eSIM USA Unlimited Data: 6 Best Plans and Hidden Limits 2026

Landing at JFK with no mobile service is a lousy way to start a New York trip.

You need your hotel address, directions, ride information and the confirmation for whatever you booked first. That is why an eSIM USA unlimited data plan can be worth buying before you leave home.

The problem is that “unlimited” rarely means unlimited data at maximum speed.

Some plans give you 3 GB of high-speed data each day. Others give you 5 GB or 10 GB. One gives you 25 GB to use whenever you want during the week. After that allowance is gone, your connection usually continues at a reduced speed.

We compared the current prices, full-speed allowances, throttling rules, hotspot limits, plan durations and phone number options published by each provider.

Our pick for most travelers staying 10 to 30 days is Saily. For a one-week USA trip, Ubigi offers the better setup. Heavy data users should look at Sim Local, while Airalo makes the most sense for a short visit.

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Best unlimited USA eSIMs at a glance

Provider	Makes most sense for	Full-speed data	After the limit	Hotspot	Current price
Saily	Trips lasting 10 to 30 days	5 GB per day	Up to 1 Mbps	No separate limit	Check current price
Ubigi	A one-week trip	25 GB total	2 Mbps	Data sharing allowed	$25 for 7 days
Sim Local	Heavy daily use	10 GB per day	1 Mbps	Allowed	$36.25 for 7 days
Airalo	Short visits	3 GB per 24 hours	1 Mbps	No separate limit	Check current price
Holafly	Exact travel dates	No fixed threshold published	Fair Usage Policy	1 GB per day	$25.50 for 7 days
eSIM by AT&T	Buying directly from a US carrier	Unlimited	May slow during congestion	5 GB, then 128 Kbps	Check the app

Choose Saily for a regular vacation lasting 10 to 30 days. Its 5 GB daily high-speed allowance is more than enough for most travelers, and hotspot use is not placed behind a separate cap.

Choose Ubigi for seven days. You can use its 25 GB allowance whenever you need it instead of losing unused data at the end of each day.

Choose Airalo for a weekend or short city trip. Its unlimited packages use a clear 3 GB daily threshold and allow tethering.

Choose Sim Local when you are uploading video, working from a laptop or sharing the connection with several devices.

Choose Holafly when your trip lasts an awkward number of days and you want the plan to end on your actual departure date.

Choose eSIM by AT&T when you would rather deal directly with a major American carrier than a global travel eSIM company.

What unlimited data really means

Most unlimited travel eSIMs do not give you unlimited high-speed 5G data.

They normally use one of three systems.

A daily high-speed allowance

You receive a fixed amount of high-speed data during each 24-hour period. Your speed drops after reaching that allowance and returns when the daily cycle resets.

Saily uses a 5 GB daily allowance, Airalo provides 3 GB per 24 hours and Sim Local provides 10 GB per day on its seven-day Unlimited Pro plan.

One allowance for the entire trip

Instead of limiting each day separately, the provider gives you a larger allowance to use whenever needed.

Ubigi includes 25 GB at full speed across its seven-day plan. After the 25 GB is used, the connection continues at 2 Mbps for the rest of the validity period.

An unpublished Fair Usage Policy

Some providers advertise unlimited data without publishing the exact amount that triggers a slowdown.

Holafly says local network operators may temporarily reduce speeds under a Fair Usage Policy, but its USA page does not state a fixed high-speed allowance. The provider says a restriction should reset the following day.

The question to ask is not just:

Is this eSIM unlimited?

It is:

How much data do I get at full speed, and what happens after I use it?

Saily: Best overall for most travelers

Saily is our first choice for a typical 10 to 30-day USA trip.

Its unlimited plans include:

• 5 GB of data per day without a speed restriction
• Unlimited data at up to 1 Mbps afterward
• Unlimited hotspot access with no separate tethering restriction
• 3G, 4G, LTE and 5G connectivity where available
• Optional US phone number
• Separate packages for calls and text messages
• Automatic activation after connecting at the destination

Saily says its USA unlimited plans are available for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days. Its live product page currently displays a 15-day option at €43.49, while the FAQ on the same page lists a 10-day plan from €16.99. Because the displayed offer can change by currency, location or promotion, check the final price before purchasing.

