Nomad vs Ubigi is a closer decision once you stop comparing the biggest number on each plan card. A 24GB annual plan can give you only 2GB to use this month. An unlimited plan can slow down after a busy afternoon. And a cheap Europe package may leave out the next stop on your itinerary.
I would start with three things: where you are going, how much data you need during that trip, and when the allowance expires or resets. That makes this comparison useful whether you are spending a week in Lisbon or moving between countries for several months.
For more alternatives, see my Europe eSIM guide and international eSIM comparison.
Nomad vs Ubigi: the quick answer
Nomad is my stronger pick for a large Europe allowance at the current sale price: 50GB for 30 days costs €31.35 on the 35-country option, compared with €54 for Ubigi standard Europe 50GB. Ubigi is cheaper for a lighter trip: 10GB for 30 days is €15, versus Nomad’s €20.60. Check the route first, because these plans do not cover the same destinations.
For recurring travel, compare the data available in each travel month. Ubigi’s €24 annual plan delivers 2GB per month, while Nomad Global-EX’s US$59 plan delivers a single 20GB pool valid for up to 365 days across a different coverage area. They solve different problems.
Official catalog checks: 2 November 2026. Nomad’s 20GB and 50GB Europe prices are promotional. No coupon is included in these figures.
What I tested, and what I researched
I’m based in Belgium and compare eSIM providers full-time. I’ve personally used Nomad in Porto, Lisbon and Figueira da Foz in Portugal, where activation was smooth and 4G worked well on Vodafone and MEO during those trips. I’ve also tested Airalo in Portugal and Holafly in Portugal, Turkey and Thailand.
I have not personally tested Ubigi. Its prices, networks and plan conditions here come from its official catalog and help pages. My Portugal experience is historical evidence, not a speed test of today’s regional packages or Nomad Pass. You can read more in my Nomad review and Ubigi review.
Disclosure: Nomad is a commercial partner, and this article includes affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The comparison still identifies where Ubigi costs less or offers a more suitable feature.
Compare the final checkout price. Coupon eligibility, exclusions and other promotions may affect the discount; renewal discounts are not assumed.
The real difference: how much data is available when you travel?
A reusable eSIM profile is not the same thing as a reusable data allowance. The profile lives on your device. The plan attached to it has its own balance, coverage, expiry and renewal conditions. You can keep a profile and still need to buy more data.
Nomad supports add-ons on eligible plans and now has Nomad Pass subscriptions. Ubigi supports recharge and monthly or annual packages. Calling one disposable and the other permanent misses the decision that affects your bill.
Here is a planning example, not a field test. Suppose you need 12GB during one summer trip. Ubigi’s annual plan advertised as 24GB will not cover that trip on its own: it releases 2GB each month and unused data does not accumulate. A suitable one-off pool lets you use its allowance during that trip instead. Conversely, someone using a little data every month may prefer a monthly reset.
Nomad vs Ubigi at a glance
| What matters | Nomad eSIM | Ubigi |
|---|---|---|
| Company | LotusFlare | Transatel, part of NTT Group |
| 10GB / 30 days in Europe | €20.60, 35 or 36-country option | €15, standard Europe |
| Large Europe allowance | 50GB / 30 days €31.35 sale, 35 countries | 25GB / 30 days €29; 50GB €54 |
| Reusing a profile | Eligible add-ons; provider-specific reinstall rules; new Pass model | Recharge supported; 18-month inactivity rule |
| Subscriptions | New Nomad Pass, with 1GB claims per 30 days and eligible add-on benefits | Monthly and annual plans with monthly data resets |
| Windows laptops | Official installation guide for compatible hardware | Official setup and compatibility guidance |
| Hotspot | Supported; plan limits still apply | Supported; plan limits still apply |
| Calls and SMS in compared plans | Data-only | Data-only |
| Reader offer | ANDRE15: 15% on eligible purchases | ANDREONDIGITAL: 10% on eligible purchases |
Company ownership helps identify who runs the service. It does not tell us which will be faster in your hotel or at a train station. Local networks, the selected package, congestion, device compatibility and location all matter. I do not use corporate ownership or review-site scores as a substitute for a side-by-side network test.
