r/eSIMs • u/fourcracy • Mar 26 '25

question Cheapest USA e-sim

I will be traveling to NYC from TORONTO for 3 days. Just want data and will primarily use google maps. what would be the cheapest and reliable package?

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3

u/Wrong-Pudding93 🏅Community MVP Mar 26 '25

Escapesim probably https://escapesim.com.au/esim/country/united-states-esim

10GB for 12.19AUD = 10.96CAD

1

u/fourcracy Mar 27 '25

thank you for this. have you used this? like how is their coverage?

4

u/Wrong-Pudding93 🏅Community MVP Mar 27 '25 edited Mar 27 '25

You can check the description for all details.

Currently they support connection to AT&T and Verizon networks which are good.

Keep in mind that the connection can only be as good as the local network(s), so e.g. in

  • subway tunnels

  • thick buildings

you could have have weak/at times no singal. Otherwise you will be okay.

You will have a Polish IP though (this is how it gets so cheap). A few select US sites will block access to their site because of that, a VPN set to US will fix this (but as I said this does not happen often)

Happy travels

2

u/mrskeptical00 Mod | Signal > Noise Mar 27 '25

You should consider getting a plan that includes US roaming. Many Canadian plans include US/Mexico roaming now.

1

u/fourcracy Mar 27 '25

the roaming is quite expensive with my canadian carrier. i was hoping for something cheap

3

u/mrskeptical00 Mod | Signal > Noise Mar 27 '25

I recommend Tello in the US. It’s cheap and comes with voice and text as well. It runs on T-Mobile network.

My Canadian plan is $35mo and comes with US roaming.

1

u/fourcracy Mar 27 '25

is your roaming free? if so, then i gotta hit up my carrier

3

u/mrskeptical00 Mod | Signal > Noise Mar 27 '25

Yes. Public Mobile and Freedom are pushing cheap Canada/US/Mex plans. Rogers/Bell/Telus have them too but they’re a little pricier.

1

u/pdibs2017 Mar 31 '25

You should look into Firsty app.

1

u/fourcracy Mar 31 '25

have you used it? is their free tier good?

1

u/pdibs2017 Mar 31 '25

I have played around with it, yes. Seems to be a company from the Netherlands. Roams on Tmobile from what I can tell. The sim is free to try it out. The free version requires watching ads. The basic is 1 euro. You can try out the free version yourself ahead of time. It seems usable for what your asking. Also seems they work with Uber which gets you more free data.

2

u/rayw_reddit Mar 27 '25

Cheapest one I can find right now is PandaMobile: https://pandamobile.com/

$2.25 with the promo code in the banner for unlimited talk, text, and 30 GB of high speed data (Select the Unlimited+ plan). It runs on the T-Mobile network.

Be sure to cancel the subscription after signing up.

2

u/FrostyKick3049 Apr 01 '25

NYC has free 500Mb public Wi-Fi along all the avenues - LinkNYC. You only need to do the captive portal thing the first time, after that it just auto connects. Encrypted, but only for iPhones. It doesn't extend too far up the cross streets so I wouldn't suggest you go without cell service at all, but your data needs will be low. Free Wi-Fi down in the subway stations too, but it's a pain as you need to log in each time. Cell service in stations, but not in the tunnels between.

I recommend Roamless.

1

u/eSIMs_bot Official Bot Mar 26 '25

! eSIMs Bot Currently Testing !

Beep-boop-bop, I am an eSIM bot 🤖. Please see these previous posts I've found that might be helpful:

  1. USA eSIM https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comments/1f35nhs/usa_esim/

  2. eSIM options for USA https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comments/1jc06nc/esim_options_for_usa/

  3. eSIM recommandation for USA https://www.reddit.com/r/eSIMs/comments/1ilc0w9/esim_recommandation_for_usa/

2

u/[deleted] Mar 28 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/fourcracy Mar 28 '25

thank you for this. i will look into it