For mainland China, price is only half the decision. A plan also needs to be clear about Google, WhatsApp, Gmail and social-media access, because these services are normally restricted on local connections.
China eSIM comparison at a glance
Prices below were checked on official provider pages on 19 July 2026. Promotions and checkout currencies can change.
| Provider | Useful price example | Best for | Blocked-app information | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 3 GB / 7 days — US$10.50; unlimited / 7 days — US$27.00 | Best overall balance | Officially says Google, WhatsApp and social apps work without a separate VPN | Allowed |
| Holafly | Unlimited / 7 days — US$27.50 | Simple unlimited plan | Official guidance says the China eSIM includes an integrated VPN | 1 GB/day |
| Saily | 1 GB / 7 days — US$4.49; 10 GB / 30 days — US$26.99 | Low-data trips | No explicit blocked-app guarantee verified; install before travel because the app may be restricted in China | Unlimited sharing advertised |
| Maya Mobile | Unlimited / 7 days — US$19.99 | Cheapest verified 7-day unlimited plan | No explicit bypass or integrated-VPN statement verified | Included for normal personal use |
| Yesim | 1 GB / 30 days — US$3.36; unlimited / 7 days — US$28.80 | Cheapest small plan with explicit VPN | Built-in VPN; WhatsApp, TikTok and other services are explicitly advertised as unrestricted | Included |
These are not identical products. “Unlimited” can still include speed management, and a low fixed-data price may be more useful than unlimited data if you mainly need maps and messages.
The China-specific issue: blocked apps
Airalo, Holafly and Yesim make a clear, provider-specific statement about unrestricted access. Airalo says its international data routing avoids the need for a separate VPN. Holafly says its China eSIM has an integrated VPN. Yesim advertises a built-in VPN on the China plan.
We could not verify the same promise on the current Maya or Saily China product pages. That does not prove the apps will fail; it means the provider has not made the same explicit public commitment we could cite. If Google Maps, Gmail, Slack or WhatsApp is essential, choose a plan with a written statement and keep an offline backup.
Which plan should you choose?
Airalo: the most balanced option
Airalo uses China Unicom as its primary network. Fixed packages start at US$4 for 1 GB over 3 days, while the 7-day options include 3 GB for US$10.50, 5 GB for US$14.50 and 10 GB for US$24.50. Unlimited data costs US$27 for 7 days.
Its unlimited policy normally gives 3 GB at high speed per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps until the next reset. Personal hotspot use is allowed.
Holafly: unlimited data with a clear China setup
Holafly connects through CMCC and sells unlimited plans from 1 to 90 days. Verified examples include US$27.50 for 7 days, US$50.50 for 15 days and US$73.90 for 30 days. The China plan allows 1 GB of hotspot data per day and is data-only.
Holafly does not publish a numeric fair-use threshold on the destination page. It says an operator may temporarily reduce speed for no more than one day.
Yesim: strong value for light use
Yesim lists 1 GB for 30 days at US$3.36, 5 GB at US$13.20 and 10 GB at US$22.80. It also has unlimited plans. Its China page explicitly includes a built-in VPN and hotspot mode, which makes the small fixed packages particularly attractive for maps, messaging and transport apps.
Saily and Maya: good prices, one China caveat
Saily is competitive for fixed data and activates automatically on arrival. Its site warns that the Saily app may be hard to access in China, so install the eSIM and save the instructions before departure. Maya’s global unlimited plan is the cheapest verified 7-day unlimited option in this comparison and includes hotspot use. Maya’s product page says “no throttling”, but its official fair-use help says speed may be reduced after 3 GB in a day; check the checkout terms. Neither current product page gave us a sufficiently explicit blocked-app guarantee.
Install before you fly
- Check that the exact phone model supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Many phones made for sale in mainland China do not support eSIM, even when the international version does.
- Buy and install the eSIM on reliable Wi-Fi before departure. Save the QR code, APN and support instructions offline.
- On arrival, select the travel eSIM for mobile data and enable data roaming on that line. Disable data roaming on your home SIM.
- Test the apps you need while still connected to airport Wi-Fi. Download offline maps and translate key addresses in advance.
China-only plans do not automatically cover Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan. If your route includes them, check a regional plan or buy separate coverage.
China eSIM FAQ
Do I need a VPN with a China eSIM?
It depends on the provider. Airalo says no separate VPN is needed, while Holafly and Yesim advertise an integrated or built-in VPN. We did not find the same explicit promise for Saily or Maya during this review.
Can I call or receive SMS?
The compared destination plans are primarily data plans and do not include a Chinese phone number. Use data-based calling apps when available, or keep your primary SIM enabled for essential SMS after checking roaming fees. Do not rely on a travel data eSIM for emergency calls.
Is unlimited data really unlimited?
The connection is not usually cut off, but speed can be reduced after a daily threshold or under network fair-use rules. Airalo publishes 3 GB of high-speed data per 24 hours on its default unlimited policy; Saily describes 5 GB per day before reduced speed. Holafly and Yesim do not publish a China-specific numeric threshold on the destination pages we reviewed.
Continue planning with our Japan eSIM guide, Thailand eSIM guide and plain-English eSIM explainer.