Yesim Review
Yesim is one fish in a big pond of eSIM providers. In this full Yesim review, we explore the data-only eSIM service in depth to find out what makes it stand out from some of its better-known competitors.
— Last Updated: 2025-07-24T08:45:09+00:00 Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski
Key Takeaways: What Is Yesim eSIM & Is It Good to Use?
- Data-only eSIM provider Yesim sells fixed and unlimited mobile data packages for international travel.
- Yesim covers more than 200 destinations across various plan types (regional, individual and global).
- Yesim worked well for us, and we rate it as a good eSIM provider overall. However, it has its downsides, including very slow customer support response times.
Top Use Cases for Yesim eSIM
- Flexible international coverage: Yesim has mobile data plans for both individual countries and regions (Europe, Asia, etc.). It also offers a global pay-as-you-go plan covering more than 170 countries.
- Convenient plan management: Buying physical SIM cards in each country you visit can be annoying and sometimes time-consuming. eSIM providers like Yesim let you buy and manage plans remotely.
- Virtual numbers: Yesim also sells virtual phone numbers for verification purposes, service signup (WhatsApp, etc.) or receiving SMS messages. However, the eSIM plans themselves are data-only and do not support calling or texting.
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably considering getting a Yesim mobile data plan for your next adventure but aren’t sure if it’s the best option compared to other eSIM providers. To help you decide, we got hands-on with the service and put together this Yesim review, covering everything from features to pricing to customer support and more.
For more information on eSIMs and our top picks for travel, check out our best international eSIMs guide. To get into the nitty-gritty of Yesim, keep reading.
What Is Yesim eSIM & Who Is It For?
Yesim is a Swiss travel eSIM (embedded SIM) company that sells local, regional and global mobile data plans for your mobile devices. When your plan is activated, you connect to local carriers to use the internet while abroad. eSIM plans are for anyone who wants to use mobile data abroad without the hassle of getting a physical SIM card for each country.
- Release date: 2019
- Owner: Max Pankratov, Dmitri Verbovski
- Operating systems: iOS, Android
- Devices: Most modern iPhones and Android phones
- Notable features: Virtual phone numbers, included VPN (iOS)
- Pricing: From $0.54 (500MB — on select plans only)
The Cloudwards Expert Opinion: Yesim eSIM
The Cloudwards Expert Opinion: Yesim eSIM
Yesim worked smoothly for me, from installation to browsing and streaming. I like its user-friendly app, cheap new-user deal and extensive global plans (147 countries on the fixed plan, more than 170 on the pay-as-you-go plan). On the flip side, I found the wait for live chat support to be too long. I also wish Yesim offered 1GB and 2GB plans for lighter data needs.
Yesim eSIM Pros & Cons
How Does Yesim eSIM Work?
On the Yesim app or website, you select a mobile internet data plan for the country or region you’re traveling to based on how much data you’ll need (e.g., 3GB, 5GB, etc.). You then install the Yesim eSIM profile on your eSIM-compatible phone (see the tutorial further down) and activate your plan to use the data abroad.
| Features |  |
|---|---|
| Payment methods | Credit card, Debit card, PayPal, Alipay, Google Pay, Apple Pay |
| OS | iOS, Android |
| Device support | Modern iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Huawei, Xiaomi |
| Global | 170 |
| Regional | 33 |
| Country | 156 |
| Ad-blocker | |
| Virtual location | |
| Web protection |
Features: What Makes Yesim Different From Other eSIMs?
Yesim has a couple of standout features that deserve a mention:
Yesim VPN
Yesim plans come with a free VPN for iOS devices. A VPN encrypts your online traffic and assigns you a new IP address to help protect your privacy when using the internet. The Yesim VPN works for as long as your plan is active, and you can enable it in the Yesim app’s “account” tab.
The VPN uses the IPsec protocol, which is known for its strong security, but it can also cause speed drops. Alternatively, you can opt for a VPN from an independent provider — check out our ranking of the best VPNs.