Europe prices: compare the amount you will actually use
These are one-off packages checked on 2 November 2026. Nomad has separate 35-country and 36-country choices; the sale prices below belong to the 35-country option. Ubigi prices below refer to standard Europe. Source: Nomad Europe catalog and Ubigi Europe catalog.
| Allowance and validity | Nomad Europe 35 | Ubigi standard Europe |
|---|---|---|
| 1GB / 7 days | €4.93 | No equivalent tier in this selection |
| 10GB / 7 days | No equivalent fixed-data tier in this selection | €12 |
| 3GB / 30 days | €10.75 | €7 |
| 5GB / 30 days | €15.67 | No equivalent one-off tier in this selection |
| 10GB / 30 days | €20.60 | €15 |
| 20GB / 30 days | €24.18 sale; regular €33.14 | Compare the 25GB tier |
| 25GB / 30 days | No equivalent tier | €29 |
| 50GB / 30 days | €31.35 sale; regular €42.99 | €54 |
My reading of these prices: Ubigi saves €5.60 if 10GB is enough. Nomad is attractive when you need more: its 20GB sale plan costs less than Ubigi’s 25GB tier, although it also supplies 5GB less. At 50GB, Nomad has the lower checked total price by €22.65. Its roughly €0.63 per GB is useful context, but buying unused data does not save money.
Nomad’s 36-country option is a separate purchase decision. Its checked 20GB price is €40.30, and the 50GB sale tier is not listed there. Do not combine the 35-country sale price with the 36-country map. For a month-long stay, my 30-day Europe guide gives you more plans to compare.
Unlimited plans: a daily reset versus one high-speed pool
Neither of these unlimited offers means unlimited full-speed data. Nomad’s threshold resets every 24 hours. Ubigi’s standard Europe threshold applies to the whole package.
| Unlimited product | Price | High-speed allowance | After the threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad Europe 35 / 5 days | €17.02 | 2GB per 24-hour period | 1Mbps until the next reset |
| Nomad Europe 35 / 10 days | €30.45 | 2GB per 24-hour period | 1Mbps until the next reset |
| Ubigi Europe / 7 days | €23 | 25GB total | 2Mbps for remaining validity |
| Ubigi Europe / 15 days | €35 | 30GB total | 2Mbps for remaining validity |
| Ubigi Europe / 30 days | €62 | 60GB total | 2Mbps for remaining validity |
A large upload on one day can take a Nomad daily plan past its threshold even if you used very little yesterday. Ubigi’s total pool gives more flexibility over when you consume the high-speed data, but once that pool is used, the reduced speed lasts for the rest of the plan. This is a comparison of advertised limits, not a promise that either service will deliver a particular real-world speed.
Ubigi monthly and annual plans: read the commitment
| Ubigi Europe subscription | Price before coupons | What you receive | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5GB monthly | €7 per month | 5GB each month; no rollover | Minimum 3 months: €21 |
| 20GB monthly | €18 per month | 20GB each month; no rollover | Minimum 3 months: €54 |
| Annual 24GB | €24 upfront | 2GB each month for 12 months | Annual term; not 24GB at once |
| Annual 60GB | €49 upfront | 5GB each month for 12 months | Annual term; not 60GB at once |
The monthly plans renew automatically and require a three-month minimum. Annual plans are paid upfront and cannot be cancelled for a refund during their validity under the stated subscription terms. Ubigi explains its recurring-plan rules here. A €7 monthly headline therefore is not a €7 one-week holiday purchase.
For a longer single pool, Ubigi also lists Europe 50GB for 180 days at €69, 100GB for 360 days at €100 and 200GB for 360 days at €180. Long validity is not exclusive to Nomad. My cheapest Europe eSIM comparison can help if total spend matters more than extra allowance.