Why Saily is our overall pick

Five gigabytes per day is more than enough for most visitors using navigation, mobile tickets, restaurant searches, messaging, social media and ride apps.

Saily also allows unrestricted hotspot use. That matters when you need to connect a laptop, share data with another traveler or get a tablet online without buying another plan.

A US phone number is available as an optional add-on. You can pair it with a separate minutes and text package after completing identity verification. The number is not automatically included in the unlimited data price.

What we do not like

Saily’s current pricing is not displayed consistently across every part of its USA page. Always check the price and duration shown at checkout.

After using 5 GB in one day, the connection drops to a maximum of 1 Mbps. That remains useful for maps, messaging and basic browsing, but large uploads and video streaming will feel slow.

Saily plans also have a 30-day activation window. A plan that has not been activated manually within that period may activate automatically, so do not purchase it several months before your trip.

Best for: Regular tourists, families, hotspot users and trips lasting 10 to 30 days.

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Here’s a nice bonus — if you decide to give Saily a try, you can save 5% on any plan with our exclusive code NYTIPS.

Just enter the promo code NYTIPS at checkout on Saily’s official site

Ubigi: Best for a seven-day USA trip

Ubigi is the strongest option here for a seven-day trip.

The plan costs $25 and includes 25 GB at full speed. Once you use that allowance, your connection continues at 2 Mbps for the rest of the week.

That setup is more flexible than a daily cap.

You might barely use mobile data during a day at the Met and Central Park, then burn through several gigabytes the next day while uploading photos, using a laptop or streaming during a train ride. Ubigi does not care how you divide the 25 GB.

Data sharing is allowed, the plan activates after you arrive, and it uses T-Mobile in the United States. It also covers Hawaii but not Alaska. The service is data-only, so regular cellular calls and SMS are not included.

The 2 Mbps reduced speed is another reason Ubigi stands out. It is still slow, but noticeably more useful than 1 Mbps for image-heavy websites, maps and light browsing.

For a regular one-week New York trip, it is difficult to find a better balance between price, flexibility and post-limit speed.

Sim Local: Best for heavy data use

Most tourists do not need 10 GB of mobile data every day.

Sim Local is not really aimed at someone checking Google Maps and opening restaurant menus. It makes more sense for travel creators, remote workers, families sharing a connection or anyone regularly uploading large files.

Its seven-day Unlimited Pro plan costs $36.25 and includes:

• 10 GB of high-speed data per day
• Continued data at 1 Mbps after the daily allowance
• Hotspot and tethering
• T-Mobile network access
• Seven days of validity
• Data-only service

The plan currently runs on 4G, and it starts when it first connects to a supported US network. If it has not connected, Sim Local says it will activate automatically 60 days after purchase.

For heavy users, this is the largest clearly published daily high-speed allowance in the comparison.

For everyone else, it is probably more data than necessary.

You do not need 10 GB to get from JFK to Midtown, pull up your Broadway tickets and find somewhere to eat afterward.

Airalo: Best for a short USA trip

Airalo is a practical choice when you are only in the country for a few days.

Its unlimited USA packages include 3 GB of high-speed data during each 24-hour period. After that, the connection slows to 1 Mbps until the next reset.

The reset is based on the time you activated the eSIM, not midnight. Activate it at 3:00 PM and the next allowance begins 24 hours later at 3:00 PM.

Airalo also allows hotspot use without a separate tethering cap or a fixed limit on the number of connected devices. All data used by those devices still counts toward the same daily allowance.

Three gigabytes is enough for a normal sightseeing day. It becomes tight when several people are sharing the connection, cloud backup is running or you are uploading video.

For a long weekend in New York, Boston or Miami, Airalo is easier to justify than paying for a 10 or 15-day package you will not use.

Check the individual package before buying if you need regular calls, SMS or a local phone number. Those features are not included with every Airalo plan.

