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Drimsim Review: Thoughts After eSIM Tests Abroad (2025)

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Travel eSIMs make it super easy to stay connected abroad, but not all eSIM companies are created equal.

I’ve put more than 10 companies to the test while traveling across 5 continents in a span of 24 months. 

And in this Drimsim review, I’ll show you how it sizes up against other eSIM brands out there.

Note that Drimsim did not pay me to write this or provide me with free service. I paid out of my own pocket for the sake of science.

Key Takeaways

👉 I tested a Drimsim eSIM abroad and it worked just as intended.

👉 The pay-per-GB model makes it more expensive than other eSIM options (sometimes significantly so).

👉 Their customer service is one of the fastest of the 10 eSIMs I’ve tested.

What is Drimsim?

Drimsim is a bit different than all other eSIMs I’ve tested.

Instead of buying a set amount of international data for a set amount of time, you pay for one eSIM, buy credits, and use them on a pay-per-use system. 

Each country has its own rates for data, and it’s simply deducted from your balance based on how much you use. 

When your balance gets low, you can recharge it — kind of similar to Skype credits for phone calls. 

You pay 10 euros to get the eSIM itself (with no credits) and pay as little as 0.01€ per MB, depending on the country.

Best eSIM for international travelers?

I did a ginormous experiment comparing the most popular travel eSIM companies in the industry.

I share the results of this experiment in my mega comparison of the best eSIMs for international travelers.

But to sum it up:

👉 Holafly is by far the best option for heavy data users who don’t need to tether (use link for discount).

👉 Airalo is a better option for light data users who don’t want unlimited data (use discount code MITCH9827).

👉 Nomad is an alternative to Airalo for light data users, with more plan options in certain regions of the world (use discount code UNTETHER).

Drimsim didn’t make my top 3 list, but there are some scenarios when it would be a useful option, which I’ll cover below.

How to set up Drimsim eSIMs the easy way

Step 1. Go to the Drimsim website, and click on “Order SIM Card”. 

screenshot of drimsim homepage

Step 2. Search for the country where you live (this doesn’t really matter since you’re not going to order a physical SIM).

screenshot of drimsim location options

Step 3. You’ll be directed to a page to purchase a classic SIM card or a regular plastic SIM card, but you can switch to purchasing an eSIM by clicking ‘CHANGE TO ESIM.’

screenshot of drimsim data options

Step 4. Enter your email address where you’ll receive the details to activate your eSIM.

Step 5. Your total will appear. Agree to the terms and conditions then click ‘PAY.’

screenshot of drimsim payment page

Step 6. Enter your card’s details to finalize the payment. 

screenshot of drimsim registration page

Step 7. Follow the instructions in the email you receive to set up your eSIM and top up your balance. 

Drimsim review: How it actually worked

Drimsim worked as expected when I activated it. 

I ran my tests while in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and I had LTE coverage with 20.0 mbps download and 18.2 mbps upload

These are actually the lowest numbers I’ve had among all the eSIMs I’ve tested. 

Overall, Drimsim is a functional eSIM, but it’s not my first choice.

Here are the pros and cons I found during my tests. Let’s start with the cons.

Not newbie-friendly

When you go to the Drimsim website, they don’t explain in detail how it works. This gets confusing if it’s your first time using an eSIM.

I think they should provide a point-by-point tutorial on how to set it up and what to do after.

This is especially true because their pay-per-use model is different than most other popular eSIM companies.

Slowest speed test

Drimsim has the slowest speed test of all eSIMs I’ve tested – something to take note of when looking at your options. 

screenshot of drimsim speedtest result

That said, I was able to do everything I needed to do with these speeds. 

So for most people, it should be fine — especially if you’re just using it in the way I recommend below.

Credits eventually expire

If there is no user activity (internet session) on the activated eSIM for 360 days, your balance will start getting charged 0.5€ each month after that. 

When you reach zero balance, the SIM card will be invalid. 

Drimsim automatically extends service for an additional 360 days if you have activity on your eSIM. So you can just set an alarm every year to switch on your Drimsim eSIM, load a couple webpages, then turn it back off. .

