In 2025, eSIM will be the best solution for staying connected abroad. Using a built-in chip in your device, eSIM providers connect you to the Internet and cell data all over the world, including Taiwan. This land of technologies is a popular destination among business travelers, engineers, freelancers, and curious tourists. During the stay, you may need to chat with friends and family, use cards for the most popular destinations, and complete work tasks. 2024
Table of Contents
- How Does eSIM Work?
- Yesim: The Best Unlimited Connection
- Holafly: Plan Customization
- Saily: Budget-Friendly Trip
- Instabridge: Data-Saving Features
- Buy eSIM for Several Destinations at Once
- Compare the Best Providers
- Final Thoughts
If you need a stable connection during your stay in Taiwan, take a look at this comparison of the best eSIM for Taiwan. You’ll discover how this technology works, and what are the best data providers on the market.
How Does eSIM Work?
The word “eSIM” stands for “embedded SIM”. Indeed, this is an analog of a traditional SIM solution that requires a card slot in your device. eSIM uses a chip in your smartphone to install the cell data plan and use the local Internet. You receive a bunch of advantages:
- avoid roaming fees and pay for the Internet as a local;
- pay for the amount of data you actually use;
- select any plan duration, starting from a single day;
- receive an additional layer of cybersecurity, as no one can access your data plan.
Finally, activate an eSIM and use the plan the moment you need it. eSIM can be installed and activated in advance. Arriving in Taiwan, you simply turn it on.
Why Do You Need an eSIM for Taiwan Specifically?
Taiwan has one of the highest roaming costs in the world. Here, a single GB of the Internet starts from $2. Some providers have even higher prices. A minute of phone call will cost you from $1 – and these are the best conditions.
Meanwhile, you should not count on free Wi-Fi. Indeed, many places in the country offer free connections, but it is not fully protected. Plus, you may need phone calls and SMS apart from the Internet. All these factors make eSIM a superb solution. Take a look at the best providers for international trips, including Taiwan.
Yesim: The Best Unlimited Connection
Yesim company uses the Chunghwa Telecom as the fastest cell data provider in the country. To access the 5G Internet, choose one of 8 plans:
Unlimited connection | Prepaid connection |
---|---|
$7.70 per day;$24 per 7 days;$46 per 15 days;$59 per 30 days. | $12 for 3 GB (a week)$18.7 per 5 GB (15 days)$25 for 10 GB (a month);$39.6 for 20 GB (a month). |
Plans with unlimited connections are the most beneficial, especially if you buy a 30-day connection. In this case, you give only $2 per day.
A good feature of Yesim is postponed activation. You can buy a discounted plan and activate it within 365 after the purchase. Simply store the tariff in your application. The app is also suited for quick activation. Instead of scanning QR codes and entering your tariff specs manually, just install the new eSIM via the app.
What Do Clients Say About Yesim?
You won’t find reviews about the connection in Taiwan. Users have already tried these plans, but no one left reviews yet. However, feedback about connections in Asia is overall positive. Clients are happy to use 5G and receive timely assistance through support channels. You may be one of the first to try and leave your feedback about Yesim’s quality in Taiwan.
Holafly: Plan Customization
The company has a convenient approach to tariffs. First, all plans are unlimited to the number of gigabytes. You pay for the number of days and receive unlimited connection during the whole stay. This feature, however, has a pitfall. Holafly limits users to 500 MB of hot-spotting during the day. Otherwise, you may overuse the unlimited connection feature.
Secondly, you manually select the number of days in your plan. While a single day of unlimited connection in Taiwan costs $5.9, the price lowers with each added day.
Additionally, choose the number of days within your tariff. Yes, you can activate the same Holafly plan on several devices and use it simultaneously. This is a unique feature that makes Holafly the best eSIM for freelancers and business travelers with laptops.
Note that phone calls are not available, and you cannot purchase a virtual number. If you need phone calls and SMS options, cater to Yesim.
Customer Reviews about Holafly
Overall, feedback about trips to Asia is positive. Most countries, including Taiwan, support 5. Yet, exceptions happen, and some users cannot connect upon arrival. Be ready for possible complications if you buy a regional plan that covers several Asian countries. Sometimes, Holafly cannot switch from Chinese/other network to Taiwan.
Saily: Budget-Friendly Trip
Taiwan is an expensive country overall, and you hardly want to overspend for connection. Saily was created for cost-effective trips. You won’t be using 5G all the time, but the Internet is enough to chat and post on social media.
The provider has few details about your tariff in Taiwan. According to Saily, you’ll be using several local providers to ensure the best speed. Yet, their titles are not specified. The hotspot is unlimited, but you cannot make calls and send SMS. All the tariffs are pre-paid, so you pay for the number of GB in your offer.
