Nomad vs Ubigi (2026): prices in 8 countries compared

Ubigi is cheaper than Nomad for about 10GB in 6 of the 8 countries we checked, often by a lot (Italy: $9 against $18.50). The catch is validity: most of those Ubigi plans last 7 days, while Nomad's 10GB plans last 30. Nomad is cheaper in the USA ($10.40) and Mexico ($15.50), and its unlimited weeks are cheaper in the USA, Thailand and Mexico. Ubigi is the better pick for short trips and laptop users; Nomad is simpler for a 2 to 4-week stay.

A note on names: "Nomad" here is Nomad eSIM (nomadesim.com, also getnomad.app), run by LotusFlare in California. It is not NomadGB, the brand that publishes this page. We sell eSIMs too and include our own prices at the end.

How we compared: we read prices on Nomad's and Ubigi's own websites on 13 November 2026 for 8 popular destinations, using the plan closest to 10GB and the cheapest "unlimited" plan around a week. We also read each company's refund policy, features and Trustpilot score on the same day.

Nomad vs Ubigi: prices in 8 countries (November 2026)

Destination	Nomad ~10GB	Ubigi ~10GB	Nomad unlimited/daily	Ubigi unlimited/daily
Japan	$16.00 (10GB, 30d)	$14.00 (10GB, 7d)	$25.00 / 7 days (2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps)	$25.00 / 8 days (5GB a day at full speed, then 2 Mbps)
Europe	$23.00 (10GB, 30d)	$12.00 (10GB, 7d)	$19.00 / 5 days (2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps)	$23.00 / 7 days (25GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps)
USA	$10.40 (10GB, 30d)	$12.00 (10GB, 7d)	$19.00 / 7 days (2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps)	$23.00 / 7 days (25GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps)
Thailand	$10.00 (10GB, 30d)	$9.00 (10GB, 7d)	$15.00 / 7 days (2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps)	$22.00 / 7 days (25GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps)
Mexico	$15.50 (10GB, 30d)	$22.00 (10GB, 7d)	$22.00 / 7 days (2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps)	$36.00 / 7 days (20GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps)
Italy	$18.50 (10GB, 30d)	$9.00 (10GB, 8d)	$25.00 / 7 days (2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps)	$19.00 / 7 days (5GB a day at full speed, then 2 Mbps)
UK	$17.50 (10GB, 30d)	$9.00 (10GB, 7d)	$25.00 / 7 days (2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps)	$21.00 / 7 days (25GB at full speed, then 2 Mbps)
Turkey	$13.00 (10GB, 30d)	$11.00 (10GB, 7d)	$17.00 / 5 days (2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps)	$22.00 / 7 days (5GB a day at full speed, then 2 Mbps)

The two "unlimited" models are different. Nomad gives 2GB a day at full speed, then 1 Mbps. Ubigi gives 5GB a day at full speed in Japan, Italy and Turkey, and a total amount for the whole plan elsewhere (20GB or 25GB in this table), then 2 Mbps. Ubigi's total-amount plans suit uneven use; Nomad's suit steady daily use. In Japan, Italy and Turkey, Ubigi's 5GB a day is more fast data than Nomad's 2GB a day.

Features side by side

	Nomad	Ubigi	Yesim
Company	LotusFlare, Santa Clara, California, since 2020	Transatel, part of NTT Group, Paris, eSIM since 2017	Genesis Group AG, Switzerland
Typical 10GB validity	30 days	7 or 8 days for the cheapest; 30-day versions cost more	not checked
Unlimited plans	2GB a day at full speed	5GB a day or a fixed total at full speed, by country, then 2 Mbps	Day passes in some countries
Hotspot	Supported	Allowed, per its plan pages	Hotspot sharing advertised
Devices	Phones	Phones, tablets and Windows laptops with eSIM	not checked
Refunds	Within 30 days; full if not installed or activated; card or Nomad Points; unlimited plans excluded	Only for unused plans; request within 14 business days for recharges; paid back to card within 10 business days	not checked
Trustpilot (13 Nov 2026)	4.3 from 48,541 reviews	4.2 from 51,556 reviews	not checked
Prices	in table	in table	not checked

Where Ubigi wins

• Price for about 10GB in Europe, the UK, Italy, Thailand, Japan and Turkey. Europe is the biggest gap: $12 against $23.
• Unlimited weeks in Europe, the UK and Italy, and big full-speed totals (25GB) in several countries.
• Laptops and tablets. Ubigi has setup guides for iPads and Windows 11 laptops, which helps remote workers.
• Hotspot is allowed on its plans, per Ubigi's plan pages.
• Telecom backing. Ubigi is run by Transatel, a mobile operator owned by NTT.

Where Nomad wins

• 30-day validity at a low price. For a 2 to 4-week trip, Nomad's 10GB plans need no top-up or second purchase.
• USA and Mexico. Nomad is cheaper for 10GB ($10.40 and $15.50) and for an unlimited week.
• Cheaper unlimited weeks in the USA, Thailand and Mexico, with a steady 2GB a day.
• Partial refund chance. Nomad may give a partial refund on an activated plan after a verified fault; Ubigi refunds only unused plans.

App and reviews

Trustpilot reviewers praise both for easy setup. Ubigi's common complaints include drops in rural areas and subways, unclear plan details on the website and unfavorable currency conversion. Nomad's include coverage gaps in some countries and confusion when switching plans.

A third option: NomadGB

Our plans are 30-day by default, like Nomad's. For 10GB valid 30 days we charge $7.49 in Japan, $9.49 in the USA, $7.49 in Thailand, $6.49 in Italy, $6.49 in the UK and $4.99 in Turkey. That is below Nomad in those six places, and below Ubigi's 7-day price in Japan, the USA, Thailand, Italy, the UK and Turkey while lasting 30 days. Where we lose: Mexico ($18.49, above Nomad's $15.50) and Europe ($23.49, well above Ubigi's $12 for 7 days). Our daily plans are capped too. See our Turkey eSIM or USA eSIM.

Which one should you pick?

• One week or less: Ubigi, cheaper in most countries.
• 2 to 4 weeks with 10GB: Nomad, for 30-day validity at a fair price.
• Europe: Ubigi, by a wide margin.
• USA or Mexico: Nomad.
• Laptop or tablet with eSIM: Ubigi.
• Uneven data use (some heavy days): Ubigi's total-allowance unlimited plans, in Europe, the USA, Thailand, the UK or Mexico.

Sources: Nomad Japan (13 Nov 2026), Ubigi plans (13 Nov 2026), Ubigi refund help page (13 Nov 2026), About Ubigi (13 Nov 2026), Nomad refund policy (13 Nov 2026), Nomad company facts (13 Nov 2026), Ubigi on Trustpilot (13 Nov 2026), Nomad on Trustpilot (13 Nov 2026), Yesim (13 Nov 2026). Prices checked 13 November 2026.