I switched a visiting friend over to an eSIM last year purely to avoid the airport SIM card queue, and honestly it worked better than I expected. There are now a handful of decent apps for this, and they’re not all the same.
Quick answer: Airalo and Holafly are the two most popular eSIM apps for visitors to Australia. Airalo is cheaper and pay-as-you-go by data amount, while Holafly offers unlimited data plans at a flat price. Both let you activate before you land.
Why an eSIM Instead of a Physical SIM
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into most phones made in the last few years, activated by scanning a QR code rather than inserting a physical card. The main advantage for travellers is timing, you can buy and activate a plan before you even board your flight, so you land in Australia with data already working instead of hunting for a SIM kiosk with a flat phone battery and no local currency.
Airalo
Airalo is generally the cheapest option and works on a straightforward pay-per-data-amount model. You pick a data allowance (say, 10GB or 20GB) for a set number of days, rather than paying for unlimited data you might not use. It’s a solid choice if you’re a light-to-moderate data user relying mostly on maps and messaging.
Holafly
Holafly’s main selling point is unlimited data at a flat price for the length of your trip, no need to think about running out. It tends to cost more than Airalo for shorter trips, but can work out better value if you’re planning to stream video or use a lot of data daily.
Other Options Worth Knowing About
- Truphone and GigSky offer similar eSIM plans with slightly different regional coverage and pricing structures, worth a quick compare if the big two don’t suit
- Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone also offer their own eSIM options once you’re in Australia, sometimes with better local network reliability than international resellers, since they’re running on the actual local network rather than reselling access
What to Check Before You Buy
- Phone compatibility. Most iPhones from XS onward and recent flagship Android phones support eSIM, but check your specific model before paying, since it’s usually non-refundable once activated
- Which network it actually runs on. Most eSIM resellers use Telstra or Optus’s network under the hood, coverage in regional areas can vary depending on which one
- Whether you need a local number. Some eSIM plans are data-only, which is fine for maps and messaging apps but won’t give you an Australian phone number for things like two-factor authentication on local services
Since coverage depends on the underlying network rather than the app’s brand name, it’s worth checking the actual coverage before you rely on it outside major cities. As of mid-2026, ACMA requires telcos to publish standardised, more accurate coverage maps than before, if your trip includes regional driving or national parks, check the map for whichever network (Telstra or Optus) your eSIM plan resells before you land.
Source: Department of Infrastructure – National Audit of Mobile Coverage.
Our Take
For a short trip (1-2 weeks) sticking to cities, Airalo’s cheaper data-based plans are usually the more cost-effective choice. For longer trips or if you know you’ll be streaming and uploading a lot of content, Holafly’s unlimited option removes the need to think about it. Either way, activating before you land beats queuing at the airport. For more on SIM options including physical cards, see our full guide to SIM cards and eSIMs for Australia.
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*This article is for general informational purposes only. Pricing and plan details for third-party services change regularly, always check the provider’s current offer before purchasing.*
Comparing the Main eSIM Apps
| App | Typical price (7-day, 5GB, AU) | Coverage network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | ~$15-20 | Partner networks (varies by plan) | Large plan library, easy app-based top-ups |
| Holafly | ~$25-35 (often unlimited data) | Partner networks | Unlimited-data plans, generally pricier per GB for light users |
| Telstra/Optus prepaid eSIM | ~$20-40 | Telstra/Optus native network | Best actual coverage in regional areas since it’s the real local network, not a roaming partner |
Setting It Up Before You Land
eSIMs can be purchased and installed before you fly, but most only activate once they detect you’re in Australia (or on manual activation). Install the eSIM profile over wifi before departure, then activate it after landing to avoid burning data on the wrong network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most phones from the last 4-5 years do (iPhone XS onward, most recent Samsung/Google Pixel models), but always check your specific model before buying.
Is a physical SIM ever better than an eSIM in Australia?
For regional/remote travel, a physical SIM on Telstra’s network (the widest regional coverage) often beats an eSIM roaming on a partner network — see our regional SIM coverage guide if that’s a priority.
Can I use an eSIM and my home SIM at the same time?
Yes, most eSIM-compatible phones support dual SIM, so you can keep your home number active for calls/texts while using the eSIM for data.
If you need more data specifically for remote work rather than everyday browsing, our guide to the best data SIM plans for remote work in Australia covers plans built for heavier use.