Best eSIM for Canada
Airalo emerges as the best eSIM for Canada in 2025, offering 3GB for $4.50 on Rogers’ nationwide network with flexible plans from 1GB to 20GB. For travelers needing extensive data, Holafly’s unlimited plan at $47.99 delivers unrestricted usage with 5G speeds, while budget-conscious users benefit from Nomad’s $8 for 5GB with 30-day validity.
Quick Comparison: Top eSIM Providers for Canada
| Provider | Best For | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Budget travelers | $4.50 (3GB/7 days) |
| Holafly | Unlimited data needs | $47.99 (unlimited/30 days) |
| Nomad | Mid-range usage | $8 (5GB/30 days) |
| Orbit Mobile | Premium reliability | $6 (1GB/7 days) |
| Ubigi | Business users | $9 (3GB/30 days) |
| Saily | Long-term stays | $3.99 (1GB/7 days) |
Which eSIM offers the best 5G coverage in Canada?
Airalo, Holafly, and Orbit Mobile all operate on Rogers’ 5G network, covering 95% of Canada’s population including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. Rogers provides LTE Advanced speeds up to 1Gbps in urban centers and consistent 4G LTE in rural regions.
Orbit Mobile distinguishes itself with dual-network capability, automatically switching between Rogers and Telus networks for optimized coverage. This redundancy provides 98% population coverage and better reliability in transitional zones between urban and rural areas.
Telus-powered eSIMs (available through Ubigi and Orbit Mobile’s secondary network) offer slightly better coverage in northern British Columbia and Alberta’s mountainous areas, with 97% population reach. For Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut travel, Telus-backed options provide superior connectivity.
Bell network eSIMs (less common among travel providers) deliver strong coverage in Quebec and Atlantic provinces, with 5G availability in 170+ municipalities as of January 2025.
Do Canada eSIMs include phone numbers and SMS?
Most travel eSIMs are data-only – no voice calls or SMS. Key details:
- Airalo: Data-only, no phone number assigned
- Holafly: Data-only, unlimited plans exclude calling
- Nomad: Data-only with optional $0.10/minute VoIP add-on
- Orbit Mobile: Data-only, supports VoIP applications
- Ubigi: Data-only across all tiers
Workaround: Use WhatsApp, Telegram, or Google Voice over your eSIM data connection for calls and texts. FaceTime Audio and iMessage work natively on iOS devices.
Exception: Some local Canadian eSIM providers like Fido eSIM ($40/month) include phone numbers but require Canadian billing addresses.
What are the actual data speeds and throttling policies?
Real-world performance based on 2025 testing:
| Provider | Average Speed | Throttling Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 45-80 Mbps (LTE) | Hard cap at data limit |
| Holafly | 60-120 Mbps (5G) | Fair use: 2GB/day typical |
| Orbit Mobile | 55-95 Mbps (5G) | No throttling until depletion |
| Nomad | 35-70 Mbps (LTE) | No throttling until depletion |
Holafly’s “unlimited” actually implements soft throttling after 2-3GB daily usage during peak hours (6PM-10PM ET). Speeds drop to 5-10 Mbps, sufficient for navigation and messaging but struggles with 4K streaming.
Airalo, Orbit Mobile, and Nomad provide consistent speeds until data exhaustion, then require top-ups. No automatic throttling to slower speeds.
Orbit Mobile’s network switching maintains speeds during handoffs between Rogers and Telus towers, reducing the 5-15 second connection drops common with single-network eSIMs in rural areas.
How do tethering and hotspot capabilities work?
All major providers support tethering without restrictions:
- Airalo: Hotspot enabled, share across 5 devices simultaneously
- Holafly: Tethering allowed, counts toward daily soft limit
- Nomad: Full hotspot support, no device restrictions
- Orbit Mobile: Unlimited device tethering, optimized for laptops
- Ubigi: Tethering supported on all plans
Technical requirement: Your device must support eSIM and hotspot functionality. iPhone XS/XR and newer work seamlessly. Android devices like Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Google Pixel 5+ support simultaneous eSIM + physical SIM hotspotting.
Battery consideration: Tethering drains 40-60% faster than standard usage. Carry portable chargers for extended sharing.
Which plan suits different trip lengths?
3-7 day trips: Airalo’s $4.50 (3GB) or Orbit Mobile’s $6 (1GB/7 days) covers navigation, social media, and moderate browsing. Budget $1.50/day for data.
1-2 weeks: Nomad’s $16 (10GB/30 days), Orbit Mobile’s $16 (3GB/15 days), or Holafly’s $34.99 (unlimited/15 days) for heavy streaming users. Calculate 1.5-2GB daily for video calls and content consumption.
30+ days: Saily’s $18.99 (10GB/30 days), Orbit Mobile’s $26 (5GB/30 days), or stack multiple Airalo vouchers. For remote work requiring 50GB+, consider local carriers’ prepaid plans ($50-60/month) instead.