By doing this, you can essentially have international data on your phone forever in case of emergencies. 

That said, there are some things I liked about Drimsim…

Fast customer service response

Drimsim claims that their support team responds instantly in chat, which I had to make sure, of course.

So I sent a message via their app at 4 PM on 1/6/24, and I got a response at around 4:01 PM.

screenshot of drimsim support team contact info

This now ties them with Holafy for the best response time –1 minute.

Fast customer service is super important because if you happen to have issues with your data connection, you don’t want to waste your whole vacation waiting for help to fix it.

Cheap temporary eSIM

If you hold a small balance on your card, this could be a cheaper and more flexible PLAN B alternative than getting a global eSIM. 

You can use it as an emergency data plan – just enough to hold you over in each country you arrive in until you can get a cheaper local eSIM plan with another company. 

You pay GB for GB

When you buy a Drimsim eSIM, you have to buy credits to use it.

You pay GB for GB (technically by MB), and when you do the math, this ends up being more expensive than just buying a larger data package with a different company. 

But it is handy for some uses.

Since the data credits never expire (if you have a little activity each year), it could work perfectly as a “backup” data plan.

For example, if you have a long layover in a country and can’t find wifi, you could just switch on your Drimsim eSIM to hold you over for a few hours (instead of buying like a 7-day plan with another company). 

Rates vary by country, and you can check them all out here

Another reasonably priced Plan B strategy is Airalo’s global eSIM. Their top deal gives you 20GB for $69, covering 127 countries all year long. 

So it’s a bit more expensive than topping up a minimum balance on Drimsim, but it gives you way more data for the year. 

Drimsim eSIM review: Is it worth it?

Drimsim eSIMs are worth it if you just need a temporary eSIM to get you by. 

You can just buy the credits you need without needing to buy a huge data plan that you might not finish. 

It’s good for a backup plan, which is what I used it for. So if that’s what you’re after, you can set it up here.

But it doesn’t make much sense for a primary travel data plan.

For that, check out my recommendations below.

Drimsim alternatives

Out of the 10+ companies I tested, I’d say Drimsim is just below average. 

This is because per MB, it is the most expensive, and the speed tests weren’t that impressive.

Drimsim is a good temporary option. But for regular use, you’ll save more by using other eSIMs that offer better data packages. 

After testing all the most popular eSIMs, I’ve narrowed it down to three favorites — each for different circumstances.

I recommend simply popping a tab open for each of these 3 companies and running a quick search for your destination. Then make your decision based on whichever has a plan that fits your needs the best.

Holafly (extra discount built into this affiliate link) – Best for heavy data users because they are the only company that offers unlimited data plans in many countries. Pretty easy setup, good customer support in multiple languages.

Airalo (Use code MITCH9827 for extra free credit) – Best for light data users who want a cheap small data plan for the basics.

Nomad (Use code UNTETHER for extra free credit) – In some countries, it offers better deals than Airalo. Also has a smooth setup process.

It shouldn’t take more than 2 minutes to compare, and you’ll know exactly which one makes the most sense for your trip.

For a deeper look at each one of these companies, check out the full guides below:

👉 Holafly review

👉 Airalo review

👉 Nomad eSIM review

I am testing new eSIMs all the time, so for my latest findings and comparisons, make sure to subscribe to the Project Untethered Youtube channel!

Mitch's Travel Recommendations:
Travel Planning Resources - Everything you need to plan your trip on one convenient page.
Going Cheap Flights Newsletter - Get flight deals from your airport up to 90% off sent straight to your inbox.
Safetywing Insurance - This cheap travel insurance has saved me over $15,000 in medical bills.
Booking.com - Book accommodation without adding your credit card (in case you need to cancel).
Trusted House Sitters - Take care of pets in exchange for free (sometimes luxury) accommodation.
Flexjobs - Find remote jobs without having to sift through crappy ones.
Skillshare - Free trial to take unlimited classes that teach digital nomad skills.
Wise - Send and receive money abroad cheaply (great for freelancers).

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