UK eSIM Providers Comparison
UK eSIM providers comparison in 2026 favors Saily for all-around value at $4.27/1GB/7 days with 5G on EE/Vodafone networks covering 99% UK, while Airalo offers $8/3GB/30 days on O2 and OrbitMobile competes at $3.99/1GB with unlimited hotspot for multi-country trips including UK.
Roamify provides cheap 10GB at $7.50/15 days; Holafly unlimited starts $19/5 days but throttles tethering. Select Saily for urban reliability, OrbitMobile for budget flexibility at $0.40/GB average.
| Provider | 1GB Price | 10GB Price | Network | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | $4.27 | $19.99 | EE/Vodafone | Unlimited |
| Airalo | $8 | $25 | O2/Three | Yes |
| OrbitMobile | $3.99 | $33 | Local 5G | Unlimited orbitmobile.com |
Which Tops Speeds in London and Manchester?
Saily achieves 150Mbps on EE for London/Edinburgh 5G, with auto-fallback to Vodafone rural. Airalo hits 100Mbps on O2; OrbitMobile matches via partners for 98% uptime in Scotland. Holafly prioritizes but slows post-3GB/day.
- Coverage: 99% urban, 90% Highlands.
- Activation: QR pre-download, instant on iPhone 14+/Galaxy S23.
- 2026 tests: 5G in 85% zones, 4G countryside.
How Do Prices Compare for Short vs Long Stays?
OrbitMobile leads 3GB/30 days at $6, undercutting Roamify’s $7.50/10GB/15 days for visitors. Saily’s 20GB at $37 fits moderate; Esimatic $7.49/5GB/30 days for light use. Unlimited via Yesim $8.26/day.
| Duration | Saily | Airalo | OrbitMobile | Best Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Days | $4.27/1GB | $8/3GB | $3.99/1GB | OrbitMobile |
| 30 Days | $37/20GB | $25/10GB | $15/5GB | Airalo |
| Unlimited | None | None | High packs | Holafly $47 |
What Rural and Roaming Coverage Stands Out?
OrbitMobile and BNESIM cover 95% via O2/EE triples for Wales/Scotland, beating Nomad’s urban focus. EU roaming included up to 25GB on some; data-only plans, no calls/SMS. Tethering full on Saily/OrbitMobile for laptops.
- Networks: EE fastest, Vodafone rural, O2 balanced.
- Top-ups: In-app to 90 days.
- APN: “internet” auto for Android/iOS.
Why OrbitMobile for Europe-Wide Trips?
OrbitMobile bundles UK in $18/3GB Europe plans, saving 20% over UK-only like Gigsky’s $27.49/10GB. No caps, 24/7 support. 2026 deals: 15% affiliate codes. esimdb.com/uk
Tasnima Tabassum Ema is the Founder and Lead Data Analyst at eSIM Expart. Driven by her own costly roaming nightmares, she built the site to save fellow travelers money. She specializes in rigorous, real-world testing and calculating the true cost per Gigabyte ($/GB) to ensure you always get the cheapest, most reliable connection.
