Best eSIM providers and plans in Ireland 2024

An eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identity Module) provides the same services as a traditional SIM, including SMS, voice, and mobile data. However, there are a few key differences – most notably, an eSIM is a rewritable SIM card permanently built into your phone. So, eSIM plans are exclusively software-based and rewritten on your eSIM device. Without the need to swap a physical SIM card, you don’t have to deal with visiting a store or waiting for a delivery. Plus, you avoid roaming fees, lengthy contracts, and the risk of losing your SIM!

There are plenty of eSIM providers with coverage in Ireland. Many offer different data options, pricing, network speeds, and overall service standards, so picking the right eSIM can be a challenge.

Today, we identify the five best eSIMs for Ireland, explain why these providers are the best, and explain what you should consider when picking the perfect eSIM package for your needs.

Best 5 eSIM providers for Ireland – our shortlist

1. Saily – the best eSIM all round
2. Airalo – for a reliable Irish signal
3. Jetpac – the best value option
4. aloSIM – a great choice for long-term traveling
5. Nomad – perfect for short EU trips

What to consider when choosing the best eSIM for Ireland

To get reliable and affordable eSIM for Ireland, you must consider the following:

• Coverage. Look at what networks each potential eSIM provider has partnered with in Ireland. Eir, Three, and Vodafone all have 99% 4G coverage. However, regarding 5G, Three is best, covering 85% of the country, and Eir comes second with 5G coverage across 70% of the country.
• Data plans. Most eSIM providers offer Irish eSIMs ranging from 1 to 20 GB. However, some, including Nomad, have a 10 GB limit, while others, such as Jetpac, have packages that offer up to 40 GB.
• Cost. List the prices of packages from different eSIM providers and calculate the cost per gigabyte to get the best value deal. Irish eSIMs can cost as much as $6/GB or as little as $1.33/GB, depending on the provider, coverage, and package size you choose.
• Compatibility. Note your phone’s model and operating system. Check that your desired eSIM offers full support for your device.
• Activation process. Visit each eSIM provider's website to find activation guides. Try to pick a provider with an automated setup and intuitive app to ensure straightforward installation. You can also use online review aggregators like Trustpilot to see if customers find it easy to use.
• Validity period. Data plans for eSIMs don’t usually renew, so the longer, the better—most last 30 days, while some of the best last 180 days or more. Just make sure you’re going to use all the data before expiration to avoid waste—you can always top up if you need more.

The best eSIMs for Ireland travel – our detailed list

We tested providers based on the data options, support methods, network partners, coverage, and speeds on offer to identify the best eSIMs for a trip to Ireland.

1. Saily – the best eSIM all round

Coverage	150+ countries
Supports 5G	Yes
Regional plans	No
Starting at	$4.49

Visit Saily

Saily has a premium app, excellent coverage in Irish counties, top-tier customer service, and plenty of data options under $2/GB. Overall, it’s the best eSIM option for Ireland. You can also read our full Saily review to get the complete details.

Price. With data prices as little as $1.40/GB, Saily is one of the cheapest eSIMs for Ireland. It’s perfect for short trips because of its low prices, even on small data packages.

Coverage. It’s partnered with Eir in Ireland. So, with Saily, you get 4G coverage in 99% of the country and 5G in 70%, allowing for impressive speeds in every county.

Options for Ireland. Unfortunately, Saily doesn’t offer any regional or Global plans. However, it has five data packages for Ireland ranging from 1 to 20 GB. Most plans expire in 30 days, and you can top them up easily anytime.

Support. Saily has simplified the activation process, and its app is super user-friendly, so it’s unlikely you’ll need help. However, its live chat support is always ready to assist.

2. Airalo – for a reliable Irish signal

Coverage	200+ countries and regions
Supports 5G	Yes
Regional plans	Yes, including Europe
Starting at	$5.00

Visit Airalo

Airalo has multiple network partners in Ireland, so it's your best bet for getting a fast and reliable signal for your trip. Our full Airalo review examines this provider in more detail.

Price. Airalo's 20 GB plan offers Irish data at just $1.60/GB – slightly more expensive than Saily. However, there's barely a difference considering Airalo’s generous reward program, which offers up to 10% cashback.

Coverage. Airalo has three network partners in Ireland – Three, Eir, and Vodafone. So you’re sure to get 5G whenever possible and little to no signal drops. Plus, it’s got a comprehensive EU plan with 39 countries.

Options for Ireland. For Ireland-exclusive data, there are six options ranging from 1 to 20 GB. But on a European plan, you can get 50 GB, which lasts 90 days, or 100 GB for 180 days – ideal for long-term travelers.

Support. Airlao’s app has room for improvement. Activation is a little trickier, and responses are a little slower without live chat support. However, email and WhatsApp customer service are very helpful.

