Is Ubigi the Best eSIM for Travel? My Real-World Test & Review

Ubigi, operated by the French telecommunications company Transatel, offers a range of eSIM solutions, including business connectivity and even in-car WiFi. I focused specifically on their eSIM service during my recent travels. This option has become especially popular for destinations like Japan, and I was eager to see how it performed firsthand.

After testing it out, I can say that Ubigi is a strong competitor among eSIM providers. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it, although there are a few areas where it could improve. For anyone considering Ubigi for their next trip, I’m sharing a detailed look at its connectivity, mobile app, features, pricing, customer reviews, and the company’s overall reach.

For anyone planning a trip and weighing different eSIM options, comparing providers can make a real difference in both cost and convenience. I always recommend taking a few minutes to run a comparison search before making a decision — this way, you can be sure you’re getting the best deal for your specific needs. 👇

How we review eSIMs

Having meticulously tested and scored dozens of top eSIM providers, our eSIM reviews are the most trusted and robust on the web. Curious how they're made and why you can trust them? Take a look at our process below:

My experience with Ubigi: App, coverage, and features

Overall, my time with Ubigi was quite positive. Everything worked as expected, with only a couple of minor drawbacks — mainly related to the app’s design and slower speeds in rural areas.

Before diving into those details, here’s an overview of what Ubigi offers and how it performed for me.

The Ubigi app: Functionality and first impressions

Much like what you find with other eSIM providers, you can install and activate your data package, as well as monitor your usage, from within the app.

However, I couldn’t actually purchase a data plan directly through the app; instead, I had to buy my eSIM on the Ubigi website and then use the app to install and manage it. This extra step made the process a bit less seamless compared to competitors like Airalo, which allow you to handle everything from within the app.

Another thing I noticed was that registration was required before I could use the app. While this wasn’t a huge issue for me, it does add an extra layer of setup that some travelers might find inconvenient.

I’ve heard of others experiencing delays with confirmation emails, but in my case, registration went smoothly.

One area where the Ubigi app could improve is in its design and user experience. It felt somewhat outdated and didn’t provide an easy way to view pricing or browse plans directly in the app. While it was functional and easy enough to navigate, I wouldn’t call it especially modern or intuitive.

How GigSky activation works

Ubigi plans start automatically when you arrive at your destination, meaning that the validity of the plan (30-day, 7-day, etc) only starts then. Ubigi allows you to purchase plans up to 6 months in advance of your trip and start the plan once you land in the country.

The simplest way to do this is to go into your settings and make sure the GigSky eSIM is turned off. Once you enter your destination's borders, turn on the GigSky eSIM, like below:

Coverage, speeds, and unique features

Ubigi is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MNVO), meaning that it has direct regional partnerships (its not simply a wholesaler of eSIMs). The result is strong coverage in 200 countries with reduced potential for dead zones without connectivity. Ubigi supports 5G in over 40 countries so far.

For example, during my trip to Poland, my eSIM connected to Orange and Play, both of which offer 5G speeds in urban areas, with fallback to 3G or 4G LTE where necessary.

In terms of performance, I found the speeds perfectly adequate in the city — around 50 Mbps. Here's a screenshot:

However, I also took a day trip into the countryside, where speeds dropped significantly to just over 5 Mbps. This is worth keeping in mind if you plan to travel to more remote areas:

Ubigi offers flexibility in their data plans. They offer single-use, monthly recurring, and even annual options. The one-time plans typically range from 7 to 30 days and offer between 1 and 20 GB of data, depending on the destination.

Ubigi’s eSIMs also work with VPNs. Plus, I was able to set up a hotspot for my friend without any trouble. One advantage is that Ubigi does not have a cap for hotspotting, while companies like Holafly cut off hotspotting after 5GB per day.

Just note that, like many travel eSIM companies, Ubigi doesn’t provide voice calling, SMS, or a dedicated mobile number. These are strictly data-only plans.

Coverage and refund policy

Ubigi eSIMs are available for over 200 countries, as well as regional and global plans.

Managing my plan worked fine, but I did notice that they have a refund policy with a refund period 14 days from purchase date. You need to file a ticket for refund.

Are Ubigi’s rates affordable?

Ubigi generally offers competitive pricing on its eSIM data plans, though it isn’t always the absolute cheapest option available. In my experience, the cost of Ubigi’s plans is reasonable, especially when considering the wide range of destinations and flexible options they provide.

Ubigi single-country plans

Ubigi’s prices for single-country plans can start as low as $2.00–$2.90 for smaller data packages, such as 500MB, and go up to $280 for larger bundles like 50GB or more.

• If you’re traveling to Europe, a 3GB monthly plan is available for just $8.
• For Japan, I found a 10GB plan for $14 for one week, which was actually the lowest among several major eSIM providers at the time I checked.
• In Hungary, a 3GB plan for 15 days cost $5, again making Ubigi the most affordable choice in that comparison.

Ubigi regional and global plans

Regional and global plans are also available, with a 3GB Europe bundle priced at $8 and a global 1GB plan at $19.

That said, pricing can vary significantly depending on your destination and the amount of data you need.

Ubigi tends to offer especially good value for larger data packages or longer trips, but for smaller, short-term plans, some competitors like Airalo or Saily may have slightly lower rates for certain countries or regions.

Because eSIM providers often use similar networks and technology, I recommend comparing current prices before making a decision. Ubigi’s plans are generally fair and flexible, but checking Simsurf’s comparison engine for the latest deals will help ensure you get the best value for your trip. 👇

What are customers saying on Trustpilot, Google Play & the App Store?

Ubigi has built a solid reputation among its customers, as reflected in the feedback found on popular review platforms. On Trustpilot, for example, Ubigi holds an impressive 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on feedback from over 16,000 customers. On the App Store, it earned 4.6 out of 5 stars from 4,859 reviews.

A recurring highlight in customer reviews is the fast and stable connection speed as a major advantage. Overall, Ubigi’s customer feedback is largely positive, especially when it comes to reliability.

Customer support

When I reached out to customer support via live chat, it took just under half an hour to connect with a real person. There’s currently no phone support, so live chat and email are the main options.

In my opinion, customer support is one area where Ubigi has some room for improvement.

Is Ubigi a trustworthy company?

Ubigi is headquartered in Paris, France, and operates as a brand under Transatel S.A. — a well-established French telecommunications company. Transatel itself has a solid track record, serving around 1.2 million customers and employing over 200 people, with more than two decades of experience in the industry.

What really adds to my peace of mind is knowing that Transatel is owned by NTT, a major Japanese telecom powerhouse. NTT ranks as the fourth-largest carrier worldwide and is listed among the top 100 companies on the Fortune Global 500. This kind of backing means that Ubigi owns its own MVNO infrastructure with historical direct telco relationships (as opposed to many eSIM competitors that are simply resellers).

From a digital security standpoint, both the Ubigi website (ubigi.com) and its mobile app are fully secure. I found that managing my account was straightforward, and, if needed, deleting my user profile is possible. The one minor issue is that the app’s design might feel a bit dated.