Travel eSIM Comparison (November 2026): 8 Brands for China
Compare 8 China eSIM brands for WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT: field-tested results versus official claims, plan costs, hotspot rules and discounts.
Published 2026-07-17 Updated 2026-11-09
I’ve published reviews of eight travel eSIM brands: Trip.com, Yesim, Nomad, Saily, Quibity, NXTL, TooSim and Ubigi. My reviews focus on China, where getting online also means checking whether WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT actually work. All three opened on Trip.com, Yesim and Nomad in my China tests. This comparison brings the reviews together, so you can choose by your trip length, data needs and apps.
Trip.com, Yesim and Nomad have completed field tests. Saily, Quibity, NXTL, TooSim and Ubigi have published reviews of their plans and policies, with field testing still in progress. Their advertised features are identified below; I haven’t treated them as measured results. The China tests don’t establish how these brands perform in other countries.
App coverage updated 8 November 2026 using my tests and official brand information checked on 7 November. Prices are stored review figures in USD before codes unless stated; the source reviews record their check dates. Check the checkout total before paying.
I may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How RoamTested makes money.
Which travel eSIM should you buy?
Trip.com: my pick for a short China trip with light data use
Trip.com’s China eSIM starts at $0.10 for 500 MB over one day. I’ve bought that option repeatedly, including in November. It suits maps, messages and payments; choose a bigger daily allowance if you’ll stream video or use a hotspot.
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and ChatGPT worked without a VPN, and the hotspot worked well in my tests. The main limit is the daily allowance: after it’s used, speed drops to 384 kbps until the next allowance starts. Installing the eSIM doesn’t end your refund rights: it’s refundable until activation.
Read my Trip.com review and screenshots.
See Trip.com China eSIM plans — from $0.10/day ↗
Yesim: my pick for TikTok, hotspot and longer unlimited plans
Yesim’s China plans include fixed bundles valid for 30 days and unlimited passes lasting up to 30 days. TikTok and ChatGPT opened without a VPN, and its hotspot worked well in Chengdu and Shanghai. Yesim doesn’t set a daily high-speed cap on its unlimited passes, though partner networks may apply their own fair-use limits.
A 7-day unlimited pass costs $30.24; the 30-day pass works out to $2.52 a day before discounts. Use ROAM15 (15% off for new users) at checkout. One important refund detail: installing counts as activation for refunds, even though the plan’s validity starts on first connection at the destination.
Read my Yesim review, or compare Nomad and Yesim by trip length and data needs.
See Yesim China plans — from $3.36 ↗
Nomad: my pick for a large fixed bundle
Nomad sells a 20 GB / 30-day plan for $22.00 and a 50 GB / 45-day plan for $37.00. The latter works out to $0.74 per GB.
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and ChatGPT worked without a VPN. TikTok didn’t work, and the hotspot was very slow. Buy your plan before entering China: Nomad doesn’t sell new plans to users already there. If you need an add-on, buy it before the fixed allowance reaches zero.
The stored 10 GB and 20 GB prices were sale prices when checked on 2 November; check today’s total. Read my Nomad review.
Nomad’s free 1GB / 3-day app trial is for new users; redeeming it rules out new-user promo codes.
All eight brands at a glance
Every price below is for China. The first three are backed by my field tests; the other four are based on the provider information reviewed in the linked articles.
| Brand and full review | Evidence | China entry price | Main reason to consider it / watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip.com | Field tested | $0.10 · 500 MB · 1 day | Low entry cost; daily allowance then 384 kbps |
| Yesim | Field tested | $3.36 · 1 GB · 30 days | Working hotspot and TikTok; refund ends on installation |
| Nomad | Field tested | $5.00 · 1 GB · 7 days | Large fixed-data bundles; TikTok blocked, hotspot slow |
| Saily | Field test in progress | $4.49 · 1 GB · 7 days | App top-ups and advertised hotspot; China speed and apps untested |
| Quibity | Field test in progress | $6.20 · 1 GB · 7 days | Unlimited gives 4 GB/day at full speed; provider excludes ChatGPT and TikTok |
| NXTL | Field test in progress | $11.99 including $10.00 balance; from $2.29/GB | Balance carries across trips; hotspot depends on device/network support |
| TooSim | Field test in progress | $13.99 · 1 GB · 7 days | Advertised free hotspot; expensive China data and no top-ups |
| Ubigi | Field test pending; official prices | $4.00 · 1 GB · 7 days | 10 GB / 30 days for $17.00; 10% code on eligible first one-off/annual purchases |
Phone number, calls & SMS: standard data packages don’t include a Chinese +86 number; Saily offers an optional paid US +1 number with separate calls/SMS plans, subject to VoIP verification limits (phone-number guide).
What actually worked in China?
