For most United Kingdom trips, a fixed 5–20 GB plan offers the clearest price comparison. Unlimited data becomes more useful for remote work, frequent video or tethering, but the hotspot, fair-use and renewal rules matter as much as the headline price.
Quick verdict
- Best checked 20 GB price: Yesim at a promotional $24 for 30 days. Saily displayed $30.99, and Airalo was close at $31.
- Best checked seven-day unlimited price: Maya at $19.99. Its plan renews automatically while Travel Mode remains on, so turn that mode off after the trip.
- Best for disclosed United Kingdom networks: Holafly names Orange UK, T-Mobile UK, H3G UK, Virgin Media O2 UK and Vodafone UK. Airalo names EE as its primary network.
- Best for clear hotspot terms: Holafly publishes a 1 GB/day sharing limit. Saily states unlimited hotspot access, while Maya says hotspot is included.
United Kingdom eSIM prices compared
| Provider | Useful verified plan | Network / speed | Hotspot | Condition to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 20 GB / 30 days — $31 | EE | Not verified | Fixed allowance; top up if eligible |
| Holafly | Unlimited / 7 days — $27.50 | Five listed networks; 5G/4G/LTE | 1 GB/day | Fair-use slowdown possible; threshold not stated |
| Saily | 20 GB / 30 days — $30.99 | Local partner not named, 3G–5G | Stated as unlimited | May auto-activate after a 30-day window if unused |
| Maya | Unlimited / 7 days — $19.99 | Strongest available local network, 5G/4G | Included | Auto-renews while Travel Mode is on |
| Yesim | 20 GB / 30 days — $24 promotional | Automatic partner selection, including 5G | Depends on operator | Promotional price; operator fair-use rules apply |
The table uses representative plans rather than every duration. Airalo displayed fixed packages from 1 GB to 50 GB and unlimited durations from 3 to 30 days. Holafly sold unlimited durations, Saily listed fixed plans from 1 GB to 20 GB plus an unlimited selector, Maya offered unlimited durations, and Yesim combined fixed and unlimited options. Recheck the final currency and price before paying.
Choose by how you will use data
For a short break built around maps, transport apps, messaging and light browsing, compare 3–5 GB packages. Airalo displayed 3 GB for seven days at $9 and 5 GB for $12. Saily’s entry package was 1 GB for seven days at $4.49, while Yesim showed a promotional 1 GB/30-day price of $2.76.
For a longer stay with daily browsing, photo uploads and occasional video, compare 10–20 GB. Yesim had the lowest checked 20 GB price, but it was promotional. Saily and Airalo were almost tied at $30.99 and $31 respectively, so compare their live checkout terms as well as the one-cent price difference.
For remote work, streaming or frequent laptop tethering, the unlimited label is only part of the decision. Maya had the lowest checked seven-day price and currently claims no caps or throttling, but that is the supplier’s published claim and the plan auto-renews while Travel Mode is on. Airalo reduces its unlimited plan to up to 1 Mbps after 3 GB in a day. Holafly limits hotspot sharing to 1 GB/day and may apply a temporary fair-use slowdown.
Networks, hotspot and calls
Airalo names EE as its primary network. Holafly lists Orange UK, T-Mobile UK, H3G UK, Virgin Media O2 UK and Vodafone UK. Saily says it uses local providers without naming one on its destination page, while Maya describes strongest-network selection and Yesim automatically selects an available partner network.
The compared travel plans are primarily data services. Do not assume that they include a United Kingdom mobile number for ordinary calls or SMS. Saily separately offers an optional United States number with minutes and texts, but that is not a local UK number. You can keep your normal SIM active for your number or use internet calling apps; disable data roaming on the home SIM if you do not want it to use mobile data abroad.
Hotspot rules differ. Holafly allows 1 GB/day, Saily states unlimited hotspot access, Maya says hotspot is included, and Yesim makes tethering dependent on the selected operator. Airalo’s destination page did not provide a hotspot limit in the checked text.
Install before landing
Check that your exact phone model supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Install over reliable Wi-Fi before departure, save the QR code or manual details offline, and label the line “United Kingdom” in your settings.
After arrival, choose the travel eSIM for mobile data and enable data roaming on that line. Airalo and Holafly begin validity when the eSIM connects to a supported United Kingdom network. Saily can activate automatically on arrival but also states a 30-day activation window. Yesim allows activation within 180 days of purchase. Maya activates on demand in its app. Follow the current confirmation screen before enabling a plan.
Airalo’s listed United Kingdom coverage includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but excludes Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Check separate coverage before travelling to those islands.
FAQ
Can I keep my normal number in the United Kingdom?
Yes. On a dual-SIM phone, keep your primary SIM enabled for calls and messages and set the eSIM as the mobile-data line. Check what your home carrier charges for calls and SMS abroad.
Which provider had the lowest checked 20 GB price?
Yesim displayed 20 GB for 30 days at a promotional $24. Saily was $30.99 and Airalo was $31 for comparable 30-day allowances. Because the Yesim price was promotional, verify it again at checkout.
Is unlimited data really unlimited?
It can mean unlimited total data without guaranteeing unrestricted full speed. Airalo states a 1 Mbps rate after 3 GB in a day, Holafly and Yesim disclose possible fair-use restrictions, and Saily did not publish a numerical threshold in the checked destination-page text. Maya currently claims no caps or throttling; treat that as its supplier claim and confirm the live terms before purchase.
Planning another trip?
Compare our France eSIM guide, Spain eSIM guide, or Italy eSIM guide. If this is your first digital SIM, start with what an eSIM is and check phone compatibility.