Coverage: the next stop can change the winner
Do not rely on a brand-wide country count. The checked Nomad Europe products list 35 or 36 destinations; Ubigi standard Europe lists 38 and Europe Extended lists 56. Even the two Nomad lists are not a simple small-versus-large upgrade.
| Route detail | Nomad Europe | Ubigi Europe |
|---|---|---|
| UK and Switzerland | Included in both checked options | Included in standard Europe |
| Iceland | Included in both checked options | Requires Extended in this comparison |
| Turkey | 36-country option only | Requires Extended |
| Moldova and Ukraine | Not in either standard Europe option | Included in standard Europe |
| Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia | Use a suitable separate plan such as Balkans | Requires Extended |
| Kosovo | Not in checked Europe or Balkans lists | Included in checked Extended |
| Gibraltar and San Marino | 35-country option, not 36 | Gibraltar in checked standard list; San Marino not listed |
| Canary Islands and Northern Cyprus | Separately listed in 36-country option, not 35 | Check exact destination and network listing before buying |
For example, Lisbon to London fits both checked standard Europe footprints. Add Reykjavik and the Ubigi product changes. Add Istanbul and Nomad needs the 36-country option while Ubigi needs Extended. For Kosovo, the checked Nomad Balkans package is not a substitute: it does not list Kosovo.
Nomad Balkans lists 11 destinations and its 10GB / 30-day tier costs €34.93. Ubigi Europe Extended 10GB / 30 days costs €35. Those packages have different maps, so compare the actual itinerary rather than the names.
Which networks do they use?
These examples come from the current regional product tables. They are not universal brand network lists, and the available technology still depends on the phone and location.
| Destination | Nomad Europe 35 | Nomad Europe 36 | Ubigi standard Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Vodafone, NOS | NOS, MEO | MEO |
| Belgium | Proximus, Orange, BASE | Proximus, BASE, Orange | Orange, Telenet |
| France | Orange, SFR, Free | Orange, Free | Bouygues, Free, Orange, SFR |
| Germany | O2 | Telekom | O2 |
| Switzerland | Sunrise, Salt | Salt | Salt, Sunrise |
| United Kingdom | Three, EE | Three, Vodafone, O2 | EE, Three |
Source lists: Nomad Europe coverage and networks and Ubigi Europe 25GB coverage and networks. My older Nomad tests in Portugal used Vodafone and MEO, but that does not mean both are offered by every current regional package. Neither this table nor a 5G label proves one provider will be faster along your route.
Global plans: a long-lived pool or recurring data?
Global prices below are in US dollars, not converted from the Europe prices. Destination counts are for the exact products checked on 2 November 2026.
| Global product | Allowance and validity | USD price | Listed destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad Global | 10GB / 30 days | $62 | 123 |
| Nomad Global-EX | 10GB / 180 days | $39 | 98 |
| Nomad Global-EX | 20GB / 365 days | $59 | 98 |
| Nomad Global-EX | 50GB / 365 days | $129 | 98 |
| Ubigi Best World | 10GB / 30 days | $39 | 179 |
| Ubigi World | 10GB / 30 days | $59 | 202 |
| Ubigi World monthly | 5GB each month | $17 per month | 202 |
| Ubigi World annual | 5GB each month for 12 months | $180 upfront | 202 |
Nomad Global-EX is the more interesting Nomad option for data spread across several trips. The US$59 plan has one 20GB pool, not a monthly reset, so you decide when to use that allowance within its validity. But it must start within 60 days of purchase, and the clock cannot be paused. Buy it around a real departure, not simply because a year-long label sounds reassuring.
Coverage still matters. The checked Global-EX list includes Oman but not the UAE; Nomad’s standard Global list includes the UAE. Ubigi’s checked World products list 202 destinations, but explicitly restrict Canadian residents using those products in Canada and UAE residents using them in the UAE. Do not assume a world plan is a domestic replacement for every resident.
Ubigi’s US$180 annual World plan works differently: it provides 5GB per month, without rollover. Monthly World plans also carry the recurring-plan commitment. For routes across regions, compare my international travel guide and Asia eSIM guide.
Where the new Nomad Pass fits
Nomad Pass launched on 20 October 2026. It is an app-based subscription with single-country and regional versions. You pay the chosen term upfront, and it renews automatically for that term unless cancelled under its rules. The checked single-country prices are US$5 for 30 days, US$14 for 90, US$27 for 180 and US$49 for 365. Regional versions cost US$7, US$19, US$37 and US$68 for the same terms.
