Cheapest eSIM for United States 2026: Prices from $2.87
4 providers compared · Plans from $2.87
Saily sells United States's cheapest eSIM at $2.87 for 1GB on AT&T's 5G network. The 10GB tier drops to $1.64/GB, the lowest per-GB rate tracked. Unlimited daily from $3.49/day, 65% less than carrier roaming at $10/day. For light users, the 1GB fixed plan at $2.87 costs less than one day of carrier roaming.
All United States eSIM plans
10 plans ranked by total price. The green row is the cheapest entry point; scroll for the best price-per-GB on larger plans.
| Provider | Data | Days | Price | Price/GB | Network | Rating | Get deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily Cheapest | 1GB | 7 | $2.87 | $2.87 | AT&T | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 1 | $3.35 | N/A | AT&T | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 3GB | 15 | $6.87 | $2.29 | AT&T | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 3 | $9.63 | N/A | AT&T | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 5GB | 30 | $10.01 | $2.00 | AT&T | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 10GB | 30 | $16.41 | $1.64 | AT&T | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 7 | $22.48 | N/A | AT&T | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Saily | 20GB | 30 | $34.46 | $1.72 | AT&T | 4.4/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 14 | $43.49 | N/A | AT&T | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 30 | $85.85 | N/A | AT&T | 4.6/5 | Get deal → |
Price/GB for unlimited plans is not applicable. Holafly charges a flat daily rate. All prices in USD, verified June 2026.
Save up to 96% vs carrier roaming in United States
A typical home carrier charges $10/day to roam in United States. That adds up to $70.00 for a week. The cheapest eSIM plan costs $2.87, saving you $67.13 on a 7-day trip. Even a 5-day visit would cost $50.00 on roaming vs under $2.87 with an eSIM.
Per-GB pricing compared across providers
For fixed-data plans, Sailyleads. Holafly is unlimited, so it's shown separately. Saily is the only provider with fixed-data plans here at $1.64 per GB.
Top United States eSIM deals right now
Skip the analysis. These are the standout deals for most United States trips.
Get the cheapest United States eSIM in 3 steps
See the lowest price at every decision point, no surprise charges.
- 1
Compare plans above
The table is sorted cheapest-first. Entry price starts at $2.87. If you only need maps and messaging, the 1GB tier is all you need.
- 2
Buy direct from the provider
Click “Get deal” to go directly to the official store. The cheapest plan costs $2.87, no markup, no middleman fee. You receive a QR code by email instantly.
- 3
Install before you fly, connect on arrival
Scan the QR on home Wi-Fi. The best per-GB value is $1.64/GB. Activate when you land in United States and your plan starts counting from that moment, not from purchase.
Cheapest eSIM for United States: everything you need to know
United States eSIM plans start at $2.87 for 1GB. The best per-GB value sits at 10GB for $16.41, which is $1.64/GB. Unlimited daily data costs $3.49/day with 2GB at full speed before throttling. A 30-day unlimited commitment drops to $2.86/day, 18% off the daily rate.
Airport SIM counters at JFK (NYC) / LAX (LA) / ORD (Chicago) / MIA (Miami) charge $30-50 for 10-30GB / 30 days. Local prepaid SIMs outside the airport cost $25-40 for 10-30GB / 30 days. A prepaid eSIM at $2.87 undercuts both before you land. US mobile rates stay flat through the year and sit above the global average for wealthy countries.
The 10GB plan at $16.41 covers about 7 days at 1.5GB/day. For trips longer than 7 days, unlimited at $3.49/day avoids the need to buy multiple fixed plans. Heavy users above 2.1GB/day will exhaust fixed data faster, making unlimited worthwhile on shorter trips too.
Network coverage in United States
All providers connect through the same AT&T and Verizon networks in United States. Carrier choice does not change your bill. Only the provider margin differs. AT&T and Verizon deliver 5G regardless of which eSIM you buy.
How much data do you need in United States?
Most travelers over-buy. If you mainly use maps, translation apps and messaging, 1GB comfortably covers 5–7 days. Add daily social media and you'll want 3–5GB for a week. Only heavy users need 10GB or more.
When should you buy your United States eSIM?
Buy a few days before departure and install while you still have home Wi-Fi, but don't activate until you arrive. Most plans start counting from first connection, not purchase. Prices are stable week-to-week, so the plan ranked first in our table today is the best price.
Local details for United States
Cost context for United States travelers:
SIM registration adds no cost in United States.
