Last Updated on June 24, 2026 by Home in the World
When travelling abroad, a top priority for most of us is the ability to stay connected. Not only is it important for keeping in touch with people, but it’s also super handy for using services such as Google Maps and ride-sharing apps while out and about.
There are essentially 3 ways to do this: using your home provider’s roaming, which can end up being quite expensive; buy a local physical SIM card on arrival at your destination, which can sometimes be time-consuming and confusing; or download an eSIM onto your phone via an app before departing, making things super convenient when you arrive.
I often do the latter, and my most recent experience was with Ubigi. How did it go? Have a read of my Ubigi eSIM review below to find out why I believe it could be a good option for your next international trip.
Who are Ubigi?
Ubigi (pronounced you-bee-gee) is the global cellular connectivity brand of Paris-based telecommunications company Transatel, which in turn is part of NTT Group, one of the world’s largest telecom corporations.
Transatel was founded 20 years ago, and launched Ubigi in 2017 – so both have been operating for some time now. I personally liked this fact, as it means they’re doing something right!
Ubigi provides access to 4G and 5G networks in over 200 destinations, partnering with renowned brands that include the likes of Apple, Microsoft and BMW. They have also recently announced a French F1 driver Esteban Ocon as their new ambassador (which resonated with me, as an F1 fan!).
What are some of the most popular destinations for the Ubigi eSIM?
As mentioned, you can purchase a Ubigi eSIM for more than 200 destinations, ranging from local to regional to global, with a variety of data allowances, time limits and prices.
I’ve added some of the most popular ones here for easy access, but you can find plenty more on their website or in the app.
How does the Ubigi eSIM work?
As mentioned earlier, eSIMs are electronic SIM cards that get downloaded to your eSIM-compatible mobile device (most devices from the last 5 or 6 years should be, but you can dial *#06# to find out for sure) without the need for inserting a physical SIM card, making them extremely convenient for travelling.
The Ubigi eSIM is no different. It can be purchased either via the Ubigi website or Ubigi app. In both cases, simply select your destination and data plan and follow the instructions to complete the purchase. If purchasing via the website, you will be sent an email containing a QR code; if purchasing via the app, you can install the eSIM directly from your user dashboard.
And the best bit? Ubigi’s eSIMs are lifetime eSIMs, meaning you don’t need to perform any more installations for future trips; simply top up as and when you need it.
It is worth noting, however that Ubigi eSIMs are data-only, so, while you won’t be able to make calls or send SMSs, you can still use internet-based messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and FaceTime.
My personal experiences using the Ubigi eSIM
I have actually used the Ubigi eSIM on two occasions; one for international travel and the other at home in Australia. Because eSIMs can of course be used in your home country as well – you just need to buy a data plan for your home country.
I did this because I have two phones, one of which doesn’t have a local SIM as I use it more as a camera. But sometimes it is handy to be able to access the internet on it when I am out of secure WiFi range, which is where Ubigi’s eSIM for Australia came in very handy.
The other occasion was for my recent trip to Singapore, for which I used Ubigi’s 10 GB data plan for Singapore.
In both cases, it was a flawless experience. I initially downloaded the Ubigi app, created an account and installed the eSIM without any problems. It was extremely easy (even for someone like me who considers themselves slightly ‘technologically challenged)’ and ready to go in minutes.
For the local Australian one, I was able to activate it and use it immediately, as I was already in the destination. For the Singapore one, I installed it before arriving, and it activated automatically as soon as I first logged into Singapore’s mobile network. And I made sure the Ubigi line (on iOS)/Ubigi eSIM (on Android) was turned on under Cellular Data – an important step.
Thereafter, it was smooth sailing. It was the perfect way to stay online while out and about exploring Singapore. I used it on numerous occasions to navigate the city on Google Maps, to order and pay for Grabs (Singapore’s version of Uber), to look up opening hours or places I wanted to visit, and much more.
Speeds and coverage were excellent; I experienced no drop-outs, and was able to check my data usage in real time in the Ubigi app whenever I needed to – because I had a 10GB limit; but there are also unlimited data plans available. And when the plan was close to expiring, I received an email advising me with ample time in case I wanted to top up.
The app’s interface is very user-friendly and shows you everything you need to know clearly and simply. I couldn’t fault it!
My Ubigi eSIM review: the final verdict
So what’s the verdict of my Ubigi eSIM review? As you can probably tell, it’s overwhelmingly positive. In fact, I genuinely have nothing to even nitpick!
The entire experience was easy and hassle-free from the very beginning. And any questions I did have (I emailed them to double check how the eSIM would activate when I arrived at my destination) were answered swiftly and professionally by one of their friendly staff members.
All instructions were clear and easy to understand, complete with screenshots/diagrams, and internet access was speedy. Plus, it’s so reassuring to know you’re not going to be up for any hidden costs or huge roaming bills when you get home.
If you’re travelling abroad (or even need a local SIM at home, as I did), I highly recommend the Ubigi eSIM. Based on my two personal experiences, I consider them to be a reputable, good-quality service that really delivers on what they promise, and I will definitely be using them again on my next international trip in a few months.
** This post, like everything else on this website, has been written entirely by me. No ChatGPT or any other AI tool has been used. It takes longer to create, but I value 100% human-generated content and I hope you do too! **
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Nothing beats a good personal recommendation. The Ubigi product sounds great and user friendly
Yes indeed, I’d definitely use it again!
A very informative article and something worth getting next time I travel.
Thank you. Definitely worth considering when travelling overseas!