AT&T Review: The Best eSIM for Travel in 2025

When it comes to staying connected whilst you are abroad, few names are as trusted as AT&T.

As one of the largest telecommunications providers in the United States, the company has steadily built a global reputation for reliable coverage, strong network performance, and now, a competitive eSIM offering tailored for travelers.

If you’re a digital nomad hopping between continents, a remote worker needing a stable connection, or a business traveler negotiating international meetings, AT&T’s eSIM plans offer you the flexibility and peace of mind to remain connected at all times whilst overseas.

Some of AT&T’s biggest strengths are its expansive international coverage, competitive pricing, and options for unlimited data. Plus, its quick activation process and seamless app make it incredibly easy to set up – even when you’re already abroad.

In this review, we’ll highlight everything you need to know about AT&T’s eSIM offerings. This includes its pricing, coverage, network speed, setup process, and pros and cons. We’ll also showcase how it stacks up against other popular eSIM options in the marketplace.

So, if you’re serious about staying connected whenever you travel overseas, please keep reading until the end.

Overview of AT&T

AT&T was founded on the 3rd March 1885 in New York City, famously by Alexander Graham Bell, as well as Theodore Newton Vail, and Gardiner Greene Hubbard. It is one of the oldest and most established telecommunications companies in the world.

Now headquartered in Dallas, Texas, AT&T Inc. is a publicly traded company that remains a major player in the global communications market, having won numerous awards for customer service, network reliability, and innovation.

Primarily, they operate within the US market, competing with other telecom giants like Verizon, T-Mobile, and Vodafone. However, thanks to their extensive international coverage and well-established networks, they recently started offering eSIM plans targeting those who do not want to change SIMs.

Here are some of their key features:

• AT&T eSIMs are available in over 190 countries and territories.
• They have strong 4G LTE and are growing 5G support in major cities worldwide.
• Their roaming plans are around the same price as those of many of their major competitors. However, it is slightly premium compared to some niche eSIM providers.
• The myAT&T app is easy to install, manage, and top up.
• You can instantly activate their service through a QR code or a direct app download.

Coverage & Network Reliability

As it is accessible in over 190 countries and territories, AT&T’s eSIM can be used pretty much anywhere in the world.

However, it’s worth noting that AT&T’s eSIM leans heavily on partnerships with local carriers such as Vodafone, Orange, and Telefonica in Europe; Rogers and Telus in Canada; and NTT Docomo and SoftBank in Japan.

Therefore, the network performance offered by these third parties might naturally vary. That said, you can expect the following:

Europe

Users traveling through Europe have reported excellent speeds, particularly in countries like Germany, France, Spain, and the UK. In these destinations, AT&T partners with Vodafone and Orange, which offer a smooth roaming experience thanks to excellent 4G LTE and even 5G infrastructure.

North America

Unsurprisingly, AT&T performs very strongly on its home patch, which is why coverage across the United States is generally excellent. In Canada and Mexico, their partnerships with Rogers and Telcel ensure users can enjoy strong connections in most urban areas. However, some remote regions might not be as quick or robust.

Asia

Although coverage is strong in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, travelers to China might experience limited connectivity. This is due in large part to regulatory issues imposed by the government.

Elsewhere, while the overall connectivity is good in India, due to the sheer size of the country, speeds can vary depending on the region you intend to visit.

South America & Africa

AT&T coverage is available throughout South America and Africa, but it can be a bit hit and miss.

Major cities in Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa perform reasonably well, but users have reported weaker signals and slower speeds in remote or rural parts of these countries.

Data Plans & Pricing

AT&T’s eSIM travel plans offer a variety of options to suit the needs of different types of travelers.

You can choose from pay-as-you-go data packages, unlimited daily passes, regional bundles (such as “Europe Only” plans), and global packages that cover multiple continents.

The prices will vary depending on where you want to purchase from, but typically, you can expect the following. (Though, of course, it could change at any time).

