How the provider score is calculated
Each provider gets a score from 0 to 10 built from 6 components with fixed weights. Price weighs the most at 35%.
| Component | Weight | How it is calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Price Cost of at least 5 GB for 30 days and of a 7-day unlimited plan, compared with the market median. | 35% | Price index: linear from 1.35 (0 points) to 0.75 (10 points) (67%) Unlimited price index: linear from 1.35 (0 points) to 0.75 (10 points) (33%) |
| Flexibility Whether you can top up the same eSIM and pay as you go. | 15% | Top-up: Yes 10, Some plans 6, No 0 (50%) Pay as you go: yes = 10 points, no = 0 (50%) |
| Refund How clear and how generous the stated refund rule is. Unconfirmed rules get a neutral score. | 15% | Refund: 6 months 10, 30 days, unused 8, Before activation 6, Technical issues only 4, Case by case 3 |
| Features Unlimited plans, hotspot, 5G, phone number and free trial. | 15% | Unlimited plans: yes = 10 points, no = 0 (22%) Hotspot: yes = 10 points, no = 0 (22%) 5G: yes = 10 points, no = 0 (22%) Phone number: On some plans 10, Data only 0 (22%) Free trial: yes = 10 points, no = 0 (11%) |
| Coverage Number of destinations the provider states. | 10% | Destinations covered: linear from 150 (0 points) to 200 (10 points) |
| App ratings Average rating on the US App Store. No confirmed app means a neutral score. | 10% | App Store rating: linear from 4.2 (0 points) to 4.9 (10 points) |
A value we could not confirm gets the points marked "not published" in the table. Where none are shown, it gets zero. We do not guess missing data.
Commissions and partnerships never change the formula, the weights or the data. An Editor's Choice, when set, is shown separately and disclosed; its score is calculated like every other one.
We rank eSIM providers on six weighted factors, and price carries the most weight at 35%. Flexibility, refund terms and features count for 15% each. Coverage and app ratings add 10% each.
Inside the 10-destination price basket
The basket finds the cheapest way to get at least 5 GB for 30 days. That check runs in 10 destinations. Each result is compared with the median for that destination. A 7-day unlimited plan forms the second price term.
Prices come from official provider sites on 9 November 2026. Non-dollar prices are converted at the ECB reference rate of 6 November 2026. Related plans are listed on the cheapest eSIM page and the unlimited plans page.
When a provider's pages stay silent
A confirmed feature earns credit. If no provider page states a feature, it earns nothing in flexibility and features.
Refund rules and app ratings work differently. When either is not confirmed, it receives a neutral middle value. That way, a missing refund page neither helps nor sinks a provider.
In the table, every hole is marked "not confirmed". That label shows you where a provider's pages leave a fact unstated.
Why Yesim sits at the top of the list
Yesim is our Editor's Choice. It is placed first by editorial decision, not by score. We earn a commission from Yesim.
Its score is calculated exactly like every other provider's score. Search demand for a brand never enters any score.
Read the full Yesim review or line up providers on the comparison page. The disclosure page explains how the site is funded.
- November 10, 2026: Text revised
- November 9, 2026: Text revised
- October 21, 2026: Text revised