The Best eSIM for Seafarers: A Comprehensive Guide (2 Best esim Apps)

Looking for the best eSIM for seafarers? Compare reviews of popular eSIM apps like Airalo, Nomad, Mobimatter and Flexiroam.

For anyone who works on the sea, staying connected is an essential part of life. Enter eSIM technology: a revolutionary way to stay connected while out at sea. But what exactly is an eSIM, which phones support eSim, and which one is the best eSim for seafarers? In this article, we will be exploring all things related to eSIMs, including how they can benefit seafarers.

An eSIM is an embedded SIM or electronic SIM that provides a digital alternative to traditional physical SIM cards. With an eSIM, there’s no need to physically insert a card into your device. Essentially, an ESIM is a digital SIM card that is embedded directly into your device’s hardware. This means that instead of having to physically insert a SIM card into your phone, tablet, or smartwatch, you can simply activate the ESIM through an app or on-board settings menu. Easily you can switch between carriers and plans without needing to remove and replace a physical SIM card.

For seafarers who spend most of their time out at sea, an eSIM can be particularly useful. Many seafarers face issues with finding local network coverage when they arrive in different ports around the world. With an eSIM, however, you can easily switch between different cellular networks as needed without having to worry about where to buy a new physical SIM card. With eSim you do not have to rely on your agent charging hefty charges for a local sim.

The main advantage of an ESIM is its flexibility: since it doesn’t require physical installation, users can switch between different carriers and plans with ease – no need for swapping out cards or making trips to physical stores. Additionally, since there’s no physical component involved in the process, it’s much easier to prevent issues like lost cards or damaged connectors.

Just Note that eSim is a hardware feature it is a chip that is physically present on your cellphone. Consider that instead of a sim card there is a small chip that is used to replace the physical sim card that we know.

As eSim is mounted inside the mobile device it means that we can expect the phones of future will have one less opening on the body thus increasing its water resistance.

An embedded SIM card, or ESIM for short, is a new type of SIM technology that has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. Instead of using physical SIM cards that need to be inserted into a device, an ESIM is an electronic chip that is built directly into the device itself. So how does an ESIM actually work? Let’s take a closer look.

Firstly, an ESIM works by storing all the necessary information required for cellular network connectivity on the electronic chip. This includes things like phone number, carrier details, and authentication credentials. When you activate your device with your chosen carrier, this information is downloaded onto the ESIM.

Once activated, the ESIM allows your device to connect to cellular networks just like any other traditional SIM card would.

Being a seafarer myself with limited data onboard 100mb or 150mb data per month, iPhone though it is the pioneer in the eSim category it is useless as it will gobble up your data in minutes even with all the data preservation techniques. So I had to purchase a 2nd android device and that time I opted for Google Pixel 4a instead of One Plus nord by slightly stretching my budget just to enjoy the eSim benefits.

Airalo Review

Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards). With eSIMs from Airalo, download and install a digital data pack from 200+ countries/regions and be connected anywhere in the world the second you land.

When you purchase a data pack for your Local/Regional/Global eSim make sure you check the network you have to connect to in order to enjoy the fast sim

Airalo Pros & Cons

Access to eSIM plans in over 200+ countries, territories and regions.

Great customer service and 24/7 support

Affordable data plans with no hidden fees.

Good performance and speeds in most countries

eSIMs are connected to the fastest local network

Easy-to-use and intuitive app

Regional plans and a global plan for even more convenience.

Simcard can be installed easily with one click/tap

No live chat support.

No Family data plans.

Only Data plans.

No phone number or sms allowed.

Can be costlier than local sim cards in specific regions.

Some Regions require network selection to be manual instead of Automatic

Unlimited Data Plan not available as of now

Airalo Local/Regional/Global Data Plans

Scroll through few of Airalo Plans

Download Airalo Code: ASHUTO756

Airalo Review

Airalo was the first application available to tap into the esim feature and provide global data for travellers. Simple UI, Good and Reliable data networks, Worldwide coverage makes this app best for seafarers.

– Ashutosh Ghate

Countries covered 200+

Simple UI

Refer Friend Cashback 3$

Affordable Data

Local/Regional/Global Packs/Carriers

Recharge Cashback 5%

Summary

I have been using Airalo as my eSIM while I am working at sea and I am very pleased with the service. Their 7 day plan is perfect for people like me who are out at sea and need a reliable connection. The data is also very affordable, even if it may be slightly more expensive in certain regions. Overall, I’m very happy with Airalo and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great eSIM solution!

4.6

MobiMatter Review

MobiMatter is an online re-seller and distributor of mobile telecom services. We help our users to discover, compare and purchase the best mobile offers by our partner mobile telecom operators from around the world. The about description mentioned on the website

In case of Mobimatter they have tied up with major network carriers and plans are based on the carriers. The countries covered are mentioned but Regional wise segregated data is not that easily available.

MobiMatter Pros & Cons

Access to eSIM plans in over 190+ countries, territories and regions.

Great customer service and 24/7 support

Affordable data plans with no hidden fees.

Good performance and speeds in most countries

eSIMs are connected to Carrier Networks patner in the region

Easy-to-use and intuitive app

Regional plans and a global plan for even more convenience.

No live chat support.

No Family data plans.

Only Data plans.

No phone number or sms allowed.

Can be costlier than local sim cards in specific regions.

