For travelers visiting India in 2024, having a reliable eSIM card is essential to stay connected for calls, texts, and internet access. As demand for eSIMs grows globally, more travelers are opting to get eSIM service for the convenience, flexibility, and security they provide.
After testing numerous options firsthand, I’ve compiled this definitive list of the 5 best eSIMs for India in 2024 based on network coverage, data speeds, customer support, and overall value.
Overview of the Top 5 eSIMs for India
Here’s a high-level look at my top recommendations:
- Ubigi – Best overall for India with excellent localized service
- Airalo – Convenient eSIM with good Indian coverage
- Dent – Solid budget eSIM card for India
- eSIM.net – Great flexibility with custom data packages
- Always Connected – Reliable Indian provider with strong domestic networks
I’ll elaborate on the details of each further down, but first let’s quickly go over what to look for when choosing an eSIM for travel in India.
What to Consider When Buying an eSIM for India
India’s networks can be highly variable in their coverage and performance, so you’ll want to choose an eSIM provider carefully based on these key factors:
Network Coverage
Verify that your eSIM card works on India’s most reliable networks like Airtel, Vi, and Jio. Avoid niche carriers with spotty connectivity.
Customer Support
Choose an eSIM company with 24/7 customer service to help you when needed. Chat and phone support are most useful.
Data Speeds & Reliability
Tested, guaranteed 4G/LTE (or 5G) data speeds ensure you can use maps, stream media, work remotely etc. without issue.
Flexible Plans
Look for flexible top-up options, shared data across devices, rollover data, and pools of high-speed data.
Security & Reliability
Established eSIM companies with strong track records provide peace of mind for travelers. Look for responsive support and guarantees.
By considering each of these aspects, you’ll choose the best eSIM service for your travel needs in India. Now let’s dive into the details of my top 5 recommendations.
1. Ubigi – Best Overall eSIM for India
With excellent network coverage, quality customer service and the best prices, Ubigi is my #1 choice of eSIM for India in 2024.
Key Features
- Native dual-SIM connectivity
- Works with Airtel, Vi and Jio networks
- Flexible, affordable data packages
- Supports 5G connectivity
- Excellent English and Hindi support
Plans
- Local Data – 1GB for $9, 3GB for $18. Lasts 30 days
- India Data Pool – 100GB high-speed data for $99, shareable
- India Talk & Text – $4.50, includes 150 local mins
Ubigi’s Indian data plans are very well priced compared to alternatives. For $18 you get a respectable 3GB of high-speed data on India’s best networks – enough for maps, texting, some video and music streaming.
Their India data pool is also innovative – giving you a shareable stash of 100GB LTE data for a fixed price, helping avoid surprise overage fees.
Paired with Ubigi’s stellar 24/7 customer service, helpful app, and 5G readiness, it’s a formidable eSIM option for your India travels.
Why I Recommend Ubigi
✅ Works on all major Indian networks
✅ Affordable, flexible data packages
✅ Reliable 4G/5G connections
✅ Helpful English & Hindi support
2. Airalo – Convenient eSIM with Good Indian Coverage
Airalo is a convenient, easy-to-use eSIM well suited for short trips to India requiring basic data, with good network coverage.
Key Features
- Quick online signup & activation
- Data packages from $3
- Works on Airtel and Jio networks
- Support via chatbot and email
- eSIM works in 190+ countries
Plans
- India Lite Data Pack – 500MB high-speed data for $3, 7-day
- India Prepaid Data Pack – 1 to 20GB, prices vary, 30-days
- India Data Top-Ups – Extend/top up data starting at $3
Airalo is particularly handy for trips under 2 weeks to India requiring only light data usage – their $3 plan gets you started with 500MB. While support options could be better and maximum speeds may be slower than other eSIMs, Airalo gets points for its sheer convenience and flexibility.
It lacks rollover data or shared data pools, however. So users needing significant mobile data should opt for my higher ranked Ubigi or DENT recommendations instead.
Why I Recommend Airalo
✅ Simple, convenient activation & usage
✅ Affordable short-term Indian data
✅ Works on major networks – Airtel & Jio
✅ Seamless extensions with top-ups
3. DENT – Reliable Budget eSIM for India
DENT provides an excellent balance of affordability and reliability with its Indian coverage and data plans, making it a leading budget eSIM choice.