👉 View current Airalo USA unlimited plans

Holafly: Best for exact travel dates

Holafly lets you choose a USA plan lasting from one to 90 days.

Published prices currently include:

• 3 days for $11.90
• 5 days for $18.50
• 7 days for $25.50
• 10 days for $34.90
• 15 days for $46.90
• 30 days for $68.90

The USA plan connects through AT&T and T-Mobile, with 3G, 4G, LTE and 5G access where available.

Why Holafly is convenient

Your trip does not have to fit a standard package.

Someone staying 12 days can buy 12 days instead of paying for 15. The plan starts after the eSIM connects to a supported network in the United States.

The fine print

Holafly does not publish a fixed daily high-speed allowance for its USA unlimited plan.

Its Fair Usage Policy allows local network operators to temporarily reduce speeds. Holafly says the restriction should last no longer than one day, but it does not tell you exactly how much data triggers the reduction.

Hotspot sharing is limited to 1 GB per day. A seven-day plan therefore includes up to 7 GB of shareable data.

The USA plan is data-only and does not include a local phone number, calls or SMS. WhatsApp, FaceTime and other internet-based services still work.

Best for: Travelers with unusual trip lengths who mainly use data on one phone.

Bottom line: Very flexible, but less transparent about high-speed usage than Saily, Airalo, Ubigi or Sim Local.

👉 Check Holafly prices for your exact travel dates

eSIM by AT&T: Best direct carrier option

AT&T now offers its own short-term eSIM for international visitors.

That makes it different from Saily, Airalo, Ubigi and the other global travel providers. You are buying directly from one of the major US carriers.

AT&T offers one, seven, 15 and 30-day passes with unlimited data and 5 GB of hotspot use. After the hotspot allowance is used, hotspot speed drops to a maximum of 128 Kbps.

The service can be purchased after arriving through the Connect on Demand by AT&T app. You need an unlocked, dual SIM-enabled 5G phone and an international phone number.

AT&T also notes that unlimited data may be temporarily slowed when the network is busy. Calls and texts were announced as a later addition, so check the current app details rather than assuming they are included.

This is worth checking when dealing directly with a US carrier matters more than finding the cheapest plan.

The downside is that pricing is less visible before you install the app, and 5 GB of hotspot data is not especially generous for a longer trip.

Which plan fits your trip?

Three to five days

Airalo is the cleanest choice when you want a short plan with clear usage rules.

Holafly is useful when you need an exact number of days and will not share much data with other devices.

Seven days

Ubigi is our first choice because the 25 GB allowance can be used whenever needed and the connection remains at 2 Mbps afterward.

Sim Local is better for unusually heavy use. Airalo is enough for normal sightseeing when you expect to stay below 3 GB per day.

Ten to 15 days

Saily offers the strongest overall package for most travelers.

You receive 5 GB per day, unrestricted hotspot use and the option to add a US phone number. Holafly is the alternative when matching the exact trip duration matters more than hotspot use.

Twenty to 30 days

Start by comparing Saily with a large fixed-data plan.

Unlimited service sounds safer, but someone who mainly uses maps, messages and reservations may spend less with a 20 GB package.

Holafly remains convenient for exact dates, while AT&T is worth checking when you prefer direct carrier service.

Best unlimited eSIM for New York City

For a regular New York trip, Saily is our first choice for stays of ten days or longer.

Its 5 GB daily high-speed allowance should comfortably handle:

• Subway and walking directions
• Mobile attraction tickets
• Restaurant reservations
• Ride apps
• WhatsApp and FaceTime
• Photo uploads
• General browsing

For a three or four-day visit, Airalo is usually a cleaner fit because you are not paying for a longer plan.

For one week, Ubigi gives you more freedom. There is no daily cap, so you can use your 25 GB whenever you need it.

Sim Local is the stronger option for someone filming around the city, uploading large videos or working remotely. Most tourists will not need 10 GB every day.

The last thing you want after walking out of JFK, LaGuardia or Newark is to start troubleshooting an eSIM. Install it before leaving home while you have reliable Wi-Fi. Turn it on according to the provider’s instructions after landing.

