go pricing across more than 170 countries, and unlike most eSIMs, unused data balance carries over to your next trip instead of expiring. It partners with 800-plus mobile operators for 5G where available, and skips voice and SMS entirely, so you'll still need an app like WhatsApp for calls.
What is Yesim eSIM
Yesim is a pay-as-you-go eSIM app that sells mobile data plans in more than 170 countries and territories. You install a digital SIM in seconds instead of swapping a physical card. It routes connections through more than 800 partner mobile operators worldwide and switches automatically to the strongest available network, including 5G where the local carrier supports it. That helps where one local carrier has weak coverage but another has a strong signal.
Why it fits digital nomads
Yesim's main draw for nomads is data rollover: unused gigabytes carry over to your next purchase instead of expiring at the end of a fixed validity window. For someone who buys a country plan every few weeks rather than one big annual SIM, that means a half-used 10GB balance from Portugal doesn't vanish before the next stop in Georgia. Pricing is per country and swings hard by destination, advertised as low as roughly EUR 0.92/GB in well-served markets and climbing past EUR 100/GB in a handful of low-competition countries. Check the specific country page before assuming a flat rate applies. Hotspot sharing is included, which covers tethering a laptop when the cafe wifi is bad.
The catch
Yesim is data-only. There's no voice calling or SMS on the eSIM itself, so you still need WhatsApp, a VoIP app, or a second physical SIM for a local phone number. That matters if a bank, visa office, or delivery service insists on texting a local code. Per-GB pricing also varies enough by country that Yesim can undercut competitors like Airalo in some regions and cost more in others. Check your specific route before assuming it's the cheapest option. As with most eSIM apps, activation depends on device compatibility (check via *#06# before buying) and a stable base connection to download the profile.
Pricing
There's no subscription. You buy data per country or region as needed, and the rollover balance is the main reason to keep buying through the same app rather than switching providers every trip. That mainly pays off if you buy eSIM data several times a year; on one big annual trip, rollover doesn't get much use. A 100% refund window (30 days) softens the risk of buying a plan for a trip that falls through.
What works
- Data rollover carries unused GB to your next purchase, unusual among eSIM apps
- Reaches 170+ countries through 800+ partner operators and switches to the strongest available network, including 5G
- Hotspot and tethering are included, so one eSIM covers a laptop and a phone
- No contract, pay per country as you travel, with a 30-day refund window
What to watch
- Data-only: no voice calls or SMS, so you need a separate app or number for anything requiring a local phone line
- Per-GB pricing varies widely by country, roughly EUR 0.92/GB up to over EUR 100/GB in some markets, so it isn't automatically the cheapest option everywhere
- Like all eSIMs, it depends on device compatibility and a working base connection to activate, which can trip up older or carrier-locked phones
Questions at the counter
Is Yesim worth it for digital nomads?
Mostly for people who buy eSIM data repeatedly across multiple stops rather than once a year. If you stay in one country for months and rarely switch, a longer-validity local eSIM can work out cheaper. For frequent border-hopping, the rollover balance means you're not paying for data you never used.
Does Yesim eSIM support calls and texting?
No, Yesim is data-only. You need WhatsApp, a VoIP service, or a secondary physical SIM for a real phone number, which is worth planning for if you expect verification texts from a bank or government office abroad.
How does Yesim compare to Airalo or Holafly?
Yesim's main edge is that unused data rolls over between purchases, which neither Airalo nor Holafly's fixed-validity plans typically offer. Per-GB pricing is competitive in high-traffic destinations but can run higher than Airalo in some lower-demand countries, so check the specific country page before buying.
Does Yesim eSIM work with 5G?
Yes, where the local partner network supports it. Yesim's app connects automatically to the fastest available network among its 800-plus partner operators, which includes 5G in markets where that infrastructure exists.