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China eSIM · 2026 Comparison

Compare trusted
China eSIMs for
your trip.

The right eSIM is not always the cheapest. Compare Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily and Trip.com by app experience, data rules, hotspot support and price.

✓ No VPN needed ✓ Works on arrival ✓ Google · WhatsApp · ChatGPT
Best fit by traveler priority
Airalo Easy app & support
Holafly Unlimited data
Nomad Flexible plans
Saily Security features
Trip.com Lowest-cost pick
Price matters — but so do setup, support and plan limits
Plan calculator

Tell us about your trip —
we'll find your best plan.

Answer two questions. We'll show a mainstream easy choice, a flexible alternative and a budget option.

Step 1 of 2
How long is your trip?
days in China
Step 2 of 2
How do you use your phone?
Your recommendation
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See plan →
Matching options — compare fit and price
Full comparison

Every plan, every provider.

Filter by plan type. Green marks the lowest listed price; it does not mean that provider is the best fit for every traveler.

ℹ️
Do not choose on price alone. Airalo is familiar and app-led, Holafly focuses on unlimited data, Nomad offers flexible plans, Saily adds security features, and Trip.com is the budget pick. Check hotspot and fair-use rules before buying. Compare the trade-offs below →
PlanTrip.comNomadAiraloSailyYesim
1GB · 7 daysspeed drops after limit—$4.00cheapest
Nomad ↗		—$4.49
Saily ↗		—
3GB · 30 daysspeed drops after limit—$7.00cheapest
Nomad ↗		—$10.99
Saily ↗		—
5GB · 7 daysspeed drops after limit$2.90cheapest
Buy on Trip.com ↗		—$14.50——
5GB · 30 daysspeed drops after limit$3.68cheapest
Buy on Trip.com ↗		$10.00
Nomad ↗		$15.50
Airalo ↗		$15.99
Saily ↗		—
10GB · 7 daysspeed drops after limit$5.32cheapest
Buy on Trip.com ↗		—$24.50
Airalo ↗		——
10GB · 30 daysspeed drops after limit$6.00cheapest
Buy on Trip.com ↗		$12.00
Nomad ↗		$26.50
Airalo ↗		$26.99
Saily ↗		$22.80
Yesim ↗
20GB · 30 daysspeed drops after limit$10.57cheapest
Buy on Trip.com ↗		$20.00
Nomad ↗		$40.00
Airalo ↗		$39.99
Saily ↗		$31.20
Yesim ↗
50GB · 30 daysspeed drops after limit$26.03cheapest
Buy on Trip.com ↗		$35.00
Nomad ↗		$49.00
Airalo ↗		——

Affiliate disclosure: Trip.com, Airalo and Saily links may earn us a commission. Recommendation order is based on use case, not commission.

How Trip.com eSIM handles blocked apps

Smart IP routing —
Chinese and foreign apps both work.

Trip.com's eSIM automatically switches IP address depending on which app you're using. You don't need to configure anything.

🇭🇰
Hong Kong IP
For apps developed in Mainland China
💚 WeChat 💳 Alipay 🚕 DiDi 🗺️ Amap 🛒 Taobao 🎵 Douyin

Hong Kong IP ensures Chinese apps work correctly with local services and payment systems.

🇸🇬
Singapore IP
For apps developed outside Mainland China
🔍 Google 💬 WhatsApp 📸 Instagram 🤖 ChatGPT ▶️ YouTube 📘 Facebook

Singapore IP gives you clean access to all blocked international services — no VPN needed.

How to set it up

Three steps. Done before you land.

Install at home, activate on arrival. The firewall never gets a chance to interfere.

📱
1
Before you book
Check compatibility
iPhone XS+, Pixel 3+, Samsung S20+ global. Settings → Mobile Data → "Add eSIM" = you're good.
📧
2
Before departure
Buy & scan QR at home
Purchase online, receive QR by email. Scan in Settings. Installs silently — your home SIM keeps working.
✈️
3
On arrival
Enable roaming, done
Settings → Mobile Data → enable China eSIM → turn on Data Roaming. Once online, make a small Alipay payment before a time-sensitive situation. Prepare Alipay and WeChat Pay →
Before you buy

Things to know upfront.

Trip.com's product details, translated into plain English.

🎵
TikTok support
iOS users can use the TikTok app and web. Android users can only access TikTok via browser — the app isn't supported.
⚠ Provider may suspend TikTok support without notice.
📶
Fair use policy
Daily 3GB plans give 3GB of high-speed data per day, then reduce to 384kbps. Heavy hotspot use or prolonged streaming may trigger throttling.
⚠ Turn off your domestic SIM's roaming to avoid surprise charges.
💰
Refund policy
Free cancellation before the expiry date. Once activated, no refund is available. Partial refunds are not offered.
⚠ Don't activate until you land in China.
🔄
Reinstallation
The eSIM can be deleted and reinstalled up to 10 times on the same device within the validity period. Cannot be transferred to another device.
💻
Hotspot / tethering
Hotspot sharing is supported. You can share the connection with a laptop. Subject to fair use policy — sustained heavy tethering may be throttled.
📊
Check your usage
Monitor data usage via your Trip.com order page or the usage checker link in your PDF voucher. Useful for longer trips.
FAQ

China eSIM questions

For many short trips, Trip.com fixed-GB plans are the cheapest in the comparison. The best choice depends on trip length and data usage.
Usually no. Travel eSIM roaming commonly routes traffic through Hong Kong or Singapore, which lets Google, WhatsApp, TikTok and ChatGPT work without a VPN app.
Fixed GB is usually cheaper for light or normal travelers. Unlimited plans make sense if you stream heavily or need predictable high usage.
Install before departure while you still have reliable internet. Activate roaming after landing unless your provider gives different instructions.

Phone doesn't support eSIM?
Here's your backup plan.

If your device can't install an eSIM, a VPN is your next option. Read our honest breakdown of what actually works in China in 2026 — before you pay for something that won't connect.

Read the 2026 VPN reality check →