The benefit is a 1GB claim per 30-day period plus 15% off eligible add-ons. Unclaimed allowances do not accumulate, purchased data is used before the included backup data, and eligible claim and add-on destination lists differ. Optional automatic add-ons can trigger another charge at 500MB remaining. This is a different product from a 20GB prepaid pool or an unlimited plan.
New Pass profiles can remain reusable for up to three years after the last active plan under their terms. Read the current Pass offer and subscription rules before subscribing. I have not personally tested Pass, and I would not assume the ANDRE15 reader coupon combines with its benefits.
Installation, top-ups and the details that matter away from Wi-Fi
How Nomad eSIM setup works
Install with a reliable internet connection and follow the instructions for your exact device. For the paid Europe and Global-EX products checked here, the plan starts when it connects to a supported network, or automatically after 60 days from purchase. Installing early does not make that deadline disappear.
Supported Nomad add-ons use the current profile and normally start when the base plan is depleted or expires. They do not roll unused base data into a new allowance. Check availability while the base plan is active. A separate new purchase may require a different profile.
Do not delete an eSIM as routine troubleshooting. Nomad reinstall and transfer rules vary by underlying provider. Some profiles cannot be reinstalled. Keep the installation email and contact support when uncertain.
The preserved video below is Nomad’s official iPhone tutorial, published 24 June 2025. The current app or package instructions may look different.
Watch the official Nomad setup video on YouTube.
How Ubigi eSIM setup and recharge work
Ubigi SmartStart activates in the covered area, immediately if you are already there. An unactivated plan expires six months after purchase. Keep the profile installed for future recharge, but remember that Ubigi can terminate a profile after 18 consecutive months without data use.
One practical advantage is access to Ubigi Selfcare and its website without remaining data credit. After initial setup, these remain accessible through Ubigi connectivity, so you can buy a plan without finding Wi-Fi. You still need a working Ubigi cellular signal. Your first purchase and installation require another internet connection.
The preserved Ubigi tutorial below was published on 20 June 2025 and shows purchase and installation on iPhone. It is the provider’s demonstration, not my own Ubigi field test.
Watch the official Ubigi setup video on YouTube.
Windows, hotspot, calls and refunds
Both providers document Windows installation: Nomad Windows guide and Ubigi Windows compatibility check. Check the exact laptop specification and EID. A Wi-Fi-only laptop does not become eSIM-compatible by installing an app.
Both support hotspot use, subject to the purchased allowance and speed limits. The Europe and global products compared here are data-only. WhatsApp and similar apps can use that connection; ordinary calls and SMS remain with your home carrier if you keep that SIM active. Disable home-SIM data roaming and check its call and SMS charges. For the technology itself, see the GSMA explanation of eSIM.
Check refund terms before paying. The Nomad unlimited product inspected here was marked non-refundable. Ubigi refund eligibility depends on circumstances such as an unused plan or an established technical problem, with a request and receipt required within its stated deadline. Neither purchase should be presented as universally risk-free.
Nomad free trial and older bundle promotions
The current Nomad trial offers eligible new users 1GB for three days in 76 listed destinations through the app, without a credit card. It supports hotspot use and starts on connection, or automatically 15 days after redemption if unused. Check the destination list and promotion eligibility; redeeming a trial can affect first-purchase offers.
The older Value Bundles campaign is not included as a current saving. On 2 November 2026, its shopping destinations did not present a working current bundle offer. A past promotional article is not enough to promise that a bundle or discount can still be purchased.
Compare the final checkout price. Coupon eligibility, exclusions and other promotions may affect the discount; renewal discounts are not assumed.
