Why eSIMFOX is best for India
India's airport SIM process requires passport photocopies, biometric verification at some terminals, and pricing that varies by kiosk and day. eSIMFOX sidesteps all of it. Purchase your plan before departure, scan the QR code while waiting to board, and arrive with data already active on Jio or Airtel networks. Your home SIM stays in the phone for WhatsApp, banking OTPs, and family calls, while the eSIMFOX line handles Google Maps navigation through Old Delhi, Uber pickups at Mumbai's Gateway of India, and Instagram uploads from Jaipur's Hawa Mahal.
The install process is faster than any airport counter. Open the confirmation email, scan the QR code in Settings, toggle the eSIMFOX line as your data default, and you are connected. No queue, no passport check, no uncertainty about whether the kiosk will have stock or accept your card. The plan selector below shows live pricing and data tiers — pick the size that fits your trip length and usage pattern, then install before you board.
Hotspot support is included on every eSIMFOX India plan. Share data with a laptop for work calls from a Goa beach resort, tether a tablet for kids during long train rides between Agra and Varanasi, or connect a second phone when traveling with a companion who does not have eSIM capability. The connection runs on the same Jio or Airtel network your primary device uses, so hotspot speed matches your phone's signal quality.
Provider breakdowns
eSIMFOX: transparent pricing, fast install, Jio and Airtel coverage
Best for: Travelers who want the most reliable end-to-end purchase and install experience for India trips.
Strengths: QR-code install completes in under 60 seconds. Plans connect to Jio or Airtel networks — India's two largest carriers by subscriber count and geographic footprint. The live plan selector shows current pricing and data tiers before purchase, so you know exactly what you are paying. Hotspot support is included on every plan. You keep your home SIM active for WhatsApp, banking 2FA, and calls. Support responds quickly when activation issues arise.
Weaknesses: eSIMFOX does not offer unlimited-data plans. If you need more than the largest tiered plan, you will need to buy a second plan or choose a competitor with an unlimited-style option. Some travelers prefer a brand they have used before, and eSIMFOX is newer than Airalo or Holafly in the India market.
Ideal traveler type: First-time India visitors who want a plan that works immediately on landing, business travelers who need reliable hotspot for laptop work, and families who want to share data across devices without buying multiple SIMs.
Airalo: recognizable brand for travelers already using it across Asia
Best for: Travelers who already use Airalo for other countries and want a single app for all their eSIM purchases.
Strengths: Airalo is the most-recognized travel-eSIM brand globally. The app interface is familiar if you have used it before. Plans are available for India and most other countries, so you can manage multiple destinations from one account. Install process is similar to eSIMFOX — QR code or manual entry.
Weaknesses: Airalo's India pricing was not verified in the current snapshot used for this article. Without citable pricing, it is hard to compare value directly. Some travelers report that Airalo's customer support response times are slower than smaller providers. Network partner details are not always transparent before purchase.
Ideal traveler type: Frequent travelers who already have an Airalo account and prefer to consolidate all eSIM purchases in one app, even if it means paying a small premium for brand familiarity.
Holafly: unlimited-style option with fair-use considerations
Best for: Heavy-data users who need more than 20 GB for a short India trip and are willing to accept fair-use limits.
Strengths: Holafly markets unlimited-data plans for India. If you plan to stream video, upload large photo libraries, or work remotely with constant video calls, an unlimited-style plan removes the anxiety of running out of data mid-trip. Install process is QR-code based, similar to eSIMFOX and Airalo.
Weaknesses: Holafly's India pricing was not verified in the current snapshot. Unlimited-style plans often carry fair-use policies that throttle speeds after a daily or total threshold. The exact threshold is not always disclosed before purchase, so you may not know when throttling will kick in. Some travelers report that Holafly's fair-use limits are more restrictive than expected.
Ideal traveler type: Digital nomads or remote workers who need high daily data for video calls and cloud uploads, and who are comfortable with the trade-off of potential throttling after hitting a fair-use cap.
Saily: app-managed option, pricing not verified
Best for: Travelers comparing app-based eSIM providers and NordVPN ecosystem users.
