Best eSIM for South Africa
97 prepaid data plans from 8 providers, read from their own sites on October 5, 2026. Sorted by price, with the fields that change what you actually get.
Cheapest plan
$3.96
Yesim · 1 GB, 30 days
Best price per GB
$0.98/GB
Airalo · 50 GB, 30 days
Cheapest unlimited
$9.50
Holafly · Unlimited, 1 day
Regional plans that include it
22 of 69
Ubigi Best World
Cheapest plan by trip length and usage
For a trip only in South Africa. Each cell is the cheapest plan that holds enough data and stays valid for the whole stay.
All eSIM plans for South Africa
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price | Price per GB | Hotspot | Validity starts | Top-up | See plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yesim | 1 GB | 30 days | $3.96 | $3.96 | Yes | Varies by plan | Not stated | See plan → |
| Saily | 1 GB | 7 days | $3.99 | $3.99 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 1 GB | 3 days | $4.00 | $4.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIM | 1 GB | 7 days | $4.00 | $4.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Nomad | 1 GB | 7 days | $4.00 | $4.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 1 GB | 3 days | $4.50 | $4.50 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Ubigi | 1 GB | 30 days | $5.00 | $5.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIM | 2 GB | 15 days | $7.50 | $3.75 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 3 GB | 3 days | $8.00 | $2.67 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Nomad | 3 GB | 30 days | $8.00 | $2.67 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 3 GB | 3 days | $9.00 | $3.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 3 GB | 7 days | $9.00 | $3.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Ubigi | 3 GB | 15 days | $9.00 | $3.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 1 day | $9.50 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| YesimFair-use limit | Unlimited | 1 day | $9.60 | – | Yes | Varies by plan | Not stated | See plan → |
| Saily | 3 GB | 30 days | $9.99 | $3.33 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 3 GB | 7 days | $10.00 | $3.33 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIM | 3 GB | 30 days | $10.00 | $3.33 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Nomad | 5 GB | 30 days | $11.00 | $2.20 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 5 GB | 7 days | $11.50 | $2.30 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 5 GB | 15 days | $12.00 | $2.40 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIM | 3 GB | 10 days | $12.00 | $4.00 | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIMFair-use limitCalls or SMS included | Unlimited | 3 days | $12.00 | – | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 5 GB | 7 days | $12.50 | $2.50 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 5 GB | 30 days | $12.50 | $2.50 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Saily | 5 GB | 30 days | $12.99 | $2.60 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 5 GB | 15 days | $13.00 | $2.60 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIM | 5 GB | 30 days | $13.00 | $2.60 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIM | 5 GB | 15 days | $13.00 | $2.60 | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 5 GB | 30 days | $13.50 | $2.70 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Nomad | 10 GB | 30 days | $18.00 | $1.80 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Ubigi | 10 GB | 7 days | $18.00 | $1.80 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloFair-use limit | Unlimited | 3 days | $19.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 10 GB | 7 days | $19.00 | $1.90 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| NomadFair-use limit | Unlimited | 5 days | $19.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 3 days | $19.90 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| Airalo | 10 GB | 15 days | $20.00 | $2.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIMFair-use limit | Unlimited | 3 days | $20.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Ubigi | 10 GB | 30 days | $20.00 | $2.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 10 GB | 7 days | $20.50 | $2.05 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIM | 10 GB | 30 days | $21.50 | $2.15 | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 10 GB | 15 days | $22.00 | $2.20 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 10 GB | 30 days | $22.00 | $2.20 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Saily | 10 GB | 30 days | $22.99 | $2.30 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIM | 10 GB | 30 days | $23.00 | $2.30 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 10 GB | 30 days | $24.00 | $2.40 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIMFair-use limitCalls or SMS included | Unlimited | 7 days | $24.00 | – | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| Yesim | 10 GB | 30 days | $24.00 | $2.40 | Yes | Varies by plan | Not stated | See plan → |