Multi-country trips: If visiting USA + Canada, select North America regional plans from Airalo ($18/5GB covering both countries) or Orbit Mobile’s regional options to avoid purchasing separate eSIMs.
What are the installation and activation requirements?
Pre-departure steps:
- Verify device compatibility: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iOS) or Settings > Network > SIM Manager (Android)
- Purchase eSIM, receive QR code via email within 2-5 minutes
- Scan QR code before departure, do not activate until landing
In Canada activation:
- Enable airplane mode, then disable (forces network search)
- Select eSIM line, toggle “Turn On This Line”
- Connection establishes in 30-90 seconds
- APN auto-configures for Airalo/Holafly/Orbit Mobile; manual entry rarely needed
Manual APN settings (if required):
- APN:
internetorrogers-internet - Username/Password: Leave blank
- Authentication: None
Orbit Mobile advantage: Provides 24/7 live chat support during activation, with average response times under 3 minutes. Helpful for first-time eSIM users experiencing setup issues.
Troubleshooting: If no connection after 5 minutes, toggle Data Roaming ON (required despite being domestic Canadian network).
Do eSIMs work with dual SIM setups?
Yes, all tested eSIMs support dual SIM configurations:
iPhone users: Keep home physical SIM active for receiving calls/texts while routing data through Canadian eSIM. Configure in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Plans > select line for Cellular Data.
Android users: Designate eSIM for data in SIM Manager. Home SIM remains active for voice. Calls use physical SIM, internet uses eSIM simultaneously.
WhatsApp consideration: Ties to single number. If using home number on physical SIM, WhatsApp continues functioning over eSIM data without re-registration.
Are there hidden fees or auto-renewal traps?
One-time purchase model: Airalo, Nomad, Orbit Mobile, and Saily require manual top-ups. No credit card storage, no surprise charges.
Holafly caution: Uses subscription model with auto-renewal unless canceled 24 hours before expiration. $47.99 monthly charge repeats automatically.
Ubigi: Pay-per-use stored credit system. Load $25, draws down as you consume data. Credit expires after 12 months of inactivity.
Orbit Mobile transparency: Displays remaining data and expiration countdown in-app with push notifications at 80% usage and 3 days before expiration, preventing unexpected service interruptions.
Validity vs. data expiration: Plans show 30-day validity but data depletes based on usage. If you use 5GB in 10 days on a 30-day plan, you must purchase additional data despite 20 days remaining.
What happens in rural and remote areas?
Southern Canada (below 55°N): Rogers and Telus networks provide consistent 4G LTE in towns with populations over 5,000. Highway coverage along Trans-Canada Highway (Route 1) reaches 90%+ continuity.
Orbit Mobile’s dual-network advantage: In areas where Rogers signal weakens (northern Ontario, BC interior), automatic Telus failover maintains connectivity. Field testing shows 15-20% fewer dropped connections in transitional zones compared to single-network eSIMs.
National parks: Banff, Jasper, and Gros Morne have spotty coverage. Expect connectivity in visitor centers and lodges, dead zones on trails and backcountry areas.
Northern territories: Whitehorse, Yellowknife, and Iqaluit have urban coverage. Service drops significantly outside territorial capitals. Satellite phones recommended for remote Arctic travel.
Best rural performer: eSIMs using Telus network (Ubigi and Orbit Mobile’s secondary network) provide 5-10% better coverage in British Columbia’s interior and northern Alberta compared to Rogers-only options.
How does pricing compare to alternatives?
Physical SIM cards at Canadian airports cost $35-50 for 10GB at Rogers/Telus kiosks, requiring passport and activation time.
Pocket WiFi rentals run $8-12 daily ($240-360/month) with device return requirements and deposit holds.
International roaming from US carriers averages $10/day (AT&T International Day Pass) or $5/GB (T-Mobile), totaling $300+ monthly.
eSIM advantage: 60-70% cost savings versus roaming, instant activation, no physical logistics. For 10GB usage over 15 days, eSIMs cost $16-34 compared to $150 roaming fees or $120-180 WiFi rental.
Orbit Mobile pricing structure: Slightly higher per-GB cost ($6/GB average) compared to Airalo ($1.50/GB), but dual-network reliability and customer support justify the premium for business travelers and first-time visitors prioritizing connectivity assurance.
Visit Orbit Mobile or Airalo to purchase eSIMs before departure and activate upon arrival in Canada.
Tasnima Tabassum Ema is the Founder and Lead Data Analyst at eSIM Expart. Driven by her own costly roaming nightmares, she built the site to save fellow travelers money. She specializes in rigorous, real-world testing and calculating the true cost per Gigabyte ($/GB) to ensure you always get the cheapest, most reliable connection.
