Roaming vs eSIM: the guide to staying connected while travelling
Heading abroad soon and wondering how to stay connected without blowing your budget? You're not alone. Between international roaming and eSIM, the choice can seem complicated. Don't worry: we'll explain everything simply.
The essentials in 30 seconds
Roaming lets you use your usual plan abroad via partner networks. Convenient, but often expensive.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lets you switch between local operators. More flexible, generally more affordable.
Our advice: If you travel regularly, go with eSIM. Short occasional trips? Roaming may be enough.
Roaming: staying connected without changing anything
How does it work?
You land in Tokyo, Rome or New York. Your phone automatically connects to a local partner network of your operator. You keep your number, your contacts reach you as usual. Zero hassle.
Your operator has signed agreements with foreign networks to offer you this continuity. Handy for a weekend or a quick business trip.
The advantages
- No setup required: you arrive, it works
- You keep your number: your contacts reach you without confusion
- Ideal for short stays: no need to find a local solution
The limitations
- Unpredictable costs: charges add up quickly, especially if you stream videos or use data-heavy apps
- Variable quality: depending on your destination, you may experience slow speeds or outages
- Less control: you depend on your operator's agreements
Good to know: Quickly scrolling through Instagram on roaming can cost you several euros. Better to turn off mobile data for non-essential apps.
eSIM: freedom at your fingertips
What exactly is it?
An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a SIM card built directly into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical card, you download a carrier profile in a few clicks.
No more hunting for a phone shop when you arrive. No card to lose. You manage everything from your device's settings.
How does it work?
- You choose a plan suited to your destination
- You receive a QR code by email
- You scan the code from your phone's settings
- You're connected instantly
You can even store multiple profiles and switch between them as needed: one for Europe, one for Asia, one to keep your home number active.
The advantages
- Easy carrier switching: adapt your connection to each destination
- Competitive local plans: often 3 to 5 times cheaper than roaming
- Multiple profiles on one device: separate work and personal, or keep your main line active
- No risk of loss: everything is digital
The limitations
- Compatibility: your device must support eSIM (most recent models do)
- Availability: not all countries are yet covered by all eSIM operators
- Initial setup: it takes 5 minutes to install the profile
Travel tip: Activate your eSIM before you take off. That way, the moment you land, you're ready to order your Uber or message your family.
How to choose? The right questions to ask
Do you travel frequently?
Yes, several times a year: eSIM quickly pays off. You avoid nasty surprises on your bill and enjoy plans tailored to each destination.
No, one or two trips a year: Roaming may be enough for short stays, as long as you keep an eye on your data usage.
What's your data budget?
If you stream, work on video calls or share lots of photos while travelling, eSIM will save you a lot. Local plans often offer several GB for the price of a single day of roaming.
Is your phone compatible?
Check in your settings whether your device supports eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS onwards, recent Samsung Galaxy phones and Google Pixels do.
To check:
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular Data > Add a Data Plan
- Android: Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager
Switching to eSIM with Roamance: how it works
Step 1: Choose your destination
Browse our eSIM plans for over 140 countries and regions. Heading to Thailand? Morocco? The United States? We have the plan for you.
→ Explore plans by destination
Step 2: Select your plan
Length of stay, data volume, calls included or not: build your plan according to your actual needs. No surprises, everything is transparent.
Step 3: Install your eSIM
Once your purchase is confirmed, you instantly receive a QR code by email. Scan it from your settings and you're off. The whole process takes less than 5 minutes.
Step 4: Activate and enjoy
You can activate your eSIM before departure or on arrival at your destination. The moment you land, you're connected. No stress, no hassle.
Stay connected, travel light
Choosing between roaming and eSIM is ultimately about choosing the solution that matches your way of travelling. Roaming offers simplicity for short trips. eSIM gives you the freedom and control to travel smart, without blowing your budget.
At Roamance, we believe staying connected while travelling should be simple, affordable and hassle-free. That's why we offer clear eSIM plans in over 140 countries, installable in just a few clicks.
Ready to travel connected?