These results come from the speed tests and app checks in my Trip.com, Yesim and Nomad reviews. They were taken in Chengdu and Shanghai between July and November 2026. They aren’t a controlled nationwide benchmark: location, network and test date differ, and rural coverage hasn’t been tested.
| My field results | Trip.com | Yesim | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download range | 82.9–144 Mbps | 65.7–120 Mbps | 15.5–68.2 Mbps |
| Number of speed tests | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Latest speed test | 2026-11-02 | 2026-11-02 | 2026-11-02 |
| Networks observed | China Mobile, including 5G | China Mobile, including 5G | 5G and 4G; carrier not recorded in test data |
| Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, ChatGPT | Worked without a VPN | Worked without a VPN | Worked without a VPN |
| TikTok | Worked | Worked | Blocked |
| Microsoft Copilot | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked |
| Hotspot | Worked well | Worked well | Connected, but very slow |
For a laptop connection, I’d choose Trip.com or Yesim from the brands I’ve tested. For TikTok, I’d make the same choice. For Copilot, none of these three worked without a VPN in my checks. You can inspect the evidence in my speed test database.
Which China eSIM works with WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT?
Trip.com, Yesim and Nomad worked with all three in my China app checks, including Google Maps within the Google tests. The other five brands need different labels: an official support statement is useful, but isn’t my field result, and international routing doesn’t prove every app works.
| eSIM | Google Maps | ChatGPT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip.com eSIM | Tested: worked without a VPN | Tested: worked without a VPN | Tested: worked without a VPN |
| Yesim | Tested: worked without a VPN | Tested: worked without a VPN | Tested: worked without a VPN |
| Nomad eSIM | Tested: worked without a VPN | Tested: worked without a VPN | Tested: worked without a VPN |
| Saily | Official guidance conflicts | Brand says it works | Not confirmed |
| Quibity | Brand says it works | Brand says it works | Brand says unavailable |
| NXTL | Brand says it works | Brand says it works | Not confirmed |
| TooSim | Listed by brand; access unclear | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Ubigi | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
“Tested” refers to my checks on the reviewed China plan. “Brand says” is official information, with field testing still pending. “Not confirmed” means the checked official pages don't establish support; it doesn't mean the app is proven blocked. App access doesn't guarantee every navigation, registration or account feature.
Quibity officially supports WhatsApp and Google Maps but explicitly excludes ChatGPT. NXTL’s official China guide supports Maps and WhatsApp, with ChatGPT unconfirmed. Saily’s WhatsApp guidance conflicts between its China FAQ and blog; TooSim doesn’t clearly confirm Maps or ChatGPT. For the full app-by-app explanation, use the China app comparison.
Compare fixed data, daily allowances and unlimited
The cheapest starting price doesn’t tell you what a whole trip costs. Trip.com’s entry plan gives you a fresh daily allowance; Yesim, Nomad, Saily, Quibity and TooSim sell fixed bundles; NXTL charges for the data you use from a wallet. Size your plan with my China data usage guide.
Fixed bundles: compare the same amount of data
| Brand | 5 GB · 30 days | 20 GB · 30 days | 20 GB cost per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yesim | $13.20 | $35.76 | $1.79 |
| Nomad | $14.00 | $22.00 | $1.10 |
| Saily | $15.99 | $39.99 | $2.00 |
| Quibity | $13.90 | $38.70 | $1.94 |
| TooSim | $42.99 | $117.99 | $5.90 |
These are prices before codes. For a recommendation that compares Nomad and Yesim after my Yesim new-user discount, use the plan tables in my Nomad vs Yesim comparison. Trip.com’s daily allowance and NXTL’s wallet aren’t equivalent to a 30-day bundle, so compare them against your expected usage rather than treating their entry price as a like-for-like offer.
Unlimited: check how much data stays fast
| Brand | Example China plan | High-speed limit and what follows |
|---|---|---|
| Yesim | $30.24 · 7 days | No daily cap set by Yesim; partner-network fair-use limits may apply |
| Nomad | $25.00 · 7 days | 2 GB/day at full speed, then reduced speed until the next 24-hour cycle |
| Quibity | $42.00 · 7 days | 4 GB/day at full speed, then 1 Mbps until the next 24-hour cycle |
| Saily | $49.99 · 15 days | Daily full-speed limit for China not confirmed in my review |
Saily’s example is 15 days, not seven; that’s the unlimited price checked in my review. Trip.com also lists larger daily allowances and unlimited options, but the exact price and allowance depend on the selected product. NXTL has no unlimited plan. TooSim lists unlimited only “by request”, without a published price or fair-use allowance.
The five brands still awaiting field results
Saily: worth comparing if you already use its app
Saily lets you add a China plan to the same eSIM you use on other trips. It lists China Telecom and China Unicom, advertises unlimited hotspot sharing, and supports app top-ups and auto top-up. Those are useful features, but my China speed, app and hotspot checks are still pending.
