Ubigi Review: Is It the Best eSIM for Your Travel?

Ubigi promises seamless connectivity on your travels, but is it the right fit for your needs? 

If you’re not familiar with eSIMs, this might be hard to determine—but no worries! 

In this review, we break down everything you need to know before choosing Ubigi as your eSIM provider. Let’s find out now!

What is Ubigi?

Ubigi provides eSIM services, offering global cellular connectivity with prepaid data plans for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and connected cars. With partnerships with major companies like Apple and Microsoft, Ubigi ensures continuous internet access for travelers and supports eSIM technology on iOS and Windows 10 devices. It is also integrated into vehicles from manufacturers like Alfa Romeo, Jeep, and Jaguar.

What is eSIM?

An eSIM, short for electronic SIM, is a digital SIM that lets devices connect to cellular networks without a physical SIM card. This tech makes it easy to stay connected in many countries without swapping out SIM cards. Providers like iRoamly are all over this, offering customizable eSIM data plans that meet local and regional needs in over 100 countries.

Now, let’s dive into how Ubigi stacks up in this game!

Methodology and Our Conclusion

In this review, we delve into Ubigi's eSIM services by examining a range of key aspects that are essential for anyone considering this technology for travel connectivity. Our methodology involves an in-depth analysis of Ubigi’s offerings:

Pros and Cons Overview: We start with a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of Ubigi's services. This initial overview offers a quick look at what you can expect in terms of coverage, costs, and user experience, covering the essential facets of the eSIM experience.

Detailed Analysis: After the initial overview, we dig deeper into each feature—packages, pricing, and quality. This section delves into how each aspect might influence your decision to choose an eSIM plan, and outlines how Ubigi's offerings compare in the competitive eSIM market.

Before we dive further, let’s check out how Ubigi is rated on popular review platforms to see what other users are saying.

Ubigi's Ratings on Popular Platforms

These scores reflect a generally positive reception from users, but there are also user complains. In the upcoming sections, we will expand on the pros and cons identified, offering detailed insights into each aspect:

Advantages:

• Extensive Coverage and Speed: Ubigi works in over 200 locations worldwide, partnering with strong local operators to provide speeds ranging from 3G to 5G.

• Diverse and Flexible Plans: It offers more than 50 data plans for each destination, including local, regional, and global options. Plans vary by duration and data allowance and even include unlimited data options.

• User-Friendly App: Features a straightforward purchasing process and easy activation that requires no customer identification. Also, a top-up process is available directly through the app. 

• Hotspot sharing is also available without restrictions.

• 24/7 Customer Support: Available around the clock to assist with any inquiries.

• Specialized Offers: Provides specific eSIM cards for connected cars and has tailored options for 190 destinations.

Disadvantages:

• Data-only Plan: Ubigi plans are primarily data-only, excluding voice calls and SMS.

• Data Limitations: Ubigi doesn’t offer daily data plans. The maximum data available is capped at 60GB, and unlimited plans are seldom available. Additionally, the short-term plans come with limited data allowances.

• Restricted Package Options: The availability of package options can vary significantly by region, with some areas having limited choices.

• Subscription Limitations: Lacks a pay-as-you-go model, potentially limiting flexibility for some users.

• Comparative Costs: In some cases, prices may be higher than offerings from competitors.

• Limited Customer Service Options: Ubigi’s customer support is email-only, which might mean waiting longer for a reply compared to other providers. Plus, they only offer support in English, which could be a dealbreaker for folks who aren't fluent.

Next, we'll break down these points in detail, giving you all the info you need to determine if Ubigi is the best eSIM provider for your travel needs.

Ubigi Packages & Data Plan

Understanding Ubigi's data plans is crucial because they determine how you'll stay connected while traveling. Different eSIM providers, including Ubigi, typically offer a variety of data plans catering to diverse needs. These usually fall into three categories:

• Data Only: Provides internet access without voice calls or SMS, suitable for those relying solely on data.

• Data & Call Only: Includes internet and voice calls but no SMS, a middle ground for those who need to make calls.

• Data, Call & SMS: A comprehensive internet, voice calls, and text messaging solution is offered.

Moreover, data allowances typically fall into three categories. While the names may vary across providers, their definitions generally align:

• Daily: A fixed amount of data resets every 24 hours.

• Unlimited: Allows unlimited data usage but may have reduced speeds after a certain threshold.

• Total: Offers a total data allowance without daily limits, ideal for heavy data users.

Building on the understanding of data types, Ubigi tailors its offerings to accommodate varying lengths of data needs:

• One-Off: Designed for one-time use, this plan provides a fixed data allowance for a specified duration. 

• Monthly: Offers a set amount of data each month, automatically renewing. You can cancel the plan after a minimum of three months.

• Annual: Involves a single upfront payment covering 12 months, with a fixed amount of monthly data allocated.

All of them are similar to the Total Plan, while we will discuss some unlimited options later. 