Is 1 Mbps fast enough?

A 1 Mbps connection is slow, but it is not useless.

It should generally handle:

• WhatsApp and iMessage
• Google Maps and Apple Maps
• Email without large attachments
• Basic websites
• Restaurant and hotel apps
• Lower-quality music streaming

It is not a good fit for:

• HD video streaming
• Large photo and video uploads
• Cloud backups
• High-quality video meetings
• Large downloads
• Several simultaneous hotspot users

Airalo states that messaging, maps, email and basic browsing remain usable at 1 Mbps, while HD streaming and large transfers become difficult. Ubigi describes its 2 Mbps reduced speed as suitable for messaging, email, maps and light browsing.

Do you actually need unlimited data?

Not everyone does.

An unlimited USA eSIM makes sense when you:

• Upload or stream video regularly
• Work from a laptop
• Use your phone as a hotspot
• Connect multiple devices
• Have limited access to dependable Wi-Fi
• Do not want to monitor your remaining data

A fixed 10 GB or 20 GB package can be better value when you mostly use navigation, messaging, bookings and occasional social media.

Airalo estimates that moderate travelers commonly use around 0.5 to 1.5 GB per day, while heavier users may use 1.5 to 3 GB. Actual consumption depends heavily on streaming quality, video calls, uploads and background app settings.

Before buying unlimited data, turn off automatic photo backups and app updates over cellular data. Otherwise, your phone can burn through the high-speed allowance without you noticing.

Do USA eSIMs include a phone number?

Most travel eSIMs are data-only.

That means you can use WhatsApp, FaceTime, Signal, Messenger and similar apps, but you cannot make regular cellular calls or receive traditional SMS through the travel line.

Saily lets you add a US phone number and purchase separate call and text packages. Ubigi, Sim Local and Holafly’s plans covered in this guide are data-only.

A local number can be useful for calling hotels, restaurants, tour operators or other businesses that do not rely on WhatsApp.

For most tourists, mobile data and internet-based messaging will be enough.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best unlimited data eSIM for the USA?
Saily is our pick for most trips lasting 10 to 30 days because it combines 5 GB of unrestricted data per day, continued service at up to 1 Mbps, unlimited hotspot use and optional US phone service.

Is there a truly unlimited high-speed eSIM for the USA?
Most unlimited travel plans reduce speed after a daily allowance, total allowance or Fair Usage Policy threshold. They may provide unlimited total data without providing unlimited data at maximum speed.

Which USA eSIM gives you the most high-speed data?
Sim Local’s seven-day Unlimited Pro plan includes 10 GB per day. Ubigi provides 25 GB to use at any point during its seven-day plan.

Which unlimited USA eSIM is best for seven days?
Ubigi is our top one-week choice because it includes 25 GB at full speed and continues at 2 Mbps after the allowance is used.

Can I use hotspot with an unlimited USA eSIM?
Yes, but the limits vary. Saily and Airalo do not impose a separate hotspot allowance, Ubigi and Sim Local allow data sharing, Holafly limits it to 1 GB per day, and AT&T includes 5 GB before hotspot speed drops.

Will an eSIM work in New York City?
Yes, provided your phone supports eSIM, is unlocked and the plan covers the United States. Actual performance depends on the underlying network, your location, device and local congestion.

Final Thoughts?

There is no need to overcomplicate the decision.

Get Saily for most trips lasting 10 to 30 days. Its 5 GB daily allowance, unrestricted hotspot use and optional US number make it the most balanced choice.

Get Ubigi for seven days. Its 25 GB total allowance is flexible, and the 2 Mbps post-limit speed is better than most alternatives.

Get Airalo for a short trip.

Get Sim Local when you know you will use a lot of data.

Get Holafly when matching your exact travel dates matters most.

Check AT&T when buying directly from a US carrier is a priority.

Before paying, look at the high-speed allowance, reduced speed, hotspot policy, validity and phone-number support. Those details tell you much more than the word unlimited.

👉 Check current Saily USA plans and enter code NYTIPS at checkout.