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Best eSIM providers and plans for Montenegro in 2024


Being online when traveling is excellent, and this is now possible at all times, thanks to the fantastic eSIMs. If you plan to visit Montenegro, a small country with amazing landscapes and crystal-clear blue water, consider emphasizing your journey even more. eSIMs are here for you at every step of your trip.

They will reduce the costly roaming fees, provide you with loads of flexibility, and keep you always connected. However, if you’re planning to visit Montenegro as part of your world trip, consider getting an eSIM card for global travelers. It’s also important to note that Montenegro, although located in Europe, is not part of the European Union, so EU SIMs won’t work there.

With numerous eSIM providers for Montenegro and international travel, the decision can be overwhelming. That's why we're here to help you pick the best one. Let’s delve into more information and see which eSIMs we’ve chosen based on our thorough tests and evaluations. Your journey to staying connected in Montenegro starts here.

Top 5 eSIMs For Montenegro – shortlist

What to consider before buying an eSIM for Montenegro?

Making the right choice can be tricky, as there are numerous Montenegro eSIM providers on the market. That’s why we’re here to guide you through this journey. Here’s a short explanation of what to consider before buying an eSIM:

  • Coverage. The first step of the journey refers to checking the coverage of the eSIM. Basically, you will have to check the coverage map of the eSIM provider to ensure they have good coverage in the areas they plan to visit in Montenegro. Regional and global plans are just incredible extras.
  • Use case. Another thing you should know is that the use case is crucial. Currently, various eSIM providers are available. Some only offer data, while others provide a phone number along with the eSIM card, enabling you to make calls and send messages. Different providers offer fixed plans, pay-as-you-go options, and top-up availability for purchasing additional data when necessary. All of this is worth considering.
  • Travel duration. Your travel may last for a few days or longer (if you’re on a business trip). So, keep in mind that different eSIMs have various validity options, representing the number of days the eSIM will remain active from the start of its activation. Ensure the validity aligns with your travel duration.
  • Tethering functionality. Not all travel destinations may have decent Wi-Fi connections, so the eSIM mobile hotspot feature can be helpful, especially for multiple devices. You may also need Internet on your laptop or tablet, which is why you will need to use your phone as a hotspot source.
  • Price. Price is also a core factor in choosing the best providers. In fact, each eSIM provider has different pricing plans, so it’s best to align your budget with your needs.

The best eSIMs for Montenegro – our complete list

With multiple eSIM providers for Montenegro, you need to have the ultimate best one. Due to this, we tested the best eSIM providers in Montenegro and created a list of the 5 best eSIMs. Some of the criteria we’ve focused on were plan options, pricing, and activation process. But let’s see what else helped us come up with our complete list:

1. Saily – the best eSIM Montenegro provider in 2024

Saily esim banner
Supported networks:3G, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:150+
Starting price:$3.99/week

We’re starting off strong, and Saily takes first place on our Montenegro eSIM providers list. This provider offers the most affordable prices, numerous plans, and incredible Internet speeds.

Plan Options. The first thing you should know is that Saily comes with data-only prepaid plans. This means that you can install the eSIM at home and activate it when you arrive in Montenegro. However, you won’t be able to make phone calls or send messages, as no phone number is included.

Plans Pricing. Saily is also the most affordable eSIM provider on our list. It offers data plans of 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB. The best part is that you can get its initial plan of 1GB of data for only $3.99/week and enhance your Montenegro trip even more.

Network Coverage. When it comes to the coverage, you won’t have an issue with Saily. It’s available in 150+ countries, including Montenegro, where you’ll be able to browse on 3G, 4G, or 5G Internet connections while using some of the best Montenegro local network providers.

Activation Process. Saily also comes with effortless installation, which enables you to activate your eSIM in less than a few minutes. More precisely, you need to select a desired plan, make a purchase, and download the app by scanning the QR code. All of this is possible without the use of a physical SIM card, and you can pay with your credit or debit card, PayPal, or Google Pay.