Ubigi Data Plans Available Table

Ubigi Packages Coverage

Summary

• Plan Flexibility and Duration: Ubigi's plans are fixed at durations of 1，7, 15, or 30 days, which may not accommodate those needing shorter or more flexible data access. However, if you often visit the same destination throughout the year, the monthly or annual plans might be ideal, as they provide consistent monthly data allowances.

• Data Allowance: Data plans vary significantly, with options ranging from 500MB to 3GB, or unlimited, but the availability of larger packages like 10GB or 50GB can be inconsistent across different regions. 

• For those who use a lot of data, Ubigi might fall short. The larger plans, over 20GB, are few, and unlimited usage is restricted to just 7 or 30 days, and they are only available to some destinations. The annual plans cap at 24GB or 60GB for the year, broken down into monthly allowances of 2GB or 5GB, which might necessitate additional top-ups for heavier data users.

• Coverage: Ubigi’s coverage spans over 200 countries, providing extensive global connectivity. However, the options for regional and global plans are more restricted regarding coverage and data availability.

Summary:

• Ubigi works well if your data needs are predictable and fit the available plan durations.

• The plans' structure might not offer enough flexibility for trips that vary in length or unexpected changes in the amount of data needed.

• The monthly or annual plan is worth considering for regular visits to a particular location. However, remember that you may need to purchase extra data if your usage exceeds the allocated monthly amount.

Ubigi Pricing

After exploring Ubigi's diverse packages and expansive coverage, let's delve into another crucial aspect for any traveler considering an eSIM: the pricing. Understanding the cost implications of each plan is essential for making an informed choice that matches both connectivity needs and budget constraints.

Methodology

We've compiled detailed tables for Ubigi's local, regional, and global plans to present a transparent overview of its pricing. 

These tables focus on commonly sought-after travel destinations, simplifying the complexity by primarily highlighting the 1GB or 1-day plans. We list the smallest package, such as 3GB, where these options aren't available, to maintain consistency and ease of comparison across different regions.

Local Plans ( USD )

Regional eSIM Plans ( USD )

Global eSIM Plans ( USD )

Ubigi's Pricing Analysis

• Starting Price: Ubigi's daily plans kick off at $4 per GB for 1 GB of data. That's a fair deal, but it's not the lowest out there—some rivals might hook you up with the same amount of data for just $3 per GB in the same neck of the woods.

• Unlimited Plans: These are priced right around the middle of the road, but they're not always easy to come by—usually just available for either 7 or 30 days. If you're hitting up France for just a trio of days but have to spring for a whole week's plan, you'll pay more per day, which might not be the best bang for your buck.

• Regional Price Differences: The cost of Ubigi's plans can vary significantly depending on your location. While you may find some deals that offer better value than the competition, it's wise to always compare these prices with other providers or typical eSIM roaming fees to ensure you're getting the best deal.

  For instance, a 60 GB annual plan costs $70 in the U.S. but just $19 in France. This variance may be due to a range of factors.

• Recharge Costs: Ubigi's plans tend to come with just enough data to get by, so if you're a heavy user or your trip drags on longer than planned, you might need to keep topping up, which can add up fast

• Plan Switching: Ubigi doesn't make it easy to switch up your plan on the fly. If your data needs to grow or shrink, you must adjust by buying extra top-ups or add-ons through their app or website.

• Promotions: Ubigi occasionally offers special promotions that are accessible via promo codes.

Ubigi’s Operators, Coverage, Data Speeds, and More

Besides pricing, getting a handle on the technical details of Ubigi’s eSIM—like who they partner with for service, the network coverage they offer, and the data speeds available—is key. These factors are crucial for determining how well Ubigi will keep you connected during your travels.

Ubigi's Network Support Features

Summary

Ubigi collaborates with top carriers to provide reliable coverage in over 200 countries, supporting modern cellular technologies like 5G and LTE where possible. However, network conditions vary by region, and 4G or 5G coverage may not be accessible in all areas.

As previously mentioned, Ubigi's plans are exclusively for data use—they do not include voice calls or text messages. If these services are essential for your needs, you'll want to carefully consider this before choosing Ubigi.

Additional Features Evaluated

Moving from the tech specs of Ubigi’s eSIM, it’s just as crucial to dive into the extra perks that come with it. These additional features can really step up your game when you’re globe-trotting, ensuring you stay connected in the most convenient ways possible.

Overview

Summary

Ubigi lines up pretty closely with other brands in the market when it comes to additional features. It offers all the essential apps and setup guides to make using and managing your eSIM straightforward. Plus, you can use the hotspot function, which is a handy perk. 

However, Ubigi's customer support options are somewhat limited and primarily available in English, which might not suffice for urgent online needs, especially if you're looking for support in other languages.

The Bottom Line

This review has thoroughly explored Ubigi's travel eSIM offerings, from its range of data plans to its extensive global coverage. Ubigi nails it with fast data speeds and a super user-friendly app. 

But, keep in mind, there’s no option for voice calls or texts, and the flexibility of plans can be a bit tight for some. Overall, carefully weigh your travel data needs before you hit that buy button. Safe travels!