Simcard cannot be installed easily with one click/tap need a phone to scan the QR code

Some Regions require network selection to be manual instead of Automatic

Unlimited Data Plan not available as of now

MobiMatter Local/Regional/Global Data Plans

Scroll through few of MobiMatter’s Plans

Get MobiMatter Code: ASHUT64284

MobiMatter Review

MobiMatter is one of the application available to tap into the esim feature and provide global data for travellers. Simple UI, Good and Reliable data networks, Worldwide coverage makes this app best for seafarers.

– Ashutosh Ghate

Countries covered 190+

Simple UI

Refer Friend Cashback 5$

Affordable Data

Local/Regional/Global Packs/Carriers

Recharge *Cashback 10% (5$ max)

Summary

I have been using Mobimatter as my eSIM sometimes when I am working at sea and I am very pleased with the service. Their 10 day plan is perfect for people like me who are out at sea and need a reliable connection. The data is also very affordable, even if it may be slightly more expensive in certain regions. Considering eSim applications Mobimatter is decent for few countries. !

4.1

Nomad Review

Nomad is a digital eSIM marketplace that connects global travellers with affordable data plans anywhere in the world, without the need for a plastic SIM. The Unlimited Plans recently launched are best suited for seafarers which will be enough to cover the port stays. Yes these unlimited plans comes with Terms and Condition and must be used judiciously.

Nomad Pros & Cons

Access to eSIM plans in over 100+ countries, territories and regions.

Great customer service and 24/7 support

Affordable data plans with no hidden fees.

Good performance and speeds in most countries

Easy-to-use and intuitive app

Regional plans and a global plan for even more convenience.

Daily Unlimited Plans available with FUP (T&C Apply)

No live chat support.

No Family data plans.

Only Data plans. No phone or sms allowed.

Can be costlier than local sim cards in specific regions.

Simcard cannot be installed easily with one click/tap need a phone to scan the QR code

Some Regions require network selection to be manual instead of Automatic

Unlimited plans can get expensive.

Nomad Local/Regional/Global Data Plans

Scroll through few of Nomad’s Plans

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Download Nomad Code: ASHU62ZV

Nomad Review

Nomad esim App provides a slick UI experience for setting up new data plans. The UI is way different than other esim data providing apps. The UI is very intuitive. Being a seafarer the Recently released Unlimited plans by Nomad are awesome. Port stays for a seafarer are minimum like 1 or 2 days sometimes and these plans provide unlimited data (*) for individual use.

– Ashutosh Ghate

Countries covered 100+

Simple UI

Refer Friend Cashback 3$

Affordable Data

Local/Regional/Global Packs/Carriers

Recharge *Cashback Not Applicable

Summary

I recently tried the Nomad esim app and Nomad Unlimited plans and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed! The process of setting up the esim was quick and seamless, and the Unlimited plans have given me the freedom to stay connected wherever I go. I love how reliable the service has been so far, with minimal network interruptions. The ease of switching between different carriers using the esim technology is a game changer for me. Just a small note that the countries covered are less compared to other apps and may face issues at anchorages with spoty network coverages.

4.3

Flexiroam X Review

Flexiroam is an esim marketplace like other mentioned apps above. Data offerings by flexiroam are similiar to other options. The UI is kind of outdated. Refer a friend cashback is limited. The customer service is excellent and quick to resolve your issues.

Flexiroam X Pros & Cons

Access to eSIM plans in over 100+ countries, territories and regions.

Excellent customer service and 24/7 support

Affordable data plans with no hidden fees.

Good performance and speeds in most countries

Regional plans and a global plan for even more convenience.

Physical nano sim available in case of no esim support in phone.

No Family data plans.

Only Data plans. No phone or sms allowed. Phone and SMS supported in Flexiroam’s other app.

Can be costlier than local sim cards in specific regions.

eSim cannot be installed easily with one click/tap need a phone to scan the QR code

Some Regions require network selection to be manual instead of Automatic

Unlimited plans can get expensive.

Flexiroam X Local/Regional/Global Data Plans

Scroll through few of Flexiroam X’s Plans

Get Flexiroam X Code: XN7V8AHH

Flexiroam X Review

If you’re someone who travels frequently to various countries across the globe, Flexiroam is an excellent choice. The connection speed is typically impressive, and it eliminates the inconvenience of lugging around an additional device. Whatsapp support is what makes this app different than others. Queries are resolved in a flash.

– Ashutosh Ghate

Countries covered 150+

Simple UI

Refer Friend Cashback 200MB

Affordable Data

Local/Regional/Global Packs/Carriers

Recharge *Cashback Not Applicable

Summary

I was introduced to Flexiroam by my third engineer and decided to give it a try. Although the user interface appears outdated, it is functional and user-friendly. The customer support is top-notch, and the availability of WhatsApp support ensures that issues are resolved promptly. Additionally, they offer a physical SIM card option for seafarers who do not have eSIM support on their devices. Overall, my experience with Flexiroam was satisfactory.

3.8

With my first esim enabled phone I opted for Airalo and the plans were really cheap and affordable at first. But as soon as the eSim gained popularity many companies have sprung up and the competition has begun to offer best coverage and affordable price.

Having tried out the aforementioned 4 applications, I am pleased to recommend my top 2 favorite apps for sailing. All of the apps offer similar eSim plans, but what sets them apart is their network carrier partnerships. To ensure I get the best deal for a particular port, I still log in to all of the apps to compare the costs of data plans from different network carriers. Overall, I’m quite content with my app choices for sailing!

I’m thrilled to recommend Airalo and Nomad as the best eSIM options for seafarers. Nomad’s Unlimited option for only $3 per day is an excellent choice, but they still have some catching up to do in terms of country coverage compared to Airalo.