Which would I choose for these trips?
| Your situation | My starting choice | Why, and what could change it |
|---|---|---|
| One Europe trip using up to 10GB | Ubigi standard Europe 10GB | €15 / 30 days is lower than Nomad €20.60. Confirm all stops are covered. |
| A Europe trip needing around 20GB | Nomad Europe 35 / 20GB | €24.18 sale is a useful middle tier. Turkey or other route changes may require another product. |
| A data-heavy Europe trip up to 50GB | Nomad Europe 35 / 50GB | €31.35 sale is the strongest large-pool price in this pair. It is still a finite allowance. |
| Light data use every month in covered Europe destinations | Consider Ubigi annual 2GB/month | €24 upfront may fit consistent low usage. It will not cover one large trip by borrowing future months. |
| Several trips with uneven data use across regions | Consider Nomad Global-EX | 20GB pooled for up to 365 days at US$59, if its 98-destination footprint and activation deadline fit. |
| Need to refill with no remaining balance | Consider Ubigi | Selfcare over its cellular network is useful after setup. It still needs signal and a valid profile. |
| A laptop for remote work | Check hardware, route and allowance first | Both document Windows setup. Budget for real usage and unlimited thresholds, not brand labels. |
Before you pay: open the exact country list, confirm the local network, check when validity starts, and look at the final total after any eligible coupon. Save a copy of the plan details. That small check is more valuable than buying the biggest allowance by default.
FAQ: Nomad vs Ubigi, checked 2 November 2026
These concise answers use the same official checks as the comparison above. Prices, country lists and promotional terms can change after that date.
Is Nomad or Ubigi better in 2026?
Nomad is the stronger large-allowance Europe option at the checked sale price of €31.35 for 50GB over 30 days. Ubigi costs less for 10GB over 30 days at €15. For repeat trips, compare monthly resets, activation deadlines and the exact country list rather than counting trips. Prices checked on 2 November 2026, before reader discounts.
Is Nomad cheaper than Ubigi for Europe?
It depends on the allowance. Nomad Europe 35-country plans cost €20.60 for 10GB, €24.18 on sale for 20GB and €31.35 on sale for 50GB, all valid for 30 days. Ubigi standard Europe costs €15 for 10GB, €29 for 25GB and €54 for 50GB over 30 days. Coverage differs. Checked 2 November 2026, before coupons.
What is the main difference between Nomad and Ubigi?
The useful difference is the package you buy: its country list, usable data, expiry and renewal rules. Both support profile reuse in eligible circumstances, both document Windows installation, and both now offer subscriptions. Ubigi also lets an installed profile reach its top-up service over Ubigi connectivity without remaining data credit, provided there is network signal.
Does Ubigi annual 24GB mean I can use 24GB in one trip?
No. Ubigi Europe annual 24GB at €24 upfront provides 2GB each month for 12 months, without rollover. The €49 annual 60GB plan provides 5GB each month. They are monthly allowances, not a single pool available on day one. Checked 2 November 2026.
What is the minimum cost of Ubigi Europe monthly plans?
The checked 5GB monthly plan costs €7 per month and the 20GB monthly plan costs €18 per month. Both require at least three months, so the minimum undiscounted commitment is €21 or €54. Unused data does not roll over. Checked 2 November 2026.
Are Nomad and Ubigi Europe unlimited plans unlimited at full speed?
No. Nomad Europe 35-country unlimited plans provide 2GB per 24-hour period and then 1Mbps until the next reset. Ubigi standard Europe unlimited has a total high-speed threshold: 25GB for 7 days, 30GB for 15 days or 60GB for 30 days, then 2Mbps for the remaining validity. Checked 2 November 2026; these are different plan structures.
Does Nomad Europe cover Turkey and the Balkans?
Turkey is in the checked Nomad Europe 36-country option, not the 35-country option. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia require a suitable separate plan, such as the checked Nomad Balkans package. Kosovo is not on that Balkans list. Always open the exact product coverage table.
Does Ubigi Europe include Iceland, Turkey and Kosovo?
The checked standard Europe 25GB plan includes none of those three destinations. The checked Europe Extended 10GB plan includes all three. Standard Europe lists 38 destinations and Extended lists 56, with different prices. Checked 2 November 2026.
Which has the wider global plan, Nomad or Ubigi?
Among the products checked on 2 November 2026, Ubigi World lists 202 destinations, Ubigi Best World 179, Nomad Global 123 and Nomad Global-EX 98. These are different packages with different terms, not interchangeable brand-wide coverage promises. A larger destination count does not prove better signal or speed.