Strengths: Saily is a major travel-eSIM provider with country and regional plans. The install and management flow runs through the Saily mobile app, which some travelers find more intuitive than email-based QR codes. Saily is part of the Nord Security ecosystem, so NordVPN subscribers may already trust the brand.
Weaknesses: Saily is worth checking, but its India pricing was not verified in the current snapshot used for this article. Without citable pricing or plan details, it is hard to compare value or coverage directly. Some travelers prefer a provider with transparent network partner disclosure before purchase.
Ideal traveler type: NordVPN users who want to consolidate their travel connectivity and VPN subscriptions under one ecosystem, and travelers who prefer app-based eSIM management over email QR codes.
Network coverage in India
India's mobile network landscape is dominated by three carriers: Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi). Jio and Airtel have the widest geographic footprint and the strongest 4G and 5G rollout. Vodafone Idea has weaker coverage in rural areas and smaller cities, so most travel-eSIM providers partner with Jio or Airtel for India plans.
In major cities — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad — all three carriers deliver strong 4G and growing 5G coverage. You will have reliable signal in metro stations, airports, hotels, and tourist areas. 5G is available in parts of Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, but 4G is still the realistic floor for most travelers. Expect 4G speeds to handle Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp, Instagram, and video calls without issue.
In tourist regions outside major cities — Rajasthan (Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur), Kerala (Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey), Goa, Agra, Varanasi — Jio and Airtel coverage is generally strong in town centers and along major highways. Rural areas, mountain regions in Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand, and remote islands in the Andaman and Nicobar chain may have weaker signal or drop to 3G. If your itinerary includes remote trekking or off-grid stays, download offline maps and essential travel documents before you leave cellular range.
Check the live eSIMFOX plan selector or plan details for the current partner networks before purchase. Network partnerships can change, and the selector shows the most up-to-date information.
eSIM vs local SIM vs roaming
Local SIM cards in India require passport photocopies, biometric verification at some kiosks, and a waiting period for activation. Airport kiosks at Indira Gandhi International (Delhi) and Chhatrapati Shivaji International (Mumbai) sell tourist SIMs, but pricing varies by terminal and day, and queues can be long during peak arrival times. City SIM shops outside airports may offer better prices, but you will need to navigate unfamiliar neighborhoods and language barriers to find them.
eSIM eliminates the passport photocopy step, the queue, and the activation wait. Your plan arrives via email before you fly, installs in Settings with a QR scan, and activates the moment you land. Your home SIM stays in the phone for WhatsApp, banking OTPs, and calls, so you do not lose access to 2FA or your normal number. The price is transparent before purchase — no surprise fees, no haggling, no uncertainty about whether the kiosk will accept your card.
Roaming with your home carrier is the most expensive option for most travelers. US carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile charge $10–$12 per day for international roaming in India, which adds up to $70–$84 for a week-long trip. UK carriers like EE and Vodafone charge similar daily rates. Australian carriers like Telstra and Optus charge even more. A 10 GB eSIM plan costs a fraction of that and gives you more data than most roaming packages include.
eSIM is the best choice for most India trips. Local SIM is a fallback if you need a local phone number for domestic calls or if you are staying longer than 30 days and want to avoid buying multiple eSIM plans. Roaming makes sense only if your home carrier includes India in a free or low-cost roaming package, or if you are on a very short trip and do not want to manage a second line.
How much data you need in India
Data usage in India depends on your trip length, travel style, and app habits. A week-long trip with normal use — Google Maps for navigation, Uber for rides, WhatsApp and Instagram for messaging and photos, occasional video calls — typically fits a 5–10 GB plan. A two-week trip with heavier use — daily video calls, Instagram Stories, TikTok uploads, streaming music on long train rides — may need 15–20 GB. Remote workers or digital nomads who need constant video calls and cloud uploads should plan for 20+ GB or consider a second plan if the first runs out.
The table below shows typical per-day data usage by travel pattern. Use it to estimate your total need, then check the live plan selector for the tier that fits your trip.
