easySim Review: Using an eSIM in Europe (France/Portugal/UK)

We chose EasySim as our eSIM provider when traveling to multiple countries in Europe. After shopping around, scrolling through Reddit, and comparing options, we knew EasySim was a safe choice for our travel from the US to France, Portugal, and the UK. They are part of the Easy family of brands, including EasyJet, so we figured if they’re as reliable as the airline, we would be in good hands. This EasySim review covers everything from shopping and setup to our experience using it during our trip.

We loved that we could set up our cell phone data plans all before leaving town, a perk overall for setting up an eSIM for travel. The EasySim website gave us the confidence to make the purchase, even though we couldn’t test it until we arrived overseas.

In the end, everything worked out smoothly. We turned it on when we landed, stayed connected, and avoided roaming charges from our US carrier. Easy to get breezy, which is our style.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like provider links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and end up purchasing. That said, we would never recommend something we don’t stand behind 100%. 

What is EasySim (an eSIM provider)?

EasySim is a digital SIM (eSIM) provider that makes staying connected abroad straightforward and affordable. Instead of using a physical SIM card, an eSIM allows your phone to connect to mobile data digitally, helping you avoid expensive roaming charges. With coverage in most countries and pricing starting low for just 1GB of data, EasySim offers flexible plans to suit your travel needs.

Founded by telecom entrepreneurs Jim Guest and Richard Gwilliam, and backed by EasyGroup Chairman Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou (of EasyJet), EasySim is a convenient option for travelers who want to skip the hassle of juggling local SIM cards. Whether you’re exploring Europe, like us, or beyond, choose your destination, pick a data bundle, and get on your way.

Is EasySim good in Europe (France, UK, Portugal)?

Yes, EasySim provided good coverage for our phones in Europe. They offer broad geography (i.e. all Europe) plans and single-country plans. We opted for the Europe package since we were traveling through France and Portugal. When an unexpected overnight in the UK popped up, we were glad we had the wider Europe coverage.

Pro tip: Get coverage for countries where you have layovers—you never know if you’ll end up staying longer than planned or getting diverted on a layover unexpectedly.

Review: Our Experience Using EasySim

Shopping and Purchase: 9 out of 10

Verifying that my phone would work was simple, and I could easily choose the correct region for my trip. The only minor challenge was deciding how much data I needed. EasySim did offer some guidance in their FAQ section, but selecting a lower GB plan still felt risky so we ended up purchasing more than we needed.

EasySim provides a simple way to check if your phone is compatible with an eSIM. The process is straightforward, with clear instructions to help you confirm whether your device supports the service.

Purchase Experience Details: We loaded a 10% off order coupon, which was quickly delivered via email. Later on in the process, EasySim sent a Welcome email, we got a Purchase Confirmation email, and then lastly received our QR Code + Setup Instructions via email. You will also have the opportunity to submit feedback after your trip.

Mid-Purchase: Deciding how much eSIM data you need

When choosing how much data to purchase, think about how you’ll use your phone during the trip. Check your recent home data usage as a guide, and keep in mind that activities like streaming might be less frequent on vacation. EasySim offers flexible plans starting at 1GB, but selecting the right amount can feel tricky. Their website offers general guidance, but it’s always better to estimate a little higher, especially if you plan to use maps, social media, or messaging apps frequently.

Wondering how to track your data usage during your travel? EasySim provides real-time data tracking through their website, so you can monitor your usage and avoid surprises. If you need more data, topping up (adding a new data bundle) is straightforward.

Installing and Setting up: 10 out of 10

The setup process was a breeze. The directions were emailed promptly and were easy to follow, whether you have an iPhone, Android, or Samsung device.

Directions help you easily figure out for your phone platform (iPhone, Android, or Samsung) how to add an eSIM.

You will also see how to toggle on the eSIM when you are abroad.

A helpful tip they included was renaming the eSIM, so there was no confusion when arriving and switching between networks.

eSIM Performance: 10 out of 10

Coverage with EasySim was reliable and fast across Europe. From Paris and across Portugal to an unexpected stop in London, the service consistently worked without a hitch. As a reminder, EasySim is a data-only service. For calls and text messaging, we relied on apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, which worked seamlessly with the data plan.

Deactivating: As expected

Deactivating the eSIM and switching back to my home SIM was straightforward. The directions worked in reverse—simply toggle the eSIM off and re-enable your home carrier’s SIM.

Key Watchout with Using EasySim

One issue I encountered wasn’t specific to EasySim but is worth mentioning. While overseas, text messages from numbers not saved with the “+1” country code for the USA caused issues. The numbers weren’t recognized, and I had to manually edit my contacts by adding “+1” to fix the issue.

Lesson learned: Save your contacts with their country code before traveling. This issue could occur with any eSIM, so it’s a good habit to employ if you anticipate international travel.

Summary

We chose EasySim as our eSIM provider for a trip to Europe, covering France, Portugal, and the UK. Setting it up was easy, and the process was simple to follow even before leaving home. EasySim offered good coverage across multiple countries, allowing us to avoid roaming charges and stay connected effortlessly. Although we had to guess how much data we’d need, the service performed flawlessly throughout the trip.

We recommend EasySim for its ease of use, reliable performance, and helpful support. One key tip: save your contacts with international country codes beforehand to avoid messaging issues.

For more options, check out our guide on using an eSIM, where we cover additional providers and helpful tips.

Happy, Breezy travels!

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