If you’re looking for a travel eSIM that goes beyond just giving you data, Yesim is worth a serious look. Built by a Swiss company and designed for frequent multi-country travellers, it packs a surprisingly useful set of features into one app — including a built-in VPN, virtual phone numbers, and flexible pay-as-you-go billing.
But is it the right eSIM for your trip? This honest review covers everything you need to know before buying.
What Is Yesim?
Yesim is a travel eSIM provider operated by Genesis Group AG, a telecommunications company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Founded in 2019, it offers mobile data connectivity across 200+ destinations through partnerships with over 800 mobile operators worldwide.
Unlike many eSIM providers that focus purely on data, Yesim positions itself as a connectivity toolkit — combining mobile data, a built-in VPN, virtual phone numbers, and flexible billing into a single app.
It has over 3 million users and consistently earns strong ratings on the App Store and Google Play.
Key Features
Global coverage: Yesim covers 200+ destinations with both country-specific and regional plans. A single International eSIM covers 140+ countries, which means multi-country travellers don’t have to buy a new plan every time they cross a border.
Built-in VPN (iOS): iOS users get a free built-in VPN inside the Yesim app. This is a genuinely useful feature for travellers who regularly use public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, and cafés — where unencrypted connections are a real security risk. Android users can purchase VPN access separately.
Pay & Fly billing: Instead of buying fixed data packages and worrying about using them up, Pay & Fly charges you only for the data you actually use. No fixed expiration date — plans can be purchased in advance and activated within twelve months.
Virtual phone numbers: Yesim lets you purchase virtual phone numbers for SMS verification — useful for accessing apps and services that require a local number, or for keeping a reachable number while abroad.
SwitchLess technology: Yesim automatically connects to the strongest available partner network, switching carriers seamlessly when coverage drops or you cross a border. No manual switching required.
Hotspot sharing: You can share your Yesim data connection via hotspot with other devices — laptops, tablets, travel companions. This works on unlimited plans and is included at no extra cost.
eSIM sharing: Yesim allows you to share plans with family members, which is a useful feature for travelling groups.
Pricing
Yesim’s pricing sits in the mid-range of the eSIM market — not the cheapest option, but not the most expensive either.
- Plans start from around €0.50–€4.50 depending on destination and data volume
- Regional Europe plans offer good value for multi-country European trips
- Pay & Fly global plan starts from a $10 minimum top-up
- Unlimited plans are available but subject to Fair Use Policy (throttling may apply after heavy use)
How it compares:
- Cheaper than Holafly for moderate data needs
- Slightly more expensive than Saily at most tiers (roughly $1–5 difference per plan)
- Comparable to Airalo, with a slight advantage on some European plans
For light users taking a single-country trip of a few days, Airalo or Saily may be slightly cheaper. For frequent multi-country travellers who value the VPN and flexible billing, Yesim’s pricing is competitive when you factor in the added features.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Coverage in 200+ destinations
- Built-in free VPN for iOS — no separate subscription needed
- Pay & Fly billing — only pay for data you use
- No plan expiry pressure — activate within 12 months of purchase
- Virtual phone numbers for SMS verification
- Strong Trustpilot rating (4.6/5)
- Swiss-based — strong data privacy laws
- Hotspot sharing included
- 24/7 customer support via live chat
- Generous referral programme (€5 for both parties)
- Loyalty rewards system (yCoins)
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than budget alternatives like Saily
- VPN is iOS-only for free (Android requires purchase)
- Speed can be inconsistent outside Europe
- Plan catalogue is large and can feel overwhelming for first-time buyers
- Minimum $10 top-up for Pay & Fly plan
Who Is Yesim Best For?
Choose Yesim if you:
- Travel across multiple countries frequently
- Want a built-in VPN without paying for a separate service
- Prefer pay-as-you-go flexibility over fixed data packages
- Travel primarily in Europe where performance is strongest
- Need virtual phone numbers for app verification abroad
- Value privacy and Swiss data protection jurisdiction
Look elsewhere if you:
- Are taking a short single-country trip (Airalo or Saily are cheaper)
- Need heavy unlimited data for streaming without throttling (try Holafly)
- Are on Android and want VPN included (the iOS VPN is the standout feature)
- Want the absolute lowest price per GB regardless of features
How to Set Up Yesim
Getting started with Yesim takes around 3–5 minutes:
- Download the Yesim app from the App Store or Google Play
- Create a free account with your email address
- Browse plans for your destination — country, regional, or global
- Purchase your plan and install the eSIM profile via the app or QR code
- Before your trip: enable the Yesim line in your phone settings and turn on data roaming
- Set Yesim as your mobile data line — keep your physical SIM for calls and texts
Compatible devices include: iPhone XR and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 series and later, Google Pixel 3 and later. Check your specific model on the Yesim website before purchasing.
Is Yesim Worth It?
Yesim earns a solid recommendation for the right type of traveller. If you regularly cross multiple borders, want a free VPN bundled with your data, and prefer flexible billing over fixed packages, Yesim delivers genuine value that few competitors match in a single app.
The Swiss privacy advantage is a real differentiator for privacy-conscious users, and the 4.6 Trustpilot rating — built over millions of users — is a meaningful signal of consistent service quality.
That said, it is not the right choice for everyone. Budget travellers visiting one country for a few days will find better value with Airalo or Saily. Heavy streamers who need truly unlimited data without throttling should look at Holafly instead.
Our verdict: 4.2 / 5 — a strong all-round eSIM for frequent multi-country travellers who want more than just data.
Get Yesim
Ready to try Yesim for your next trip?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yesim work in Europe? Yes. Yesim has strong coverage across Europe and performs best in the region. European regional plans are available and offer good value for multi-country trips.
Can I use Yesim on Android? Yes, Yesim works on eSIM-compatible Android devices. Note that the built-in VPN is currently iOS-only for free — Android users can purchase VPN access separately.
Does Yesim include hotspot? Yes, hotspot sharing is supported on Yesim plans including unlimited plans, at no additional cost.
What happens if I run out of data? You can top up your plan directly in the Yesim app at any time without losing your existing connection or having to reinstall anything.
Is Yesim safe to use? Yesim is operated by a Swiss-registered company under Swiss data protection law, which is among the strongest privacy frameworks in the world. The built-in VPN adds an additional layer of security on public networks.
Does Yesim offer refunds? Yes. Yesim offers refunds for unused, unactivated plans within 30 days of purchase.
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