Customer Support. Last but not least, Saily has incredibly helpful customer support. It provides 24/7 live chat, a ticketing system, FAQs, and a help center. Not only do they respond fast, but they are very detailed with their instructions and answers.

2. Airalo – prepaid eSIM Montenegro deals at affordable price

Airalo banner
Supported networks:LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:200+
Starting price:$4.50/week

Airalo is another very reliable eSIM provider for Montenegro. It allows you to choose from several different plans and get the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Ultimately, there are six top-up options.

Plan Options. Like Saily, Airalo offers data-only eSIM plans. These plans are prepaid, meaning you can purchase any offer and activate it later. The only thing you should keep in mind is that this Montenegro eSIM needs an international phone number.

Plans Pricing. Airalo comes with 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB of data. Overall, they’re pretty affordable, with the cheapest one being $4.50/week for the 1GB of data in the eSIM plan.

Network Coverage. What’s also amazing is that Airalo has eSIMs for 200+ countries. There are local, regional, and global plans, meaning you’ll be well covered in Montenegro. On top of this, you will be able to use MTEL’s services and enjoy the stellar 4G/5G speeds, depending on the network coverage.

Activation Process. Although Airalo has a pretty straightforward installation process, it decided to make it even better. Due to the lack of KYC verification, you can activate the eSIM plan in up to 10 minutes. All you have to do is choose a plan, download the app, and scan the QR code. You can make your payment by using a credit or debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and Airmoney.

Customer Support. To top it off, Airalo has 24/7 customer support, which you can reach through their live chat, email, blog page, knowledge base, or FAQs. Regardless of your choice, you’ll manage to solve any issue.

3. Nomad – Montenegro eSIM with fantastic Internet speeds

Nomad banner
Supported networks:LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:170+
Starting price:$8/week

The third provider on our list is Nomad. Thanks to its 4G and 5G Internet connections and incredible flexibility, Nomad can be your best friend in Montenegro.

Plan Options. One of its most significant benefits is that it comes with prepaid plans. However, there is a minor drawback. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to contact your friends and family through your phone number, as roaming costs will soar. In other words, its eSIM deals are data-only.

Plans Pricing. There are two 1GB data plans, but you can also choose Nomad for 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB of data. Although it’s a bit more expensive than the previous two providers, its initial plan is $8/week.

Network Coverage. Another incredible thing is Nomad’s coverage. You can find local plans for 170+ countries, as well as regional ones. Therefore, you can use it in Montenegro and benefit from its 4G or 5G speeds by being connected to MTEL.

Activation Process. Unfortunately, Nomad doesn’t share if there’s KYC verification, but it’s clear that you will activate the eSIM in no time. You just need to select a preferred eSIM deal and make a purchase by using your credit card, debit card, prepaid card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Customer Support. Nomad doesn’t come with the popular live chat option, but it has a fast-responsive ticketing system. This means that you can submit a ticket for any issue that occurs and receive an answer in a few hours.

4. Holafly – Montenegro eSIM card with unlimited data plans

Holafly banner
Supported networks:LTE, 3G, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:197+
Starting price:$27 for 5 days

If there’s one eSIM provider that causes a lot of fuss, then that is Holafly. Thanks to its unlimited data deals, you’ll have around-the-clock connectivity.

Plan Options. Holafly belongs to the pool of Montenegro eSIM providers that offer data-only plans. On top of that, its plans are prepaid. However, you won’t be able to make phone calls or send text messages, but you can use VoIP apps by keeping your existing phone number.

Plans Pricing. In terms of prices, Holafly is indeed the most expensive eSIM provider we’ve come across. However, considering that you get unlimited data, makes up for the price. You can get unlimited data for 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30 days and pay $27 for 5 days of usage.

Network Coverage. Holafly has incredible coverage, allowing you to use it in 197+ countries, including Montenegro. In fact, it works with MTEL and One and will enable you to use LTE, 3G, and 4G speeds.

Activation Process. The activation process is straightforward. You go to the website, pick a plan, and make a purchase. There is no KYC verification, which means you can only enter the details of your debit or credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay, and get your eSIM in a few minutes.