How does Nomad Global-EX 20GB for 365 days work?
The checked US$59 plan provides one total 20GB allowance for up to 365 days across 98 listed destinations. It does not refill monthly. It starts when connected to a supported network, or automatically after the 60-day activation deadline. The validity cannot be paused. Checked 2 November 2026.
Can I keep the same Nomad or Ubigi eSIM for another trip?
Keep the profile installed and check its rules. Supported Nomad add-ons reuse the existing profile; reinstall and transfer rules vary by underlying provider. New Nomad Pass profiles support longer reuse under their own terms. Ubigi is designed for recharge, but the profile is subject to termination after 18 consecutive months without data use. Neither should be described as an unconditional lifetime profile.
Can I use Nomad or Ubigi on a Windows laptop?
Both publish Windows setup guidance. The exact laptop must have compatible cellular hardware and eSIM support; ordinary Wi-Fi-only laptops cannot install a cellular eSIM. You can also tether a compatible laptop to a supported phone hotspot, subject to the purchased plan allowance and speed conditions.
Do Nomad and Ubigi include a phone number?
The Europe and global packages compared here are data-only, with no ordinary cellular calls or SMS. Internet calling apps can use the data connection. Keep a home SIM if you need its number or verification messages, and check its roaming charges. This statement should not be extended to every Nomad product, because some country-specific packages have different features.
When do Nomad and Ubigi plans activate?
The checked Nomad paid Europe and Global-EX plans start on a supported network or automatically after 60 days from purchase. Ubigi SmartStart starts in the covered area, including immediately if you are already there; an unactivated plan expires six months after purchase. Nomad free-trial timing is different: automatic activation 15 days after redemption if not used sooner.
Can I top up Ubigi without Wi-Fi or data credit?
Yes, after initial setup, Ubigi makes its Selfcare and website accessible over Ubigi connectivity even with zero remaining data credit. You still need working Ubigi network signal. Initial purchase and installation require Wi-Fi or another internet connection. This is not an offline service.
What are the Nomad and Ubigi discount codes?
Use ANDRE15 for 15% off eligible Nomad purchases and ANDREONDIGITAL for 10% off eligible Ubigi purchases through the reader links. Check that the discount appears before paying. Eligibility, sale combinations, subscriptions and renewal terms can differ; the comparison prices are shown before these codes.
Final verdict: buy the data your trip can actually use
Nomad is my preferred starting point for a larger Europe allowance in this comparison. The 20GB and 50GB sale tiers are compelling, and the 50GB price of €31.35 is substantially below Ubigi’s equivalent €54 tier. For a covered route with heavy data use, that is a concrete reason to choose it. My own Nomad experience in Portugal also gives me a real basis for discussing setup, within the limits of those past trips.
I would still choose Ubigi for a covered trip where 10GB is enough: €15 is less money than €20.60, and unused gigabytes do not make an upgrade worthwhile. Its zero-balance access to top-ups is also a practical benefit. For predictable light use every month, its annual allowances deserve a look, provided you understand the monthly reset.
For longer travel, Nomad Global-EX deserves attention because its 20GB pool can be spread over a year without monthly resets. The trade-off is its smaller destination list and 60-day activation deadline. Nomad Pass offers another recurring option, but its included 1GB and add-on benefits should be evaluated as subscription terms, not mistaken for a large prepaid allowance.
My final decision would come from the itinerary and the calendar of consumption. Confirm those, then apply the eligible reader code. That is how you avoid a cheap-looking plan that runs short on the day you need it most.
Compare the final checkout price. Coupon eligibility, exclusions and other promotions may affect the discount; renewal discounts are not assumed.
Sources and verification notes
Checked on 2 November 2026 against Nomad and Ubigi product pages and support documentation. Direct links beside the tables and relevant explanations identify the source for each material condition. Regional prices use EUR; global and Pass examples use USD, with no exchange-rate comparison. Sale availability and coupon acceptance must be confirmed before payment.
Personal experience is identified separately from provider documentation. I did not conduct a new side-by-side speed test or test the reader coupons at checkout for this update. Nomad’s commercial partnership is disclosed above.