Virtual Number
In addition to mobile data plans, Yesim sells virtual phone numbers for receiving messages and registering with services (see the list below). This feature is especially useful for people who want to use two lines — for example, one personal and one business line. However, the plans support incoming messages only — you can’t make calls with your Yesim virtual number.
and registration with services like WhatsApp.
You can check SMS messages under “numbers” in the Yesim app. Pricing starts from $3.60 per month for all plans, and you can pick from monthly or yearly payments.
The plan types include:
Country numbers
- U.S.
- Israel
- Canada
- The Netherlands
Service numbers
- TikTok
- Tinder
- OpenAI
- Binance
- Telegram
User-Friendliness & Hands-On Testing
Neat and intuitive, the Yesim app scores points for ease of navigation and its aesthetic. While some eSIM provider competitors stuff a lot of information into a small space, Yesim keeps its plan store tidy and organized in a way that doesn’t make your head hurt. We also like that it doesn’t make you hunt for the installation prompt — it’s right there on the homepage (“my eSIMs”).
How to Install Yesim eSIM
First of all, you’ll need to purchase a Yesim plan via the Yesim app or its website. Then, you can install your Yesim profile via an “Install” tab in the app (the easiest method) or via QR code or manual setup. We used an iPhone to install our plan via the app; check out Yesim’s Samsung phone and Google phone installation guides if you have an Android.
- Tap the “Install” Prompt
Open the Yesim app, find your plan in “my eSIMs” and tap the “install” prompt underneath.
- Select Your Installation Method
Tap “fast,” then “install,” or opt to scan the QR code or manually install. Follow the prompts and set your primary line as the default line. If you’re ready to start using your Yesim plan, set Yesim as your cellular/mobile data source. If you aren’t currently traveling, set this up later in your phone’s settings (see below).
How to Activate Yesim eSIM
Simply installing the Yesim profile doesn’t activate your plan. On arrival, en route or just before you leave for your destination, you’ll need to make sure the plan is enabled and set as the cellular/mobile data source. Here’s how that works.
- Enable Yesim
Go into “cellular”/“connections”/“network & internet” (varies by device), locate the SIM area and enable Yesim. Toggle data roaming on.
- Set Yesim as Your Data Source
Make sure Yesim is set as your cellular/mobile data source, then toggle off data switching. As long as you’re in the country or region your data plan is for, you should be good to go. It can take anywhere from a few seconds to minutes to establish a connection.
Coverage
Yesim covers more than 200 destinations and has large global plans covering 147 global fixed countries and more than 170 pay-as-you-go international countries.
Based on all the eSIMs we’ve reviewed, approximately 110 to 140 countries on a global plan is a typical range, so Yesim is above average in this area. You can also currently buy fixed or unlimited plans in 156 individual countries.
Based on all the eSIMs we’ve reviewed, approximately 110 to 140 countries on a global plan is a typical range, so Yesim is above average in this area. You can also currently buy fixed or unlimited plans in 156 individual countries.
Most uniquely, Yesim offers coverage for 57 specific cities, but it’s a little deceiving; when you select a city, you actually get coverage for the full country.
though it’s really country-wide coverage.
Pricing: How Much Does Yesim eSIM Cost?
We’d describe Yesim’s pricing as mid-range. There’s a lot of variation in terms of plan pricing across competitors, and some Yesim plans are cheaper than comparable competitor plans, while others are more expensive.
Coverage is another factor that goes into pricing. For example, Airalo’s regional Europe plans are more expensive than Yesim’s, but Airalo covers more ground (42 European countries vs Yesim’s 33 countries). Meanwhile, Jetpac’s Europe regional plans are cheaper than Yesim’s, but Yesim covers a few more countries (33 vs 30 for Jetpac). Partner mobile carrier pricing is also a factor.
Speed
After installing our plan (France), we had a 3G connection at first, but it went up to 5G after a few seconds. Speeds were smooth, and we could watch YouTube videos buffer-free and send messages via WhatsApp without a hitch.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed the same experience everywhere: speeds depend on network availability and where you are — in some places, it’s harder to get a strong signal.
