HelloRoam is a global eSIM provider offering instant mobile data in 175+ countries. Buy prepaid travel eSIM plans with no extra fees, no contracts, and instant activation on any eSIM-compatible device.
Local eSIM plans for 175+ destinations. From R 26,51. No SIM swaps, no Vodacom roaming bills.
HelloRoam local eSIM plans are available online in about 5 minutes. Search your destination on the HelloRoam catalogue, pick a fixed data plan (3GB to 20GB) or an unlimited daily plan, pay with Apple Pay, PayPal, Visa, or Mastercard, and your QR code arrives by email. No SIM card hunt needed, no trip to a Vodacom or MTN store. Popular local eSIM picks for SA travellers include the UK, UAE, Australia, Japan, and Mexico. eSIM Mexico covers Telcel and AT&T MX networks. For Southeast Asia, HelloRoam also covers Myanmar with local network access.
eSIM is safe for banking. The GSMA, which sets global eSIM standards, requires end-to-end encryption for all eSIM profile downloads. HelloRoam eSIMs use the same security framework as physical SIM cards. Your banking app runs identically on an eSIM connection as it does on any other mobile network, whether you use Absa, FNB, or Standard Bank abroad.
Local eSIM plans have three practical limits. First, a local plan covers only one country, so you need a separate plan for each destination. Second, an eSIM is not transferable between devices once installed, so confirm you are buying for the right phone. Third, eSIM is not supported on phones made before 2018. For South African travellers visiting a single country like Australia, the UAE, or Mauritius, HelloRoam local plans are the most straightforward option.
An e SIM card for international travel is a digital SIM built into your phone that you activate with a QR code before your flight departs from O.R. Tambo or Cape Town International. HelloRoam local eSIM plans connect to local networks across 175+ countries, giving you local data rates instead of paying Vodacom or MTN international roaming fees. Popular plans include eSIM Australia (skip the Australia SIM card kiosk at Sydney Airport), eSIM New Zealand (New Zealand SIM card alternative via QR code), and eSIM Netherlands for Amsterdam and beyond. Plans start from R 26,51 per day.
eSIM has 2 key disadvantages. First, an eSIM stays locked to the first device after installation. Moving it to another phone means contacting HelloRoam support for a replacement QR code. Second, eSIM only works on unlocked, eSIM-compatible handsets. iPhone XR and older models, plus many budget Android devices, do not have eSIM hardware built in.
HelloRoam covers 175+ countries through 145+ partner networks, with plans from R 26,51 per day. Country plans cover one destination, regional plans span multiple countries, and global plans reach 100-plus destinations. Support runs 24/7. For South African travellers heading to the UK, Australia, Dubai, Mauritius, or Thailand, HelloRoam delivers local data rates and real savings over Vodacom or MTN international roaming (as of April 2026).
Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models support eSIM, as do the Galaxy Note 20 and Z Fold series. Older Samsung handsets and some budget A-series devices lack eSIM hardware. To check your phone, open Settings, tap Connections, then SIM manager. If 'Add eSIM' or 'Add mobile plan' appears, your device is compatible.
Local country eSIM plans are one of the best tools for international travel. You buy and install a HelloRoam plan before you leave from O.R. Tambo or Cape Town, skip the SIM kiosk queue at the destination airport, and connect to local networks the moment you land. HelloRoam local plans save you up to 77% compared to standard Vodacom or MTN international roaming rates.
HelloRoam does not offer top-ups on active eSIM plans. When you run out of data, purchase a new plan for the same destination from your HelloRoam account dashboard. The new plan loads onto your existing eSIM profile with no SIM swap needed. Fixed plans (3GB to 20GB) cover most holidays. Unlimited plans remove the worry of running out of data entirely.
A local eSIM connects to carrier towers the same way a physical SIM does, so standard network-based location tracking applies. HelloRoam does not sell or share your location data with third parties. If you want extra privacy while travelling, add a VPN app alongside your HelloRoam eSIM connection.
HelloRoam sells eSIM plans that include data for a specific country or region. Every plan comes with a QR code, a data allowance, and a validity window. You cannot purchase an eSIM profile without a data plan attached. Plans start from R 26,51 per day, with options from 3GB for 12 days up to unlimited daily data.
HelloRoam eSIM plans install alongside your existing physical SIM, not instead of it. Your Vodacom, MTN, or Cell C SIM stays in your phone for local calls and texts. The HelloRoam e-sim runs on a separate digital line and handles your international data. On iPhone XS and later, both lines work at the same time with no SIM swap needed.
Buy, activate, and track your eSIMs from any device, on any trip abroad.
