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I was standing outside my Airbnb in Lisbon at midnight, trying to call my host because the door code wasn’t working. My phone had data, but no actual phone number, since the eSIM I’d bought before the trip was one of those data-only deals. I ended up asking a stranger to borrow their phone just to make one call.
aloSIM covers 200+ destinations with prepaid data starting at around $3.50 per week, and, unlike most travel eSIM providers, many qualifying plans include a phone number through its sister app, Hushed.
aloSIM: Plans and pricing
You can buy aloSIM data by single country, by region, or through the Global plan, either as fixed data with a set validity window or as a per-day unlimited plan.
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The unlimited plans cap full-speed data at 2 GB a day. After that, speeds drop to 512 Kbps until the next day resets. That’s fine for maps and messaging, but it’ll slow down video calls.
If you’re crossing borders on a single trip, regional or Global plans usually save money compared to buying a new eSIM at each stop, as long as your route stays within the countries covered by each bundle.
Here’s what the pricing looks like for the popular regions:
|
Metric |
Global |
Europe |
Asia |
Caribbean |
Central America |
North America |
South America |
British Isles |
Australia and NZ |
|
Starting price |
$10.00 |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
$6.50 |
$10.00 |
$5.50 |
$6.50 |
$4.50 |
$10.50 |
|
Countries |
147 |
35 |
14 |
20 |
6 |
3 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
Frequent travelers also earn 5% back in aloCASH on every purchase, with credit that stays valid for a year and rolls over into future eSIM purchases. But the real reason to pick aloSIM over competitors like Airalo or Saily isn’t the price. It’s the bundled Hushed number.
What makes aloSIM different?
aloSIM comes with a real phone number through Hushed, an eSIM profile that never expires, free hotspot sharing on every plan, and an app that runs smoothly across supported devices. Most competitors offer one or two of these. aloSIM bundles all four, and that’s really the whole case for choosing it over a plain data-only eSIM.
Real phone number
Qualifying plans include a free US or Canadian number through Hushed, with calls, texts, and voicemail working over Wi-Fi or mobile data. Claim it from your aloSIM account after purchase, under Calling and Texting.
You get $3 in credit to start, then it’s pay-as-you-go or a subscription. It doesn’t matter if your trip has nothing to do with North America either; the number still works for calling and texting anywhere in the world once it’s active. This matters most for calling a hotel or rental agency, not just messaging friends on WhatsApp.
Reusable eSIM profile
Once installed, the profile stays on your device permanently, not just for the current trip. Return to the same country six months or a year later, and there’s no reinstall, no new QR code, no re-entering settings. You just buy another data plan and top up the existing profile. For frequent flyers to the same handful of destinations, this alone cuts real setup time.
Free hotspot sharing
Every plan includes tethering at no extra cost, so a laptop or tablet can piggyback off your phone’s data without a separate purchase. Most competitors either charge for this or cap it at a daily limit. aloSIM doesn’t meter it separately, though heavy hotspot use will still draw down your plan’s regular data allowance faster.
The aloSIM app
Most day-to-day account management, plan purchases, and eSIM installs occur through the app rather than the website. A couple of features are worth knowing before you download it. Real-time usage notifications flag when you’re running low on data, so you don’t get stranded mid-trip. Automatic installation skips the QR code entirely on supported devices, pushing the eSIM straight onto your phone with a single tap.
aloSIM: Installation and activation
If you’ve never used an eSIM before, aloSIM’s step-by-step guide walks you through choosing your device model and the installation process, making setup one of the more beginner-friendly experiences available.
Setup takes about two minutes if your phone is already unlocked and eSIM-ready:
- Check: Dial *#06# and look for an EID number. If it’s there, your phone supports eSIM. aloSIM also has a device checker on its site if you’d rather skip the dialing.
- Shop: Pick a destination, choose a data size, and pay in the app or on the website.
- Install: If you’re buying through the mobile app, the ‘Automatic Installation’ button installs the eSIM directly on your device without scanning anything. On desktop, you’ll scan a QR code instead. Stay on home Wi-Fi so the install doesn’t glitch out.
- Activate: Decide whether your regular SIM stays active for calls, or you go fully dual-data with aloSIM handling everything. The eSIM connects automatically once your phone picks up a partner network at your destination.
aloSIM: Compatible devices
Most eSIM-capable phones from the last five or six years will work. If your phone is tied to a payment plan or locked to a carrier, none of this matters until it’s unlocked. Check the full compatibility list if your phone is older or less common.
