Simtex Review: The Best eSIM for Travel in 2025

For digital nomads, business travelers, remote workers, and backpackers, the demand for internet connectivity while away from home gets stronger every day. People rely on it for their work, to write their blogs, book flights, accommodation, and tours, and, of course, regularly surf the net.

This demand has led to the rise of the eSIM, which was first launched in 2016 and has resulted in several companies now offering this service. One of which you might have heard of is Simtex, which we will review in this post.

Positioned as one of the top emerging eSIM providers, Simtex is carving out a solid reputation for offering global coverage, straightforward setup, and wallet-friendly pricing. Plans start from just a few dollars, and as they also provide options for tethering and wide network coverage, the company are seen by many as delivering real value in a competitive eSIM market.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at everything you need to know before choosing Simtex. That includes pricing structure, country coverage, data speeds, usability, customer service, and an honest look at its pros and cons.

If you’re planning a long-haul adventure or need dependable data for a work trip, this guide will help you decide if Simtex is the right fit for your travel style.

Overview of Simtex eSIM

Founded in 2018 by Barak Katz (the current COO) and Roei Schwartz (the present CEO), Simtex is an Israeli-headquartered company that focuses on delivering simplified eSIM connectivity overseas.

The company operates independently and has built strong partnerships with over 50 travel and tourism brands, which has earned it a respected position in the industry.

Although it hasn’t yet won major awards, its growing presence and integrations with platforms like Discover Airlines and The Sightseeing Pass demonstrate that many have placed solid trust in its service.

Simtex may compete with heavyweights like Holafly, Airalo, and Nomad, who may be more established and have deeper pockets. But it still manages to stand out for its broad international coverage, simple activation process, and cost-effective plans for moderate data users.

Additionally, the company specializes in global travel rather than regional-only offerings. They also focus on delivering reliable 4G LTE service to all their customers.

Key Features at a Glance:

• Coverage extends to over 170 countries
• Their network is primarily 4G LTE, with limited 5G availability
• Prices are generally budget-friendly, starting from around $6.50
• They do not have a mobile app, but their website has an easy-to-use interface
• Instant activation via QR code, no delays or physical SIMs needed

Coverage & Network Reliability

As touched upon, Simtex’s standout feature is its massive international coverage, which spans 170+ countries across all continents. Whether you’re in Europe’s major cities, North America’s metropolises, or island-hopping through Southeast Asia, Simtex provides you with online access with the minimum of fuss.

In Europe, users report consistently strong connections, particularly in countries like Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, thanks to partnerships with providers like Vodafone and Orange. This makes roaming across EU countries straightforward and results in them experiencing few speed fluctuations.

In North America, coverage is predominantly through AT&T and T-Mobile, which is excellent in urban areas. However, some users note that performance in remote or rural regions, especially in parts of Canada and the US Midwest, can be spotty.

Asia also sees strong performance, especially in Japan, Singapore, and India. But, due to local regulations, connectivity in China is more restricted, so users may endure slower speeds.

Across South America and Africa, Simtex operates in key hubs like Brazil and South Africa and throughout the major cities there, you can expect good connectivity. However, some reports suggest that coverage can be less consistent in the more remote towns and mountainous areas.

While 5G access is limited across all these regions, most users enjoy dependable 4G LTE speeds. Overall, they tend to work well for everyday internet use, such as referring to Google Maps or engaging in remote work tools.

Data Plans & Pricing

Simtex offers prepaid, data-only plans that can be tailored to your destination and travel duration. There are no contracts or subscriptions, which means you can just pick your plan, pay, and you’re good to go.

Some of their available options include:

• Single-country plans (e.g., France, Thailand, USA)
• Regional plans (e.g., Europe, North America, Asia)
• Global bundles covering up to 170+ countries

Here is an example of their prices (although this can change at any time):

Unfortunately, there are no unlimited data plans, which may be a dealbreaker for heavy streamers or full-time remote workers. However, Simtex supports tethering and hotspot use at no extra charge, which is ideal for those sharing data across different devices.

It is worth noting that their data expiration is based on plan validity, which is usually 7, 15, or 30 days. Users are also not hit with hidden fees, which is always a good thing.

Internet Speed & Network Performance

Simtex has alliances in place with over 600 mobile networks. Depending on the local carrier, this enables them to deliver some 5G coverage available in select urban areas, and 4G LTE speeds elsewhere.

Users across Europe, North America, and Asia report download speeds of 25–60 Mbps and upload speeds around 10–20 Mbps, which is more than enough for video streaming, Google Meet, or social media.

Additionally, latency is low in major cities, which means video calls and online collaboration tools should run smoothly. That said, in rural areas or less developed countries, it can increase, which may result in speed drops, especially during peak hours.

There are no known throttling issues after reaching your data cap. Indeed, once you use up your plan, you’re simply disconnected until you top up. As mentioned, travelers report consistent performance in major regions, though some note slower speeds in rural South America and parts of Africa.

Ease of Use & Setup Process

Getting started with Simtex is quick and painless—even if you’re new to eSIMs. Here’s how it works:

• Buy a plan via Simtex’s website or through one of their travel partners
• Receive your eSIM QR code by email instantly
• Open your phone’s Settings > Mobile > Add eSIM, and scan the QR code
• You’ll be connected within minutes without having to touch your physical SIM card

Simtex doesn’t have a mobile app, but its mobile-optimized website pretty much acts like one. On it, you can easily monitor your usage, buy additional data, or switch countries while you are on the go.

Customers can find support via email, and some affiliated platforms also offer live chat. However, it is worth noting that it is not supported 24/7, and response times can vary, particularly during busy periods.

Some users report waiting up to 24 hours for replies, which may be inconvenient if you hit a snag during setup or are currently stuck abroad. That said, the setup process is generally smooth, so most users shouldn’t need much help.

Pros & Cons of Simtex eSIM

Like with all eSIM providers, Simtex does some things very well, and other parts of their service could be improved.

Here is a brief overview of some of their main pros and cons.

Pros:

• Excellent global coverage in over 170 countries
• Affordable pricing for light and moderate data users
• Instant setup via email QR code
• Tethering support at no extra cost
• No roaming charges or physical SIM hassles

Cons:

• No unlimited data plans are available
• They only offer data and no calls or SMS facility
• They mostly rely on 4G LTE as there is limited 5G available
• No mobile app (web interface only)
• Customer support is not available 24/7

How does Simtex eSIM Compare to Other eSIM Providers?

Simtex holds its ground well when compared to popular names like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad. Indeed, for travelers looking for affordable data and wide coverage, it tends to deliver better value, especially on short trips.

Airalo might have a handy app and a good variety of plans, but Simtex often beats it on price for similar data amounts. Additionally, Holafly offers unlimited data but restricts tethering, which Simtex allows at no extra charge, and although Nomad has a better user interface, its pricing can climb quickly, especially for multi-country plans.

Where Simtex really excels is in its simplicity. There’s no app to download, no contract to worry about, and activation takes just a few minutes. Therefore, for users who want something that “just works,” without unnecessary features or upsells, it’s a practical option.

Is Simtex eSIM Worth It?

If your goal is to stay connected while travelling without spending a fortune or dealing with physical SIM cards, Simtex is a great option. It’s ideal for digital nomads, freelancers, and business travellers who want fast, hassle-free mobile data in multiple countries.

While it doesn’t offer unlimited plans or voice/SMS features, Simtex makes up for that with easy setup, wide coverage, and competitive pricing. You can activate your eSIM in minutes and start using the internet as soon as you land.