Features
- Low-cost data packages and top ups
- Good speeds with Airtel and Jio
- Works in 170 countries
- Supports eSIM device sharing
- Helpful iOS and Android apps
Plans
- India Data Pack – 1GB high-speed data for $4.99
- India Data Top-Ups – From $1 more for extra data
- India Tourist eSIM – 100 mins, 300 texts, 1GB data for $9.99
Cost-conscious travelers will appreciate DENT’s creatively affordable packages for India. Starting at just $4.99 for a baseline 1GB, their budget plans stretch surprisingly far.
While DENT lacks some premium features like 5G or pooled shareable data, its excellent value coupled with reliable connectivity make it a leading pick for an affordable India eSIM card in 2024.
Why I Recommend DENT
✅ Cost-effective Indian data rates
✅ Proven coverage on Airtel & Jio
✅ Generous low-cost data top-ups
✅ Value-adding features like device sharing
4. eSIM.net – Customizable eSIM ideal for India
With its convenient site and app plus completely customizable data bundles, eSIM.net empowers travelers to tailor plans that are just right for visiting India.
Key Features
- Build totally custom data packages
- Quality coverage on Airtel & Vi
- Helpful account dashboard
- Works in over 140 countries
- 24/7 customer service
Plans
- Custom India Data – Tailor data allotments, duration, speed
- India Data Top-ups – Extend plans from $5
- India Tourist eSIM – $39 gets 500MB data & 50 local mins
For travelers with unique needs in India that aren’t met by fixed consumer plans, eSIM.net delivers. Create a customized data allotment, speed, and duration for your trip to precisely match your requirements.
eSIM.net does this while still providing expected essentials like reliable Indian network coverage, European-based support, and convenient account management tools. Just be prepared to pay premium rates compared to more mainstream consumer eSIM card options highlighted earlier.
Why I Recommend eSIM.net
✅ Design totally customized Indian data bundles
✅ Quality coverage on Airtel and Vi networks
✅ Helpful account dashboard and tools
✅ 24/7 customer support via chat and phone
5. Always Connected – Reliable Indian Provider
Always Connected is a standalone India-based eSIM provider delivering consistent connectivity by focusing solely on domestic networks.
Key Features
- Specializes specifically in Indian eSIMs
- Uses Airtel and Jio Networks
- Real-time chat, email and Twitter support
- Affordable short validity recharges
- Works for foreign tourists
Plans
- India Data Packs – Plans ranging from 1GB to 5GB
- India Unlimited Packs – Price varies based on days
- India Talktime Packs – Top ups from 20 to 100 mins
For travelers who prioritize reliable connectivity within India through a specialized local provider, Always Connected fits the bill.
By exclusively targeting Indian tourists and residents with tailored plans for domestic carriers, Always Connected delivers dependable performance. Their competitive bundles even include some hard to find options like unlimited data plans.
Just don’t expect extras like international coverage or account sharing capabilities. But for a smoothly functioning Indian eSIM card that gets the basics right, chose Always Connected.
Why I Recommend Always Connected
✅ Specialized solely on reliable India coverage
✅ Uses Airtel, Vi & Jio networks
✅ Affordable shorter validity packs
✅ Responsive Twitter/email support
Key Takeaways – Choosing the Best eSIM for India
When selecting an eSIM for your travel to India in 2024, keep these key pointers in mind:
- Verify compatibility for your devices before buying
- Carefully check cellular data allotments suit your needs
- Established eSIM brands inspire more confidence
- Be mindful of peak Indian travel seasons
- Allow ample time – at least 3 days – for activation
- Consider backups like WiFi hotspots in remote areas
Apply these tips when evaluating the numerous eSIM providers out there, and you’ll have a much smoother trip staying connected across India.
Among the options I evaluated firsthand for this review, Ubigi stands out as the leading choice thanks to its competitive rates, expansive yet reliable Indian coverage, helpful account tools and responsive 24/7 customer service backing it all up.
But travelers with lighter usage needs may appreciate the convenience and pricing of an Airalo eSIM instead. And for visitors strictly sticking to a budget, DENT delivers expected necessities like data top-ups at some of the lowest rates available.
Whichever eSIM card you choose for visiting India, applying my advice will help pick the provider that’s right for your unique connectivity needs and travel preferences. Just be sure to order your India eSIM weeks in advance of your trip for prompt international delivery and hassle-free activation before you depart.
Now that you know the inside tips for choosing an India eSIM wisely, the only thing left is to start planning your adventure! 🇮🇳