Here’s the rundown by brand:
|
Brand |
What Works |
Things To Know |
|
Apple iPhone |
XR and newer, through the 17 series |
Phones bought in mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macao are excluded |
|
Apple iPad |
Air, Mini from 2019 on, Pro 11 and 12.9 inch from 2020 on |
Cellular models only |
|
Samsung Galaxy |
S20 through S26, Z Fold and Flip 3 through 6, Note 20 |
US and Hong Kong versions of the S20, S21, and Note 20 Ultra aren’t supported |
|
Google Pixel |
4 through 10 series |
Pixel 3 and 3a support depends on your carrier and region |
|
Motorola |
Razr (2019 onward), Edge series, ThinkPhone 25, and select Moto G models |
Support varies by model. Check the official compatibility list for the latest supported devices. |
|
Huawei |
Mate 40 Pro, P40, P40 Pro |
P40 Pro+ isn’t supported. Support is limited to these models. |
|
Select laptops |
Dell Latitude, HP Elite, Lenovo ThinkPad, Microsoft Surface |
Cellular or LTE versions only |
aloSIM: Support
Support is available 24/7 via live chat, with a help center covering installation, activation, compatibility checks, and APN troubleshooting.
The refund policy covers two specific situations: your phone doesn’t support eSIM, or you can’t connect to a local network once you land. You’ll need your original receipt and a short explanation of what happened. For connection issues, support will walk you through basic troubleshooting first, before approving anything. It’s not a change-of-mind policy, and it won’t help if you’ve already burned through your data.
And if you bought through a third-party voucher bundle like StackCommerce, the sale is final the moment you redeem the code in-app.
Think of it as a fair policy, but not a generous one. aloSIM will make you right if the eSIM genuinely doesn’t work, but it won’t cover buyer’s remorse or a plan you simply didn’t use. For a $5-$10 purchase, that’s a reasonable trade.
aloSIM: Final verdict
aloSIM isn’t necessarily the cheapest travel eSIM, but it’s one of the few that combine reliable international data with a genuine calling solution. It’s a good option for travelers who expect to call hotels, rental agencies, tour operators, or receive verification texts while abroad.
If none of that applies to you and you only need mobile data, Airalo or Saily will save you money. But the moment you need to make an actual phone call abroad, aloSIM is the one built for it.
aloSIM: FAQs
What is aloSIM?
aloSIM is a Canadian eSIM company that sells prepaid data in 200+ destinations, with plans usually starting at around $3.50. It’s run by AffinityClick out of Ottawa, and many qualifying plans include a free phone number through its sister app, Hushed.
Can I use aloSIM on my laptop?
Yes. aloSIM supports select laptops, including certain Dell Latitude, HP Elite, Lenovo ThinkPad, and Microsoft Surface models, as long as they have a built-in cellular modem. That’s rare among travel eSIMs, since most providers only support phones and tablets.
What happens if my phone doesn’t support eSIM?
aloSIM offers a refund if your device turns out to be incompatible or you can’t get a connection at your destination. You’ll need to provide your original receipt and a brief explanation of what went wrong to start the refund process.
Is aloSIM good for group travel?
Yes, aloSIM works well for group travel since its regional and Global plans cover multiple countries with a single purchase. Each traveler still needs their own eSIM installed on their own device, since data and phone numbers can’t be shared across a group.
How much data do social media apps use per hour?
It varies by platform. Video-heavy apps burn through the most data: TikTok uses close to 1 GB per hour, and Instagram Reels uses similarly high amounts. Standard feeds are far lighter. Facebook and Instagram use about 0.1 GB an hour, Snapchat around 0.06 GB, and Twitter barely registers at 0.004 GB. If you’re on a 1 GB plan, an hour of TikTok can eat a week’s data in one sitting.
How much data does video streaming use while traveling?
More than most people expect. Standard definition runs about 1 GB per hour on Netflix or Crave, jumping to 3 GB per hour in HD and up to 7 GB per hour in 4K. YouTube’s bandwidth usage ranges widely, from 0.03 GB per hour at its lowest quality to over 9 GB per hour at 8K. If you’re on a smaller aloSIM plan, switching to a lower streaming quality or downloading content over Wi-Fi before you leave will stretch your data much further.