US mobile rates stay flat through the year and sit above the global average for wealthy countries.
US eSIM at $1.64/GB is mid-range globally but saves money compared to local prepaid, which typically starts above $2.50/GB.
Starbucks, McDonald's, public libraries, and most hotels offer free WiFi; coverage is wide but not universal Reliable WiFi means a smaller, cheaper eSIM plan may suffice.
Common United States eSIM questions
What is the absolute cheapest eSIM for United States?
The budget pick for United States is the 1GB plan at $2.87, which works out to $2.87/GB. Saily holds the lowest-price position for this destination (Nomad averages $0.74/GB globally, the lowest of the four providers we track). Prices are fixed year-round with no seasonal markup. For the best per-GB rate, the 10GB plan at $16.41 ($1.64/GB) saves $1.23 per GB versus the entry plan.
When does unlimited data beat a fixed plan for United States?
Daily unlimited pricing for United States sits at $3.49/day. The best fixed plan runs $1.64/GB (10GB plan at $16.41), which covers about 7 days at 1.5GB/day. Beyond that, unlimited at $3.49/day is the practical option. Example: a 7-day trip at 1.5GB/day needs about 11GB. The 20GB plan costs $34.46, while 7-day unlimited costs $22.48. Unlimited saves $11.98. For trips beyond 7 days, unlimited is the better deal in United States.
Is a local prepaid SIM cheaper than an eSIM in United States?
Local prepaid SIM pricing for United States: local SIM cards cost around $25-40 for 10-30GB / 30 days. Airport SIM queue: 10-20 min at terminal electronics stores. Carrier SIMs cost more per GB than most travel eSIM plans.. The cheapest eSIM starts at $2.87 for 1GB with zero wait time and no physical SIM swap needed. On raw price alone, local SIMs can cost less for high-data users. However, the eSIM wins on total cost when you factor in airport taxi time, queue time, and potential ID registration delays at JFK (NYC) / LAX (LA) / ORD (Chicago) / MIA (Miami). For best per-GB value, the 10GB eSIM plan at $16.41 ($1.64/GB) is hard to beat.
Does the cheapest eSIM provider use a slower network in United States?
The short answer: no difference in network quality. Budget providers like Nomad and Airalo route United States plans through the same tier-one local carriers (AT&T and Verizon) as premium-priced alternatives. The price gap reflects provider margin, not network quality. 5G speeds are consistent across all four compared providers for United States. The only tested differences are activation speed and support response time, not the data connection itself.
Does the cheapest United States eSIM support hotspot tethering?
Yes, Airalo and Nomad include unrestricted tethering on all United States plans. Holafly restricts hotspot to about 1GB/day on its unlimited plans. Saily supports tethering with no stated cap. For budget tethering in United States, Saily's 1GB plan at $2.87 gives the lowest per-GB cost with hotspot included. Use hotel WiFi for heavy downloads to stretch the plan further.
What is the cheapest network to use a travel eSIM on in United States?
All four providers route United States eSIMs through the same tier-one local carriers: AT&T and Verizon. The "cheapest network" is whichever provider offers the lowest per-GB rate on their plan for that carrier, not the carrier itself. Measured download speeds: 171 Mbps on 5G.
Are budget eSIMs less reliable than premium ones in United States?
No. Budget providers like Nomad use the same AT&T carrier infrastructure as premium alternatives. The price difference comes from the provider's margin, not the network. 5G speeds are identical across all four providers for United States. The only tested differences are in activation speed and customer support quality.
What is the per-GB cost breakdown for United States eSIMs?
The per-GB rates for United States plans: 1GB at $2.87/GB, 3GB at $2.29/GB, 5GB at $2.00/GB, 10GB at $1.64/GB, 20GB at $1.72/GB. The 10GB tier at $16.41 gives the lowest per-GB rate. Buying 10GB instead of the smallest plan saves $1.23 per GB, which adds up on longer trips.
Which network does the cheapest United States eSIM use?
The cheapest plans for United States route through AT&T, with some providers using Verizon. Both deliver 5G speeds. Network quality between the two is nearly identical. The price difference is the provider's margin, not carrier performance.
Is unlimited data worth the price in United States?
Unlimited daily data in United States costs $3.49/day (2GB at full speed). At $1.64/GB on the 10GB fixed plan, unlimited only saves money if you use more than 2.1GB per day. Most travelers use 1 to 2GB/day, so the fixed plan is cheaper for typical use.