• Cheapest Plan: Usually starts around $10 for 1GB of data (valid for 7 days), which is ideal for short trips or light users.
• Unlimited Daily Pass: $10/day per device for unlimited data in over 210 destinations.
• Regional Plans: Europe-only packages start from $30 for 5GB (valid for 30 days).
• Global Plans: $60 for 5GB or $120 for 10GB, valid across multiple regions.

AT&T sometimes offers discounts for long-term users through multi-line plans or subscription bundles if you’re traveling for months at a time. However, they tend not to be as aggressively priced as some other eSIM providers like Airalo or Holafly.

Notwithstanding, they offer much better reliability, faster speeds, and stronger customer support. So, customers who place higher weight on performance over just the lowest price may see AT&T’s offering as providing better value.

It is worth noting that their data packages typically expire after 28 days unless you renew or recharge, and generally they do not have any hidden fees.

You might, however, be subjected to taxes, and surcharges might apply depending on your original billing address. But you can hotspot or tether at no extra charge.

Internet Speed & Network Performance

As you would expect, speed tests consistently show that AT&T’s eSIM delivers excellent performance, especially in major cities across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia.

In particular, in London, New York, and Tokyo, users can enjoy true 5G speeds that exceed upwards of 250 Mbps. However, in many locations, you’ll be connected to high-speed 4G LTE, which still easily supports streaming, gaming, and video calls with low latency.

For most travelers, the experience is smooth and reliable, and this is highlighted in real-world user reviews on Google and TrustPilot that mention strong speed consistency, even during peak travel seasons. That said, minor slowdowns have been reported in rural areas and extremely congested networks, within parts of Southeast Asia and South America.

You’ll be pleased to read that there’s no widespread throttling. However, heavy users might notice a slight dip in performance once “fair usage” thresholds (around 20–30GB) are exceeded on unlimited plans.

Ease of Use & Setup Process

You should find the process of purchasing and installing AT&T’s eSIM straightforward.

The first thing you will need to do is download the myAT&T app or visit their website. From there, you can choose your plan and enter your device details. Once you have done this, you will receive a QR code instantly.

If you scan the QR code through your phone’s settings under “Add eSIM”, you should be instantly connected. Overall, it is pretty simple stuff, but the app’s clean interface will walk you through each step with easy prompts, which should make it easy even for first-time eSIM users.

Once you start using the myAT&T app, you should find it highly user-friendly. You’ll easily be able to check your data balance, top up your plan, monitor usage, and even switch between different regional packages if needed, all within a few taps.

If you ever need assistance, AT&T offers decent customer support 24/7 through live chat, email, and phone. Most users report quick response times, typically under 10 minutes via chat, and the help is generally regarded as efficient.

Pros & Cons of AT&T

Like any company, AT&T does some things very well, while there are others that could be improved. If you are interested in using their service, here are some pros and cons to bear in mind.

Pros:

• Excellent global coverage in 190+ countries and territories
• Reliable 4G LTE and expanding 5G speeds
• Easy setup with instant QR activation
• Strong app usability for managing plans
• 24/7 customer support with fast response times
• Hotspot and tethering are included without extra fees

Cons:

• More expensive than budget eSIM providers
• Limited connectivity and slower speeds in remote regions
• Some data plans expire after 28 days without rollover
• Minor speed drops after exceeding fair usage limits
• Occasional taxes and surcharges might be applied depending on the billing location

How Does AT&T Compare to Other eSIM Providers?

AT&T is about the same price as many of its competitors. However, it is more expensive than budget-friendly eSIM brands like Airalo and Nomad.

That said, there is no doubt that it delivers stronger network reliability, better speed consistency, and more robust support for its customers than most of the other companies do.

Is AT&T Worth It?

If you’re a digital nomad, frequent traveler, or remote worker who values reliability, speed, and strong global coverage, AT&T’s eSIM is absolutely worth it.

While it’s not the cheapest option by any stretch, its performance, ease of use, and dependable support make it a wise investment for serious travelers.