Short answer: Nomad charges in US dollars and eSIM Signal in euros. Converting at about 1.15 dollars to the euro, eSIM Signal was cheaper than Nomad in 34 of 38 matching plans we priced on 17 October 2026 in Italy, the USA, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and Europe. Fixed-data plans were usually 30–55% cheaper with eSIM Signal. Nomad came out ahead on a few sale items, mainly 50 GB plans in the USA and Europe and 10-day unlimited plans in Turkey and Thailand. It also offers a free 1 GB trial for new users. For everyday plan sizes, eSIM Signal usually costs less, and you pay in your own currency if you live in the eurozone.
Nomad vs eSIM Signal at a glance
Both sell prepaid travel eSIMs that you install before you fly. Your home SIM stays in the phone, so your number and WhatsApp keep working. The main differences:
- Currency: Nomad's website prices plans in US dollars. eSIM Signal charges in euros, and takes cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.
- Coverage: Nomad lists 200+ destinations. eSIM Signal covers 210+ countries.
- Plan start: Nomad plans start when you connect at your destination, or automatically 60 days after purchase if you have not started them. On most eSIM Signal plans, the days also start when the eSIM first connects at your destination, and we recommend using it within 30 days of purchase.
- Extra data: Nomad sells add-on plans that start when your first plan runs out. eSIM Signal adds data to the eSIM you already have, emails you at 80% used, and can top up automatically below 10%.
- Unlimited plans: Nomad offers unlimited plans in fewer lengths in some countries, for example 5 or 10 days in Turkey. eSIM Signal's unlimited plans in our six test destinations run from 3 to 30 days.
- Extras: Nomad gives new users a free 1 GB trial eSIM and offers a Europe subscription, Nomad Pass. eSIM Signal gives 5% cashback on purchases in our app.
Nomad prices vs eSIM Signal, destination by destination
We compared the public prices on both websites on 17 October 2026, for the same destination, data and validity, converting Nomad's dollar prices to euros at about 1.15 dollars per euro. How much less eSIM Signal cost:
- Italy: 1 GB for 7 days was 45% less, 5 GB for 30 days 36% less, 10 GB for 30 days 40% less, 20 GB for 30 days 25% less. See Italy plans
- USA: 1 GB for 7 days was 54% less, 5 GB for 30 days 36% less, 10 GB for 30 days 36% less, 20 GB for 30 days 37% less. Nomad's 50 GB sale plan was about 4% cheaper than ours. See USA plans
- Japan: 1 GB for 7 days was 40% less, 3 GB for 30 days 31% less, 5 GB for 30 days 34% less. See Japan plans
- Turkey: 5 GB for 30 days was 37% less, 10 GB for 30 days 32% less, 20 GB for 30 days 28% less. See Turkey plans
- Thailand: 1 GB for 7 days was 54% less and 5 GB for 30 days 21% less. 10 GB for 30 days was only about 7% less. See Thailand plans
- Europe (regional plans): 3 GB for 30 days was 53% less, 5 GB for 30 days 54% less, 10 GB for 30 days 43% less. Nomad's 50 GB sale plan was about 23% cheaper than ours. See Europe plans
Exchange rates move, so small gaps of a few percent can flip either way. The larger gaps on 1–20 GB plans hold at any realistic rate.
Paying in dollars vs paying in euros
If your card is in euros, a dollar price is not the whole price. Depending on your bank, a foreign-currency payment can add a transaction fee, and the rate you get is set by your card provider on the day. eSIM Signal shows and charges prices in euros, so the price at checkout is the price on your statement. This matters less if your card has no foreign-transaction fees.
Europe coverage: Nomad vs eSIM Signal
Nomad's Europe plan covers 35 countries, including the UK and Switzerland. eSIM Signal's Europe plan covers 41. Ours also includes Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine, which the Nomad Europe plan we checked does not list. That makes a difference on trips that cross into the Balkans or end in Istanbul. Our guide to one eSIM for all of Europe explains regional plans in more detail.
Nomad unlimited vs eSIM Signal unlimited
The two are close on unlimited data:
- Italy: eSIM Signal was 8% cheaper for 7 days. The 10-day plans cost about the same.
- USA: eSIM Signal was 25% cheaper for 7 days.
- Japan: eSIM Signal was 15% cheaper for 7 days, and our 15-day plan cost 7% less than Nomad's 14-day plan.
- Turkey and Thailand: Nomad's 10-day unlimited plans were cheaper, by about 15% in Turkey and much more in Thailand, where Nomad had a sale price.
Every unlimited travel plan, from either company, has a fair-use policy, so read the daily allowance in the plan details. Our explainer on what unlimited really means covers the details.
Where Nomad is the better choice
- You want to try an eSIM for free. New Nomad users can claim a free 1 GB trial.
- Big plans on sale. Nomad's 50 GB sale plans in the USA and Europe were cheaper than ours.
- Unlimited data for 10 days in Turkey or Thailand.
- You travel to Europe every month and want a subscription like Nomad Pass.
- Refund window. Nomad's policy allows a full refund within 30 days of purchase if the eSIM was not installed or the plan not activated, though it excludes unlimited plans. eSIM Signal refunds before activation within 24 hours of purchase.
Where eSIM Signal is the better choice
- Everyday plan sizes, 1 to 20 GB. Usually 30–55% cheaper.
- Paying in euros. No currency conversion on a euro card.
- Europe trips beyond the EU. Turkey, the Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine on one plan.
- Flexible unlimited lengths. Unlimited plans from 3 to 30 days in our test destinations.
- Families. Up to five eSIMs in one order, each with its own install link.
Nomad vs Airalo vs eSIM Signal
Weighing Nomad against Airalo too? In the same 17 October 2026 check, Nomad's fixed-data plans were cheaper than Airalo's in every destination we compared, at the conversion rate above. eSIM Signal was cheaper than both on most everyday sizes. See our Airalo vs eSIM Signal comparison, and Saily vs eSIM Signal for the NordVPN-made eSIM.
How we compared: we used the public prices on the Nomad and eSIM Signal websites on 17 October 2026, for the same destination, data allowance and validity, converting Nomad's US dollar prices at about 1.15 dollars per euro. Prices and exchange rates change often, so treat the percentages as a snapshot and check the live price before you buy. Nomad is a trademark of its owner. eSIM Signal is not affiliated with Nomad.
Frequently asked questions
Is eSIM Signal cheaper than Nomad eSIM?
Usually, yes. On 17 October 2026, converting Nomad's dollar prices at about 1.15 per euro, eSIM Signal was cheaper in 34 of 38 matching plans across six destinations, typically by 30–55% on 1–20 GB plans. Nomad was cheaper on some 50 GB sale plans and on 10-day unlimited in Turkey and Thailand.
Does Nomad charge in US dollars?
Nomad's website shows its plan prices in US dollars. If you pay with a euro card, your bank converts the amount and may add a foreign-transaction fee. eSIM Signal charges in euros.
Is Nomad a good eSIM provider?
Yes. Nomad is a well-reviewed travel eSIM with wide coverage, a free 1 GB trial for new users and regular sales. On everyday plan sizes it usually costs more than eSIM Signal, and its Europe plan covers fewer countries.
Which is cheaper, Nomad or Airalo?
In our 17 October 2026 check, Nomad's fixed-data plans were cheaper than Airalo's in every destination we compared, after converting dollars to euros. eSIM Signal was cheaper than both on most plans of 1 to 20 GB.
Does Nomad's Europe eSIM cover Turkey?
The Nomad Europe plan we checked lists 35 countries and does not include Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Moldova or Ukraine. eSIM Signal's Europe plan covers 41 countries, including all six.