Independent · bought with our own money · tested in China
eSIMs for China,
tested on the ground.
Which eSIMs open Google, WhatsApp and Instagram the moment you land — and which leave you offline? We test every one in real Chinese cities and publish the evidence.
China eSIM rankings
| # | eSIM | Overall | Apps | Setup | Fair use | Speed | Price | From | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sample verdict — e.g. strong pick for city-focused trips | 8.3 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | $9.50 · 5GB · 30d | See plans ↗ |
| 2 | Saily Sample verdict — e.g. best budget starter plan | 8.3 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 8.2 | 7.5 | $4.49 · 1GB · 7d | See plans ↗ |
| 3 | Holafly Sample verdict — e.g. unlimited plans for heavy users | 7.2 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 6.0 | $19 · unlimited · 5d | See plans ↗ |
Scores are 0–10, weighted: App access without a VPN 30% · Activation & setup 15% · Fair-use & throttling transparency 15% · Real-world speed 25% · Price & value 15%. How we test →
Latest tests
- Best eSIM for China (2026): tested on the ground 2026-07-15
We bought every major China eSIM and tested them in real Chinese cities — app-by-app firewall checks, speed tests with timestamps, and what 'unlimited' really means.
- Airalo China eSIM review (2026): tested in Chengdu 2026-07-15
Hands-on Airalo China eSIM test: real speed tests, app-by-app firewall checks, activation walkthrough, and what its unlimited plan really gives you.