Customer Support. Last but not least, Holafly has 24/7 customer support via various channels. For example, you can contact them through their live chat, email, or WhatsApp or read their thorough guides or FAQs for any issue.

5. aloSIM – eSIM for Montenegro with calls and SMS included

aloSIM banner
Supported networks:LTE, 4G, 5G
Country coverage:175+
Starting price:$4.50/week

The last credible eSIM provider for Montenegro is aloSIM. It is available in 175+ countries and offers a free phone number for making phone calls.

Plan Options. aloSIM is different from the providers we’ve discussed above. It comes with a free international phone number that allows you to make phone calls and send messages. Still, its plans are prepaid.

Plans Pricing. If you decide to go for aloSIM, you can choose any of its 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, or 20GB data plans. The most budget-friendly one is the 1GB plan, which costs $4.50/week.

Network Coverage. With availability in 175+ countries, aloSIM is perfect for your travel to Montenegro. It will allow you to connect to the local operator ONE and browse by using LTE speeds.

Activation Process. aloSIM has a very smooth installation, and you will get your eSIM in a matter of minutes. While they don’t disclose if there’s KYC verification, you just need to download the app, select a plan, and purchase it with your debit or credit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.

Customer Support. aloSIM also offers 24/7 live chat, email support, and a detailed FAQ section. As a result, all of your issues will be a thing of the past.

Comparison of the best eSIM providers for Montenegro

Now that we’ve gone through the most essential things about Montenegro eSIM providers, let’s have a better look at their most prominent features. Here’s a brief comparison of the top 5 providers:

BrandPlan durationData sharingUnlimited dataCallsGB per planSupportPrice
Saily7 and 30 daysYesNoNo1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GBIn English via knowledgebase, email, and FAQs$3.99-$35.99
Airalo7, 15, and 30 daysYesNoNo1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GBIn English via live chat$4.50-$40
Nomad7 and 30 daysYesNoNo1GB, 3GB, 5GB, and 10GBIn English via the help center, email, and FAQs$8-$35
Holafly5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30 daysNoNoNoUnlimited In English via live chat, email, or WhatsApp$27-$79
aloSIM7, 15, and 30 daysYesNoYes1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GBIn English via live chat$4.50-$40

How we tested and ranked these eSIMs for Montenegro?

In the process of testing and ranking the best eSIMs for Montenegro, we followed a few crucial factors, including their coverage, network connection, compatibility, and price. So, let’s see how exactly they helped us come up with this list:

Coverage:Does it have regional and local plans?
Network connection:Does it support 4G and 5G networks? Is connecting to the network is fast and seamless?
Compatible:Is it compatible with iOS and Android? Does it support multiple devices?
Price:Is it budget-friendly? Is everything included in the price?
  • Coverage. If you want a seamless experience in Montenegro without any issues or frustrations, you need to check the coverage of the eSIM. Basically, look into its local, regional, or global plans.
  • Network connection. Another very important thing is the network connection. More precisely, we’re constantly choosing eSIM providers that support LTE, 3G, 4G, and 5G connections. The 4G and 5G are especially crucial, as they provide the fastest speeds.
  • Compatible. The compatibility of the eSIM is a top factor. So, we try to pick only those providers with a wide compatibility range. As a result, you’ll be able to use the eSIM on any device you want.
  • Price. Lastly, our testing encompasses comparing eSIM prices. More precisely, we go for affordable providers that include everything you may need on your journey, such as mobile data, free calls and messages, and top-up options.