Furthermore, some Yesim partner networks allow for LTE and/or 5G where available, while some support 3G only. For example, Movistar in Chile supports 5G, while Claro supports 3G maximum.
Fair Usage Policies on Unlimited Plans
Unlimited plans are subject to fair usage policies, meaning your speeds may slow down after you’ve used a certain amount of daily high-speed data. In its fair usage policy, Yesim explains that this limit depends on the network providers and recommends going for a fixed or international pay-as-you-go plan instead if this is a concern for you.
Customer Support
Yesim’s support options include live chat, email and an FAQ page, which contains installation instructions for different devices. The FAQ pages are quite comprehensive, which we appreciate, but some competitors are much more efficient when it comes to live chat support.
Live Chat Support Speed & Quality
Yesim claims on its homepage that the average response time is six minutes, but we had a mixed experience. On one occasion we got a response within a few minutes, while on others we waited for more than an hour.
Compared with eSIM providers like Saily and FlexiRoam — both of which consistently responded within seconds — more than an hour is a pretty long time to wait, especially for those who have issues with their plan on arrival in a new country.
That said, some customers have praised Yesim’s customer support speed (see our community feedback section further down), so you may not have the same experience as us.
Yesim eSIM vs Other eSIM Services
At the core, global eSIM providers offer the same service — they provide mobile data. However, not all are made the same, and they come with a variety of features, pricing models and app designs. Let’s take a closer look at how Yesim compares to other eSIM providers.
Yesim eSIM vs Saily
Saily puts its focus on affordable data plans and extra security features. Yesim offers an iOS VPN, but Saily plans come with a virtual location changer (more than 115 locations), an ad blocker and web protection.
Unfortunately, Saily doesn’t have a free trial or new-user deal, but it’s one of the most reasonably priced services and its customer service is stellar. Check out our Saily review.
Yesim eSIM vs Airalo
Airalo is a good choice for those who want to buy smaller 1GB or 2GB plans, since Yesim doesn’t offer these. In addition, Airalo is more affordable on several plans, offers a free trial in eight countries and has data, call and text plans. Learn more in our Airalo review.
On the other hand, Airalo lacks a pay-as-you-go pricing option and has a smaller global plan (137 countries vs 147 on Yesim’s fixed plan and 170 on the pay-as-you-go plan).
Yesim eSIM vs Holafly
Holafly specializes in unlimited data plans, meaning you select the number of days you’ll be traveling rather than a fixed amount of data. In our experience, Holafly is reliable and its customer service is next-level.
On the other hand, Holafly is relatively expensive due to its unlimited plans, so if you have light data needs, you might prefer something more budget-friendly. Our Holafly review has more information.
Community Feedback: Yesim eSIM Reviews on Reddit & Social Media
We came across both positive and negative Yesim reviews, but most are positive. Customers praise Yesim for its ease of use, reliable connection and quick customer support responses.
On the other hand, some say they had to wait a long time for a support response (this was also our experience), and some report connection and speed issues.
The Verdict: Is Yesim eSIM Good?
Overall, Yesim is a good eSIM service. It worked reliably well for us, and we like its cheap new-user deal. On the flip side, it’s not our first choice because we’d like to see more plan variety (e.g., plans for lighter data needs), and it took longer than we’d like to get a reply from support.
Have you used Yesim to get internet access abroad? Are there any eSIM data plan providers you’d recommend? Leave a comment below, and thanks for reading.
FAQ: Yesim SIM Card
Yesim does what it claims to do, but we would recommend a provider like Saily, Airalo or Jetpac before Yesim.
For us, Airalo is better thanks to its free trial in eight countries, lighter plan options (1GB and 2GB) and better coverage on several regional plans. In addition, many of Airalo’s local plans are cheaper than Yesim’s, with some variation.
eSIM technology lets the user buy and install a mobile data plan for international travel via an app — in this case, the Yesim app.
Yesim has unlimited data plans in addition to fixed plans.