Prices, nonetheless, are amazing. While a 1-GB plan is a little overpriced ($4), the long-term offer costs only $28. At this price, you receive 20 GB of connection for a month. Plan activation is also easy and beginner-friendly. You only need to download the app, log in, and automatically install your data plan. According to customers, the support team is always available, so you may ask questions.
Real Feedback about Saily eSIM
Most probably, you’ll be connected to 4G. Sometimes, the Internet slows down or disconnects, especially when you come from one destination to another. Yet, there are no critical issues, and most clients are satisfied with the Internet in Taiwan.
Instabridge: Data-Saving Features
Instabridge is another provider with pre-paid plans and no phone calls. Yet, it offers stable and secure connections in Taiwan and 190+ other regions. The company doesn’t say a lot about connection type, speed, and used providers. Yet, this is a convenient one-tap way to buy and activate mobile Internet. Additionally, Instabridge offers its own mobile browser with data-saving options, GPS, and a map of free Wi-Fi all over the world, including Taiwan.
The pricing model is clear as you pay for gigabytes:
- 1 GB for $2 (7 days);
- 3 GB for $4.5 (15 days);
- 10 GB for $13 (30 days);
- 20 GB for $21 (30 days).
The company helps developing nations. For each purchased GB, Instabridge gives one free GB of connection for users in developing countries. For customers, this is a way to take part in the charity program.
What do Clients Say About Instabridge?
Although you won’t find reviews at Trustpilot, you can see the feedback from other sources. According to Reddit, this provider offers an average connection at an average price. The Internet is available most of the time, even though 5G is a rare option. After spending all the Internet, Instabridge will support a 2G connection for some period for you to top the balance up.
Buy eSIM for Several Destinations at Once
All providers present Taiwan in their regional tariffs as well. These plans cover several neighboring countries and automatically connect you to the local providers while you travel. If you plan to see several destinations, including Taiwan, consider these options. Although they are overall more expensive, this is more beneficial than buying tariffs for each country separately.
Yesim | Holafly | Saily | Instabridge |
---|---|---|---|
Asia Pacific (15 countries)Global Plan (147 countries) | GlobalAsia (16 destinations) | Asia (19 destinations)Global (105 regions) | Asiaglobal (the number of countries is not specified) |
Compare the Best Providers
eSIM for travel to Taiwan | Yesim | Holafly | Saily | Instabridge |
---|---|---|---|---|
Coverage and speed | Chunghwa Telecom (5G) | Chunghwa Telecom / Taiwan Mobile / Taiwan Star Telecom (4g/5g/LTE) | Not specified | Not specified |
Price per 1 GB | From $2 to $4 | Prepaid options are not available | From $4 to $0.4 | From $1 to $2 |
Price of unlimited connection | From $2 to $7 per day | From $5.9 per day | Not available | Not available |
Special features | Activate through the app within 365 days;collect points for inviting friends;the hotspot is unlimited. | Connect multiple devices to one data plan;customize the number of days in your plan | The cheapest option on the market;Activate in the application;Earn from a referral program. | Use together with a data-saving browser;Get a map of free Wi-Fi in Taiwan. |
Phone calls | Available at a separate price | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Final Thoughts
eSIM card for Taiwan is the best solution to remain connected and use the Internet in the country. The question is, which provider should you choose? Among others, Yesim offers the best regional offers to cover several Asian countries within one plan. Holafly is a great solution if you need to customize the plan duration and use the Internet without limits. Saily is a cost-effective option, and Instabridge offers special features for data saving. To choose the best provider, focus on your needs and priorities. If you have already tried digital connection in Taiwan, share your opinion or ask questions below.
Currently, users prefer Yesim, Instabridge, Saily, and Holafly. Each provider is different by price, coverage, and available options. Choose depending on your stay duration, budget, and speed requirements.
If you come for a week or less, focus on plans by Holafly. This provider offers to customize the duration of your tariff so you pay a fair price. Alternatively, Yesim offers a great 1–3 days connection.
Yesim offers the best connection quality, and most users access 5G in Taiwan. If you seek a cheaper provider, consider Saily. This company focuses on cost-effective trips.
Roaming fees in Taiwan are extremely high. With eSIM, you pay for the internet and seamless connectivity like a local. Additionally, you can choose and activate the needed plan from the comfort of your home and without a hurry.
All the companies offer a QR code activation, which is the most popular method. Scan the QR code with your data plan and follow further instructions. With Yesim, you can also install the plan within the official application. This method is the fastest and most suited for beginners.