Nomad eSIM was launched in 2020 and has grown to 3 million users across 200+ destinations, with a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating. I decided to test whether the app lives up to its reputation. This Nomad eSIM review contains real data from my trips in the UK, Turkey, and China. To be objective, I also cross-checked my experience with user feedback on Reddit. In short, Nomad receives a 4.3 out of 5 rating for pricing, key features, download speeds, and mobile network performance.
Nomad review TL;DR
After using the provider in 3 countries, I’d say it’s convenient for short trips. But travelers need to remember that Nomad unlimited plans come with daily limits too.
- Trustpilot rating: 4.3/5 (May 2026)
- Best for those who travel occasionally and want easy activation, access to various networks, and budget-friendly prices.
- My rating: 4.3/5
Pros: Live chat is available. Some plans are refundable. Nomad has small packages from 1 GB to global for 200+ destinations.
Cons: Most plans are data-only. Reinstallation rules vary by plan. Unlimited plans throttle to 1 Mbps after 2 GB. Top-ups aren’t available everywhere.
My experience with Nomad
I began with a Nomad app review by testing their interface on iOS and Android (tested on iPhone 17 Pro and Google Pixel 10). You can buy plans on the website, but you manage your profile and data usage in the mobile app only. Nomad works in 200+ destinations, but plans, prices, and networks differ by country. Packages are data-only, so I used WhatsApp and FaceTime for calls on a trip.
Plans
Nomad has local, regional, and global plans for 3-45 days. But I noticed that unlimited plans have a daily 2 GB fast data limit, after which speeds drop to 1 Mbps with no backup.
For fixed data plans, you can at least buy top-ups in the app (not in every region, though), but with “unlimited”, you just stay on low internet speed until the next day. At the same time, all unused gigabytes expire at the end of the period and don’t roll over to the next day or month.
eSIM setup
eSIM installation is easy. You can scan a QR code or use one-tap install in the app. Either way, it takes a few minutes. The plan activates automatically when you first connect to a local cell tower in your target destination. Hotspot sharing works and uses your main data allowance with no hidden limits.
Reinstallation rules vary. Some plans allow you to reinstall or switch devices up to 3 times, others only on the same device, and some not at all.
If you want to know how to set up eSIM on an Android device, feel free to watch this short eSIM tutorial.
Please keep in mind that you should activate Nomad eSIM within 60 days after purchase, as it will expire.
Network and performance
Where I travelled, Nomad showed good 4G and 5G. The network switched automatically, but there was also manual selection. The internet was slower indoors and during peak hours.
Before your trip, I recommend you check coverage with nPerf or a similar service to know what exactly to expect in the target country.
Customer support
Nomad has a 4.3/5 rating on Trustpilot, and users praise its support. You can reach them through the website or the app. In my experience, the chatbot’s reply was instant, but getting connected to a live agent took almost 11 minutes. You have to answer a few triage questions first, which adds a couple of minutes.
Nomad eSIM pricing and destinations
In early 2026, I spent 2 weeks testing Nomad eSIM across the UK, Turkey, and China. For my evaluation, I used an iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 26) and measured speeds with Speedtest by Ookla. Outdoors, the 4G and 5G connections were stable. Indoors, the signal sometimes dropped and fell back to 3G.
| Country | The UK | Turkey | China |
| Networks | Three, O2 | Türk Telekom | China Unicom, China Telecom |
| Speed | 96 Mbps | 53 Mbps | 78 Mbps |
| Price for 10 GB | $16.00 | $21.00 | $22.00 |
| Validity | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
Results vary by local network, location (city vs rural), and congestion.
United Kingdom
I tested the provider in London and Windsor to check 4G and 5G stability in different urban settings. The connection activated upon landing at Heathrow, so I didn’t waste time looking for physical SIM counters at the airport.
- Cost: 10 GB plan for $16.00 ($1.60/GB).
- Location: central and outer London, Windsor.
- Device: iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 26).
- Networks and speed: mostly 5G in the city, with an average download speed of 85 Mbps.
- Usage: Google Maps navigation, WhatsApp video calls, hotspot to laptop.
- Notes: I lost signal on some Underground sections. Data speeds dropped inside older brick buildings in the suburbs.
Turkey
I used the service in Istanbul and Antalya. You should also know that in 2025, Turkey’s telecommunications authority (BTK) blocked Nomad and several other eSIM providers within the country, which means that you cannot access their site when you are in Turkey, so I purchased and activated my plan before arrival. An international eSIM also lets me skip the mandatory IMEI registration required for local SIMs in Turkey.
- Cost: 10 GB plan for $21.00 ($2.10/GB).
- Location: Istanbul (European and Asian sides), Antalya.
- Device: iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 26).
- Network and speed: 4G through Turk Telekom, with an average download speed of around 45 Mbps.
- Usage: taxi apps (BiTaksi), Google Maps navigation, WhatsApp video calls
- Notes: due to recent global providers’ restrictions in Turkey, it’s best to buy and activate the eSIM outside the country.
China
I tested the connection in Shanghai and Beijing. Although China blocks Google, social media, and other apps, eSIM allowed me to use these services without a VPN.
- Cost: 10 GB plan for $22.00 ($2.20/GB).
- Location: Shanghai and Beijing.
- Device: iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 26).
- Network and speed: China Unicom offers 4G/5G, delivering an average of 55 Mbps.
- Usage: Google Maps navigation, messaging via WhatsApp, and payments through WeChat.
- Notes: traffic routes through servers outside mainland China, which automatically bypasses blocks but may cause slight delays with some local Chinese services.
Nomad alternatives
Popular Nomad alternatives include Ohayu eSIM (multi-network, no hotspot limitations, no throttling on fixed-data plans), Saily (easy setup, flexible short-term plans), and Airalo (cashback rewards, reliable support, large knowledge base).
Ohayu eSIM
Ohayu shows which networks you use in each country in advance. There are no daily speed caps or hidden throttling on fixed-data plans. Hotspot sharing is included on all plans. Top-ups are simple, which is useful for digital nomads.
Saily
Created by the makers of NordVPN, Saily has a clean interface, activates in one click, and offers flexible short-term plans, which are handy for quick trips. The downside is limited profile customization.
Airalo
Airalo has a loyalty program with cashback that you can use for future purchases. Support answers within minutes. There is also a knowledge base if you have setup issues.
Final verdict
Testing Nomad across the UK, Turkey, and China showed that its main strengths are usability and pricing for popular destinations. It also gave me access to blocked apps in China, so I didn’t have to use a VPN.
But there are also drawbacks. Reinstalling depends on your plan. Some allow up to 3 installs, others only on the same device, and some don’t support it at all. Reaching a live agent means going through a chatbot first. Also, unlimited plans have a 2 GB daily limit, after which speeds slow down.
Taking network coverage, pricing, and the app experience into account, I rate Nomad 4.3/5.