3. Jetpac – the best value option

Coverage	100+ countries
Supports 5G	Yes
Regional plans	Yes, including Europe
Starting at	$1.00

Visit Jetpac

Jetpac offers the best value for money with a wide range of data options, vast country coverage, and plenty of Irish offers under $2/GB. To get a complete understanding of the value Jetpac offers, you can read our full Jetpac review.

Price. Jetpac’s EU plan, with its 30 GB package, is available for just $1.33/GB, cheaper than most other providers' Ireland-only plans. Its 20 GB package is also incredible value at $34, and you can claim your first 1 GB for $1!

Coverage. It uses Three and Eir in Ireland. Three has the best 5G coverage in the country at 85%, so you can expect excellent speeds and a reliable signal. Its EU plan supports 28 countries, which isn’t as comprehensive as others but is excellent value for money.

Options for Ireland. Jetpac offers many data options—1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 GB. The only downside is that no data package lasts longer than 30 days on its EU or global plan, so you’ll have to top up.

Support. Activating a Jetpac eSIM is easy because of its well-designed app. Even if you need help, responses are quick and helpful thanks to its expert 24/7 live chat support team.

4. aloSIM – a great choice for long-term traveling

Coverage	170+ countries
Supports 5G	Yes
Regional plans	Yes, including Europe
Starting at	$5.00

Visit aloSIM

Thanks to its long-lasting data, wide global coverage, and affordable EU plans, aloSIM is a great choice for long-term travelers visiting Ireland. For all of the details, read the full aloSIM review here.

Price. All aloSIM Irish data plans are reasonably priced, with most costing less than $3.00/GB, and its best value offer is $1.60/GB.

Coverage. Using Three and Eir, aloSIM offers comprehensive coverage, reliable signal, and fast speeds across the country. AloSIM also has a UK + Ireland plan and a 35-country EU package.

Options for Ireland. For Ireland-only data, you have six choices (1-20 GB.) For Ireland and the UK, you get 4 (1-10 GB.) With an EU plan, you get 9 (1-100 GB.) Its larger EU packages don’t expire for 90 to 180 days, depending on your chosen size – perfect for long-term EU travelers.

Support. Activation is easy with aloSIM thanks to its intuitive app and 24/7 chat support team, which is happy to answer any questions.

5. Nomad – perfect for short EU trips

Coverage	200+ countries and regions
Supports 5G	Yes
Regional plans	Yes, including Europe
Starting at	$5.00

Visit Nomad

Nomad has some affordable deals on smaller plans, which is ideal if you’re planning a short trip to Ireland or are a light data user. And, if you’re keen to get even more information, you can read our full Nomad review here.

Price. Ireland-only data with Nomad costs $1.65/GB on its 20 GB plan. There’s also an EU plan for as little as $2.25/GB. Although it doesn't offer the cheapest EU prices, its economical small packages (5 GB and 10 GB) beat Airalo and AloSIM.

Coverage. Nomad uses Eir and Vodafone, which means you can get 99% 4G coverage and 80% 5G nationwide. Plus, its EU plan is incredibly comprehensive, supporting 36 countries with fast and reliable networks across the European continent.

Options for Ireland. Whether you choose an Ireland-only or EU plan, you have 5 data sizes to choose from with Nomad, ranging from 1 to 20 GB. Unfortunately, data lasts a maximum of 30 days. However, the app lets you top as needed.

Support. Nomad’s app is easy to navigate, and activation is simple for most users. Unfortunately, you’re limited to ticket support, so if you need help, responses are sometimes slower. Still, the service team is very knowledgeable and helpful.

Comparison of the best eSIM providers for Ireland

Below are the key differences between the best eSIM providers for Ireland. Take a look to find the best option for your needs.

Provider	Plan duration	Data options	Data sharing	Best plan	Price range (for all plans covering Ireland)	Network	Support
Saily	7 or 30 days	1, 3, 5, 10, or 20 GB	Yes	$1.40/GB ($27.99 total)	$4.49 – $27.99	Eir	24/7 live chat support,email, andticket support
Airalo	7, 15, or 30 days	1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or 20 GB	Yes	$1.60/GB ($32 total)	$5 – $32	Three, Eir, and Vodafone	email and WhatsApp
Jetpac	4, 7, or 30 days	1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 40 GB	Yes	$1.33/GB ($40 total – European)	$1 – $80	Three and Eir	24/7 live chat, email, andWhatsApp
aloSIM	7, 15, or 30 days	1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or 20 GB	Yes	$1.60/GB	$5 – $32	Three and Eir	24/7 live chat, andemail
Nomad	7 or 30 days	1, 3, 5, or 10 GB	Yes	$1.65/GB ($33 total)	$5 – $19	Eir and Vodafone	Ticket support

How we tested and ranked these eSIMs for Ireland

We focused on key features such as network partners, pricing, customer support, and coverage to ensure we only picked the best eSIMs for Ireland.