| SailyFair-use limit | Unlimited | 5 days | $27.99 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloFair-use limit | Unlimited | 5 days | $28.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Nomad | 20 GB | 30 days | $29.00 | $1.45 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| YesimFair-use limit | Unlimited | 7 days | $30.00 | – | Yes | Varies by plan | Not stated | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 5 days | $30.90 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| aloSIMFair-use limit | Unlimited | 5 days | $31.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIM | 20 GB | 30 days | $34.00 | $1.70 | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| Yesim | 20 GB | 30 days | $34.80 | $1.74 | Yes | Varies by plan | Not stated | See plan → |
| Airalo | 20 GB | 15 days | $35.00 | $1.75 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| UbigiFair-use limit | Unlimited | 7 days | $35.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloFair-use limit | Unlimited | 7 days | $36.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Saily | 20 GB | 30 days | $36.99 | $1.85 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Airalo | 20 GB | 30 days | $37.00 | $1.85 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIM | 20 GB | 30 days | $37.00 | $1.85 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| NomadFair-use limit | Unlimited | 10 days | $37.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 20 GB | 15 days | $38.00 | $1.90 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Ubigi | 25 GB | 30 days | $39.00 | $1.56 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIMFair-use limit | Unlimited | 7 days | $39.50 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 7 days | $39.50 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 20 GB | 30 days | $40.00 | $2.00 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Yesim | 30 GB | 30 days | $43.20 | $1.44 | Yes | Varies by plan | Not stated | See plan → |
| SailyFair-use limit | Unlimited | 10 days | $44.99 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloFair-use limit | Unlimited | 10 days | $45.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIMFair-use limit | Unlimited | 10 days | $45.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIMFair-use limitCalls or SMS included | Unlimited | 15 days | $45.00 | – | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| YesimFair-use limit | Unlimited | 15 days | $46.80 | – | Yes | Varies by plan | Not stated | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 10 days | $46.90 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| Airalo | 50 GB | 30 days | $49.00 | $0.98 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| UbigiFair-use limit | Unlimited | 15 days | $49.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloFair-use limit | Unlimited | 15 days | $51.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloCalls or SMS included | 50 GB | 30 days | $55.00 | $1.10 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Ubigi | 50 GB | 30 days | $55.00 | $1.10 | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| SailyFair-use limit | Unlimited | 15 days | $59.99 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 14 days | $60.90 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 15 days | $63.50 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| YesimFair-use limit | Unlimited | 30 days | $64.80 | – | Yes | Varies by plan | Not stated | See plan → |
| aloSIMFair-use limit | Unlimited | 15 days | $68.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIMFair-use limit | 50 GB | 15 days | $69.50 | $1.39 | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| aloSIMFair-use limit | Unlimited | 30 days | $75.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| SailyFair-use limit | Unlimited | 20 days | $76.99 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Vodafone Travel eSIMFair-use limitCalls or SMS included | Unlimited | 30 days | $78.50 | – | Yes | Not stated | Yes | See plan → |
| UbigiFair-use limit | Unlimited | 30 days | $79.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 20 days | $79.90 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| SailyFair-use limit | Unlimited | 25 days | $94.99 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| AiraloFair-use limit | Unlimited | 30 days | $99.00 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| SailyFair-use limit | Unlimited | 30 days | $109.99 | – | Yes | On first connection | Yes | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 30 days | $111.90 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 60 days | $211.50 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 90 days | $306.50 | – | Yes | On first connection | No | See plan → |
Prices in US dollars, read from each provider on October 5, 2026. They change often: confirm on the provider page before paying. Only price and fit to your route decide the order of results.
Each provider at a glance
One row per provider: its entry price, its best price per gigabyte and its cheapest unlimited plan for South Africa.
