Best eSIMs with built-in VPN in 2025
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An eSIM with a built-in VPN combines the convenience of a digital SIM and the freedom of a VPN. eSIMs make traveling easy since you don’t have to worry about the internet connection. You can simply activate it from your phone whenever you travel – no need for physical SIM cards. However, eSIMs can’t protect your connection or bypass any geo-restrictions.
If you're traveling to a country with strict internet censorship, like China, you might find yourself blocked from using your favorite apps or social media platforms. That’s where a VPN comes in. A VPN masks your location, allowing you to bypass restrictions and keep your online activity private.
Using an eSIM that comes with a built-in VPN offers a seamless, all-in-one solution for secure and unrestricted internet access while traveling. In this article, I list and compare the best eSIMs with a VPN. I based my findings on testing done in 2025, with summaries and in-depth reviews to help you choose the best one.
Top 3 eSIMs with VPN – my recommendation
- Saily – best overall eSIM with VPN
- Instabridge – best affordable eSIM with VPN
- Nomad – best eSIM for bypassing the Great Firewall
Best eSIM providers with built-in VPN – detailed list
Together with the Cybernews research team, I tested the top eSIMs with VPN and compiled this list of the best options available. Each provider was evaluated based on key factors like network coverage, data plans, pricing, ease of use, and security features. Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of each provider to help you find the right fit for your needs.
1. Saily – best eSIM with a VPN overall
| Rating: | |
| Countries and regions: | Over 200 destinations |
| Phone calls/SMS: | No |
| Customer support: | 24/7 live chat, help center, email, and FAQ |
| Starting price: | $1.89 (7 days, 1GB) |
Saily is a reliable eSIM provider that comes with a VPN and excellent security features. It’s developed by the team behind NordVPN, so you can be sure it offers top-notch security.
Network coverage. Saily is available in over 200 destinations, including China, the UAE, and Turkey. It partners with local carriers to provide the best coverage and speeds worldwide. Depending on the destination, it offers LTE, 3G, 4G, or 5G connection.
Data plans. Saily offers flexible plans lasting between 7 and 30 days, with data options ranging from 1GB to 20GB. You can also get unlimited data in some countries. Plans are available for individual countries, regions, or globally in 113 countries. However, Saily doesn’t support voice calls or SMS.
Price. Prices vary based on your destination, data amount, and plan duration. You can pay as you go, and Saily will even send you a helpful alert when you’ve used 80% of your data. Below, you’ll find a table summarizing sample prices for popular destinations.
| Data and duration | 1GB for 7 days | 3GB for 30 days | 5GB for 30 days | 10GB for 30 days | 20GB for 30 days | Unlimited GB for 15 days |
| China | $4.27 | $10.44 | $15.19 | $25.64 | $45.59 | - |
| Vietnam | $3.79 | $8.54 | $11.39 | $18.99 | $29.44 | - |
| UAE | $3.79 | $8.54 | $11.39 | $18.99 | $32.29 | - |
| Turkey | $3.79 | $6.64 | $9.49 | $15.19 | $21.84 | $47.49 |
| Brazil | $3.79 | $9.49 | $13.29 | $23.74 | $37.99 | - |
Ease of use and activation. Activating the eSIM is very easy, as noted in our Saily review. The app walks you through the entire process, so there’s no need to search for external guides. I prefer to set it up before the trip, but you can also do it once you land. That said, you do need an internet connection to set everything up.
To activate the eSIM, you need to download the Saily app, pick a plan, install the eSIM on your device, and enable roaming. Once that’s done, your plan activates automatically when you arrive at your destination.
Security features. Saily includes a Virtual location feature, which works like a VPN and routes traffic through a server in a chosen location. It also comes with a built-in ad blocker, which speeds up browsing and saves data by preventing unwanted ads from loading. Additionally, it includes Web protection, which blocks malicious websites.
2. Instabridge – best budget-friendly eSIM with built-in VPN
| Rating: | |
| Countries and regions: | Over 190 destinations |
| Phone calls/SMS: | No |
| Customer support: | In-app customer support, email, help center, knowledge base, and FAQ |
| Starting price: | $2.00 (7 days, 1GB) |
Instabridge is a great eSIM for travellers, offering flexible data plans along with built-in VPN features. It’s a popular pay-as-you-go solution that makes staying secure and connected easy.
Network coverage. Instabridge works in over 190 countries, partnering with trusted local carriers to deliver stable internet. Similarly to Saily, it supports LTE, 3G, 4G, and 5G connections, depending on the country.