Criteria	Description
Coverage	Is there comprehensive coverage across Ireland, and are there any EU regional or global plans that include the country?
Network Connection	Does the eSIM provider use the best Irish networks for comprehensive 4G and 5G signal?
Compatibility	Are there Android and iOS apps? Is there support for a wide range of mobile device models?
Price	What’s the overall cost, and is it worth it?
Support	Is the customer support team knowledgeable, and do they respond quickly?

Coverage. For every eSIM provider we reviewed, we checked to ensure full coverage in larger cities such as Dublin, Limerick, and Cork, as well as rural towns. Additionally, we favored eSIMs with EU regional plans, which offer an all-in-one data package for a variety of European countries, including Ireland.

Network Connection. We selected providers who partner with the best and most popular Irish networks – Three, Eir, and Vodafone. These networks offer 4G in 99% of the country, guaranteeing excellent speeds wherever you go. Using coverage maps, we also discovered that Three is best for 5G coverage, followed closely by Eir.

Compatibility. We ensured all our recommended Irish eSIMs have Android and iOS apps and checked the list of compatible devices on every provider’s site to ensure adequate compatibility. This means that our recommended eSIMs will likely be compatible with your phone.

Price. After listing the price, amount of data, and coverage of each package available, we could easily calculate the total cost per GB. Considering data expiration, loyalty discounts, and the overall cost, we picked eSIMs with the best value for short and long trips to Ireland. We also found excellent deals for multi-country EU travelers.

Support. We looked at third-party review sites, including Trustpilot. We filtered through reviews to find comments about the quality of the customer service, such as response times, friendliness, and expertise. We also noted available contact options, searching for 24/7 Live Chat and WhatsApp support to identify eSIM providers with fast response times.

Benefits of using eSIM in Ireland

When you use an eSIM for your trip to Ireland, you get several benefits, including:

• Savings. Top-tier Irish eSIMs have competitive data packages that are regularly cheaper than the data roaming charges your local network charges when you go abroad.
• Flexibility. A device that supports eSIMs will usually allow multiple SIM profiles at once. This feature means you can swap plans quickly without the hassle of manually switching cards. Plus, most eSIMs don’t renew, and without long-term contracts, there are no long-term commitments!
• Convenience. You can install an eSIM on your phone anywhere with Internet access. This allows you to save time and avoid language barriers by avoiding the need to visit a physical store.
• Security. Because you don’t need to swap a physical card, there’s no chance of your SIM getting lost or stolen on your trip to Ireland, making it the better choice for the security conscientious.
• Environmentally friendly. Traditional SIMs are made of plastic and metal, but eSIMs don’t require any hardware replacements, so there is no unnecessary waste.

How to set up eSIM for Ireland

For most people, using an eSIM for their trip to Ireland is the right choice. After all, you can dodge data roaming fees, long-term contracts, and the complications of using traditional cards, including manual SIM swapping and in-store visits.

To set up an Irish eSIM:

1. Pick a provider. Saily, Airalo, Nomad, and Jetpac are the best options for Ireland.
2. Choose a package. Pick a plan with adequate data for your trip
3. Purchase. Create an account, select your payment method, and order.
4. Activate. Download your provider’s app and follow the setup instructions, or configure your settings manually. Activation is usually instant.

Things to know about using an eSIM card for Ireland

To have the best experience with your Irish eSIM, you should:

• Check your device. Not every phone supports eSIMs, and some providers only support particular models. Ensure that your device allows the use of eSIMs and that your phone model is listed as compatible on your chosen provider's website.
• Activate in advance. To set up an eSIM, you need an existing internet connection. So, it’s best to activate your SIM before arriving in Ireland, just in case you can’t find free Wi-Fi on arrival.
• Manage data carefully. It’s easy to use up eSIM data too quickly! Switch off data-intensive apps, use offline maps, take advantage of free Wi-Fi, and turn on airplane mode whenever you’re not actively using the net.

Final thoughts on eSIM Ireland

If you want to avoid data roaming fees, lengthy contracts, and the other complications associated with traditional SIMs for your trip to Ireland, eSIMs are a great solution. There are many eSIM providers in the country, offering a more affordable and convenient data solution.

Overall, Saily is the best Ireland eSIM provider. Partnered with Eir in Ireland, it offers affordable 99% 4G coverage and 70% 5G coverage. Its expert developers have created a well-designed and easy-to-use app to simplify activation. Plus, with live chat support, you can get assistance anytime.

The only downside to Saily is that there’s no regional plan. For multi-country data coverage, Airalo is better. It has an affordable 39-country EU plan and a 124-country global offer, including Ireland.

Or, if budget is your biggest concern, try Jetpac for the lowest prices. It offers Irish data for as little as $1.33 and covers you for 27 other EU countries.

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