| Provider | Plans | Cheapest plan | Best price per GB | Cheapest unlimited | Hotspot | Validity starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yesim | 8 | $3.961 GB · 30 days | $1.44/GB30 GB · 30 days | $9.601 day | Yes | Varies by plan |
| Saily | 11 | $3.991 GB · 7 days | $1.85/GB20 GB · 30 days | $27.995 days | Yes | On first connection |
| Airalo | 30 | $4.001 GB · 3 days | $0.98/GB50 GB · 30 days | $19.003 days | Yes | On first connection |
| aloSIM | 12 | $4.001 GB · 7 days | $1.85/GB20 GB · 30 days | $20.003 days | Yes | On first connection |
| Nomad | 7 | $4.001 GB · 7 days | $1.45/GB20 GB · 30 days | $19.005 days | Yes | On first connection |
| Ubigi | 9 | $5.001 GB · 30 days | $1.10/GB50 GB · 30 days | $35.007 days | Yes | On first connection |
| Holafly | 11 | $9.50Unlimited · 1 day | – | $9.501 day | Yes | On first connection |
| Vodafone Travel eSIM | 9 | $12.003 GB · 10 days | $1.39/GB50 GB · 15 days | $12.003 days | Yes | Not stated |
What to know about mobile data in South Africa
South Africa's mobile networks depend on an unstable power grid. During the heavy scheduled power cuts of 2022 and 2023, known as load shedding, operators confirmed that towers went offline when backup batteries ran flat, and they have since spent heavily on batteries and generators. Policy sets the end of 2027 for closing 2G and 3G, though the minister wants periodic reviews first. Coverage is good in cities and along main routes, and sparse in game reserves and rural areas.
Before you go
- If power cuts are scheduled during your trip, expect mobile data to weaken in the affected area after a few hours. Download what you need in advance.
- In Kruger and other reserves, signal is mostly limited to rest camps and gates. Offline maps are worth having for self-drive days.
- Trips into Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia or Botswana need those countries in the plan. A South Africa eSIM ends at the border.
Regional and global plans that cover South Africa
Useful when South Africa is one stop among several. The country count is the provider's own list.
| Provider | Product | Countries | Plan | Price | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubigi | Best World | 178 | 0.5 GB, 30 days | From $5.00 | Global |
| Ubigi | Best Africa | 29 | 1 GB, 30 days | From $7.00 | Africa |
| Ubigi | World | 201 | 0.5 GB, 30 days | From $7.00 | Global |
| Airalo | Discover | 159 | 1 GB, 7 days | From $8.50 | Global |
| Saily | Global (121 countries) | 121 | 1 GB, 7 days | From $8.99 | Global |
| Airalo | Discover+ | 162 | 1 GB, 7 days | From $9.00 | Global |
| Holafly | Africa | 28 | Unlimited, 1 day | From $9.50 | Africa |
| Holafly | Global | 141 | Unlimited, 1 day | From $9.50 | Global |
| aloSIM | Global | 146 | 1 GB, 7 days | From $10.00 | Global |
| Airalo | Hello Africa | 36 | 1 GB, 3 days | From $11.00 | Africa |
| Nomad | Africa | 11 | 1 GB, 7 days | From $11.00 | Africa |
| Yesim | Africa | 15 | 1 GB, 30 days | From $11.64 | Africa |
| Nomad | Global | 123 | 1 GB, 7 days | From $12.00 | Global |
| Vodafone Travel eSIM | Africa eSIM | 28 | 1 GB, 7 days | From $14.50 | Africa |
| Saily | Africa | 34 | 1 GB, 7 days | From $14.99 | Africa |
| Ubigi | Africa | 47 | 1 GB, 30 days | From $19.00 | Africa |
Visiting more than South Africa?
Add the other stops and the planner will tell you whether a regional plan, separate plans or a mix costs less.
Plan a route starting in South AfricaFrequently asked questions
What is the cheapest eSIM for South Africa?
On October 5, 2026, the cheapest plan we found was Yesim with 1 GB, 30 days at $3.96. The lowest price per gigabyte was Airalo: 50 GB, 30 days at $49.00, which is $0.98/GB.
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for South Africa?
Yes. 8 of the providers we track sell unlimited plans for South Africa; the cheapest is Holafly at $9.50 for 1 day. Unlimited plans often slow down after a daily amount, so read the fair-use note on the provider page.
Which regional eSIM plans include South Africa?
22 of the 69 regional and global products we track list South Africa: Ubigi Best World, Ubigi Best Africa, Ubigi World, Airalo Discover, Saily Global (121 countries), Airalo Discover+, Holafly Africa, Holafly Global.
Does load shedding affect mobile data in South Africa?
It has. In 2022 and 2023 both major operators confirmed connectivity problems when tower batteries could not recharge between cuts, and they have added backup power since. If scheduled cuts return while you are there, expect local drops.
Does a South Africa eSIM work in Lesotho or Eswatini?
No, unless they are listed. Both are separate countries with their own networks, even though Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa.