Data plans. Instabridge offers flexible plans lasting from 7 to 30 days, with data options of 1GB, 3GB, 10GB, or 20GB. You can choose from single-country, regional, or global plans. That said, Instabridge doesn’t support calling or SMS.
Price. Instabridge offers fewer plan options than Saily, but you can always buy more as needed. Plus, its pricing is very affordable.
| Data and duration | 1GB for 7 days | 3GB for 30 days | 10GB for 30 days | 20GB for 30 days |
| China | $2.50 | $5.50 | $16.00 | $24.00 |
| Vietnam | $3.00 | $7.50 | $19.00 | $28.00 |
| UAE | $3.00 | $7.00 | $20.00 | $33.00 |
| Turkey | $2.00 | $4.50 | $12.00 | $18.00 |
| Brazil | $4.00 | $10.00 | $26.00 | $44.00 |
Ease of use and activation. The app is intuitive and easy to navigate. To get started, simply download the app, choose a plan, enable roaming, and activate your eSIM. You can set it up before or during the trip, making it very convenient.
Security features. Instabridge includes a highly secure VPN that uses OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols. It also offers a data-saving web browser that compresses data and improves privacy. Plus, you get protection on public Wi-Fi and access to a large crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot database, which is a huge bonus for travelers.
3. Nomad – best eSIM for bypassing restrictions in China
| Rating: | |
| Countries and regions: | Over 200 destinations |
| Phone calls/SMS: | No |
| Customer support: | In-app and website chat, help center, and FAQ |
| Starting price: | $4.00 (7 days, 1GB) |
Nomad is a flexible eSIM provider that offers a wide range of plans to suit different travel needs. It’s especially useful for those traveling to China, as it can bypass the Great Firewall.
Network coverage. Nomad supports over 200 destinations and partners with local carriers to ensure reliable internet access. Depending on your destination, you’ll get LTE, 3G, 4G, or 5G speeds.
Data plans. Nomad provides different plans for each destination. You can choose a plan from 7 to 30 days, with data ranging from 1GB to 90GB. Some destinations even offer unlimited data. Nomad even has customizable day plans, where you can select 1 to 7 days and data from 500MB to 3GB. That said, calling and SMS aren’t supported.
Price. Nomad’s prices vary by destination, data amount, and plan length. With so many options, it’s easy to find a plan that fits your budget and data needs. Here are some popular destinations and the plans offered:
| Data and duration | 1GB for 7 days | 3GB for 30 days | 5GB for 30 days | 10GB for 30 days |
| China | $4.00 | $7.00 | $10.00 | $12.00 |
| Vietnam | $6.00 | $10.00 | $13.00 | $16.00 |
| UAE | $4.50 | $9.00 | $13.00 | $19.00 |
| Turkey | $4.50 | $9.00 | $22.00 | $14.00 |
| Brazil | $6.00 | $14.00 | $17.00 | $27.00 |
Ease of use and activation. Our Nomad review showed that the app is simple and user-friendly. To activate your eSIM, download the app, select a plan, and follow the step-by-step instructions. Once done, Nomad automatically connects you to a supported local network at your destination.
Security features. While Nomad doesn’t include a standard VPN, it does have location-specific features. For example, it’s designed to bypass the Great Firewall in China by routing traffic through servers in other countries.
Best eSIM providers with VPN compared
Each eSIM with a VPN offers something different, from coverage and pricing to features and flexibility. To make it easier to compare, I’ve summarized the key details in a side-by-side table.
| Provider | Rating | GB per plan | Starting price | Plan duration | Calls and texts | Security features | Customer support |
| Saily | 1GB to unlimited | $1.89 | 7 to 30 days | ❌ No | VPN, ad blocker, web protection | Live chat and email | |
| Instabridge | 1GB to 20GB | $2.00 | 7 to 30 days | ❌ No | VPN, data-saving browser, public Wi-Fi map, Wi-Fi security | ||
| Nomad | 1GB to unlimited | $4.00 | 7 to 30 days | ❌ No | Can bypass China’s Great Firewall | Live chat and email |
How we tested and ranked these eSIMs
At Cybernews, we test eSIMs based on clear criteria. When creating a list of the best eSIMs with VPN, I rated each provider based on the following:
- Coverage (25%). I looked at how many countries each provider supports. I also checked whether they offer regional or global plans for staying connected while travelling between multiple countries.
- Network connection (20%). I prioritized providers that deliver fast and stable connections, such as 4G or 5G, across various locations.
- Security features (20%). I evaluated the security tools included, such as VPN functionality, ad blockers, web protection, Wi-Fi security, and other privacy features.
- Data plans (15%). I reviewed the flexibility of each provider’s data plans, checking for a range of durations and data amounts to suit different travel needs.