Its 15-day unlimited plan costs $49.99 before ROAMTESTED (10% off for new customers). I haven’t confirmed a daily high-speed limit for China, so I wouldn’t assume it stays at full speed throughout. Read my Saily review.
See Saily China plans — from $4.49 ↗
Quibity: a stated 4 GB daily high-speed allowance
Quibity gives unlimited users 4 GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps, according to its published terms. Fixed-data plans can be topped up; unlimited plans can’t. The provider says ChatGPT and TikTok don’t work on its China eSIM. My own speed, app and hotspot results are still pending.
Use CHOFQZJF (5% off) if you buy. Ordinary refunds end when you install; before installation, the refund window is 180 days, with a fee for returning money to your card rather than Quibity balance. Read my Quibity review.
NXTL: pay as you go across several trips
NXTL charges $11.99 upfront: $1.99 for the eSIM and $10.00 of usable balance. China rates start at $2.29 per GB, depending on the network you choose. NXTL says the balance doesn’t expire while your account is active, and the same eSIM works in 180+ countries.
That makes it an option for irregular use across trips, but factor in the upfront fee. NXTL’s current FAQ allows hotspot where the device and network support it; my China tethering test is pending. Its official China guide describes WhatsApp and Google Maps access, while ChatGPT remains unconfirmed. Use roamm10 (10% off) at checkout. Read my NXTL review.
See NXTL pay-as-you-go rates ↗
TooSim: check the China price carefully
TooSim advertises easy QR installation and free hotspot on every plan, but its China bundles cost $13.99 for 1 GB or $117.99 for 20 GB. It doesn’t offer top-ups: when the data runs out, you buy and install a new eSIM.
Its China carrier and app access aren’t confirmed in my field tests. At the stored prices, I’d compare the tested options first. Read my TooSim review before deciding whether its setup suits you.
Check TooSim's current China prices ↗
Ubigi: 10 GB for 30 days, but apps still untested
Ubigi lists 1 GB / 7 days at $4.00 and 10 GB / 30 days at $17.00. The partner code ROAMTESTED (10% off for new customers' first purchase of one-off or annual data plans; all destinations; excludes monthly plans and top-ups) is for the first purchase of a one-off or annual data plan only, excluding top-ups and monthly plans. My China app and hotspot field tests are pending, and the code has not been independently checkout-tested. Read my Ubigi review.
Installation and refunds: don’t confuse the two clocks
An eSIM can be installed before its data validity begins, yet installation may still end your refund rights. These are the key distinctions from my reviews; check the selected plan’s terms before paying.
| Brand | What to know before installing |
|---|---|
| Trip.com | Check the selected product’s cancellation deadline and installation conditions; an unactivated plan isn’t automatically refundable after installation |
| Yesim | Installation ends refund eligibility; data validity starts on first connection at the destination |
| Nomad | Refund within 30 days before activation, including installed fixed-data plans bought without a code; unlimited plans aren’t refundable, and discounted plans aren’t refundable once installed; unused plans auto-activate after 60 days |
| Saily | Full refunds within 30 days while unactivated, provided you haven’t used plan extras; plans auto-activate after 180 days |
| Quibity | Ordinary refunds within 180 days before installation; refund to balance is free, card refund has a fee; see the review for its optional Flexy exception |
| NXTL | eSIM purchases and top-ups are generally final once delivered, with installation and connectivity exceptions |
| TooSim | Ordinary refund eligibility ends when you scan the QR code; a full refund is promised if it doesn’t work and support can’t fix it |
| Ubigi | Terms depend on the specific purchase and whether the plan has been used; confirm eligibility with support before activation |
Check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible, buy before departure, and use Wi-Fi to install once you’re comfortable with the refund terms. Then select the eSIM for mobile data and enable data roaming when you arrive. If your iPhone has no SIM slot, read my eSIM-only iPhone guide for China before choosing a plan.
What if your trip includes other countries?
For a recurring Global option, Saily Ultra combines tiered data with security tools and travel benefits; compare it separately from one-off China packages.
A China-only plan doesn’t automatically include Hong Kong or Macau. Ubigi also sells separate Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Asia regional products; check the exact covered destinations at checkout. For a wider itinerary, Yesim Asia Pacific lists mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea within its 15 destinations; Nomad Greater China covers the first four, and Saily’s Asia and Oceania plan is another regional option. NXTL’s wallet works across destinations, but the network rate changes by country. The China field results above don’t verify performance at those other stops.
For mainland China plus Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, see which regional eSIM fits your route and data needs. For mainland China, Japan and South Korea, Nomad’s three-country eSIM is a narrower alternative to Yesim Asia Pacific; it does not include Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan. Verify prices, data allowances and validity before buying.
Want the full test-based ranking? See Best eSIM for China. For current codes and their eligibility rules, see my eSIM promo codes guide.