How to activate an eSIM card in 5 different ways

Setting up an eSIM is easy and fast. While this process usually depends on the provider you choose, we decided to show you how you can activate it on an iPhone, Samsung, or any other phone you may use. Here are the 5 different methods:

  • QR code entry. One of the easiest ways to activate an eSIM is by using the QR code. Basically, you get the QR code from their website (or you contact them to send it to you). Then, you need to open the settings on your phone, find ‘Cellular,’ and scan the QR code.
  • Manual entry. If you want to do this manually, you need first to receive the SM-DP+ address, activation code, and link. Afterward, you go to settings, select ‘Cellular,’ and add the eSIM. Once you’re done, you need to find ‘Manual entry’ and click on ‘Enter Details Manually.’ Last but not least, you just enter the SM-DP+ address and the activation code.
  • Use the provider's app. Another method is to use the provider’s app. You just download the app, pick the plan you prefer, and continue with the payment. After that, you open your phone’s settings and add the eSIM.
  • Use a provider's website. A widespread way to activate the eSIM is through the eSIM provider's website. All you have to do is go to the website, get the QR code, and follow the steps from the first method we’ve explained. Another way to get your eSIM is to use the website of your chosen provider. You just open the eSIM’s website, find the QR code, and follow the steps we’ve explained for the first method.
  • Activate in their store. Ultimately, you can activate the eSIM in the provider’s store. In other words, you need to contact customer support to get installation guidelines, which are usually some of the techniques from above.

Does my phone support eSIM?

Knowing if your phone supports eSIMs is a simple process. You can either check it in your phone’s specs or follow our step-by-step compatibility check process. Let’s see how it goes:

eSIM compatability on iPhone:

  1. Go to your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Click on General.
  3. Find About and select it.
  4. Search for Digital SIM (on older iPhones) or Available SIM (iOS 15 and later).
  5. If there’s a 15-digit IMEI number listed here, your iPhone is eSIM compatible.

eSIM compatibility on Android phones:

  1. Navigate to the Settings of your Android phone.
  2. Select Connections or Connections and mobile hotspot on some models.
  3. Click on SIM card manager.
  4. If you see Add eSIM or Add Mobile Plan, your phone works with eSIMs.

Can I make phone calls with an eSIM from Montenegro?

Currently, most eSIM plans offer data-only packages. This means you won’t be able to make phone calls or send SMS, but you can do this through social media messaging apps like WhatsApp.

eSIM compatability on iPhone

Not all iPhones support eSIMs. While some of the newer models, such as the iPhone XR and later models, can work with eSIM technology, older iPhones like the iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 don’t support the eSIM tech.

However, this innovation is rapidly expanding, making the latest iPhone 15 series come in an eSIM model only. However, this is only the US version, meaning it doesn’t have a physical SIM card slot.

eSIM compatability on Samsung

If you plan to get an eSIM for your Samsung phone, you need to check if it supports this unique technology. While the Samsung S20 works with eSIMs, other models are compatible too. All you have to do is check the ‘Status’ or ‘IMEI information.’ This is available in the ‘About Phone’ or ‘Settings’ menu.

Benefits of using an eSIM in Montenegro

eSIMs are pretty great and can be a better choice than regular SIM cards for most tourists. The main advantages, in our opinion, are:

  • Comfortable. Thanks to the flexibility eSIMs come with, you can easily switch between network providers without changing physical SIM cards. This will make your whole journey more comfortable and ensure you have stable connections in regions where network reception can vary.
  • Stress-free. You can purchase eSIMs before arriving in Montenegro. This allows you to have instant connectivity upon landing without the stress of finding a local SIM vendor.
  • Safe to use. Another significant benefit is that eSIMs are embedded in the device. Therefore, they reduce the risk of loss or theft of a SIM card and provide a secure environment for mobile services and personal information.
  • Space-friendly. eSIM technology doesn’t require physical SIM slots in devices, leading to sleeker designs, more features, and larger batteries. It also paves the way for more compact and efficient devices, enhancing user experiences and functionalities.
  • Eco-friendly. Due to being entirely online, eSIMs reduce the need for plastic SIM cards, contributing to environmental sustainability by minimizing electronic waste.

Final thoughts on eSIMs for Montenegro

eSIMs are a fantastic way of staying connected while exploring the natural beauties of Montenegro. At the same time, you won’t face high roaming charges. However, there are a few things you need to consider when choosing the best eSIM, such as coverage, plan options, and pricing.

Based on these factors, our top choice is Saily. This provider offers numerous Montenegro eSIM plans, up to 20GB of mobile data, and superb Internet speeds. The best part is that its plans are very affordable.


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