- Price (10%). I compared pricing across providers to see which ones offer the best value for money based on data, duration, and features.
- Compatibility (5%). I checked whether the eSIMs work across a wide range of iOS and Android devices.
- Customer support (5%). I tested each provider's support options. I tried reaching out to support and evaluated the time it takes to get a response and the overall helpfulness of the team.
Benefits of using an eSIM with a built-in VPN
Using an eSIM that includes a built-in VPN comes with several key advantages, especially for travelers looking for convenience, privacy, and unrestricted access:
- Built-in privacy protection. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, preventing foreign ISPs, trackers, or governments from monitoring your activity. It keeps your browsing private, no matter where you are.
- Ability to bypass local restrictions. In some countries, popular apps and websites like Facebook, Google, or even WhatsApp are blocked. A built-in VPN lets you bypass these restrictions, so you can access content freely and without interruptions.
- Simple setup, no extra apps. Having an eSIM with VPN built-in makes the setup easy since you don’t have to install an extra app. Plus, a built-in VPN is optimized to work with that particular eSIM, reducing the risk of compatibility issues or dropped connections.
- Improved connection stability. Some ISPs throttle bandwidth for streaming, gaming, or large downloads. A VPN helps mask your activity, which can improve speed and reduce buffering or slowdowns.
- Savings on roaming while staying secure. An eSIM is often cheaper and more convenient than buying a physical SIM. Combining it with a built-in VPN ensures you’re staying secure and connected from anywhere.
Where will you need an eSIM with VPN?
In many countries, governments restrict access to certain websites, apps, or online services. Here are a few notable examples:
- China. Major platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are blocked. Even some VPNs are restricted, though a few may still bypass the Great Firewall.
- Vietnam. Censorship is increasing, particularly during political events and protests, so access to services like Facebook and YouTube can be unstable.
- UAE. Mainly blocks VoIP calls via WhatsApp and FaceTime.
- Turkey. The country has a history of temporarily blocking platforms like X (Twitter), YouTube, and WhatsApp during political unrest.
- Brazil. Although Brazil doesn’t impose widespread government censorship, platforms like WhatsApp and X are temporarily blocked due to past legal disputes regarding data privacy.
Some countries have strict laws against using VPNs. Always check local regulations before using one to avoid legal issues.
How to activate eSIM with a VPN
In this section, I explain how to activate an eSIM with a built-in VPN using Saily as an example. The steps may vary slightly if you’re using a different eSIM provider. Here’s how:
-
Download the eSIM from the app store and install it.
- Launch the app and register for an account.
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Choose your destination and a plan.
- Go to the eSIM window and click on the activation option.
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Click on the installation button within the app. This will take you to your phone's settings and request permission to install the eSIM profile.
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Follow the on-screen instructions. At this stage, your phone can ask which SIM you would like to use for calling and iMessages.
- Once the eSIM is installed, you can head back to the Saily app and click on the Activate button. This will activate the eSIM.
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Once you arrive at your destination, simply switch to the SIM you want to use. You can do it from the Mobile Data settings.
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If you want to enable the VPN, click the Virtual location option.
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Select a country you want to connect to and click on it.
Best eSIMs with VPN: final thoughts
Using an eSIM with a built-in VPN is a smart choice for travelers. It helps you bypass geo-restrictions, enhances your online privacy, and offers a smooth, integrated connection without the need for extra apps or complicated setup.
Based on my hands-on testing, Saily is the best overall eSIM with a VPN. Developed by the team behind NordVPN, it offers strong security features, lets you connect to servers in multiple countries, and even helps reduce data usage with its built-in ad blocker. That said, all options on my list are great, and I recommend choosing one based on your specific travel needs.
FAQ
Do all eSIMs include a VPN?
No, not all eSIMs have a built-in VPN. Some eSIMs, like Saily and Instabridge, offer VPN integration, while providers like Nomad offer specific features to bypass firewalls in particular countries, like China.
Can you be tracked with eSIM?
Yes, eSIMs can be tracked just like regular SIM cards. If you want to mask your activity, I recommend using a VPN, which encrypts your online activity.
Does an eSIM protect my privacy?
Yes, eSIMs can protect your privacy. One major advantage of eSIMs over physical SIM cards is that they can’t be easily stolen, removed, or cloned. This adds an extra layer of physical security.
Why is a VPN essential for eSIM?
A VPN enhances your privacy and security when travelling abroad. It’s especially important in countries with strict internet censorship, like China, where popular services like Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp are blocked. A VPN helps bypass these restrictions and encrypts your traffic so your activity remains private.
