Nomad eSIM review: prices, coverage and our verdict

Prices and value

Nomad sells prepaid plans with no contract. Its terms say prices include taxes unless stated otherwise, and the site shows prices in US dollars by default, with other currencies on offer. The price block beside this section shows its current prices per country.

Fixed plans give a set amount of data for a set number of days. Unlimited plans give 2 GB a day at full speed and then slow down, to 1 Mbps on most of them, so they suit steady daily use rather than large downloads.

Nomad also runs a points programme and a subscription called Nomad Pass, which keeps one eSIM ready for later trips and gives 1 GB of data every month plus a discount on add-on data. Points expire 180 days after you earn them.

Coverage and networks

Nomad sells single-country plans, regional plans such as Europe, Asia-Pacific or Latin America, and global plans. The country block beside this section shows where its plans work.

It does not run its own network. Its terms say it uses partner networks and cannot guarantee coverage, quality or availability, and each plan page names the local networks and the expected speed. On a regional plan, the eSIM switches to a local network as you cross borders.

Its plan details warn that coverage may not include overseas territories of the country you buy for, and ask you to contact support before buying if you are unsure.

Plans and flexibility

Almost every plan is data only, with no phone number, so calls and texts go through apps such as WhatsApp. Its terms say the service cannot make emergency calls. As of October 2026, a few UK plans and one Maldives plan include minutes and texts to local numbers.

Hotspot is allowed on its plans, including the free trial, according to its FAQ.

You can add data to the same eSIM from the app, including single-country or regional add-ons for another trip, but only while your current plan is active. If the plan has expired or the data is used up, you have to buy a new plan and install another eSIM.

Buying and setup

You buy through the Nomad app or its website, with an account that needs your name and an email address. Its terms ask for accurate identity details but describe no ID document check for its data plans.

After purchase you install the eSIM with a QR code, sent in the app and by email. The plan starts when your phone first connects to a network at your destination, or on its own 60 days after purchase if you have not used it by then.

New users can claim a free trial eSIM in the app with 1 GB for 3 days in selected destinations, with no credit card needed. Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM.

Support and refunds

Its website promises 24/7 support by live chat and email, and its terms name the in-app Help Center and the address hello-cs@getnomad.app for complaints.

Under its refund policy you must ask within 30 days of purchase. A plan you have not installed or activated is fully refundable; after activation, only a partial refund for unused data may be possible. A plan bought with a discount code cannot be refunded once installed or activated, and some plans, including unlimited and UK voice plans, have their own refund terms on the plan page.

Do not delete the eSIM from your phone before asking for a refund: for a single-use eSIM, its policy says it cannot then refund or replace it.

Is Nomad legit?

Yes. Nomad is a business line of LotusFlare, Inc., based in Santa Clara, California, which says it launched Nomad in 2020. Its terms were last updated in March 2026 and are governed by California law.

Its apps are well rated, at 4.8 on the App Store and 4.7 on Google Play as of October 2026. Some app reviews mention downloads pausing when the eSIM switches networks.